当然，平心而论，任何一门语言，都会有自己的俗语、典故。例如英文、拉丁语中的潘多拉的盒子（Pandora's box）、达摩克利斯剑（the Swords of Damocles）、多米诺骨牌（Dominoes）等等。毕竟，任何文明经过了几百年了，谁家还没几个老祖宗传下来典故啊。只不过咱中国因为历史长了一点，所以咱的“引用库”也就比别家稍微丰富了那么“亿点点”······
Despite China's consistent efforts to resolve its territorial disputes with the Philippines through peaceful dialogue and friendly consultations, the Ferdinand Marcos Jr government has time and again provoked China on issues related to the South China Sea in disregard of Beijing's continuous display of restraint and goodwill. By repeatedly making waves in the waters with the help of external forces, Manila has shown itself to be a troublemaker jeopardizing regional security and stability.
\n
In its latest provocation, the Philippine Navy, in collaboration with the armed forces of Australia and Canada, conducted a so-called multilateral maritime cooperative activity in the South China Sea on Wednesday, prompting the People's Liberation Army Navy to be on high alert and conduct a cautionary patrol.
\n
Stressing that any attempt to create hot spots in the South China Sea will not succeed, a spokesman for the PLA Southern Theater Command said that Chinese forces will resolutely defend the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.
\n
It is noteworthy that Manila chose Sept 3 as the day on which to stage its latest provocation, as China held commemorative activities including a grand military parade in Beijing, to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War that day. This makes the Marcos government's move extremely egregious as the Philippines also suffered from Japanese aggression.
\n
China's territorial rights are supported by the Cairo Declaration of 1943, the Potsdam Proclamation of 1945, as well as other postwar arrangements under international law, which affirm that China recovered Taiwan island in October 1945, and in the following year started the process of receiving and reclaiming South China Sea islands such as the Xisha and Nansha islands, which had been seized and occupied by Japanese aggressors.
\n
The return of the territories to China was completed in December of the same year, and announced to the world. Subsequently, China officially issued the Location Map of the South China Sea Islands, formalizing its legal recovery of these islands under international law.
\n
The postwar international order established the basis for China's recovery of its South China Sea islands and resumption of it exercising sovereignty over them. As the world marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the war, it is pertinent to reaffirm this historical truth.
\n
What Manila has done, with the connivance and encouragement of external forces, poses a grave challenge to the postwar international order, which risks sparking regional instability by undermining established international rules. The reckless actions of Manila may also lead to increased geopolitical tensions, which will only hinder cooperation among nations, erode trust for diplomacy and potentially spark regional or even global conflicts.
\n
Moreover, Manila has engaged in provocations targeting China with increasing frequency. Just two weeks prior to the latest joint patrols, Philippine and Australian forces teamed up in Manila's westernmost province for a large-scale joint drill — which was Canberra's largest deployment of troops to Southeast Asia since 1999. Such complicity in Manila's provocations has only emboldened the Marcos government. Inciting and supporting Manila's irresponsible moves are the major cause of increased tensions that have harmed the shared interests of countries in the region. This has left China with no other choice but to take firm and resolute countermeasures against any provocative behavior to safeguard its justified and legitimate interests.
\n
In addressing maritime issues between nations, China remains committed to maintaining peace and stability in the region together with neighboring countries. It consistently upholds international law and regional rules such as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
\n
It is hoped that all relevant parties will work collaboratively to promote harmony and cooperation in the South China Sea.
\n",
- "content": "
Despite China's consistent efforts to resolve its territorial disputes with the Philippines through peaceful dialogue and friendly consultations, the Ferdinand Marcos Jr government has time and again provoked China on issues related to the South China Sea in disregard of Beijing's continuous display of restraint and goodwill. By repeatedly making waves in the waters with the help of external forces, Manila has shown itself to be a troublemaker jeopardizing regional security and stability.
\n
In its latest provocation, the Philippine Navy, in collaboration with the armed forces of Australia and Canada, conducted a so-called multilateral maritime cooperative activity in the South China Sea on Wednesday, prompting the People's Liberation Army Navy to be on high alert and conduct a cautionary patrol.
\n
Stressing that any attempt to create hot spots in the South China Sea will not succeed, a spokesman for the PLA Southern Theater Command said that Chinese forces will resolutely defend the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.
\n
It is noteworthy that Manila chose Sept 3 as the day on which to stage its latest provocation, as China held commemorative activities including a grand military parade in Beijing, to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War that day. This makes the Marcos government's move extremely egregious as the Philippines also suffered from Japanese aggression.
\n
China's territorial rights are supported by the Cairo Declaration of 1943, the Potsdam Proclamation of 1945, as well as other postwar arrangements under international law, which affirm that China recovered Taiwan island in October 1945, and in the following year started the process of receiving and reclaiming South China Sea islands such as the Xisha and Nansha islands, which had been seized and occupied by Japanese aggressors.
\n
The return of the territories to China was completed in December of the same year, and announced to the world. Subsequently, China officially issued the Location Map of the South China Sea Islands, formalizing its legal recovery of these islands under international law.
\n
The postwar international order established the basis for China's recovery of its South China Sea islands and resumption of it exercising sovereignty over them. As the world marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the war, it is pertinent to reaffirm this historical truth.
\n
What Manila has done, with the connivance and encouragement of external forces, poses a grave challenge to the postwar international order, which risks sparking regional instability by undermining established international rules. The reckless actions of Manila may also lead to increased geopolitical tensions, which will only hinder cooperation among nations, erode trust for diplomacy and potentially spark regional or even global conflicts.
\n
Moreover, Manila has engaged in provocations targeting China with increasing frequency. Just two weeks prior to the latest joint patrols, Philippine and Australian forces teamed up in Manila's westernmost province for a large-scale joint drill — which was Canberra's largest deployment of troops to Southeast Asia since 1999. Such complicity in Manila's provocations has only emboldened the Marcos government. Inciting and supporting Manila's irresponsible moves are the major cause of increased tensions that have harmed the shared interests of countries in the region. This has left China with no other choice but to take firm and resolute countermeasures against any provocative behavior to safeguard its justified and legitimate interests.
\n
In addressing maritime issues between nations, China remains committed to maintaining peace and stability in the region together with neighboring countries. It consistently upholds international law and regional rules such as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
\n
It is hoped that all relevant parties will work collaboratively to promote harmony and cooperation in the South China Sea.
Tug-of-war contestants pull on a rope with all their might during a horse racing festival on Saturday in Nagqu, the Xizang autonomous region. The three-day festival, which kicked off on Friday, is a traditional affair in the northern Tibetan Plateau. In addition to horse racing, the festival also features a variety of ethnic sports competitions, art performances and cultural tourism activities.
\n",
- "content": "
Tug-of-war contestants pull on a rope with all their might during a horse racing festival on Saturday in Nagqu, the Xizang autonomous region. The three-day festival, which kicked off on Friday, is a traditional affair in the northern Tibetan Plateau. In addition to horse racing, the festival also features a variety of ethnic sports competitions, art performances and cultural tourism activities.
Chinese actress Xin Zhilei holds her Best Actress trophy which she won for The Sun Rises on Us All during the closing ceremony of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on Saturday in Venice, Italy.
\n
Chinese star Xin Zhilei won the Best Actress award at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on Saturday, becoming the second actress from the Chinese mainland to receive the honor, more than three decades after Gong Li's historic win in 1992.
\n
With her vivid portrayal of a woman trapped in a love triangle in the arthouse flick The Sun Rises on Us All, Xin received the Volpi Cup for Best Actress from Zhao Tao, also a famous Chinese actress who served as one of this year's international jurors.
\n
Directed by Cai Shangjun, who is regarded as a leading figure in Chinese neo-noir cinema, the film — shot in multiple cities across South China's Guangdong province — tells the story of two former lovers who reunite after seven years, only to find their encounter ending in tragedy at the hands of an inescapable fate.
\n
Overcome with joy, Xin, the 39-year-old actress, tearfully said in her acceptance speech: "This feels like a dream. Over a decade ago, when I first started in the film industry, I made a bold claim — I wanted to become an international superstar on a world-class stage. Back then, I faced a lot of ridicule."
\n
Having begun her showbiz career in 2005, the actress overcame many difficulties to stand on the award stage in Venice, one of the three most prestigious film festivals in Europe. She said she felt proud of herself and encouraged all women by saying: "If you have a dream, dare to dream big and dare to go for it. Who knows — one day it might just come true, just like it did for me."
\n
The film's title is inspired by a line from a Cantonese Opera, which is based on a script by Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) playwright Tang Xianzu. The original work depicts a tragic romance between a poet and a young woman during the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
\n
Xin revealed she was captivated by her character — an ordinary person striving to overcome a painful past and build a better life. She explained that the character is difficult to define as simply "good" or "bad", and that audiences may find her choices challenging to understand.
\n
Recounted through a delicate and nuanced narrative, the film focuses not on a dramatic plotline, but on the inner emotional journey of a woman grappling with her own tsunami-like feelings, added Xin.
\n
According to her agency, filming in Guangdong was challenging due to the humid temperatures, which frequently left Xin's costume and hair drenched. Despite this, she gave her best performance in every scene.
\n
A native of Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, Xin first earned international recognition for the 2016 Chinese film Crosscurrent, which won the Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution for Cinematography at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival. Her most popular roles include an emperor's favored concubine in the hit costume drama Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace (2018) and a mysterious restaurant operator in Hong Kong auteur Wong Kar-wai's directorial TV debut Blossoms Shanghai (2023).
\n
In an earlier interview, director Cai recalled that because the film is told from a woman's perspective, it placed particularly high demands on casting the female lead. After an initial struggle — having reached out to around 20 actresses and 10 actors for the two leading roles — Cai finally chose Xin, with the recommendation from his wife and co-writer, Han Nianjin, who saw Xin on a variety show and was impressed by her natural, easygoing and decisive temperament.
\n
Cai said that China's film industry has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, challenged by a shrinking box office, as well as the unprecedented expansion of short videos and micro-dramas. In this climate, an enduring event like the Venice International Film Festival becomes a cherished destination for artists, he added.
Ge Ge, a giant panda at Tianjin Zoo, sniffs flowers during her birthday feast on Saturday. The zoo prepared a special meal to celebrate her 22nd birthday. Born in Sichuan province, Ge Ge arrived in Tianjin in 2018.
\n",
- "content": "
Ge Ge, a giant panda at Tianjin Zoo, sniffs flowers during her birthday feast on Saturday. The zoo prepared a special meal to celebrate her 22nd birthday. Born in Sichuan province, Ge Ge arrived in Tianjin in 2018.
Students and parents join a science month event at Wenwangge Woodwork Museum in Beijing's Tongzhou district on Sunday. The event featured science experiments, exhibitions, interactive activities and a hands-on session making models of the Tongzhou Lighthouse Pagoda.
The jumbo flying squid, or Dosidicus gigas, is a critical fishery resource and the most harvested invertebrate species in the South Pacific, but its yield has dropped substantially in recent years, suggesting the stock could be in decline and spurring calls for stronger international cooperation on monitoring, assessment and management, experts said.
\n
The appeal was published on Thursday in the journal Science, with Chen Xinjun and Li Gang, professors at the College of Marine Living Resource Sciences and Management at Shanghai Ocean University, among its authors.
\n
The jumbo flying squid is one of the larger squid species. It can grow up to 1.5 meters in length and weigh 40 to 60 kilograms in about a year. It inhabits the open ocean, primarily in the eastern central Pacific Ocean, along the coasts of Peru and Chile, and in offshore waters with abundant resources. With strong predatory capabilities, adaptability and a short life cycle, it has become a significant economic fishery resource in the region and is consumed worldwide.
\n
Nearly 1 million metric tons of jumbo flying squid are caught in the Southeast Pacific annually. As a transnational stock, it is harvested by thousands of artisanal vessels in Ecuadorian, Peruvian and Chilean waters, as well as by hundreds of Chinese industrial vessels in the high seas. However, the stock has never been assessed across its entire distribution in the Southeast Pacific, and key population data remains unknown, the article said.
\n
"The jumbo flying squid is vulnerable to climate change and human activities especially due to its short life cycle. We have seen substantial fluctuations in its harvest in recent years, which urgently requires further international collaboration and scientific assessment to figure out the reasons," Chen said.
\n
The jumbo flying squid stock supports the livelihood of thousands and provides food security to millions globally, with participants from a wide range of nations involved in its harvest. The South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation, or SPRFMO, regulates high seas harvests of jumbo flying squid. The organization has placed caps on the number of fishing vessels and implemented protocols for data collection by observers on vessels operating in the high seas.
\n
But the lack of international cooperation has hindered efforts to build a regional database and ensure that SPRFMO members share biological samples for regional stock assessments, the article said.
\n
Chen, Li and co-authors from Spain, Chile, Peru, New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom called for stronger international scientific collaboration to protect the stock before it requires a recovery plan.
\n
"Building such a regional database for stock assessment of the jumbo flying squid is essential. Knowing more precisely about its population can help set a reasonable catch limit for the participants, and ultimately help achieve the sustainable utilization and conservation of the fishery resource," Chen said.
\n
As an SPRFMO member, China has been making efforts to promote sustainable development of marine fishery resources. According to the Development of China's Distant-Water Fisheries released in October 2023, China has voluntarily imposed three-month fishing moratoriums on certain high seas fisheries targeting squid since 2020.
\n
Voluntary fishing moratoriums on the high seas are temporary or periodic bans proactively implemented by nations or regions in areas beyond their jurisdiction to conserve resources and ecosystems over the long term. In the central and eastern Pacific high seas, China imposes a voluntary fishing moratorium from Sept 1 to Nov 30 annually. The area is a critical habitat for jumbo flying squid, and the moratorium aims to protect spawning populations.
\n
In June, Shanghai Ocean University hosted an international symposium on conservation and management of squid resources, where global scholars agreed on a Shanghai proposal to enhance international cooperation on the sustainable development of global squid fisheries.
\n
wangxin2@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
The jumbo flying squid, or Dosidicus gigas, is a critical fishery resource and the most harvested invertebrate species in the South Pacific, but its yield has dropped substantially in recent years, suggesting the stock could be in decline and spurring calls for stronger international cooperation on monitoring, assessment and management, experts said.
\n
The appeal was published on Thursday in the journal Science, with Chen Xinjun and Li Gang, professors at the College of Marine Living Resource Sciences and Management at Shanghai Ocean University, among its authors.
\n
The jumbo flying squid is one of the larger squid species. It can grow up to 1.5 meters in length and weigh 40 to 60 kilograms in about a year. It inhabits the open ocean, primarily in the eastern central Pacific Ocean, along the coasts of Peru and Chile, and in offshore waters with abundant resources. With strong predatory capabilities, adaptability and a short life cycle, it has become a significant economic fishery resource in the region and is consumed worldwide.
\n
Nearly 1 million metric tons of jumbo flying squid are caught in the Southeast Pacific annually. As a transnational stock, it is harvested by thousands of artisanal vessels in Ecuadorian, Peruvian and Chilean waters, as well as by hundreds of Chinese industrial vessels in the high seas. However, the stock has never been assessed across its entire distribution in the Southeast Pacific, and key population data remains unknown, the article said.
\n
"The jumbo flying squid is vulnerable to climate change and human activities especially due to its short life cycle. We have seen substantial fluctuations in its harvest in recent years, which urgently requires further international collaboration and scientific assessment to figure out the reasons," Chen said.
\n
The jumbo flying squid stock supports the livelihood of thousands and provides food security to millions globally, with participants from a wide range of nations involved in its harvest. The South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation, or SPRFMO, regulates high seas harvests of jumbo flying squid. The organization has placed caps on the number of fishing vessels and implemented protocols for data collection by observers on vessels operating in the high seas.
\n
But the lack of international cooperation has hindered efforts to build a regional database and ensure that SPRFMO members share biological samples for regional stock assessments, the article said.
\n
Chen, Li and co-authors from Spain, Chile, Peru, New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom called for stronger international scientific collaboration to protect the stock before it requires a recovery plan.
\n
"Building such a regional database for stock assessment of the jumbo flying squid is essential. Knowing more precisely about its population can help set a reasonable catch limit for the participants, and ultimately help achieve the sustainable utilization and conservation of the fishery resource," Chen said.
\n
As an SPRFMO member, China has been making efforts to promote sustainable development of marine fishery resources. According to the Development of China's Distant-Water Fisheries released in October 2023, China has voluntarily imposed three-month fishing moratoriums on certain high seas fisheries targeting squid since 2020.
\n
Voluntary fishing moratoriums on the high seas are temporary or periodic bans proactively implemented by nations or regions in areas beyond their jurisdiction to conserve resources and ecosystems over the long term. In the central and eastern Pacific high seas, China imposes a voluntary fishing moratorium from Sept 1 to Nov 30 annually. The area is a critical habitat for jumbo flying squid, and the moratorium aims to protect spawning populations.
\n
In June, Shanghai Ocean University hosted an international symposium on conservation and management of squid resources, where global scholars agreed on a Shanghai proposal to enhance international cooperation on the sustainable development of global squid fisheries.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu strikes the ceremonial gong to announce the opening of the 2025/26 Hong Kong racing season as jockeys and other dignitaries applaud at the opening ceremony at Sha Tin Racecourse, Hong Kong, on Sunday.
Clockwise from top: A worker moves mandarin duck eggs from an artificial nest box at the Yuan'an Juhe National Wetland Park in Yuan'an county, Hubei province. One of the eight mandarin ducks swims in a pond at the park. The ducks are ready to be released into the wild.
\n
Thanks to a caring hen, eight mandarin ducklings have survived and are growing at a wetland park in Yuan'an county, Yichang city in Hubei province, after their mother left. Recently, in the waters of Dayan Forest Farm in the county, the ducklings were seen swimming, foraging and playing. They are expected to be released into the wild by the end of this month.
\n
The story of the mandarin ducks is the first case of successful human-assisted incubation at the Yuan'an Juhe National Wetland Park.
\n
Last winter, the park installed 26 artificial nest boxes in the forest, 20 of which were equipped with smart monitoring systems for staff to observe the breeding activities of birds via a mobile app.
\n
In late March, the system showed that a wild mandarin duck had occupied a box and laid an egg, followed by seven more in the next few days. It began incubation on April 10.
\n
Li Jie, who is in charge of the planning and construction department at the park, checked on them every day through the surveillance system. "Watching the mother mandarin duck carefully incubate her eggs filled my heart with anticipation for the new lives," she said.
\n
However, early on April 30, she noticed the mother duck had left to forage but never returned. "It may have met a natural predator," she said.
\n
After consulting experts, they decided to move the eggs out and borrowed a hen from a farmer to incubate them. "The size of a mandarin duck's egg is similar to that of a chicken egg, so the hen, driven by its instinct to incubate, didn't refuse to do the job," said Jing Shunhua, deputy director of the wild animals and plants protection station in Yuan'an.
\n
On May 12, eight healthy baby birds hatched. Because of the large temperature fluctuations during day and night, the park set aside a constant-temperature room to take care of them.
\n
"Later, we placed an inflatable baby pool in the room and conducted daily water adaptation exercises," Jing said.
\n
On June 12, the one-month-old ducklings began wilderness training in a simulated natural habitat at Dayan Forest Farm. Through intensive adaptive drills such as aquatic activities and wild foraging, their swimming speed, foodlocating ability (demonstrated by circling designated areas multiple times), and regulated routines (gathering on rocks in the pool at night) improved significantly, according to Jing.
\n
"With an average weight of about 220 grams, they developed a solid foundation for survival in the wild," he said, adding that shortly after hatching, they flapped vigorously, brimming with energy.
\n
As they grew, their untamed nature became more apparent, though they remained notably affectionate toward long-term caretakers.
\n
"The eight ducklings preferred moving together. In early training, they slept huddled on a man-made 'stone island' at the pool's center. Later, they delighted in bathing, gliding and hunting in the water — a charming spectacle."
\n
Jing said the experts evaluated their growth and plan to release them later this month, adding that they believe the birds "came from and belong to nature, not the zoo".
\n
Chen Yayun, office director of the county's forestry bureau, said the artificial nest boxes aim to provide a safe and hidden breeding space for migrant birds. They were installed at a height of between 3 to 5 meters in the forest and simulate tree holes.
\n
More than 10 different species of birds have lived in the boxes, including owl and russet sparrow.
\n
In recent years, large numbers of wild birds have migrated to Yuan'an to stay, nest and breed during autumn and winter.
\n
The mandarin duck is a national second-class protected species. They have high ecological demands for their migratory habitats. In recent years, their numbers in Yuan'an have increased annually, according to local authorities.
\n
Contact the writers at chenmeiling@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "\n
Clockwise from top: A worker moves mandarin duck eggs from an artificial nest box at the Yuan'an Juhe National Wetland Park in Yuan'an county, Hubei province. One of the eight mandarin ducks swims in a pond at the park. The ducks are ready to be released into the wild.
\n
Thanks to a caring hen, eight mandarin ducklings have survived and are growing at a wetland park in Yuan'an county, Yichang city in Hubei province, after their mother left. Recently, in the waters of Dayan Forest Farm in the county, the ducklings were seen swimming, foraging and playing. They are expected to be released into the wild by the end of this month.
\n
The story of the mandarin ducks is the first case of successful human-assisted incubation at the Yuan'an Juhe National Wetland Park.
\n
Last winter, the park installed 26 artificial nest boxes in the forest, 20 of which were equipped with smart monitoring systems for staff to observe the breeding activities of birds via a mobile app.
\n
In late March, the system showed that a wild mandarin duck had occupied a box and laid an egg, followed by seven more in the next few days. It began incubation on April 10.
\n
Li Jie, who is in charge of the planning and construction department at the park, checked on them every day through the surveillance system. "Watching the mother mandarin duck carefully incubate her eggs filled my heart with anticipation for the new lives," she said.
\n
However, early on April 30, she noticed the mother duck had left to forage but never returned. "It may have met a natural predator," she said.
\n
After consulting experts, they decided to move the eggs out and borrowed a hen from a farmer to incubate them. "The size of a mandarin duck's egg is similar to that of a chicken egg, so the hen, driven by its instinct to incubate, didn't refuse to do the job," said Jing Shunhua, deputy director of the wild animals and plants protection station in Yuan'an.
\n
On May 12, eight healthy baby birds hatched. Because of the large temperature fluctuations during day and night, the park set aside a constant-temperature room to take care of them.
\n
"Later, we placed an inflatable baby pool in the room and conducted daily water adaptation exercises," Jing said.
\n
On June 12, the one-month-old ducklings began wilderness training in a simulated natural habitat at Dayan Forest Farm. Through intensive adaptive drills such as aquatic activities and wild foraging, their swimming speed, foodlocating ability (demonstrated by circling designated areas multiple times), and regulated routines (gathering on rocks in the pool at night) improved significantly, according to Jing.
\n
"With an average weight of about 220 grams, they developed a solid foundation for survival in the wild," he said, adding that shortly after hatching, they flapped vigorously, brimming with energy.
\n
As they grew, their untamed nature became more apparent, though they remained notably affectionate toward long-term caretakers.
\n
"The eight ducklings preferred moving together. In early training, they slept huddled on a man-made 'stone island' at the pool's center. Later, they delighted in bathing, gliding and hunting in the water — a charming spectacle."
\n
Jing said the experts evaluated their growth and plan to release them later this month, adding that they believe the birds "came from and belong to nature, not the zoo".
\n
Chen Yayun, office director of the county's forestry bureau, said the artificial nest boxes aim to provide a safe and hidden breeding space for migrant birds. They were installed at a height of between 3 to 5 meters in the forest and simulate tree holes.
\n
More than 10 different species of birds have lived in the boxes, including owl and russet sparrow.
\n
In recent years, large numbers of wild birds have migrated to Yuan'an to stay, nest and breed during autumn and winter.
\n
The mandarin duck is a national second-class protected species. They have high ecological demands for their migratory habitats. In recent years, their numbers in Yuan'an have increased annually, according to local authorities.
\n
Contact the writers at chenmeiling@chinadaily.com.cn
A job fair is held at a night market in Lanzhou, Gansu province.
\n
LANZHOU — As dusk descended on Lanzhou, the capital of Northwest China's Gansu province, the city's bustling streets transformed into vibrant hubs. What once began as simple food and merchandise stalls have now evolved into multifaceted nightlife destinations offering healthcare, employment, and cultural experiences.
\n
Recent graduate Zeng Fangyan navigated the vibrant market stalls with friends — not for snacks, but for potential job leads.
\n
"Night markets were strictly about food before," she noted. "Now I casually explore career opportunities here."
\n
Over the past two years, job fairs integrated into these markets have made job hunting less formal and more accessible. And it's not just jobs, with the likes of traditional Chinese medicine consultations and cultural heritage shows also emerging, thereby making the night market experience richer and more engaging.
\n
In a commercial district of Lanzhou, TCM practitioners offering pulse diagnoses, acupuncture and cupping consistently attract crowds.
\n
"It's convenient to relieve work stress while shopping at night," said a local resident surnamed Wang, who was undergoing moxibustion.
\n
Lu Runlan, president of Lanzhou Hospital of TCM, revealed that these pop-up clinics often match hospital attendance volumes, with many customers returning for repeat treatments.
\n
The informal "talent night markets" particularly resonate with job seekers like Hu Yifan, 31, who values the relaxed environment. Employers similarly benefit, as natural interactions facilitate spontaneous interviews and uncover overlooked talent, including older unemployed individuals or passive candidates.
\n
Cities across China are enhancing these evolving night spaces. Nantong in East China's Jiangsu province has partnered with major HR firms to incorporate livestreamed recruitment, artificial intelligence-powered interviews and interactive job discussions at night markets. Meanwhile, Southwest China's Chongqing offers experiential entrepreneurial booths, allowing young people to test business concepts in a dynamic marketplace.
\n
Cultural enrichment has become a defining feature of this urban transformation. At an ancient street in Lanzhou, events cater to specific demographics — pet owners, parents and seniors engage through interactive zones. Nighttime access to intangible cultural heritage exhibits, featuring intricate egg carvings, clay sculptures and paper cutting, add educational depth while outdoor stages host choir performances and fashion shows for retirees.
\n
Han Yulong, operations manager of this ancient street, documented a 45 percent year-on-year surge in visitors.
\n
Tea master Xu Wenxia has curated traditional tea making techniques at this venue, with such endeavors serving not only as a form of cultural preservation but also as a career showcase. Complementing these offerings, wellness-focused nighttime snacks featuring organic ingredients and herbal teas align with youth health trends.
\n
Lanzhou University economist Mao Jinhuang illuminates this paradigm shift: "Nighttime economy is evolving into a servicedriven ecosystem of functional experiences."
\n
He further highlights that night markets now serve as critical "urban interfaces" for healthcare and social programs, addressing public demand for accessibility through innovative municipal resource allocation.
\n
Mao envisions expansive possibilities: "Future night markets could expand further. Legal aid, counseling, skill workshops — any service tied to daily life might emerge under neon lights as cities creatively re-imagine social spaces after dark."
\n",
@@ -20552,28 +20178,6 @@
"hash": "7e6df529dd6545e76c8654e4d2b3fc8d",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "008COMMENT - Peace or war: that is the question",
- "description": "
As philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein observed, "The limits of my language mean the limits of my world." Words do not merely describe reality — they shape it. The United States is now offering its own example of this.
\n
On Friday, the US president signed an executive order restoring the historical title "Department of War" to the Pentagon. Even though Congress has yet to approve it to make the renaming permanent, the symbolism is powerful, revealing a shift in how Washington wishes to present itself to the world.
\n
The US changed the name of its War Department to the Department of Defense in 1949 after World War II and at the dawn of the nuclear age. At that time, the US lawmakers emphasized "defense" to signal restraint and deterrence, as new international institutions such as the United Nations were being established to safeguard peace. That choice of words carried weight. It underscored that military power was to be exercised with caution and with the aim of preventing conflict.
\n
The latest reversal, however, highlights a different mood in Washington. Supporters of the change argue that the original name reflects the US' history of strength and victory, pointing back to the world wars. Yet behind this rhetoric lies a message aligned with a more assertive and transactional view of security. The move fits into a wider policy pattern: the use of force in the Middle East, backing military offensives by allies, and calls for partners in Europe and Asia to assume greater financial burdens for US protection.
\n
Domestically, the decision has understandably provoked debate, if not strong opposition. Democrats in Congress quickly voiced their objections, calling the move "childish" or "dangerous". Think tanks and historians have also raised concerns that reintroducing the "Department of War" label risks undermining the US' "moral standing", particularly given the lessons of the nuclear age. Even among the public, the debate reflects fatigue with military campaigns abroad. Many Americans, after two decades of costly wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, fear that glorifying "war" rather than "defense" could mark a return to open-ended conflicts.
\n
In a survey carried out by CGTN among 14,071 respondents from 38 countries from 2023 to 2024, 61.3 percent of the respondents believed that the US is the most combative country in the world, and 70.1 percent thought that the US waging wars abroad has caused serious humanitarian crises worldwide.
\n
Allies are equally attentive. European governments, already unsettled by Washington's imposition of unilateral tariffs and its calls for higher defense spending, now face the additional challenge of explaining to the public why they should rally behind a "Department of War" of the US. And for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which has long presented itself as a defensive alliance, the optics of following a country that openly embraces the rhetoric of war may prove problematic.
\n
In Asia, too, US partners are watching closely. Some may fear that Washington is signaling a readiness to escalate conflicts in the region, while others may interpret the move as a prelude to shifting US resources inward. Reports that the Pentagon is drafting a new strategy, possibly downgrading the focus on the "Indo-Pacific" while prioritizing the Western Hemisphere and homeland security, will only add to the uncertainty, particularly among the US' regional pawns, such as the Philippines. If the allies and partners of the US sense that Washington is more aggressive in tone and less reliable in commitment, confidence in the US alliance system may weaken further.
\n
History offers perspective. The change of name from "War" to "Defense" was not mere semantics. It reflected a determination that in the nuclear age, stability depended on restraint, multilateral cooperation and an emphasis on peace. In today's uncertain world, that lesson remains valid. At a time when conflicts in Europe and the Middle East continue, and when the global community faces transnational challenges from climate change to public health, what is most needed is dialogue, coordination and restraint, not signals of confrontation.
\n
Language matters. The words governments choose shape perceptions, expectations and policy paths. The international community should therefore pay close attention to the implications of this renaming. It is a reminder that the US, as the world's largest military power, carries a special responsibility to lead not toward war, but toward peace. Only by upholding this responsibility can Washington, by giving the right answer to the fundamental question of war or peace, truly contribute to the common aspiration of all nations: a world defined not by conflict, but by peace and development.
\n",
- "content": "
As philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein observed, "The limits of my language mean the limits of my world." Words do not merely describe reality — they shape it. The United States is now offering its own example of this.
\n
On Friday, the US president signed an executive order restoring the historical title "Department of War" to the Pentagon. Even though Congress has yet to approve it to make the renaming permanent, the symbolism is powerful, revealing a shift in how Washington wishes to present itself to the world.
\n
The US changed the name of its War Department to the Department of Defense in 1949 after World War II and at the dawn of the nuclear age. At that time, the US lawmakers emphasized "defense" to signal restraint and deterrence, as new international institutions such as the United Nations were being established to safeguard peace. That choice of words carried weight. It underscored that military power was to be exercised with caution and with the aim of preventing conflict.
\n
The latest reversal, however, highlights a different mood in Washington. Supporters of the change argue that the original name reflects the US' history of strength and victory, pointing back to the world wars. Yet behind this rhetoric lies a message aligned with a more assertive and transactional view of security. The move fits into a wider policy pattern: the use of force in the Middle East, backing military offensives by allies, and calls for partners in Europe and Asia to assume greater financial burdens for US protection.
\n
Domestically, the decision has understandably provoked debate, if not strong opposition. Democrats in Congress quickly voiced their objections, calling the move "childish" or "dangerous". Think tanks and historians have also raised concerns that reintroducing the "Department of War" label risks undermining the US' "moral standing", particularly given the lessons of the nuclear age. Even among the public, the debate reflects fatigue with military campaigns abroad. Many Americans, after two decades of costly wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, fear that glorifying "war" rather than "defense" could mark a return to open-ended conflicts.
\n
In a survey carried out by CGTN among 14,071 respondents from 38 countries from 2023 to 2024, 61.3 percent of the respondents believed that the US is the most combative country in the world, and 70.1 percent thought that the US waging wars abroad has caused serious humanitarian crises worldwide.
\n
Allies are equally attentive. European governments, already unsettled by Washington's imposition of unilateral tariffs and its calls for higher defense spending, now face the additional challenge of explaining to the public why they should rally behind a "Department of War" of the US. And for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which has long presented itself as a defensive alliance, the optics of following a country that openly embraces the rhetoric of war may prove problematic.
\n
In Asia, too, US partners are watching closely. Some may fear that Washington is signaling a readiness to escalate conflicts in the region, while others may interpret the move as a prelude to shifting US resources inward. Reports that the Pentagon is drafting a new strategy, possibly downgrading the focus on the "Indo-Pacific" while prioritizing the Western Hemisphere and homeland security, will only add to the uncertainty, particularly among the US' regional pawns, such as the Philippines. If the allies and partners of the US sense that Washington is more aggressive in tone and less reliable in commitment, confidence in the US alliance system may weaken further.
\n
History offers perspective. The change of name from "War" to "Defense" was not mere semantics. It reflected a determination that in the nuclear age, stability depended on restraint, multilateral cooperation and an emphasis on peace. In today's uncertain world, that lesson remains valid. At a time when conflicts in Europe and the Middle East continue, and when the global community faces transnational challenges from climate change to public health, what is most needed is dialogue, coordination and restraint, not signals of confrontation.
\n
Language matters. The words governments choose shape perceptions, expectations and policy paths. The international community should therefore pay close attention to the implications of this renaming. It is a reminder that the US, as the world's largest military power, carries a special responsibility to lead not toward war, but toward peace. Only by upholding this responsibility can Washington, by giving the right answer to the fundamental question of war or peace, truly contribute to the common aspiration of all nations: a world defined not by conflict, but by peace and development.
The United Nations General Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution with overwhelming support on cooperation between the UN and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
\n
The resolution, entitled "Cooperation between the United Nations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization", was introduced by China and cosponsored by nearly 40 countries, including all the SCO member states. It highly commends the constructive role of the SCO in promoting regional peace, development, mutual trust and cooperation.
\n
The resolution speaks highly of the SCO's efforts to support the work of the UN and expresses support for strengthened dialogue and collaboration between the UN and the SCO.
\n
Since its founding 24 years ago, the SCO has continued to grow under the guidance of the Shanghai Spirit, namely mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations, and pursuit of common development. There are now 27 participating countries cooperating in over 50 sectors under the SCO framework, and the SCO members have a combined annual economic output close to $30 trillion.
\n
The highlight of the SCO Tianjin Summit that concluded on Sept 1 was Chinese President Xi Jinping's proposal of the Global Governance Initiative. It calls on all countries to adhere to sovereign equality, abide by international rule of law, practice multilateralism, advocate the people-centered approach, and focus on taking real actions to jointly build a more just and equitable global governance system and a community with a shared future for humanity.
\n
The initiative was warmly welcomed and actively supported by all parties attending the SCO Tianjin Summit. They agreed that the world today urgently needs more effective governance visions and systems, making China's proposal most opportune and relevant. They also agreed to strengthen their strategic coordination, uphold multilateralism, safeguard fairness and justice, and improve global governance.
\n
At Friday's UN General Assembly session, it was good to see representatives of Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Pakistan, Iran, Cambodia, Cuba, Venezuela and Serbia speak highly of the SCO Tianjin Summit and the work carried out by China during its rotating presidency.
\n
As they emphasized, the resolution's adoption by the UN General Assembly with overwhelming support also reflects the international community's recognition and support of the SCO. The representatives correctly noted that the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi meets the needs of the times and will play a crucial role in addressing global challenges and enhancing global governance.
\n
As a matter of fact, one of the keywords at the SCO Tianjin Summit was the UN, with the UN referenced as many as 40 times in the declaration of the summit. The declaration explicitly underscores the importance of adhering to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, leveraging the UN's central, coordinating role, delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals, supporting necessary reforms of the UN, and expanding exchanges and cooperation with the UN and its specialized agencies.
\n
Marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN, the summit also issued a special statement calling for the defense of the international system with the UN at its core.
\n
Notably, the UN General Assembly has unanimously adopted resolutions on cooperation between the UN and the SCO on several occasions since 2009. The resolution adopted on Friday retains the structure of the previous resolutions focusing on major issues such as peace and development, but it highlights the positive contributions made by the SCO to the work of the UN and calls for further strengthening the cooperation between the two sides.
\n
As Geng Shuang, charge d'affaires of the Permanent Mission of China to the UN, said while introducing the draft resolution at the UN General Assembly, all UN member states should support this draft resolution and cosponsor it, thereby sending a strong signal to the world that, with a few notable exceptions, the UN family stands united in upholding multilateralism and strengthening solidarity and cooperation.
The author, a specialist in global affairs and Sinology, is the founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative.
\n\n
Editor's note: Over the past several years, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has grown into a comprehensive regional organization that contributes certainty and vitality to global economic landscape. And the SCO Summit in Tianjin further consolidates the foundation of security and pursues mutual benefit and win-win results to drive development. Three experts share their views on the issue with China Daily.
\n
Two recent diplomatic events in China — the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin and the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing — have generated quite a few commentaries in the international media. Many of these have labeled the two events as being "anti-Western" demonstrations or symbols of a "growing anti-liberal axis".
\n
Yet this interpretation, while understandable for some Western observers in the context of current geopolitical tensions, oversimplifies the nature and intent of the events. Despite featuring prominent leaders who have grievances against the West, neither event was intrinsically designed to undermine the West. Rather, the events reflected China's evolving approach to a main role in global governance.
\n
Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of multilateralism, inclusiveness and peaceful development — principles deeply aligned with those of the United Nations.
\n
The Global Governance Initiative he proposed does not advocate dismantling the existing order but reforming it to be more representative and equitable. He quoted an ancient Chinese saying-"Uphold the Great Principle, and the world will follow" — to underline his preference for moral suasion over hard-line confrontation.
\n
China is not building ideological blocs or attempting to force countries into an anti-Western camp.
\n
Instead, it is working to position itself as an indispensable node in a multipolar world, one that does not require binary choices between the East and the West. This nuanced strategy allows Beijing to maintain relations with a wide spectrum of countries, avoiding ideological rigidity and fostering diplomatic flexibility.
\n
This diplomatic balancing act was also visible during the Sept 3 commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the war of resistance against Japanese aggression and World War II. The military parade, to mark the occasion, was interpreted by some in the West as evidence of a "hostile posture".
\n
Rather than confronting or condemning the West, China staged an event of global significance and left the judgment to international observers. The absence of Western leaders lent weight to the perception, especially in the Global South, that the West no longer holds a monopoly on global moral authority or historical memory.
\n
Some, like the US president, were quick to call the gathering a "conspiracy" against the US.
\n
But such rhetoric rings hollow when one considers that the US president himself once dined with Kim Jong-un, the leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is reportedly considering meeting him again, and recently invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to Alaska.
\n
The real issue is not whether these leaders meet, but the context of their engagement. While China continues to keep the diplomatic door open, it is the West that increasingly walks itself out of the room.
\n
China's path to modernization and global engagement is sovereign and deliberate. It will cooperate where it can, compete where it must, and avoid being drawn into binary frameworks. Its actions, at both the SCO Summit and the Sept 3 commemoration, reflected a long-term strategy of increasing global relevance, not exclusion.
\n
While Russia may assert its power, China appears more interested in shaping the architecture of global governance from within, leveraging its growing centrality rather than antagonizing the current system.
\n
Had the West chosen strategic engagement over short-term signaling in recent years, especially at critical junctures, it's conceivable that China could have been persuaded to use its influence to restrain some of its "disruptive" partners. The West failed to seize the opportunity. Yet it may not be too late for it to try even now.
\n
What the two events make clear is that while China's diplomatic choices reflect a changing world order, they are not inherently anti-Western. The door remains open for dialogue. The question is whether the West still has the foresight, and humility, to step back in.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n",
- "content": "
The author, a specialist in global affairs and Sinology, is the founder of the China-Europe-America Global Initiative.
\n\n
Editor's note: Over the past several years, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has grown into a comprehensive regional organization that contributes certainty and vitality to global economic landscape. And the SCO Summit in Tianjin further consolidates the foundation of security and pursues mutual benefit and win-win results to drive development. Three experts share their views on the issue with China Daily.
\n
Two recent diplomatic events in China — the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin and the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing — have generated quite a few commentaries in the international media. Many of these have labeled the two events as being "anti-Western" demonstrations or symbols of a "growing anti-liberal axis".
\n
Yet this interpretation, while understandable for some Western observers in the context of current geopolitical tensions, oversimplifies the nature and intent of the events. Despite featuring prominent leaders who have grievances against the West, neither event was intrinsically designed to undermine the West. Rather, the events reflected China's evolving approach to a main role in global governance.
\n
Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of multilateralism, inclusiveness and peaceful development — principles deeply aligned with those of the United Nations.
\n
The Global Governance Initiative he proposed does not advocate dismantling the existing order but reforming it to be more representative and equitable. He quoted an ancient Chinese saying-"Uphold the Great Principle, and the world will follow" — to underline his preference for moral suasion over hard-line confrontation.
\n
China is not building ideological blocs or attempting to force countries into an anti-Western camp.
\n
Instead, it is working to position itself as an indispensable node in a multipolar world, one that does not require binary choices between the East and the West. This nuanced strategy allows Beijing to maintain relations with a wide spectrum of countries, avoiding ideological rigidity and fostering diplomatic flexibility.
\n
This diplomatic balancing act was also visible during the Sept 3 commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the war of resistance against Japanese aggression and World War II. The military parade, to mark the occasion, was interpreted by some in the West as evidence of a "hostile posture".
\n
Rather than confronting or condemning the West, China staged an event of global significance and left the judgment to international observers. The absence of Western leaders lent weight to the perception, especially in the Global South, that the West no longer holds a monopoly on global moral authority or historical memory.
\n
Some, like the US president, were quick to call the gathering a "conspiracy" against the US.
\n
But such rhetoric rings hollow when one considers that the US president himself once dined with Kim Jong-un, the leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is reportedly considering meeting him again, and recently invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to Alaska.
\n
The real issue is not whether these leaders meet, but the context of their engagement. While China continues to keep the diplomatic door open, it is the West that increasingly walks itself out of the room.
\n
China's path to modernization and global engagement is sovereign and deliberate. It will cooperate where it can, compete where it must, and avoid being drawn into binary frameworks. Its actions, at both the SCO Summit and the Sept 3 commemoration, reflected a long-term strategy of increasing global relevance, not exclusion.
\n
While Russia may assert its power, China appears more interested in shaping the architecture of global governance from within, leveraging its growing centrality rather than antagonizing the current system.
\n
Had the West chosen strategic engagement over short-term signaling in recent years, especially at critical junctures, it's conceivable that China could have been persuaded to use its influence to restrain some of its "disruptive" partners. The West failed to seize the opportunity. Yet it may not be too late for it to try even now.
\n
What the two events make clear is that while China's diplomatic choices reflect a changing world order, they are not inherently anti-Western. The door remains open for dialogue. The question is whether the West still has the foresight, and humility, to step back in.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
The author is deputy head of the Institute for a Community with Shared Future and professor of The State Key Laboratory of Media Convergence and Communication at Communication University of China.
\n
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization has, in recent years, emerged as a dynamic grouping, shaping the evolving world order — not only through its focus on regional and international security, but increasingly through mutual respect, inclusive dialogue, shared innovation, and joint efforts to protect genuine multilateralism, equity and diversity of civilizations, and the critical role of the United Nations in global governance. Previously, China has already proposed three global initiatives, and at the summit in Tianjin, China proposed the Global Governance Initiative to open new space for collective understanding and coordinated behavior.
\n
With a growing agenda which now covers fields such as youth exchanges, science and technology, finance, education, digital technology and the economy, the SCO is becoming a stabilizing anchor, promoting peaceful coexistence and mutual enrichment.
\n
While attending the China-Central Asia Cooperation Development Forum in Astana, Kazakhstan, on June 22, I was struck by the city's modern infrastructure, and the vibrant energy of its people — youthful, optimistic, connected to both tradition and progress. The blend of historical depth and modern vitality in Central Asia reflects a broader SCO vision: to protect national sovereignty, promote the well-being for all, advance multi-dimensional cooperation, and respect diversity of civilizations.
\n
As the family members grow, the SCO is developing from a facilitator for multilateralism to an incubator for civilizational dialogue, cooperation and innovation. Civilizations achieve integration through exchanges, and progress through integration. That spirit is at the heart of the SCO, an organization that encompasses nearly half of the world's population and diverse cultures and traditions. This diversity is not a challenge; it's a strength that is fueling a wide range of grassroots and institutional efforts to deepen understanding and build trust. President Xi Jinping mentioned in his speech at the summit in Tianjin, we must continue to promote exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, and write a brilliant chapter of peaceful and harmonious coexistence among countries with different histories and cultures, different social systems, and different stages of development.
\n
A prime example of deepening understanding and mutual learning is the SCO Youth Camp, an initiative supported at the head-of-state level. Young people from SCO member states travel to cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Qingdao, Shandong province, as well as the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region to see firsthand China's modern development and cultural diversity. By visiting different sites, holding group discussions, and attending cultural events, they develop grounded understanding and mutual friendship. But more importantly, these exchanges plant the seeds of a new generation of leaders who are expected to see difference and diversity not as a challenge, but as an opportunity.
\n
For many youths, the most valuable takeaway from these exchanges isn't a policy insight; it's a change in perception. The Youth Camp helps fill in cognitive gaps, dispels cultural stereotypes, and nurtures a sense of shared identity. In doing so, it promotes openness, inclusivity and optimism, values that will shape the SCO's future and facilitate strategic agreements.
\n
Technology exchange is another key frontier in the SCO's civilizational dialogue. As a grouping of developing countries, the SCO has been promoting innovation through initiatives such as the SCO Young Scientists Conclave, the science and technology partnership program, and working groups for start-ups and entrepreneurs. These platforms promote scientific thinking, the entrepreneurial spirit, as well as people-centered and innovation-driven cooperation.
\n
By linking scientific progress with human development, the SCO is laying the groundwork for a more equitable digital civilization. Such initiatives aim to protect technological sovereignty, safeguard regional security, improve people's livelihoods, and pioneer new models of shared governance in the digitally-connected world. We are happy to see that the Tianjin Declaration includes concrete steps to bridge digital gaps, promote the digital economy, and strengthen scientific and educational training, which will consolidate the existing ties among youths and scientists from the SCO member states.
\n
The SCO's ultimate strength lies in its philosophy of looking forward together, harnessing the modernization momentum and youth power, introspection and cooperation among diverse cultures. Whether through youth programs or tech partnerships, its efforts to build internal solidarity and global influence are essential to building a community with a shared future, which is necessary to jointly tackle transitions in the world and the regional political environment and deepen long-term bonds.
\n
In today's world of growing geopolitical uncertainty, the SCO's development reflects a broader truth: international cooperation must be rooted not only in realpolitik, but also in the sustainable development of each country and the well-being of its people. The future of global governance depends as much on mutual recognition and cultural empathy as on institutional frameworks.
\n
By fostering civilizational dialogue and encouraging inclusive exchanges, the SCO is not just adapting to a changing world; it is also helping shape it. In doing so, it offers a compelling vision of how humanity can move forward, not in uniformity, but in harmony.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
Amid escalating climate crisis, African leaders and international partners are rallying around the conviction that Africa holds the potential to spearhead the global response.
\n
At a meeting ahead of the Second Africa Climate Summit, which opens on Monday in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, speakers highlighted the continent's abundant renewable energy resources, its youthful and dynamic population, and its growing culture of innovation as key advantages.
\n
They stressed, however, that ambition from Africa alone will not suffice. Unlocking this potential depends on fair climate finance, accessible technology transfer, and a justice-centered approach that ensures inclusivity and equity.
\n
Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie said Africa is poised to drive climate-resilient development, thanks to its wealth of critical minerals essential for clean technology.
\n
"With the right support, Africa's aspirations can fortify global climate action," he said.
\n
He also cautioned against repeating history, when unfair competition and unlawful resource extraction undermined the continent's progress.
\n
"It is critical that advocacy for climate action also addresses this comprehensive economic and just issue," he added.
\n
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairman of the African Union Commission, underscored the importance of Africa speaking with one voice in global climate talks.
\n
"Time for decisive action is fleeting," he said. "We call for the international community to stand with Africa by ensuring climate finance is fair, transfer of technologies is effective, and capacity building is prioritized."
\n
Noura Hamladji, deputy executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, said the pledge to increase financial flows to developing countries to $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 must move beyond aspiration.
\n
"It must become implementable, delivered faster and designed for purpose," she said.
\n
"Bold climate action can drive immense human and economic benefits. Africa can show the world how this can be done."
\n
The upcoming Africa Climate Summit should "translate pledges into actions that deliver real benefits for communities", she said.
\n
Moral imperative
\n
Meanwhile, youth delegates reminded leaders of the moral imperative of climate action.
\n
Adela Tuy, a Kaqchikel Mayan from Solola, Guatemala, urged leaders to integrate indigenous knowledge into decision-making, declaring that without justice for indigenous people, there will be no climate justice for the planet.
\n
"Indigenous people have never been mere spectators in the climate crisis," she said.
\n
"For years they have cared for and protected their territories, passing knowledge from grandparents to grandchildren."
\n
Leyla Hasanova, a youth climate champion for the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference, called on leaders to ensure that future generations inherit hope rather than fear, by honoring promises and embracing innovation.
\n
Nigar Arpadarai, the UN climate change high-level champion for the 29th UN Climate Change Conference, said technological innovation should be at the center of the green agenda, driven by human talent and economic opportunity rather than overreliance on regulation.
\n
"As we navigate the evolving global landscape marked by demographic shifts by trade tensions and the renewed arms race, we must also confront the transformative power of emerging technologies, in particular the ongoing revolution in artificial intelligence," she said.
\n
Anthony Nyong, director of climate change and green growth at the African Development Bank, highlighted the paradox of Africa's vast clean energy potential coexisting with 600 million people still without electricity and more than 900 million lacking access to clean cooking.
\n
He warned that climate effects are already costing Africa up to 9 percent of its GDP annually, and called for innovative financing and stronger international support to bridge the funding gap.
\n
edithmutethya@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Amid escalating climate crisis, African leaders and international partners are rallying around the conviction that Africa holds the potential to spearhead the global response.
\n
At a meeting ahead of the Second Africa Climate Summit, which opens on Monday in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, speakers highlighted the continent's abundant renewable energy resources, its youthful and dynamic population, and its growing culture of innovation as key advantages.
\n
They stressed, however, that ambition from Africa alone will not suffice. Unlocking this potential depends on fair climate finance, accessible technology transfer, and a justice-centered approach that ensures inclusivity and equity.
\n
Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie said Africa is poised to drive climate-resilient development, thanks to its wealth of critical minerals essential for clean technology.
\n
"With the right support, Africa's aspirations can fortify global climate action," he said.
\n
He also cautioned against repeating history, when unfair competition and unlawful resource extraction undermined the continent's progress.
\n
"It is critical that advocacy for climate action also addresses this comprehensive economic and just issue," he added.
\n
Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairman of the African Union Commission, underscored the importance of Africa speaking with one voice in global climate talks.
\n
"Time for decisive action is fleeting," he said. "We call for the international community to stand with Africa by ensuring climate finance is fair, transfer of technologies is effective, and capacity building is prioritized."
\n
Noura Hamladji, deputy executive secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, said the pledge to increase financial flows to developing countries to $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 must move beyond aspiration.
\n
"It must become implementable, delivered faster and designed for purpose," she said.
\n
"Bold climate action can drive immense human and economic benefits. Africa can show the world how this can be done."
\n
The upcoming Africa Climate Summit should "translate pledges into actions that deliver real benefits for communities", she said.
\n
Moral imperative
\n
Meanwhile, youth delegates reminded leaders of the moral imperative of climate action.
\n
Adela Tuy, a Kaqchikel Mayan from Solola, Guatemala, urged leaders to integrate indigenous knowledge into decision-making, declaring that without justice for indigenous people, there will be no climate justice for the planet.
\n
"Indigenous people have never been mere spectators in the climate crisis," she said.
\n
"For years they have cared for and protected their territories, passing knowledge from grandparents to grandchildren."
\n
Leyla Hasanova, a youth climate champion for the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference, called on leaders to ensure that future generations inherit hope rather than fear, by honoring promises and embracing innovation.
\n
Nigar Arpadarai, the UN climate change high-level champion for the 29th UN Climate Change Conference, said technological innovation should be at the center of the green agenda, driven by human talent and economic opportunity rather than overreliance on regulation.
\n
"As we navigate the evolving global landscape marked by demographic shifts by trade tensions and the renewed arms race, we must also confront the transformative power of emerging technologies, in particular the ongoing revolution in artificial intelligence," she said.
\n
Anthony Nyong, director of climate change and green growth at the African Development Bank, highlighted the paradox of Africa's vast clean energy potential coexisting with 600 million people still without electricity and more than 900 million lacking access to clean cooking.
\n
He warned that climate effects are already costing Africa up to 9 percent of its GDP annually, and called for innovative financing and stronger international support to bridge the funding gap.
The Chinese embassy in Afghanistan on Friday handed over $200,000 in emergency humanitarian cash aid provided by the Red Cross Society of China to support Afghanistan's earthquake relief efforts. Bao Xuhui, charge d'affaires of the embassy, met President of the Afghan Red Crescent Society Shahabuddin Dilawar on Friday and conveyed China's deep condolences over the earthquake victims and sincere sympathy to the bereaved families and the injured.
\n
AUSTRALIA
\n
Masked gang kills boys aged 12, 15
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A gang of masked attackers armed with machetes stabbed and killed two boys aged 12 and 15 in a "horrific" attack in Melbourne, police said on Sunday. Up to eight people in a suspected youth gang attacked the children separately in nearby locations in western Melbourne on Saturday evening, they said. Police were first called to a street where they found a 12-year-old boy who had been stabbed, said Graham Banks, police detective inspector in the state of Victoria. "Despite resuscitation attempts by paramedics, he was unable to be revived," Banks told a news conference. Soon after, police found the boy's 15-year-old friend in a nearby street with "significant" stabbing wounds. He could not be saved.
This handout photograph posted on the official Telegram channel of Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko on Sunday shows rescue personnel working to extinguish a fire at the Ukrainian government building in Kyiv, following an attack amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Russian strikes across Ukraine overnight killed at least four people and wounded dozens more, Ukrainian authorities said on Sunday.
This handout photograph posted on the official Telegram channel of Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko on Sunday shows rescue personnel working to extinguish a fire at the Ukrainian government building in Kyiv, following an attack amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Russian strikes across Ukraine overnight killed at least four people and wounded dozens more, Ukrainian authorities said on Sunday.
WASHINGTON/CHICAGO — Several thousand protesters marched in Washington, DC, on Saturday to demand that US President Donald Trump end the deployment of National Guard troops patrolling the capital city's streets.
\n
With Trump vowing crackdowns in other Democratic-led cities as well, he appeared to threaten Chicago with migrant deportations in a social media post with an image that parodied the 1979 movie Apocalypse Now.
\n
Protesters at the "We Are All DC "march, including undocumented immigrants and supporters of Palestinian statehood, chanted slogans denouncing Trump and carried posters, some of which read, "Trump must go now", "Free DC "and "Resist Tyranny".
\n
"I'm here to protest the occupation of DC," said Alex Laufer. "We're opposing the authoritarian regime, and we need to get the federal police and the National Guard off our streets."
\n
Claiming that crime was blighting the city, Trump deployed the troops last month to "reestablish law, order, and public safety".
\n
Trump also placed the capital district's Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control and sent federal law enforcement personnel, including members of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to police the city's streets, moves critics have decried as federal overreach.
\n
More than 2,000 troops, including those from six Republican-led states, are patrolling the city. It is unclear when their mission will end, though the Army this week extended orders for the DC National Guard through Nov 30.
\n
Trump was playing golf at his course outside Washington and was not at the White House when protesters marched past on Saturday.
\n
But he appeared to step up pressure on Chicago in a post on his Truth Social platform that said, "I love the smell of deportations in the morning," parodying a line from the 1979 movie.
\n
"Chicago about to find out why it's called the Department of WAR," the president wrote, referring to his new order to rename the Department of Defense.
\n
The post was accompanied by a seemingly AI-generated picture of Trump dressed as a military officer in the film with helicopter gunships and explosions in the background.
\n
In downtown Chicago, several thousand demonstrators marched past Trump Tower on Saturday, protesting Trump's threats to flood the city with immigration agents. The protest came after fears of increasing deportations chilled a normally raucous Mexican Independence Day celebration.
\n
Protesters also opposed Trump's threats to deploy National Guard troops to fight crime in Chicago, which would be an extraordinary effort to militarize the country's third-largest city. On Wednesday, however, Vice President JD Vance said there were "no immediate plans" to send the National Guard to Chicago.
China's latest push to urge rational competition and regulate the promotional activities of major food delivery platforms will help maintain normal market order, ensure fair competition, and promote the healthy, orderly and sustainable development of the platform economy, experts said.
\n
They emphasized that these platforms should shift their focus from providing massive subsidies and huge discounts to improving the quality of services and delivery efficiency, while safeguarding the rights and interests of delivery riders.
\n
"Anti-involution" has become a focus of China's economic policies. Comprehensive measures to address "involution-style" competition will become a priority in economic and social development in the second half of the year, they noted.
\n
A meeting of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs on July 1 stressed efforts to advance the building of a unified national market, regulate enterprises' disorderly price competition in accordance with laws and regulations, and guide enterprises to improve product quality.
\n
Since May this year, many local catering associations have issued documents calling on food delivery platforms to stop "involution-style" competition.
\n
Chinese leading food delivery platforms — Alibaba Group-backed Ele.me, Meituan, and JD — vowed in August to rein in aggressive discounting practices, resist disorderly and vicious competition and foster a win-win ecosystem.
\n
Ele.me and Alibaba's Taobao Instant Commerce pledged to send out subsidies based on the needs of consumers and merchants in a reasonable manner, promising to eliminate large-scale irrational promotions and improve the quality of services.
\n
JD announced it will regulate subsidy activities, firmly avoid unfair competition and resist the vicious subsidies, such as "zero-yuan purchases", aiming to build a simple and transparent subsidy mechanism.
\n
Meituan emphasized its commitment to firmly regulating promotional activities and eliminating unfair competition, saying that any subsidy activities must strictly comply with laws and regulations, and it will promote the establishment of a fair and orderly industry order.
\n
Their move came after the State Administration for Market Regulation summoned the three leading food delivery platforms on July 18, urging them to regulate their promotional activities and engage in rational competition.
\n
The regulator called on the platform companies to strictly adhere to e-commerce, fair competition and food safety laws, and assume more professional responsibility, while fostering a healthy ecosystem that benefits consumers, merchants, delivery riders and platform operators, so as to promote the regulated, healthy and sustainable development of the catering services sector.
\n
The latest move has demonstrated the government's firm determination to maintain fair market order, signaling its "zero-tolerance" attitude toward disorderly subsidies and vicious competition, said Jiang Han, a senior analyst at market consultancy Pangoal, adding that the regulated and healthy development of the food delivery sector is directly related to consumers' rights and interests.
\n
It is of vital significance to safeguard a fair and orderly market environment and avoid the "involution-style" competition in the food delivery sector, which is experiencing a prolonged price war, Jiang said.
\n
He said the competition in China's instant retail sector is intensifying as these platforms have stepped up subsidies to compete for market share, leading to the compression of merchants' profits and the decline in consumer experience.
\n
"The platform enterprises should provide differentiated innovative services, such as optimizing delivery efficiency, enhancing food safety standards and improving after-sales services, thereby creating a healthy competition environment, and promoting the high-quality and sustained development of the food delivery sector," Jiang said.
\n
The authority's meeting with major food delivery platforms followed the increasingly fierce competition in the country's instant retail sector in recent months, with players offering huge discounts and subsidies to grab a bigger slice of the pie, which triggered a relentless price war.
\n
Alibaba's Taobao Instant Commerce has launched a substantial subsidy program worth 50 billion yuan ($7.01 billion) over the next 12 months for both consumers and merchants, while Meituan issued huge discounts and purchase coupons to attract more consumers.
\n
Chinese e-commerce giant JD entered the highly competitive food delivery sector in February, which is dominated by Meituan and Ele.me. JD promised to provide comprehensive support like low or zero commission fees to catering merchants who register on its platform, and step up the recruitment of full-time delivery riders.
\n
In May, the SAMR and four other government departments summoned major food delivery platforms to address prominent issues related to competition in the food delivery sector and to rectify unfair market practices.
\n
The regulator called on the platforms to comply with laws and regulations, fulfill social responsibilities, strengthen internal management, engage in fair and orderly competition, and better safeguard the rights and interests of consumers, merchants and delivery riders.
\n
According to a report from the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, the market scale of China's instant retail sector was 650 billion yuan in 2023, up 28.89 percent year-on-year. The figure is expected to surpass 2 trillion yuan in 2030.
\n
Instant retail refers to a model where shoppers place orders on online trading platforms, followed by retailers from brick-and-mortar stores executing door-to-door deliveries themselves or through third-party delivery platforms. An on-demand delivery order usually requires 30 to 60 minutes to be completed.
\n
Supply chain capabilities, fulfillment efficiency and service quality will be the key factors that determine the future landscape in the food delivery sector, while the platform enterprises should ramp up technological innovation, optimize delivery networks and adopt differentiated strategies to further improve user experience, industry insiders said.
\n
Hong Yong, an associate research fellow at the CAITEC, said: "Instant retail is regarded as an important development direction for the future retail sector as enterprises can expand their scope of services, enhance user stickiness, and leverage their existing logistics and supply chain advantages to explore new growth points through instant retail."
\n
Hong said the key to success is centered on the optimization of user experience, expansion of service scope and improvement of supply chain efficiency.
\n
Cao Lei, director of the Internet Economy Institute, a domestic consultancy, said the continuous steep discounts and price war pose challenges to platform companies' profitability, intensify competition and further squeeze the survival space of small and medium-sized merchants.
\n
Cao said these platforms should increase investments in technologies such as artificial intelligence-powered algorithms and intelligent scheduling to enhance fulfillment efficiency, while optimizing supply chain management, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of consumers, and improving the welfare of delivery staff.
\n
To safeguard the rights and interests of delivery riders, Alibaba Group and financial tech company Ant Group have rolled out a plan aimed at providing better benefits guarantees and stimulus measures. The plan includes offering more support to riders and their families, covering special rewards, educational improvement, healthcare assistance and career development.
\n
Ele.me has invested more than 20 million yuan for over 600 family members of riders who have serious illnesses and has provided educational assistance to more than 400 riders and their children.
\n
Meituan announced in July that it will upgrade the benefits guarantee for riders. The pension insurance subsidy will be rolled out nationwide by the end of this year, and it is expected to cover over 1 million riders. Since July 1, the coverage of work-related injury insurance for riders has been expanded to 17 provinces and municipalities, the company said.
\n
JD said it will invest 2 billion yuan to upgrade benefits for its full-time riders. In addition to providing full-time food delivery riders with comprehensive social insurance and housing funds, special allowances will be given to full-time riders each month during summer and winter. By the end of the second quarter, the number of JD's full-time delivery riders exceeded 150,000.
\n
Noting that steep discounts and subsidies cannot continue for extended periods, Guo Tao, deputy head of the China Electronic Commerce Expert Service Center, said the platforms should elevate service quality such as stable fulfillment and after-sales guarantees to enhance customer retention, while expanding the scope of service scenarios, increasing product categories and improving their cost-effectiveness.
\n
Zhu Keli, founding director of the China Institute of New Economy, said it is important that platform enterprises pool more resources into technologies and optimize cost structure through highly efficient inventory management and intelligent warehousing systems.
\n
He stressed the need to establish a stricter merchant access and supervision mechanism to improve the quality of goods, while calling for efforts to strengthen cooperation among different platforms to better integrate resources and further stimulate consumption potential.
\n
fanfeifei@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "\n
China's latest push to urge rational competition and regulate the promotional activities of major food delivery platforms will help maintain normal market order, ensure fair competition, and promote the healthy, orderly and sustainable development of the platform economy, experts said.
\n
They emphasized that these platforms should shift their focus from providing massive subsidies and huge discounts to improving the quality of services and delivery efficiency, while safeguarding the rights and interests of delivery riders.
\n
"Anti-involution" has become a focus of China's economic policies. Comprehensive measures to address "involution-style" competition will become a priority in economic and social development in the second half of the year, they noted.
\n
A meeting of the Central Commission for Financial and Economic Affairs on July 1 stressed efforts to advance the building of a unified national market, regulate enterprises' disorderly price competition in accordance with laws and regulations, and guide enterprises to improve product quality.
\n
Since May this year, many local catering associations have issued documents calling on food delivery platforms to stop "involution-style" competition.
\n
Chinese leading food delivery platforms — Alibaba Group-backed Ele.me, Meituan, and JD — vowed in August to rein in aggressive discounting practices, resist disorderly and vicious competition and foster a win-win ecosystem.
\n
Ele.me and Alibaba's Taobao Instant Commerce pledged to send out subsidies based on the needs of consumers and merchants in a reasonable manner, promising to eliminate large-scale irrational promotions and improve the quality of services.
\n
JD announced it will regulate subsidy activities, firmly avoid unfair competition and resist the vicious subsidies, such as "zero-yuan purchases", aiming to build a simple and transparent subsidy mechanism.
\n
Meituan emphasized its commitment to firmly regulating promotional activities and eliminating unfair competition, saying that any subsidy activities must strictly comply with laws and regulations, and it will promote the establishment of a fair and orderly industry order.
\n
Their move came after the State Administration for Market Regulation summoned the three leading food delivery platforms on July 18, urging them to regulate their promotional activities and engage in rational competition.
\n
The regulator called on the platform companies to strictly adhere to e-commerce, fair competition and food safety laws, and assume more professional responsibility, while fostering a healthy ecosystem that benefits consumers, merchants, delivery riders and platform operators, so as to promote the regulated, healthy and sustainable development of the catering services sector.
\n
The latest move has demonstrated the government's firm determination to maintain fair market order, signaling its "zero-tolerance" attitude toward disorderly subsidies and vicious competition, said Jiang Han, a senior analyst at market consultancy Pangoal, adding that the regulated and healthy development of the food delivery sector is directly related to consumers' rights and interests.
\n
It is of vital significance to safeguard a fair and orderly market environment and avoid the "involution-style" competition in the food delivery sector, which is experiencing a prolonged price war, Jiang said.
\n
He said the competition in China's instant retail sector is intensifying as these platforms have stepped up subsidies to compete for market share, leading to the compression of merchants' profits and the decline in consumer experience.
\n
"The platform enterprises should provide differentiated innovative services, such as optimizing delivery efficiency, enhancing food safety standards and improving after-sales services, thereby creating a healthy competition environment, and promoting the high-quality and sustained development of the food delivery sector," Jiang said.
\n
The authority's meeting with major food delivery platforms followed the increasingly fierce competition in the country's instant retail sector in recent months, with players offering huge discounts and subsidies to grab a bigger slice of the pie, which triggered a relentless price war.
\n
Alibaba's Taobao Instant Commerce has launched a substantial subsidy program worth 50 billion yuan ($7.01 billion) over the next 12 months for both consumers and merchants, while Meituan issued huge discounts and purchase coupons to attract more consumers.
\n
Chinese e-commerce giant JD entered the highly competitive food delivery sector in February, which is dominated by Meituan and Ele.me. JD promised to provide comprehensive support like low or zero commission fees to catering merchants who register on its platform, and step up the recruitment of full-time delivery riders.
\n
In May, the SAMR and four other government departments summoned major food delivery platforms to address prominent issues related to competition in the food delivery sector and to rectify unfair market practices.
\n
The regulator called on the platforms to comply with laws and regulations, fulfill social responsibilities, strengthen internal management, engage in fair and orderly competition, and better safeguard the rights and interests of consumers, merchants and delivery riders.
\n
According to a report from the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, the market scale of China's instant retail sector was 650 billion yuan in 2023, up 28.89 percent year-on-year. The figure is expected to surpass 2 trillion yuan in 2030.
\n
Instant retail refers to a model where shoppers place orders on online trading platforms, followed by retailers from brick-and-mortar stores executing door-to-door deliveries themselves or through third-party delivery platforms. An on-demand delivery order usually requires 30 to 60 minutes to be completed.
\n
Supply chain capabilities, fulfillment efficiency and service quality will be the key factors that determine the future landscape in the food delivery sector, while the platform enterprises should ramp up technological innovation, optimize delivery networks and adopt differentiated strategies to further improve user experience, industry insiders said.
\n
Hong Yong, an associate research fellow at the CAITEC, said: "Instant retail is regarded as an important development direction for the future retail sector as enterprises can expand their scope of services, enhance user stickiness, and leverage their existing logistics and supply chain advantages to explore new growth points through instant retail."
\n
Hong said the key to success is centered on the optimization of user experience, expansion of service scope and improvement of supply chain efficiency.
\n
Cao Lei, director of the Internet Economy Institute, a domestic consultancy, said the continuous steep discounts and price war pose challenges to platform companies' profitability, intensify competition and further squeeze the survival space of small and medium-sized merchants.
\n
Cao said these platforms should increase investments in technologies such as artificial intelligence-powered algorithms and intelligent scheduling to enhance fulfillment efficiency, while optimizing supply chain management, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of consumers, and improving the welfare of delivery staff.
\n
To safeguard the rights and interests of delivery riders, Alibaba Group and financial tech company Ant Group have rolled out a plan aimed at providing better benefits guarantees and stimulus measures. The plan includes offering more support to riders and their families, covering special rewards, educational improvement, healthcare assistance and career development.
\n
Ele.me has invested more than 20 million yuan for over 600 family members of riders who have serious illnesses and has provided educational assistance to more than 400 riders and their children.
\n
Meituan announced in July that it will upgrade the benefits guarantee for riders. The pension insurance subsidy will be rolled out nationwide by the end of this year, and it is expected to cover over 1 million riders. Since July 1, the coverage of work-related injury insurance for riders has been expanded to 17 provinces and municipalities, the company said.
\n
JD said it will invest 2 billion yuan to upgrade benefits for its full-time riders. In addition to providing full-time food delivery riders with comprehensive social insurance and housing funds, special allowances will be given to full-time riders each month during summer and winter. By the end of the second quarter, the number of JD's full-time delivery riders exceeded 150,000.
\n
Noting that steep discounts and subsidies cannot continue for extended periods, Guo Tao, deputy head of the China Electronic Commerce Expert Service Center, said the platforms should elevate service quality such as stable fulfillment and after-sales guarantees to enhance customer retention, while expanding the scope of service scenarios, increasing product categories and improving their cost-effectiveness.
\n
Zhu Keli, founding director of the China Institute of New Economy, said it is important that platform enterprises pool more resources into technologies and optimize cost structure through highly efficient inventory management and intelligent warehousing systems.
\n
He stressed the need to establish a stricter merchant access and supervision mechanism to improve the quality of goods, while calling for efforts to strengthen cooperation among different platforms to better integrate resources and further stimulate consumption potential.
A staff member takes care of an elderly at a nursing home in Rizhao, East China's Shandong province, on May 25.
\n
BEIJING — On an early morning in August, a woman surnamed Li was waiting at the entrance of a top-tier hospital in Beijing for a hired medical escort who would provide her with the help needed during her hospital visit that day.
\n
With her children living in other cities, 65-year-old Li, who has difficulty moving around, has come to rely on such professional services and has used them several times as they help her navigate the many procedures of seeking medical treatment at the hospital. "The procedures are complicated. I simply can't manage it myself."
\n
Li's case is not unique. A woman surnamed Wang, who lives and works in Beijing, said hiring medical escorts for her parents is a serious need. "Both of my parents are over 80 years old. Because my siblings and I are all busy at work most of the time, we need to hire medical escorts for our parents when they need to see a doctor."
\n
As Li received help from her escort at the Chinese PLA General Hospital in Beijing, a nursing aide at a local hospital in East China's Shandong province was helping a patient turn over, drink water and stay calm in the hospital ward — tasks that once fell to family members.
\n
The rise in demand for medical escorts and nursing aides across various cities is part of a service industry that has been rapidly gaining traction in China in recent years, giving rise to the so-called "companion economy".
\n
This demand has in part been driven by an aging population. By the end of 2024, citizens aged 60 and above had reached over 300 million, accounting for nearly 22 percent of the country's total population. Almost half of them live alone without children immediately nearby, according to official data.
\n
"Older patients often struggle with digital registration, multi-step medical procedures, and navigating large hospitals," said Xu Jianzhong, executive president of the China Association of Social Welfare and Senior Service.
\n
A 2025 report launched by the association revealed that more than 80 percent of home-dwelling seniors lack timely family assistance during hospital visits. Against such a backdrop, Xu observed that medical escort services have transitioned from peripheral demand to rigid demand over the years.
\n
Beyond medical escorts, companion care is also filling gaps in daily life support. With around 35 million disabled elderly people — a number expected to rise to 58 million by 2050 — the need for professional at-home and institutional care is surging in the country.
\n
At the other end of the spectrum, young people in China are also embracing paid companionship to meet their emotional and recreational needs. Online advertisements for companion services had in fact appeared years ago across social platforms, offering a range of emotional support services, from chatting and exercising to dining and museum visits.
\n
Major tech platforms, such as JD.com, Meituan and Alibaba, have entered the functional companionship market, offering structured services like elder escorting and nursing care.
\n
As paid companionship is reshaping how people seek help and connect in a society with diversified needs, it is nurturing a companion economy expected to reach a market size of 50 billion yuan ($7 billion) by the end of 2025, according to an estimate by Sinolink Securities.
\n
But as platform models enable rapid scaling, service quality control, as well as potential risks and trust issues, remain challenges to the development of the companion economy, analysts say. The low entry barrier and lack of regulations mean there is potentially false advertising, poor services and privacy leaks, leaving users vulnerable.
\n
Efforts to standardize these services, particularly medical escort services, are underway. In May, the CASWSS released a systematic set of standards for elderly hospital escort services covering service processes, safety guidelines, personnel training and complaint mechanisms.
\n
In big cities such as Beijing, Wuhan and Shanghai, a number of elder care service institutions have established comprehensive standards for medical escort and nursing services. By combining personnel training, qualification reviews, feedback mechanisms and digital tracking, these organizations aim to enhance service quality and accountability.
\n
"Caregiving isn't just about helping with meals or movement. It requires professional knowledge," said Wang Shuxia, head of the China Home Service Association.
\n",
@@ -20772,28 +20288,6 @@
"hash": "cdeb1472a511b12ad581d0e5e385af08",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "016MOTORING - NEV startups post record August sales",
- "description": "
Models are on display in an XPeng store in a Shanghai shopping mall in April.
\n
China's new energy vehicle startups notched record sales in August, underscoring how new models, lower prices and growing acceptance of smart car features are reshaping the world's largest auto market.
\n
Leapmotor delivered 57,066 vehicles last month, up 88 percent from a year earlier and the highest monthly total in its history. It was the sixth straight month the company led sales among China's NEV startups.
\n
The company crossed 900,000 cumulative deliveries in August and reported its first half-year net profit, becoming the second Chinese NEV startup to achieve profitability on that basis, after Li Auto.
\n
XPeng delivered 37,709 vehicles in August, a 169 percent jump from a year earlier and a 3 percent rise from July, marking a new monthly record, the Chinese NEV maker said.
\n
The Mona M03 compact sedan remained a major growth driver, with more than 15,000 units delivered last month and over 160,000 sold since launch a year ago.
\n
Nio saw its monthly deliveries over 30,000 units for the first time, hitting 31,305 in August, up 55.2 percent year-on-year.
\n
Voyah, the NEV brand backed by Dongfeng Motor, also reported record shipments of 13,505 units, up 119 percent year-on-year.
\n
The synchronized sales momentum reflects a confluence of factors. "This isn't a coincidence," said one analyst tracking China's EV market.
\n
"We are entering a new product cycle where multiple startups are hitting the sweet spot of design, technology and pricing at the same time."
\n
New model launches were the most immediate catalyst. Many NEV startups introduced key products in the second quarter, with deliveries ramping up in July.
\n
In a market where consumers expect constant innovation, timely rollouts are essential to sustain growth, analysts said.
\n
In the case of Nio, its record-making sales benefited from its sub-brand Onvo's L90, a large-sized electric SUV launched in late July.
\n
Its first full-month deliveries hit 10,575 units, almost one-third of Nio's total deliveries in August.
\n
XPeng said its new P7 sedan, launched late last month, secured more than 10,000 orders within seven minutes — the fastest debut in XPeng's history.
\n
Foot traffic and test drives also hit record highs in the first weekend after launch, said the carmaker.
\n
Voyah said its new Courage SUV garnered 3,000 orders on launch day, while its 2026 Dream MPV received more than 10,000 orders when pre-sales opened at the Chengdu motor show in late August.
\n
Discount schemes such as trade-in subsidies and lower entry prices helped unlock demand in second- and third-tier cities, expanding beyond the premium early-adopter segment.
\n
Voyah drew applause and exclamations of excitement when it launched its Courage SUV, equipped with Huawei smart cabin and driver assistance features, at a starting price of 202,900 yuan ($28,000).
\n
The lower starting price was also a major cause of the popularity of Nio's flagship ES8 SUV as well as its Onvo L90. A Nio sales executive said he has never seen the company's sales system slow down due to an influx of orders.
\n
"We've made adjustments in product definition, learning from past lessons, and that's why models like the L90 and the new ES8 are being well received," said Nio founder and CEO William Li.
\n
Looking ahead, Li said Nio will launch three large SUVs next year — the Nio ES9, ES7 and Onvo L80 — to further strengthen its lineup.
\n
Another driver is the growing consumer appetite for advanced driver-assistance systems and intelligent cockpits.
\n
Features such as navigation-on-autopilot, automated parking and AI-driven in-car assistants are no longer seen as gimmicks, but as must-have capabilities.
\n
That shift has played to the strengths of NEV startups, which have been quicker than traditional carmakers, especially overseas brands, to deploy such functions.
\n
Government incentives have also added fuel. National and local authorities have continued to promote EV adoption through purchase subsidies and replacement programs, dovetailing with rising seasonal demand during the summer travel period.
\n
Perhaps more fundamentally, startups that were once perceived as risky bets are beginning to gain credibility.
\n
Nio's Li said around 30-40 percent of its potential customers still walk away because they worry the startup may go bankrupt at any time.
\n
Nio has been losing money but has vowed to break even in the fourth quarter of this year — a goal analysts say looks more likely given the sudden popularity of the ES8 and Onvo L90.
\n
"Our new-generation products have strong cost competitiveness, supported by long-term in-house R&D and cost-control measures," Li said.
\n
After several years of improving product quality and building service networks, companies such as Nio and XPeng have cultivated user communities that reinforce loyalty and word-of-mouth sales.
\n
But whether August's performance proves sustainable remains to be seen, as more new models enter the fray, including those from traditional brands, and more creative sales campaigns are rolled out.
\n
Volvo launched its XC70 late last month in Chengdu. "You cannot tell it apart from those Chinese brands if you sit in the car and cover the logo," said one attendee at the launch.
\n
Voyah partnered with British iconic cartoon Peppa Pig to launch its Courage SUV, highlighting the model as a family vehicle, while another startup, Avatr, is working with popular Chinese animated film Nobody in an effort to convey the charm of local Chinese creativity.
\n
Analysts said competition in China's NEV market is only intensifying, with BYD, Tesla and a host of legacy automakers trying every means to defend market share.
\n
But the figures signal that some challengers are getting established in the world's largest and most competitive NEV market, they added.
\n
lifusheng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Models are on display in an XPeng store in a Shanghai shopping mall in April.
\n
China's new energy vehicle startups notched record sales in August, underscoring how new models, lower prices and growing acceptance of smart car features are reshaping the world's largest auto market.
\n
Leapmotor delivered 57,066 vehicles last month, up 88 percent from a year earlier and the highest monthly total in its history. It was the sixth straight month the company led sales among China's NEV startups.
\n
The company crossed 900,000 cumulative deliveries in August and reported its first half-year net profit, becoming the second Chinese NEV startup to achieve profitability on that basis, after Li Auto.
\n
XPeng delivered 37,709 vehicles in August, a 169 percent jump from a year earlier and a 3 percent rise from July, marking a new monthly record, the Chinese NEV maker said.
\n
The Mona M03 compact sedan remained a major growth driver, with more than 15,000 units delivered last month and over 160,000 sold since launch a year ago.
\n
Nio saw its monthly deliveries over 30,000 units for the first time, hitting 31,305 in August, up 55.2 percent year-on-year.
\n
Voyah, the NEV brand backed by Dongfeng Motor, also reported record shipments of 13,505 units, up 119 percent year-on-year.
\n
The synchronized sales momentum reflects a confluence of factors. "This isn't a coincidence," said one analyst tracking China's EV market.
\n
"We are entering a new product cycle where multiple startups are hitting the sweet spot of design, technology and pricing at the same time."
\n
New model launches were the most immediate catalyst. Many NEV startups introduced key products in the second quarter, with deliveries ramping up in July.
\n
In a market where consumers expect constant innovation, timely rollouts are essential to sustain growth, analysts said.
\n
In the case of Nio, its record-making sales benefited from its sub-brand Onvo's L90, a large-sized electric SUV launched in late July.
\n
Its first full-month deliveries hit 10,575 units, almost one-third of Nio's total deliveries in August.
\n
XPeng said its new P7 sedan, launched late last month, secured more than 10,000 orders within seven minutes — the fastest debut in XPeng's history.
\n
Foot traffic and test drives also hit record highs in the first weekend after launch, said the carmaker.
\n
Voyah said its new Courage SUV garnered 3,000 orders on launch day, while its 2026 Dream MPV received more than 10,000 orders when pre-sales opened at the Chengdu motor show in late August.
\n
Discount schemes such as trade-in subsidies and lower entry prices helped unlock demand in second- and third-tier cities, expanding beyond the premium early-adopter segment.
\n
Voyah drew applause and exclamations of excitement when it launched its Courage SUV, equipped with Huawei smart cabin and driver assistance features, at a starting price of 202,900 yuan ($28,000).
\n
The lower starting price was also a major cause of the popularity of Nio's flagship ES8 SUV as well as its Onvo L90. A Nio sales executive said he has never seen the company's sales system slow down due to an influx of orders.
\n
"We've made adjustments in product definition, learning from past lessons, and that's why models like the L90 and the new ES8 are being well received," said Nio founder and CEO William Li.
\n
Looking ahead, Li said Nio will launch three large SUVs next year — the Nio ES9, ES7 and Onvo L80 — to further strengthen its lineup.
\n
Another driver is the growing consumer appetite for advanced driver-assistance systems and intelligent cockpits.
\n
Features such as navigation-on-autopilot, automated parking and AI-driven in-car assistants are no longer seen as gimmicks, but as must-have capabilities.
\n
That shift has played to the strengths of NEV startups, which have been quicker than traditional carmakers, especially overseas brands, to deploy such functions.
\n
Government incentives have also added fuel. National and local authorities have continued to promote EV adoption through purchase subsidies and replacement programs, dovetailing with rising seasonal demand during the summer travel period.
\n
Perhaps more fundamentally, startups that were once perceived as risky bets are beginning to gain credibility.
\n
Nio's Li said around 30-40 percent of its potential customers still walk away because they worry the startup may go bankrupt at any time.
\n
Nio has been losing money but has vowed to break even in the fourth quarter of this year — a goal analysts say looks more likely given the sudden popularity of the ES8 and Onvo L90.
\n
"Our new-generation products have strong cost competitiveness, supported by long-term in-house R&D and cost-control measures," Li said.
\n
After several years of improving product quality and building service networks, companies such as Nio and XPeng have cultivated user communities that reinforce loyalty and word-of-mouth sales.
\n
But whether August's performance proves sustainable remains to be seen, as more new models enter the fray, including those from traditional brands, and more creative sales campaigns are rolled out.
\n
Volvo launched its XC70 late last month in Chengdu. "You cannot tell it apart from those Chinese brands if you sit in the car and cover the logo," said one attendee at the launch.
\n
Voyah partnered with British iconic cartoon Peppa Pig to launch its Courage SUV, highlighting the model as a family vehicle, while another startup, Avatr, is working with popular Chinese animated film Nobody in an effort to convey the charm of local Chinese creativity.
\n
Analysts said competition in China's NEV market is only intensifying, with BYD, Tesla and a host of legacy automakers trying every means to defend market share.
\n
But the figures signal that some challengers are getting established in the world's largest and most competitive NEV market, they added.
Swedish electric vehicle maker Polestar reported a wider loss for the second quarter after tariffs and intensifying price pressure led to an impairment charge on its Polestar 3, sending its US-listed shares down.
\n
US trade tariffs on global partners have hit the automotive industry hard, with automakers including Polestar scrambling to adjust supply chains and shift manufacturing to mitigate the effect.
\n
Polestar reported a net loss of $1.03 billion for the quarter ended June 30, compared with a loss of $268 million a year earlier.
\n
The company slashed the recoverable value of the Polestar 3 to $25 million, leading to a $739 million impairment charge.
\n
Sweden-based Volvo Cars, which produces the Polestar 3 in its South Carolina factory, also booked a similar impairment charge in the second quarter related to its ES90 and EX90 due to tariffs and launch delays.
\n
"We will not grow in the US at any cost, because the financial exposure is then too high," Polestar said in a post-earnings call.
\n
The company added that 77 percent of its sales were generated from Europe, while 8 percent came from the US in the first half of this year.
\n
"We think their big problem is going to be EV demand in the absence of incentives combined with liquidity," said Garrett Nelson, senior equity analyst at CFRA Research.
\n
Like many other EV startups, Polestar has burned through significant amounts of cash in its push to achieve scale and consistently faced challenges managing liquidity as well as debt levels.
\n
The company initially aimed to reach cash flow break-even by 2025 but adjusted it in January to 2027, before suspending its forecast due to the uncertainty brought on by tariffs.
\n
While it has long risked breaching certain debt covenants, the company repeatedly negotiated amendments with its lenders and said it had agreed with creditors to revise some of the covenants to remain compliant in the second half of the year.
\n
Polestar also said it had handed over 177 cars as collateral, as part of a financing deal.
\n
While a number of startups including Fisker, Lordstown and Arrival have gone under after running out of funds, a few have backers willing to continue funding loss-making operations.
\n
VinFast's founder has kept the Vietnamese EV maker going as it tries to break even by the end of 2026, while Lucid has received around $8 billion in investments from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
\n
Polestar secured a $200 million equity investment from Geely owner Li Shufu through PSD Investment in June.
Customers purchase products at a Pop Mart store in London, Britain, on May 21.
\n
Customers purchase products at a Pop Mart store in London, Britain, on May 21.
\n
Collectible cards bearing the Palace Museum elements prove a hit among collectors from home and abroad.
\n
Toys themed on Labubu, a popular furry doll from Chinese toy company Pop Mart, at a new Pop Mart store in Bangkok, Thailand, in July 2024.
\n
Li Jing vividly remembers how an American collector carefully examined a card made by her company in his hand during the bustling US National Sports Collectors Convention at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, that was held at the end of July.
\n
The card's surface gleams with a golden drawing of the Palace Museum's (in Beijing, also known as the Forbidden City) Hall of Supreme Harmony, its edges inlaid with delicate filigree, and at the center, a tiny natural gemstone.
\n
This thin card, measuring less than a millimeter in thickness, embodies the marriage of centuries-old Chinese filigree inlay craftsmanship and modern industrial precision.
\n
"The Hall of Supreme Harmony card is from our 'Heritage' series," says Li, a co-founder of Suplay, a Chinese designer toy and collectibles company founded in 2019.
\n
The business produces collectible cards, trendy figurines, and pop-culture merchandise, operating under its card brand Kakawow.
\n
This year marked the company's third invitation to Chicago to participate in the five-day convention, one of the world's largest card and memorabilia expos.
\n
At Suplay's booth, wearing a Tang Dynasty (618-907) style jacket, Disney's Mickey Mouse stood out in playful contrast to the US entertainment company Warner Bros' 100th anniversary commemorative cards sitting next to collectible cards featuring photography from the Chinese National Geography magazine.
\n
The US expo boasts a history of more than four decades. The floors are typically dominated by sports cards — basketball, baseball, and other sports-centered collectibles, such as jersey fragments or autographs. These remain the industry's gold standard, both culturally and economically.
\n
Yet, at Suplay's booth, Forbidden City-themed cards drew equally big crowds. Nearly all of Suplay's showcased products were sold out on-site, purchased primarily by American collectors and distributors.
\n
"These culturally infused collectibles are fast becoming favorites both at home and abroad," Li says.
\n
Kakawow's first Forbidden City series was launched in 2020 and snapped up within two weeks. Its success was further cemented by its performance on secondary markets, where collectors resell items to other collectors. Resale prices for the cards soared significantly, confirming their status as coveted cultural artifacts, not just consumer products, Li notes.
\n
Though Suplay did not offer the Forbidden City series at this year's convention, many US collectors inquired about products related to the Palace Museum — a sign of a strong overseas appetite for Chinese cultural intellectual properties, Li says.
\n
In recent years, trendy and collectible Chinese toys have gained remarkable popularity worldwide, with numerous brands expanding their reach overseas, generating overwhelming enthusiasm both online and offline.
\n
Pop Mart stands out as a prominent example of this global success. By the end of 2024, Pop Mart had expanded to over 30 countries and regions, operating more than 500 physical stores and over 2,300 robotic stores.
\n
TOP TOY, another major player, now operates more than 280 stores worldwide and reported exports worth approximately 47 million yuan ($6.6 million) in 2024.
\n
Hong Yong, an associate research fellow in the Ministry of Commerce's e-commerce research department, notes that with the rise of China's economy and the enhancement of its cultural influences, trendy toys have served as a vehicle for cultural dissemination, successfully integrating Chinese elements with modern trends and demonstrating unique charm.
\n
Hong adds that the overseas popularity of Chinese brands not only boosts their international visibility and influence but also strengthens the domestic market in return, creating a positive feedback loop.
\n
Suplay's entrepreneurial journey began with a creative reinterpretation of traditional culture.
\n
"For our premium card brand Kakawow, we chose the Forbidden City as the first IP because it represents one deep cultural consensus among Chinese people," Li recalls.
\n
Their debut series — totaling 300 boxes — sold out in just two weeks, giving the team enormous confidence.
\n
In 2024, Kakawow launched its "Heritage" series priced at 6,990 yuan, which incorporated intangible cultural heritage techniques such as filigree inlay.
\n
Among them, the Cup of Eternal Stability edition was made using 81 grams of pure gold.
\n
"The market response exceeded all expectations," Li says.
\n
"Ninety-six percent of our buyers are adults over 18, which proves there is significant demand for high-end collectible cards in China," she adds.
\n
Inside Kakawow's creative studio in Beijing, the East and the West merge in imaginative ways. Mickey Mouse dons a traditional Tang-style robe embroidered with auspicious cloud motifs. Beasts from the roof of the Hall of Supreme Harmony leap across holographic card foil.
\n
"This blending of traditions is not only visual, but also rooted in the precision of Chinese manufacturing," Li says.
\n
She picked up a Warner Bros'100th anniversary card to demonstrate: "The PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film layer has a thickness deviation of less than 0.1 millimeters, and the gold stamping position tolerance is controlled within 0.3 millimeters. Only Chinese factories can achieve this level of consistency," she says.
\n
According to a leading card-grading agency in the United States, 75 percent of Kakawow cards achieve a Gem Mint 10 rating, well above the US industry average of 50 percent.
\n
Cao Wei, general manager of the card trading platform Card Hobby, established in 2014, has been a collector since 1997 and has witnessed China's collectible card culture grow over the years.
\n
"To hold a piece of Michael Jordan's game-worn jersey embedded in a card carries immense emotional value for fans. It's not just a card; it's a tangible memory," Cao recalls. His collecting journey started with matchbox covers and stamps, then gradually moved toward modern trading cards.
\n
Today, the platform processes transactions of nearly 300 million yuan monthly, with over 600,000 registered users worldwide, making it a key bridge that links Chinese card culture to global markets.
\n
Though cards with Chinese elements currently account for just 5 to 10 percent of transactions, Cao sees tremendous growth potential.
\n
"The challenge for cultural cards going global is IP appeal," Cao explains.
\n
"You need international customers to buy in. You need a breakout story," he adds.
\n
He cites Ne Zha as proof — after being licensed and distributed as a trading card series, the IP became highly active on the platform, proving to be a successful case of export of cultural product.
\n
Industry veterans note that China's advantage in exporting designer toys and cultural collectibles lies in three areas: a robust supply chain; expertise in social media marketing and cross-border e-commerce; and a maturing, original design ecosystem.
\n
Looking ahead, the outlook is bright. According to the Annual Report on China's Pop Toy and Animation and Comic Industries (2024), the country's designer toy industry is projected to reach 110.1 billion yuan by 2026, with annual growth above 20 percent.
\n
Amid these shifts, Cao underscores the importance of patience.
\n
"The card market requires long-term accumulation. We need time to become friends," Cao says.
\n
He adds that Card Hobby will continue to advance China's card culture globally by participating in international expos, streamlining cross-border transactions, and releasing more products that blend Eastern and Western themes.
\n
As for Suplay, the company plans to push further, experimenting with creative combinations, such as Dunhuang's flying apsaras with the movie Interstellar, and Song Dynasty (960-1279) elements with cyberpunk aesthetics.
\n
"These seemingly contrasting elements will be woven into collectible cards, offering fresh stories with cultural fusion," Li says.
\n
She believes that cultural elements going global cannot be measured by sales numbers alone.
\n
"When I saw an elderly American gentleman at our booth using a magnifying glass to examine the Chinese characters Taihe Dian (Hall of Supreme Harmony), then looking them up to learn their meaning, I realized that cultural integration is truly happening," she says.
\n
Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Customers purchase products at a Pop Mart store in London, Britain, on May 21.
\n
Customers purchase products at a Pop Mart store in London, Britain, on May 21.
\n
Collectible cards bearing the Palace Museum elements prove a hit among collectors from home and abroad.
\n
Toys themed on Labubu, a popular furry doll from Chinese toy company Pop Mart, at a new Pop Mart store in Bangkok, Thailand, in July 2024.
\n
Li Jing vividly remembers how an American collector carefully examined a card made by her company in his hand during the bustling US National Sports Collectors Convention at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, that was held at the end of July.
\n
The card's surface gleams with a golden drawing of the Palace Museum's (in Beijing, also known as the Forbidden City) Hall of Supreme Harmony, its edges inlaid with delicate filigree, and at the center, a tiny natural gemstone.
\n
This thin card, measuring less than a millimeter in thickness, embodies the marriage of centuries-old Chinese filigree inlay craftsmanship and modern industrial precision.
\n
"The Hall of Supreme Harmony card is from our 'Heritage' series," says Li, a co-founder of Suplay, a Chinese designer toy and collectibles company founded in 2019.
\n
The business produces collectible cards, trendy figurines, and pop-culture merchandise, operating under its card brand Kakawow.
\n
This year marked the company's third invitation to Chicago to participate in the five-day convention, one of the world's largest card and memorabilia expos.
\n
At Suplay's booth, wearing a Tang Dynasty (618-907) style jacket, Disney's Mickey Mouse stood out in playful contrast to the US entertainment company Warner Bros' 100th anniversary commemorative cards sitting next to collectible cards featuring photography from the Chinese National Geography magazine.
\n
The US expo boasts a history of more than four decades. The floors are typically dominated by sports cards — basketball, baseball, and other sports-centered collectibles, such as jersey fragments or autographs. These remain the industry's gold standard, both culturally and economically.
\n
Yet, at Suplay's booth, Forbidden City-themed cards drew equally big crowds. Nearly all of Suplay's showcased products were sold out on-site, purchased primarily by American collectors and distributors.
\n
"These culturally infused collectibles are fast becoming favorites both at home and abroad," Li says.
\n
Kakawow's first Forbidden City series was launched in 2020 and snapped up within two weeks. Its success was further cemented by its performance on secondary markets, where collectors resell items to other collectors. Resale prices for the cards soared significantly, confirming their status as coveted cultural artifacts, not just consumer products, Li notes.
\n
Though Suplay did not offer the Forbidden City series at this year's convention, many US collectors inquired about products related to the Palace Museum — a sign of a strong overseas appetite for Chinese cultural intellectual properties, Li says.
\n
In recent years, trendy and collectible Chinese toys have gained remarkable popularity worldwide, with numerous brands expanding their reach overseas, generating overwhelming enthusiasm both online and offline.
\n
Pop Mart stands out as a prominent example of this global success. By the end of 2024, Pop Mart had expanded to over 30 countries and regions, operating more than 500 physical stores and over 2,300 robotic stores.
\n
TOP TOY, another major player, now operates more than 280 stores worldwide and reported exports worth approximately 47 million yuan ($6.6 million) in 2024.
\n
Hong Yong, an associate research fellow in the Ministry of Commerce's e-commerce research department, notes that with the rise of China's economy and the enhancement of its cultural influences, trendy toys have served as a vehicle for cultural dissemination, successfully integrating Chinese elements with modern trends and demonstrating unique charm.
\n
Hong adds that the overseas popularity of Chinese brands not only boosts their international visibility and influence but also strengthens the domestic market in return, creating a positive feedback loop.
\n
Suplay's entrepreneurial journey began with a creative reinterpretation of traditional culture.
\n
"For our premium card brand Kakawow, we chose the Forbidden City as the first IP because it represents one deep cultural consensus among Chinese people," Li recalls.
\n
Their debut series — totaling 300 boxes — sold out in just two weeks, giving the team enormous confidence.
\n
In 2024, Kakawow launched its "Heritage" series priced at 6,990 yuan, which incorporated intangible cultural heritage techniques such as filigree inlay.
\n
Among them, the Cup of Eternal Stability edition was made using 81 grams of pure gold.
\n
"The market response exceeded all expectations," Li says.
\n
"Ninety-six percent of our buyers are adults over 18, which proves there is significant demand for high-end collectible cards in China," she adds.
\n
Inside Kakawow's creative studio in Beijing, the East and the West merge in imaginative ways. Mickey Mouse dons a traditional Tang-style robe embroidered with auspicious cloud motifs. Beasts from the roof of the Hall of Supreme Harmony leap across holographic card foil.
\n
"This blending of traditions is not only visual, but also rooted in the precision of Chinese manufacturing," Li says.
\n
She picked up a Warner Bros'100th anniversary card to demonstrate: "The PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film layer has a thickness deviation of less than 0.1 millimeters, and the gold stamping position tolerance is controlled within 0.3 millimeters. Only Chinese factories can achieve this level of consistency," she says.
\n
According to a leading card-grading agency in the United States, 75 percent of Kakawow cards achieve a Gem Mint 10 rating, well above the US industry average of 50 percent.
\n
Cao Wei, general manager of the card trading platform Card Hobby, established in 2014, has been a collector since 1997 and has witnessed China's collectible card culture grow over the years.
\n
"To hold a piece of Michael Jordan's game-worn jersey embedded in a card carries immense emotional value for fans. It's not just a card; it's a tangible memory," Cao recalls. His collecting journey started with matchbox covers and stamps, then gradually moved toward modern trading cards.
\n
Today, the platform processes transactions of nearly 300 million yuan monthly, with over 600,000 registered users worldwide, making it a key bridge that links Chinese card culture to global markets.
\n
Though cards with Chinese elements currently account for just 5 to 10 percent of transactions, Cao sees tremendous growth potential.
\n
"The challenge for cultural cards going global is IP appeal," Cao explains.
\n
"You need international customers to buy in. You need a breakout story," he adds.
\n
He cites Ne Zha as proof — after being licensed and distributed as a trading card series, the IP became highly active on the platform, proving to be a successful case of export of cultural product.
\n
Industry veterans note that China's advantage in exporting designer toys and cultural collectibles lies in three areas: a robust supply chain; expertise in social media marketing and cross-border e-commerce; and a maturing, original design ecosystem.
\n
Looking ahead, the outlook is bright. According to the Annual Report on China's Pop Toy and Animation and Comic Industries (2024), the country's designer toy industry is projected to reach 110.1 billion yuan by 2026, with annual growth above 20 percent.
\n
Amid these shifts, Cao underscores the importance of patience.
\n
"The card market requires long-term accumulation. We need time to become friends," Cao says.
\n
He adds that Card Hobby will continue to advance China's card culture globally by participating in international expos, streamlining cross-border transactions, and releasing more products that blend Eastern and Western themes.
\n
As for Suplay, the company plans to push further, experimenting with creative combinations, such as Dunhuang's flying apsaras with the movie Interstellar, and Song Dynasty (960-1279) elements with cyberpunk aesthetics.
\n
"These seemingly contrasting elements will be woven into collectible cards, offering fresh stories with cultural fusion," Li says.
\n
She believes that cultural elements going global cannot be measured by sales numbers alone.
\n
"When I saw an elderly American gentleman at our booth using a magnifying glass to examine the Chinese characters Taihe Dian (Hall of Supreme Harmony), then looking them up to learn their meaning, I realized that cultural integration is truly happening," she says.
\n
Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn
Chinese Canadian violinist Li Zhe, newly appointed executive director of the NCPA Orchestra.
\n
Maestro Myung-whun Chung conducts a concert during the European tour.
\n
Piano virtuoso Bruce Liu performs with the orchestra on its summer tour.
\n
This year was the first time that the orchestra had embarked on a wider European tour.
\n
The performances in Scotland, England, Spain, and Germany drew an enthusiastic response from concertgoers.
\n
The National Centre for the Performing Arts has named Chinese Canadian violinist Li Zhe as executive director of its resident orchestra, a move announced just as the ensemble returned from its first full-scale European tour. The appointment marks both a personal milestone for Li, long-serving concertmaster and one of the orchestra's most senior players, and a symbolic moment for the group, which is striving for greater international recognition.
\n
Founded in 2010, the Beijing-based NCPA Orchestra has grown rapidly in stature under the direction of internationally renowned conductors. This summer, led by maestro Myung-whun Chung, it performed at major festivals including the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland, Saffron Hall in England, the Santander International Festival in Spain, and in the German cities of Koblenz and Hamburg. In Hamburg, the orchestra received a standing ovation, a sign that the young ensemble is now ready to be measured on Europe's most competitive stages.
\n
With an average age of 32, and comprising musicians from all over the world but mainly China, the orchestra brings together a wide range of young talent. It performs live to around 200,000 people annually, with millions more tuning in online.
\n
General manager Ren Xiaolong recalls suggesting to Chung that they tour together years ago, but the conductor wanted to wait until the group had matured. Only in 2019 did plans begin to take shape.
\n
For Li, who has served as concertmaster since 2012, the timing was right. "It's just about waiting for the opportunity to do a proper tour," he says. "We toured Germany in earlier years, but this was our first true European tour. Europe is very important for classical music as this is where it comes from. The musicians needed to be ready artistically and mentally."
\n
Born in 1978, Li studied at Beijing's Central Conservatory of Music before earning scholarships to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and the Universite de Montreal in Canada.
\n
He gained professional experience with the London Symphony Orchestra and ensembles in Montreal, where he also served as a cultural envoy. Returning to China, he joined the Symphony Orchestra of the China National Opera House and then the NCPA Orchestra, rising to become concertmaster. Over his career, he has worked with celebrated conductors including Zubin Mehta and Lorin Maazel, contributed to the music for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, and twice received an Outstanding Performance Award from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
\n
His new appointment recognizes not only his musical ability but also his role as a bridge between conductor and musicians. "In our orchestra, there are many young players who are passionate and well-trained," he says. "Around one-third come from other countries, including Spain and South Korea. Many have studied abroad. We are a very international orchestra."
\n
That internationalism is reflected in the programming. On its European tour, the orchestra presented a blend of Western classics by composers such as Sergey Prokofiev and Camille Saint-Saens alongside Chinese works less familiar to Western audiences. Among them was Wu Xing (The Five Elements) by Chen Qigang, a student of French composer Olivier Messiaen. Li stresses that such choices demonstrate music's universality. "Music is a common language — Eastern, Western, it's all music," he says. "Chen's harmonies are French, but the melodies are Chinese. That mix is a good example of cultural dialogue."
\n
The NCPA Orchestra also benefits from its home environment. The Beijing center is a cultural hub, hosting opera, ballet, theater, classical concerts, and traditional Chinese opera. Li believes this enhances the orchestra's artistry. "Opera playing is different from symphony playing — it has to fit with long singing phrases," he explains. "It is very good for us to learn both, because you take elements of operatic playing and mingle them with symphony playing, which gives a different spirit."
\n
Chung echoed this sense of growth. While being interviewed in Hamburg, he said the young musicians should be proud of themselves.
\n
Li also says that the ensemble has reached a new level of maturity.
\n
"The average age of the members is much younger than me," he says with a laugh. "But that energy is good."
\n
Ren says, "We are constantly expanding our boundaries — technically, cognitively, and in terms of team spirit. It is a process of self-cultivation for the orchestra."
\n
The international dimension of the summer tour was strengthened by the participation of Bruce Liu, the French-born Chinese Canadian pianist who won the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw in 2021. At 28, Liu is one of the most sought-after young pianists in the world, and he praised the collaboration as both fun and inspirational. He will perform in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, Guangdong province, later this year.
\n
At home, the orchestra enjoys strong audience support. Concert halls in China now attract large numbers of young people who share reviews online and fuel discussions on platforms such as RedNote. Many parents encourage their children to learn music, and new concert halls have opened across the country. This enthusiasm has helped the NCPA Orchestra build a loyal following.
\n
Li hopes he can guide an orchestra that combines international training, youthful energy, and a growing ambition to represent Chinese artistry abroad. "We are not robots, we are human beings," he says. "You cannot just switch from one style to another. You take elements and mingle them, and that makes for a different spirit. That's what we are aiming for."
\n
From his first years as a student in Beijing to his studies abroad and professional work in London and Montreal, Li's career has mirrored the global journey of Chinese classical music itself. Now, as the NCPA Orchestra begins to establish its reputation in Europe, he is tasked with ensuring that the ensemble continues to grow.
\n
Zhao Haiying, executive vice-president of the NCPA, who led the tour, notes that the tour came shortly after the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union. He hoped the performances would help build new bridges of communication.
\n
The European tour is unlikely to be the last. With more opportunities emerging, the orchestra aims to expand its international footprint while continuing to serve audiences at home.
\n
Contact the writer at Julian@mail.chinadailyuk.com
\n",
@@ -20860,28 +20332,6 @@
"hash": "b2b16296bf6b733c0a72d01c1a4ce8d3",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "019SPORTS - Augusta, R&A open door to Asian champions",
- "description": "
China's Li Haotong (left) and Bobby Bai Zhengkai could benefit from new qualifying rules for the Masters and The Open.
\n
Asian golf has long yearned for a moment like this, and China's top golfers could be beneficiaries.
\n
At a time when the region's top amateurs have lit up leaderboards and superstars Hideki Matsuyama, Li Haotong and Im Sung-jae shinning at the highest level, Augusta National Golf Club and The Royal and Ancient dropped a seismic announcement that will reverberate for generations — winners of the Japan Open and Hong Kong Open will now receive invitations to the Masters Tournament and The Open.
\n
For Asia's aspiring champions, the road to the majors has always been a steep climb, especially the Masters. However, the fairways that lead to Augusta National and Royal Birkdale next year will now become shorter. Starting immediately, winners of six leading international golf championships, including the Australian, Scottish, Spanish and South African Opens, will earn exemptions to compete on golf's two most iconic stages.
\n
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley and R&A CEO Mark Darbon framed the alignment of qualification criteria as part of a shared vision to expand opportunities for international players. "Today's announcement strengthens our organizations' collective vision of rewarding top talent around the world. We hope this formal recognition shines a bright light on these players," said Ridley.
\n
The R&A has been ahead of the curve with its innovative Open Qualifying Series, launched in 2013 to provide pathways around the globe to the world's oldest major championship. From the end of this year, 15 tournaments in 13 countries and regions will offer access to Royal Birkdale for the 154th Open next July. Aligning with Augusta National adds greater emphasis to its global vision. "We firmly believe this will continue to enrich the quality of the fields at both major championships," said Darbon, who recently assumed the role of CEO at R&A.
\n
If this new criterion had been created three years ago, Japan's last three national champions, Taiga Semikawa, Aguri Iwasaki and Shugo Imahira would have earned coveted starts at the Masters and The Open. Founded in 1927, the Japan Open is arguably one Asia's crown jewels, and it will no doubt carry a greater purpose when it is played in October.
\n
The inclusion of the Hong Kong Open is equally inspired. Since 1959, the tournament has been a bumper fixture on the Asian sporting calendar, although Asian champions have been rare — Chinese Taipei's Lin Wen-tang in 2008 and South Korea's Kang Wook-soon in 1998 were the last two Asian winners.
\n
The fabled fairways at Fanling, which have been graced by the likes of Rory McIlroy, Tom Watson, Jose Maria Olazabal, Colin Montgomerie and Bernhard Langer, will now become even more attractive as one of the new gateways to the game's grandest stages. Fans can expect an extra spark of ambition when the region's best golfers, including Chinese mainland's Bobby Bai Zhengkai and Sampson Zheng and hometown hope Taichi Kho gather in Hong Kong this November.
\n
"We take great pride in the range of qualification routes we offer to players around the world. We share the same goal as Augusta National to offer places in both The Open and the Masters and, by doing so, help to showcase and strengthen our sport in those regions," said Darbon.
\n
For Asia, the timing of this announcement couldn't be better. Japanese star Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion, and South Korea's Im continue to represent the region proudly on the PGA Tour, where they were the only two Asians to qualify for the season-ending Tour Championship, limited to the top-30, in Atlanta the previous week.
\n
Young Asian talent is also knocking loudly on the door. Vietnam's rising star Nguyen Anh Minh became the first player from his country to reach the US Junior Amateur Final this summer, Chinese prospect Paul Chang reached the round of 16 at the US Amateur, while Japan's Rintaro Nakano impressed in the round of 32 — performances that bode well for the future.
\n
Additionally, the annual Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, which will be played at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai in October, will continue to provide another opportunity for aspiring Asians to stand up and be counted, as the winner will also earn invitations to both the Masters and The Open next year.
China's Li Haotong (left) and Bobby Bai Zhengkai could benefit from new qualifying rules for the Masters and The Open.
\n
Asian golf has long yearned for a moment like this, and China's top golfers could be beneficiaries.
\n
At a time when the region's top amateurs have lit up leaderboards and superstars Hideki Matsuyama, Li Haotong and Im Sung-jae shinning at the highest level, Augusta National Golf Club and The Royal and Ancient dropped a seismic announcement that will reverberate for generations — winners of the Japan Open and Hong Kong Open will now receive invitations to the Masters Tournament and The Open.
\n
For Asia's aspiring champions, the road to the majors has always been a steep climb, especially the Masters. However, the fairways that lead to Augusta National and Royal Birkdale next year will now become shorter. Starting immediately, winners of six leading international golf championships, including the Australian, Scottish, Spanish and South African Opens, will earn exemptions to compete on golf's two most iconic stages.
\n
Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley and R&A CEO Mark Darbon framed the alignment of qualification criteria as part of a shared vision to expand opportunities for international players. "Today's announcement strengthens our organizations' collective vision of rewarding top talent around the world. We hope this formal recognition shines a bright light on these players," said Ridley.
\n
The R&A has been ahead of the curve with its innovative Open Qualifying Series, launched in 2013 to provide pathways around the globe to the world's oldest major championship. From the end of this year, 15 tournaments in 13 countries and regions will offer access to Royal Birkdale for the 154th Open next July. Aligning with Augusta National adds greater emphasis to its global vision. "We firmly believe this will continue to enrich the quality of the fields at both major championships," said Darbon, who recently assumed the role of CEO at R&A.
\n
If this new criterion had been created three years ago, Japan's last three national champions, Taiga Semikawa, Aguri Iwasaki and Shugo Imahira would have earned coveted starts at the Masters and The Open. Founded in 1927, the Japan Open is arguably one Asia's crown jewels, and it will no doubt carry a greater purpose when it is played in October.
\n
The inclusion of the Hong Kong Open is equally inspired. Since 1959, the tournament has been a bumper fixture on the Asian sporting calendar, although Asian champions have been rare — Chinese Taipei's Lin Wen-tang in 2008 and South Korea's Kang Wook-soon in 1998 were the last two Asian winners.
\n
The fabled fairways at Fanling, which have been graced by the likes of Rory McIlroy, Tom Watson, Jose Maria Olazabal, Colin Montgomerie and Bernhard Langer, will now become even more attractive as one of the new gateways to the game's grandest stages. Fans can expect an extra spark of ambition when the region's best golfers, including Chinese mainland's Bobby Bai Zhengkai and Sampson Zheng and hometown hope Taichi Kho gather in Hong Kong this November.
\n
"We take great pride in the range of qualification routes we offer to players around the world. We share the same goal as Augusta National to offer places in both The Open and the Masters and, by doing so, help to showcase and strengthen our sport in those regions," said Darbon.
\n
For Asia, the timing of this announcement couldn't be better. Japanese star Matsuyama, the 2021 Masters champion, and South Korea's Im continue to represent the region proudly on the PGA Tour, where they were the only two Asians to qualify for the season-ending Tour Championship, limited to the top-30, in Atlanta the previous week.
\n
Young Asian talent is also knocking loudly on the door. Vietnam's rising star Nguyen Anh Minh became the first player from his country to reach the US Junior Amateur Final this summer, Chinese prospect Paul Chang reached the round of 16 at the US Amateur, while Japan's Rintaro Nakano impressed in the round of 32 — performances that bode well for the future.
\n
Additionally, the annual Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, which will be played at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai in October, will continue to provide another opportunity for aspiring Asians to stand up and be counted, as the winner will also earn invitations to both the Masters and The Open next year.
Tennis tournaments on the WTA Tour and ATP Tour, such as the Shanghai Masters (pictured), are at the vanguard of a new government push aimed at driving the high-quality development of the sports industry in China.
\n
All of the tennis tournaments to be held in China in the next two months are expected to attract a total of one million spectators, generating a collective revenue of over $280 million, according to official estimates.
\n\n
As China pushes ahead with its sports industry upgrade, the expansion of the women's professional tennis circuit has served it up a boost by opening up more business opportunities in the sports entertainment sector.
\n
Already a busy stretch on the pro tennis calendar, the annual "China Swing" has got bigger and better this year, with five new WTA 125 events added in the country, anchored by a beyond-its-class leg in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. Combined, they are expected to further elevate the sport's profile, offer local talent more competitive playing time and boost consumption in relevant businesses.
\n
The inaugural Suzhou Open, which swings off its main draw action on Sept 29 at the Sungent International Tennis Center, features an above-average field for a tournament on the entry-level WTA circuit, with all the 23 direct entries in the singles draw ranked within the top-100, and four of whom are inside the top-50.
\n
Slovakia's world No 35 Rebecca Sramkova, the French Open's homegrown semifinalist Lois Boisson (No 46) and the Philippines' rising star Alexandra Eala (No 75) will spearhead the 32-player singles draw, where four qualifiers, four wild-card entries and one special exemption will fill up the remaining spots.
\n
China's current third-highest ranked woman Yuan Yue (No 100), two-time major quarterfinalist Zhang Shuai and former world No 47 Wang Yafan are among a competitive legion of home aces coveting main-draw appearances, either through wildcards or as alternates.
\n
"In terms of the quality of the field, I think it's safe to say that we are almost as competitive as some of the tournaments on the Tour's next level," tournament director Zhou Yunsong said at the launch ceremony of the Suzhou Open on Friday.
\n
"We didn't expect it, to be honest, that so many high-ranking players have signed up to play at a WTA 125 event here.
\n
"I think it all came down to the collective qualities of service and facilities, as well as the accessibility of not just one or two, but a string of events in China that has made a greater number of international players want to come every year."
\n
With six Tour-level tournaments already on the schedule, China is hosting a total 11 WTA events this fall, with the 125-level drills serving up a launchpad for the country's ambitious newcomers to progress to the top-tier stage, such as the WTA 1000-level China Open and Wuhan Open.
\n
Scheduled prudently to maximize playing and earning opportunities, the WTA 125 circuit, which has mushroomed to 50 legs this year, up from 24 in 2022, and offers a total prize pool of $6 million, has also provided a stepping stone for established players returning from injury and maternity leave as they transition back to the pro stage.
\n
"This is the first WTA event to be held in Jiangsu province, and we hope to build a stage for all the up-and-coming players to launch the pursuit of their professional dreams," Helene He, WTA Asia-Pacific director of operations, said of the Suzhou event's purpose.
\n
"We'd like to also develop it into a sports entertainment event during the National Day holiday that will benefit local tourism and cultural promotion."
\n
Built on the picturesque shore of Yangcheng Lake, the Sungent tennis center hosts 11 courts, including nine featuring the same hard surface as the Australian Open and two covered by the same red clay used at the French Open, across an area of 8,788 square meters.
\n
Four of the courts are equipped with all-weather retractable roofs to ensure uninterrupted training and matches if necessary, while a new four-star hotel, with breathtaking views of the lake and the tennis center, is within walking distance of the center court.
\n
A fitting addition
\n
The Suzhou Open was launched just one day after China's central government issued a set of guidelines on Thursday aimed at unleashing the consumption potential in sports-related businesses to drive the high-quality development of the sports industry.
\n
At the core of the 20-measure guideline, which was issued by the State Council, is a desire to diversify and expand the supply of sporting events as an entertainment product for consumers who are not necessarily sports fans.
\n
Tourism, accommodation, sales of club merchandise and youth training in relevant sports are among areas where consumption potential could be further tapped with the hosting of more sports events, according to the guideline.
\n
Specific proposals also include the development of the outdoor sports industry, boosting the snow-and-ice economy around operations of mountain resorts and indoor rinks and upgrading the manufacturing sector of sporting goods.
\n
China plans to cultivate a number of sports enterprises and sporting events with global influence, build a full-fledged sports industry worth 7 trillion yuan (about $985 billion) by 2030, per the guideline.
\n
The new guideline reflects the country's goal to leverage sports events as a driver of economic growth in a variety of businesses, and the increasing number of pro tennis events being held in China, for instance, is setting an example, according to Bai Xilin, director of the tennis administration center under the General Administration of Sport of China.
\n
"The more tournaments being hosted, the bigger the slice of the pie," Bai said at a recent media event to reveal a series of measures to promote the "China Swing" as a whole.
\n
"Week in, week out, tennis tournaments will help generate revenues from ticket sales, retail, catering and tourism, among other businesses, from one city to another."
\n
All of the tournaments to be held in China over the next two months are expected to attract a total of one million spectators, generating a collective revenue of over 2 billion yuan, according to an estimate by the center.
",
@@ -20904,28 +20354,6 @@
"hash": "4d6908c7d5c6b688369aff07e12aadfe",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "001FRONT - Global cooperation in AI highlighted",
- "description": "
Two humanoid robots from Unitree Robotics punch their way at a boxing match, attracting a great number of spectators during the World Smart Industry Expo 2025, which opened in Chongqing on Friday.
\n
President Xi Jinping has highlighted China's commitment to engaging in extensive international cooperation on artificial intelligence with countries around the world, saying that AI should be an international public good that benefits humanity.
\n
Xi made the remarks in a congratulatory message sent to the World Smart Industry Expo 2025, which opened in Chongqing on Friday.
\n
He said in the message that AI technology is rapidly evolving, profoundly transforming human production and lifestyles, and reshaping the global industrial landscape.
\n
China attaches great importance to AI development and governance and actively promotes the deep integration of AI technological innovation with industrial innovation to empower high-quality economic and social development, thereby helping to improve people's lives, he added.
\n
Xi expressed China's willingness to strengthen international cooperation and coordination with other countries in development strategies, governance rules and technical standards to promote the healthy and vigorous development of the AI industry, and bring greater benefits to people in all countries.
\n
The four-day expo, with the themes of "AI+" and "Intelligent Connected New Energy Vehicles", is co-hosted by the governments of Chongqing and Tianjin.
\n
With Singapore acting as the guest country of honor and Sichuan province as the guest province of honor, it features participation from over 600 leading domestic and international companies, showcasing more than 3,000 innovative products and technologies.
\n
At the opening ceremony, investment agreements worth more than 200 billion yuan ($28 billion) were signed, covering sectors such as intelligent connected new energy vehicles, electronic information, advanced materials, smart equipment and intelligent manufacturing, and the low-altitude economy, according to Zheng Xiangdong, vicemayor of Chongqing.
\n
Antonio Yung, chief representative of the China Office of Sacramento, the capital of the US state of California, said that Xi's message highlighted the significance of the expo, as the whole world is paying attention to AI development and in particular, China is one of the major developers in the sector.
\n
The State Council, China's Cabinet, issued a guideline on Aug 26 to implement the "AI Plus" initiative, promoting the extensive and in-depth integration of AI in various fields.
\n
Cai Guangzhong, vice-president of Tencent, one of China's top tech firms, said at the expo that Tencent has consistently responded actively to the national strategy, and has taken a long-term approach by increasing investment in technology to solidify the foundation of "AI Plus".
\n
"Tencent will continue to invest in AI research and development, leveraging its rich application ecosystem to comprehensively promote the presence of 'useful AI' closer to users and industries," Cai said.
\n
"This will enable everyone to become a 'super individual' empowered by AI, transform AI into new quality productive forces across various sectors, and allow every enterprise to become an AI company, achieving truly useful, accessible and beneficial AI for all," he added.
\n
Tan Kiat How, Singapore's senior minister of state for digital development and information, said that he sees tremendous scope for Singapore and Chongqing to deepen practical collaboration in AI applications and smart urban solutions.
\n
Contact the writers at caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Two humanoid robots from Unitree Robotics punch their way at a boxing match, attracting a great number of spectators during the World Smart Industry Expo 2025, which opened in Chongqing on Friday.
\n
President Xi Jinping has highlighted China's commitment to engaging in extensive international cooperation on artificial intelligence with countries around the world, saying that AI should be an international public good that benefits humanity.
\n
Xi made the remarks in a congratulatory message sent to the World Smart Industry Expo 2025, which opened in Chongqing on Friday.
\n
He said in the message that AI technology is rapidly evolving, profoundly transforming human production and lifestyles, and reshaping the global industrial landscape.
\n
China attaches great importance to AI development and governance and actively promotes the deep integration of AI technological innovation with industrial innovation to empower high-quality economic and social development, thereby helping to improve people's lives, he added.
\n
Xi expressed China's willingness to strengthen international cooperation and coordination with other countries in development strategies, governance rules and technical standards to promote the healthy and vigorous development of the AI industry, and bring greater benefits to people in all countries.
\n
The four-day expo, with the themes of "AI+" and "Intelligent Connected New Energy Vehicles", is co-hosted by the governments of Chongqing and Tianjin.
\n
With Singapore acting as the guest country of honor and Sichuan province as the guest province of honor, it features participation from over 600 leading domestic and international companies, showcasing more than 3,000 innovative products and technologies.
\n
At the opening ceremony, investment agreements worth more than 200 billion yuan ($28 billion) were signed, covering sectors such as intelligent connected new energy vehicles, electronic information, advanced materials, smart equipment and intelligent manufacturing, and the low-altitude economy, according to Zheng Xiangdong, vicemayor of Chongqing.
\n
Antonio Yung, chief representative of the China Office of Sacramento, the capital of the US state of California, said that Xi's message highlighted the significance of the expo, as the whole world is paying attention to AI development and in particular, China is one of the major developers in the sector.
\n
The State Council, China's Cabinet, issued a guideline on Aug 26 to implement the "AI Plus" initiative, promoting the extensive and in-depth integration of AI in various fields.
\n
Cai Guangzhong, vice-president of Tencent, one of China's top tech firms, said at the expo that Tencent has consistently responded actively to the national strategy, and has taken a long-term approach by increasing investment in technology to solidify the foundation of "AI Plus".
\n
"Tencent will continue to invest in AI research and development, leveraging its rich application ecosystem to comprehensively promote the presence of 'useful AI' closer to users and industries," Cai said.
\n
"This will enable everyone to become a 'super individual' empowered by AI, transform AI into new quality productive forces across various sectors, and allow every enterprise to become an AI company, achieving truly useful, accessible and beneficial AI for all," he added.
\n
Tan Kiat How, Singapore's senior minister of state for digital development and information, said that he sees tremendous scope for Singapore and Chongqing to deepen practical collaboration in AI applications and smart urban solutions.
\n
Contact the writers at caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn
At just 26 years old, Tibetan-language teacher Nie Chang has become one of the most recognizable online voices, introducing learners worldwide to the language.
\n
With his fluent greetings in the Lhasa dialect and his structured lessons tailored for beginners, Nie draws students from China to Europe, turning his personal passion into a cultural bridge.
\n
Raised in Shaanxi province and educated far from the Tibetan Plateau, Nie had little exposure to the Tibetan language until college, when an introductory course drew him in.
\n
Nie, who was born to a Han ethnic father and a Tibetan mother, incorporates both cultural backgrounds into his teaching. Students from Liaoning province to Germany often say that his classes feel less like nontypical lessons and are more like bridges between cultures.
\n
He is now one of the most popular and recognizable Tibetan-language teachers online.
\n
Nie began studying Tibetan in 2017 and mastered the basic spelling rules at Zhejiang University. There were few affordable, beginner-friendly resources, and most courses were designed by native speakers whose methods did not always suit outsiders.
\n
"Many Tibetan teachers, (despite) being native speakers, struggle to explain grammar and word formation from a non-Tibetan perspective," Nie said.
\n
He purchased dozens of textbooks and dictionaries and practiced day and night, writing his own summaries. Over time, he developed a structured curriculum specifically designed for learners without a Tibetan background.
\n
After graduating, Nie moved to Lhasa, the capital of the Xizang autonomous region, for a job. In September 2021, he launched his first online class with only three students. Nearly four years later, more than 250 students have completed his courses, which cover levels from beginner to advanced.
\n
Ninety percent of his students live outside of Tibetan-speaking areas, with about one-third residing overseas in countries such as the United States, Germany, France and Italy. Some are scholars interested in Tibetan culture and history, while others simply seek a deeper connection with "the roof of the world".
\n
Drawing on his own learning journey, Nie emphasizes language and culture in his classes, where he blends grammar with everyday conversation and provides cultural context tailored to learners who, like him, grew up outside the plateau.
\n
He also creates online content, including vlogs from the streets of Lhasa, short videos on Tibetan food and festivals and cultural anecdotes with Tibetan annotations. He has posted them across Bilibili, Weibo and other social media platforms.
\n
"I always put myself in the shoes of non-native learners," he said. "That's why I can design a system that works for them and continue to attract more students."
\n
The diversity of his classroom reflects how the Tibetan language is reaching new spaces. Civil servants in Xizang, young people in mixed-ethnic marriages, travelers seeking a deeper experience of culture, and overseas researchers exploring Tibetan studies all gather for his lessons.
\n
For Sun Zhiquan, a Yi ethnic group graduate student, the lessons were a lifeline before a yearlong volunteer teaching program in Chamdo, Xizang, starting in June 2023.
\n
"Tibetan is a helpful tool for communicating with the local residents," Sun said. "Even saying a few simple phrases makes them light up. It's a sign that their culture is being respected."
\n
Beyond teaching, learning Tibetan helped Sun form friendships and develop a deeper understanding of the region.
\n
Liu Xiaojia, 24, a trainee in Nie's intermediate course, is preparing to pursue his PhD at the Chinese University of Hong Kong in September.
\n
"I'd like to study literature in China," he said. "Tibetan literature, which is an important part of that, has its own charm. It is closely tied to Buddhism and philosophy and it gives me a different lens through which to understand China's diversity."
\n
Nie's classes cost about 2,500 yuan ($348) for a four-month term — a price students say is affordable compared with traditional programs. Online learning has lowered the barriers for those who would otherwise never have the opportunity to study Tibetan.
\n
"It is really inspiring to be a Tibetan teacher," Nie said. "The joy comes when a student who once couldn't read a single letter can now hold a basic conversation and share experiences."
\n
His next goal is to create textbooks written specifically for non-native speakers that reflect the challenges he once faced.
\n
"Language is more than words," he said. "It is a bridge. Once you cross it, you discover another world."
\n
guoyanqi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
@@ -20948,28 +20376,6 @@
"hash": "5a17245c6efa087dfcce143c868dc11f",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "002CHINA - New statue recalls enduring legacy of US general in China",
- "description": "
Stilwell family members take a group photo in front of the newly unveiled statue of General Joseph W. Stilwell at the Chongqing Stilwell Museum in Chongqing on Thursday.
\n
A new full-size bronze statue of the late United States Army General Joseph W. Stilwell (1883-1946) was unveiled at the Chongqing Stilwell Museum in Southwest China's Chongqing city recently.
\n
This statue, replacing the previous head sculpture, commemorates the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Stilwell Road during World War II and the enduring friendship between China and the US.
\n
The statue, located in the museum that was once the general's residence, depicts him with a carbine slung over his shoulder, striding confidently and gazing resolutely forward.
\n
As this year also marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the event, attended by Stilwell's descendants and scholars, highlighted the historical significance of the Stilwell Road — a vital military supply route during World War II — and paid tribute to General Stilwell's legacy and his wartime contributions.
\n
The Stilwell Road, also known as the China-India Road, was a significant military supply route constructed under General Stilwell's leadership. Built from late 1942 and completed in early 1945, this over-1,700-kilometer route connected China with India and Burma (today's Myanmar).
\n
"The unveiling was magnificent," said Susan Mai Easterbrook Cole, General Stilwell's great-granddaughter, during her sixth visit to Chongqing on Thursday. "I think it is a testament to how the Chinese people feel about him, and in return, how he has always felt about the Chinese people."
\n
The statue's unveiling was part of a broader commemoration. On Friday, nine members of the Stilwell family, along with experts from Chongqing city and Yunnan province, embarked on a journey to retrace the Stilwell Road in Yunnan. Their journey will conclude in a visit to the Flying Tigers Museum in Kunming, capital of Yunnan, on Tuesday.
\n
Stilwell commanded the China-Burma-India theater during the war. He had developed deep respect for the Chinese people through multiple tours of duty in the 1920s and 1930s.
\n
The museum received several significant donations on Thursday. Stilwell's great-granddaughter, Nancy Easterbrook Millward, on behalf of her father, John Easterbrook, donated a collection of historical materials. Other donations came from Manny Dume, CEO of the Stilwell Academy, and Tang Xuefeng, an expert from the Chongqing Stilwell Research Center.
\n
Additionally, Tang Boming, former president of Chongqing Jiaotong University, donated a book he edited, Traffic History of the Second World War — The Stilwell Road, to the Stilwell family, Dume and Tamara Roper, headmaster of the Joseph Stilwell Military Academy of Leadership.
\n
Notably, on Wednesday, the two great-granddaughters of Stilwell were invited to the V-Day military parade staged at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing.
\n
"The parade celebration showcased a wonderful display of Chinese patriotism and love of the country, and you just could not get over how spectacular the entire event was," Nancy Easterbrook Millward said. "I think General Stilwell would be so proud to see how far we have come in 80 years in the relationship between the US and China."
\n
Mou Zhixian, former chief expert of the Chongqing Stilwell Research Center and adviser to the Chongqing Flying Tigers Museum, said: "Stilwell was an energetic and talented general who knew a lot about China and spoke Chinese fluently. He led an army known for its strong cohesion and combat effectiveness. He introduced principled, advanced military practices to China and greatly contributed to military aid. He also played an important role in building friendship and cultural exchanges between China and the US."
\n
Contact the writers at dengrui@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Stilwell family members take a group photo in front of the newly unveiled statue of General Joseph W. Stilwell at the Chongqing Stilwell Museum in Chongqing on Thursday.
\n
A new full-size bronze statue of the late United States Army General Joseph W. Stilwell (1883-1946) was unveiled at the Chongqing Stilwell Museum in Southwest China's Chongqing city recently.
\n
This statue, replacing the previous head sculpture, commemorates the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Stilwell Road during World War II and the enduring friendship between China and the US.
\n
The statue, located in the museum that was once the general's residence, depicts him with a carbine slung over his shoulder, striding confidently and gazing resolutely forward.
\n
As this year also marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the event, attended by Stilwell's descendants and scholars, highlighted the historical significance of the Stilwell Road — a vital military supply route during World War II — and paid tribute to General Stilwell's legacy and his wartime contributions.
\n
The Stilwell Road, also known as the China-India Road, was a significant military supply route constructed under General Stilwell's leadership. Built from late 1942 and completed in early 1945, this over-1,700-kilometer route connected China with India and Burma (today's Myanmar).
\n
"The unveiling was magnificent," said Susan Mai Easterbrook Cole, General Stilwell's great-granddaughter, during her sixth visit to Chongqing on Thursday. "I think it is a testament to how the Chinese people feel about him, and in return, how he has always felt about the Chinese people."
\n
The statue's unveiling was part of a broader commemoration. On Friday, nine members of the Stilwell family, along with experts from Chongqing city and Yunnan province, embarked on a journey to retrace the Stilwell Road in Yunnan. Their journey will conclude in a visit to the Flying Tigers Museum in Kunming, capital of Yunnan, on Tuesday.
\n
Stilwell commanded the China-Burma-India theater during the war. He had developed deep respect for the Chinese people through multiple tours of duty in the 1920s and 1930s.
\n
The museum received several significant donations on Thursday. Stilwell's great-granddaughter, Nancy Easterbrook Millward, on behalf of her father, John Easterbrook, donated a collection of historical materials. Other donations came from Manny Dume, CEO of the Stilwell Academy, and Tang Xuefeng, an expert from the Chongqing Stilwell Research Center.
\n
Additionally, Tang Boming, former president of Chongqing Jiaotong University, donated a book he edited, Traffic History of the Second World War — The Stilwell Road, to the Stilwell family, Dume and Tamara Roper, headmaster of the Joseph Stilwell Military Academy of Leadership.
\n
Notably, on Wednesday, the two great-granddaughters of Stilwell were invited to the V-Day military parade staged at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing.
\n
"The parade celebration showcased a wonderful display of Chinese patriotism and love of the country, and you just could not get over how spectacular the entire event was," Nancy Easterbrook Millward said. "I think General Stilwell would be so proud to see how far we have come in 80 years in the relationship between the US and China."
\n
Mou Zhixian, former chief expert of the Chongqing Stilwell Research Center and adviser to the Chongqing Flying Tigers Museum, said: "Stilwell was an energetic and talented general who knew a lot about China and spoke Chinese fluently. He led an army known for its strong cohesion and combat effectiveness. He introduced principled, advanced military practices to China and greatly contributed to military aid. He also played an important role in building friendship and cultural exchanges between China and the US."
In a concerted effort to bolster bird conservation, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, alongside 16 other national government bodies, has initiated a comprehensive three-year campaign aimed at curbing illegal bird hunting and trafficking.
\n
The campaign, the launch of which coincides with the start of the southward migration of migratory birds in China that usually runs from September to November, will focus on three key initiatives: enhancing bird protection, cracking down on illegal activities, and promoting public education, according to a media release from the administration.
\n
As a key measure for the bird protection initiative, relevant authorities will beef up field patrols and monitoring, particularly in the four migratory bird flyways passing through China and 1,140 key areas with frequent bird activities across the country, the administration stated.
\n
"Responsible agencies will be designated to ensure effective patrolling, strictly preventing illegal bird netting and hunting, as well as habitat destruction," it said.
\n
It noted further enhancement of the country's network for bird protection monitoring as another priority of the initiative, with the monitoring of wintering waterbirds as a focus.
\n
Measures will also be rolled out to restore and transform key bird habitats, the release added.
\n
As part of the initiative to combat illegal activities, law enforcement officers will conduct more rapid operations against bird poaching and trafficking, with a primary focus on organized crime syndicates and illegal activities involving nationally protected bird species, the administration said.
\n
The initiative seeks to dismantle numerous criminal groups, and eliminate bird netting and other illegal hunting activities along migratory bird flyways and in areas where birds frequently appear, it emphasized. Additionally, a series of high-profile cases will be publicly exposed to serve as a strong deterrent.
\n
The release also highlighted the initiative's intensified cross-departmental collaboration, stating that joint inspections and law enforcement operations will be conducted.
\n
The joint operations will primarily focus on spontaneously formed bird trading hubs, it noted. Additionally, online trading platforms will be urged to conduct self-inspections to eliminate the possibility of illegal bird sales.
\n
China is home to 1,505 bird species, representing about one-sixth of the world's total, making it one of the countries with the richest bird resources globally, according to the administration.
\n
Of these species, over 800 are migratory.
\n
Four of the world's nine major migratory bird flyways pass through China, encompassing nearly all of the country's land and sea territories.
",
@@ -20992,28 +20398,6 @@
"hash": "ae5d58234cbf499496b8f9d5be1027da",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "002CHINA - 'Macao + Hengqin' cooperation acts as a new model",
- "description": "
The deep integrated development between the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Guangdong province, and the Macao Special Administrative Region has demonstrated a new model of China's practice of "one country, two systems" while promoting moderate and diversified economic development in Macao, according to a statement issued on Friday, which marked the fourth anniversary of the release of the overall plan for the zone.
\n
According to the statement, the zone's "Macao + Hengqin" cooperation and development plan is emerging as a new model for enriching the country's practice of "one country, two systems", setting a new height for advancing the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and forming a new platform for advancing the country's high-level opening-up to the outside world, authorities said.
\n
Since the overall plan for the zone in Hengqin was introduced four years ago, the mechanism of "joint consultation, construction, management, and sharing" between Guangdong and Macao has operated smoothly in Hengqin, which is located at the mouth of the Pearl River.
\n
Meanwhile, the zone has also played a big part in expanding the development space of Macao and helping the special administrative region integrate into the national development strategy, said authorities. With innovation accelerating their agglomeration, Hengqin's characteristic industries have grown steadily, and the public services and social security systems have gradually aligned with those of Macao.
\n
More than 7,300 Macao-funded enterprises have been attracted to the cooperation zone, and more than 28,000 Macao residents have lived and worked in Hengqin, demonstrating a deep integrated development of the two sides and a momentum of continuous development, said the statement.
\n
Li Jizhao, public relations director of True Health (Guangdong Hengqin) Medical Technology, said the construction of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin is a major national strategy.
\n
"The zone has excellent policy environment and location advantages, which can provide favorable soil and broad space for the development and growth of enterprises," said Li, noting that enterprises in the zone can enjoy a reduction of 15 percent in both corporate income tax and individual income tax.
\n
Yan Baihong, general manager of Bio-Sincerity (Macao), said his company would continue to leverage its advantages in technological R&D and global supply chain, integrate the industrial policy support from Macao and Hengqin, and enhance the regional biopharmaceutical strength.
\n
The company will also fully utilize Macao's role as a bridge for Portuguese-speaking countries to explore overseas markets, promote the integrated development of the Guangdong-Macao pharmaceutical industry and facilitate the rapid access of traditional Chinese medicine products to the global market, he added.
\n
In order to further accelerate the integrated development of people's livelihood on both sides, the zone and Macao jointly held a signing ceremony in late August for an administrative cooperation memorandum on "hospital-to-hospital" cross-border transfer services.
\n
Besides, a new special cross-border student shuttle service has also been launched since the beginning of September.
\n
Contact the writers at zhengcaixiong@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
The deep integrated development between the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Guangdong province, and the Macao Special Administrative Region has demonstrated a new model of China's practice of "one country, two systems" while promoting moderate and diversified economic development in Macao, according to a statement issued on Friday, which marked the fourth anniversary of the release of the overall plan for the zone.
\n
According to the statement, the zone's "Macao + Hengqin" cooperation and development plan is emerging as a new model for enriching the country's practice of "one country, two systems", setting a new height for advancing the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and forming a new platform for advancing the country's high-level opening-up to the outside world, authorities said.
\n
Since the overall plan for the zone in Hengqin was introduced four years ago, the mechanism of "joint consultation, construction, management, and sharing" between Guangdong and Macao has operated smoothly in Hengqin, which is located at the mouth of the Pearl River.
\n
Meanwhile, the zone has also played a big part in expanding the development space of Macao and helping the special administrative region integrate into the national development strategy, said authorities. With innovation accelerating their agglomeration, Hengqin's characteristic industries have grown steadily, and the public services and social security systems have gradually aligned with those of Macao.
\n
More than 7,300 Macao-funded enterprises have been attracted to the cooperation zone, and more than 28,000 Macao residents have lived and worked in Hengqin, demonstrating a deep integrated development of the two sides and a momentum of continuous development, said the statement.
\n
Li Jizhao, public relations director of True Health (Guangdong Hengqin) Medical Technology, said the construction of the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin is a major national strategy.
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"The zone has excellent policy environment and location advantages, which can provide favorable soil and broad space for the development and growth of enterprises," said Li, noting that enterprises in the zone can enjoy a reduction of 15 percent in both corporate income tax and individual income tax.
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Yan Baihong, general manager of Bio-Sincerity (Macao), said his company would continue to leverage its advantages in technological R&D and global supply chain, integrate the industrial policy support from Macao and Hengqin, and enhance the regional biopharmaceutical strength.
\n
The company will also fully utilize Macao's role as a bridge for Portuguese-speaking countries to explore overseas markets, promote the integrated development of the Guangdong-Macao pharmaceutical industry and facilitate the rapid access of traditional Chinese medicine products to the global market, he added.
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In order to further accelerate the integrated development of people's livelihood on both sides, the zone and Macao jointly held a signing ceremony in late August for an administrative cooperation memorandum on "hospital-to-hospital" cross-border transfer services.
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Besides, a new special cross-border student shuttle service has also been launched since the beginning of September.
\n
Contact the writers at zhengcaixiong@chinadaily.com.cn
Beijing held a grand military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War on Sept 3, with 26 foreign heads of state and government attending the event. Leaders of parliaments, deputy prime ministers and high-level officials from various countries, along with international organization chiefs, witnessed the parade.
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The parade emphasized the principle of nonalignment, in contrast to "bloc politics" that those with the Cold War mentality propagate. Through the parade, China showcased its independent foreign and defense policies, and its goal of helping maintain global peace, while demonstrating its resolve to build a community with a shared future for humanity.
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China has always adhered to nonaligned diplomacy, more so after the launch of reform and opening-up. Since the Opium War (that started in 1840), China has learned a valuable lesson: it can only safeguard its core national interests by maintaining its independence and pursuing self-determination.
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Unlike the bloc confrontation policy of NATO or the Warsaw Pact and the military parades held by the two blocs during the Cold War, China's parades are not aimed at creating "friend-or-foe" divisions, as they reflect a defense policy that transcends bloc politics.
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Victory in the World Anti-Fascist War was achieved through the collective efforts of many countries' people. That's why guests from a diverse array of nations were invited to the parade. The gathering embodied China's approach to international relations in the new era: dialogue over confrontation, partnership over alliance, and win-win cooperation over zero-sum games.
\n
The parade also served as a significant platform for China to demonstrate its transparent defense philosophy. The display of new generation equipment, including advanced tanks, carrier-based aircraft and fighter jets reflects the Chinese military's system-based operational capabilities, while advanced systems such as new types of combat drones, directed-energy weapons, and electronic jamming systems highlighted the People's Liberation Army's strengths in new domains and cutting-edge technologies.
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Sophisticated equipment, including hypersonic weapons, air and missile defense systems, and strategic missiles underscored China's strategic capability to strengthen deterrence. But their display was not a "show of force". Instead, it was a demonstration of the practical means to safeguard national security, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Through such open and confident display of defense equipment, China showed its commitment to safeguarding world peace.
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China's contribution to the United Nations' peacekeeping missions is evidence of the country fulfilling its global peace-maintenance responsibility. The Chinese "blue berets", which include engineers, carry the legacy of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, and have been deployed on many peacekeeping missions. This not only commemorates the victory in the war of resistance against Japanese aggression but also highlights China's role as a major country.
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The Chinese "blue berets" embody China's steadfast commitment to pursue peaceful development and engage in winwin cooperation, emphasizing a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security.
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For 16 consecutive years, the Chinese escort fleet in the Gulf of Aden has protected both Chinese and foreign vessels. The PLA hospital ship — Peace Ark — has sailed across three oceans, while the maritime cooperation network under the Belt and Road Initiative continues to expand. These efforts demonstrated China's unwavering commitment to collaborate with the international community, safeguard shipping channels, forge international bonds of lifesaving assistance with the hospital ship, and promote shared regional development by improving connectivity.
\n
Since ancient times, harmony and coexistence for a shared future have been the aspirations of the Chinese people. In today's world, China's military parades are part of its efforts to foster a new type of international relations characterized by mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation. The parades have reflected China's firm commitment to advance the cause of global peace and development.
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At this critical juncture, when the global landscape is undergoing profound changes and the international order is being restructured, the Sept 3 parade was much more than a ceremony displaying national pride and military strength. It served as a declaration to the world that China's approach to strengthening its military is by no means about expansion, but rather a commitment to peace and development in the new era and the fulfillment of commitments.
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That China will never seek hegemony, expansion, or spheres of influence is evidenced in China's voluntary decisions to reduce its troops, peacefully settle its border issues with 12 land neighbors through negotiations, and its implementation of cooperative projects in Africa and other regions without political conditions.
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Through the parade, China showed the world that true strength lies not only in having a powerful military but, more importantly, in the ability to safeguard peace without resorting to military means. Dignity is supported not only by the military but also the wisdom of guiding humanity toward a shared future with a peaceful vision. The Sept 3 parade — a magnificent event laden with historical memory and aspirations — is destined to become a lasting symbol of peace in the collective memory of humanity.
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The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
Huawei's latest tri-fold smartphone attracts buyers at one of its stores in Shanghai.
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Huawei Technologies Co launched its latest tri-fold smartphone, Mate XTs, on Thursday, marking the first time in four years that the Chinese company has publicly disclosed the model of its in-house Kirin processor.
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At the launch event, Richard Yu, Huawei's executive director and head of consumer business, said that the device is powered by the Kirin 9020 chip and runs on HarmonyOS 5, and that it delivers a 36 percent performance enhancement over its predecessor.
\n
The disclosure signaled a more confident stance on Huawei's chip technology after years of supply chain pressure. The move, industry experts said, underscores Huawei's push to demonstrate greater self-sufficiency in semiconductors.
\n
"Even with access to more advanced nodes constrained, Huawei is showing it can still advance chip performance through design and architecture," said Xiang Ligang, director-general of the Zhongguancun Modern Information Consumer Application Industry Technology Alliance, a telecom industry association.
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In addition to the chip upgrade, the Mate XTs also features improvements in imaging capabilities and its broader ecosystem of HarmonyOS as well. The new gadget marks the first time that the industry is bringing personal computer-level applications to a smartphone, supporting multiwindow interactions comparable to a desktop PC.
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The Mate XTs starts at 17,999 yuan ($2,480), 2,000 yuan cheaper than the company's first tri-fold device released a year ago.
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According to market consultancy International Data Corp, Huawei currently leads China's foldable smartphone market with a 75 percent share in the first half of 2025, shipping 3.74 million units.
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Xiang said: "Huawei's momentum is not only reshaping consumer expectations but also driving growth of the country's foldable market. The tri-fold device is gaining user trust and pushing the industry into maturity."
\n
Huawei's latest move also comes amid preparation by rivals for their own next-generation devices. Companies including Samsung, Motorola, and Google have ventured into foldable smartphones.
\n
According to a media report, Apple is also working on its first foldable iPhone.
\n
Apple's foldable smartphone, which is expected to feature significant changes in display technology, connectivity and biometrics, is expected to roll out next year.
\n
chengyu@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "\n
Huawei's latest tri-fold smartphone attracts buyers at one of its stores in Shanghai.
\n
Huawei Technologies Co launched its latest tri-fold smartphone, Mate XTs, on Thursday, marking the first time in four years that the Chinese company has publicly disclosed the model of its in-house Kirin processor.
\n
At the launch event, Richard Yu, Huawei's executive director and head of consumer business, said that the device is powered by the Kirin 9020 chip and runs on HarmonyOS 5, and that it delivers a 36 percent performance enhancement over its predecessor.
\n
The disclosure signaled a more confident stance on Huawei's chip technology after years of supply chain pressure. The move, industry experts said, underscores Huawei's push to demonstrate greater self-sufficiency in semiconductors.
\n
"Even with access to more advanced nodes constrained, Huawei is showing it can still advance chip performance through design and architecture," said Xiang Ligang, director-general of the Zhongguancun Modern Information Consumer Application Industry Technology Alliance, a telecom industry association.
\n
In addition to the chip upgrade, the Mate XTs also features improvements in imaging capabilities and its broader ecosystem of HarmonyOS as well. The new gadget marks the first time that the industry is bringing personal computer-level applications to a smartphone, supporting multiwindow interactions comparable to a desktop PC.
\n
The Mate XTs starts at 17,999 yuan ($2,480), 2,000 yuan cheaper than the company's first tri-fold device released a year ago.
\n
According to market consultancy International Data Corp, Huawei currently leads China's foldable smartphone market with a 75 percent share in the first half of 2025, shipping 3.74 million units.
\n
Xiang said: "Huawei's momentum is not only reshaping consumer expectations but also driving growth of the country's foldable market. The tri-fold device is gaining user trust and pushing the industry into maturity."
\n
Huawei's latest move also comes amid preparation by rivals for their own next-generation devices. Companies including Samsung, Motorola, and Google have ventured into foldable smartphones.
\n
According to a media report, Apple is also working on its first foldable iPhone.
\n
Apple's foldable smartphone, which is expected to feature significant changes in display technology, connectivity and biometrics, is expected to roll out next year.
Chinese power operators are using high-tech tools to enhance transmission line reliability and automation. Employees from State Grid Xuzhou in Jiangsu province have introduced multi-vehicle cluster coordination to conduct interruption-free maintenance work. Prior to an overhaul of the 10 kilovolt Qiaoshen line, staff members completed a "drone + live-line inspection" to accurately pinpoint the sections that required maintenance, identifying defects such as damaged insulators before formulating an integrated maintenance plan. During the overhaul, four teams worked under unified command, eliminating 27 defects and installing three new automated switches without any interruption in power supply.
\n
Shanghai's automotive industry reports growth
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In the first seven months of this year, Shanghai's automotive industry maintained steady growth, with its industrial output value reaching 391.12 billion yuan ($54.8 billion), a year-on-year increase of 10.6 percent. Notably, Shanghai promoted more than 160,000 new energy vehicles citywide during the period, up 19.9 percent year-on-year, according to the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization.
Taking advantage of the ecological wetland of the Jialing River, the Fengyi Bay China-France agricultural technology park in Nanchong, Southwest China's Sichuan province, is transforming natural endowments into consumption momentum, and attracting a greater number of visitors.
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The park, which held thematic activities throughout last year, saw 1.2 million visits, generating 800 million yuan ($112 million) in sales revenue.
\n
The park has driven significant growth in consumption of catering and accommodation services in its surroundings, and new models such as online direct sales and livestreaming sales have begun to show results.
\n
This has enabled farmers to share in the development dividends and promote the extension of the agricultural product processing as well as cultural and creative development industry chain.
\n
The tomato valley in the park is capable of producing 200,000 kilograms of tomatoes per year. The tomato-themed science popularization exhibition hall sees 100,000 visits annually.
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The international flight campsite at the park provides helicopter and hot air balloon sightseeing, and has been selected as a typical case of national transportation and tourism integration.
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Cute Island Water World in the park has become a summer hit with over 30 water projects, setting a record for sales exceeding 1 million yuan in six hours.
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Furthermore, the Fengyi Bay Grand Stage in the park drove 50 million exposures to the scenic area in 23 days since opening.
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The park has also become a gathering place for fishing enthusiasts in the Southwest, and scenes such as equestrian clubs and water sports centers continue to attract visitors. This year, four film and television dramas will be filmed, further enriching the cultural and tourism aspects of the park.
\n
Zhang Tao, president and general manager of Fengyi Bay Agricultural Development Co Ltd, said: "The original intention of building the park was to increase the income of local farmers. The park, planned in 2016, began construction in 2017 and was completed in 2018.
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During peak hours on weekends, there are 50,000 to 60,000 visitors. Throughout the whole of last year, there were 1.2 million visits."
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In the future, Fengyi Bay will focus on continuous iteration and innovation of new consumption scenarios, continuously explore deep integration with health and wellness vacations, art and cultural creativity, digital technology and other fields.
\n
It will also plan new and diverse consumption scenarios, further strengthen brand influence, enhance the experience of tourists, and stimulate consumption, he noted.
\n
Contact the writers at zhengyiran@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Taking advantage of the ecological wetland of the Jialing River, the Fengyi Bay China-France agricultural technology park in Nanchong, Southwest China's Sichuan province, is transforming natural endowments into consumption momentum, and attracting a greater number of visitors.
\n
The park, which held thematic activities throughout last year, saw 1.2 million visits, generating 800 million yuan ($112 million) in sales revenue.
\n
The park has driven significant growth in consumption of catering and accommodation services in its surroundings, and new models such as online direct sales and livestreaming sales have begun to show results.
\n
This has enabled farmers to share in the development dividends and promote the extension of the agricultural product processing as well as cultural and creative development industry chain.
\n
The tomato valley in the park is capable of producing 200,000 kilograms of tomatoes per year. The tomato-themed science popularization exhibition hall sees 100,000 visits annually.
\n
The international flight campsite at the park provides helicopter and hot air balloon sightseeing, and has been selected as a typical case of national transportation and tourism integration.
\n
Cute Island Water World in the park has become a summer hit with over 30 water projects, setting a record for sales exceeding 1 million yuan in six hours.
\n
Furthermore, the Fengyi Bay Grand Stage in the park drove 50 million exposures to the scenic area in 23 days since opening.
\n
The park has also become a gathering place for fishing enthusiasts in the Southwest, and scenes such as equestrian clubs and water sports centers continue to attract visitors. This year, four film and television dramas will be filmed, further enriching the cultural and tourism aspects of the park.
\n
Zhang Tao, president and general manager of Fengyi Bay Agricultural Development Co Ltd, said: "The original intention of building the park was to increase the income of local farmers. The park, planned in 2016, began construction in 2017 and was completed in 2018.
\n
During peak hours on weekends, there are 50,000 to 60,000 visitors. Throughout the whole of last year, there were 1.2 million visits."
\n
In the future, Fengyi Bay will focus on continuous iteration and innovation of new consumption scenarios, continuously explore deep integration with health and wellness vacations, art and cultural creativity, digital technology and other fields.
\n
It will also plan new and diverse consumption scenarios, further strengthen brand influence, enhance the experience of tourists, and stimulate consumption, he noted.
\n
Contact the writers at zhengyiran@chinadaily.com.cn
Leader of Bhumjaithai Party Anutin Charnvirakul (left), talks to lawmakers at Parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday.
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BANGKOK — Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the opposition Bhumjaithai Party, was elected as Thailand's new prime minister on Friday after winning a majority in a parliamentary vote.
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Anutin beat his sole contender, nominated by the ruling Pheu Thai Party, Chaikasem Nitisiri, to lead the next government, following a court ruling last week that removed Paetongtarn Shinawatra from her premiership over an ethics breach.
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Anutin led from the start and won 63 percent of the votes, doubling the tally of Chaikasem.
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After a one-hour roll call vote, Second Deputy House Speaker Chalad Khamchuang announced that Anutin received 311 votes in favor from the 490 members present in the House of Representatives, exceeding the simple majority required for approval.
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A phalanx of media surrounded him as he left the chamber, his aides fending off a crowd of journalists who jostled and shouted while he slowly made his way to a waiting car.
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"I will work my hardest, every day, no holidays, because there is not a lot of time," Anutin said, his face lit up by bursts of camera flashes. "We have to ease problems quickly."
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China expressed congratulations on Friday to Anutin on his election, saying it stands ready to work with Thailand to strengthen strategic communication and deepen practical cooperation.
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The remarks were made in an online statement issued by the foreign ministry.
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China and Thailand are close friends and neighbors, and the two countries, like one family, are as close as ever, a foreign ministry spokesperson was quoted as saying.
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This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
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Traditional friendship
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Beijing is willing to work with Bangkok to carry forward the traditional friendship, achieve greater progress in the building of the China-Thailand community with a shared future, and contribute to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region, according to the statement.
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Anutin is awaiting formal endorsement by Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn to become the 32nd prime minister of the Southeast Asian country.
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Anutin's victory resulted from pact with the progressive opposition People's Party, the largest force in parliament, which he persuaded with promises to hold a referendum on amending the constitution and call an election within four months.
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Anutin will lead a minority government, which People's Party will not join, and take the helm of a country with an economy struggling from weak consumption, tight lending and soaring levels of household debt.
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The Pheu Thai Party said on Friday it would return to power to deliver on its agenda, after its candidate lost a parliamentary vote for prime minister.
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"On all the pending policies, we will return to finish the job for all the Thai people," it said in a statement on social media, adding it was ready to be in the parliamentary opposition.
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Pheu Thai Party's crisis was triggered in June by Anutin's withdrawal from its alliance, which left the coalition government clinging to power with a razor-thin majority amid protests and plummeting popularity.
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The hammer blow was last week's dismissal by a court of Thaksin Shinawatra's daughter, Paetongtarn.
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Thailand's Constitutional Court ruled to dismiss Paetongtarn from office on Friday, after finding her guilty of violating the constitution during a controversial leaked phone call between her and Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen.
A summit in Paris on Thursday brings together European leaders in a push to finalize security guarantees for Ukraine.
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PARIS/MOSCOW — French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that 26 countries, mostly European, have formally pledged to deploy troops as part of a future Russian-Ukrainian ceasefire, though not directly on the front line.
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Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a news conference following the meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing", Macron said the countries would contribute to a "reassurance force" that could deploy troops in Ukraine or provide support on land, at sea, or in the air.
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He added that after the summit, participants held a call with US President Donald Trump and the United States is expected to finalize its contributions to the security guarantees in the coming days.
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Zelensky welcomed the announcement as a "concrete" step forward and stressed that a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whether bilateral or trilateral, is "necessary" for advancing peace efforts.
\n
Later, asked if the US president planned to speak to Putin in the near future, Trump said: "Yeah, I will be. We are having a very good dialogue."
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"The day the conflict stops, the security guarantees will be deployed," Macron told a news conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, standing alongside Zelensky.
\n
European officials say peace looks like a distant prospect for now, but they want to be ready whenever the war ends. They also see the planning of security guarantees as a way to reassure Kyiv of their support and hope Trump will join their efforts.
\n
Macron initially said the 26 nations, which he did not name, would deploy to Ukraine. But he later said that some countries would provide guarantees while remaining outside Ukraine, for example, by helping to train and equip Kyiv's forces. He did not say how many troops would be involved in the guarantees.
\n
US involvement
\n
Germany and other countries pledged they would be involved in that effort. But Berlin said it would decide on a military commitment only when conditions were clear, including the extent of US involvement in security guarantees.
\n
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made it clear that she would not send troops to Ukraine, but said Italy was open to monitoring a ceasefire and training Ukrainian troops outside the country.
\n
France and Britain, which co-chair the meeting, have indicated that they are open to deploying troops to Ukraine after the fighting ends.
\n
The Kremlin said on Friday that security guarantees for Ukraine cannot be provided by foreign military contingents, and much work needs to be done before a high or top-level meeting between Moscow and Kyiv to settle the conflict in Ukraine.
\n
"Can Ukraine's security guarantees be ensured and provided by foreign, especially European and American, military contingents? Definitely not, they cannot," the Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russia's RIA state news agency on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in the city of Vladivostok.
\n
"This cannot serve as a security guarantee for Ukraine that would be acceptable to our country."
\n
Putin said on Friday that any foreign troops deployed to Ukraine before a peace agreement has been signed would be considered "legitimate targets" by Moscow's forces.
\n
"If any troops appear there, especially now while fighting is ongoing, we assume that they will be legitimate targets," he said during a panel at the Eastern Economic Forum in the city of Vladivostok.
\n",
- "content": "
A summit in Paris on Thursday brings together European leaders in a push to finalize security guarantees for Ukraine.
\n
PARIS/MOSCOW — French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that 26 countries, mostly European, have formally pledged to deploy troops as part of a future Russian-Ukrainian ceasefire, though not directly on the front line.
\n
Speaking alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a news conference following the meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing", Macron said the countries would contribute to a "reassurance force" that could deploy troops in Ukraine or provide support on land, at sea, or in the air.
\n
He added that after the summit, participants held a call with US President Donald Trump and the United States is expected to finalize its contributions to the security guarantees in the coming days.
\n
Zelensky welcomed the announcement as a "concrete" step forward and stressed that a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whether bilateral or trilateral, is "necessary" for advancing peace efforts.
\n
Later, asked if the US president planned to speak to Putin in the near future, Trump said: "Yeah, I will be. We are having a very good dialogue."
\n
"The day the conflict stops, the security guarantees will be deployed," Macron told a news conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, standing alongside Zelensky.
\n
European officials say peace looks like a distant prospect for now, but they want to be ready whenever the war ends. They also see the planning of security guarantees as a way to reassure Kyiv of their support and hope Trump will join their efforts.
\n
Macron initially said the 26 nations, which he did not name, would deploy to Ukraine. But he later said that some countries would provide guarantees while remaining outside Ukraine, for example, by helping to train and equip Kyiv's forces. He did not say how many troops would be involved in the guarantees.
\n
US involvement
\n
Germany and other countries pledged they would be involved in that effort. But Berlin said it would decide on a military commitment only when conditions were clear, including the extent of US involvement in security guarantees.
\n
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made it clear that she would not send troops to Ukraine, but said Italy was open to monitoring a ceasefire and training Ukrainian troops outside the country.
\n
France and Britain, which co-chair the meeting, have indicated that they are open to deploying troops to Ukraine after the fighting ends.
\n
The Kremlin said on Friday that security guarantees for Ukraine cannot be provided by foreign military contingents, and much work needs to be done before a high or top-level meeting between Moscow and Kyiv to settle the conflict in Ukraine.
\n
"Can Ukraine's security guarantees be ensured and provided by foreign, especially European and American, military contingents? Definitely not, they cannot," the Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russia's RIA state news agency on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in the city of Vladivostok.
\n
"This cannot serve as a security guarantee for Ukraine that would be acceptable to our country."
\n
Putin said on Friday that any foreign troops deployed to Ukraine before a peace agreement has been signed would be considered "legitimate targets" by Moscow's forces.
\n
"If any troops appear there, especially now while fighting is ongoing, we assume that they will be legitimate targets," he said during a panel at the Eastern Economic Forum in the city of Vladivostok.
Australian wine brand Penfolds is aiming for a larger presence in the increasing important Chinese market, such as by offering a broader range of high-quality wines that cater to the preferences of predominantly younger consumers.
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The plan comes amid robust exports and earnings in the group's recent financial year, which ended in June, and after it acquired a winery in China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region late last year to enable local production.
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In an exclusive interview with China Daily, Penfolds managing director Tom King said China has always been a "strategically important market for us".
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"We've got records of Penfolds first being shipped from Adelaide to Shanghai in 1893, so we've got a very long history of Penfolds being available in China," King said.
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"The connection Penfolds has with Chinese consumers has been built up over many decades, and we're really proud of it."
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Penfolds parent group Treasury Wine Estates posted underlying net profit after tax of A$470.6 million ($307.3 million) for the year ended June, up from A$407.5 million a year ago, according to a company statement, reflecting "a successful return to China for the Australian country of origin portfolio and continued positive momentum in a number of other key Asian markets".
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Penfolds' worldwide country of origin wine production series now includes a winery in China's Ningxia, a fast-growing quality-grape growing area and winemaking hub. In December, Treasury Wine Estates announced that it had acquired a major stake in a 43-hectare luxury vineyard and modern winery in the region.
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"When I think about the role that China plays for us now, historically it has been a sales market, but it's a production market for us now as well," King said.
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"So similar to Australia, we're making wine in China, to sell in China and around the world. And we're bringing our wines from around the world to consumers in China. Our business has evolved somewhat over recent years to be not just fully functional from a production perspective, but more embedded in the local industry," he said.
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To that effect, the Australian winemaker is involved in partnerships with the Chinese industry, including tertiary training and a China-Australia winemaker exchange program for talent development.
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"We'd like to think that we're playing a more meaningful role in industry, in collaboration and learning. There's a lot to learn from each other. We see the real benefit of trade and cultural exchange not just for our business but for the industry as a whole, both here in Australia and in China," King said.
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Penfolds is looking to build on its leading role amid the latest trends in the industry, including younger consumers' preferences for lighter, higher quality wines, he said, adding that the share of grape wine in the Chinese alcohol market is still low compared with that of local drinks like baijiu distilled liquor, which means there is much growth potential.
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Young consumers who have "a luxury lifestyle or luxury-oriented repertoire of brands that play a meaningful role in their life" present a significant opportunity in China, King said.
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In the 12 months to June, Australian wine exports rose by 13 percent in value to A$2.48 billion and 3 percent in volume to 639 million liters, according to the statutory body Wine Australia.
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"We've adapted our business over that period of time, and certainly in the last 12 months, we're very much back to being full strength in the market with the right capability and the full portfolio. So we're very pleased with how the business is performing … we're very optimistic around the opportunity ahead for our business and the Penfolds brand in China," he said.
Members of social movements participate in a march to celebrate Amazon Day in Brasilia, Brazil, on Thursday. The Amazon Day in Brazil is celebrated annually on Sept 5 to raise awareness about the importance of the Amazon rainforest and its conservation.
\n",
- "content": "
Members of social movements participate in a march to celebrate Amazon Day in Brasilia, Brazil, on Thursday. The Amazon Day in Brazil is celebrated annually on Sept 5 to raise awareness about the importance of the Amazon rainforest and its conservation.
When 100-year-old Flying Tigers veteran Mel McMullen took his seat at the Consulate General of China in Los Angeles on Wednesday, the room fell into a respectful hush. He was among more than 100 guests attending a film reception themed "Remember History, Promote Peace Together", held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War.
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The evening combined remembrance and reflection. Guests from art, business and academic circles, as well as Chinese communities and students, watched The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru, a documentary that sheds light on one of World War II's forgotten tragedies.
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In his remarks, Consul General Guo Shaochun reviewed China's long and bitter struggle against Japanese aggression and the shared fight against fascism.
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"Eighty years ago, after 14 years of relentless struggle, the Chinese people defeated the brutal Japanese fascist invaders. It was a victory of justice over evil, light over darkness and progress over reaction. This triumph not only changed the course of world history, but also became an enduring part of our shared human memory," Guo said.
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He emphasized that the commemoration was not about prolonging grievances but about preserving peace. "The purpose of commemorating this 80th anniversary is not to perpetuate hatred, but to learn from history and defend the legacy of victory," he noted.
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Guo reminded the audience that China bore some of the heaviest losses of the war. More than 35 million military and civilian lives were lost, nearly one-third of global wartime casualties, and the country endured enormous economic devastation.
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Indelible contribution
\n
"China made an indelible contribution to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, and in doing so fundamentally reshaped the spirit and historical course of the Chinese nation," he said.
\n
Guo also highlighted the wartime cooperation between China and the United States, recalling the Flying Tigers commanded by General Claire Chennault. The volunteer pilots crossed the Pacific to aid China, shooting down over 2,600 Japanese aircraft. The Chinese people, in turn, risked their own lives to rescue US airmen.
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"We will never forget that China's war of resistance was greatly supported by the peace-loving forces worldwide, including the United States," Guo said. McMullen's presence in the hall was a reminder of that friendship. His son, Tim, later reflected on the film and its lessons.
\n
The screening of The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru introduced the audience to a little-known episode of World War II. In October 1942, the Japanese transport ship Lisbon Maru, carrying 1,816 British prisoners of war from Hong Kong to Japan, was struck by a US submarine off the coast of Zhejiang province.
\n
Unmarked as a POW vessel, the ship sank after being torpedoed. Japanese guards sealed prisoners below deck, and those who managed to escape were met with gunfire. In all, 828 men drowned. Amid the chaos, local Chinese fishermen risked everything, launching their boats under fire to rescue 384 survivors.
\n
For decades, the story was largely silenced. Japanese authorities denied responsibility, and the suffering of the prisoners remained confined to family memories. The film restores those voices, honoring both the victims and the Chinese villagers who showed courage in the darkest hour.
\n
Tim McMullen said the film left a deep impression, not only because of its vivid retelling of the tragedy, but also because it revealed the human cost of war in a way that statistics alone cannot capture.
\n
"The movie is a very powerful statement. I think it's important that we understand the sacrifices that people make and the tragedy of war," he said.
\n
Another guest, Andre Bartkoviak, praised the documentary for its power and urgency. "We cannot forget history, because history repeats itself," he said.
\n
As the evening came to a close, Guo urged those present to carry forward the spirit of remembrance into action.
\n
"Peace is never a gift but should be safeguarded by generations. Cherishing peace and upholding justice are shared responsibilities of both China and the United States," he said.
Costumes from Uzbekistan on show. Collections from both the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan and the State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan are on display at the Beijing exhibition.
\n
A jade pig-dragon belongs to the Neolithic Hongshan culture, one of the earliest known jade carvings in the shape of a dragon in China.
\n
A dragon head bas-relief of the eighth century, from the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan.
\n
A quern with a dragon-face fish from the Islamabad Museum in Pakistan.
\n
Plates with rich decorative motifs from the State Historical Museum, Russia, on show at the National Museum of China.
\n
Also on show are textiles from the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
\n
The mutual influences among different cultures are sometimes preserved in inconspicuous details, if not told or paid great attention to.
\n
In the Islamabad Museum in Pakistan sits a red sandstone quern dated between the second century BC and the second century AD. It holds flower and leaf patterns on its surface and a carved animal motif on one side of its pedestal.
\n
"You think it's a fish, but take a closer, longer look. It has a dragon head," says Wang Zhiqiang, a scholar at the National Museum of China, where the quern is on display. "According to our counterparts in Islamabad, it incorporates the image of the Chinese dragon, which was introduced via the ancient Silk Road."
\n
This quern, with its dragon-faced fish, is one of the over 220 cultural objects displayed in the exhibition Where Civilizations Meet: Collections from Museums of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States at the National Museum of China.
\n
The objects come from the collections of 10 museums and cultural institutions of Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states to celebrate the diverse cultures that are thriving on the vast, fertile Eurasian soil, says Wang, the exhibition's curator.
\n
The exhibition opened on Aug 27, ahead of the SCO Summit 2025 held in Tianjin on Aug 31 and Monday, and will run until Nov 16.
\n
The SCO, a permanent intergovernmental international organization, was announced in Shanghai in 2001. Upholding the Shanghai Spirit, it pursues the principles of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development.
\n
The Where Civilizations Meet exhibition addresses the Shanghai Spirit's two pursuits — cultural diversity and common development — and includes representative objects that illuminate the ancient civilizations and highlight mutual influences among the member states.
\n
"The exhibits span from the prehistoric period to the early 20th century, telling a brief history of each member state on show," Wang says.
\n
Also at the exhibition is a dragonhead bas-relief from the eighth century, speculated to be an architectural component, from the collection of the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan. Its teeth are visible from the open mouth, and it has several curved horns on its head.
\n
To complement the two dragons from afar, the National Museum of China displays a jade pig-dragon belonging to the Neolithic Hongshan culture dating back more than 5,000 years. It has a pig's head and a dragon's body to symbolize the fertility of farmland. The object is believed to be one of the country's earliest known jade carvings shaped like a dragon.
\n
The communication between China and other ancient civilizations is vividly celebrated on the yellow-brown patterned surface of a Tang Dynasty (618-907) ceramic bowl. The ware is believed to be a product of the Changsha kiln that reached its firing climax in the middle to late Tang Dynasty.
\n
The bowl is patterned with relief date palms, which suggests it was one of a great number of wares ordered by overseas customers, says Wang.
\n
Changsha kiln products were among the export commodities transported to other parts of Asia and Africa. Wang says: "Over 80 percent of ceramics found at the Batu Hitam (black rock) Shipwreck, off the shores of Sumatra and discovered in 1998, were from the Changsha kiln." The inscription on one bowl dates the cargo ship to the Tang era.
\n
Wang says the Changsha kiln-fired bowl testifies to the Tang's prosperity and it embraced openness and extensive exchanges with other cultures.
\n
Ibrahimzoda Zafarsho Safo, director of the National Museum of Tajikistan, says the museum brings 24 artifacts to the Beijing exhibition, including gold and copper wares, musical instruments, stones with inscriptions and pottery, to testify to the country's role in the communications between the East and the West along the ancient Silk Road, as well as various ancient cultural influences in the country.
\n
One of those who witnessed the exchange was Xuan Zang, a Tang Buddhist monk, who was believed to have reached Central Asia in 630. In his work Datang Xiyu Ji (Records of the Western Regions of the Great Tang), Xuan Zang mentioned the Sogdians — ancestors of the Tajik people — along with their language, traditions and customs.
\n
The Tajikistan section displays a stone with a Sogdian inscription dating between the seventh and eighth centuries. The writing was done with black ink, in three lines. The elegant style indicates that it was created by a professional scribe, according to Safo, and exhibits a well-developed writing system by the Sogdians at the time.
\n
Another object of interest is a lamp component, on which the bottom depicts Buddha heads. It was traced to the second and third centuries during the Kushan Empire (1st — 3rd centuries), reflecting the spread of Buddhism in the multicultural territory.
\n
Safo says the objects show that the Silk Road was "not only a network of routes for trading, but it also connected people via culture, arts and religions" — that is, "a diversity of cultures on one major road".
\n
Eldar Ianibekov, deputy director of the State Historical Museum located in Moscow's Red Square, says that as one of the largest museums in Russia, it is exhibiting a selection of treasures at the Beijing museum from a collection of over 5 million objects that represent the unique features of Russian culture.
\n
He says the artifacts on display "span from the seventh century BC to the 19th century, parts of which focus on nomadic tribes and others that unveil the glorious royal court life and timeless aesthetics".
\n
Over the years, Russian works of art and crafts have been shown at the National Museum of China in various themed exhibitions. The Russian Banquet, a four-month-long exhibition that opened in November 2024, offered a glimpse into the gastronomic artistry and customs at royal palaces and grassroots households, by showing dinning apparatuses from the collection of Moscow Kremlin Museums. Ilya Repin: Encyclopedia of Russian Life, an exhibition of the life and art of the great painter, is ongoing at the Beijing museum.
\n
Safo, of the National Museum of Tajikistan, adds that presenting the unique, historic cultural features of different civilizations in one place offers a great opportunity to bring the SCO member states and partners closer to better understanding each other.
\n
Contact the writer at linqi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Costumes from Uzbekistan on show. Collections from both the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan and the State Museum of Arts of Uzbekistan are on display at the Beijing exhibition.
\n
A jade pig-dragon belongs to the Neolithic Hongshan culture, one of the earliest known jade carvings in the shape of a dragon in China.
\n
A dragon head bas-relief of the eighth century, from the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan.
\n
A quern with a dragon-face fish from the Islamabad Museum in Pakistan.
\n
Plates with rich decorative motifs from the State Historical Museum, Russia, on show at the National Museum of China.
\n
Also on show are textiles from the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
\n
The mutual influences among different cultures are sometimes preserved in inconspicuous details, if not told or paid great attention to.
\n
In the Islamabad Museum in Pakistan sits a red sandstone quern dated between the second century BC and the second century AD. It holds flower and leaf patterns on its surface and a carved animal motif on one side of its pedestal.
\n
"You think it's a fish, but take a closer, longer look. It has a dragon head," says Wang Zhiqiang, a scholar at the National Museum of China, where the quern is on display. "According to our counterparts in Islamabad, it incorporates the image of the Chinese dragon, which was introduced via the ancient Silk Road."
\n
This quern, with its dragon-faced fish, is one of the over 220 cultural objects displayed in the exhibition Where Civilizations Meet: Collections from Museums of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States at the National Museum of China.
\n
The objects come from the collections of 10 museums and cultural institutions of Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states to celebrate the diverse cultures that are thriving on the vast, fertile Eurasian soil, says Wang, the exhibition's curator.
\n
The exhibition opened on Aug 27, ahead of the SCO Summit 2025 held in Tianjin on Aug 31 and Monday, and will run until Nov 16.
\n
The SCO, a permanent intergovernmental international organization, was announced in Shanghai in 2001. Upholding the Shanghai Spirit, it pursues the principles of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development.
\n
The Where Civilizations Meet exhibition addresses the Shanghai Spirit's two pursuits — cultural diversity and common development — and includes representative objects that illuminate the ancient civilizations and highlight mutual influences among the member states.
\n
"The exhibits span from the prehistoric period to the early 20th century, telling a brief history of each member state on show," Wang says.
\n
Also at the exhibition is a dragonhead bas-relief from the eighth century, speculated to be an architectural component, from the collection of the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan. Its teeth are visible from the open mouth, and it has several curved horns on its head.
\n
To complement the two dragons from afar, the National Museum of China displays a jade pig-dragon belonging to the Neolithic Hongshan culture dating back more than 5,000 years. It has a pig's head and a dragon's body to symbolize the fertility of farmland. The object is believed to be one of the country's earliest known jade carvings shaped like a dragon.
\n
The communication between China and other ancient civilizations is vividly celebrated on the yellow-brown patterned surface of a Tang Dynasty (618-907) ceramic bowl. The ware is believed to be a product of the Changsha kiln that reached its firing climax in the middle to late Tang Dynasty.
\n
The bowl is patterned with relief date palms, which suggests it was one of a great number of wares ordered by overseas customers, says Wang.
\n
Changsha kiln products were among the export commodities transported to other parts of Asia and Africa. Wang says: "Over 80 percent of ceramics found at the Batu Hitam (black rock) Shipwreck, off the shores of Sumatra and discovered in 1998, were from the Changsha kiln." The inscription on one bowl dates the cargo ship to the Tang era.
\n
Wang says the Changsha kiln-fired bowl testifies to the Tang's prosperity and it embraced openness and extensive exchanges with other cultures.
\n
Ibrahimzoda Zafarsho Safo, director of the National Museum of Tajikistan, says the museum brings 24 artifacts to the Beijing exhibition, including gold and copper wares, musical instruments, stones with inscriptions and pottery, to testify to the country's role in the communications between the East and the West along the ancient Silk Road, as well as various ancient cultural influences in the country.
\n
One of those who witnessed the exchange was Xuan Zang, a Tang Buddhist monk, who was believed to have reached Central Asia in 630. In his work Datang Xiyu Ji (Records of the Western Regions of the Great Tang), Xuan Zang mentioned the Sogdians — ancestors of the Tajik people — along with their language, traditions and customs.
\n
The Tajikistan section displays a stone with a Sogdian inscription dating between the seventh and eighth centuries. The writing was done with black ink, in three lines. The elegant style indicates that it was created by a professional scribe, according to Safo, and exhibits a well-developed writing system by the Sogdians at the time.
\n
Another object of interest is a lamp component, on which the bottom depicts Buddha heads. It was traced to the second and third centuries during the Kushan Empire (1st — 3rd centuries), reflecting the spread of Buddhism in the multicultural territory.
\n
Safo says the objects show that the Silk Road was "not only a network of routes for trading, but it also connected people via culture, arts and religions" — that is, "a diversity of cultures on one major road".
\n
Eldar Ianibekov, deputy director of the State Historical Museum located in Moscow's Red Square, says that as one of the largest museums in Russia, it is exhibiting a selection of treasures at the Beijing museum from a collection of over 5 million objects that represent the unique features of Russian culture.
\n
He says the artifacts on display "span from the seventh century BC to the 19th century, parts of which focus on nomadic tribes and others that unveil the glorious royal court life and timeless aesthetics".
\n
Over the years, Russian works of art and crafts have been shown at the National Museum of China in various themed exhibitions. The Russian Banquet, a four-month-long exhibition that opened in November 2024, offered a glimpse into the gastronomic artistry and customs at royal palaces and grassroots households, by showing dinning apparatuses from the collection of Moscow Kremlin Museums. Ilya Repin: Encyclopedia of Russian Life, an exhibition of the life and art of the great painter, is ongoing at the Beijing museum.
\n
Safo, of the National Museum of Tajikistan, adds that presenting the unique, historic cultural features of different civilizations in one place offers a great opportunity to bring the SCO member states and partners closer to better understanding each other.
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