在将观测到的星系团质量分布与 X 射线信号反映出的可见物质分布对比之后，天文学家们发现这两种分布是不重合的。如下图所示，图中蓝色部分是由引力透镜效应反推出的总质量分布，红色部分是可见物质分布。这表明可见物质并不能主导星系团的质量，它们只占星系团总物质的一小部分，星系团的大部分质量是由不可见的暗物质提供的。这一结果是修改引力理论很难解释的，因此它为暗物质的存在提供了非常坚实的证据，重要指数可以给到 ★★★ .
在将观测到的星系团质量分布与 X 射线信号反映出的可见物质分布对比之后，天文学家们发现这两种分布是不重合的。如下图所示，图中蓝色部分是由引力透镜效应反推出的总质量分布，红色部分是可见物质分布。这表明可见物质并不能主导星系团的质量，它们只占星系团总物质的一小部分，星系团的大部分质量是由不可见的暗物质提供的。这一结果是修改引力理论很难解释的，因此它为暗物质的存在提供了非常坚实的证据，重要指数可以给到 ★★★ .
同为进化生物学家的丹尼尔·丹尼特（Daniel Dennett），则更进一步。1996 年，丹尼特在他的著作《达尔文的危险想法：演化与生命的意义》（Darwin's Dangerous Idea：Evolution and the Meanings of Life）中，相当大胆地指出，“文化以模因形式对人脑的入侵，创造了人类心灵”。这让人类（心灵）区别于动物（心灵）。
同为进化生物学家的丹尼尔·丹尼特（Daniel Dennett），则更进一步。1996 年，丹尼特在他的著作《达尔文的危险想法：演化与生命的意义》（Darwin's Dangerous Idea：Evolution and the Meanings of Life）中，相当大胆地指出，“文化以模因形式对人脑的入侵，创造了人类心灵”。这让人类（心灵）区别于动物（心灵）。
From top: Conductors Charles Dutoit, Li Xincao, pianist Rudolf Buchbinder and violinist Gil Shaham will join the new season of the China Philharmonic Orchestra.
\n
The China Philharmonic Orchestra celebrates its 25th birthday with a concert held at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing on May 25.
\n
Conductor Yu Long and the China Philharmonic Orchestra at the concert.
\n\n
From the hushed anticipation backstage to the resonant power of the first note, the China Philharmonic Orchestra has long been a beacon of musical artistry in Beijing. On Aug 25, fresh from celebrating its 25th anniversary, it unveiled its highly anticipated 2025-26 season in Beijing.
\n
This new chapter, born from a quarter-century of musical excellence, promises an awe-inspiring symphonic journey with 19 performances that span the vast landscape of classical music — from the intricate grace of the Baroque era to the bold innovations of contemporary compositions.
\n
Rarely heard works will share the stage with world premieres, offering music lovers both the thrill of discovery and the comfort of timeless masterpieces.
\n
Under the leadership of its artistic director and chief conductor Yu Long, the orchestra will be joined by a constellation of international guest conductors and world-class soloists, aiming to create a season filled with breathtaking moments and a resounding celebration of music's timeless power.
\n
The opening concert of the new season will take place on Sept 14 at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing. The orchestra will be conducted by Yu, performing two masterpieces by German-Austrian Romantic composers: Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss, featuring soprano Yu Guanqun, and Brahms' Symphony No 1 in C Minor, Op 68. These works underscore the orchestra's commitment to preserving the world's artistic legacy.
\n
The season closes on June 26,2026, with Joe Hisaishi's Viola Saga, performed by violist Mei Diyang — the first Chinese musician as the first principal viola at the Berliner Philharmoniker, and Dvorak's Symphony No 9 in E minor, Op 95, From the New World.
\n
"Joe Hisaishi is known for his film scores. This will mark the first domestic performance of Hisaishi's highly acclaimed viola concerto, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience the full range of contemporary music," says Yu.
\n
Throughout the season, Yu will conduct several key performances, including the opening concert of the Beijing Music Festival on Oct 10, focusing on Russian works. Other highlights include a concert on April 26, 2026, a complete Brahms piano concerto cycle with Austrian piano master Rudolf Buchbinder.
\n
Additional performances include Ravel and Tchaikovsky on Dec 19, with Canadian piano virtuoso Louis Lortie, and a concert pairing Chen Qigang with Chopin, featuring Vietnamese-Canadian pianist Dang Thai Son and the orchestra's principal oboist, Zheng Dian. These performances promise to be some of the season's most exciting moments, says Yu.
\n
A particularly exciting highlight of the upcoming season is the return of Swiss conductor Charles Dutoit, who will celebrate his 90th birthday in 2026.
\n
According to Yu, the China Philharmonic Orchestra has had a long friendship with the conductor, collaborating with Dutoit on four occasions — in 2007, 2011, 2013, and 2019 — forging a close artistic partnership that has lasted nearly two decades. After a six-year hiatus, Dutoit will finally return to the podium, bringing with him his signature piece, Stravinsky's Firebird, as well as music pieces by Beethoven and Sergey Prokofiev.
\n
Marking Prokofiev's 135th birthday, the new season will also offer a thematic exploration of the Russian composer's works, featuring two of his violin concertos, a piano concerto, and a symphony. It will showcase the evolution of his musical style from his early beginnings to his years abroad, and finally his return to his homeland. This curated selection offers a comprehensive tribute to Prokofiev's artistry.
\n
The season is designed to offer more than beloved classics; it celebrates the richness and diversity of music.
\n
"As we celebrate the 300th anniversary of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, the 85th anniversary of China's broadcasting industry, and the upcoming 26th anniversary of the China Philharmonic Orchestra's founding, we are condensing multiple historical milestones into a single musical season," says Zhang Chenxiao, the orchestra's Party secretary.
\n
The season will feature a blend of Chinese and international art. On Oct 24, a concert will pair Chinese Kitchen — a 10-movement composition by Hong Kong musician Elliot Leung, which is a new piece celebrating 10 Chinese delicacies, with Brahms' Alto Rhapsody Op 53.
\n
In another concert on Nov 22, the orchestra will perform Instants d'un Opera de Pekin (Peking Opera Moments) by Chen Qigang and Chopin's Piano Concerto No 2 in F Minor, Op 21.
\n
"We aim to create a sensory connection between the 'Chinese flavor' and 'international flair' for our audience," Zhang says.
\n
"Unveiling a new season for a symphony orchestra is a momentous occasion that marks the beginning of a fresh chapter in its artistic journey. It's not just an announcement of upcoming concerts; it's a reflection of the orchestra's vision, its evolving relationship with the audience, and its commitment to pushing the boundaries of classical music," says Yu.
\n
"The repertoire chosen for the season is a powerful expression of the orchestra's artistic identity and aspirations. It showcases the orchestra's dedication to preserving musical traditions and embracing innovation," he adds.
\n
Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
From top: Conductors Charles Dutoit, Li Xincao, pianist Rudolf Buchbinder and violinist Gil Shaham will join the new season of the China Philharmonic Orchestra.
\n
The China Philharmonic Orchestra celebrates its 25th birthday with a concert held at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing on May 25.
\n
Conductor Yu Long and the China Philharmonic Orchestra at the concert.
\n\n
From the hushed anticipation backstage to the resonant power of the first note, the China Philharmonic Orchestra has long been a beacon of musical artistry in Beijing. On Aug 25, fresh from celebrating its 25th anniversary, it unveiled its highly anticipated 2025-26 season in Beijing.
\n
This new chapter, born from a quarter-century of musical excellence, promises an awe-inspiring symphonic journey with 19 performances that span the vast landscape of classical music — from the intricate grace of the Baroque era to the bold innovations of contemporary compositions.
\n
Rarely heard works will share the stage with world premieres, offering music lovers both the thrill of discovery and the comfort of timeless masterpieces.
\n
Under the leadership of its artistic director and chief conductor Yu Long, the orchestra will be joined by a constellation of international guest conductors and world-class soloists, aiming to create a season filled with breathtaking moments and a resounding celebration of music's timeless power.
\n
The opening concert of the new season will take place on Sept 14 at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing. The orchestra will be conducted by Yu, performing two masterpieces by German-Austrian Romantic composers: Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss, featuring soprano Yu Guanqun, and Brahms' Symphony No 1 in C Minor, Op 68. These works underscore the orchestra's commitment to preserving the world's artistic legacy.
\n
The season closes on June 26,2026, with Joe Hisaishi's Viola Saga, performed by violist Mei Diyang — the first Chinese musician as the first principal viola at the Berliner Philharmoniker, and Dvorak's Symphony No 9 in E minor, Op 95, From the New World.
\n
"Joe Hisaishi is known for his film scores. This will mark the first domestic performance of Hisaishi's highly acclaimed viola concerto, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience the full range of contemporary music," says Yu.
\n
Throughout the season, Yu will conduct several key performances, including the opening concert of the Beijing Music Festival on Oct 10, focusing on Russian works. Other highlights include a concert on April 26, 2026, a complete Brahms piano concerto cycle with Austrian piano master Rudolf Buchbinder.
\n
Additional performances include Ravel and Tchaikovsky on Dec 19, with Canadian piano virtuoso Louis Lortie, and a concert pairing Chen Qigang with Chopin, featuring Vietnamese-Canadian pianist Dang Thai Son and the orchestra's principal oboist, Zheng Dian. These performances promise to be some of the season's most exciting moments, says Yu.
\n
A particularly exciting highlight of the upcoming season is the return of Swiss conductor Charles Dutoit, who will celebrate his 90th birthday in 2026.
\n
According to Yu, the China Philharmonic Orchestra has had a long friendship with the conductor, collaborating with Dutoit on four occasions — in 2007, 2011, 2013, and 2019 — forging a close artistic partnership that has lasted nearly two decades. After a six-year hiatus, Dutoit will finally return to the podium, bringing with him his signature piece, Stravinsky's Firebird, as well as music pieces by Beethoven and Sergey Prokofiev.
\n
Marking Prokofiev's 135th birthday, the new season will also offer a thematic exploration of the Russian composer's works, featuring two of his violin concertos, a piano concerto, and a symphony. It will showcase the evolution of his musical style from his early beginnings to his years abroad, and finally his return to his homeland. This curated selection offers a comprehensive tribute to Prokofiev's artistry.
\n
The season is designed to offer more than beloved classics; it celebrates the richness and diversity of music.
\n
"As we celebrate the 300th anniversary of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, the 85th anniversary of China's broadcasting industry, and the upcoming 26th anniversary of the China Philharmonic Orchestra's founding, we are condensing multiple historical milestones into a single musical season," says Zhang Chenxiao, the orchestra's Party secretary.
\n
The season will feature a blend of Chinese and international art. On Oct 24, a concert will pair Chinese Kitchen — a 10-movement composition by Hong Kong musician Elliot Leung, which is a new piece celebrating 10 Chinese delicacies, with Brahms' Alto Rhapsody Op 53.
\n
In another concert on Nov 22, the orchestra will perform Instants d'un Opera de Pekin (Peking Opera Moments) by Chen Qigang and Chopin's Piano Concerto No 2 in F Minor, Op 21.
\n
"We aim to create a sensory connection between the 'Chinese flavor' and 'international flair' for our audience," Zhang says.
\n
"Unveiling a new season for a symphony orchestra is a momentous occasion that marks the beginning of a fresh chapter in its artistic journey. It's not just an announcement of upcoming concerts; it's a reflection of the orchestra's vision, its evolving relationship with the audience, and its commitment to pushing the boundaries of classical music," says Yu.
\n
"The repertoire chosen for the season is a powerful expression of the orchestra's artistic identity and aspirations. It showcases the orchestra's dedication to preserving musical traditions and embracing innovation," he adds.
A large screen in Shanghai displays the stock market index on Aug 26.
\n
Confidence in China's A-share market has strengthened, enhancing the capital market's appeal and drawing quicker inflows from wealth management products, insurance funds and other institutional investors.
\n
With bank deposit rates still trending lower — some fixed-term deposits offering barely around 1 percent — the contrast with a rallying stock market has grown sharper. Strong returns on equity-linked wealth management products and mutual funds have fueled the risk appetite of households, prompting many investors to move money out of fixed deposits and into equities and related assets.
\n
"With interest rates trending lower and the economy shifting toward high-quality growth, investors' preference for bond-type assets is expected to weaken, while equities will increasingly become a key direction for household portfolios," said Ming Ming, chief economist at CITIC Securities.
\n
Data from Southern Finance Omnimedia Corp's fintech platform focusing on asset management showed that equity-linked wealth management products delivered strong returns in July, with average annualized yields since the start of this year rising to 9.9 percent, up 7.19 percentage points from June. Banks have since stepped up issuance, with at least 20 new equity-linked products launched since August, according to a Hangzhou-based financial data provider. In late August, CMB Wealth Management and PSBC Wealth Management both highlighted medium-risk hybrid and equity-linked offerings in their marketing campaigns.
\n
A national joint-stock bank wealth manager noted that a correction in China's bond market has eroded returns from fixed-income products, while rebounding equities are drawing more funds into equity-linked vehicles. Allocations vary by risk profile, but equity weightings of 20-40 percent have been most popular among clients.
\n
Insurance funds have also raised their equity exposure. Data from the National Financial Regulatory Administration showed that by the end of the second quarter, the balance of insurance funds invested in stocks was 3.07 trillion yuan ($429.8 billion), up 640.6 billion yuan in the first half and accounting for 8.47 percent of the total — the highest in recent years.
\n
Interim results from A-share listed companies highlight the same trend, with insurance funds boosting their holdings by the end of the second quarter across a range of sectors, including hardware and electrical equipment, software services, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, as well as banking.
\n
Since the start of this year, bank stocks and other high-dividend sectors have emerged as prime targets for insurance funds. Analysts note that with long-term interest rates falling, dividend strategies offer insurers stable cash flows that help offset shrinking interest income. The long-term value of bank shares also matches the duration of insurers' capital, making them a natural fit for investment strategies and performance benchmarks.
\n
In January, China introduced a plan to channel more medium- and long-term capital into the market, proposing that large State-owned insurers allocate 30 percent of new annual premiums to A shares starting in 2025.
\n
The plan also established multiyear performance evaluations — spanning three years or more — for public offering funds, State-owned insurers, basic pension funds and annuity funds. The aim is to encourage long-term strategies and strengthen institutional participation in equities.
\n
Beyond policy drivers, insurers' growing equity exposure in the first half also reflects business needs. Over the past three years, yields on China's 30-year government bonds have continuously declined, while the preset interest rates of insurers' main products were locked in earlier. This has squeezed the spread between the yields on maturing fixed-income portfolios and liability costs, pushing insurers to restructure their underlying assets and raise long-term expected returns through optimized equity allocation, analysts said.
\n
A survey by the Insurance Asset Management Association of China, covering 86 insurers and 36 insurance asset management companies, found that equities are the most preferred asset class for insurance institutions in the second half of 2025, followed by bonds and mutual funds. Most expect their overall allocations to remain largely unchanged from early this year, though some anticipate modest increases in equity and bond investments.
\n
jiangxueqing@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "\n
A large screen in Shanghai displays the stock market index on Aug 26.
\n
Confidence in China's A-share market has strengthened, enhancing the capital market's appeal and drawing quicker inflows from wealth management products, insurance funds and other institutional investors.
\n
With bank deposit rates still trending lower — some fixed-term deposits offering barely around 1 percent — the contrast with a rallying stock market has grown sharper. Strong returns on equity-linked wealth management products and mutual funds have fueled the risk appetite of households, prompting many investors to move money out of fixed deposits and into equities and related assets.
\n
"With interest rates trending lower and the economy shifting toward high-quality growth, investors' preference for bond-type assets is expected to weaken, while equities will increasingly become a key direction for household portfolios," said Ming Ming, chief economist at CITIC Securities.
\n
Data from Southern Finance Omnimedia Corp's fintech platform focusing on asset management showed that equity-linked wealth management products delivered strong returns in July, with average annualized yields since the start of this year rising to 9.9 percent, up 7.19 percentage points from June. Banks have since stepped up issuance, with at least 20 new equity-linked products launched since August, according to a Hangzhou-based financial data provider. In late August, CMB Wealth Management and PSBC Wealth Management both highlighted medium-risk hybrid and equity-linked offerings in their marketing campaigns.
\n
A national joint-stock bank wealth manager noted that a correction in China's bond market has eroded returns from fixed-income products, while rebounding equities are drawing more funds into equity-linked vehicles. Allocations vary by risk profile, but equity weightings of 20-40 percent have been most popular among clients.
\n
Insurance funds have also raised their equity exposure. Data from the National Financial Regulatory Administration showed that by the end of the second quarter, the balance of insurance funds invested in stocks was 3.07 trillion yuan ($429.8 billion), up 640.6 billion yuan in the first half and accounting for 8.47 percent of the total — the highest in recent years.
\n
Interim results from A-share listed companies highlight the same trend, with insurance funds boosting their holdings by the end of the second quarter across a range of sectors, including hardware and electrical equipment, software services, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, as well as banking.
\n
Since the start of this year, bank stocks and other high-dividend sectors have emerged as prime targets for insurance funds. Analysts note that with long-term interest rates falling, dividend strategies offer insurers stable cash flows that help offset shrinking interest income. The long-term value of bank shares also matches the duration of insurers' capital, making them a natural fit for investment strategies and performance benchmarks.
\n
In January, China introduced a plan to channel more medium- and long-term capital into the market, proposing that large State-owned insurers allocate 30 percent of new annual premiums to A shares starting in 2025.
\n
The plan also established multiyear performance evaluations — spanning three years or more — for public offering funds, State-owned insurers, basic pension funds and annuity funds. The aim is to encourage long-term strategies and strengthen institutional participation in equities.
\n
Beyond policy drivers, insurers' growing equity exposure in the first half also reflects business needs. Over the past three years, yields on China's 30-year government bonds have continuously declined, while the preset interest rates of insurers' main products were locked in earlier. This has squeezed the spread between the yields on maturing fixed-income portfolios and liability costs, pushing insurers to restructure their underlying assets and raise long-term expected returns through optimized equity allocation, analysts said.
\n
A survey by the Insurance Asset Management Association of China, covering 86 insurers and 36 insurance asset management companies, found that equities are the most preferred asset class for insurance institutions in the second half of 2025, followed by bonds and mutual funds. Most expect their overall allocations to remain largely unchanged from early this year, though some anticipate modest increases in equity and bond investments.
From top: Conductors Charles Dutoit, Li Xincao, pianist Rudolf Buchbinder and violinist Gil Shaham will join the new season of the China Philharmonic Orchestra.
\n
The China Philharmonic Orchestra celebrates its 25th birthday with a concert held at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing on May 25.
\n
Conductor Yu Long and the China Philharmonic Orchestra at the concert.
\n\n
From the hushed anticipation backstage to the resonant power of the first note, the China Philharmonic Orchestra has long been a beacon of musical artistry in Beijing. On Aug 25, fresh from celebrating its 25th anniversary, it unveiled its highly anticipated 2025-26 season in Beijing.
\n
This new chapter, born from a quarter-century of musical excellence, promises an awe-inspiring symphonic journey with 19 performances that span the vast landscape of classical music — from the intricate grace of the Baroque era to the bold innovations of contemporary compositions.
\n
Rarely heard works will share the stage with world premieres, offering music lovers both the thrill of discovery and the comfort of timeless masterpieces.
\n
Under the leadership of its artistic director and chief conductor Yu Long, the orchestra will be joined by a constellation of international guest conductors and world-class soloists, aiming to create a season filled with breathtaking moments and a resounding celebration of music's timeless power.
\n
The opening concert of the new season will take place on Sept 14 at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing. The orchestra will be conducted by Yu, performing two masterpieces by German-Austrian Romantic composers: Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss, featuring soprano Yu Guanqun, and Brahms' Symphony No 1 in C Minor, Op 68. These works underscore the orchestra's commitment to preserving the world's artistic legacy.
\n
The season closes on June 26,2026, with Joe Hisaishi's Viola Saga, performed by violist Mei Diyang — the first Chinese musician as the first principal viola at the Berliner Philharmoniker, and Dvorak's Symphony No 9 in E minor, Op 95, From the New World.
\n
"Joe Hisaishi is known for his film scores. This will mark the first domestic performance of Hisaishi's highly acclaimed viola concerto, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience the full range of contemporary music," says Yu.
\n
Throughout the season, Yu will conduct several key performances, including the opening concert of the Beijing Music Festival on Oct 10, focusing on Russian works. Other highlights include a concert on April 26, 2026, a complete Brahms piano concerto cycle with Austrian piano master Rudolf Buchbinder.
\n
Additional performances include Ravel and Tchaikovsky on Dec 19, with Canadian piano virtuoso Louis Lortie, and a concert pairing Chen Qigang with Chopin, featuring Vietnamese-Canadian pianist Dang Thai Son and the orchestra's principal oboist, Zheng Dian. These performances promise to be some of the season's most exciting moments, says Yu.
\n
A particularly exciting highlight of the upcoming season is the return of Swiss conductor Charles Dutoit, who will celebrate his 90th birthday in 2026.
\n
According to Yu, the China Philharmonic Orchestra has had a long friendship with the conductor, collaborating with Dutoit on four occasions — in 2007, 2011, 2013, and 2019 — forging a close artistic partnership that has lasted nearly two decades. After a six-year hiatus, Dutoit will finally return to the podium, bringing with him his signature piece, Stravinsky's Firebird, as well as music pieces by Beethoven and Sergey Prokofiev.
\n
Marking Prokofiev's 135th birthday, the new season will also offer a thematic exploration of the Russian composer's works, featuring two of his violin concertos, a piano concerto, and a symphony. It will showcase the evolution of his musical style from his early beginnings to his years abroad, and finally his return to his homeland. This curated selection offers a comprehensive tribute to Prokofiev's artistry.
\n
The season is designed to offer more than beloved classics; it celebrates the richness and diversity of music.
\n
"As we celebrate the 300th anniversary of Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, the 85th anniversary of China's broadcasting industry, and the upcoming 26th anniversary of the China Philharmonic Orchestra's founding, we are condensing multiple historical milestones into a single musical season," says Zhang Chenxiao, the orchestra's Party secretary.
\n
The season will feature a blend of Chinese and international art. On Oct 24, a concert will pair Chinese Kitchen — a 10-movement composition by Hong Kong musician Elliot Leung, which is a new piece celebrating 10 Chinese delicacies, with Brahms' Alto Rhapsody Op 53.
\n
In another concert on Nov 22, the orchestra will perform Instants d'un Opera de Pekin (Peking Opera Moments) by Chen Qigang and Chopin's Piano Concerto No 2 in F Minor, Op 21.
\n
"We aim to create a sensory connection between the 'Chinese flavor' and 'international flair' for our audience," Zhang says.
\n
"Unveiling a new season for a symphony orchestra is a momentous occasion that marks the beginning of a fresh chapter in its artistic journey. It's not just an announcement of upcoming concerts; it's a reflection of the orchestra's vision, its evolving relationship with the audience, and its commitment to pushing the boundaries of classical music," says Yu.
\n
"The repertoire chosen for the season is a powerful expression of the orchestra's artistic identity and aspirations. It showcases the orchestra's dedication to preserving musical traditions and embracing innovation," he adds.
\n
Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
@@ -21599,28 +21401,6 @@
"hash": "05f5b521817769a1a72d31f5806265bb",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "009CHINA - New guideline aims to combat illegal fishing and strengthen port oversight",
- "description": "
China has implemented a new guideline to combat illegal fishing and strengthen port inspections of foreign fishing vessels, aiming to fulfill its obligations as a responsible nation engaged in the fishing industry and enhance global fisheries governance, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
\n
The guideline — jointly released by the ministry and five other departments, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Transport and the General Administration of Customs — calls for stricter port state controls in line with international rules.
\n
It urges authorities nationwide to strengthen monitoring of foreign fishing vessels entering Chinese ports, as the country is committed to the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing — a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization treaty regarded as the most important global instrument against illegal fishing. China formally joined the agreement in April.
\n
While highlighting "zero tolerance" toward illegal fishing, the guideline also requires greater efforts to protect marine resources and promote sustainable use. Authorities are ordered to enforce port entry reviews, publish designated port lists, implement vessel entry reporting and deny entry to vessels involved in unlawful activities, it said.
\n
Additionally, authorities are tasked with conducting impartial inspections of incoming vessels, standardizing port services, improving information sharing, strengthening the management of Chinese-flagged fishing vessels, and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of vessels.
\n
The release of the guideline provides strong institutional support for implementing the agreement, the ministry said.
\n
Luo Yi, vice-president of Shanghai Ocean University, said the agreement is meant to block illegally caught fish from entering domestic and international markets through ports.
\n
China aims to strictly implement port entry measures by designating a list of inspection ports, defining the scope of vessels subject to oversight, and enforcing pre-arrival reporting requirements, Luo said at an earlier news conference.
\n
Meanwhile, China is working to revise its fisheries law to better align with the agreement. Lawmakers deliberated draft revisions to the Fisheries Law in June, which include provisions supporting port state measures and provide a legal foundation for enforcement.
\n
The latest guideline also calls for stronger coordination and broader international cooperation in fisheries enforcement.
\n
zhaoyimeng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
China has implemented a new guideline to combat illegal fishing and strengthen port inspections of foreign fishing vessels, aiming to fulfill its obligations as a responsible nation engaged in the fishing industry and enhance global fisheries governance, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
\n
The guideline — jointly released by the ministry and five other departments, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Transport and the General Administration of Customs — calls for stricter port state controls in line with international rules.
\n
It urges authorities nationwide to strengthen monitoring of foreign fishing vessels entering Chinese ports, as the country is committed to the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing — a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization treaty regarded as the most important global instrument against illegal fishing. China formally joined the agreement in April.
\n
While highlighting "zero tolerance" toward illegal fishing, the guideline also requires greater efforts to protect marine resources and promote sustainable use. Authorities are ordered to enforce port entry reviews, publish designated port lists, implement vessel entry reporting and deny entry to vessels involved in unlawful activities, it said.
\n
Additionally, authorities are tasked with conducting impartial inspections of incoming vessels, standardizing port services, improving information sharing, strengthening the management of Chinese-flagged fishing vessels, and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of vessels.
\n
The release of the guideline provides strong institutional support for implementing the agreement, the ministry said.
\n
Luo Yi, vice-president of Shanghai Ocean University, said the agreement is meant to block illegally caught fish from entering domestic and international markets through ports.
\n
China aims to strictly implement port entry measures by designating a list of inspection ports, defining the scope of vessels subject to oversight, and enforcing pre-arrival reporting requirements, Luo said at an earlier news conference.
\n
Meanwhile, China is working to revise its fisheries law to better align with the agreement. Lawmakers deliberated draft revisions to the Fisheries Law in June, which include provisions supporting port state measures and provide a legal foundation for enforcement.
\n
The latest guideline also calls for stronger coordination and broader international cooperation in fisheries enforcement.
Fans from all over China gather in Fengming Cave in Cuantang village, Yanhe Tujia autonomous county, Tongren city, Guizhou province, to watch local grassroots teams compete in the inaugural Yanhe Cave Basketball Invitational Tournament.
\n
GUIYANG — Cars lined up in long queues, as thousands of spectators from across China flocked to watch a unique basketball tournament held deep inside a cave in Southwest China's Guizhou province.
\n
The inaugural Yanhe Cave Basketball Invitational Tournament was staged in Fengming Cave in Cuantang village, Yanhe Tujia autonomous county, Tongren city.
\n
Situated near the junction of Guizhou, Hunan, Chongqing and Hubei, the event brought together 12 grassroots teams.
\n
Banners along the road to Cuantang village from Guanzhou town proclaimed the event "a must-visit destination for basketball fans".
\n
Cars traveling along the winding mountain road leading into the village displayed license plates from provinces as far away as Zhejiang.
\n
From above, Cuantang village, located 17 kilometers from the county seat, is surrounded by rolling mountains.
\n
At its heart sits Fengming Cave, transformed into a tournament venue with a standard basketball court, bright lights and bleachers packed with fans.
\n
Chants of encouragement from commentators and supporters echoed as players ran onto the court. The cave ceiling was decorated with ornaments, and the roar of the crowd filled the cavernous space.
\n
Cuantang village Party chief Wang Chunnian said the cave's seating capacity of 2,500 to 3,000 was far exceeded during the event.
\n
More than 5,000 attended the Aug 25 opening ceremony, and over 6,000 came for the Aug 30 finals.
\n
"The cave basketball tournament has paved a new path for integrating culture, sports and tourism in Cuantang village," Wang said.
\n
The village, home to about 1,500 residents, has long relied on rice and corn farming, with locals seeking new opportunities for growth.
\n
Guizhou, known for its karst landforms, has, in recent years, promoted outdoor mountain sports such as marathons, trail running, mountain biking, climbing and paragliding.
\n
"Caves are a hallmark of karst topography. Counties like Ziyun and Libo have successfully developed climbing, concerts and other cultural and sports activities, gaining market traction," Wang said.
\n
Inspired by those successes, Cuantang villagers began pooling funds in 2023 to convert Fengming Cave into a basketball venue. Progress stalled due to lack of financing, but momentum returned after nearby Yangnan village unveiled a 5,000-square-meter cave court in July 2024 that attracted national attention.
\n
With new funding and government approval, construction of the Fengming Cave court began in April 2025 and was completed in August.
\n
Once a cool refuge in summer, the cave now combines the natural landscape with modern sporting facilities.
\n
"The temperature inside remains between 15 and 25 C all year round," Wang said.
\n
"Coupled with its shelter from wind and rain, this cave court, compared to modern venues, has become a must-visit destination for tourists from near and far."
\n
Players and fans alike embraced the novelty.
\n
"It was my first time playing in a cave — the cool temperature, enthusiastic crowd and amazing atmosphere made it unforgettable!" Exclaimed Peng Hongmiao, leader of the Hunan Yongshun team.
\n
"I didn't miss a single match from the opening day to the finals. Watching basketball in a cave was truly an eye-opening experience," said fan Tian Xiangyu, who traveled from Hunan by bus.
\n
To enhance the experience, organizers included interactive performances featuring Tujia ethnic dances and songs.
\n
"These performances deepened my understanding of my hometown's culture," said Chen Xiyang, a 13-year-old student.
\n
The most direct benefit the nearby villagers got was increased income. Around 30 to 40 stalls and snack shops inside and outside the cave saw brisk business. Zhang Zheng, a vendor from a nearby village, earned around 5,000 yuan ($700) selling popcorn, sausages and soft drinks.
\n
"The inaugural cave basketball tournament has brought economic benefits to the villagers," Wang said.
\n
Cuantang plans to host regular basketball events in the future, using them to link sports, culture and tourism and to create a sustainable path for locals to stay healthy, entertained and economically empowered.
\n",
- "content": "
Fans from all over China gather in Fengming Cave in Cuantang village, Yanhe Tujia autonomous county, Tongren city, Guizhou province, to watch local grassroots teams compete in the inaugural Yanhe Cave Basketball Invitational Tournament.
\n
GUIYANG — Cars lined up in long queues, as thousands of spectators from across China flocked to watch a unique basketball tournament held deep inside a cave in Southwest China's Guizhou province.
\n
The inaugural Yanhe Cave Basketball Invitational Tournament was staged in Fengming Cave in Cuantang village, Yanhe Tujia autonomous county, Tongren city.
\n
Situated near the junction of Guizhou, Hunan, Chongqing and Hubei, the event brought together 12 grassroots teams.
\n
Banners along the road to Cuantang village from Guanzhou town proclaimed the event "a must-visit destination for basketball fans".
\n
Cars traveling along the winding mountain road leading into the village displayed license plates from provinces as far away as Zhejiang.
\n
From above, Cuantang village, located 17 kilometers from the county seat, is surrounded by rolling mountains.
\n
At its heart sits Fengming Cave, transformed into a tournament venue with a standard basketball court, bright lights and bleachers packed with fans.
\n
Chants of encouragement from commentators and supporters echoed as players ran onto the court. The cave ceiling was decorated with ornaments, and the roar of the crowd filled the cavernous space.
\n
Cuantang village Party chief Wang Chunnian said the cave's seating capacity of 2,500 to 3,000 was far exceeded during the event.
\n
More than 5,000 attended the Aug 25 opening ceremony, and over 6,000 came for the Aug 30 finals.
\n
"The cave basketball tournament has paved a new path for integrating culture, sports and tourism in Cuantang village," Wang said.
\n
The village, home to about 1,500 residents, has long relied on rice and corn farming, with locals seeking new opportunities for growth.
\n
Guizhou, known for its karst landforms, has, in recent years, promoted outdoor mountain sports such as marathons, trail running, mountain biking, climbing and paragliding.
\n
"Caves are a hallmark of karst topography. Counties like Ziyun and Libo have successfully developed climbing, concerts and other cultural and sports activities, gaining market traction," Wang said.
\n
Inspired by those successes, Cuantang villagers began pooling funds in 2023 to convert Fengming Cave into a basketball venue. Progress stalled due to lack of financing, but momentum returned after nearby Yangnan village unveiled a 5,000-square-meter cave court in July 2024 that attracted national attention.
\n
With new funding and government approval, construction of the Fengming Cave court began in April 2025 and was completed in August.
\n
Once a cool refuge in summer, the cave now combines the natural landscape with modern sporting facilities.
\n
"The temperature inside remains between 15 and 25 C all year round," Wang said.
\n
"Coupled with its shelter from wind and rain, this cave court, compared to modern venues, has become a must-visit destination for tourists from near and far."
\n
Players and fans alike embraced the novelty.
\n
"It was my first time playing in a cave — the cool temperature, enthusiastic crowd and amazing atmosphere made it unforgettable!" Exclaimed Peng Hongmiao, leader of the Hunan Yongshun team.
\n
"I didn't miss a single match from the opening day to the finals. Watching basketball in a cave was truly an eye-opening experience," said fan Tian Xiangyu, who traveled from Hunan by bus.
\n
To enhance the experience, organizers included interactive performances featuring Tujia ethnic dances and songs.
\n
"These performances deepened my understanding of my hometown's culture," said Chen Xiyang, a 13-year-old student.
\n
The most direct benefit the nearby villagers got was increased income. Around 30 to 40 stalls and snack shops inside and outside the cave saw brisk business. Zhang Zheng, a vendor from a nearby village, earned around 5,000 yuan ($700) selling popcorn, sausages and soft drinks.
\n
"The inaugural cave basketball tournament has brought economic benefits to the villagers," Wang said.
\n
Cuantang plans to host regular basketball events in the future, using them to link sports, culture and tourism and to create a sustainable path for locals to stay healthy, entertained and economically empowered.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, greets Kim Jong-un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, in Beijing on Thursday.
\n
President Xi Jinping reaffirmed on Thursday China's commitment to maintaining, consolidating and developing its relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, saying that this position will never change no matter how the international situation evolves.
\n
Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Kim Jong-un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
\n
Kim arrived in the Chinese capital on Tuesday to attend commemorations marking 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.
\n
This marks his first visit to China since early 2019, and also the first time since becoming the top leader of the DPRK that Kim has appeared alongside more than 20 world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, when they attended the grand military parade on Wednesday in Beijing.
\n
"I feel pleased to meet with you again after six years," Xi said, recalling his state visit to the neighboring country in June 2019, during which he had felt a closeness as with family members between the two countries.
\n
Xi said Kim's attendance at the commemoration demonstrated the DPRK's firm commitment to safeguarding the victorious outcome of World War II, and also provided an important opportunity for the two parties and countries to further advance their friendly and cooperative relations.
\n
China will, as always, support the DPRK in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions and in opening new prospects for its socialist cause, Xi said.
\n
He expressed Beijing's readiness to strengthen high-level exchanges and strategic communication with Pyongyang, deepen exchanges of experience in party and state governance, enhance mutual understanding and friendship, and promote closer interactions at all levels as well as practical cooperation in various fields.
\n
Xi noted that in the face of unprecedented global challenges, he has successively put forward the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, as well as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, all of which have received active support and response from the DPRK.
\n
He called on the two countries to strengthen strategic coordination in international and regional affairs to safeguard their common interests.
\n
On the Korean Peninsula issue, Xi said China has always upheld an objective and fair position and stands ready to continue working with the DPRK to safeguard peace and stability on the peninsula.
\n
Kim said he was filled with deep feelings to be meeting with Xi again after six years.
\n
"Over these six years, China has undergone tremendous changes and development, which has left a strong impression on me. What I feel even more profoundly, however, is the enduring friendship between the peoples of the DPRK and China that has never changed," he said, noting that no matter how the world situation may evolve, the friendship will remain forever.
\n
He also reaffirmed that the DPRK will continue to firmly support China's position on issues concerning its core interests, and support China in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
\n
Kim also expressed gratitude to China for its long-standing, unswerving support and assistance for the cause of socialism in the DPRK.
\n
Kim added that his country is willing to maintain close exchanges between the two parties and governments at all levels and deepen mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation to deliver more tangible results, among other things.
\n
He said the DPRK appreciates China's fair position on the Korean Peninsula issue and stands ready to continue strengthening coordination with China at the United Nations and other multilateral platforms to safeguard their common and fundamental interests.
\n
Accompanying Kim on the visit were DPRK Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and senior officials from key departments of both the WPK Central Committee and the DPRK government.
\n
On Thursday evening, Xi had a chat over tea with Kim and hosted a banquet in his honor.
\n
mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, greets Kim Jong-un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, in Beijing on Thursday.
\n
President Xi Jinping reaffirmed on Thursday China's commitment to maintaining, consolidating and developing its relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, saying that this position will never change no matter how the international situation evolves.
\n
Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Kim Jong-un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
\n
Kim arrived in the Chinese capital on Tuesday to attend commemorations marking 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.
\n
This marks his first visit to China since early 2019, and also the first time since becoming the top leader of the DPRK that Kim has appeared alongside more than 20 world leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, when they attended the grand military parade on Wednesday in Beijing.
\n
"I feel pleased to meet with you again after six years," Xi said, recalling his state visit to the neighboring country in June 2019, during which he had felt a closeness as with family members between the two countries.
\n
Xi said Kim's attendance at the commemoration demonstrated the DPRK's firm commitment to safeguarding the victorious outcome of World War II, and also provided an important opportunity for the two parties and countries to further advance their friendly and cooperative relations.
\n
China will, as always, support the DPRK in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions and in opening new prospects for its socialist cause, Xi said.
\n
He expressed Beijing's readiness to strengthen high-level exchanges and strategic communication with Pyongyang, deepen exchanges of experience in party and state governance, enhance mutual understanding and friendship, and promote closer interactions at all levels as well as practical cooperation in various fields.
\n
Xi noted that in the face of unprecedented global challenges, he has successively put forward the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity, as well as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the Global Governance Initiative, all of which have received active support and response from the DPRK.
\n
He called on the two countries to strengthen strategic coordination in international and regional affairs to safeguard their common interests.
\n
On the Korean Peninsula issue, Xi said China has always upheld an objective and fair position and stands ready to continue working with the DPRK to safeguard peace and stability on the peninsula.
\n
Kim said he was filled with deep feelings to be meeting with Xi again after six years.
\n
"Over these six years, China has undergone tremendous changes and development, which has left a strong impression on me. What I feel even more profoundly, however, is the enduring friendship between the peoples of the DPRK and China that has never changed," he said, noting that no matter how the world situation may evolve, the friendship will remain forever.
\n
He also reaffirmed that the DPRK will continue to firmly support China's position on issues concerning its core interests, and support China in safeguarding its national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
\n
Kim also expressed gratitude to China for its long-standing, unswerving support and assistance for the cause of socialism in the DPRK.
\n
Kim added that his country is willing to maintain close exchanges between the two parties and governments at all levels and deepen mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation to deliver more tangible results, among other things.
\n
He said the DPRK appreciates China's fair position on the Korean Peninsula issue and stands ready to continue strengthening coordination with China at the United Nations and other multilateral platforms to safeguard their common and fundamental interests.
\n
Accompanying Kim on the visit were DPRK Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui and senior officials from key departments of both the WPK Central Committee and the DPRK government.
\n
On Thursday evening, Xi had a chat over tea with Kim and hosted a banquet in his honor.
Guests visit a photo exhibition on Wednesday, at the Chinese embassy in Bucharest, Romania, commemorating 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.
\n",
+ "content": "
Guests visit a photo exhibition on Wednesday, at the Chinese embassy in Bucharest, Romania, commemorating 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.
As she juggles her caseload, lawyer Wang Wanqiong has added a new brief to her weekly routine — hosting livestream sessions that delve into the legal intricacies of current social events with her audience.
\n
On Aug 23, Wang, from Sichuan province, took to her WeChat livestream to unravel the legalities surrounding cross-border telecom fraud. In the past, she has used her platform to shed light on labor laws and anti-discrimination policies, highlighting companies that offer job opportunities for former convicts.
\n
"Leveraging videos and livestreams to demystify the law and address people's legal inquiries is inevitable in this fast-paced digital era," said Wang, a criminal law specialist at the Baijus Law Firm. "It's also a social responsibility for those in the legal profession."
\n
Wang is not alone. A report released early this year by Douyin, a popular Chinese short-video sharing and livestreaming platform, showed that the number of legal content creators on the platform had soared past 200,000. Those involved included lawyers, law professors and law enthusiasts, with their number steadily climbing.
\n
The appetite for legal content is also on the rise. In December 2024, monthly views of legal content increased by over 20 percent compared with June of that year. Certified law firms witnessed an impressive 83 percent growth in viewership, according to the report.
\n
Li Ya, a lawyer at Beijing Zhongwen Law Firm, is navigating this new avenue for providing legal services. "The increasingly rich legal content indicates that the public's legal awareness has improved," he said.
\n
However, he expressed concern about those who chase online fame by sensationalizing case details, fabricating facts and breaching litigants' privacy during livestreams.
\n
"These practices compromise the integrity of the legal profession and present serious ethical and legal challenges," he said, calling for stricter regulation and oversight of legal content in live-streams and videos.
\n
Legal education trend
\n
Over the past year, Wang has hosted over 60 livestreams, sometimes drawing more than 6,000 viewers at once.
\n
"The internet has revolutionized how knowledge is shared, turning online legal education into a growing trend," she said. "This method not only meets the public's increasing demand for legal services but also pushes legal professionals like me to stay informed, think critically, and engage in research."
\n
She creates short videos that break down provisions and criminal procedures, such as advising on the steps to take if a family member is questioned by the police, making the law more accessible and understandable for a wider audience.
\n
On July 18, for instance, she uploaded two videos on her WeChat channel, each under eight minutes long, illustrating what constitutes justifiable defense using a real criminal case from Shaanxi province. These videos have amassed over 1.37 million views, with more than 6,600 thumbs-up and nearly 4,000 likes.
\n
Yi Yi, a founding partner of Beijing Jiali Law Firm, also uses real cases to discuss marriage and family law on Kuaishou, another popular video platform, where she has nearly 600,000 followers.
\n
During her livestreams and videos, she avoids complex legal issues and jargon, opting instead to address matters that resonate with her audience. By using case studies, without detailing those involved, she delivers clear and focused legal insights while promoting values such as trust, equality, love, and happiness in marriage.
\n
In Wang's opinion, using everyday language and real-life examples helps bridge the gap between legal professionals and the public, making legal education more practical and effective.
\n
Misuse, disruption
\n
Wang highlighted the critical need to uphold privacy and integrity, warning against sharing excessive details about individuals involved in cases for the sake of online fame. She stressed that livestreams and videos should not include content unrelated to the law, disrupt public order, or exacerbate conflicts.
\n
In July, for example, a lawyer surnamed Zheng from Hunan province was fined 50,000 yuan ($7,010) by a local court. Zheng was penalized for distorting facts in a contract case handled by his firm, misleading public opinion, and extensively defaming the presiding judge in video posts, according to the Sichuan-based news outlet thecover.cn.
\n
The court stated that Zheng's actions severely undermined justice and had a negative societal impact. He was also ordered to remove the videos and issue an apology, the report noted.
\n
In April 2024, a Shanghai-based lawyer surnamed Dong faced a backlash from netizens after posting videos on social media where she discussed legal topics while dancing. Some argued her behavior was inconsistent with the professionalism expected of a lawyer, according to Dingduan News, a media outlet in Henan province.
\n
Dong also responded to comments by stating that her income as a lawyer was less than what she earned from livestreaming and encouraged her peers to create "borderline" or "edgy" content, which immediately sparked public controversy.
\n
Furthermore, some netizens criticized Dong's demeanor during livestreams, showing screenshots of her exaggerated expressions and laughter while addressing serious issues like juvenile rape.
\n
In response, Dong apologized and removed the dancing videos, clarifying that her suggestion to her peers was meant as a joke.
\n
Although Dong and Zheng faced consequences for their actions, the conduct and communication of legal professionals in livestreams and videos — particularly regarding what content is shared and how it is presented — remain a focal point of discussion within the legal community.
\n
Need for regulation
\n
For Wang, maintaining rigor and professionalism online is crucial for lawyers. Fabricating facts or relying on sensationalism and exaggerated performances to attract views should be avoided. "It's also important to steer clear of posting vulgar content, inciting cyberbullying, or compromising national security," she emphasized.
\n
Yu Qi, a marriage lawyer at Tahota Law Firm, observed that many internet users are more interested in sensational and unusual details of disputes than in legal explanations. "Lawyers should not blindly cater to public tastes, nor should they use their online platforms to market other products or services," she cautioned.
\n
"We must always remember our role as lawyers and uphold the integrity of the law."
\n
She said that she is prudent when discussing cases she is handling, as lawyers have a duty to be accountable to their clients. "I will address common questions from online comments and offer legal interpretations, rather than paying attention to the specifics of any individual case," she added.
\n
Li from Beijing Zhongwen Law Firm agreed. "Using popular methods and language to spread legal knowledge does not mean trivializing legal services," he said.
\n
Maintaining confidentiality and protecting privacy are fundamental ethical responsibilities for lawyers. Treating livestreams as a "show" and dramatizing case details damage the profession's image and credibility, and also violate the Civil Code and professional conduct rules for lawyers, Li added.
\n
"It is prohibited to predict outcomes or guarantee victories for cases that have not yet been concluded," he warned. "Information from cases that are not open to the public, as well as information and files from ongoing criminal cases, must not be disclosed online."
\n
Li urged internet platforms to improve the verification of lawyers' identities when processing relevant registration applications, and conduct timely reviews of legal content in livestreams.
\n
He also suggested online platforms, bar associations and internet regulatory bodies take disciplinary actions if they find a lawyer who streams content that is frequently flagged as "misleading" by peers or viewers.
\n
"The ultimate goal of leveraging technologies is to optimize legal services and enable the public to learn and use the law, rather than create more legal risks," Wang said.
\n
She called on judicial authorities to strengthen the management of lawyers and establish regulations on the dissemination of legal knowledge through new media.
\n
"For example, the authorities need to specify how many years a lawyer must have practiced before they can participate in legal live-streams, and also prohibit selling products through legal accounts," she said.
\n
caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "\n\n
As she juggles her caseload, lawyer Wang Wanqiong has added a new brief to her weekly routine — hosting livestream sessions that delve into the legal intricacies of current social events with her audience.
\n
On Aug 23, Wang, from Sichuan province, took to her WeChat livestream to unravel the legalities surrounding cross-border telecom fraud. In the past, she has used her platform to shed light on labor laws and anti-discrimination policies, highlighting companies that offer job opportunities for former convicts.
\n
"Leveraging videos and livestreams to demystify the law and address people's legal inquiries is inevitable in this fast-paced digital era," said Wang, a criminal law specialist at the Baijus Law Firm. "It's also a social responsibility for those in the legal profession."
\n
Wang is not alone. A report released early this year by Douyin, a popular Chinese short-video sharing and livestreaming platform, showed that the number of legal content creators on the platform had soared past 200,000. Those involved included lawyers, law professors and law enthusiasts, with their number steadily climbing.
\n
The appetite for legal content is also on the rise. In December 2024, monthly views of legal content increased by over 20 percent compared with June of that year. Certified law firms witnessed an impressive 83 percent growth in viewership, according to the report.
\n
Li Ya, a lawyer at Beijing Zhongwen Law Firm, is navigating this new avenue for providing legal services. "The increasingly rich legal content indicates that the public's legal awareness has improved," he said.
\n
However, he expressed concern about those who chase online fame by sensationalizing case details, fabricating facts and breaching litigants' privacy during livestreams.
\n
"These practices compromise the integrity of the legal profession and present serious ethical and legal challenges," he said, calling for stricter regulation and oversight of legal content in live-streams and videos.
\n
Legal education trend
\n
Over the past year, Wang has hosted over 60 livestreams, sometimes drawing more than 6,000 viewers at once.
\n
"The internet has revolutionized how knowledge is shared, turning online legal education into a growing trend," she said. "This method not only meets the public's increasing demand for legal services but also pushes legal professionals like me to stay informed, think critically, and engage in research."
\n
She creates short videos that break down provisions and criminal procedures, such as advising on the steps to take if a family member is questioned by the police, making the law more accessible and understandable for a wider audience.
\n
On July 18, for instance, she uploaded two videos on her WeChat channel, each under eight minutes long, illustrating what constitutes justifiable defense using a real criminal case from Shaanxi province. These videos have amassed over 1.37 million views, with more than 6,600 thumbs-up and nearly 4,000 likes.
\n
Yi Yi, a founding partner of Beijing Jiali Law Firm, also uses real cases to discuss marriage and family law on Kuaishou, another popular video platform, where she has nearly 600,000 followers.
\n
During her livestreams and videos, she avoids complex legal issues and jargon, opting instead to address matters that resonate with her audience. By using case studies, without detailing those involved, she delivers clear and focused legal insights while promoting values such as trust, equality, love, and happiness in marriage.
\n
In Wang's opinion, using everyday language and real-life examples helps bridge the gap between legal professionals and the public, making legal education more practical and effective.
\n
Misuse, disruption
\n
Wang highlighted the critical need to uphold privacy and integrity, warning against sharing excessive details about individuals involved in cases for the sake of online fame. She stressed that livestreams and videos should not include content unrelated to the law, disrupt public order, or exacerbate conflicts.
\n
In July, for example, a lawyer surnamed Zheng from Hunan province was fined 50,000 yuan ($7,010) by a local court. Zheng was penalized for distorting facts in a contract case handled by his firm, misleading public opinion, and extensively defaming the presiding judge in video posts, according to the Sichuan-based news outlet thecover.cn.
\n
The court stated that Zheng's actions severely undermined justice and had a negative societal impact. He was also ordered to remove the videos and issue an apology, the report noted.
\n
In April 2024, a Shanghai-based lawyer surnamed Dong faced a backlash from netizens after posting videos on social media where she discussed legal topics while dancing. Some argued her behavior was inconsistent with the professionalism expected of a lawyer, according to Dingduan News, a media outlet in Henan province.
\n
Dong also responded to comments by stating that her income as a lawyer was less than what she earned from livestreaming and encouraged her peers to create "borderline" or "edgy" content, which immediately sparked public controversy.
\n
Furthermore, some netizens criticized Dong's demeanor during livestreams, showing screenshots of her exaggerated expressions and laughter while addressing serious issues like juvenile rape.
\n
In response, Dong apologized and removed the dancing videos, clarifying that her suggestion to her peers was meant as a joke.
\n
Although Dong and Zheng faced consequences for their actions, the conduct and communication of legal professionals in livestreams and videos — particularly regarding what content is shared and how it is presented — remain a focal point of discussion within the legal community.
\n
Need for regulation
\n
For Wang, maintaining rigor and professionalism online is crucial for lawyers. Fabricating facts or relying on sensationalism and exaggerated performances to attract views should be avoided. "It's also important to steer clear of posting vulgar content, inciting cyberbullying, or compromising national security," she emphasized.
\n
Yu Qi, a marriage lawyer at Tahota Law Firm, observed that many internet users are more interested in sensational and unusual details of disputes than in legal explanations. "Lawyers should not blindly cater to public tastes, nor should they use their online platforms to market other products or services," she cautioned.
\n
"We must always remember our role as lawyers and uphold the integrity of the law."
\n
She said that she is prudent when discussing cases she is handling, as lawyers have a duty to be accountable to their clients. "I will address common questions from online comments and offer legal interpretations, rather than paying attention to the specifics of any individual case," she added.
\n
Li from Beijing Zhongwen Law Firm agreed. "Using popular methods and language to spread legal knowledge does not mean trivializing legal services," he said.
\n
Maintaining confidentiality and protecting privacy are fundamental ethical responsibilities for lawyers. Treating livestreams as a "show" and dramatizing case details damage the profession's image and credibility, and also violate the Civil Code and professional conduct rules for lawyers, Li added.
\n
"It is prohibited to predict outcomes or guarantee victories for cases that have not yet been concluded," he warned. "Information from cases that are not open to the public, as well as information and files from ongoing criminal cases, must not be disclosed online."
\n
Li urged internet platforms to improve the verification of lawyers' identities when processing relevant registration applications, and conduct timely reviews of legal content in livestreams.
\n
He also suggested online platforms, bar associations and internet regulatory bodies take disciplinary actions if they find a lawyer who streams content that is frequently flagged as "misleading" by peers or viewers.
\n
"The ultimate goal of leveraging technologies is to optimize legal services and enable the public to learn and use the law, rather than create more legal risks," Wang said.
\n
She called on judicial authorities to strengthen the management of lawyers and establish regulations on the dissemination of legal knowledge through new media.
\n
"For example, the authorities need to specify how many years a lawyer must have practiced before they can participate in legal live-streams, and also prohibit selling products through legal accounts," she said.
Hong Kong's economy is gaining fresh momentum, with exporters exhibiting their strongest confidence level in over a year and private sector activity showing the first signs of improvement in seven months amid global uncertainties, experts said.
\n
They remain cautiously optimistic and are betting on further impetus from the city's deeper economic ties with other markets in the region.
\n
On Thursday, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council revealed an uptick in confidence among exporters in the third quarter of 2025, with indicators of current performance and export expectations both reaching their highest marks since January last year.
\n
The current index for business performance rose to 53.3 from 49.6 in the previous quarter, while the outlook index for the upcoming quarter leaped to 54.3 from 49, according to the HKTDC's Export Confidence Index survey report. Both indexes remain above the 50-point optimism threshold.
\n
The survey also shows that about 36 percent of the respondents expect higher profit margins this year, while 28 percent anticipate steady margins of profit.
\n
According to data released by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government's Census and Statistics Department, the SAR's exports recorded a year-on-year growth of 12.7 percent in terms of value in the first seven months of this year.
\n
Business conditions in the city's private sector have also notably improved. The headline seasonally adjusted S&P Global Hong Kong SAR Purchasing Manager's Index rose to 50.7 in August — the highest since the beginning of the year.
\n
Companies have increased their output for the first time in five months, particularly in the domestic market, according to S&P Global.
\n
Usamah Bhatti, an economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said that with the total amount of new orders broadly stabilized, companies are feeling encouraged to raise employment levels for the first time in three months.
\n
Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, chairman of Hong Kong's Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, said the improvement reflects new opportunities created through deeper regional cooperation.
\n
"In recent years, local enterprises have been actively setting up production bases in regions such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East to drive industrial upgrading and transformation, while expanding into diversified areas including innovation and technology," he said.
\n
Irina Fan Yuen-yee, director of research at HKTDC, reminded that the possibility of future tariff hikes and further supply chain risks within the already fragmented global trading arena remains very real.
\n
The HKTDC's survey report said the improvement is "mainly on account of traders' front-loading activities" amid uncertainties over the trade policies of the United States, adding that the benefits may become moderate in the following months.
\n
Contact the writers at gabylin@chinadailyhk.com
\n",
+ "content": "
Hong Kong's economy is gaining fresh momentum, with exporters exhibiting their strongest confidence level in over a year and private sector activity showing the first signs of improvement in seven months amid global uncertainties, experts said.
\n
They remain cautiously optimistic and are betting on further impetus from the city's deeper economic ties with other markets in the region.
\n
On Thursday, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council revealed an uptick in confidence among exporters in the third quarter of 2025, with indicators of current performance and export expectations both reaching their highest marks since January last year.
\n
The current index for business performance rose to 53.3 from 49.6 in the previous quarter, while the outlook index for the upcoming quarter leaped to 54.3 from 49, according to the HKTDC's Export Confidence Index survey report. Both indexes remain above the 50-point optimism threshold.
\n
The survey also shows that about 36 percent of the respondents expect higher profit margins this year, while 28 percent anticipate steady margins of profit.
\n
According to data released by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government's Census and Statistics Department, the SAR's exports recorded a year-on-year growth of 12.7 percent in terms of value in the first seven months of this year.
\n
Business conditions in the city's private sector have also notably improved. The headline seasonally adjusted S&P Global Hong Kong SAR Purchasing Manager's Index rose to 50.7 in August — the highest since the beginning of the year.
\n
Companies have increased their output for the first time in five months, particularly in the domestic market, according to S&P Global.
\n
Usamah Bhatti, an economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said that with the total amount of new orders broadly stabilized, companies are feeling encouraged to raise employment levels for the first time in three months.
\n
Jonathan Choi Koon-shum, chairman of Hong Kong's Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, said the improvement reflects new opportunities created through deeper regional cooperation.
\n
"In recent years, local enterprises have been actively setting up production bases in regions such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East to drive industrial upgrading and transformation, while expanding into diversified areas including innovation and technology," he said.
\n
Irina Fan Yuen-yee, director of research at HKTDC, reminded that the possibility of future tariff hikes and further supply chain risks within the already fragmented global trading arena remains very real.
\n
The HKTDC's survey report said the improvement is "mainly on account of traders' front-loading activities" amid uncertainties over the trade policies of the United States, adding that the benefits may become moderate in the following months.
Impressive, meaningful and historic — such were the keywords used by global leaders as they marveled at China's military parade commemorating 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.
\n
President Xi Jinping was joined by 26 foreign heads of state and government, as well as parliamentary speakers, deputy prime ministers and high-level representatives from different countries, on Wednesday as he oversaw a parade that showcased a range of China's new military hardware.
\n
For the global leaders, the experience at the Tian'anmen Rostrum, where they witnessed the commemoration firsthand, was both awe-inspiring and thought-provoking.
\n
According to a report by Russia's state news agency TASS, Russian President Vladimir Putin described Beijing's commemorative events as "held brilliantly, and simply very well, at a high level".
\n
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, writing on his X account, highlighted that the commemoration "serves as a symbol of China's strength and courage as a nation steadfastly fighting for independence, safeguarding sovereignty, and actively playing a role in realizing world peace".
\n
"On this occasion, I conveyed my appreciation for the significant contributions of the People's Republic of China in maintaining global security," he wrote on Thursday, adding, "Upholding the spirit of the Victory Day, let us continue to strengthen the sustainable cooperation between Indonesia and China for the benefit of both countries."
\n
The press service of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev wrote in a post on X that the event reaffirmed Uzbekistan's foreign policy commitment to "fostering friendship and constructive dialogue for peace, sustainable development and prosperity".
\n
In a bilateral meeting with Xi on Thursday, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa extended congratulations to China for hosting a "spectacular parade", saying the event was "something out of this world".
\n
"Undoubtedly, the commemorations will go a long way to promote the correct historical narrative of China's great contribution to World War II. The spirit of resilience of the Chinese people and their ironclad strength will remain a source of inspiration for generations to come," Mnangagwa said.
\n
In a video posted on his account on X, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said that while some people interpreted the parade as a demonstration of China's military strength, he believes the event should "be viewed in the context of the serious statements made by Chinese President Xi Jinping".
\n
"The Chinese president made it very clear that the world is facing a choice between peace and war, and that China has the will to play a decisive role in shaping the new peaceful order of the world," he said.
\n
"I once again express my regret that the top representatives of the EU member states were absent from such a global event," Fico said. "If they thought that by doing so they would isolate China's celebrations of victory in World War II, they badly miscalculated."
\n
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said it was an honor for him and his wife to view the event from the Tian'anmen Rostrum, adding that he thanks the Chinese president for "this meaningful and historic experience".
\n
"Beyond the impressive display of China's military assets, the parade stood as a powerful symbol of resistance against tyranny, oppression, aggression, greed for power, colonialism and imperialism — dark chapters in the history of human civilization," he said.
\n
"Yet, eight decades after the war's end, the world continues to face injustices and atrocities that unfold openly, often without challenge from major powers who speak loudly of democracy and human rights. True peace demands courage and firm conviction to reject injustice in all its forms," he said.
\n
Miguel Diaz-Canel, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and Cuban president, said on his social media account, "Between a millennial history and a present that inspires millions, China leads today the battle for the rescue of multilateralism and global governance."
\n
"Proud to support and share those postulates, Cuba is honored to attend the commemoration of the V-Day," he wrote.
\n
Former Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatoyama said in an interview on his return to Japan after taking part in the V-Day events that he was deeply struck by the conviction that Japan must learn from history in order to face the future.
\n
"I, as a Japanese, attended the commemoration with a sense of reflection and remorse. I am grateful to have been invited to take part in the ceremony; it was highly meaningful," he told China Central Television.
\n
xuwei@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "\n
Impressive, meaningful and historic — such were the keywords used by global leaders as they marveled at China's military parade commemorating 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.
\n
President Xi Jinping was joined by 26 foreign heads of state and government, as well as parliamentary speakers, deputy prime ministers and high-level representatives from different countries, on Wednesday as he oversaw a parade that showcased a range of China's new military hardware.
\n
For the global leaders, the experience at the Tian'anmen Rostrum, where they witnessed the commemoration firsthand, was both awe-inspiring and thought-provoking.
\n
According to a report by Russia's state news agency TASS, Russian President Vladimir Putin described Beijing's commemorative events as "held brilliantly, and simply very well, at a high level".
\n
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, writing on his X account, highlighted that the commemoration "serves as a symbol of China's strength and courage as a nation steadfastly fighting for independence, safeguarding sovereignty, and actively playing a role in realizing world peace".
\n
"On this occasion, I conveyed my appreciation for the significant contributions of the People's Republic of China in maintaining global security," he wrote on Thursday, adding, "Upholding the spirit of the Victory Day, let us continue to strengthen the sustainable cooperation between Indonesia and China for the benefit of both countries."
\n
The press service of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev wrote in a post on X that the event reaffirmed Uzbekistan's foreign policy commitment to "fostering friendship and constructive dialogue for peace, sustainable development and prosperity".
\n
In a bilateral meeting with Xi on Thursday, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa extended congratulations to China for hosting a "spectacular parade", saying the event was "something out of this world".
\n
"Undoubtedly, the commemorations will go a long way to promote the correct historical narrative of China's great contribution to World War II. The spirit of resilience of the Chinese people and their ironclad strength will remain a source of inspiration for generations to come," Mnangagwa said.
\n
In a video posted on his account on X, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said that while some people interpreted the parade as a demonstration of China's military strength, he believes the event should "be viewed in the context of the serious statements made by Chinese President Xi Jinping".
\n
"The Chinese president made it very clear that the world is facing a choice between peace and war, and that China has the will to play a decisive role in shaping the new peaceful order of the world," he said.
\n
"I once again express my regret that the top representatives of the EU member states were absent from such a global event," Fico said. "If they thought that by doing so they would isolate China's celebrations of victory in World War II, they badly miscalculated."
\n
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said it was an honor for him and his wife to view the event from the Tian'anmen Rostrum, adding that he thanks the Chinese president for "this meaningful and historic experience".
\n
"Beyond the impressive display of China's military assets, the parade stood as a powerful symbol of resistance against tyranny, oppression, aggression, greed for power, colonialism and imperialism — dark chapters in the history of human civilization," he said.
\n
"Yet, eight decades after the war's end, the world continues to face injustices and atrocities that unfold openly, often without challenge from major powers who speak loudly of democracy and human rights. True peace demands courage and firm conviction to reject injustice in all its forms," he said.
\n
Miguel Diaz-Canel, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and Cuban president, said on his social media account, "Between a millennial history and a present that inspires millions, China leads today the battle for the rescue of multilateralism and global governance."
\n
"Proud to support and share those postulates, Cuba is honored to attend the commemoration of the V-Day," he wrote.
\n
Former Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatoyama said in an interview on his return to Japan after taking part in the V-Day events that he was deeply struck by the conviction that Japan must learn from history in order to face the future.
\n
"I, as a Japanese, attended the commemoration with a sense of reflection and remorse. I am grateful to have been invited to take part in the ceremony; it was highly meaningful," he told China Central Television.
Chinese judicial authorities are increasingly leveraging technologies, especially artificial intelligence, to enhance law education, making every effort to boost work efficiency and raise the public's legal awareness.
\n
In 2024, Beijing introduced its first digital legal assistant, Xiao An, at Miaofengshan Ethnic School in Mentougou district. Developed by the local court, this AI-powered tool is designed to meet children's legal and safety education needs efficiently and conveniently.
\n
Xiao An integrates cutting-edge generative AI technology with a comprehensive legal database, enabling it to understand speech and respond instantly to user queries. It provides accurate, detailed, and easy-to-understand answers, offering minors intelligent legal and safety education anytime, the court said.
\n
"Xiao An is fascinating. It understands me and interacts with me," said a student surnamed Sun. "Besides asking teachers and parents, I'll also turn to it when I have questions."
\n
A teacher surnamed Du said: "The AI device introduces laws and explains legal issues at a high level, perfectly bridging our understanding gaps. It's not limited by time or space and allows children to learn about the law while having fun."
\n
Earlier this year, a resident of Yingde, Guangdong province, sought help from local prosecutors after being dissatisfied with a decision to drop a fraud case. Guided by an AI model, the man understood the relevant laws, easing his concerns, according to a Legal Daily report in May.
\n
Zhu Fan, deputy head of the Yingde People's Procuratorate, noted that this AI-driven legal model, combining professional knowledge with vast data, significantly enhances the interactivity of legal education and boosts public engagement in learning about the law.
\n
Similar initiatives are also underway in Anhui province and the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, where the local judicial departments have developed various AI applications to improve their legal services in areas including marriage, employment, and consumer rights protection to further raise legal awareness of the people.
\n
Cui Junjie, an associate professor at Capital Normal University, praised this innovative approach to legal education. "Compared with traditional methods, AI makes learning about the law lively and engaging," he told the paper.
\n
However, he cautioned that ensuring the accuracy and authority of AI-generated legal content remains crucial. "AI algorithms can sometimes produce misleading information, affecting the accuracy of legal education content," he explained. He also noted that using AI for public legal analysis could pose risks like personal information leaks.
\n
Cui suggested that judicial departments and relevant authorities should enhance oversight and regulation of AI in legal education. He emphasized the importance of ensuring content authenticity and reliability while protecting the privacy and data security of users.
\n",
+ "content": "
Chinese judicial authorities are increasingly leveraging technologies, especially artificial intelligence, to enhance law education, making every effort to boost work efficiency and raise the public's legal awareness.
\n
In 2024, Beijing introduced its first digital legal assistant, Xiao An, at Miaofengshan Ethnic School in Mentougou district. Developed by the local court, this AI-powered tool is designed to meet children's legal and safety education needs efficiently and conveniently.
\n
Xiao An integrates cutting-edge generative AI technology with a comprehensive legal database, enabling it to understand speech and respond instantly to user queries. It provides accurate, detailed, and easy-to-understand answers, offering minors intelligent legal and safety education anytime, the court said.
\n
"Xiao An is fascinating. It understands me and interacts with me," said a student surnamed Sun. "Besides asking teachers and parents, I'll also turn to it when I have questions."
\n
A teacher surnamed Du said: "The AI device introduces laws and explains legal issues at a high level, perfectly bridging our understanding gaps. It's not limited by time or space and allows children to learn about the law while having fun."
\n
Earlier this year, a resident of Yingde, Guangdong province, sought help from local prosecutors after being dissatisfied with a decision to drop a fraud case. Guided by an AI model, the man understood the relevant laws, easing his concerns, according to a Legal Daily report in May.
\n
Zhu Fan, deputy head of the Yingde People's Procuratorate, noted that this AI-driven legal model, combining professional knowledge with vast data, significantly enhances the interactivity of legal education and boosts public engagement in learning about the law.
\n
Similar initiatives are also underway in Anhui province and the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, where the local judicial departments have developed various AI applications to improve their legal services in areas including marriage, employment, and consumer rights protection to further raise legal awareness of the people.
\n
Cui Junjie, an associate professor at Capital Normal University, praised this innovative approach to legal education. "Compared with traditional methods, AI makes learning about the law lively and engaging," he told the paper.
\n
However, he cautioned that ensuring the accuracy and authority of AI-generated legal content remains crucial. "AI algorithms can sometimes produce misleading information, affecting the accuracy of legal education content," he explained. He also noted that using AI for public legal analysis could pose risks like personal information leaks.
\n
Cui suggested that judicial departments and relevant authorities should enhance oversight and regulation of AI in legal education. He emphasized the importance of ensuring content authenticity and reliability while protecting the privacy and data security of users.
As she juggles her caseload, lawyer Wang Wanqiong has added a new brief to her weekly routine — hosting livestream sessions that delve into the legal intricacies of current social events with her audience.
\n
On Aug 23, Wang, from Sichuan province, took to her WeChat livestream to unravel the legalities surrounding cross-border telecom fraud. In the past, she has used her platform to shed light on labor laws and anti-discrimination policies, highlighting companies that offer job opportunities for former convicts.
\n
"Leveraging videos and livestreams to demystify the law and address people's legal inquiries is inevitable in this fast-paced digital era," said Wang, a criminal law specialist at the Baijus Law Firm. "It's also a social responsibility for those in the legal profession."
\n
Wang is not alone. A report released early this year by Douyin, a popular Chinese short-video sharing and livestreaming platform, showed that the number of legal content creators on the platform had soared past 200,000. Those involved included lawyers, law professors and law enthusiasts, with their number steadily climbing.
\n
The appetite for legal content is also on the rise. In December 2024, monthly views of legal content increased by over 20 percent compared with June of that year. Certified law firms witnessed an impressive 83 percent growth in viewership, according to the report.
\n
Li Ya, a lawyer at Beijing Zhongwen Law Firm, is navigating this new avenue for providing legal services. "The increasingly rich legal content indicates that the public's legal awareness has improved," he said.
\n
However, he expressed concern about those who chase online fame by sensationalizing case details, fabricating facts and breaching litigants' privacy during livestreams.
\n
"These practices compromise the integrity of the legal profession and present serious ethical and legal challenges," he said, calling for stricter regulation and oversight of legal content in live-streams and videos.
\n
Legal education trend
\n
Over the past year, Wang has hosted over 60 livestreams, sometimes drawing more than 6,000 viewers at once.
\n
"The internet has revolutionized how knowledge is shared, turning online legal education into a growing trend," she said. "This method not only meets the public's increasing demand for legal services but also pushes legal professionals like me to stay informed, think critically, and engage in research."
\n
She creates short videos that break down provisions and criminal procedures, such as advising on the steps to take if a family member is questioned by the police, making the law more accessible and understandable for a wider audience.
\n
On July 18, for instance, she uploaded two videos on her WeChat channel, each under eight minutes long, illustrating what constitutes justifiable defense using a real criminal case from Shaanxi province. These videos have amassed over 1.37 million views, with more than 6,600 thumbs-up and nearly 4,000 likes.
\n
Yi Yi, a founding partner of Beijing Jiali Law Firm, also uses real cases to discuss marriage and family law on Kuaishou, another popular video platform, where she has nearly 600,000 followers.
\n
During her livestreams and videos, she avoids complex legal issues and jargon, opting instead to address matters that resonate with her audience. By using case studies, without detailing those involved, she delivers clear and focused legal insights while promoting values such as trust, equality, love, and happiness in marriage.
\n
In Wang's opinion, using everyday language and real-life examples helps bridge the gap between legal professionals and the public, making legal education more practical and effective.
\n
Misuse, disruption
\n
Wang highlighted the critical need to uphold privacy and integrity, warning against sharing excessive details about individuals involved in cases for the sake of online fame. She stressed that livestreams and videos should not include content unrelated to the law, disrupt public order, or exacerbate conflicts.
\n
In July, for example, a lawyer surnamed Zheng from Hunan province was fined 50,000 yuan ($7,010) by a local court. Zheng was penalized for distorting facts in a contract case handled by his firm, misleading public opinion, and extensively defaming the presiding judge in video posts, according to the Sichuan-based news outlet thecover.cn.
\n
The court stated that Zheng's actions severely undermined justice and had a negative societal impact. He was also ordered to remove the videos and issue an apology, the report noted.
\n
In April 2024, a Shanghai-based lawyer surnamed Dong faced a backlash from netizens after posting videos on social media where she discussed legal topics while dancing. Some argued her behavior was inconsistent with the professionalism expected of a lawyer, according to Dingduan News, a media outlet in Henan province.
\n
Dong also responded to comments by stating that her income as a lawyer was less than what she earned from livestreaming and encouraged her peers to create "borderline" or "edgy" content, which immediately sparked public controversy.
\n
Furthermore, some netizens criticized Dong's demeanor during livestreams, showing screenshots of her exaggerated expressions and laughter while addressing serious issues like juvenile rape.
\n
In response, Dong apologized and removed the dancing videos, clarifying that her suggestion to her peers was meant as a joke.
\n
Although Dong and Zheng faced consequences for their actions, the conduct and communication of legal professionals in livestreams and videos — particularly regarding what content is shared and how it is presented — remain a focal point of discussion within the legal community.
\n
Need for regulation
\n
For Wang, maintaining rigor and professionalism online is crucial for lawyers. Fabricating facts or relying on sensationalism and exaggerated performances to attract views should be avoided. "It's also important to steer clear of posting vulgar content, inciting cyberbullying, or compromising national security," she emphasized.
\n
Yu Qi, a marriage lawyer at Tahota Law Firm, observed that many internet users are more interested in sensational and unusual details of disputes than in legal explanations. "Lawyers should not blindly cater to public tastes, nor should they use their online platforms to market other products or services," she cautioned.
\n
"We must always remember our role as lawyers and uphold the integrity of the law."
\n
She said that she is prudent when discussing cases she is handling, as lawyers have a duty to be accountable to their clients. "I will address common questions from online comments and offer legal interpretations, rather than paying attention to the specifics of any individual case," she added.
\n
Li from Beijing Zhongwen Law Firm agreed. "Using popular methods and language to spread legal knowledge does not mean trivializing legal services," he said.
\n
Maintaining confidentiality and protecting privacy are fundamental ethical responsibilities for lawyers. Treating livestreams as a "show" and dramatizing case details damage the profession's image and credibility, and also violate the Civil Code and professional conduct rules for lawyers, Li added.
\n
"It is prohibited to predict outcomes or guarantee victories for cases that have not yet been concluded," he warned. "Information from cases that are not open to the public, as well as information and files from ongoing criminal cases, must not be disclosed online."
\n
Li urged internet platforms to improve the verification of lawyers' identities when processing relevant registration applications, and conduct timely reviews of legal content in livestreams.
\n
He also suggested online platforms, bar associations and internet regulatory bodies take disciplinary actions if they find a lawyer who streams content that is frequently flagged as "misleading" by peers or viewers.
\n
"The ultimate goal of leveraging technologies is to optimize legal services and enable the public to learn and use the law, rather than create more legal risks," Wang said.
\n
She called on judicial authorities to strengthen the management of lawyers and establish regulations on the dissemination of legal knowledge through new media.
\n
"For example, the authorities need to specify how many years a lawyer must have practiced before they can participate in legal live-streams, and also prohibit selling products through legal accounts," she said.
\n
caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "\n\n
As she juggles her caseload, lawyer Wang Wanqiong has added a new brief to her weekly routine — hosting livestream sessions that delve into the legal intricacies of current social events with her audience.
\n
On Aug 23, Wang, from Sichuan province, took to her WeChat livestream to unravel the legalities surrounding cross-border telecom fraud. In the past, she has used her platform to shed light on labor laws and anti-discrimination policies, highlighting companies that offer job opportunities for former convicts.
\n
"Leveraging videos and livestreams to demystify the law and address people's legal inquiries is inevitable in this fast-paced digital era," said Wang, a criminal law specialist at the Baijus Law Firm. "It's also a social responsibility for those in the legal profession."
\n
Wang is not alone. A report released early this year by Douyin, a popular Chinese short-video sharing and livestreaming platform, showed that the number of legal content creators on the platform had soared past 200,000. Those involved included lawyers, law professors and law enthusiasts, with their number steadily climbing.
\n
The appetite for legal content is also on the rise. In December 2024, monthly views of legal content increased by over 20 percent compared with June of that year. Certified law firms witnessed an impressive 83 percent growth in viewership, according to the report.
\n
Li Ya, a lawyer at Beijing Zhongwen Law Firm, is navigating this new avenue for providing legal services. "The increasingly rich legal content indicates that the public's legal awareness has improved," he said.
\n
However, he expressed concern about those who chase online fame by sensationalizing case details, fabricating facts and breaching litigants' privacy during livestreams.
\n
"These practices compromise the integrity of the legal profession and present serious ethical and legal challenges," he said, calling for stricter regulation and oversight of legal content in live-streams and videos.
\n
Legal education trend
\n
Over the past year, Wang has hosted over 60 livestreams, sometimes drawing more than 6,000 viewers at once.
\n
"The internet has revolutionized how knowledge is shared, turning online legal education into a growing trend," she said. "This method not only meets the public's increasing demand for legal services but also pushes legal professionals like me to stay informed, think critically, and engage in research."
\n
She creates short videos that break down provisions and criminal procedures, such as advising on the steps to take if a family member is questioned by the police, making the law more accessible and understandable for a wider audience.
\n
On July 18, for instance, she uploaded two videos on her WeChat channel, each under eight minutes long, illustrating what constitutes justifiable defense using a real criminal case from Shaanxi province. These videos have amassed over 1.37 million views, with more than 6,600 thumbs-up and nearly 4,000 likes.
\n
Yi Yi, a founding partner of Beijing Jiali Law Firm, also uses real cases to discuss marriage and family law on Kuaishou, another popular video platform, where she has nearly 600,000 followers.
\n
During her livestreams and videos, she avoids complex legal issues and jargon, opting instead to address matters that resonate with her audience. By using case studies, without detailing those involved, she delivers clear and focused legal insights while promoting values such as trust, equality, love, and happiness in marriage.
\n
In Wang's opinion, using everyday language and real-life examples helps bridge the gap between legal professionals and the public, making legal education more practical and effective.
\n
Misuse, disruption
\n
Wang highlighted the critical need to uphold privacy and integrity, warning against sharing excessive details about individuals involved in cases for the sake of online fame. She stressed that livestreams and videos should not include content unrelated to the law, disrupt public order, or exacerbate conflicts.
\n
In July, for example, a lawyer surnamed Zheng from Hunan province was fined 50,000 yuan ($7,010) by a local court. Zheng was penalized for distorting facts in a contract case handled by his firm, misleading public opinion, and extensively defaming the presiding judge in video posts, according to the Sichuan-based news outlet thecover.cn.
\n
The court stated that Zheng's actions severely undermined justice and had a negative societal impact. He was also ordered to remove the videos and issue an apology, the report noted.
\n
In April 2024, a Shanghai-based lawyer surnamed Dong faced a backlash from netizens after posting videos on social media where she discussed legal topics while dancing. Some argued her behavior was inconsistent with the professionalism expected of a lawyer, according to Dingduan News, a media outlet in Henan province.
\n
Dong also responded to comments by stating that her income as a lawyer was less than what she earned from livestreaming and encouraged her peers to create "borderline" or "edgy" content, which immediately sparked public controversy.
\n
Furthermore, some netizens criticized Dong's demeanor during livestreams, showing screenshots of her exaggerated expressions and laughter while addressing serious issues like juvenile rape.
\n
In response, Dong apologized and removed the dancing videos, clarifying that her suggestion to her peers was meant as a joke.
\n
Although Dong and Zheng faced consequences for their actions, the conduct and communication of legal professionals in livestreams and videos — particularly regarding what content is shared and how it is presented — remain a focal point of discussion within the legal community.
\n
Need for regulation
\n
For Wang, maintaining rigor and professionalism online is crucial for lawyers. Fabricating facts or relying on sensationalism and exaggerated performances to attract views should be avoided. "It's also important to steer clear of posting vulgar content, inciting cyberbullying, or compromising national security," she emphasized.
\n
Yu Qi, a marriage lawyer at Tahota Law Firm, observed that many internet users are more interested in sensational and unusual details of disputes than in legal explanations. "Lawyers should not blindly cater to public tastes, nor should they use their online platforms to market other products or services," she cautioned.
\n
"We must always remember our role as lawyers and uphold the integrity of the law."
\n
She said that she is prudent when discussing cases she is handling, as lawyers have a duty to be accountable to their clients. "I will address common questions from online comments and offer legal interpretations, rather than paying attention to the specifics of any individual case," she added.
\n
Li from Beijing Zhongwen Law Firm agreed. "Using popular methods and language to spread legal knowledge does not mean trivializing legal services," he said.
\n
Maintaining confidentiality and protecting privacy are fundamental ethical responsibilities for lawyers. Treating livestreams as a "show" and dramatizing case details damage the profession's image and credibility, and also violate the Civil Code and professional conduct rules for lawyers, Li added.
\n
"It is prohibited to predict outcomes or guarantee victories for cases that have not yet been concluded," he warned. "Information from cases that are not open to the public, as well as information and files from ongoing criminal cases, must not be disclosed online."
\n
Li urged internet platforms to improve the verification of lawyers' identities when processing relevant registration applications, and conduct timely reviews of legal content in livestreams.
\n
He also suggested online platforms, bar associations and internet regulatory bodies take disciplinary actions if they find a lawyer who streams content that is frequently flagged as "misleading" by peers or viewers.
\n
"The ultimate goal of leveraging technologies is to optimize legal services and enable the public to learn and use the law, rather than create more legal risks," Wang said.
\n
She called on judicial authorities to strengthen the management of lawyers and establish regulations on the dissemination of legal knowledge through new media.
\n
"For example, the authorities need to specify how many years a lawyer must have practiced before they can participate in legal live-streams, and also prohibit selling products through legal accounts," she said.
China's top court has reiterated the importance of protecting personal information in this digital age, calling on online platforms to foster a safe, regulated and orderly environment for data circulation.
\n
On Thursday, the Supreme People's Court released its first set of six landmark cases involving data, including two focused on personal information, underscoring that robust protection of personal information is a crucial prerequisite for promoting the efficient circulation and use of data.
\n
"Personal information is closely tied to the vital interests of the people, and is also integral to the development of the digital economy and public interests," the top court said, requiring judges nationwide to unify judicial standards and improve the quality of handling such cases.
\n
In recent years, with the widespread use of apps, it has become common for app operators to collect users' personal information, raising concerns about privacy and data security and leading to an increase in related disputes, it added.
\n
One disclosed case occurred between the operator of two English learning apps and a user surnamed Luo. In January 2021, the app's operator, a technology company, used two phone numbers collected from Luo during an offline activity to open online English learning accounts for him, and sent him multiple relevant text messages.
\n
Luo was unhappy, but in order to understand the situation, he logged into the accounts using his phone number and found that he had to fill in details such as his occupation, educational level and English proficiency to proceed further. Throughout the process, there were no options to skip or decline, nor was there any prompt for "user consent to collect personal information".
\n
Subsequently, he initiated a lawsuit against the company at the Beijing Internet Court, claiming it had forcibly used his phone numbers and excessively gathered his personal information. He demanded the deletion of his information, a public apology and 2,900 yuan ($407) in compensation.
\n
"Users were compelled to click 'agree' and provide relevant information to use the apps, and otherwise, they would have to forgo using the software. This so-called 'agree' was not truly voluntary," the Beijing court said, adding that the information collected was also not necessary for the apps' functional services, which had violated the Personal Information Protection Law.
\n
Additionally, according to regulations from the internet and public security authorities, the app, related to learning and education, should not include automatic information pushes to users as part of its basic functional services.
\n
Therefore, the court determined that the company violated personal information rights in August 2022, ruling in favor of Luo.
\n
The top court praised the ruling, saying that it serves as a reminder to app operators to enhance their awareness of personal information protection, and will help them strictly comply with the laws and regulations.
\n
It also suggested that internet and technology enterprises should strengthen their data management systems to ensure the collection and utilization of users' information remain within legal boundaries.
\n
It highlighted the need for creating a sound rule-of-law environment where people enjoy the benefits of digital development while promoting the efficient flow of data, adding that it is essential to continuously enhancing new drivers of economic growth.
\n
It is not the first time that the top court has emphasized the importance of protecting personal information in the fast-developing internet era. Previously, it had issued guidelines to regulate the use of facial recognition technology, urging judges to impose harsh punishment on those infringing upon personal data.
China's top court has reiterated the importance of protecting personal information in this digital age, calling on online platforms to foster a safe, regulated and orderly environment for data circulation.
\n
On Thursday, the Supreme People's Court released its first set of six landmark cases involving data, including two focused on personal information, underscoring that robust protection of personal information is a crucial prerequisite for promoting the efficient circulation and use of data.
\n
"Personal information is closely tied to the vital interests of the people, and is also integral to the development of the digital economy and public interests," the top court said, requiring judges nationwide to unify judicial standards and improve the quality of handling such cases.
\n
In recent years, with the widespread use of apps, it has become common for app operators to collect users' personal information, raising concerns about privacy and data security and leading to an increase in related disputes, it added.
\n
One disclosed case occurred between the operator of two English learning apps and a user surnamed Luo. In January 2021, the app's operator, a technology company, used two phone numbers collected from Luo during an offline activity to open online English learning accounts for him, and sent him multiple relevant text messages.
\n
Luo was unhappy, but in order to understand the situation, he logged into the accounts using his phone number and found that he had to fill in details such as his occupation, educational level and English proficiency to proceed further. Throughout the process, there were no options to skip or decline, nor was there any prompt for "user consent to collect personal information".
\n
Subsequently, he initiated a lawsuit against the company at the Beijing Internet Court, claiming it had forcibly used his phone numbers and excessively gathered his personal information. He demanded the deletion of his information, a public apology and 2,900 yuan ($407) in compensation.
\n
"Users were compelled to click 'agree' and provide relevant information to use the apps, and otherwise, they would have to forgo using the software. This so-called 'agree' was not truly voluntary," the Beijing court said, adding that the information collected was also not necessary for the apps' functional services, which had violated the Personal Information Protection Law.
\n
Additionally, according to regulations from the internet and public security authorities, the app, related to learning and education, should not include automatic information pushes to users as part of its basic functional services.
\n
Therefore, the court determined that the company violated personal information rights in August 2022, ruling in favor of Luo.
\n
The top court praised the ruling, saying that it serves as a reminder to app operators to enhance their awareness of personal information protection, and will help them strictly comply with the laws and regulations.
\n
It also suggested that internet and technology enterprises should strengthen their data management systems to ensure the collection and utilization of users' information remain within legal boundaries.
\n
It highlighted the need for creating a sound rule-of-law environment where people enjoy the benefits of digital development while promoting the efficient flow of data, adding that it is essential to continuously enhancing new drivers of economic growth.
\n
It is not the first time that the top court has emphasized the importance of protecting personal information in the fast-developing internet era. Previously, it had issued guidelines to regulate the use of facial recognition technology, urging judges to impose harsh punishment on those infringing upon personal data.
N2 robots, fresh from winning top honors at the 2025 World Robot Conference, interact with students arriving on campus at a primary school in Beijing on Thursday, as a new semester begins in most primary and secondary schools in the capital.
\n",
+ "content": "
N2 robots, fresh from winning top honors at the 2025 World Robot Conference, interact with students arriving on campus at a primary school in Beijing on Thursday, as a new semester begins in most primary and secondary schools in the capital.
Beijing's new school semester has begun with a strong emphasis on science and innovation as local authorities roll out new courses and schools highlight programs designed to inspire future scientists.
\n
According to the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, artificial intelligence will now be part of the general curriculum in all of the city's more than 1,400 primary and secondary schools, covering about 1.83 million students. Each school is required to provide at least eight class hours of AI education per academic year, either as stand-alone courses or integrated into subjects such as information technology, science and practical activities.
\n
The move comes as Beijing strengthens broader science education programs. Most schools opened on Thursday, a day after nationwide commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
\n
Students across the capital were required by their schools to watch the commemoration at Tian'anmen Square on TV a day before their campuses opened.
\n
At Beijing Academy, one of the city's largest school groups, a new campus was inaugurated in Chaoyang district on Thursday. Nobel Prize laureate Thomas Suedhof sent a congratulatory video message to mark the occasion, praising students' creativity and urging them to prepare for careers in science and technology.
\n
"I was truly impressed by the level of learning and the thoughtfulness of the students. Their independent thinking was quite amazing," he said.
\n
He also welcomed the establishment of a new Nobel Prize Innovation Class and encouraged "more outstanding students to join the class and prepare for careers in science and technology".
\n
The new campus, covering more than 13.3 hectares, will serve as the main campus of the academy. Xia Qingfeng, principal of Beijing Academy, said the long-term goal is for all member schools to participate in the Nobel Prize Innovation Class, with AI and advanced science courses to be offered throughout the group.
\n
Zhong Yixin, former vice-president of the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, delivered the first lesson of the semester for the Beijing Academy Group.
\n
"AI-enhanced education and stronger science courses present a tremendous opportunity to advance Chinese culture and civilization," he said.
\n
Other schools also spotlighted innovation during opening celebrations. At the Baiyang branch of Hujialou Central Primary School, students showcased robots that won a national award earlier this year, while students at its main campus in Beijing's central business district presented an AI-powered environmental project displayed at an international education conference in Finland in August.
\n
The expansion of new campuses in districts such as Chaoyang, Haidian, Daxing and Fangshan reflects Beijing's broader strategy to balance resources and raise standards across the city.
\n
Yin Yuan, deputy district head of Chaoyang, said the new Beijing Academy campus "is expected to invigorate the Dongba area, which is traditionally weaker in its educational capacity, and inject new vitality into the district".
\n
yangcheng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Beijing's new school semester has begun with a strong emphasis on science and innovation as local authorities roll out new courses and schools highlight programs designed to inspire future scientists.
\n
According to the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, artificial intelligence will now be part of the general curriculum in all of the city's more than 1,400 primary and secondary schools, covering about 1.83 million students. Each school is required to provide at least eight class hours of AI education per academic year, either as stand-alone courses or integrated into subjects such as information technology, science and practical activities.
\n
The move comes as Beijing strengthens broader science education programs. Most schools opened on Thursday, a day after nationwide commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
\n
Students across the capital were required by their schools to watch the commemoration at Tian'anmen Square on TV a day before their campuses opened.
\n
At Beijing Academy, one of the city's largest school groups, a new campus was inaugurated in Chaoyang district on Thursday. Nobel Prize laureate Thomas Suedhof sent a congratulatory video message to mark the occasion, praising students' creativity and urging them to prepare for careers in science and technology.
\n
"I was truly impressed by the level of learning and the thoughtfulness of the students. Their independent thinking was quite amazing," he said.
\n
He also welcomed the establishment of a new Nobel Prize Innovation Class and encouraged "more outstanding students to join the class and prepare for careers in science and technology".
\n
The new campus, covering more than 13.3 hectares, will serve as the main campus of the academy. Xia Qingfeng, principal of Beijing Academy, said the long-term goal is for all member schools to participate in the Nobel Prize Innovation Class, with AI and advanced science courses to be offered throughout the group.
\n
Zhong Yixin, former vice-president of the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, delivered the first lesson of the semester for the Beijing Academy Group.
\n
"AI-enhanced education and stronger science courses present a tremendous opportunity to advance Chinese culture and civilization," he said.
\n
Other schools also spotlighted innovation during opening celebrations. At the Baiyang branch of Hujialou Central Primary School, students showcased robots that won a national award earlier this year, while students at its main campus in Beijing's central business district presented an AI-powered environmental project displayed at an international education conference in Finland in August.
\n
The expansion of new campuses in districts such as Chaoyang, Haidian, Daxing and Fangshan reflects Beijing's broader strategy to balance resources and raise standards across the city.
\n
Yin Yuan, deputy district head of Chaoyang, said the new Beijing Academy campus "is expected to invigorate the Dongba area, which is traditionally weaker in its educational capacity, and inject new vitality into the district".
Researcher Deng Peilin (standing) instructs a student on conducting performance tests for the conversion of methane to methanol under mild conditions.
\n
In a breakthrough that could reshape global energy markets, a Chinese research team has solved one of the most persistent challenges in catalytic chemistry: converting methane into methanol under mild conditions.
\n
The breakthrough, published in the journal Nature Communications on Aug 19, could enable the commercial use of vast natural gas hydrate reserves — known as "flammable ice" — lying at the bottom of the South China Sea.
\n
Developed by Hainan University's marine clean energy innovation team, the method uses a nanoscale palladium catalyst engineered to achieve 99.7 percent conversion at a temperature of 70 C.
\n
Unlike conventional industrial processes that require temperatures above 800 C and high pressure — often burning methane into wasted carbon dioxide — the new system operates efficiently near room temperature.
\n
"The key was precision engineering of the catalyst's surface structure," said Deng Peilin, an associate researcher at the university's School of Marine Science and Engineering. "We designed it to both activate methane and instantly release methanol before it over-oxidizes."
\n
This "quick-release" mechanism is made possible by tailoring the electrical properties of palladium crystals at the atomic level, allowing methanol to desorb immediately after it forms.
\n
The research, launched in 2020, addresses China's strategic priority to harness undersea energy resources while supporting its peak carbon and carbon neutrality goals.
\n
"Our aim was to provide a core technology for use with South China Sea hydrates," Deng said.
\n
The team's goal was to develop a system that aligned with China's carbon goals and offered a low-emission, high-efficiency alternative to traditional energy-intensive processes.
\n
The result, said team leader Tian Xinlong, "possesses extremely high commercial application potential and economic value".
\n
Financial analysts quickly recognized the significance. Everbright Securities, a financial services institution, called the breakthrough a "milestone". In a note, it said the new technique removes a critical barrier to using South China Sea gas hydrates and predicted commercial extraction of flammable ice could begin around 2030.
\n
Everbright also said it expects growth opportunities for companies in deep-sea drilling equipment, methanol production and specialized catalyst manufacturing.
\n
However, several hurdles remain before the technology can progress from the laboratory to offshore production. Deng said the primary challenges were scaling up the reactor design, creating equipment that can withstand a corrosive oceanic environment and wave action, and ensuring the process is cost-competitive.
\n
The team's road map calls for constructing a medium-scale demonstration unit within two years, achieving a commercial-scale demonstration within five years and seeing the technology widely adopted across the South China Sea within a decade.
\n
Methanol's potential downstream uses are extensive. It is a foundational chemical feedstock used to make plastics, paints and synthetic fibers. It can also serve as a clean-burning fuel for ships and vehicles.
\n
Deng said the team is in talks with State-owned oil and gas giant China National Offshore Oil Corporation to adopt the technology for pilot applications and is researching ways to create high-value products from methanol.
\n
Looking ahead, the researchers envision Hainan province becoming a global hub for deep-sea energy technology and manufacturing. By leveraging the island's status as a free trade port, they aim to build a complete industrial chain, from extraction and conversion to manufacturing.
\n
The team also has global ambitions. The plan is to promote the technology through partnerships with international energy agencies, set up licensing agreements with foreign companies and make contributions to international standards — positioning the "Hainan solution" as a Chinese response to global energy and environmental challenges.
\n
chenbowen@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "\n
Researcher Deng Peilin (standing) instructs a student on conducting performance tests for the conversion of methane to methanol under mild conditions.
\n
In a breakthrough that could reshape global energy markets, a Chinese research team has solved one of the most persistent challenges in catalytic chemistry: converting methane into methanol under mild conditions.
\n
The breakthrough, published in the journal Nature Communications on Aug 19, could enable the commercial use of vast natural gas hydrate reserves — known as "flammable ice" — lying at the bottom of the South China Sea.
\n
Developed by Hainan University's marine clean energy innovation team, the method uses a nanoscale palladium catalyst engineered to achieve 99.7 percent conversion at a temperature of 70 C.
\n
Unlike conventional industrial processes that require temperatures above 800 C and high pressure — often burning methane into wasted carbon dioxide — the new system operates efficiently near room temperature.
\n
"The key was precision engineering of the catalyst's surface structure," said Deng Peilin, an associate researcher at the university's School of Marine Science and Engineering. "We designed it to both activate methane and instantly release methanol before it over-oxidizes."
\n
This "quick-release" mechanism is made possible by tailoring the electrical properties of palladium crystals at the atomic level, allowing methanol to desorb immediately after it forms.
\n
The research, launched in 2020, addresses China's strategic priority to harness undersea energy resources while supporting its peak carbon and carbon neutrality goals.
\n
"Our aim was to provide a core technology for use with South China Sea hydrates," Deng said.
\n
The team's goal was to develop a system that aligned with China's carbon goals and offered a low-emission, high-efficiency alternative to traditional energy-intensive processes.
\n
The result, said team leader Tian Xinlong, "possesses extremely high commercial application potential and economic value".
\n
Financial analysts quickly recognized the significance. Everbright Securities, a financial services institution, called the breakthrough a "milestone". In a note, it said the new technique removes a critical barrier to using South China Sea gas hydrates and predicted commercial extraction of flammable ice could begin around 2030.
\n
Everbright also said it expects growth opportunities for companies in deep-sea drilling equipment, methanol production and specialized catalyst manufacturing.
\n
However, several hurdles remain before the technology can progress from the laboratory to offshore production. Deng said the primary challenges were scaling up the reactor design, creating equipment that can withstand a corrosive oceanic environment and wave action, and ensuring the process is cost-competitive.
\n
The team's road map calls for constructing a medium-scale demonstration unit within two years, achieving a commercial-scale demonstration within five years and seeing the technology widely adopted across the South China Sea within a decade.
\n
Methanol's potential downstream uses are extensive. It is a foundational chemical feedstock used to make plastics, paints and synthetic fibers. It can also serve as a clean-burning fuel for ships and vehicles.
\n
Deng said the team is in talks with State-owned oil and gas giant China National Offshore Oil Corporation to adopt the technology for pilot applications and is researching ways to create high-value products from methanol.
\n
Looking ahead, the researchers envision Hainan province becoming a global hub for deep-sea energy technology and manufacturing. By leveraging the island's status as a free trade port, they aim to build a complete industrial chain, from extraction and conversion to manufacturing.
\n
The team also has global ambitions. The plan is to promote the technology through partnerships with international energy agencies, set up licensing agreements with foreign companies and make contributions to international standards — positioning the "Hainan solution" as a Chinese response to global energy and environmental challenges.
China has issued new measures to manage the red lines for the protection of permanent basic farmland, aiming to balance the rigidity of farmland protection with the flexibility required for agricultural production to ensure national food security.
\n
The 27-item measures, jointly released by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, will take effect on Oct 1.
\n
The measures have set regulations for institutional arrangements to optimize land use, allow necessary adjustments and grant local authorities a degree of autonomy, with the fundamental goal of protecting at least 103 million hectares as outlined in this round of national land spatial planning.
\n
"Farmland protection requires a systematic approach that necessitates a holistic consideration of security and development, as well as quantity and quality," said He Yong, director of the farmland protection and supervision department at the Ministry of Natural Resources.
\n
"However, practice has shown that the current management system for permanent basic farmland is overly rigid and lacks sufficient flexibility," He said. Permanent basic farmland in some areas suffers from unreasonable delineation, fragmentation and subpar quality, he added.
\n
Existing laws and regulations lack adjustment mechanisms, making it difficult to meet the practical needs of farmland protection while also fostering agricultural economic development, said the director.
\n
To address these problems and create large, contiguous tracts of high-quality arable land, the measures — for the first time at the departmental regulation level — have established a reserve zone system for permanent basic farmland.
\n
The system will serve as the primary source for compensatory demarcation in efforts to optimize and adjust the protection red line, as well as in cases where major construction projects encroach on permanent basic farmland.
\n
High-quality arable land that can be stably used over the long term should be prioritized for inclusion in the reserve zone, the measures say. This includes newly added farmland from land consolidation, established high-standard plots, and land contiguous with existing permanent basic farmland. It also covers superior-quality farmland with slopes under 15 degrees, farmland with favorable water and soil resources, and farmland reclaimed from other agricultural uses such as orchards and woodlands.
\n
Provincial natural resource departments, working with agricultural and rural departments, must regularly assess and determine the targets for delineating reserve zones at the city and county levels. These targets should be dynamically adjusted based on actual conditions.
\n
The measures also specify conditions for adjusting the permanent basic farmland red line, allowing for cases such as high-standard farmland construction, land consolidation and the development of facilities for collective economic organizations. These adjustments are required to meet urgent local needs and support both protection and production.
\n
Local authorities may make annual adjustments to the layout of permanent basic farmland while upholding overall protection goals. Based on national land spatial planning assessments, they can eliminate plots that are unreasonably designated or unsuitable for long-term use and incorporate new high-quality farmland.
\n
In accordance with the Land Administration Law, the measures outline guidelines for key construction projects that may occupy permanent basic farmland.
\n
These include projects for in situ site protection approved by the State Council, China's Cabinet, as well as major infrastructure projects approved within national land spatial planning such as airports, railways, highways, water transport, and energy and water conservancy facilities.
\n
limenghan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
China has issued new measures to manage the red lines for the protection of permanent basic farmland, aiming to balance the rigidity of farmland protection with the flexibility required for agricultural production to ensure national food security.
\n
The 27-item measures, jointly released by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, will take effect on Oct 1.
\n
The measures have set regulations for institutional arrangements to optimize land use, allow necessary adjustments and grant local authorities a degree of autonomy, with the fundamental goal of protecting at least 103 million hectares as outlined in this round of national land spatial planning.
\n
"Farmland protection requires a systematic approach that necessitates a holistic consideration of security and development, as well as quantity and quality," said He Yong, director of the farmland protection and supervision department at the Ministry of Natural Resources.
\n
"However, practice has shown that the current management system for permanent basic farmland is overly rigid and lacks sufficient flexibility," He said. Permanent basic farmland in some areas suffers from unreasonable delineation, fragmentation and subpar quality, he added.
\n
Existing laws and regulations lack adjustment mechanisms, making it difficult to meet the practical needs of farmland protection while also fostering agricultural economic development, said the director.
\n
To address these problems and create large, contiguous tracts of high-quality arable land, the measures — for the first time at the departmental regulation level — have established a reserve zone system for permanent basic farmland.
\n
The system will serve as the primary source for compensatory demarcation in efforts to optimize and adjust the protection red line, as well as in cases where major construction projects encroach on permanent basic farmland.
\n
High-quality arable land that can be stably used over the long term should be prioritized for inclusion in the reserve zone, the measures say. This includes newly added farmland from land consolidation, established high-standard plots, and land contiguous with existing permanent basic farmland. It also covers superior-quality farmland with slopes under 15 degrees, farmland with favorable water and soil resources, and farmland reclaimed from other agricultural uses such as orchards and woodlands.
\n
Provincial natural resource departments, working with agricultural and rural departments, must regularly assess and determine the targets for delineating reserve zones at the city and county levels. These targets should be dynamically adjusted based on actual conditions.
\n
The measures also specify conditions for adjusting the permanent basic farmland red line, allowing for cases such as high-standard farmland construction, land consolidation and the development of facilities for collective economic organizations. These adjustments are required to meet urgent local needs and support both protection and production.
\n
Local authorities may make annual adjustments to the layout of permanent basic farmland while upholding overall protection goals. Based on national land spatial planning assessments, they can eliminate plots that are unreasonably designated or unsuitable for long-term use and incorporate new high-quality farmland.
\n
In accordance with the Land Administration Law, the measures outline guidelines for key construction projects that may occupy permanent basic farmland.
\n
These include projects for in situ site protection approved by the State Council, China's Cabinet, as well as major infrastructure projects approved within national land spatial planning such as airports, railways, highways, water transport, and energy and water conservancy facilities.
Left: Participants in the 2025 Discover China Program visit the Palace Museum in Beijing. Center: Students from the United States learn about Chinese calligraphy during their tour. Right: Participants climb the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China in suburban Beijing.
\n
Top: Participants communicate during an activity at Beijing Foreign Studies University. Above: Participants learn about guqin, or ancient Chinese zithers, at an exhibition.
\n
Cultural exchange programs for young people from across the world to visit China have enabled them to experience the country's unique culture firsthand, and compare what they've learned of the country via Western sources with the reality as they see it on the ground.
\n
The ongoing 2025 Discover China Program, organized by Beijing Foreign Studies University for the second year running, has promoted cultural exchanges and enhanced understanding of China for many of the young participants.
\n
This year's tour was split into two parts, with the first part attended by 13 university students from the United States, and the second part attended by 37 students from European countries such as Norway, the Netherlands and Sweden.
\n
In 2023, President Xi Jinping put forward the initiative of inviting 50,000 young people from the US to study or take part in exchanges in China in the following five years.
\n
In May last year, President Xi pledged to increase the number of French students studying in China to over 10,000 and double the scale of exchanges with young people from Europe within the following three years.
\n
Liu Limin, president of the China Education Association for International Exchange, was quoted as saying by the Center for China and Globalization that people-to-people exchanges are a crucial way for young people in China and the US to clear up misconceptions and deepen mutual understanding.
\n
This will lay a solid public foundation for the future development of China-US relations, he said.
\n
Youthful envoys
\n
Zhao Gang, vice-president of Beijing Foreign Studies University, said at the opening ceremony of this year's program in June that these exchanges are of great importance.
\n
"Young people represent the future of a country, and they share the important responsibility to enhance mutual understanding and trust, and contribute to human common development," Zhao said.
\n
It's hoped that through the program, students can become a generation of cultural ambassadors and build lasting friendships between the two countries, he added.
\n
The 2025 2025 Discover China Program included lectures on China's economic and technological development and diplomatic policies, as well as visits to historical and cultural landmarks and renowned companies in Beijing, Xi'an in Shaanxi province, and Hangzhou in Zhejiang province.
\n
"I've always been interested in China. I think it's one of the most important countries to know about, given its significant history and global power," said Ashley Blake, a sophomore student in social sciences at Harvard University, and a tour participant.
\n
Blake has studied Chinese for two years, and with her background in film and anthropology studies, decided to anchor her academic focus on East Asia, especially China, and "do some global cooperation" to tell Chinese stories that people can engage and connect with.
\n
"It's almost impossible to have genuine collaboration if you're not actually experiencing other people's lives and not talking one-on-one," she said, noting that the tour offers her the opportunity to see and experience real Chinese culture and forge partnerships with Chinese people.
\n
The perceptions and attitudes of young people from the US toward China are undergoing a positive shift, according to recent surveys.
\n
A Pew Research survey from last year found that among young respondents aged 18 to 29, 28 percent of people from the US have a favorable impression of China. A total of 69 percent believed that China is a competitor or partner instead of an enemy, and 66 percent thought that China's global influence has become stronger in recent years.
\n
Another tour participant, William Rose II from the University of Wyoming, said that future generations need to understand one another.
\n
"I think countries should work together in whatever ways they can, because each country has its own set of unique properties that is beneficial for everybody. And why would I have any grudge against my neighbor overseas?" he said.
\n
Exchange programs that offer young people from other parts of the world authentic experiences of China could facilitate the shift in their impression of the country from the uniform portrayal by Western media to a multilayered one brimming with unique characteristics, tour participants said.
\n
"College students are at a stage where their values are stable, but they are still exploring the future, filled with endless possibilities. Exchange programs like Discover China can plant a seed of interest in China in their hearts at this crucial time. Therefore, no matter where they end up in the future, they will have a greater concern for China," said Liu Tiewa, dean of the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University.
\n
Multilayered experience
\n
These Discover China tours have been designed to incorporate visits to historical sites, cultural streets and companies in various cities, with the aim to "help young people feel the pulse of Chinese civilization and perceive its development momentum", said Zhao, the vice-president of BFSU.
\n
Joshua Calandrella, a PhD student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, made special note of the historic buildings.
\n
"I've been very much impressed with the art and the architecture, such as the Forbidden City. Learning the symbolism behind it and knowing how they're preserved and respected is really inspiring. It puts the past and the present together in a really unique way," he said.
\n
Blake was similarly impressed.
\n
" (When it comes to) the preservation of symbols and palaces, the US is definitely not on the same level at all," she said.
\n
Apart from getting a taste of the long history of the Chinese civilization, the students also experienced how technological innovation is transforming people's lives and leading to industrial advancements.
\n
At a showroom in Beijing for Chinese electric carmaker Nio, the students experienced various electric vehicle models and saw how artificial intelligence technologies have been integrated into voice assistants and autonomous driving systems.
\n
William Crow, a Norwegian student from the University of Oslo, said he was impressed with China's fast-developing EV industry.
\n
"Just the idea that a car can have an operating system like a phone is very impressive," he said.
\n
"You can download an app to watch a movie in your car. We got to sit in the car, and they put on some movie with a roller coaster theme and the car started to tilt to the left and right alongside the movie, which is just amazing. I think probably in 10 years, you might not even have a steering wheel."
\n
Crow first came to China 10 years ago, and having witnessed how the country has developed over a decade, said that the digital revolution has been the most striking.
\n
"Last time I came, I don't think I remember using Alipay and WeChat as much, but now it's everywhere. It's very convenient. You can use it even when buying food on the street. And there are lots of useful mini programs, the variety and number of which are impressive," he said.
\n
Echoing Crow, Benjamin Graberg, a sophomore from the University of Bergen in Norway, and an exchange student at BFSU, said: "At the Nio showroom I saw the technological insights and the cars. I realized that maybe the narrative I was told isn't 100 percent accurate. And I actually felt an urge to buy a Chinese EV."
\n
He added that the visit had dispelled misconceptions about Chinese EVs prevalent in the West.
\n
China's openness in technology sharing and cooperation impressed the tour group most. In his reflection note after the program finished, Graberg said: "Despite a clear information embargo between China and many Western countries, this sign of openness and the wish to collaborate, in my opinion, clearly broke down barriers and illusions toward China. China is no longer a closed-off country, but one that wants to cooperate with European countries in the name of mutual gain. It gave the participants the idea that working and studying in China is no longer an unrealistic option, but a real possibility."
\n
Far-reaching impact
\n
Exchange programs inviting young people from across the world to engage in academic and cultural dialogue with their Chinese counterparts can have long-term effects in deepening the understanding of China and enhancing the friendships between peoples.
\n
Blake, who said that she watches "a ton of Chinese dramas", shared one of the reasons for signing up for the trip. "I'm considering pursuing a PhD in East Asian studies, which would require me to spend more time here and further immerse myself in the language."
\n
Perry Domasky, from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, said his biggest takeaway from the trip was how the Western discourse portraying China differs from what it really is.
\n
"We're told in the West that China is monolithic and it's not cosmopolitan, and that couldn't be further from the truth. Every region has a completely different culture, but they're all still Chinese," Domasky said. "It opened my eyes to see what China really is, which motivated me to come back and continue studying Chinese.
\n
"I've been taking as many pictures as I can, and I've been trying to observe as much as I can. And I'm going to make a slideshow telling everybody about what China was like, how different it was than how it's usually portrayed (in the West) when I go back," he added.
\n
Rose II from Wyoming summed up his thoughts. "The cities are for sure different, but in some way they have the same rhythm. When you look at the people of China and the people of the United States, there is not a whole lot of differences," he said. "Regardless of what someone believes or not, the core principles and the morals of each person — being outgoing, friendly, having integrity, as far as I can tell, look pretty much the same."
\n
xunuo@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Online See more by scanning the code.
\n
Left: Participants in the 2025 Discover China Program visit the Palace Museum in Beijing. Center: Students from the United States learn about Chinese calligraphy during their tour. Right: Participants climb the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China in suburban Beijing.
\n
Top: Participants communicate during an activity at Beijing Foreign Studies University. Above: Participants learn about guqin, or ancient Chinese zithers, at an exhibition.
\n
Cultural exchange programs for young people from across the world to visit China have enabled them to experience the country's unique culture firsthand, and compare what they've learned of the country via Western sources with the reality as they see it on the ground.
\n
The ongoing 2025 Discover China Program, organized by Beijing Foreign Studies University for the second year running, has promoted cultural exchanges and enhanced understanding of China for many of the young participants.
\n
This year's tour was split into two parts, with the first part attended by 13 university students from the United States, and the second part attended by 37 students from European countries such as Norway, the Netherlands and Sweden.
\n
In 2023, President Xi Jinping put forward the initiative of inviting 50,000 young people from the US to study or take part in exchanges in China in the following five years.
\n
In May last year, President Xi pledged to increase the number of French students studying in China to over 10,000 and double the scale of exchanges with young people from Europe within the following three years.
\n
Liu Limin, president of the China Education Association for International Exchange, was quoted as saying by the Center for China and Globalization that people-to-people exchanges are a crucial way for young people in China and the US to clear up misconceptions and deepen mutual understanding.
\n
This will lay a solid public foundation for the future development of China-US relations, he said.
\n
Youthful envoys
\n
Zhao Gang, vice-president of Beijing Foreign Studies University, said at the opening ceremony of this year's program in June that these exchanges are of great importance.
\n
"Young people represent the future of a country, and they share the important responsibility to enhance mutual understanding and trust, and contribute to human common development," Zhao said.
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It's hoped that through the program, students can become a generation of cultural ambassadors and build lasting friendships between the two countries, he added.
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The 2025 2025 Discover China Program included lectures on China's economic and technological development and diplomatic policies, as well as visits to historical and cultural landmarks and renowned companies in Beijing, Xi'an in Shaanxi province, and Hangzhou in Zhejiang province.
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"I've always been interested in China. I think it's one of the most important countries to know about, given its significant history and global power," said Ashley Blake, a sophomore student in social sciences at Harvard University, and a tour participant.
\n
Blake has studied Chinese for two years, and with her background in film and anthropology studies, decided to anchor her academic focus on East Asia, especially China, and "do some global cooperation" to tell Chinese stories that people can engage and connect with.
\n
"It's almost impossible to have genuine collaboration if you're not actually experiencing other people's lives and not talking one-on-one," she said, noting that the tour offers her the opportunity to see and experience real Chinese culture and forge partnerships with Chinese people.
\n
The perceptions and attitudes of young people from the US toward China are undergoing a positive shift, according to recent surveys.
\n
A Pew Research survey from last year found that among young respondents aged 18 to 29, 28 percent of people from the US have a favorable impression of China. A total of 69 percent believed that China is a competitor or partner instead of an enemy, and 66 percent thought that China's global influence has become stronger in recent years.
\n
Another tour participant, William Rose II from the University of Wyoming, said that future generations need to understand one another.
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"I think countries should work together in whatever ways they can, because each country has its own set of unique properties that is beneficial for everybody. And why would I have any grudge against my neighbor overseas?" he said.
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Exchange programs that offer young people from other parts of the world authentic experiences of China could facilitate the shift in their impression of the country from the uniform portrayal by Western media to a multilayered one brimming with unique characteristics, tour participants said.
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"College students are at a stage where their values are stable, but they are still exploring the future, filled with endless possibilities. Exchange programs like Discover China can plant a seed of interest in China in their hearts at this crucial time. Therefore, no matter where they end up in the future, they will have a greater concern for China," said Liu Tiewa, dean of the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University.
\n
Multilayered experience
\n
These Discover China tours have been designed to incorporate visits to historical sites, cultural streets and companies in various cities, with the aim to "help young people feel the pulse of Chinese civilization and perceive its development momentum", said Zhao, the vice-president of BFSU.
\n
Joshua Calandrella, a PhD student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, made special note of the historic buildings.
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"I've been very much impressed with the art and the architecture, such as the Forbidden City. Learning the symbolism behind it and knowing how they're preserved and respected is really inspiring. It puts the past and the present together in a really unique way," he said.
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Blake was similarly impressed.
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" (When it comes to) the preservation of symbols and palaces, the US is definitely not on the same level at all," she said.
\n
Apart from getting a taste of the long history of the Chinese civilization, the students also experienced how technological innovation is transforming people's lives and leading to industrial advancements.
\n
At a showroom in Beijing for Chinese electric carmaker Nio, the students experienced various electric vehicle models and saw how artificial intelligence technologies have been integrated into voice assistants and autonomous driving systems.
\n
William Crow, a Norwegian student from the University of Oslo, said he was impressed with China's fast-developing EV industry.
\n
"Just the idea that a car can have an operating system like a phone is very impressive," he said.
\n
"You can download an app to watch a movie in your car. We got to sit in the car, and they put on some movie with a roller coaster theme and the car started to tilt to the left and right alongside the movie, which is just amazing. I think probably in 10 years, you might not even have a steering wheel."
\n
Crow first came to China 10 years ago, and having witnessed how the country has developed over a decade, said that the digital revolution has been the most striking.
\n
"Last time I came, I don't think I remember using Alipay and WeChat as much, but now it's everywhere. It's very convenient. You can use it even when buying food on the street. And there are lots of useful mini programs, the variety and number of which are impressive," he said.
\n
Echoing Crow, Benjamin Graberg, a sophomore from the University of Bergen in Norway, and an exchange student at BFSU, said: "At the Nio showroom I saw the technological insights and the cars. I realized that maybe the narrative I was told isn't 100 percent accurate. And I actually felt an urge to buy a Chinese EV."
\n
He added that the visit had dispelled misconceptions about Chinese EVs prevalent in the West.
\n
China's openness in technology sharing and cooperation impressed the tour group most. In his reflection note after the program finished, Graberg said: "Despite a clear information embargo between China and many Western countries, this sign of openness and the wish to collaborate, in my opinion, clearly broke down barriers and illusions toward China. China is no longer a closed-off country, but one that wants to cooperate with European countries in the name of mutual gain. It gave the participants the idea that working and studying in China is no longer an unrealistic option, but a real possibility."
\n
Far-reaching impact
\n
Exchange programs inviting young people from across the world to engage in academic and cultural dialogue with their Chinese counterparts can have long-term effects in deepening the understanding of China and enhancing the friendships between peoples.
\n
Blake, who said that she watches "a ton of Chinese dramas", shared one of the reasons for signing up for the trip. "I'm considering pursuing a PhD in East Asian studies, which would require me to spend more time here and further immerse myself in the language."
\n
Perry Domasky, from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, said his biggest takeaway from the trip was how the Western discourse portraying China differs from what it really is.
\n
"We're told in the West that China is monolithic and it's not cosmopolitan, and that couldn't be further from the truth. Every region has a completely different culture, but they're all still Chinese," Domasky said. "It opened my eyes to see what China really is, which motivated me to come back and continue studying Chinese.
\n
"I've been taking as many pictures as I can, and I've been trying to observe as much as I can. And I'm going to make a slideshow telling everybody about what China was like, how different it was than how it's usually portrayed (in the West) when I go back," he added.
\n
Rose II from Wyoming summed up his thoughts. "The cities are for sure different, but in some way they have the same rhythm. When you look at the people of China and the people of the United States, there is not a whole lot of differences," he said. "Regardless of what someone believes or not, the core principles and the morals of each person — being outgoing, friendly, having integrity, as far as I can tell, look pretty much the same."
The initiative of inviting 50,000 young people from the United States to China for study and exchange programs over a five-year period has been readily embraced by many US students, with Chinese cultural products serving as a driving factor for some.
\n
"There are so many layers to discover within Chinese culture," said Ashley Blake, a student at Harvard University who attended the program this summer, noting her love for Chinese dramas, as well as traditional Chinese music, clothing, and the evolution of fashion throughout history. "I think those things are really influential."
\n
Like Blake, many of the students attending exchange programs have been learning Chinese as a foreign language and strive to attain a language certificate, though few have been to China before. Therefore, when the opportunity of a short-term exchange program to China presented itself, most of them thought, "Why not?" and readily embarked on the journey.
\n
William Rose II, a 20-year-old economics major from the University of Wyoming, is pursuing an honors degree in Chinese and is the president of the university's "associated students interested in China club".
\n
Starting to learn Chinese at 6, he thought it's important not only to learn the language but also to see the people and experience the culture. "A reason I came here is to reaffirm things that I've had some experiences with," he said.
\n
Back in the US, he had organized events to promote Chinese culture. "We would organize events to celebrate Spring Festival, go to elementary schools and teach kids about Chinese zodiac signs, and show them kung fu and lion costumes. I think it's really neat stuff and people have to learn about it."
\n
Similarly, Perry Domasky, a history student from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, is also the president of the Chinese club at his university, which, according to him, should be attributed to his extensive knowledge of Chinese history.
\n
"China was kind of like a dark spot on the map when it comes to the history education I got at school in the West, but I really like delving into China's history. It fascinated me so much — the West and East connections from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), you get Marco Polo coming over," he said, adding that his academic focus was increasingly "going in a Chinese direction".
\n
It's not just the country's traditional culture and history that have attracted the attention of young people; modern works from the cultural and entertainment industry have also garnered a global viewership larger than first imagined.
\n
Blake and her friends said that they love Chinese music, dramas and variety shows.
\n
"Right now, I'm watching the Chinese drama The First Frost. It's so good," said one of the students.
\n
"Learning about the culture through these ways, I got more interested in it myself," said another.
\n
Students attending the program said they fell for Labubu, a plush doll created by Chinese toymaker Pop Mart; bought the Black Myth: Wukong video game; and planned to visit Chongqing after seeing posts about the verticality of the mountainous city on social media.
\n
These cultural products and activities have seen growing popularity among younger generations, serving as magnets for them to dive in and explore China's rich culture, despite tensions between the US and China elsewhere.
\n
The younger generations' perception of China has moved beyond the superficial and toward a more in-depth, multidimensional one.
The initiative of inviting 50,000 young people from the United States to China for study and exchange programs over a five-year period has been readily embraced by many US students, with Chinese cultural products serving as a driving factor for some.
\n
"There are so many layers to discover within Chinese culture," said Ashley Blake, a student at Harvard University who attended the program this summer, noting her love for Chinese dramas, as well as traditional Chinese music, clothing, and the evolution of fashion throughout history. "I think those things are really influential."
\n
Like Blake, many of the students attending exchange programs have been learning Chinese as a foreign language and strive to attain a language certificate, though few have been to China before. Therefore, when the opportunity of a short-term exchange program to China presented itself, most of them thought, "Why not?" and readily embarked on the journey.
\n
William Rose II, a 20-year-old economics major from the University of Wyoming, is pursuing an honors degree in Chinese and is the president of the university's "associated students interested in China club".
\n
Starting to learn Chinese at 6, he thought it's important not only to learn the language but also to see the people and experience the culture. "A reason I came here is to reaffirm things that I've had some experiences with," he said.
\n
Back in the US, he had organized events to promote Chinese culture. "We would organize events to celebrate Spring Festival, go to elementary schools and teach kids about Chinese zodiac signs, and show them kung fu and lion costumes. I think it's really neat stuff and people have to learn about it."
\n
Similarly, Perry Domasky, a history student from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, is also the president of the Chinese club at his university, which, according to him, should be attributed to his extensive knowledge of Chinese history.
\n
"China was kind of like a dark spot on the map when it comes to the history education I got at school in the West, but I really like delving into China's history. It fascinated me so much — the West and East connections from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), you get Marco Polo coming over," he said, adding that his academic focus was increasingly "going in a Chinese direction".
\n
It's not just the country's traditional culture and history that have attracted the attention of young people; modern works from the cultural and entertainment industry have also garnered a global viewership larger than first imagined.
\n
Blake and her friends said that they love Chinese music, dramas and variety shows.
\n
"Right now, I'm watching the Chinese drama The First Frost. It's so good," said one of the students.
\n
"Learning about the culture through these ways, I got more interested in it myself," said another.
\n
Students attending the program said they fell for Labubu, a plush doll created by Chinese toymaker Pop Mart; bought the Black Myth: Wukong video game; and planned to visit Chongqing after seeing posts about the verticality of the mountainous city on social media.
\n
These cultural products and activities have seen growing popularity among younger generations, serving as magnets for them to dive in and explore China's rich culture, despite tensions between the US and China elsewhere.
\n
The younger generations' perception of China has moved beyond the superficial and toward a more in-depth, multidimensional one.
Patrolling in the dark seamount area at a depth of 4,070 meters, a robot fish about 32 centimeters long, with a wingspan of approximately 18 cm and weighing only 670 grams, glides flexibly along with all the real fishes.
\n
This latest generation of the deep-sea soft robot is a new breakthrough in deep-sea exploration technology achieved by the research team led by Professor Li Guorui at the College of Shipbuilding Engineering of Harbin Engineering University in Heilongjiang province.
\n
Their latest research, titled "Plasticized electrohydraulic robot autopilots in the deep sea", was published in the journal Science Robotics. Conducted in collaboration with Zhejiang University and the China Ship Scientific Research Center, the research team has developed an electrohydraulic-driven soft robot which has been applied to deep-sea exploration.
\n
As the largest unexplored frontier on the earth, the deep sea holds the key to understanding life origins, resource exploration and climate evolution.
\n
However, scientists face significant challenges due to extreme conditions such as high pressure and low temperatures during their exploration. There is also another obstacle: balancing the high costs of exploration and equipment reliability with the protection of fragile deep-sea ecosystems, according to the research team.
\n
In 2022, the research team drew inspiration from the classical physical phenomenon of electrohydrodynamics to initiate the development of the electrohydraulic-driven deep-sea soft robot.
\n
They innovatively applied the classical physical principle to design flexible equipment suitable for extreme deep-sea conditions.
\n
By using an electrostatic field to control the orderly flow of dielectric fluid, researchers converted electric field forces into driving forces for flexible hydraulic units.
\n
The designed electrohydraulic unit consists of a thin film shell, flexible electrodes and internal dielectric fluid, which flows directionally under Maxwell stress, precisely driving the flexible unit to produce controllable deformation.
\n
The team systematically studied the large deformation effects of the flexible electrohydraulic unit under high pressure and low temperature, endowing the system with excellent deformation capabilities.
\n
The dielectric fluid inside the driving unit can adaptively balance with the deep-sea water pressure, providing the system with full-depth pressure adaptability.
\n
"The research team has been dedicated to exploring the expression and application expansion of the classical physical phenomenon in the mechanism of deep-sea electrohydraulic drive, which can provide a new approach for the design of driving systems for soft robots and intelligent equipment in extreme environments," said Li.
\n
Without a pressure-resistant shell, the latest generation of the deep-sea soft robot can withstand the static water pressure at full ocean depth. The robot achieves coordinated drive of the electrohydraulic unit through its own miniaturized energy control system.
\n
When electronic devices in the soft body generate high-voltage electrical signals, the flexible electrohydraulic unit will deform in a pattern similar to a fluid static skeleton under the stimulation of the voltage signal, enabling it to achieve various trajectory paths such as straight-line movement and turning in the deep-sea environment.
\n
To further validate the reliability of the deep-sea soft robot in real-world deep-sea operations, the research team conducted a series of tests in various sea areas, including the Haima cold seep area and the deep-sea mountain area in the South China Sea.
\n
On June 13, 2024, the robot was deployed at a depth of 3,176 meters in the South China Sea. Sea trial footage showed the robot successfully completed complex trajectory movements, near-bottom sensing, autonomous posture control, and return tasks in the challenging deep-sea flow environment.
\n
On July 9, 2024, the robot conducted navigation tests at a depth of about 4,070 meters in a deep-sea mountain area, exploring the feasibility of coordinated operations between deep-sea submersibles and small deep-sea soft robots for large-area, low-disturbance deep-sea exploration.
\n
Additionally, to further verify the ecological integration characteristics of the soft robot with the underwater environment, the team conducted in situ, close-range behavioral observations of the marine ecological environment and communities.
\n
"After enduring multiple rigorous sea trials, the soft robot has demonstrated excellent mobility, reliable adaptability to extreme environments, and low-disturbance detection capabilities," said Shen Peng, a member of the team. "It holds promise for providing sustainable technological pathways and innovative methods for deep-sea ecological observation."
\n
Currently, the team is focusing on interdisciplinary exploration in mechanics, information and manufacturing to develop miniaturized deep-sea soft robots with integrated driving, sensing, and communication capabilities, as well as swarm intelligence.
\n
In the future, they aim to overcome key challenges related to material durability, system reliability and intelligence levels of flexible equipment in extreme environments, according to the team.
\n
zhouhuiying@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
The soft robot is tested in the sea.
\n
Patrolling in the dark seamount area at a depth of 4,070 meters, a robot fish about 32 centimeters long, with a wingspan of approximately 18 cm and weighing only 670 grams, glides flexibly along with all the real fishes.
\n
This latest generation of the deep-sea soft robot is a new breakthrough in deep-sea exploration technology achieved by the research team led by Professor Li Guorui at the College of Shipbuilding Engineering of Harbin Engineering University in Heilongjiang province.
\n
Their latest research, titled "Plasticized electrohydraulic robot autopilots in the deep sea", was published in the journal Science Robotics. Conducted in collaboration with Zhejiang University and the China Ship Scientific Research Center, the research team has developed an electrohydraulic-driven soft robot which has been applied to deep-sea exploration.
\n
As the largest unexplored frontier on the earth, the deep sea holds the key to understanding life origins, resource exploration and climate evolution.
\n
However, scientists face significant challenges due to extreme conditions such as high pressure and low temperatures during their exploration. There is also another obstacle: balancing the high costs of exploration and equipment reliability with the protection of fragile deep-sea ecosystems, according to the research team.
\n
In 2022, the research team drew inspiration from the classical physical phenomenon of electrohydrodynamics to initiate the development of the electrohydraulic-driven deep-sea soft robot.
\n
They innovatively applied the classical physical principle to design flexible equipment suitable for extreme deep-sea conditions.
\n
By using an electrostatic field to control the orderly flow of dielectric fluid, researchers converted electric field forces into driving forces for flexible hydraulic units.
\n
The designed electrohydraulic unit consists of a thin film shell, flexible electrodes and internal dielectric fluid, which flows directionally under Maxwell stress, precisely driving the flexible unit to produce controllable deformation.
\n
The team systematically studied the large deformation effects of the flexible electrohydraulic unit under high pressure and low temperature, endowing the system with excellent deformation capabilities.
\n
The dielectric fluid inside the driving unit can adaptively balance with the deep-sea water pressure, providing the system with full-depth pressure adaptability.
\n
"The research team has been dedicated to exploring the expression and application expansion of the classical physical phenomenon in the mechanism of deep-sea electrohydraulic drive, which can provide a new approach for the design of driving systems for soft robots and intelligent equipment in extreme environments," said Li.
\n
Without a pressure-resistant shell, the latest generation of the deep-sea soft robot can withstand the static water pressure at full ocean depth. The robot achieves coordinated drive of the electrohydraulic unit through its own miniaturized energy control system.
\n
When electronic devices in the soft body generate high-voltage electrical signals, the flexible electrohydraulic unit will deform in a pattern similar to a fluid static skeleton under the stimulation of the voltage signal, enabling it to achieve various trajectory paths such as straight-line movement and turning in the deep-sea environment.
\n
To further validate the reliability of the deep-sea soft robot in real-world deep-sea operations, the research team conducted a series of tests in various sea areas, including the Haima cold seep area and the deep-sea mountain area in the South China Sea.
\n
On June 13, 2024, the robot was deployed at a depth of 3,176 meters in the South China Sea. Sea trial footage showed the robot successfully completed complex trajectory movements, near-bottom sensing, autonomous posture control, and return tasks in the challenging deep-sea flow environment.
\n
On July 9, 2024, the robot conducted navigation tests at a depth of about 4,070 meters in a deep-sea mountain area, exploring the feasibility of coordinated operations between deep-sea submersibles and small deep-sea soft robots for large-area, low-disturbance deep-sea exploration.
\n
Additionally, to further verify the ecological integration characteristics of the soft robot with the underwater environment, the team conducted in situ, close-range behavioral observations of the marine ecological environment and communities.
\n
"After enduring multiple rigorous sea trials, the soft robot has demonstrated excellent mobility, reliable adaptability to extreme environments, and low-disturbance detection capabilities," said Shen Peng, a member of the team. "It holds promise for providing sustainable technological pathways and innovative methods for deep-sea ecological observation."
\n
Currently, the team is focusing on interdisciplinary exploration in mechanics, information and manufacturing to develop miniaturized deep-sea soft robots with integrated driving, sensing, and communication capabilities, as well as swarm intelligence.
\n
In the future, they aim to overcome key challenges related to material durability, system reliability and intelligence levels of flexible equipment in extreme environments, according to the team.
A guide introduces exhibits to the students at the Hundred Regiments Offensive Memorial Hall on Aug 9.
\n
The students from Xieyite Primary School in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region pay tribute to the Hundred Regiments Offensive Monument in Yangquan city, Shanxi province, on Aug 9.
\n
For the 16 students of Xieyite Primary School, nestled in a remote border area in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, this summer was unlike any other.
\n
They embarked on a study tour, crossing over 4,000 kilometers to Shanxi province, a land rich with history of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). For these children, it was a journey of discovery, connecting them to the past in a profound and unforgettable way.
\n
On Aug 9, standing atop Shinao Mountain in Yangquan city — the main battlefield of the Hundred Regiments Offensive — 11-year-old Jarkenay Keranbek, an ethnic Kirgiz student, gained a deeper understanding of the war.
\n
"This is the first time I've ever left Xinjiang," she said, her eyes wide with wonder. "Before, when I read stories about the war in the library, it all felt so distant. But now, standing in the very place where the Hundred Regiments Offensive took place, I can almost see the soldiers of the Eighth Route Army charging into battle. I truly feel their courage and fearlessness.
\n
"I want to be like them, dedicating my strength to my country and my hometown when I grow up."
\n
The journey began with the 2025 Shanxi-Xinjiang Youth Exchange Summer Camp launching in Taiyuan, bringing together the students and teachers from the elementary school with volunteer representatives from Shanxi's western China volunteer program. The itinerary was a carefully curated blend of cultural exploration, scientific discovery, inspiration of patriotism, and, most importantly, the forging of friendships.
\n
The Xieyite Primary School, situated just 47 km from the border, holds a special place as the first pilot school supported by the western China volunteer program in the Kizilsu Kirgiz autonomous prefecture. For the children at the school, Shanxi was more than just a place on the map; it was their volunteer teachers' homeland. This summer imagination about the place became reality for the 16 students.
\n
Wang Tianrui, a Shanxi volunteer, said, "When I was teaching in Xinjiang, I often used maps and stories to explain the significance of the Hundred Regiments Offensive to our students."
\n
The Hundred Regiments Offensive, launched on the evening of Aug 20, 1940, was a major campaign led by the Eighth Route Army. Lasting over four months, it was the largest and longest offensive in North China during the war, significantly boosting the morale of the Chinese people and bolstering their confidence in victory.
\n
Another Shanxi volunteer, Gao Shuxian, added, "In the future, I want to do everything I can to share more knowledge with the children in the border areas, to integrate the history into my lessons."
\n
During the visit, the teachers and students of the school stood solemnly before the Hundred Regiments Offensive Monument, offering deep bows and laying flowers in remembrance of the fallen heroes.
\n
Eleven-year-old student, Gul Tumar Balekya, said, "When I return to school, I will tell my classmates everything I've seen and learned here, not just the fun parts, but especially the history of the war."
\n
Muradil Esan Tur, principal of the school, said: "This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the war against Japanese aggression and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. At this special time, I hope that the children can deeply absorb the culture of the Red revolution through this study tour, planting the seeds of patriotism deep within their hearts and truly understanding that the happy lives they enjoy today were hard-earned."
\n
Zhao Jing, deputy secretary of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League of China and chairman of the Shanxi Provincial Youth Federation, emphasized that the purpose of the summer camp was to promote interaction, exchange, and integration between young people from Shanxi and Xinjiang, and to further consolidate the sense of community of the Chinese nation.
\n
"I hope that the children, while broadening their horizons, will jointly inherit and promote the great spirit of the war of resistance," she said.
\n
Contact the writers at zhuxingxin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
A guide introduces exhibits to the students at the Hundred Regiments Offensive Memorial Hall on Aug 9.
\n
The students from Xieyite Primary School in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region pay tribute to the Hundred Regiments Offensive Monument in Yangquan city, Shanxi province, on Aug 9.
\n
For the 16 students of Xieyite Primary School, nestled in a remote border area in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, this summer was unlike any other.
\n
They embarked on a study tour, crossing over 4,000 kilometers to Shanxi province, a land rich with history of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). For these children, it was a journey of discovery, connecting them to the past in a profound and unforgettable way.
\n
On Aug 9, standing atop Shinao Mountain in Yangquan city — the main battlefield of the Hundred Regiments Offensive — 11-year-old Jarkenay Keranbek, an ethnic Kirgiz student, gained a deeper understanding of the war.
\n
"This is the first time I've ever left Xinjiang," she said, her eyes wide with wonder. "Before, when I read stories about the war in the library, it all felt so distant. But now, standing in the very place where the Hundred Regiments Offensive took place, I can almost see the soldiers of the Eighth Route Army charging into battle. I truly feel their courage and fearlessness.
\n
"I want to be like them, dedicating my strength to my country and my hometown when I grow up."
\n
The journey began with the 2025 Shanxi-Xinjiang Youth Exchange Summer Camp launching in Taiyuan, bringing together the students and teachers from the elementary school with volunteer representatives from Shanxi's western China volunteer program. The itinerary was a carefully curated blend of cultural exploration, scientific discovery, inspiration of patriotism, and, most importantly, the forging of friendships.
\n
The Xieyite Primary School, situated just 47 km from the border, holds a special place as the first pilot school supported by the western China volunteer program in the Kizilsu Kirgiz autonomous prefecture. For the children at the school, Shanxi was more than just a place on the map; it was their volunteer teachers' homeland. This summer imagination about the place became reality for the 16 students.
\n
Wang Tianrui, a Shanxi volunteer, said, "When I was teaching in Xinjiang, I often used maps and stories to explain the significance of the Hundred Regiments Offensive to our students."
\n
The Hundred Regiments Offensive, launched on the evening of Aug 20, 1940, was a major campaign led by the Eighth Route Army. Lasting over four months, it was the largest and longest offensive in North China during the war, significantly boosting the morale of the Chinese people and bolstering their confidence in victory.
\n
Another Shanxi volunteer, Gao Shuxian, added, "In the future, I want to do everything I can to share more knowledge with the children in the border areas, to integrate the history into my lessons."
\n
During the visit, the teachers and students of the school stood solemnly before the Hundred Regiments Offensive Monument, offering deep bows and laying flowers in remembrance of the fallen heroes.
\n
Eleven-year-old student, Gul Tumar Balekya, said, "When I return to school, I will tell my classmates everything I've seen and learned here, not just the fun parts, but especially the history of the war."
\n
Muradil Esan Tur, principal of the school, said: "This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the war against Japanese aggression and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. At this special time, I hope that the children can deeply absorb the culture of the Red revolution through this study tour, planting the seeds of patriotism deep within their hearts and truly understanding that the happy lives they enjoy today were hard-earned."
\n
Zhao Jing, deputy secretary of the Shanxi Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League of China and chairman of the Shanxi Provincial Youth Federation, emphasized that the purpose of the summer camp was to promote interaction, exchange, and integration between young people from Shanxi and Xinjiang, and to further consolidate the sense of community of the Chinese nation.
\n
"I hope that the children, while broadening their horizons, will jointly inherit and promote the great spirit of the war of resistance," she said.
\n
Contact the writers at zhuxingxin@chinadaily.com.cn
Officials and experts from Southeast Asia participate in a training program in Beijing in July.
\n
Once dismissed as the "poor man's timber" in the Philippines, bamboo is now being recognized for its potential to create jobs and transform lives, especially for people with disabilities, said Filipino architect Jed Michael de Guzman, who recently attended bamboo weaving training in Beijing.
\n
With 14 years of architectural experience, including six focused on bamboo construction, De Guzman came to China eager to explore new opportunities along the bamboo supply chain.
\n
"Not many people with disabilities can take part in bamboo construction, but bamboo weaving opens more doors for them, as well as for small and medium-sized enterprises in the Philippines," he explained.
\n
The training program, organized by the National Academy of Forestry and Grassland Administration in Beijing and sponsored by China's Ministry of Commerce, was designed to support poverty alleviation and empower people with disabilities in Southeast Asia. According to NAFGA, the program aims to build a cooperation platform with Southeast Asian countries.
\n
A total of 20 officials and experts from Laos, Nepal, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, specializing in disability empowerment and community development, participated in the two-week program in July.
\n
In Beijing, participants attended seminars with experts from the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization and the China Disabled Persons' Federation.
\n
They then traveled to Sichuan province, a region rich in bamboo resources, where they learned traditional weaving techniques, including those recognized as intangible cultural heritage. Craft masters guided them in bamboo basket-weaving and other artisanal skills.
\n
"Bamboo weaving is a way to create maximum value from minimal resources. It not only strengthens industries but also benefits people with disabilities, since weaving is labor-intensive and accessible," said De Guzman.
\n
He shared that he has been running a bamboo boot camp in the mountains of Davao, where participants gain hands-on experience at every step of bamboo construction, from propagation and harvesting to building. After attending the training in China, he plans to introduce bamboo weaving programs in his local community.
\n
For Sandra from Sarawak OKU Skills Development Association in Malaysia, the training was equally eye-opening. Her organization aims to help people with disabilities build skills.
\n
"I joined this program to explore new weaving techniques and international perspectives. It has broadened my knowledge and inspired innovation in using bamboo as a modern material," she said.
\n
Having witnessed China's approach to empowering people with disabilities through handicraft skills, Sandra believes that bamboo weaving can boost confidence and provide sustainable income for disadvantaged groups.
\n
In Sarawak, where bamboo resources are abundant but underutilized, she sees enormous potential.
\n
"The program shows how efficiently China is using its resources compared with other developing countries," De Guzman said. "More importantly, it reflects China's commitment to leaving no one behind, creating jobs and development opportunities that include people with disabilities."
\n
lishangyi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Officials and experts from Southeast Asia participate in a training program in Beijing in July.
\n
Once dismissed as the "poor man's timber" in the Philippines, bamboo is now being recognized for its potential to create jobs and transform lives, especially for people with disabilities, said Filipino architect Jed Michael de Guzman, who recently attended bamboo weaving training in Beijing.
\n
With 14 years of architectural experience, including six focused on bamboo construction, De Guzman came to China eager to explore new opportunities along the bamboo supply chain.
\n
"Not many people with disabilities can take part in bamboo construction, but bamboo weaving opens more doors for them, as well as for small and medium-sized enterprises in the Philippines," he explained.
\n
The training program, organized by the National Academy of Forestry and Grassland Administration in Beijing and sponsored by China's Ministry of Commerce, was designed to support poverty alleviation and empower people with disabilities in Southeast Asia. According to NAFGA, the program aims to build a cooperation platform with Southeast Asian countries.
\n
A total of 20 officials and experts from Laos, Nepal, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, specializing in disability empowerment and community development, participated in the two-week program in July.
\n
In Beijing, participants attended seminars with experts from the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization and the China Disabled Persons' Federation.
\n
They then traveled to Sichuan province, a region rich in bamboo resources, where they learned traditional weaving techniques, including those recognized as intangible cultural heritage. Craft masters guided them in bamboo basket-weaving and other artisanal skills.
\n
"Bamboo weaving is a way to create maximum value from minimal resources. It not only strengthens industries but also benefits people with disabilities, since weaving is labor-intensive and accessible," said De Guzman.
\n
He shared that he has been running a bamboo boot camp in the mountains of Davao, where participants gain hands-on experience at every step of bamboo construction, from propagation and harvesting to building. After attending the training in China, he plans to introduce bamboo weaving programs in his local community.
\n
For Sandra from Sarawak OKU Skills Development Association in Malaysia, the training was equally eye-opening. Her organization aims to help people with disabilities build skills.
\n
"I joined this program to explore new weaving techniques and international perspectives. It has broadened my knowledge and inspired innovation in using bamboo as a modern material," she said.
\n
Having witnessed China's approach to empowering people with disabilities through handicraft skills, Sandra believes that bamboo weaving can boost confidence and provide sustainable income for disadvantaged groups.
\n
In Sarawak, where bamboo resources are abundant but underutilized, she sees enormous potential.
\n
"The program shows how efficiently China is using its resources compared with other developing countries," De Guzman said. "More importantly, it reflects China's commitment to leaving no one behind, creating jobs and development opportunities that include people with disabilities."
On Wednesday, China solemnly commemorated 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, with a military parade and grand gathering in Tian'anmen Square in Beijing.
\n
The occasion was both a tribute to the martyrs who shed blood to defend the country and a reaffirmation of China's determination to safeguard peace and development. Yet, Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te chose the occasion to post on X remarks insinuating that the Chinese mainland was flexing muscles of "aggression" and "expansion". His ill intention was evident.
\n
As Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council spokesperson Chen Binhua pointed out, Lai's rhetoric on such a solemn day was nothing short of outrageous.
\n
But it was par for the course for Lai, who has been tirelessly inciting confrontation across the Taiwan Strait, as well as glorifying the Japanese aggression and colonial rule over Taiwan island, disregarding the immense sacrifices of the Chinese people — including Taiwan compatriots — who resisted the Japanese invaders. Lai's words desecrated the martyrs, betrayed the nation, and hurt the feelings of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, exposing the true nature of the Taiwan separatist forces.
\n
It is not accidental that Lai and the Democratic Progressive Party authorities seek to whitewash Japan's wartime atrocities. For years, they have tried to erase the memory of Japanese militarist crimes, for the sake of currying favor with Tokyo in exchange for its covert support for their secessionist cause.
\n
This sordid bargain is shamelessly dressed up in the lofty language of defending "peace, freedom and democracy". But what the Lai authorities are really fighting for is their own narrow political interests, not the well-being of the Taiwan people, and certainly not truth and justice.
\n
What the DPP leader has said also betrays his anxiety about the strength and unity displayed by the mainland during the parade. He knows full well that the People's Liberation Army's modernization means "independence by force" is just a fantasy as the evil cause is doomed to fail. Yet, instead of heeding reality, Lai continues to push the island down a perilous path, showing that he has no regard for the welfare of the island's residents.
\n
The secessionist-minded leader's declining political fortunes only add to his desperation. His approval rating has plummeted to a record low recently since taking office, in part because of his submission to Washington's dictates, which has harmed Taiwan's core economic interests. Acting as a US puppet, he has been sacrificing Taiwan's backbone industries and local residents' livelihoods for his geopolitical schemes.
\n
Facing mounting public disappointment, Lai and his authorities have lashed out by blaming "external hostile forces" and imposing a de facto "green terror" on the island to silence dissent, green being the color of the DPP. This exposure of their exhaustion tendency and their penchant for anything but so-called democracy further alienate the Taiwan people, so Lai has had to suspend his"10 lectures on unity" campaign to avoid it becoming a laughingstock.
\n
Lai's unease is also palpable in his attempts to block Taiwan compatriots from attending or even watching the Sept 3 commemorations on the mainland. Yet, Lai and his team must have carefully watched the events, otherwise he would not have made those telling insinuations.
\n
The unity, ambition and capability demonstrated by the mainland were sending a clear message: it has the ability to crush any secessionist attempt and realize national reunification. The historical tide is irresistible. Lai faces a stark choice: peace or conflict, dialogue or confrontation.
\n
Against this backdrop, Lai's distortion of history and open challenge to justice and conscience only isolate him further. His reckless words put him at odds with not only the Chinese people across the Taiwan Strait but also the international consensus forged after World War II that peace must be cherished, and that any attempt to overturn the victory against fascism must be opposed.
\n
The Victory Day military parade of the mainland, and Lai's calling-white-black tricks only serve to show the world which side is striving for peace for the common good of the Chinese nation, and which side is hijacking peace for its own narrow ends.
\n
The contrast could not be clearer. While Beijing commemorates history, honors heroes, and champions peace and cooperation, Lai clings to confrontation, division and historical nihilism. Such behavior places him on the wrong side of history. That will only hasten his isolation in the world.
\n
Justice will prevail, and the people will prevail. No separatist manifesto, no matter how cunningly made for whatever occasion, can alter that course.
\n",
+ "content": "
On Wednesday, China solemnly commemorated 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, with a military parade and grand gathering in Tian'anmen Square in Beijing.
\n
The occasion was both a tribute to the martyrs who shed blood to defend the country and a reaffirmation of China's determination to safeguard peace and development. Yet, Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te chose the occasion to post on X remarks insinuating that the Chinese mainland was flexing muscles of "aggression" and "expansion". His ill intention was evident.
\n
As Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council spokesperson Chen Binhua pointed out, Lai's rhetoric on such a solemn day was nothing short of outrageous.
\n
But it was par for the course for Lai, who has been tirelessly inciting confrontation across the Taiwan Strait, as well as glorifying the Japanese aggression and colonial rule over Taiwan island, disregarding the immense sacrifices of the Chinese people — including Taiwan compatriots — who resisted the Japanese invaders. Lai's words desecrated the martyrs, betrayed the nation, and hurt the feelings of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, exposing the true nature of the Taiwan separatist forces.
\n
It is not accidental that Lai and the Democratic Progressive Party authorities seek to whitewash Japan's wartime atrocities. For years, they have tried to erase the memory of Japanese militarist crimes, for the sake of currying favor with Tokyo in exchange for its covert support for their secessionist cause.
\n
This sordid bargain is shamelessly dressed up in the lofty language of defending "peace, freedom and democracy". But what the Lai authorities are really fighting for is their own narrow political interests, not the well-being of the Taiwan people, and certainly not truth and justice.
\n
What the DPP leader has said also betrays his anxiety about the strength and unity displayed by the mainland during the parade. He knows full well that the People's Liberation Army's modernization means "independence by force" is just a fantasy as the evil cause is doomed to fail. Yet, instead of heeding reality, Lai continues to push the island down a perilous path, showing that he has no regard for the welfare of the island's residents.
\n
The secessionist-minded leader's declining political fortunes only add to his desperation. His approval rating has plummeted to a record low recently since taking office, in part because of his submission to Washington's dictates, which has harmed Taiwan's core economic interests. Acting as a US puppet, he has been sacrificing Taiwan's backbone industries and local residents' livelihoods for his geopolitical schemes.
\n
Facing mounting public disappointment, Lai and his authorities have lashed out by blaming "external hostile forces" and imposing a de facto "green terror" on the island to silence dissent, green being the color of the DPP. This exposure of their exhaustion tendency and their penchant for anything but so-called democracy further alienate the Taiwan people, so Lai has had to suspend his"10 lectures on unity" campaign to avoid it becoming a laughingstock.
\n
Lai's unease is also palpable in his attempts to block Taiwan compatriots from attending or even watching the Sept 3 commemorations on the mainland. Yet, Lai and his team must have carefully watched the events, otherwise he would not have made those telling insinuations.
\n
The unity, ambition and capability demonstrated by the mainland were sending a clear message: it has the ability to crush any secessionist attempt and realize national reunification. The historical tide is irresistible. Lai faces a stark choice: peace or conflict, dialogue or confrontation.
\n
Against this backdrop, Lai's distortion of history and open challenge to justice and conscience only isolate him further. His reckless words put him at odds with not only the Chinese people across the Taiwan Strait but also the international consensus forged after World War II that peace must be cherished, and that any attempt to overturn the victory against fascism must be opposed.
\n
The Victory Day military parade of the mainland, and Lai's calling-white-black tricks only serve to show the world which side is striving for peace for the common good of the Chinese nation, and which side is hijacking peace for its own narrow ends.
\n
The contrast could not be clearer. While Beijing commemorates history, honors heroes, and champions peace and cooperation, Lai clings to confrontation, division and historical nihilism. Such behavior places him on the wrong side of history. That will only hasten his isolation in the world.
\n
Justice will prevail, and the people will prevail. No separatist manifesto, no matter how cunningly made for whatever occasion, can alter that course.
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.
For Mercosur, the Southern Common Market, the European Union is its second-largest trading partner, with exports totaling €57 billion ($66.43 billion) in 2024 and accounting for a quarter of the latter's trade in services.
\n
For the EU, Mercosur's total trade with it was just 2 percent of the latter's total trade in 2022. On the surface that does not seem like a lot. Yet over the past decade, the EU's imports from these nations grew by €18.8 billion, up 50.3 percent, while its exports rose by €11.1 billion. Besides, the EU's exports of goods to Mexico reached €53 billion in 2024, a remarkable 324 percent rise since the EU-Mexico trade agreement took effect in 2000.
\n
Mercosur's 295 million population and Mexico's roughly 130 million indicate that the EU is engaging with growing markets. Moreover, the EU is already Mercosur's largest foreign investor, with a stock of €390 billion, compared with €209 billion in Mexico in 2023.
\n
Against this backdrop, the European Commission's proposals to the European Council for concluding the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and the modernized EU-Mexico Global Agreement are on expected lines. As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted: "EU businesses and the EU agri-food sector will immediately reap the benefits of lower tariffs and lower costs, contributing to economic growth and job creation."
\n
Analysts point out that the EU's introduction of a safeguard mechanism for agricultural products, following a provisional agreement with Mercosur last December, has helped. This maneuver must be seen in the context of the trade uncertainties caused by the United States, which has wielded tariffs aggressively and issued extensive trade lists across multiple economies.
\n
The EU's implicit strategy is to diversify from its traditionally largest trading partner, the US, and place a larger portion of its economic eggs in the "emerging markets "basket. The basket may seem small today, but it offers a higher growth potential and more predictable returns tomorrow.
\n
These moves reflect a subtle but significant shift in EU priorities to actively engage with the developing world. It is a calculated choice to embrace the markets of the future rather than rely solely on the ones of the past. For China, this evolution offers both opportunity and insight. As the EU's second-largest trading partner, its third-largest export market, and largest source of imports, China still holds substantial room to deepen cooperation with Europe. Shared challenges, such as the pressure of US tariffs, create incentives for strategic alignment.
\n
In a world where major economies are increasingly pivoting toward emerging markets, China can play a big role in helping to draw the contours of tomorrow's global trade landscape. For the EU, engaging with such dynamic economies displays a long-term strategic vision for growth, influence, and resilience in a world of uncertainties.
\n
In essence, the EU's shifts toward Mercosur and Mexico are more than mere trade deals. They are statements of the world's intent, a recognition that tomorrow's prosperity will be won by those willing to invest in future markets, nurture strategic partnerships, and balance economic ambition with political foresight. And in this shifting global order, China stands as both a partner and a reminder that the future belongs to those who look forward, not backward.
\n",
+ "content": "
For Mercosur, the Southern Common Market, the European Union is its second-largest trading partner, with exports totaling €57 billion ($66.43 billion) in 2024 and accounting for a quarter of the latter's trade in services.
\n
For the EU, Mercosur's total trade with it was just 2 percent of the latter's total trade in 2022. On the surface that does not seem like a lot. Yet over the past decade, the EU's imports from these nations grew by €18.8 billion, up 50.3 percent, while its exports rose by €11.1 billion. Besides, the EU's exports of goods to Mexico reached €53 billion in 2024, a remarkable 324 percent rise since the EU-Mexico trade agreement took effect in 2000.
\n
Mercosur's 295 million population and Mexico's roughly 130 million indicate that the EU is engaging with growing markets. Moreover, the EU is already Mercosur's largest foreign investor, with a stock of €390 billion, compared with €209 billion in Mexico in 2023.
\n
Against this backdrop, the European Commission's proposals to the European Council for concluding the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement and the modernized EU-Mexico Global Agreement are on expected lines. As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen noted: "EU businesses and the EU agri-food sector will immediately reap the benefits of lower tariffs and lower costs, contributing to economic growth and job creation."
\n
Analysts point out that the EU's introduction of a safeguard mechanism for agricultural products, following a provisional agreement with Mercosur last December, has helped. This maneuver must be seen in the context of the trade uncertainties caused by the United States, which has wielded tariffs aggressively and issued extensive trade lists across multiple economies.
\n
The EU's implicit strategy is to diversify from its traditionally largest trading partner, the US, and place a larger portion of its economic eggs in the "emerging markets "basket. The basket may seem small today, but it offers a higher growth potential and more predictable returns tomorrow.
\n
These moves reflect a subtle but significant shift in EU priorities to actively engage with the developing world. It is a calculated choice to embrace the markets of the future rather than rely solely on the ones of the past. For China, this evolution offers both opportunity and insight. As the EU's second-largest trading partner, its third-largest export market, and largest source of imports, China still holds substantial room to deepen cooperation with Europe. Shared challenges, such as the pressure of US tariffs, create incentives for strategic alignment.
\n
In a world where major economies are increasingly pivoting toward emerging markets, China can play a big role in helping to draw the contours of tomorrow's global trade landscape. For the EU, engaging with such dynamic economies displays a long-term strategic vision for growth, influence, and resilience in a world of uncertainties.
\n
In essence, the EU's shifts toward Mercosur and Mexico are more than mere trade deals. They are statements of the world's intent, a recognition that tomorrow's prosperity will be won by those willing to invest in future markets, nurture strategic partnerships, and balance economic ambition with political foresight. And in this shifting global order, China stands as both a partner and a reminder that the future belongs to those who look forward, not backward.
Editor's Note: China has unveiled a guideline to promote high-quality urban development. The country's major cities continue to expand while small cities are shrinking, raising the questions of whether cities experiencing a loss of population and land lying idle should be merged, and how the next phase of large-scale urban renewal will pan out. Gao Guoli, head of the National Development and Reform Commission's China Center for Urban Development, spoke to National Business Daily on these issues. Below are excerpts from the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n
Cities will experience different rates of growth in the coming years. Cities with large populations and higher overall competitiveness, especially some cities in the eastern coastal region, will keep expanding. But a few cities in the central, western and northeastern regions, due to their single industrial structure, are witnessing loss of development factors, population outflows and land lying idle.
\n
These "shrinking cities" could be merged or integrated. This is an international trend, and we should adapt to it and guide it in the right direction.
\n
The scale and capacity of the expanding cities should be kept within a reasonable range so as to avoid excessive growth that could lead to urban maladies. For cities suffering from loss of development factors and continuous shrinkage, response measures should be tailored to local circumstances, based on their development potential and vitality.
\n
Some cities could also consider integrating resources and spatial layouts with surrounding cities. China has rich experience in township mergers, but the country has not seen any large-scale city merger. Many county-level cities were established only 20-30 years ago and are still developing. If industrial and population loss can be curbed, building small yet distinctive and competitive cities is also in line with the needs of modern urban development.
\n
As a country with a large population and vast territory, China is characterized by significant regional differences. Therefore, optimizing a modern urban system is crucial. The urban development must adhere to the fundamental principles of zoning, grading and categorization.
\n
Different regions of China have different geographical conditions, levels of socioeconomic development as well as stages of urbanization and industrialization. These differences mean that each region should be treated differently and tailored measures should be taken when optimizing the modern urban system.
\n
Grading is a distinctive feature of China's urban system. The country has municipalities directly under the central government, vice-provincial cities, prefecture-level cities and county-level cities. Different administrative levels entail different powers in economic and social management, as well as different capacities and means for resource allocation. Therefore, differentiated measures must be adopted according to the administrative level of each city.
\n
Chinese cities differ in their functional roles. Some are strong in cultural tourism, while others score high on logistics and commerce. Some are border cities while some focus primarily on ecological protection. Different types of cities require different policies.
\n
Building a well-structured modern urban system requires efforts at "both ends". At one end are mega and superlarge cities that serve as the centers of modern city clusters and metropolitan areas. A large share of the population and industries is concentrated in these city clusters and metropolitan areas. These areas also boast the highest levels of economic development and opening-up and are front-runners in driving high-quality urban development nationwide. Therefore, this end must pursue cluster-based, networked development to enhance the overall competitiveness.
\n
On the other end are the numerous counties and county-level cities, which serve as vital links between urban and rural areas and are important "reservoirs" that support local urbanization.
\n
Counties and county-level cities are relatively scattered yet essential spatial units in China's territorial layout. Given their varied scales and diverse functions, formulating sound optimization policies for them is critical.
\n",
+ "content": "
Editor's Note: China has unveiled a guideline to promote high-quality urban development. The country's major cities continue to expand while small cities are shrinking, raising the questions of whether cities experiencing a loss of population and land lying idle should be merged, and how the next phase of large-scale urban renewal will pan out. Gao Guoli, head of the National Development and Reform Commission's China Center for Urban Development, spoke to National Business Daily on these issues. Below are excerpts from the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n
Cities will experience different rates of growth in the coming years. Cities with large populations and higher overall competitiveness, especially some cities in the eastern coastal region, will keep expanding. But a few cities in the central, western and northeastern regions, due to their single industrial structure, are witnessing loss of development factors, population outflows and land lying idle.
\n
These "shrinking cities" could be merged or integrated. This is an international trend, and we should adapt to it and guide it in the right direction.
\n
The scale and capacity of the expanding cities should be kept within a reasonable range so as to avoid excessive growth that could lead to urban maladies. For cities suffering from loss of development factors and continuous shrinkage, response measures should be tailored to local circumstances, based on their development potential and vitality.
\n
Some cities could also consider integrating resources and spatial layouts with surrounding cities. China has rich experience in township mergers, but the country has not seen any large-scale city merger. Many county-level cities were established only 20-30 years ago and are still developing. If industrial and population loss can be curbed, building small yet distinctive and competitive cities is also in line with the needs of modern urban development.
\n
As a country with a large population and vast territory, China is characterized by significant regional differences. Therefore, optimizing a modern urban system is crucial. The urban development must adhere to the fundamental principles of zoning, grading and categorization.
\n
Different regions of China have different geographical conditions, levels of socioeconomic development as well as stages of urbanization and industrialization. These differences mean that each region should be treated differently and tailored measures should be taken when optimizing the modern urban system.
\n
Grading is a distinctive feature of China's urban system. The country has municipalities directly under the central government, vice-provincial cities, prefecture-level cities and county-level cities. Different administrative levels entail different powers in economic and social management, as well as different capacities and means for resource allocation. Therefore, differentiated measures must be adopted according to the administrative level of each city.
\n
Chinese cities differ in their functional roles. Some are strong in cultural tourism, while others score high on logistics and commerce. Some are border cities while some focus primarily on ecological protection. Different types of cities require different policies.
\n
Building a well-structured modern urban system requires efforts at "both ends". At one end are mega and superlarge cities that serve as the centers of modern city clusters and metropolitan areas. A large share of the population and industries is concentrated in these city clusters and metropolitan areas. These areas also boast the highest levels of economic development and opening-up and are front-runners in driving high-quality urban development nationwide. Therefore, this end must pursue cluster-based, networked development to enhance the overall competitiveness.
\n
On the other end are the numerous counties and county-level cities, which serve as vital links between urban and rural areas and are important "reservoirs" that support local urbanization.
\n
Counties and county-level cities are relatively scattered yet essential spatial units in China's territorial layout. Given their varied scales and diverse functions, formulating sound optimization policies for them is critical.
Four score years ago, our predecessors were caught up in an unprecedentedly arduous war in human history. And the scars the World Anti-Fascist War left behind can never be erased.
\n
Fortunately, however, in the battle between good and evil, good ultimately triumphed. Commemorating the sacrifices our predecessors made to protect us against evil on the 80th anniversary of the victory in that war will endow us with greater strength, enabling us to move forward.
\n
Given the Western-dominated historical narrative of World War II, many are aware of the significance of the Miracle of Dunkirk, the Normandy landings and the Battle of Midway.
\n
But in the main theater in the East, China had already been engaged in a grueling and heroic Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) for 10 years before the Pearl Harbor attack, following which the United States ultimately declared war on Japan.
\n
China, the main battlefield against Japanese aggression, paid a heavy price for resisting fascist forces — with 35 million casualties — during World War II. In Europe, the Soviet Union was the main battlefield against German fascist forces and suffered the heaviest loss — about 27 million lives.
\n
It was against Nazi Germany, and fascist Japan and Italy that the advocates of justice around the world came together. China, the US, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom mainly formed the antifascist alliance, after more than four years of tenacious struggle, ultimately achieving victory. These four countries, along with France, became the cornerstone of the United Nations Security Council, and the guardians of world peace and order.
\n
When a country loses its sense of right and wrong and historical perspective for short-term gains, cognitive dissonance arises, followed by a host of complex contradictions, problems and disputes. And when humankind abandons the correct historical perspective, the world falls into turmoil, and confrontations and wars have proliferated.
\n
After the end of World War II, the international situation underwent drastic changes. The Cold War broke out, with the US and the Soviet Union vying for global hegemony.
\n
This led to a change in the US' strategic need for Japan. In order to contain the Soviet Union's influence in Asia, the US chose not to cleanse Japanese society of militarism and instead began supporting Japan's policies.
\n
As a result, many Japanese war criminals escaped punishment, with some of them even assuming important positions in the Japanese government. Also, due to Japan's constitutional monarchy form of government, the emperor's family members continued to be involved in Japanese politics, creating a complex web of connections between high-ranking officials and war criminals.
\n
Consequently, some Japanese politicians today continue to cover up, avoid or refuse to reflect on their country's wartime past. Some even deny, try to whitewash, and glorify Japan's history of militarism, with certain Japanese politicians, rather a part of Japanese society, distorting history and confusing the people.
\n
Worse, eighty years have passed, and the signs of this scar flaring up again are becoming increasingly evident, every year on the anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II, Japanese prime ministers and Cabinet members visit or send offerings to Yasukuni Shrine, which honors, among others, 14 Class A war criminals, rubbing salt into the historical wounds of the people of Asia.
\n
Given these facts, Japan is unlikely to reflect on its militaristic past. Instead, it could once again become a belligerent, warmongering power.
\n
From the perspective of ideology and great-power rivalry, the West has deliberately downplayed and diminished the roles of China and Russia in the anti-fascist war. The Soviet Union, as the main European battlefield, paid the price with 27 million lives.
\n
Yet in the Western narrative, it was the United States and the United Kingdom that defeated fascist Germany in World War II. China endured 14 years of bloody struggle, suffering 35 million casualties, but according to the Western historical narrative, China's contributions in World War II are deliberately downplayed. The hard-won victory in World War II at the cost of the blood and lives of tens of millions of Chinese and Russian people, have been deliberately overlooked by many Western historians and observers.
\n
China and Russia both are major countries in the fast-changing world. But their relationship today is not an alliance; it is a strategic cooperative partnership in the new era based on the common cognition of global peace — and their need to safeguard national security.
\n
If signs of a resurgence of Japanese militarism become evident, China and Russia, together with other peace-loving countries, will firmly oppose it. The two countries, along with others, stood together during World War II to defend justice, and remain committed to preventing any return of militarism that threatens peace and stability in Asia.
\n
China and Russia have the responsibility to address the root causes that threaten Asian security and lay the foundation for lasting peace in East Asia and the world.
\n
In this context, China's Victory Day military parade on Sept 3 should be seen as a display of the country's peace-loving forces, aimed at pursuing peace through deterrence. This is the best way to stop those who are eager to trigger conflicts.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
Four score years ago, our predecessors were caught up in an unprecedentedly arduous war in human history. And the scars the World Anti-Fascist War left behind can never be erased.
\n
Fortunately, however, in the battle between good and evil, good ultimately triumphed. Commemorating the sacrifices our predecessors made to protect us against evil on the 80th anniversary of the victory in that war will endow us with greater strength, enabling us to move forward.
\n
Given the Western-dominated historical narrative of World War II, many are aware of the significance of the Miracle of Dunkirk, the Normandy landings and the Battle of Midway.
\n
But in the main theater in the East, China had already been engaged in a grueling and heroic Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) for 10 years before the Pearl Harbor attack, following which the United States ultimately declared war on Japan.
\n
China, the main battlefield against Japanese aggression, paid a heavy price for resisting fascist forces — with 35 million casualties — during World War II. In Europe, the Soviet Union was the main battlefield against German fascist forces and suffered the heaviest loss — about 27 million lives.
\n
It was against Nazi Germany, and fascist Japan and Italy that the advocates of justice around the world came together. China, the US, the Soviet Union and the United Kingdom mainly formed the antifascist alliance, after more than four years of tenacious struggle, ultimately achieving victory. These four countries, along with France, became the cornerstone of the United Nations Security Council, and the guardians of world peace and order.
\n
When a country loses its sense of right and wrong and historical perspective for short-term gains, cognitive dissonance arises, followed by a host of complex contradictions, problems and disputes. And when humankind abandons the correct historical perspective, the world falls into turmoil, and confrontations and wars have proliferated.
\n
After the end of World War II, the international situation underwent drastic changes. The Cold War broke out, with the US and the Soviet Union vying for global hegemony.
\n
This led to a change in the US' strategic need for Japan. In order to contain the Soviet Union's influence in Asia, the US chose not to cleanse Japanese society of militarism and instead began supporting Japan's policies.
\n
As a result, many Japanese war criminals escaped punishment, with some of them even assuming important positions in the Japanese government. Also, due to Japan's constitutional monarchy form of government, the emperor's family members continued to be involved in Japanese politics, creating a complex web of connections between high-ranking officials and war criminals.
\n
Consequently, some Japanese politicians today continue to cover up, avoid or refuse to reflect on their country's wartime past. Some even deny, try to whitewash, and glorify Japan's history of militarism, with certain Japanese politicians, rather a part of Japanese society, distorting history and confusing the people.
\n
Worse, eighty years have passed, and the signs of this scar flaring up again are becoming increasingly evident, every year on the anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II, Japanese prime ministers and Cabinet members visit or send offerings to Yasukuni Shrine, which honors, among others, 14 Class A war criminals, rubbing salt into the historical wounds of the people of Asia.
\n
Given these facts, Japan is unlikely to reflect on its militaristic past. Instead, it could once again become a belligerent, warmongering power.
\n
From the perspective of ideology and great-power rivalry, the West has deliberately downplayed and diminished the roles of China and Russia in the anti-fascist war. The Soviet Union, as the main European battlefield, paid the price with 27 million lives.
\n
Yet in the Western narrative, it was the United States and the United Kingdom that defeated fascist Germany in World War II. China endured 14 years of bloody struggle, suffering 35 million casualties, but according to the Western historical narrative, China's contributions in World War II are deliberately downplayed. The hard-won victory in World War II at the cost of the blood and lives of tens of millions of Chinese and Russian people, have been deliberately overlooked by many Western historians and observers.
\n
China and Russia both are major countries in the fast-changing world. But their relationship today is not an alliance; it is a strategic cooperative partnership in the new era based on the common cognition of global peace — and their need to safeguard national security.
\n
If signs of a resurgence of Japanese militarism become evident, China and Russia, together with other peace-loving countries, will firmly oppose it. The two countries, along with others, stood together during World War II to defend justice, and remain committed to preventing any return of militarism that threatens peace and stability in Asia.
\n
China and Russia have the responsibility to address the root causes that threaten Asian security and lay the foundation for lasting peace in East Asia and the world.
\n
In this context, China's Victory Day military parade on Sept 3 should be seen as a display of the country's peace-loving forces, aimed at pursuing peace through deterrence. This is the best way to stop those who are eager to trigger conflicts.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
At the conclusion of the SCO Summit in Tianjin on Aug 31 and Sept 1, 2025, where leaders adopted long-term development strategies, and launched new cooperation platforms, the importance of regional collaboration in sustainable development was highlighted. In this context, the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and China in the field of the green economy stands out as a model for regional green transformation.
\n
In the era of climate challenges and energy transformation, international cooperation to promote sustainable development has become particularly important. One of the most striking examples of such cooperation is the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and China in the field of the green economy. The two countries, united by a common vision of an environmentally sustainable future, have established an exemplary model of cooperation that can become a catalyst for the green transformation of Central Asia.
\n
The significant momentum in Sino-Uzbek cooperation in green energy, including in technologies that promote environmental efficiency and sustainability, can help the two countries achieve their environmental goals.
\n
China is a global leader in renewable energy and green technologies. In fact, green development has become a priority for the Chinese government, as it has decided to peak the country's carbon emissions before 2030 and realize carbon neutrality before 2060. To be sure, China's achievements in renewable energy are astonishing in their scale — its wind power generation has increased sixfold and solar power more than 180-fold in the last decade.
\n
Uzbekistan, on its part, has become one of the drivers of regional cooperation on climate action, and a facilitator of Central Asia's transformation into a green economy and clean energy development hub. In essence, green development has become a state policy priority for Uzbekistan, with institutional reforms receiving a shot in the arm from the adoption of a new Constitution in 2023, which for the first time calls for protecting the environment and ensuring environmental safety. This in turn necessitated the upgrading of the regulatory framework and strategic planning to achieve sustainable development — and prompted the Uzbek government to declare 2025 as the Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy.
\n
The national programme for green financing, on the other hand, is a blueprint for transitioning to a low-carbon development model, as it is aimed at increasing the share of environmentally-friendly projects in Uzbekistan's investment structure to 50 percent by 2030.Concurrently, Tashkent is taking measures to improve energy efficiency in agriculture and industry, introduce innovative technologies, and expand the area under organic farming and drip irrigation.
\n
Besides, cooperation between Uzbekistan and China in the field of green development has led to the implementation of joint large-scale sustainable development projects. And deepening cooperation with China will boost Uzbekistan's energy security and environmental sustainability.
\n
The meeting held by the Ministry of Ecology of Uzbekistan in May 2025 marked a new stage of Sino-Uzbek partnership in environmental protection, while a memorandum of understanding signed between the Uzbek Ministry of Ecology and the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences paved the way for the establishment of a Central Asian Research Center for Ecology and Environment in Tashkent. The goal is to turn the new center into a platform for joint scientific research, training of specialists, exchange of modern technologies, and promotion of green, sustainable development throughout Central Asia.
\n
Moreover, Sino-Uzbek cooperation in hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) production is particularly important, because it not only corresponds to the global agenda of sustainable development but also facilitates access to advanced technologies and large-scale investments for Uzbekistan.
\n
The strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and China in green development shows how countries with different economic systems and levels of development can work together to address global environmental challenges.
\n
The success of Sino-Uzbek cooperation is based on several key factors: complementarity of the two countries' economies, and their leaderships' political will, their pursuit of innovation, and a long-term strategy. While China brings advanced technologies, financing and its rich experience in renewable energy development to the partnership, Uzbekistan provides favorable natural conditions, a dynamically developing economy and a strategically important geographic location.
\n
The outcomes of Sino-Uzbek cooperation are already impressive: thousands of megawatts of clean energy generated, millions of tons of carbon emissions reduced, thousands of new jobs created, and billions of dollars invested. However, the main significance of the Sino-Uzbek partnership is its potential to serve as a catalyst for Central Asia's green transformation.
\n
As the two sides implement their ambitious plans, their cooperation will only deepen and expand. And the creation of joint research centers, exchange of students and experts, and the development of green financing and digital technologies will further consolidate their long-term partnership.
\n
Sino-Uzbek cooperation in green development does not only contribute to achieving the climate goals of the two countries; it also develops a new paradigm of international relations based on mutual benefit, technological innovation, and shared responsibility for the future of the planet. This model can and should become a source of inspiration for other countries and regions striving for sustainable development.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
At the conclusion of the SCO Summit in Tianjin on Aug 31 and Sept 1, 2025, where leaders adopted long-term development strategies, and launched new cooperation platforms, the importance of regional collaboration in sustainable development was highlighted. In this context, the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and China in the field of the green economy stands out as a model for regional green transformation.
\n
In the era of climate challenges and energy transformation, international cooperation to promote sustainable development has become particularly important. One of the most striking examples of such cooperation is the strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and China in the field of the green economy. The two countries, united by a common vision of an environmentally sustainable future, have established an exemplary model of cooperation that can become a catalyst for the green transformation of Central Asia.
\n
The significant momentum in Sino-Uzbek cooperation in green energy, including in technologies that promote environmental efficiency and sustainability, can help the two countries achieve their environmental goals.
\n
China is a global leader in renewable energy and green technologies. In fact, green development has become a priority for the Chinese government, as it has decided to peak the country's carbon emissions before 2030 and realize carbon neutrality before 2060. To be sure, China's achievements in renewable energy are astonishing in their scale — its wind power generation has increased sixfold and solar power more than 180-fold in the last decade.
\n
Uzbekistan, on its part, has become one of the drivers of regional cooperation on climate action, and a facilitator of Central Asia's transformation into a green economy and clean energy development hub. In essence, green development has become a state policy priority for Uzbekistan, with institutional reforms receiving a shot in the arm from the adoption of a new Constitution in 2023, which for the first time calls for protecting the environment and ensuring environmental safety. This in turn necessitated the upgrading of the regulatory framework and strategic planning to achieve sustainable development — and prompted the Uzbek government to declare 2025 as the Year of Environmental Protection and Green Economy.
\n
The national programme for green financing, on the other hand, is a blueprint for transitioning to a low-carbon development model, as it is aimed at increasing the share of environmentally-friendly projects in Uzbekistan's investment structure to 50 percent by 2030.Concurrently, Tashkent is taking measures to improve energy efficiency in agriculture and industry, introduce innovative technologies, and expand the area under organic farming and drip irrigation.
\n
Besides, cooperation between Uzbekistan and China in the field of green development has led to the implementation of joint large-scale sustainable development projects. And deepening cooperation with China will boost Uzbekistan's energy security and environmental sustainability.
\n
The meeting held by the Ministry of Ecology of Uzbekistan in May 2025 marked a new stage of Sino-Uzbek partnership in environmental protection, while a memorandum of understanding signed between the Uzbek Ministry of Ecology and the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences paved the way for the establishment of a Central Asian Research Center for Ecology and Environment in Tashkent. The goal is to turn the new center into a platform for joint scientific research, training of specialists, exchange of modern technologies, and promotion of green, sustainable development throughout Central Asia.
\n
Moreover, Sino-Uzbek cooperation in hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) production is particularly important, because it not only corresponds to the global agenda of sustainable development but also facilitates access to advanced technologies and large-scale investments for Uzbekistan.
\n
The strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and China in green development shows how countries with different economic systems and levels of development can work together to address global environmental challenges.
\n
The success of Sino-Uzbek cooperation is based on several key factors: complementarity of the two countries' economies, and their leaderships' political will, their pursuit of innovation, and a long-term strategy. While China brings advanced technologies, financing and its rich experience in renewable energy development to the partnership, Uzbekistan provides favorable natural conditions, a dynamically developing economy and a strategically important geographic location.
\n
The outcomes of Sino-Uzbek cooperation are already impressive: thousands of megawatts of clean energy generated, millions of tons of carbon emissions reduced, thousands of new jobs created, and billions of dollars invested. However, the main significance of the Sino-Uzbek partnership is its potential to serve as a catalyst for Central Asia's green transformation.
\n
As the two sides implement their ambitious plans, their cooperation will only deepen and expand. And the creation of joint research centers, exchange of students and experts, and the development of green financing and digital technologies will further consolidate their long-term partnership.
\n
Sino-Uzbek cooperation in green development does not only contribute to achieving the climate goals of the two countries; it also develops a new paradigm of international relations based on mutual benefit, technological innovation, and shared responsibility for the future of the planet. This model can and should become a source of inspiration for other countries and regions striving for sustainable development.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
When I first joined China Daily in Beijing in 1987, I was housed in a dorm in Tuanjiehu Hotel not far from the then office on the People's Daily compound on Jintai Xilu. That hotel, in fact, the entire compound, was nowhere to be seen and the area was unrecognizable when I went there to have dinner with friends last week. The area where horse-drawn carts were common has become part of the central business district.
\n
A similar transformation has taken place in my home city of Shanghai, where I was posted from 1988 to 2009. I was in Shanghai on April 18, 1990, when then premier Li Peng announced the launch of Pudong New Area. Pudong was mostly farmland where my elder brother used to take me to catch crickets during our childhood.
\n
The Pudong skyline is now one of the most futuristic in the world. The area is home to banks, financial institutions, tech companies, and advanced manufacturing facilities from around the world, as well as splendid cultural and sports facilities.
\n
Traveling on the high-speed train between Shanghai and Beijing over the past 14 years, I've seen the view from the train window changing, with new skylines emerging here and there. The same phenomenal transformation has taken place across the country, not just in developed big and coastal cities but also in the relatively less-developed northwestern and southwestern regions.
\n
While China paid a high environmental price for the supersonic economic growth in the initial decades after the launch of reform and opening-up, the nationwide campaign of "green mountains and clear waters are actually equal to mountains of gold and silver" has started to pay dividends. For example, smog in Shanghai and other Chinese cities is less severe today than 10 years ago. But more needs to be done to improve the air quality across the country.
\n
In 1988, I embarked on my first trip abroad on a COSCO container ship to cover China's largest shipping company and the lives of its sailors. The vessel set sail from Tianjin — where on Aug 31 and Sept 1 leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization gathered for a summit — to Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
\n
No one at the time thought the Tianjin port would become the world's eighth-largest container port. As a matter of fact, six of the top eight ports in the world today are in China, with Shanghai being the biggest.
\n
The situation was totally different in 1988, when China's GDP was only $313 billion, lower than Canada's $509 billion and Italy's $894 billion.
\n
During that two-month-long ocean voyage, I bought a 21-inch Hitachi color TV set — a much-coveted electrical appliance in China in those days — in Yokohama, Japan. Few then imagined China would become the world's largest manufacturing country, making not just large-screen TV sets and other electrical and electronic products, but also electric vehicles, solar photovoltaic panels and wind turbines.
\n
China's engineering achievements, building some of the most spectacular bridges and by far the largest high-speed railway network, have left the world in awe and inspired other developing countries, including SCO member states, to initiate similar development projects.
\n
China's success story is attributed to its hardworking people as well as reform and opening-up policy. As such, it should advance its high-level opening-up and play a bigger role in international cooperation and global governance amid the increasingly volatile international environment.
\n
After winding up my 38-year career at China Daily in late August, I intend to spend the next decade discovering my country. I know many of the places I visited 16 years ago are unrecognizable today due to rapid modernization. And those include my ancestral hometown of Fuding in Fujian province, known the world over for its white tea. Once a poor, remote mountainous region, it is now connected to Shanghai by a four-hour high-speed train and a seven-hour drive.
\n
It has indeed been a fantastic experience covering a rapidly changing China, both from home and abroad, for 38 years.
\n
chenweihua@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Chen Weihua
\n\n
When I first joined China Daily in Beijing in 1987, I was housed in a dorm in Tuanjiehu Hotel not far from the then office on the People's Daily compound on Jintai Xilu. That hotel, in fact, the entire compound, was nowhere to be seen and the area was unrecognizable when I went there to have dinner with friends last week. The area where horse-drawn carts were common has become part of the central business district.
\n
A similar transformation has taken place in my home city of Shanghai, where I was posted from 1988 to 2009. I was in Shanghai on April 18, 1990, when then premier Li Peng announced the launch of Pudong New Area. Pudong was mostly farmland where my elder brother used to take me to catch crickets during our childhood.
\n
The Pudong skyline is now one of the most futuristic in the world. The area is home to banks, financial institutions, tech companies, and advanced manufacturing facilities from around the world, as well as splendid cultural and sports facilities.
\n
Traveling on the high-speed train between Shanghai and Beijing over the past 14 years, I've seen the view from the train window changing, with new skylines emerging here and there. The same phenomenal transformation has taken place across the country, not just in developed big and coastal cities but also in the relatively less-developed northwestern and southwestern regions.
\n
While China paid a high environmental price for the supersonic economic growth in the initial decades after the launch of reform and opening-up, the nationwide campaign of "green mountains and clear waters are actually equal to mountains of gold and silver" has started to pay dividends. For example, smog in Shanghai and other Chinese cities is less severe today than 10 years ago. But more needs to be done to improve the air quality across the country.
\n
In 1988, I embarked on my first trip abroad on a COSCO container ship to cover China's largest shipping company and the lives of its sailors. The vessel set sail from Tianjin — where on Aug 31 and Sept 1 leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization gathered for a summit — to Japan, Australia and New Zealand.
\n
No one at the time thought the Tianjin port would become the world's eighth-largest container port. As a matter of fact, six of the top eight ports in the world today are in China, with Shanghai being the biggest.
\n
The situation was totally different in 1988, when China's GDP was only $313 billion, lower than Canada's $509 billion and Italy's $894 billion.
\n
During that two-month-long ocean voyage, I bought a 21-inch Hitachi color TV set — a much-coveted electrical appliance in China in those days — in Yokohama, Japan. Few then imagined China would become the world's largest manufacturing country, making not just large-screen TV sets and other electrical and electronic products, but also electric vehicles, solar photovoltaic panels and wind turbines.
\n
China's engineering achievements, building some of the most spectacular bridges and by far the largest high-speed railway network, have left the world in awe and inspired other developing countries, including SCO member states, to initiate similar development projects.
\n
China's success story is attributed to its hardworking people as well as reform and opening-up policy. As such, it should advance its high-level opening-up and play a bigger role in international cooperation and global governance amid the increasingly volatile international environment.
\n
After winding up my 38-year career at China Daily in late August, I intend to spend the next decade discovering my country. I know many of the places I visited 16 years ago are unrecognizable today due to rapid modernization. And those include my ancestral hometown of Fuding in Fujian province, known the world over for its white tea. Once a poor, remote mountainous region, it is now connected to Shanghai by a four-hour high-speed train and a seven-hour drive.
\n
It has indeed been a fantastic experience covering a rapidly changing China, both from home and abroad, for 38 years.
Experts have hailed the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping as a timely response to today's complex international challenges, saying it offers new insights and solutions for enhancing global governance.
\n
Xi presented the initiative on Monday at the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus" Meeting in Tianjin, where he urged nations to uphold sovereign equality, abide by the international rule of law, practice multilateralism, advocate a people-centered approach and focus on taking concrete actions.
\n
Jack Perry, chairman of the 48 Group in London, said that at a time of global turbulence — with unilateralism and protectionism undermining multilateral mechanisms — the business community is feeling the strain.
\n
"President Xi's Global Governance Initiative comes at the right moment, offering fresh wisdom and solutions for improving global governance and deserving the world's close attention," Perry said.
\n
As a long-standing promoter of Sino-British trade, the 48 Group has a keen sense that China has consistently been at the forefront of upholding multilateralism and maintaining a high level of openness, he said.
\n
China's role as a key driver of economic globalization "gives added authority and persuasiveness to the Global Governance Initiative, and lays the foundation for broad international support", he added.
\n
Najla Alzarooni, a researcher at the College of Public Policy, University of Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates, said the initiative is a highly condensed summary of the SCO's philosophy and its development over the past 24 years, demonstrating President Xi's farsighted vision.
\n
"It is consistent with the sovereignty, noninterference and development principles that the Global South is sticking to," she said. The initiative should be seen as "a living model of cooperative governance, offering the international community a more compelling alternative" for building a multipolar and fair world essential in the 21st century, she said.
\n
Since becoming a dialogue partner in 2023, the UAE has shown its commitment to promoting the Shanghai Spirit — the philosophical backbone of the SCO, she said. Positioned at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe, the UAE can bridge cooperation in energy, AI, finance and green projects under the SCO framework, she added.
\n
Onyango K'Onyango, a communications consultant in Kenya, said the Global Governance Initiative offers renewed hope for the world at a time of unprecedented challenges.
\n
By outlining five principles — including adherence to sovereign equality and the practice of multilateralism — China has demonstrated it is advancing a sound foreign policy for the benefit of humanity, he said.
\n
Nations should work together to shape a fairer world order built on win-win solutions, he said, noting that hegemony and protectionism must not be allowed to erode the gains made through multilateralism.
\n
Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan, president of the Center for Knowledge and Public Policy in Lahore, Pakistan, described Xi's speech at the SCO meeting as "both historic and futuristic", with the introduction of the Global Governance Initiative at its core.
\n
The initiative marks a major step toward advancing global equality, strengthening the role of developing countries, reinforcing an international system based on fairness and justice, and promoting the role of the Global South, Mehmood said.
\n
"This noble concept of global governance could be achieved by deepening cooperation with international organizations ... and participating constructively in international and regional affairs," he said.
\n
Jorge Heine, a former Chilean Cabinet minister and ambassador to China, stated that the SCO Summit in Tianjin marked a significant milestone in international affairs, reflecting both the rise of the Global South and the growing importance of the Eurasian geopolitical space in world politics.
\n
"In stark contrast to the unilateralism proclaimed in certain Western capitals, the SCO summit has put, once again, front and center the values of multilateralism and international cooperation," he said.
\n
Francisco Urdinez, director of the Center of Asian Studies at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, praised China's continued efforts to assist SCO members in green transition within the organization's framework. Unlike West-led environmental initiatives, he noted, these efforts do not impose political strings.
\n
Contact the writers at gaoyang@chinadailyusa.com
\n",
+ "content": "
Experts have hailed the Global Governance Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping as a timely response to today's complex international challenges, saying it offers new insights and solutions for enhancing global governance.
\n
Xi presented the initiative on Monday at the "Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus" Meeting in Tianjin, where he urged nations to uphold sovereign equality, abide by the international rule of law, practice multilateralism, advocate a people-centered approach and focus on taking concrete actions.
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Jack Perry, chairman of the 48 Group in London, said that at a time of global turbulence — with unilateralism and protectionism undermining multilateral mechanisms — the business community is feeling the strain.
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"President Xi's Global Governance Initiative comes at the right moment, offering fresh wisdom and solutions for improving global governance and deserving the world's close attention," Perry said.
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As a long-standing promoter of Sino-British trade, the 48 Group has a keen sense that China has consistently been at the forefront of upholding multilateralism and maintaining a high level of openness, he said.
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China's role as a key driver of economic globalization "gives added authority and persuasiveness to the Global Governance Initiative, and lays the foundation for broad international support", he added.
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Najla Alzarooni, a researcher at the College of Public Policy, University of Sharjah, in the United Arab Emirates, said the initiative is a highly condensed summary of the SCO's philosophy and its development over the past 24 years, demonstrating President Xi's farsighted vision.
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"It is consistent with the sovereignty, noninterference and development principles that the Global South is sticking to," she said. The initiative should be seen as "a living model of cooperative governance, offering the international community a more compelling alternative" for building a multipolar and fair world essential in the 21st century, she said.
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Since becoming a dialogue partner in 2023, the UAE has shown its commitment to promoting the Shanghai Spirit — the philosophical backbone of the SCO, she said. Positioned at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and Europe, the UAE can bridge cooperation in energy, AI, finance and green projects under the SCO framework, she added.
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Onyango K'Onyango, a communications consultant in Kenya, said the Global Governance Initiative offers renewed hope for the world at a time of unprecedented challenges.
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By outlining five principles — including adherence to sovereign equality and the practice of multilateralism — China has demonstrated it is advancing a sound foreign policy for the benefit of humanity, he said.
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Nations should work together to shape a fairer world order built on win-win solutions, he said, noting that hegemony and protectionism must not be allowed to erode the gains made through multilateralism.
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Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan, president of the Center for Knowledge and Public Policy in Lahore, Pakistan, described Xi's speech at the SCO meeting as "both historic and futuristic", with the introduction of the Global Governance Initiative at its core.
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The initiative marks a major step toward advancing global equality, strengthening the role of developing countries, reinforcing an international system based on fairness and justice, and promoting the role of the Global South, Mehmood said.
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"This noble concept of global governance could be achieved by deepening cooperation with international organizations ... and participating constructively in international and regional affairs," he said.
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Jorge Heine, a former Chilean Cabinet minister and ambassador to China, stated that the SCO Summit in Tianjin marked a significant milestone in international affairs, reflecting both the rise of the Global South and the growing importance of the Eurasian geopolitical space in world politics.
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"In stark contrast to the unilateralism proclaimed in certain Western capitals, the SCO summit has put, once again, front and center the values of multilateralism and international cooperation," he said.
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Francisco Urdinez, director of the Center of Asian Studies at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, praised China's continued efforts to assist SCO members in green transition within the organization's framework. Unlike West-led environmental initiatives, he noted, these efforts do not impose political strings.
Archaeologist Rodemi Chuquilin (right) excavates human remains and clay vessels dating back more than 1,000 years to the pre-Inca Ychsma culture, uncovered by city workers digging a natural gas line in the Santiago de Surco district of Lima, Peru, on Wednesday.
\n",
+ "content": "
Archaeologist Rodemi Chuquilin (right) excavates human remains and clay vessels dating back more than 1,000 years to the pre-Inca Ychsma culture, uncovered by city workers digging a natural gas line in the Santiago de Surco district of Lima, Peru, on Wednesday.
On one side, golden deserts stretch to the horizon; on the other, the Persian Gulf shimmers under the sun. Wander through Dubai's landscape, and the spire of Burj Khalifa — the world's tallest building — pierces the sky. This is the United Arab Emirates — a land where the ancient desert gene merges with the open spirit of the sea, forging something unique.
\n
As an observer who has lived here for seven months, I have gradually perceived how this "crossroads of the world" weaves a distinctive modern symphony through cultural fusion.
\n
My first sense of awe came at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Its dome, floating above an artificial lagoon, casts a shower of light — a metaphor, it seems, for the nation's journey, where civilizations intersect, blend and evolve.
\n
Sixty-five percent of this land is desert, once home to Arab nomads who trekked with camels. Then there were pearls, a gift from the sea, making this region a global pearl trading hub in the 19th century.
\n
Diving for pearls nurtured a spirit of maritime exploration. After independence in 1971, oil transformed the UAE overnight, raising skyscrapers from the sand. But true prosperity stemmed from a shrewd understanding of its location: At the crossroads of three continents, with 2.4 billion people within a four-hour flight and 5 billion within 8 hours. It is, in essence, a natural global junction.
\n
When Disney announced plans for its seventh global theme park, it chose Abu Dhabi for its first Middle Eastern outpost, a testament to the UAE's appeal as a regional magnet.
\n
The country's business allure is equally strong. Ranked 16th in the World Bank's Doing Business 2020 index, the UAE hosts 46 free trade zones with special tax and customs policies. This duality of desert grit and maritime openness infuses the nation: It preserves nomadic resilience while embracing the world with open arms.
\n
Here, where 88.5 percent of the population is foreign-born, harmonious coexistence thrives, creating a miracle of cultural diversity.
\n
The Arab soul is embodied by around 1 million Emiratis, who anchor the nation and guide its core affairs. Clad in traditional white and black robes, they carry traditions amid the pulse of modernity, forming the cultural and political bedrock.
\n
The South Asian pillar, comprising more than 4 million Indians and Pakistanis, stands as the largest ethnic group, making up about 40 percent of the population. They build skyscrapers, drive taxis, practice medicine, engineer solutions and lead businesses. Their contributions are interwoven into every layer of society, shaping the country's physical skeleton and vibrant spirit.
\n
Adding a dynamic new thread to this tapestry, nearly 300,000 Chinese residents are writing fresh narratives of connection. In Dragon Mart, gadgets from Yiwu of Zhejiang province sit beside goji berries from Ningxia Hui autonomous region; young entrepreneurs adapt Chinese livestream commerce to local tastes, bridging markets and cultures.
\n
This harmony doesn't come automatically. During Ramadan, non-Muslims are required to avoid public eating; traditional dress codes contrast sharply with Western tourists' swimwear. But laws serve as a mediator: Sharjah bans alcohol entirely, with imprisonment for violations, while Dubai allows it for non-Muslims over 21 in designated areas. Rigorous rules — speeding fines can reach nearly $5,500 — keep diverse cultures on track, each thriving in its own space.
\n
In ancient times, the Silk Road linked China and the Middle East, with camels and ships carrying silk, porcelain, art and ideas. Today, through the Belt and Road Initiative, Sino-Arab friendship flourishes, with deepening investments capturing global attention.
\n
More than 6,000 Chinese companies operate here. Huawei contributes to smart city projects while Chery, BYD and Great Wall cars fill streets. This isn't ideological but a pragmatic choice. As one local put it, "Chinese vehicles represent the future."
\n
Yet, cultural gaps remain. When I ask people about China, most can say nihao, know of Beijing, Shanghai, the Great Wall and kung fu, but few have visited.
\n
A professor told me that his Emirati students' perceptions of China were "overwhelmingly positive, though not deep".
\n
"A student made a point," he recalled. "We see how Western media talks about us, and it's so far removed from how we see ourselves. So when we see them talk negatively about China, we think they're doing the same thing to them."
\n
Change, however, is brewing. Some 171 UAE schools teach Mandarin, with 71,000 students. Confucius Institutes and Chinese schools foster understanding. Some influencers' recent trips to China sparked curiosity as they shared adventures on social media, noting, "Now you just need a passport to go to China."
\n
The Chinese often say, "Even if friends are far apart, they feel as close as neighbors." Arabs also have a proverb, "Even if knowledge is far away in China, one should still seek it."
\n
Despite being thousands of kilometers apart, China and the UAE, both standing as representatives of antiquity and modernity, openness and inclusiveness, are bound to walk far together, driven by their shared pursuit of a better future.
\n
Contact the writer at cuihaipei@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Cui Haipei
\n\n
On one side, golden deserts stretch to the horizon; on the other, the Persian Gulf shimmers under the sun. Wander through Dubai's landscape, and the spire of Burj Khalifa — the world's tallest building — pierces the sky. This is the United Arab Emirates — a land where the ancient desert gene merges with the open spirit of the sea, forging something unique.
\n
As an observer who has lived here for seven months, I have gradually perceived how this "crossroads of the world" weaves a distinctive modern symphony through cultural fusion.
\n
My first sense of awe came at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Its dome, floating above an artificial lagoon, casts a shower of light — a metaphor, it seems, for the nation's journey, where civilizations intersect, blend and evolve.
\n
Sixty-five percent of this land is desert, once home to Arab nomads who trekked with camels. Then there were pearls, a gift from the sea, making this region a global pearl trading hub in the 19th century.
\n
Diving for pearls nurtured a spirit of maritime exploration. After independence in 1971, oil transformed the UAE overnight, raising skyscrapers from the sand. But true prosperity stemmed from a shrewd understanding of its location: At the crossroads of three continents, with 2.4 billion people within a four-hour flight and 5 billion within 8 hours. It is, in essence, a natural global junction.
\n
When Disney announced plans for its seventh global theme park, it chose Abu Dhabi for its first Middle Eastern outpost, a testament to the UAE's appeal as a regional magnet.
\n
The country's business allure is equally strong. Ranked 16th in the World Bank's Doing Business 2020 index, the UAE hosts 46 free trade zones with special tax and customs policies. This duality of desert grit and maritime openness infuses the nation: It preserves nomadic resilience while embracing the world with open arms.
\n
Here, where 88.5 percent of the population is foreign-born, harmonious coexistence thrives, creating a miracle of cultural diversity.
\n
The Arab soul is embodied by around 1 million Emiratis, who anchor the nation and guide its core affairs. Clad in traditional white and black robes, they carry traditions amid the pulse of modernity, forming the cultural and political bedrock.
\n
The South Asian pillar, comprising more than 4 million Indians and Pakistanis, stands as the largest ethnic group, making up about 40 percent of the population. They build skyscrapers, drive taxis, practice medicine, engineer solutions and lead businesses. Their contributions are interwoven into every layer of society, shaping the country's physical skeleton and vibrant spirit.
\n
Adding a dynamic new thread to this tapestry, nearly 300,000 Chinese residents are writing fresh narratives of connection. In Dragon Mart, gadgets from Yiwu of Zhejiang province sit beside goji berries from Ningxia Hui autonomous region; young entrepreneurs adapt Chinese livestream commerce to local tastes, bridging markets and cultures.
\n
This harmony doesn't come automatically. During Ramadan, non-Muslims are required to avoid public eating; traditional dress codes contrast sharply with Western tourists' swimwear. But laws serve as a mediator: Sharjah bans alcohol entirely, with imprisonment for violations, while Dubai allows it for non-Muslims over 21 in designated areas. Rigorous rules — speeding fines can reach nearly $5,500 — keep diverse cultures on track, each thriving in its own space.
\n
In ancient times, the Silk Road linked China and the Middle East, with camels and ships carrying silk, porcelain, art and ideas. Today, through the Belt and Road Initiative, Sino-Arab friendship flourishes, with deepening investments capturing global attention.
\n
More than 6,000 Chinese companies operate here. Huawei contributes to smart city projects while Chery, BYD and Great Wall cars fill streets. This isn't ideological but a pragmatic choice. As one local put it, "Chinese vehicles represent the future."
\n
Yet, cultural gaps remain. When I ask people about China, most can say nihao, know of Beijing, Shanghai, the Great Wall and kung fu, but few have visited.
\n
A professor told me that his Emirati students' perceptions of China were "overwhelmingly positive, though not deep".
\n
"A student made a point," he recalled. "We see how Western media talks about us, and it's so far removed from how we see ourselves. So when we see them talk negatively about China, we think they're doing the same thing to them."
\n
Change, however, is brewing. Some 171 UAE schools teach Mandarin, with 71,000 students. Confucius Institutes and Chinese schools foster understanding. Some influencers' recent trips to China sparked curiosity as they shared adventures on social media, noting, "Now you just need a passport to go to China."
\n
The Chinese often say, "Even if friends are far apart, they feel as close as neighbors." Arabs also have a proverb, "Even if knowledge is far away in China, one should still seek it."
\n
Despite being thousands of kilometers apart, China and the UAE, both standing as representatives of antiquity and modernity, openness and inclusiveness, are bound to walk far together, driven by their shared pursuit of a better future.
A federal judge on Wednesday ruled that US President Donald Trump's administration unlawfully terminated about $2.2 billion in grants awarded to Harvard University and can no longer cut off research funding to the school. The decision by United States District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston marked a major legal victory for Harvard as it seeks to cut a deal that could bring an end to the White House's multifront conflict with the university. While Harvard had tolerated hateful behavior for too long, the Trump administration "used antisemitism as a smokescreen for a targeted, ideologically motivated assault on this country's premier universities", Burroughs said.
\n
FRANCE
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Cookie law violation costs Google $379m
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France's data protection authority fined Google on Wednesday for failing to respect the law on internet cookies. The CNIL watchdog announced in a statement that it was imposing a fine of 325 million euros ($379 million) on the search giant, which failed to secure users' free and informed consent before setting advertising cookies on their browsers. Cookies are small files saved to browsers by websites that can collect data about users' online activity, making them essential to online advertising and the business models of many large platforms. The CNIL added that Google also violated rules by displaying advertisements in Gmail's tabs without obtaining user consent.
\n
AFGHANISTAN
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Earthquake death toll jumps to over 2,200
\n
The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on the weekend rose sharply to more than 2,200 on Thursday, according to a new toll, making it the deadliest in decades to hit the country. The vast majority of those killed in the magnitude-6.0 earthquake that jolted the mountainous region bordering Pakistan on Sunday were in Kunar Province, where 2,205 people died and 3,640 were injured, according to the Taliban government figures. Another 12 people were killed and hundreds injured in the neighboring provinces of Nangarhar and Laghman.
\n",
+ "content": "
UNITED STATES
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Court orders Harvard fund freeze reversal
\n
A federal judge on Wednesday ruled that US President Donald Trump's administration unlawfully terminated about $2.2 billion in grants awarded to Harvard University and can no longer cut off research funding to the school. The decision by United States District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston marked a major legal victory for Harvard as it seeks to cut a deal that could bring an end to the White House's multifront conflict with the university. While Harvard had tolerated hateful behavior for too long, the Trump administration "used antisemitism as a smokescreen for a targeted, ideologically motivated assault on this country's premier universities", Burroughs said.
\n
FRANCE
\n
Cookie law violation costs Google $379m
\n
France's data protection authority fined Google on Wednesday for failing to respect the law on internet cookies. The CNIL watchdog announced in a statement that it was imposing a fine of 325 million euros ($379 million) on the search giant, which failed to secure users' free and informed consent before setting advertising cookies on their browsers. Cookies are small files saved to browsers by websites that can collect data about users' online activity, making them essential to online advertising and the business models of many large platforms. The CNIL added that Google also violated rules by displaying advertisements in Gmail's tabs without obtaining user consent.
\n
AFGHANISTAN
\n
Earthquake death toll jumps to over 2,200
\n
The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on the weekend rose sharply to more than 2,200 on Thursday, according to a new toll, making it the deadliest in decades to hit the country. The vast majority of those killed in the magnitude-6.0 earthquake that jolted the mountainous region bordering Pakistan on Sunday were in Kunar Province, where 2,205 people died and 3,640 were injured, according to the Taliban government figures. Another 12 people were killed and hundreds injured in the neighboring provinces of Nangarhar and Laghman.
Medidata CEO Anthony Costello presents at Medidata's NEXT Conference.
\n
China's clinical trial industry, now ranked as the world's second-largest, has put increased emphasis on artificial intelligence-driven solutions. Over the next five years, AI will revolutionize clinical trials by being integrated across all stages of new drug development, which will drastically improve productivity, and significantly reduce trial duration and failure rates, according to Anthony Costello, CEO of Medidata, a digital solutions provider in the life sciences industry.
\n
AI is also rapidly expanding across Asia's drug development pipeline. China is leading with more than 100 AI-enabled pharma companies and significant investment, fueled by the country's supportive "AI+Health" policies, Costello said.
\n
Driving better outcomes
\n
Data show that the trials initiated by China have grown from 3 to 28 percent in a decade. Digital solutions, particularly electronic data collection, are now near-universal in China. The transformation driven by electronic data and cloud-based tools has showcased its effects. In the near future, AI will take the lead to deliver a profound transformation in life sciences by fostering a patient-centric ecosystem, driving better health outcomes, and improving overall care, Costello said.
\n
Since 2019, the company has leveraged AI and machine learning for predictive analytics and real-time data integration via solutions like Clinical Data Studio. And in 2025, powered by its AI capability, the company is promoting a transformative shift from a product-focused approach to an experience-driven one. The Medidata Experiences, focusing on the experiences of patients, studies and data, enables the clinical trial journey to be optimized for efficiency and effect, streamlining processes and enhancing collaboration.
\n
By 2030, AI will transform patient engagement through long-term partnerships built on trust and transparency. Patients will willingly share vast healthcare data, assisted by sensors, wearables, AI predictive modeling and decentralized trials. This ecosystem of trust will enable more precise patient recruitment, real-time data analysis, and highly personalized drug development, leading to more therapy breakthroughs. This aligns with the Medidata Experiences by enhancing the patient journey through seamless, convenient participation and by optimizing the study and data experiences through intelligent insights and streamlined processes, Costello said.
\n
At the close of 2024, Medidata introduced its "AI Everywhere" strategy, designed to seamlessly embed intelligence across the Medidata Platform. This allows sponsors and researchers to make smarter data-driven decisions by transforming massive clinical data volumes into practical insights, particularly in fields like immunology, neurology and oncology.
\n
"Medidata's advanced platform is specifically designed to meet stringent international regulatory requirements. We integrate AI-powered analytical tools that predict risks, enhance data quality and significantly accelerate clinical trial speed and success rates," Costello said.
\n
Collaborating with its parent company Dassault Systemes and leveraging the recent GEN-7 launch, Medidata is providing customers with a broader perspective for comprehensive digitalization across the entire life sciences life cycle. This includes using generative AI to create virtual twins for patients, therapies and hospitals, ultimately virtualizing the healthcare process and driving advancements in life sciences.
\n
Together in China
\n
Medidata has been accelerating the digitalization of clinical trials for more than 25 years. Leveraging its extensive clinical trial database and AI-driven insights, Medidata also empowers Chinese pharmaceutical and biotech companies in new drug development, enabling them to gain global recognition and deliver life-changing therapies. Its core expertise lies in the high-quality historical clinical trials data derived from more than 36,000 clinical trials involving 11 million patients. The company has helped transform clinical trials in China from initial paper-to-electronic conversions (Rave EDC) to enable decentralized trials.
\n
To empower China's innovative drugs on the global stage, Medidata has shown its crucial competitive edge in compliance with global regulatory frameworks like the United States Food and Drug Administration, especially with today's increasing data volume and complexity. More than 70 percent of new drugs approved by the US FDA in 2024 utilized Medidata technology, which underscores its solutions' reliability and impact in navigating global drug development complexities. The company's solutions ensure continuous monitoring for anomalies and compliance, preventing delays and meeting rigorous international data quality standards.
\n
"This year marks the 10th anniversary of Medidata China. We've been a reliable partner to our Chinese clients and aim to expand collaboration with authorities, sites, sponsors and contract research organizations across the industry. We have been exchanging practices, contributing to an intelligent ecosystem and supporting local innovations and global success, ultimately powering smarter treatment and healthier people in China and all around the world," Costello said.
\n",
+ "content": "
Medidata CEO Anthony Costello presents at Medidata's NEXT Conference.
\n
China's clinical trial industry, now ranked as the world's second-largest, has put increased emphasis on artificial intelligence-driven solutions. Over the next five years, AI will revolutionize clinical trials by being integrated across all stages of new drug development, which will drastically improve productivity, and significantly reduce trial duration and failure rates, according to Anthony Costello, CEO of Medidata, a digital solutions provider in the life sciences industry.
\n
AI is also rapidly expanding across Asia's drug development pipeline. China is leading with more than 100 AI-enabled pharma companies and significant investment, fueled by the country's supportive "AI+Health" policies, Costello said.
\n
Driving better outcomes
\n
Data show that the trials initiated by China have grown from 3 to 28 percent in a decade. Digital solutions, particularly electronic data collection, are now near-universal in China. The transformation driven by electronic data and cloud-based tools has showcased its effects. In the near future, AI will take the lead to deliver a profound transformation in life sciences by fostering a patient-centric ecosystem, driving better health outcomes, and improving overall care, Costello said.
\n
Since 2019, the company has leveraged AI and machine learning for predictive analytics and real-time data integration via solutions like Clinical Data Studio. And in 2025, powered by its AI capability, the company is promoting a transformative shift from a product-focused approach to an experience-driven one. The Medidata Experiences, focusing on the experiences of patients, studies and data, enables the clinical trial journey to be optimized for efficiency and effect, streamlining processes and enhancing collaboration.
\n
By 2030, AI will transform patient engagement through long-term partnerships built on trust and transparency. Patients will willingly share vast healthcare data, assisted by sensors, wearables, AI predictive modeling and decentralized trials. This ecosystem of trust will enable more precise patient recruitment, real-time data analysis, and highly personalized drug development, leading to more therapy breakthroughs. This aligns with the Medidata Experiences by enhancing the patient journey through seamless, convenient participation and by optimizing the study and data experiences through intelligent insights and streamlined processes, Costello said.
\n
At the close of 2024, Medidata introduced its "AI Everywhere" strategy, designed to seamlessly embed intelligence across the Medidata Platform. This allows sponsors and researchers to make smarter data-driven decisions by transforming massive clinical data volumes into practical insights, particularly in fields like immunology, neurology and oncology.
\n
"Medidata's advanced platform is specifically designed to meet stringent international regulatory requirements. We integrate AI-powered analytical tools that predict risks, enhance data quality and significantly accelerate clinical trial speed and success rates," Costello said.
\n
Collaborating with its parent company Dassault Systemes and leveraging the recent GEN-7 launch, Medidata is providing customers with a broader perspective for comprehensive digitalization across the entire life sciences life cycle. This includes using generative AI to create virtual twins for patients, therapies and hospitals, ultimately virtualizing the healthcare process and driving advancements in life sciences.
\n
Together in China
\n
Medidata has been accelerating the digitalization of clinical trials for more than 25 years. Leveraging its extensive clinical trial database and AI-driven insights, Medidata also empowers Chinese pharmaceutical and biotech companies in new drug development, enabling them to gain global recognition and deliver life-changing therapies. Its core expertise lies in the high-quality historical clinical trials data derived from more than 36,000 clinical trials involving 11 million patients. The company has helped transform clinical trials in China from initial paper-to-electronic conversions (Rave EDC) to enable decentralized trials.
\n
To empower China's innovative drugs on the global stage, Medidata has shown its crucial competitive edge in compliance with global regulatory frameworks like the United States Food and Drug Administration, especially with today's increasing data volume and complexity. More than 70 percent of new drugs approved by the US FDA in 2024 utilized Medidata technology, which underscores its solutions' reliability and impact in navigating global drug development complexities. The company's solutions ensure continuous monitoring for anomalies and compliance, preventing delays and meeting rigorous international data quality standards.
\n
"This year marks the 10th anniversary of Medidata China. We've been a reliable partner to our Chinese clients and aim to expand collaboration with authorities, sites, sponsors and contract research organizations across the industry. We have been exchanging practices, contributing to an intelligent ecosystem and supporting local innovations and global success, ultimately powering smarter treatment and healthier people in China and all around the world," Costello said.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday welcomed Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan, pledging to create win-win opportunities and inject new momentum into the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
\n
Sharif made the remarks while addressing the second Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference in Beijing.
\n
Pakistan dispatched its largest-ever business delegation to the event, covering agriculture, information technology, commerce, finance and other fields, which Sharif said reflected Islamabad's strong commitment to advancing economic ties with China.
\n
Highlighting the "ironclad "friendship that has endured for over seven decades, Sharif recalled that Pakistan has always received China's steadfast support in times of crisis, whether during earthquakes, floods or global turbulence.
\n
Noting the signing of the landmark China-Pakistan Economic Corridor agreement in 2015, he said the project has enabled Pakistan to overcome crippling power shortages, achieve energy self-sufficiency and revive its industry and agriculture.
\n
CPEC is a framework of regional connectivity and a signature project of the Belt and Road Initiative.
\n
Looking ahead, Sharif said the two sides are launching CPEC 2.0, with priorities including B2B investment, agriculture, IT, mineral development and special economic zones.
\n
He emphasized that industrial cooperation will remain the "cornerstone" of bilateral economic ties and a defining feature of CPEC's high-quality development in its second phase.
\n
Sharif invited Chinese companies to consider Pakistan as a preferred investment destination, particularly for relocating industries into special economic zones as Pakistan offers a unique comparative advantage with a large pool of skilled and cost-effective labor, competitive input costs, and strategic connectivity to regional and global markets.
\n
Achievements hailed
\n
The prime minister also hailed China's remarkable achievements over the past five decades, from becoming the world's second-largest economy to lifting millions out of poverty, and pledged that Pakistan would strive to learn from its success and build a stronger national economy.
\n
Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said at the event that the council will establish more tailored trade promotion platforms, supporting Chinese enterprises to import Pakistan's competitive products such as cotton yarn, leather, garments, seafood and nuts, while also encouraging more investment in Pakistan. China has been Pakistan's largest trading partner for 10 consecutive years, its top import source, second-largest export market, and the biggest source of foreign direct investment.
\n
According to figures from the General Administration of Customs of China, the total bilateral trade in goods between China and Pakistan reached $23.1 billion in 2024, an increase of 11.1 percent from the previous year. Figures from the Huaon Industrial Research Institute show that from January to July this year, bilateral trade reached $14.5 billion, up 11.5 percent year-on-year.
\n
He Zhenwei, president of the China Overseas Development Association, said the CPEC has shifted from "hard connectivity "in infrastructure to "soft connectivity" in industrial cooperation, green and low-carbon growth, and livelihood improvements, making it a powerful driver of Pakistan's socioeconomic development.
\n
He expressed hope that Pakistan will create a more favorable business environment for Chinese high-tech firms, noting that Chinese enterprises going abroad now aim not only to secure resources but also to export standards and solutions in areas such as electric vehicles and digital payments.
\n
He said the association is preparing job fairs for Chinese companies operating in Pakistan.
\n
The initiative will target more than 38,000 Pakistani students currently studying in China, aiming both to ease labor shortages for businesses and to help students secure employment opportunities after graduation.
\n
zhaojia@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "\n
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday welcomed Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan, pledging to create win-win opportunities and inject new momentum into the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
\n
Sharif made the remarks while addressing the second Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference in Beijing.
\n
Pakistan dispatched its largest-ever business delegation to the event, covering agriculture, information technology, commerce, finance and other fields, which Sharif said reflected Islamabad's strong commitment to advancing economic ties with China.
\n
Highlighting the "ironclad "friendship that has endured for over seven decades, Sharif recalled that Pakistan has always received China's steadfast support in times of crisis, whether during earthquakes, floods or global turbulence.
\n
Noting the signing of the landmark China-Pakistan Economic Corridor agreement in 2015, he said the project has enabled Pakistan to overcome crippling power shortages, achieve energy self-sufficiency and revive its industry and agriculture.
\n
CPEC is a framework of regional connectivity and a signature project of the Belt and Road Initiative.
\n
Looking ahead, Sharif said the two sides are launching CPEC 2.0, with priorities including B2B investment, agriculture, IT, mineral development and special economic zones.
\n
He emphasized that industrial cooperation will remain the "cornerstone" of bilateral economic ties and a defining feature of CPEC's high-quality development in its second phase.
\n
Sharif invited Chinese companies to consider Pakistan as a preferred investment destination, particularly for relocating industries into special economic zones as Pakistan offers a unique comparative advantage with a large pool of skilled and cost-effective labor, competitive input costs, and strategic connectivity to regional and global markets.
\n
Achievements hailed
\n
The prime minister also hailed China's remarkable achievements over the past five decades, from becoming the world's second-largest economy to lifting millions out of poverty, and pledged that Pakistan would strive to learn from its success and build a stronger national economy.
\n
Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said at the event that the council will establish more tailored trade promotion platforms, supporting Chinese enterprises to import Pakistan's competitive products such as cotton yarn, leather, garments, seafood and nuts, while also encouraging more investment in Pakistan. China has been Pakistan's largest trading partner for 10 consecutive years, its top import source, second-largest export market, and the biggest source of foreign direct investment.
\n
According to figures from the General Administration of Customs of China, the total bilateral trade in goods between China and Pakistan reached $23.1 billion in 2024, an increase of 11.1 percent from the previous year. Figures from the Huaon Industrial Research Institute show that from January to July this year, bilateral trade reached $14.5 billion, up 11.5 percent year-on-year.
\n
He Zhenwei, president of the China Overseas Development Association, said the CPEC has shifted from "hard connectivity "in infrastructure to "soft connectivity" in industrial cooperation, green and low-carbon growth, and livelihood improvements, making it a powerful driver of Pakistan's socioeconomic development.
\n
He expressed hope that Pakistan will create a more favorable business environment for Chinese high-tech firms, noting that Chinese enterprises going abroad now aim not only to secure resources but also to export standards and solutions in areas such as electric vehicles and digital payments.
\n
He said the association is preparing job fairs for Chinese companies operating in Pakistan.
\n
The initiative will target more than 38,000 Pakistani students currently studying in China, aiming both to ease labor shortages for businesses and to help students secure employment opportunities after graduation.
Palestinians move toward central Gaza using vehicles, horse carts, and by foot, as intensified Israeli attacks force them to flee on Wednesday.
\n
Hamas has appealed to the United Nations and the international community to intervene after Israel rejected its ceasefire offer and threatened to escalate military operations in Gaza, including further annexing the West Bank.
\n
In a statement on Wednesday, the group reiterated its readiness to accept a comprehensive Gaza ceasefire and release all Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, Al Jazeera reported.
\n
Hamas also slammed Israel for committing "horrific war crimes "following reports of strikes wiping out entire families in Gaza City, and with more people, including children, dying of starvation.
\n
However, a statement published by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said this was unfortunately "more spin by Hamas that has nothing new".
\n
Abdul Wahed Jalal Nori, a lecturer in the Department of Fundamental and Inter-Disciplinary Studies at International Islamic University Malaysia, told China Daily that by appealing to the UN, Hamas underscores that it is Israel, not them, undermining prospects for stability and exploiting international silence to entrench occupation under the guise of "self-defense".
\n
"What we are witnessing is not a genuine search for peace but a strategy of perpetual delay," said Abdul Wahed.
\n
On Wednesday, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich unveiled a proposal to annex 82 percent of the West Bank, drawing criticism within Israel and its Arab neighbors.
\n
In a post on X, Aida Touma-Sliman, a Palestinian Arab member of the Israeli Knesset, condemned Smotrich's annexation map.
\n
"It seeks to erase an entire people by redrawing borders with brutality and arrogance, turning the West Bank into fragmented prisons with no geographic continuity under Israeli sovereignty," said Touma-Sliman.
\n
Israel's refusal to accept a ceasefire deal has also begun to frustrate its Arab neighbors and peace negotiators.
\n
In a statement published on Wednesday, Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi condemned in the strongest terms "the dangerous and suspicious calls made by a minister in the government of the Israeli occupation forces, which aim to deepen settlement and annex the occupied West Bank".
\n
He said these inflammatory calls "confirm the occupation's continuous and systematic approach of destabilizing security and stability in the region", reflecting its insistence on undermining peace opportunities and its blatant defiance of international conventions, as well as its continued violation of all laws and norms.
\n
Albudaiwi also called on the international community to take immediate deterrent measures "to stop these inflammatory calls and dangerous practices by the Israeli occupation forces".
Palestinians move toward central Gaza using vehicles, horse carts, and by foot, as intensified Israeli attacks force them to flee on Wednesday.
\n
Hamas has appealed to the United Nations and the international community to intervene after Israel rejected its ceasefire offer and threatened to escalate military operations in Gaza, including further annexing the West Bank.
\n
In a statement on Wednesday, the group reiterated its readiness to accept a comprehensive Gaza ceasefire and release all Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, Al Jazeera reported.
\n
Hamas also slammed Israel for committing "horrific war crimes "following reports of strikes wiping out entire families in Gaza City, and with more people, including children, dying of starvation.
\n
However, a statement published by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said this was unfortunately "more spin by Hamas that has nothing new".
\n
Abdul Wahed Jalal Nori, a lecturer in the Department of Fundamental and Inter-Disciplinary Studies at International Islamic University Malaysia, told China Daily that by appealing to the UN, Hamas underscores that it is Israel, not them, undermining prospects for stability and exploiting international silence to entrench occupation under the guise of "self-defense".
\n
"What we are witnessing is not a genuine search for peace but a strategy of perpetual delay," said Abdul Wahed.
\n
On Wednesday, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich unveiled a proposal to annex 82 percent of the West Bank, drawing criticism within Israel and its Arab neighbors.
\n
In a post on X, Aida Touma-Sliman, a Palestinian Arab member of the Israeli Knesset, condemned Smotrich's annexation map.
\n
"It seeks to erase an entire people by redrawing borders with brutality and arrogance, turning the West Bank into fragmented prisons with no geographic continuity under Israeli sovereignty," said Touma-Sliman.
\n
Israel's refusal to accept a ceasefire deal has also begun to frustrate its Arab neighbors and peace negotiators.
\n
In a statement published on Wednesday, Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi condemned in the strongest terms "the dangerous and suspicious calls made by a minister in the government of the Israeli occupation forces, which aim to deepen settlement and annex the occupied West Bank".
\n
He said these inflammatory calls "confirm the occupation's continuous and systematic approach of destabilizing security and stability in the region", reflecting its insistence on undermining peace opportunities and its blatant defiance of international conventions, as well as its continued violation of all laws and norms.
\n
Albudaiwi also called on the international community to take immediate deterrent measures "to stop these inflammatory calls and dangerous practices by the Israeli occupation forces".
Clockwise from left: Mike Parkington, chief R&D officer of Unilever Home Care, highlights the company's "Bright Future" strategy during his visit to China. A display of Unilever Home Care's latest core innovation products, showcasing superior performance and sustainability. Unilever's U66 R&D Center in Shanghai, a facility dedicated to driving superior product innovation to brighten everyday life for all.
\n\n
Consumer goods giant Unilever has announced the establishment of its Carbon Net Zero Innovation Hub in Yancheng city, East China's Jiangsu province. The company will collaborate with Chinese research institutes and industrial partners to accelerate the green and low-carbon transformation of the chemical industry.
\n
Environmental action
\n
Environmental protection is one of the most pressing global issues, and China has been actively fulfilling its responsibilities as a major country while playing a key role in global climate governance. In 2020, China set out its dual-carbon strategy, aiming to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
\n
Over the past five years, central and local authorities across China have advanced this goal in manufacturing, energy, transport, urban and rural construction, achieving notable progress. Reaching this vision requires not only policy support from the government, scientific research from universities and cooperation from the public, but also actions from enterprises and close coordination between all parties.
\n
In response to climate change, Unilever has introduced a Climate Transition Action Plan, committed to achieve zero operational greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 & 2) by 2030 and reach net zero across its entire value chain (Scope 1, 2 & 3) by 2039.
\n
In China, Unilever is aligning with national goals by strengthening research and development, partnering with Chinese institutions and suppliers, and scaling renewable and recycled carbon technologies in its product portfolio, creating a meaningful influence for its consumers and communities.
\n
The Carbon Net Zero Innovation Hub will focus on recycling biomass carbon resources and supporting the chemical industry's transition to net zero. By introducing renewable commodity chemicals — produced from biomass using clean energy — into the fine chemical value chain, the hub will unlock low carbon ingredients for consumer goods and bring low carbon products into consumers' daily lives. It will also explore new paths for closer collaboration with authorities as well as academic and industry partners.
\n
Unmissably superior products
\n
Today, Unilever is driving the transition from traditional petrochemical sources to renewable carbon alternatives. As one of Unilever's key business groups, Home Care boasts products reaching nearly every consumer's daily life. According to Mike Parkington, chief R&D officer of Unilever Home Care, the business is guided by a consumer-centric business strategy grounded in unmissable superiority and sustainability.
\n
Under this strategy, Unilever Home Care has advanced a portfolio of breakthrough innovations. In partnership with Evonik, it developed a new green surfactant, Rhamnolipid, derived from renewable sugar, now used in dishwashing liquid sold in Chile, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand. The 100 percent plant-based and biodegradable formula offers strong cleaning performance while simultaneously reducing environmental impact. In addition, Unilever has jointly launched the "Flue2Chem" program in the United Kingdom, which converts carbon-containing gases into high-value chemicals.
\n
China, one of the global leaders in chemical production and innovation, has long been among Unilever's most important markets for driving product superiority and utilizing low-carbon feedstock.
\n
In 2021, Unilever pioneered the world's first laundry capsule in market using surfactant made with carbon capture technology in China. By introducing renewable feedstocks with local suppliers, the company has reduced emissions across its local manufacturing. The new Carbon Net Zero Innovation Hub in Yancheng represents another critical point in this project.
\n
Collaboration with partners
\n
The hub is located in Yancheng's Dafeng Port zero carbon industrial park in Jiangsu. The province has set the goal of "establishing a green, low-carbon, and circular economic system by 2035".
\n
Yancheng, in particular, is the host of the "Global Coastal Forum", which is centered on the theme of green and low-carbon development.
\n
The zero carbon industrial park is actively developing ecosystems to leverage abundant biomass and clean energy for economic and sustainable development. This will enable the fast-moving consumer goods industry to widely apply green chemical technologies in daily-use products, promoting sustainable practices from manufacturing to the entire life cycle.
\n
In addition, the hub has co-hosted a Carbon Net Zero Chemical Value Seminar with ICT Developer, to foster dialogue across the value chain and explore practical applications of carbon net zero technologies.
\n
During his visit to China, Parkington said: "China is one of our important manufacturing bases and importantly a center for innovating superior products on the move toward net zero for our business. By working closely with Chinese research institutes and industry partners, we hope to turn more green technologies into solutions consumers fall in love with."
\n
fanzitong@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Clockwise from left: Mike Parkington, chief R&D officer of Unilever Home Care, highlights the company's "Bright Future" strategy during his visit to China. A display of Unilever Home Care's latest core innovation products, showcasing superior performance and sustainability. Unilever's U66 R&D Center in Shanghai, a facility dedicated to driving superior product innovation to brighten everyday life for all.
\n\n
Consumer goods giant Unilever has announced the establishment of its Carbon Net Zero Innovation Hub in Yancheng city, East China's Jiangsu province. The company will collaborate with Chinese research institutes and industrial partners to accelerate the green and low-carbon transformation of the chemical industry.
\n
Environmental action
\n
Environmental protection is one of the most pressing global issues, and China has been actively fulfilling its responsibilities as a major country while playing a key role in global climate governance. In 2020, China set out its dual-carbon strategy, aiming to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
\n
Over the past five years, central and local authorities across China have advanced this goal in manufacturing, energy, transport, urban and rural construction, achieving notable progress. Reaching this vision requires not only policy support from the government, scientific research from universities and cooperation from the public, but also actions from enterprises and close coordination between all parties.
\n
In response to climate change, Unilever has introduced a Climate Transition Action Plan, committed to achieve zero operational greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 & 2) by 2030 and reach net zero across its entire value chain (Scope 1, 2 & 3) by 2039.
\n
In China, Unilever is aligning with national goals by strengthening research and development, partnering with Chinese institutions and suppliers, and scaling renewable and recycled carbon technologies in its product portfolio, creating a meaningful influence for its consumers and communities.
\n
The Carbon Net Zero Innovation Hub will focus on recycling biomass carbon resources and supporting the chemical industry's transition to net zero. By introducing renewable commodity chemicals — produced from biomass using clean energy — into the fine chemical value chain, the hub will unlock low carbon ingredients for consumer goods and bring low carbon products into consumers' daily lives. It will also explore new paths for closer collaboration with authorities as well as academic and industry partners.
\n
Unmissably superior products
\n
Today, Unilever is driving the transition from traditional petrochemical sources to renewable carbon alternatives. As one of Unilever's key business groups, Home Care boasts products reaching nearly every consumer's daily life. According to Mike Parkington, chief R&D officer of Unilever Home Care, the business is guided by a consumer-centric business strategy grounded in unmissable superiority and sustainability.
\n
Under this strategy, Unilever Home Care has advanced a portfolio of breakthrough innovations. In partnership with Evonik, it developed a new green surfactant, Rhamnolipid, derived from renewable sugar, now used in dishwashing liquid sold in Chile, Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand. The 100 percent plant-based and biodegradable formula offers strong cleaning performance while simultaneously reducing environmental impact. In addition, Unilever has jointly launched the "Flue2Chem" program in the United Kingdom, which converts carbon-containing gases into high-value chemicals.
\n
China, one of the global leaders in chemical production and innovation, has long been among Unilever's most important markets for driving product superiority and utilizing low-carbon feedstock.
\n
In 2021, Unilever pioneered the world's first laundry capsule in market using surfactant made with carbon capture technology in China. By introducing renewable feedstocks with local suppliers, the company has reduced emissions across its local manufacturing. The new Carbon Net Zero Innovation Hub in Yancheng represents another critical point in this project.
\n
Collaboration with partners
\n
The hub is located in Yancheng's Dafeng Port zero carbon industrial park in Jiangsu. The province has set the goal of "establishing a green, low-carbon, and circular economic system by 2035".
\n
Yancheng, in particular, is the host of the "Global Coastal Forum", which is centered on the theme of green and low-carbon development.
\n
The zero carbon industrial park is actively developing ecosystems to leverage abundant biomass and clean energy for economic and sustainable development. This will enable the fast-moving consumer goods industry to widely apply green chemical technologies in daily-use products, promoting sustainable practices from manufacturing to the entire life cycle.
\n
In addition, the hub has co-hosted a Carbon Net Zero Chemical Value Seminar with ICT Developer, to foster dialogue across the value chain and explore practical applications of carbon net zero technologies.
\n
During his visit to China, Parkington said: "China is one of our important manufacturing bases and importantly a center for innovating superior products on the move toward net zero for our business. By working closely with Chinese research institutes and industry partners, we hope to turn more green technologies into solutions consumers fall in love with."
The Thursday adjustment in most sectors in the A-share market is an oft seen phenomenon after days of sharp advances, and it will not impact the structural opportunities and long-term upward trend in the Chinese capital market, said experts.
\n
Their comments were made on Thursday after the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index shed 1.25 percent to close at 3765.88 points and the Shenzhen Component Index closed 2.83 percent lower. Trading activity remained high, with the combined trading value on the Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses exceeding 2.54 trillion yuan ($360 billion), 7.6 percent higher than the previous trading day.
\n
Fluctuations may not be avoided in September as the A-share market faces some profit-taking pressure after rapid increases in the previous two months, said Zhang Yidong, chief global strategist at Industrial Securities, adding that regulators will strive to safeguard market stability and avoid an irrational bull run.
\n
But over the medium to long run, the Chinese stock market — including both A-shares and Hong Kong shares — is likely to see sustained bull markets, thanks to the country's high-quality economic growth, the larger amount of social wealth directed to the stock market, breakthroughs in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and the return of global capital, Zhang said.
\n
Analysts at China Securities said that structural opportunities are implied in the A-share market as China is seeing new economic drivers playing a bigger role. In specific, these opportunities may be churned out in industries such as AI, technology-based manufacturing and humanoid robots, they said.
\n
The balance of Chinese household savings was as high as 162 trillion yuan as of end-June, of which 33 to 60 trillion yuan can be defined as excess savings based on different securities brokerage calculations, said Xue Hongyan, deputy director of consulting firm Star Atlas Institute of Finance.
\n
Given the low interest rates in China and the weakening investment function of properties, such excess savings will flow into equities at a faster pace, serving as a major contributor of the A-share market's incremental capital, Xue said.
\n
As China's first qualified foreign institutional investor, UBS has seen overseas investors' increasing interest in China, which is especially noticeable amid the current global trend of investment diversification, said Fang Dongming, head of China Global Markets at UBS.
\n
In June, overseas investors held over 3 trillion yuan of A shares, accounting for 7.4 percent of the A-share market's total free-float market cap. UBS predicts that 2025 might be a big year for China assets, said Fang.
\n
The anticipation of interest rate cuts globally, combined with the low interest rates in China, have provided an amiable liquidity environment for introducing more capital into the Chinese stock market. It is increasingly evident that the Chinese stock market has become more profitable, further attracting the participation of foreign investors, he said.
\n
Experts from the world's largest asset manager BlackRock said that the A-share market is likely to sustain the recent bullish performance thanks to various positive developments. China registered a 5.3 percent GDP growth in the first half, showing continued recovery in economic fundamentals. A-share companies' operational resilience is proven by the higher revenue and profitability in their half-year fiscal results. And the central government's attention directed to the capital market has served as a cushion for market adjustments, helping to elevate market activity, they said.
\n
Meanwhile, the anticipation of the US Federal Reserve to lower interest rates has been rising. This will further improve liquidity in bourses worldwide, which is conducive to the performance of equities, they said.
\n
shijing@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
The Thursday adjustment in most sectors in the A-share market is an oft seen phenomenon after days of sharp advances, and it will not impact the structural opportunities and long-term upward trend in the Chinese capital market, said experts.
\n
Their comments were made on Thursday after the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index shed 1.25 percent to close at 3765.88 points and the Shenzhen Component Index closed 2.83 percent lower. Trading activity remained high, with the combined trading value on the Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses exceeding 2.54 trillion yuan ($360 billion), 7.6 percent higher than the previous trading day.
\n
Fluctuations may not be avoided in September as the A-share market faces some profit-taking pressure after rapid increases in the previous two months, said Zhang Yidong, chief global strategist at Industrial Securities, adding that regulators will strive to safeguard market stability and avoid an irrational bull run.
\n
But over the medium to long run, the Chinese stock market — including both A-shares and Hong Kong shares — is likely to see sustained bull markets, thanks to the country's high-quality economic growth, the larger amount of social wealth directed to the stock market, breakthroughs in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and the return of global capital, Zhang said.
\n
Analysts at China Securities said that structural opportunities are implied in the A-share market as China is seeing new economic drivers playing a bigger role. In specific, these opportunities may be churned out in industries such as AI, technology-based manufacturing and humanoid robots, they said.
\n
The balance of Chinese household savings was as high as 162 trillion yuan as of end-June, of which 33 to 60 trillion yuan can be defined as excess savings based on different securities brokerage calculations, said Xue Hongyan, deputy director of consulting firm Star Atlas Institute of Finance.
\n
Given the low interest rates in China and the weakening investment function of properties, such excess savings will flow into equities at a faster pace, serving as a major contributor of the A-share market's incremental capital, Xue said.
\n
As China's first qualified foreign institutional investor, UBS has seen overseas investors' increasing interest in China, which is especially noticeable amid the current global trend of investment diversification, said Fang Dongming, head of China Global Markets at UBS.
\n
In June, overseas investors held over 3 trillion yuan of A shares, accounting for 7.4 percent of the A-share market's total free-float market cap. UBS predicts that 2025 might be a big year for China assets, said Fang.
\n
The anticipation of interest rate cuts globally, combined with the low interest rates in China, have provided an amiable liquidity environment for introducing more capital into the Chinese stock market. It is increasingly evident that the Chinese stock market has become more profitable, further attracting the participation of foreign investors, he said.
\n
Experts from the world's largest asset manager BlackRock said that the A-share market is likely to sustain the recent bullish performance thanks to various positive developments. China registered a 5.3 percent GDP growth in the first half, showing continued recovery in economic fundamentals. A-share companies' operational resilience is proven by the higher revenue and profitability in their half-year fiscal results. And the central government's attention directed to the capital market has served as a cushion for market adjustments, helping to elevate market activity, they said.
\n
Meanwhile, the anticipation of the US Federal Reserve to lower interest rates has been rising. This will further improve liquidity in bourses worldwide, which is conducive to the performance of equities, they said.
A technician from Taiyuan North Rolling-stock Depot in Shanxi province inspects brake adjusters inside a workshop. The depot has introduced 28 control measures on brake adjusters, providing a solid safeguard for braking safety of heavy-haul trains running along the Datong-Qinhuangdao rail line.
A technician from Taiyuan North Rolling-stock Depot in Shanxi province inspects brake adjusters inside a workshop. The depot has introduced 28 control measures on brake adjusters, providing a solid safeguard for braking safety of heavy-haul trains running along the Datong-Qinhuangdao rail line.
Chinese power operators are better maintaining charging piles nationwide to safeguard such "energy stations" that help boost green mobility. In Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, the operation and maintenance of charging piles have become critical to sustaining eco-friendly travel amid the scorching summer heat, and State Grid Xuzhou dispatched teams to all charging sites in its service area, carrying out a comprehensive hazard-inspection campaign. The staff members inspected cabinets, touchscreens, pile housings and cable connections, conducting rectification on any spotted defect. They also explained safe-use practices and emergency procedures to drivers coming to charge, refining charging services.
\n
Yuan strengthens against greenback
\n
The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, strengthened 56 pips to 7.1052 against the US dollar on Thursday, said the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.
\n",
+ "content": "
Enhanced charging piles spur green travel
\n
Chinese power operators are better maintaining charging piles nationwide to safeguard such "energy stations" that help boost green mobility. In Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, the operation and maintenance of charging piles have become critical to sustaining eco-friendly travel amid the scorching summer heat, and State Grid Xuzhou dispatched teams to all charging sites in its service area, carrying out a comprehensive hazard-inspection campaign. The staff members inspected cabinets, touchscreens, pile housings and cable connections, conducting rectification on any spotted defect. They also explained safe-use practices and emergency procedures to drivers coming to charge, refining charging services.
\n
Yuan strengthens against greenback
\n
The central parity rate of the Chinese currency renminbi, or the yuan, strengthened 56 pips to 7.1052 against the US dollar on Thursday, said the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.
An employee makes guitars at a workshop in Songzi, Hubei province.
\n
Turning out only 200 guitars a month from its custom workshop, Hubei Tongxin Musical Instrument Co Ltd, based in Songzi, Jingzhou, Hubei province, aims to take a greater overseas market share in the high-end guitar manufacturing market.
\n
"As a high-end production facility of the company, the workshop sells its guitars for no less than 30,000 yuan ($4,130) each," said Wang Fenghua, CEO of the musical instrument maker.
\n
Based in the Songzi Cultural and Creative Park, Tongxin specializes in classical guitars, acoustic guitars and ukuleles, and is one of the few companies in China capable of producing a full range of high-end wooden guitars.
\n
While the workshop turns out around 200 guitars a month, in 2024, Tongxin's other facilities enabled the company to export over 12,000 guitars annually, with the top models priced at 59,800 yuan each, generating an annual output value of 150 million yuan.
\n
More than 80 percent of its products are exported to Europe, the United States, Japan, Australia and Southeast Asia.
\n
"The market for high-end guitars is buoyed by greater demand and potential, but it requires advanced technical know-how and breakthroughs in material science," Wang said.
\n
Tongxin operates China's only full-process workshop with constant temperature and humidity control 24 hours a day.
\n
Also, Tongxin's core team of more than 100 luthiers all have over 20 years of experience. Building on this expertise, the company allocates about 1 million yuan annually to train its craftsmen.
\n
"Maintaining consistent quality and enhancing competitiveness is vital," Wang said, adding that the company is committed to delivering both stable supply and consistent quality.
\n
Its craftsmanship has drawn attention from international peers. Abraham Wechter, a master luthier, relocated his own workshop to the Songzi park after being impressed by Tongxin's craftsmanship.
\n
"The company has a deep passion for making beautiful guitars and works hard to achieve true professionalism," Wechter said.
\n
Between 2024 and 2025 alone, the company hosted over 80 groups of foreign buyers from more than a dozen countries, including Switzerland, Austria, the US and the United Kingdom, establishing long-term partnerships. Its output value in 2025 is expected to reach 350 million yuan.
\n
Tongxin's rise is closely tied to the growth of the Songzi Cultural and Creative Park, where it serves as a leading player.
\n
Completed at the end of 2023, the park has already attracted 11 enterprises including Tongxin. Its output value is expected to reach 800 million to 1 billion yuan in 2025, rise to 2 billion yuan within three years and eventually grow to 5 billion yuan when fully operational, creating nearly 10,000 jobs.
\n
During a field trip to Songzi on June 18, Wang Zhonglin, Party secretary of Hubei province, said cultural and creative industries have become new growth drivers with enormous potential and a broad market outlook.
\n
Wang Zhonglin urged the park to build on its existing foundation and expand the guitar industry from manufacturing and sales to demonstration, experience and entertainment.
\n
The park will continue to cultivate leading enterprises such as Tongxin, foster supporting industries and promote the full-chain development of the cultural and creative sector, said Wang Wei, Party secretary of Songzi.
\n
Looking to the future, Tongxin's CEO said the company will leverage its technical expertise to further expand its overseas sales channels in tandem with the development of the park.
\n
Contact the writers at yinmingyue@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
An employee makes guitars at a workshop in Songzi, Hubei province.
\n
Turning out only 200 guitars a month from its custom workshop, Hubei Tongxin Musical Instrument Co Ltd, based in Songzi, Jingzhou, Hubei province, aims to take a greater overseas market share in the high-end guitar manufacturing market.
\n
"As a high-end production facility of the company, the workshop sells its guitars for no less than 30,000 yuan ($4,130) each," said Wang Fenghua, CEO of the musical instrument maker.
\n
Based in the Songzi Cultural and Creative Park, Tongxin specializes in classical guitars, acoustic guitars and ukuleles, and is one of the few companies in China capable of producing a full range of high-end wooden guitars.
\n
While the workshop turns out around 200 guitars a month, in 2024, Tongxin's other facilities enabled the company to export over 12,000 guitars annually, with the top models priced at 59,800 yuan each, generating an annual output value of 150 million yuan.
\n
More than 80 percent of its products are exported to Europe, the United States, Japan, Australia and Southeast Asia.
\n
"The market for high-end guitars is buoyed by greater demand and potential, but it requires advanced technical know-how and breakthroughs in material science," Wang said.
\n
Tongxin operates China's only full-process workshop with constant temperature and humidity control 24 hours a day.
\n
Also, Tongxin's core team of more than 100 luthiers all have over 20 years of experience. Building on this expertise, the company allocates about 1 million yuan annually to train its craftsmen.
\n
"Maintaining consistent quality and enhancing competitiveness is vital," Wang said, adding that the company is committed to delivering both stable supply and consistent quality.
\n
Its craftsmanship has drawn attention from international peers. Abraham Wechter, a master luthier, relocated his own workshop to the Songzi park after being impressed by Tongxin's craftsmanship.
\n
"The company has a deep passion for making beautiful guitars and works hard to achieve true professionalism," Wechter said.
\n
Between 2024 and 2025 alone, the company hosted over 80 groups of foreign buyers from more than a dozen countries, including Switzerland, Austria, the US and the United Kingdom, establishing long-term partnerships. Its output value in 2025 is expected to reach 350 million yuan.
\n
Tongxin's rise is closely tied to the growth of the Songzi Cultural and Creative Park, where it serves as a leading player.
\n
Completed at the end of 2023, the park has already attracted 11 enterprises including Tongxin. Its output value is expected to reach 800 million to 1 billion yuan in 2025, rise to 2 billion yuan within three years and eventually grow to 5 billion yuan when fully operational, creating nearly 10,000 jobs.
\n
During a field trip to Songzi on June 18, Wang Zhonglin, Party secretary of Hubei province, said cultural and creative industries have become new growth drivers with enormous potential and a broad market outlook.
\n
Wang Zhonglin urged the park to build on its existing foundation and expand the guitar industry from manufacturing and sales to demonstration, experience and entertainment.
\n
The park will continue to cultivate leading enterprises such as Tongxin, foster supporting industries and promote the full-chain development of the cultural and creative sector, said Wang Wei, Party secretary of Songzi.
\n
Looking to the future, Tongxin's CEO said the company will leverage its technical expertise to further expand its overseas sales channels in tandem with the development of the park.
\n
Contact the writers at yinmingyue@chinadaily.com.cn
Competition in China's robotic vacuum cleaners market is intensifying, with DJI, the world's largest commercial drone manufacturer by market share, recently marking its entry into the fast-developing cleaning appliances sector.
\n
Industry experts said cutting-edge digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence-powered algorithms, voice control alongside intelligent mapping and navigation to avoid collisions with obstacles, have been increasingly applied in smart vacuum cleaners to meet evolving consumer needs.
\n
Featuring environmental perception and intelligent path planning capacities, and machine learning algorithms, DJI's smart vacuum cleaner can detect and avoid obstacles at home, the company said.
\n
The Shenzhen, Guangdong province-based company has accumulated technological strengths in areas such as drones, flight control, sensors, and navigation systems, positioning the newly launched device as a premium smart cleaning solution.
\n
"As users increasingly pursue a higher quality of life, their expectations for robot vacuums have gone beyond basic cleaning," said Zhang Xiaonan, DJI's senior director of corporate strategy, adding that consumers have a greater demand for various functionalities, including reliable obstacle avoidance, smarter mapping and path planning.
\n
According to a report by Beijing-based market consultancy All View Cloud, the penetration rates for robotic vacuum cleaners and floor-cleaning machines in China have reached 5.5 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively.
\n
Driven by the country's consumer goods trade-in program, the online retail sales of robotic vacuum cleaners increased by 45.5 percent year-on-year in the first half of the year, said the consultancy, adding that consumers have shown a rising demand for robotic vacuum cleaners and sweeping robots.
\n
The AVC report said Chinese-made robotic vacuum cleaners have gained in popularity among overseas consumers, especially those in Germany, the United States, Japan and Australia.
\n
Data from market consultancy IDC showed that global shipments of smart home cleaning robots are projected to reach 32.1 million units in 2025, marking a year-on-year increase of 28.2 percent. The compound annual growth rate is expected to reach 26 percent by 2028.
\n
Chinese cleaning appliance makers have invested heavily in promoting technological advances and optimizing product functions to cater to the diversified and personalized needs of shoppers overseas.
\n
Dreame Technology is accelerating steps to make inroads into overseas markets and is investing heavily in research and development, while making technological innovation based on user demand.
\n
Currently, the company's products are sold in more than 100 countries and regions, including Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, East Asia, the Middle East, Africa and South America. Revenue from international markets accounted for 65 percent of its total revenue in 2024.
\n
Global sales of the company's robotic vacuum cleaners and floor-cleaning machines increased by 178 percent and 100 percent year-on-year, respectively, from January to May, ranking first in 18 countries and regions around the world.
\n
Yu Hao, founder and CEO of Dreame Technology, emphasized the significance of increasing investment in supply chain systems, building independent production capacity covering the entire industrial chain and establishing global retail channels.
\n
It is eyeing huge growth potential from the high-end robotic vacuum market, and the compound annual growth rate of its revenue has surpassed 100 percent in the past few years. Yu said the company will take active steps to expand into overseas markets and recruit high-quality talent worldwide.
\n
"China's cleaning appliances industry is expected to witness speedy growth fueled by advances in technology and product iteration, as well as the gradual release of immense consumption potential from smaller cities," said Guo Meide, president of AVC.
\n
Chinese intelligent home appliance makers are improving their independent innovation capacities and applying AI-powered large language models to make the products more intelligent, said Liang Zhenpeng, an independent consumer electronics analyst.
\n
Liang said they are stepping up their operations in the global market to improve competitiveness and foster a new growth engine for their long-term development, which will greatly boost the transformation and upgrading of traditional manufacturing.
Competition in China's robotic vacuum cleaners market is intensifying, with DJI, the world's largest commercial drone manufacturer by market share, recently marking its entry into the fast-developing cleaning appliances sector.
\n
Industry experts said cutting-edge digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence-powered algorithms, voice control alongside intelligent mapping and navigation to avoid collisions with obstacles, have been increasingly applied in smart vacuum cleaners to meet evolving consumer needs.
\n
Featuring environmental perception and intelligent path planning capacities, and machine learning algorithms, DJI's smart vacuum cleaner can detect and avoid obstacles at home, the company said.
\n
The Shenzhen, Guangdong province-based company has accumulated technological strengths in areas such as drones, flight control, sensors, and navigation systems, positioning the newly launched device as a premium smart cleaning solution.
\n
"As users increasingly pursue a higher quality of life, their expectations for robot vacuums have gone beyond basic cleaning," said Zhang Xiaonan, DJI's senior director of corporate strategy, adding that consumers have a greater demand for various functionalities, including reliable obstacle avoidance, smarter mapping and path planning.
\n
According to a report by Beijing-based market consultancy All View Cloud, the penetration rates for robotic vacuum cleaners and floor-cleaning machines in China have reached 5.5 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively.
\n
Driven by the country's consumer goods trade-in program, the online retail sales of robotic vacuum cleaners increased by 45.5 percent year-on-year in the first half of the year, said the consultancy, adding that consumers have shown a rising demand for robotic vacuum cleaners and sweeping robots.
\n
The AVC report said Chinese-made robotic vacuum cleaners have gained in popularity among overseas consumers, especially those in Germany, the United States, Japan and Australia.
\n
Data from market consultancy IDC showed that global shipments of smart home cleaning robots are projected to reach 32.1 million units in 2025, marking a year-on-year increase of 28.2 percent. The compound annual growth rate is expected to reach 26 percent by 2028.
\n
Chinese cleaning appliance makers have invested heavily in promoting technological advances and optimizing product functions to cater to the diversified and personalized needs of shoppers overseas.
\n
Dreame Technology is accelerating steps to make inroads into overseas markets and is investing heavily in research and development, while making technological innovation based on user demand.
\n
Currently, the company's products are sold in more than 100 countries and regions, including Europe, North America, Southeast Asia, East Asia, the Middle East, Africa and South America. Revenue from international markets accounted for 65 percent of its total revenue in 2024.
\n
Global sales of the company's robotic vacuum cleaners and floor-cleaning machines increased by 178 percent and 100 percent year-on-year, respectively, from January to May, ranking first in 18 countries and regions around the world.
\n
Yu Hao, founder and CEO of Dreame Technology, emphasized the significance of increasing investment in supply chain systems, building independent production capacity covering the entire industrial chain and establishing global retail channels.
\n
It is eyeing huge growth potential from the high-end robotic vacuum market, and the compound annual growth rate of its revenue has surpassed 100 percent in the past few years. Yu said the company will take active steps to expand into overseas markets and recruit high-quality talent worldwide.
\n
"China's cleaning appliances industry is expected to witness speedy growth fueled by advances in technology and product iteration, as well as the gradual release of immense consumption potential from smaller cities," said Guo Meide, president of AVC.
\n
Chinese intelligent home appliance makers are improving their independent innovation capacities and applying AI-powered large language models to make the products more intelligent, said Liang Zhenpeng, an independent consumer electronics analyst.
\n
Liang said they are stepping up their operations in the global market to improve competitiveness and foster a new growth engine for their long-term development, which will greatly boost the transformation and upgrading of traditional manufacturing.
Ikea China on Wednesday pledged to invest 160 million yuan ($22 million) in China during its 2026 fiscal year, as the Swedish home-furnishings giant deepens its bet on the Chinese market through price cuts, new product lines and expanded digital services.
\n
The retailer plans to introduce more than 1,600 new home products, 23 collections and over 50 new food offerings over the coming year, with a sharp focus on "complete sleep" and "kitchen living".
\n
It has pledged 160 million yuan in price cuts covering more than 150 bestselling items.
\n
Over the past two fiscal years, Ikea China has already spent 673 million yuan to develop more low-priced products and launched an AI-powered digital design platform now available in 31 Ikea markets.
\n
The company opened new stores in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, Shanghai, and Shenzhen of Guangdong province in the ongoing fiscal year, apart from the first pickup point in the country that welcomed customers in Shenzhen.
\n
Tolga Oncu, retail manager and COO of Ikea Retail, Ingka Group, said: "China is not only a vital link in Ikea's global value chain; it is also the test-bed for retail innovation. We look very much forward to continuing innovating our retail business in China and bringing some learnings to other parts of the world."
\n
Ikea's new brand promise for the 2026 fiscal year — Home Is More Than You Think — is underpinned by its latest China Life at Home Report, which found that people satisfied with their living spaces are more optimistic about the future.
\n
Consumers are increasingly seeking flexible, evolving homes, long-term value and products that enhance daily well-being. Ikea said it will focus on inspiration, longevity and affordability as its three guiding values.
\n
To deliver on those goals, the retailer plans to expand kitchen offerings with sustainable, cost-effective materials tailored to Chinese cooking, add more localized dishes to its in-store restaurants, and roll out further investments under its "Growing Plus" initiative.
\n
Ikea China has also been stepping up its digital and omnichannel strategy. In August, it opened a flagship store on JD.com to reach more customers in the market, following last year's establishment of a retail development center to develop products, logistics and digital solutions designed specifically for the local market.
\n
Sustainability remains central to Ikea's China strategy.
\n
Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group, last month invested in Shanghai Re-Mall Environmental Protection New Material Co Ltd, a Chinese recycler of post-consumer packaging waste, marking the first Chinese investment for Ingka Investments in its Circular Investment portfolio.
\n
The company said it will continue to expand green operations, consumption and circular services in partnership with local players.
\n
Ikea China said it will stay open-minded, continuously exploring digital platforms while upgrading existing full-size stores and piloting new small-store formats.
\n
To date, Ingka Group operates 40 customer touchpoints in China — comprising 37 Ikea stores, two experience centers, one design studio and 10 Livat shopping centers.
\n
wangzhuoqiong@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Ikea China on Wednesday pledged to invest 160 million yuan ($22 million) in China during its 2026 fiscal year, as the Swedish home-furnishings giant deepens its bet on the Chinese market through price cuts, new product lines and expanded digital services.
\n
The retailer plans to introduce more than 1,600 new home products, 23 collections and over 50 new food offerings over the coming year, with a sharp focus on "complete sleep" and "kitchen living".
\n
It has pledged 160 million yuan in price cuts covering more than 150 bestselling items.
\n
Over the past two fiscal years, Ikea China has already spent 673 million yuan to develop more low-priced products and launched an AI-powered digital design platform now available in 31 Ikea markets.
\n
The company opened new stores in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, Shanghai, and Shenzhen of Guangdong province in the ongoing fiscal year, apart from the first pickup point in the country that welcomed customers in Shenzhen.
\n
Tolga Oncu, retail manager and COO of Ikea Retail, Ingka Group, said: "China is not only a vital link in Ikea's global value chain; it is also the test-bed for retail innovation. We look very much forward to continuing innovating our retail business in China and bringing some learnings to other parts of the world."
\n
Ikea's new brand promise for the 2026 fiscal year — Home Is More Than You Think — is underpinned by its latest China Life at Home Report, which found that people satisfied with their living spaces are more optimistic about the future.
\n
Consumers are increasingly seeking flexible, evolving homes, long-term value and products that enhance daily well-being. Ikea said it will focus on inspiration, longevity and affordability as its three guiding values.
\n
To deliver on those goals, the retailer plans to expand kitchen offerings with sustainable, cost-effective materials tailored to Chinese cooking, add more localized dishes to its in-store restaurants, and roll out further investments under its "Growing Plus" initiative.
\n
Ikea China has also been stepping up its digital and omnichannel strategy. In August, it opened a flagship store on JD.com to reach more customers in the market, following last year's establishment of a retail development center to develop products, logistics and digital solutions designed specifically for the local market.
\n
Sustainability remains central to Ikea's China strategy.
\n
Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group, last month invested in Shanghai Re-Mall Environmental Protection New Material Co Ltd, a Chinese recycler of post-consumer packaging waste, marking the first Chinese investment for Ingka Investments in its Circular Investment portfolio.
\n
The company said it will continue to expand green operations, consumption and circular services in partnership with local players.
\n
Ikea China said it will stay open-minded, continuously exploring digital platforms while upgrading existing full-size stores and piloting new small-store formats.
\n
To date, Ingka Group operates 40 customer touchpoints in China — comprising 37 Ikea stores, two experience centers, one design studio and 10 Livat shopping centers.
China has released a two-year action plan to stabilize growth in its vast electronic information manufacturing sector, setting targets for annual output and revenue increases through 2026, as the nation seeks to bolster consumption and secure its role in the global technology race.
\n
The action plan, unveiled by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the State Administration for Market Regulation, aims for an average annual growth rate of about 7 percent in industrial output from large-scale computer, communications and other electronic equipment sectors.
\n
Total revenue in concerning fields such as lithium batteries, photovoltaics and components is expected to rise more than 5 percent per year.
\n
The government has also set specific product benchmarks: server sales exceeding 400 billion yuan ($56 billion), large-screen TVs with more than 40 percent domestic penetration, and further advances in high-end, intelligent personal computers and smartphones.
\n
In one of its strongest passages, the plan stressed the need to "promote domestic and international dual circulation and prudently address international trade barriers".
\n
It urged companies to make full use of China's vast domestic market, strengthen their ability to control entire supply chains, and build resilience against external shocks.
\n
According to the plan, the country will help firms stabilize trade in core products such as mobile phones, computers and televisions, even as global markets face mounting protectionism.
\n
It also doubled down on efforts to back domestic champions. It pledged to "unswervingly promote the use of homebuilt products", and vowed stronger support for key firms in strategic supply chains, particularly in semiconductors, industrial control systems and BeiDou Navigation Satellite System.
\n
Meanwhile, the plan also called for accelerated breakthroughs in 5G and 6G components, semiconductors and intelligent computing, while fostering new markets for smart wearables, intelligent connected vehicles and digital health.
\n
Wang Peng, a researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, said: "The electronic information manufacturing industry is a strategic, fundamental and pioneering sector of the national economy. It is a key pillar for stabilizing industrial growth and safeguarding the country's political and economic security.
\n
"The action plan seeks to consolidate existing industrial capacity and foster and expand new growth drivers. By combining government support with market mechanisms, China aims to keep the sector on a steady growth path while positioning it to tap new demand both at home and abroad."
\n
Notably, on the consumer side, the plan seeks to stimulate purchases of PCs, phones and TVs, as well as AI-related consumer equipment through credit support, online marketing, and integration with e-commerce and retail promotions. It is also promoting smart devices in healthcare, transport, education and emergency services to open new growth areas.
\n
Xie Cun, head of the information and communications development department at the MIIT, said: "Thanks to consumption subsidy policies and the push from AI-powered terminals, Chinese consumers' enthusiasm for electronic products has risen. This has fueled faster production and sales of electronic devices in the first quarter of this year."
\n
In the first quarter, output of computer sets reached 85.32 million units, up 9.6 percent year-on-year. Television shipments totaled 8.84 million units, a 4.7 percent increase and the second consecutive quarter of positive growth. In January-February, shipments of 5G smartphones hit 41.62 million units, up 7.6 percent, with domestic brands especially favored by consumers, accounting for 85 percent of shipments, he noted.
China has released a two-year action plan to stabilize growth in its vast electronic information manufacturing sector, setting targets for annual output and revenue increases through 2026, as the nation seeks to bolster consumption and secure its role in the global technology race.
\n
The action plan, unveiled by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the State Administration for Market Regulation, aims for an average annual growth rate of about 7 percent in industrial output from large-scale computer, communications and other electronic equipment sectors.
\n
Total revenue in concerning fields such as lithium batteries, photovoltaics and components is expected to rise more than 5 percent per year.
\n
The government has also set specific product benchmarks: server sales exceeding 400 billion yuan ($56 billion), large-screen TVs with more than 40 percent domestic penetration, and further advances in high-end, intelligent personal computers and smartphones.
\n
In one of its strongest passages, the plan stressed the need to "promote domestic and international dual circulation and prudently address international trade barriers".
\n
It urged companies to make full use of China's vast domestic market, strengthen their ability to control entire supply chains, and build resilience against external shocks.
\n
According to the plan, the country will help firms stabilize trade in core products such as mobile phones, computers and televisions, even as global markets face mounting protectionism.
\n
It also doubled down on efforts to back domestic champions. It pledged to "unswervingly promote the use of homebuilt products", and vowed stronger support for key firms in strategic supply chains, particularly in semiconductors, industrial control systems and BeiDou Navigation Satellite System.
\n
Meanwhile, the plan also called for accelerated breakthroughs in 5G and 6G components, semiconductors and intelligent computing, while fostering new markets for smart wearables, intelligent connected vehicles and digital health.
\n
Wang Peng, a researcher at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, said: "The electronic information manufacturing industry is a strategic, fundamental and pioneering sector of the national economy. It is a key pillar for stabilizing industrial growth and safeguarding the country's political and economic security.
\n
"The action plan seeks to consolidate existing industrial capacity and foster and expand new growth drivers. By combining government support with market mechanisms, China aims to keep the sector on a steady growth path while positioning it to tap new demand both at home and abroad."
\n
Notably, on the consumer side, the plan seeks to stimulate purchases of PCs, phones and TVs, as well as AI-related consumer equipment through credit support, online marketing, and integration with e-commerce and retail promotions. It is also promoting smart devices in healthcare, transport, education and emergency services to open new growth areas.
\n
Xie Cun, head of the information and communications development department at the MIIT, said: "Thanks to consumption subsidy policies and the push from AI-powered terminals, Chinese consumers' enthusiasm for electronic products has risen. This has fueled faster production and sales of electronic devices in the first quarter of this year."
\n
In the first quarter, output of computer sets reached 85.32 million units, up 9.6 percent year-on-year. Television shipments totaled 8.84 million units, a 4.7 percent increase and the second consecutive quarter of positive growth. In January-February, shipments of 5G smartphones hit 41.62 million units, up 7.6 percent, with domestic brands especially favored by consumers, accounting for 85 percent of shipments, he noted.
Visitors interact with a Unitree humanoid robot at a sci-tech museum in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, on July 27.
\n
Chinese robotics firm Unitree Robotics is expected to submit its listing application documents between October and December, which industry experts said is set to become one of the most anticipated IPOs in the global robotics sector.
\n
The Hangzhou, Zhejiang province-based company, best known for its humanoid and quadruped robots, is preparing to tap the capital market as China races to secure a lead in embodied artificial intelligence — the combination of robotics and AI that enables machines to interact physically with the real world.
\n
Unitree said on its X account earlier this week that 65 percent of its revenue last year came from quadruped robots, while humanoid robots contributed 30 percent and the rest was derived from components.
\n
About 80 percent of its robotic dogs were sold for research, education and consumer use, with the remaining 20 percent deployed for inspection work and firefighting. Humanoid robots were sold entirely for research, education and consumer applications, the company said.
\n
In an interview with China Daily last month, founder and CEO Wang Xingxing said that the IPO is by the book and will be "a milestone in governance" for the company.
\n
"It's like taking the gaokao," Wang said, referring to China's national college entrance exam. "A stage-by-stage thing — a summary of nine years of work, and an answer sheet for our shareholders."
\n
Though he has not disclosed the firm's intended listing venue, several sources told China Daily that Shanghai's STAR Market is the most likely destination. According to filings with the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the company is under listing guidance by CITIC Securities.
\n
Unitree's G1 humanoid is now priced at 99,000 yuan ($13,600), while its Go2 robotic dog starts at 9,997 yuan. Earlier this year, Unitree cut prices for its R1 humanoid robot to 39,900 yuan to widen adoption.
\n
The affordability of its products, compared with rivals in the United States, has fueled widespread appearances at meetings, restaurants and entertainment events.
\n
Wang said annual revenue has exceeded 1 billion yuan and that the company has been profitable since 2020, a rarity in the capital-intensive robotics sector.
\n
"This is not a simple discounting tactic but a deliberate push to lower entry barriers, stimulate demand and accelerate the creation of a broader commercial ecosystem," he said.
\n
Wang predicts that humanoid robots could be leased to factories, farms and households within a few years, as ecosystems mature and developers build new applications.
\n
"We could see such obvious progress in two to three years," he said, adding that large-scale deployment should take less than a decade. In an intriguing aside, Wang suggested governments might one day tax robots as they do with human workers once machines carry out a substantial share of labor.
\n
Half of Unitree's revenue now comes from overseas, aided by an export push that began in 2018. "Global humanoid shipments are expected to double annually, and if breakthroughs come sooner, the sector will hit hundreds of thousands of units in two to three years," Wang said.
\n
Analysts say China is positioning humanoid robots as a fresh growth engine reminiscent of its rapid rise in electric vehicles. An April industry report said China could likely produce more than 10,000 humanoid robots this year and capture over half the global market.
\n
The sector has also become a magnet for capital. Rival startup AgiBot recently sought control of a materials company via equity transfer in what insiders saw as a back-door listing play, while July alone saw several fundraising rounds involving backers such as Tencent, Alibaba and Geely. ITjuzi.com said 133 investment deals were inked in China's embodied AI sector so far this year, worth over 18 billion yuan, already exceeding the 2023 totals.
\n
"The combined efforts will shape the future in our favor," said Rick Xiong, general manager of the Beijing Embodied AI Robotics Innovation Center. "Chinese robot companies have the right timing, the right place and the right people to accelerate the humanoid robot push."
\n",
+ "content": "
Visitors interact with a Unitree humanoid robot at a sci-tech museum in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, on July 27.
\n
Chinese robotics firm Unitree Robotics is expected to submit its listing application documents between October and December, which industry experts said is set to become one of the most anticipated IPOs in the global robotics sector.
\n
The Hangzhou, Zhejiang province-based company, best known for its humanoid and quadruped robots, is preparing to tap the capital market as China races to secure a lead in embodied artificial intelligence — the combination of robotics and AI that enables machines to interact physically with the real world.
\n
Unitree said on its X account earlier this week that 65 percent of its revenue last year came from quadruped robots, while humanoid robots contributed 30 percent and the rest was derived from components.
\n
About 80 percent of its robotic dogs were sold for research, education and consumer use, with the remaining 20 percent deployed for inspection work and firefighting. Humanoid robots were sold entirely for research, education and consumer applications, the company said.
\n
In an interview with China Daily last month, founder and CEO Wang Xingxing said that the IPO is by the book and will be "a milestone in governance" for the company.
\n
"It's like taking the gaokao," Wang said, referring to China's national college entrance exam. "A stage-by-stage thing — a summary of nine years of work, and an answer sheet for our shareholders."
\n
Though he has not disclosed the firm's intended listing venue, several sources told China Daily that Shanghai's STAR Market is the most likely destination. According to filings with the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the company is under listing guidance by CITIC Securities.
\n
Unitree's G1 humanoid is now priced at 99,000 yuan ($13,600), while its Go2 robotic dog starts at 9,997 yuan. Earlier this year, Unitree cut prices for its R1 humanoid robot to 39,900 yuan to widen adoption.
\n
The affordability of its products, compared with rivals in the United States, has fueled widespread appearances at meetings, restaurants and entertainment events.
\n
Wang said annual revenue has exceeded 1 billion yuan and that the company has been profitable since 2020, a rarity in the capital-intensive robotics sector.
\n
"This is not a simple discounting tactic but a deliberate push to lower entry barriers, stimulate demand and accelerate the creation of a broader commercial ecosystem," he said.
\n
Wang predicts that humanoid robots could be leased to factories, farms and households within a few years, as ecosystems mature and developers build new applications.
\n
"We could see such obvious progress in two to three years," he said, adding that large-scale deployment should take less than a decade. In an intriguing aside, Wang suggested governments might one day tax robots as they do with human workers once machines carry out a substantial share of labor.
\n
Half of Unitree's revenue now comes from overseas, aided by an export push that began in 2018. "Global humanoid shipments are expected to double annually, and if breakthroughs come sooner, the sector will hit hundreds of thousands of units in two to three years," Wang said.
\n
Analysts say China is positioning humanoid robots as a fresh growth engine reminiscent of its rapid rise in electric vehicles. An April industry report said China could likely produce more than 10,000 humanoid robots this year and capture over half the global market.
\n
The sector has also become a magnet for capital. Rival startup AgiBot recently sought control of a materials company via equity transfer in what insiders saw as a back-door listing play, while July alone saw several fundraising rounds involving backers such as Tencent, Alibaba and Geely. ITjuzi.com said 133 investment deals were inked in China's embodied AI sector so far this year, worth over 18 billion yuan, already exceeding the 2023 totals.
\n
"The combined efforts will shape the future in our favor," said Rick Xiong, general manager of the Beijing Embodied AI Robotics Innovation Center. "Chinese robot companies have the right timing, the right place and the right people to accelerate the humanoid robot push."
SHENZHEN — The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has topped the World Intellectual Property Organization's Global Innovation Index 2025, overtaking Japan's Tokyo-Yokohama cluster to claim the No 1 spot for the first time.
\n
Since 2020, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster had consistently ranked second globally. Its rise to the very top of the list underscores the region's dynamic innovation capabilities and the strong collaborative synergy within the GBA.
\n
The 2025 innovation cluster ranking process included venture capital transaction volume as a new core indicator, alongside existing measures such as Patent Cooperation Treaty international patent applications and the number of papers published by each cluster in Science Citation Index Expanded journals.
\n
Highlighting the importance of innovation clusters, Daren Tang, director-general of WIPO, said that they serve as powerful pillars of national innovation ecosystems, helping to consolidate and strengthen the journey from idea to market.
\n
Tang added that this year's inclusion of venture capital activities has recalibrated the understanding of innovation strength, and the new results highlight which clusters are translating scientific research into economic outcomes.
\n
In the GBA, intellectual property is treated not as the end goal of innovation, but as a starting point for market application. For instance, the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences produced an average of 4.7 patents per day over the past five years, with 1.3 patents transferred daily.
\n
Liu Chenli, president of the SIAT, emphasized that the value of IP lies in its market transformation. The institute focuses on key R&D projects, high-level academic papers and high-quality patents, collaborating with institutions like the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and university technology transfer centers to align with industry needs.
\n
Shenzhen's robust innovation ecosystem is further reflected in its substantial R&D investment, which reached 223.66 billion yuan ($31.34 billion) in 2024, accounting for 6.46 percent of the city's GDP. Enterprises contributed 93.3 percent of this investment, with industry leaders like Huawei, BYD and Tencent driving both innovation and patent output while supporting the growth of smaller firms.
\n
Data from the Guangdong provincial market regulation administration revealed that in 2024, over 170 universities and research institutions in Guangdong held 99,200 patents, with patent transfers and licensing exceeding 141,000 and 19,000 instances, respectively.
\n
This transformation of IP into tangible assets is facilitated by institutional innovations within the GBA. The launch of an international IP transfer platform in Shenzhen last December has further accelerated cross-border IP transactions, with 121 high-value patents already reaching intent-to-transact agreements and 30 completed deals.
\n
Shenzhen has also been proactive in guiding patient capital toward early-stage and long-term hard-tech investments. Zhang Lin, head of Shenzhen's science and technology innovation bureau, said, "Shenzhen is actively developing technology finance, having established industrial guidance funds at the 100 billion yuan level, angel mother funds at the 10 billion yuan level, and a 2 billion yuan science and technology seed fund to build a financial service system covering the entire innovation lifecycle."
\n
Ding Li, an economics researcher at the Guangdong Academy of Social Sciences, said: "The latest ranking indicates that the GBA, represented by the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster, is shifting its development engine toward 'engineer dividend', centered on high-quality human capital. Large-scale, high-quality human capital accumulation, combined with an effective corporate innovation ecosystem, has unleashed tremendous innovation momentum and economic value."
\n",
+ "content": "
SHENZHEN — The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has topped the World Intellectual Property Organization's Global Innovation Index 2025, overtaking Japan's Tokyo-Yokohama cluster to claim the No 1 spot for the first time.
\n
Since 2020, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou innovation cluster had consistently ranked second globally. Its rise to the very top of the list underscores the region's dynamic innovation capabilities and the strong collaborative synergy within the GBA.
\n
The 2025 innovation cluster ranking process included venture capital transaction volume as a new core indicator, alongside existing measures such as Patent Cooperation Treaty international patent applications and the number of papers published by each cluster in Science Citation Index Expanded journals.
\n
Highlighting the importance of innovation clusters, Daren Tang, director-general of WIPO, said that they serve as powerful pillars of national innovation ecosystems, helping to consolidate and strengthen the journey from idea to market.
\n
Tang added that this year's inclusion of venture capital activities has recalibrated the understanding of innovation strength, and the new results highlight which clusters are translating scientific research into economic outcomes.
\n
In the GBA, intellectual property is treated not as the end goal of innovation, but as a starting point for market application. For instance, the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences produced an average of 4.7 patents per day over the past five years, with 1.3 patents transferred daily.
\n
Liu Chenli, president of the SIAT, emphasized that the value of IP lies in its market transformation. The institute focuses on key R&D projects, high-level academic papers and high-quality patents, collaborating with institutions like the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and university technology transfer centers to align with industry needs.
\n
Shenzhen's robust innovation ecosystem is further reflected in its substantial R&D investment, which reached 223.66 billion yuan ($31.34 billion) in 2024, accounting for 6.46 percent of the city's GDP. Enterprises contributed 93.3 percent of this investment, with industry leaders like Huawei, BYD and Tencent driving both innovation and patent output while supporting the growth of smaller firms.
\n
Data from the Guangdong provincial market regulation administration revealed that in 2024, over 170 universities and research institutions in Guangdong held 99,200 patents, with patent transfers and licensing exceeding 141,000 and 19,000 instances, respectively.
\n
This transformation of IP into tangible assets is facilitated by institutional innovations within the GBA. The launch of an international IP transfer platform in Shenzhen last December has further accelerated cross-border IP transactions, with 121 high-value patents already reaching intent-to-transact agreements and 30 completed deals.
\n
Shenzhen has also been proactive in guiding patient capital toward early-stage and long-term hard-tech investments. Zhang Lin, head of Shenzhen's science and technology innovation bureau, said, "Shenzhen is actively developing technology finance, having established industrial guidance funds at the 100 billion yuan level, angel mother funds at the 10 billion yuan level, and a 2 billion yuan science and technology seed fund to build a financial service system covering the entire innovation lifecycle."
\n
Ding Li, an economics researcher at the Guangdong Academy of Social Sciences, said: "The latest ranking indicates that the GBA, represented by the Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou cluster, is shifting its development engine toward 'engineer dividend', centered on high-quality human capital. Large-scale, high-quality human capital accumulation, combined with an effective corporate innovation ecosystem, has unleashed tremendous innovation momentum and economic value."
Workers manufacture data cables at a production workshop of an electronics enterprise in Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on Aug 20.
\n
Two officers from Kunming Customs inspect Thai durians imported via the China-Laos Railway at Mohan Railway Port in Yunnan province in August.
\n\n
Last month, at the loading area of Cuori Electrical Appliances (Group) Co Ltd in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, five container trucks laden with steam irons and vacuum cleaners set off for Indonesia.
\n
This was the company's fourth shipment to Southeast Asia in August, signaling rising demand for Chinese household appliances across the region.
\n
Cuori Electrical's exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations soared 46.8 percent year-on-year to 88.81 million yuan ($12.36 million) in the first seven months, data from Ningbo Customs show.
\n
"With the tariff policies of the United States adding pressure on global manufacturers this year, we have stepped up our overseas expansion, focusing more on Southeast Asian markets," said Li Guangze, Cuori's financial director.
\n
Li said that rising urbanization, a growing middle-income group and the increased spending power of Gen Z consumers — those born between the mid-1990s and early 2000s — together with stronger demand for affordable, reliable appliances, have lifted the company's sales of irons as well as other small household devices in the ASEAN region, making it one of its fastest-growing export markets.
\n
Reflecting the trend, China's trade with ASEAN — its largest trading partner — rose 9.4 percent on a yearly basis to 4.29 trillion yuan between January and July, accounting for 16.7 percent of the country's total, according to the General Administration of Customs.
\n
Among ASEAN members, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia were China's top three trading partners during this period, the GAC said.
\n
Zhao Fujun, a researcher specializing in international economic cooperation at the Beijing-based Development Research Center of the State Council, said that even though big-ticket infrastructure projects have been the calling cards of Chinese companies in Southeast Asia, the region has now emerged as one of China's most dynamic trade partners after entering a new growth stage.
\n
The implementation of Version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, coupled with expanding trade under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, will provide fresh impetus for long-term trade growth, said Zhao.
\n
Commerce and trade ministers from China and ASEAN jointly announced in May the official conclusion of talks for CAFTA 3.0 via an online meeting, according to information released by the Ministry of Commerce.
\n
China and the 10 ASEAN member states will expedite their respective domestic administrative and legislative procedures and work toward formally signing the CAFTA 3.0 upgraded protocol by the end of this year.
\n
CAFTA 3.0 covers nine areas, encompassing both existing fields under the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area agreement and emerging sectors with significant potential for cooperation, including the digital economy, green economy, supply chain connectivity, trade facilitation and economic and technical cooperation.
\n
Cai Hongbo, director of the Free Trade Zone Research Center at Beijing Normal University, said that amid mounting challenges to global trade, the conclusion of the CAFTA 3.0 negotiations signals a renewed commitment to openness and cooperation, underlining the resilience of free trade and providing greater certainty for regional and global economies.
\n
"ASEAN needs Chinese goods because demand is surging while affordability and supply reliability matter most," said Cai. "China's industrial capacity, product range and trade agreements position it as the natural supplier."
\n
For instance, Southeast Asia still faces major infrastructure gaps in power supply, transportation and manufacturing. Products like power generators and construction machinery from China fill critical needs for stable electricity and urban expansion. China's ability to supply at scale and relatively lower cost makes it the go-to partner, he added.
\n
In addition to agricultural products, ASEAN's exports to China cover a wide range of goods, including rubber, palm oil, seafood, timber, coal, chemicals, raw materials for plastics, refined oil, copper, nickel and other minerals. The regional bloc also supplies China with manufactured items such as data storage devices, integrated circuits, electronics and rubber-based medical supplies.
\n
China ships mainly computers, telecommunications equipment, trains, bulk and container vessels, excavators, diesel fuel, steel, lighting products, medical equipment, textiles and household appliances to ASEAN. Its electric vehicles, power storage equipment and trucks have also become popular in many Asian countries in recent years.
\n
Agg Power Technology (Fuzhou) Co Ltd, a power equipment manufacturer based in Fuzhou, Fujian province, plans to expand in ASEAN markets by increasing investment in innovation and strengthening its local service networks in the coming years, with the aim of boosting regional supply chain cooperation.
\n
The company's exports to ASEAN reached 147 million yuan during the January-July period, up 41.3 percent year-on-year, said Fuzhou Customs.
\n
Chen Ran, the company's operations director, said sales of diesel generator sets had remained particularly strong in Southeast Asian markets, pushed by Agg Power's efforts to refine its product mix and offer customized services to meet varied customer needs.
\n
"Our products are widely used in urban infrastructure projects across ASEAN countries, ensuring stable power supply and steadily increasing our market share," said Chen, adding that the company had taken part in several projects in Indonesia this year — including power stations and petrol bunks — driving up its market share in the country to 19 percent.
\n
As ASEAN economies advance, their demand for high-tech products from China has also grown rapidly, with imports increasingly concentrated in areas such as electronics, digital and green technologies, said Zhang Junbin, founder of Yunjing Intelligence Innovation Co Ltd, a manufacturer of household robots based in Shenzhen, Guangdong province.
\n
"Since the beginning of this year, we have been advancing our globalization strategy with a strong focus on expanding in ASEAN," said Zhang. "Our robotic vacuum cleaners, equipped with artificial intelligence-powered visual recognition and intelligent path-planning technologies, have performed particularly well in overseas markets."
\n
From January to July, the Chinese company's exports to ASEAN reached nearly 20 million yuan, up 194 percent year-on-year, data from Shenzhen Customs showed.
\n
Lyu Daliang, director of the department of statistics and analysis at the GAC, said that despite a challenging external environment, China's foreign trade has sustained steady growth, with its trade structure becoming more optimized and high-tech products playing an increasingly vital role in driving overall expansion.
\n
China's trade of high-tech products, including high-end machine tools and electric vehicles, reached 5.1 trillion yuan from January to July, up 8.4 percent year-on-year, contributing 45.4 percent to the overall growth of foreign trade during this period, data from the GAC showed.
\n
Alongside the trade growth, improved regional connectivity projects are also strengthening China-ASEAN economic ties. The China-Laos Railway, for example, handled more than 3 million metric tons of imports and exports in the first half, with a trade value exceeding 12.8 billion yuan, up 8.2 percent and 38.5 percent year-on-year, respectively, said Kunming Customs.
\n
Key exports from Laos to China include fruits, beer, cassava, rubber and minerals, with the range of products transported expanding from just over 10 to more than 3,000 varieties.
\n
With more regional connectivity projects coming on stream, a wider variety of Southeast Asian goods will enter the Chinese market, broadening from traditional commodities to higher value-added products, said Chen Jianwei, a researcher at the University of International Business and Economics' Academy of China Open Economy Studies in Beijing.
\n
Chen said stronger trade links will further weave regional supply chains together and solidify China-ASEAN economic cooperation, providing fresh momentum for long-term growth.
Workers manufacture data cables at a production workshop of an electronics enterprise in Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on Aug 20.
\n
Two officers from Kunming Customs inspect Thai durians imported via the China-Laos Railway at Mohan Railway Port in Yunnan province in August.
\n\n
Last month, at the loading area of Cuori Electrical Appliances (Group) Co Ltd in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, five container trucks laden with steam irons and vacuum cleaners set off for Indonesia.
\n
This was the company's fourth shipment to Southeast Asia in August, signaling rising demand for Chinese household appliances across the region.
\n
Cuori Electrical's exports to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations soared 46.8 percent year-on-year to 88.81 million yuan ($12.36 million) in the first seven months, data from Ningbo Customs show.
\n
"With the tariff policies of the United States adding pressure on global manufacturers this year, we have stepped up our overseas expansion, focusing more on Southeast Asian markets," said Li Guangze, Cuori's financial director.
\n
Li said that rising urbanization, a growing middle-income group and the increased spending power of Gen Z consumers — those born between the mid-1990s and early 2000s — together with stronger demand for affordable, reliable appliances, have lifted the company's sales of irons as well as other small household devices in the ASEAN region, making it one of its fastest-growing export markets.
\n
Reflecting the trend, China's trade with ASEAN — its largest trading partner — rose 9.4 percent on a yearly basis to 4.29 trillion yuan between January and July, accounting for 16.7 percent of the country's total, according to the General Administration of Customs.
\n
Among ASEAN members, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia were China's top three trading partners during this period, the GAC said.
\n
Zhao Fujun, a researcher specializing in international economic cooperation at the Beijing-based Development Research Center of the State Council, said that even though big-ticket infrastructure projects have been the calling cards of Chinese companies in Southeast Asia, the region has now emerged as one of China's most dynamic trade partners after entering a new growth stage.
\n
The implementation of Version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, coupled with expanding trade under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, will provide fresh impetus for long-term trade growth, said Zhao.
\n
Commerce and trade ministers from China and ASEAN jointly announced in May the official conclusion of talks for CAFTA 3.0 via an online meeting, according to information released by the Ministry of Commerce.
\n
China and the 10 ASEAN member states will expedite their respective domestic administrative and legislative procedures and work toward formally signing the CAFTA 3.0 upgraded protocol by the end of this year.
\n
CAFTA 3.0 covers nine areas, encompassing both existing fields under the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area agreement and emerging sectors with significant potential for cooperation, including the digital economy, green economy, supply chain connectivity, trade facilitation and economic and technical cooperation.
\n
Cai Hongbo, director of the Free Trade Zone Research Center at Beijing Normal University, said that amid mounting challenges to global trade, the conclusion of the CAFTA 3.0 negotiations signals a renewed commitment to openness and cooperation, underlining the resilience of free trade and providing greater certainty for regional and global economies.
\n
"ASEAN needs Chinese goods because demand is surging while affordability and supply reliability matter most," said Cai. "China's industrial capacity, product range and trade agreements position it as the natural supplier."
\n
For instance, Southeast Asia still faces major infrastructure gaps in power supply, transportation and manufacturing. Products like power generators and construction machinery from China fill critical needs for stable electricity and urban expansion. China's ability to supply at scale and relatively lower cost makes it the go-to partner, he added.
\n
In addition to agricultural products, ASEAN's exports to China cover a wide range of goods, including rubber, palm oil, seafood, timber, coal, chemicals, raw materials for plastics, refined oil, copper, nickel and other minerals. The regional bloc also supplies China with manufactured items such as data storage devices, integrated circuits, electronics and rubber-based medical supplies.
\n
China ships mainly computers, telecommunications equipment, trains, bulk and container vessels, excavators, diesel fuel, steel, lighting products, medical equipment, textiles and household appliances to ASEAN. Its electric vehicles, power storage equipment and trucks have also become popular in many Asian countries in recent years.
\n
Agg Power Technology (Fuzhou) Co Ltd, a power equipment manufacturer based in Fuzhou, Fujian province, plans to expand in ASEAN markets by increasing investment in innovation and strengthening its local service networks in the coming years, with the aim of boosting regional supply chain cooperation.
\n
The company's exports to ASEAN reached 147 million yuan during the January-July period, up 41.3 percent year-on-year, said Fuzhou Customs.
\n
Chen Ran, the company's operations director, said sales of diesel generator sets had remained particularly strong in Southeast Asian markets, pushed by Agg Power's efforts to refine its product mix and offer customized services to meet varied customer needs.
\n
"Our products are widely used in urban infrastructure projects across ASEAN countries, ensuring stable power supply and steadily increasing our market share," said Chen, adding that the company had taken part in several projects in Indonesia this year — including power stations and petrol bunks — driving up its market share in the country to 19 percent.
\n
As ASEAN economies advance, their demand for high-tech products from China has also grown rapidly, with imports increasingly concentrated in areas such as electronics, digital and green technologies, said Zhang Junbin, founder of Yunjing Intelligence Innovation Co Ltd, a manufacturer of household robots based in Shenzhen, Guangdong province.
\n
"Since the beginning of this year, we have been advancing our globalization strategy with a strong focus on expanding in ASEAN," said Zhang. "Our robotic vacuum cleaners, equipped with artificial intelligence-powered visual recognition and intelligent path-planning technologies, have performed particularly well in overseas markets."
\n
From January to July, the Chinese company's exports to ASEAN reached nearly 20 million yuan, up 194 percent year-on-year, data from Shenzhen Customs showed.
\n
Lyu Daliang, director of the department of statistics and analysis at the GAC, said that despite a challenging external environment, China's foreign trade has sustained steady growth, with its trade structure becoming more optimized and high-tech products playing an increasingly vital role in driving overall expansion.
\n
China's trade of high-tech products, including high-end machine tools and electric vehicles, reached 5.1 trillion yuan from January to July, up 8.4 percent year-on-year, contributing 45.4 percent to the overall growth of foreign trade during this period, data from the GAC showed.
\n
Alongside the trade growth, improved regional connectivity projects are also strengthening China-ASEAN economic ties. The China-Laos Railway, for example, handled more than 3 million metric tons of imports and exports in the first half, with a trade value exceeding 12.8 billion yuan, up 8.2 percent and 38.5 percent year-on-year, respectively, said Kunming Customs.
\n
Key exports from Laos to China include fruits, beer, cassava, rubber and minerals, with the range of products transported expanding from just over 10 to more than 3,000 varieties.
\n
With more regional connectivity projects coming on stream, a wider variety of Southeast Asian goods will enter the Chinese market, broadening from traditional commodities to higher value-added products, said Chen Jianwei, a researcher at the University of International Business and Economics' Academy of China Open Economy Studies in Beijing.
\n
Chen said stronger trade links will further weave regional supply chains together and solidify China-ASEAN economic cooperation, providing fresh momentum for long-term growth.
Workers operate tea-picking machines at an organic tea plantation in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.
\n
Chinese tea is reinventing itself, prompted by the fact that tea and coffee are no longer the only options people turn to while working, relaxing or socializing worldwide.
\n
Once confined to traditional brews, tea is now being blended with milk, fruits and herbs to create inventive flavors that are winning over young consumers and turning these tea-based drinks into a life-style trend.
\n
Fueled by the booming craze for "new-style" Chinese tea drinks, tea producers in East China's Zhejiang province and Southwest China's Yunnan province are seizing the momentum, shifting from bulk leaf exports toward higher-value processing and stronger branding.
\n
Their modern twists on Chinese tea are finding eager audiences overseas, from fruit-infused teas gaining popularity in tea and coffee shops in Southeast Asia, to creative blends making their way into the menus of milk tea stores close to universities in London, Manchester, Paris and Dusseldorf (Germany), and even chilled milk-tea variations appealing to young consumers in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
\n
According to Hangzhou Customs, Zhejiang exported 2.24 billion yuan ($312 million) worth of tea between January and July, up 24.3 percent year-on-year and accounting for 37.2 percent of China's total tea exports during this period, with major markets including the United Kingdom, Sweden, Morocco, Russia and Uzbekistan.
\n
Shengzhou Houtu Tea Co Ltd, a producer and exporter of green tea in Shaoxing, Zhejiang, shipped 5 metric tons of flavored bagged tea to Saudi Arabia in mid-August. The products included blends with ingredients such as ginger, mint, chrysanthemum and lemon.
\n
"We previously focused on bulk green tea exports. As demand for personalized products has grown, exports of new-style Chinese tea raw materials and beverages have been on the rise," said Yuan Junyang, the company's operations director.
\n
Yuan said that drinks such as Longjing (Dragon Well) lattes and matcha lattes are thriving at home and finding markets overseas, presenting the world with a new way to savor the essence of Chinese tea.
\n
From traditional brews to ready-to-drink lines, Lanfangyuan Food Co Ltd, a Huzhou, Zhejiang-based tea beverage producer, is expanding its footprint in overseas markets through innovation. Its export value surged 42.1 percent year-on-year to 20 million yuan in the first seven months.
\n
"We have developed a frozen lemon tea and fruit tea series with distinctive, refreshing flavors. They have successfully entered the United States, European and Southeast Asian markets," said Zhu Yuemin, a manager at the company's overseas business unit.
\n
In mid-August, at the production workshop of Pu'er Zuxiang Highmountain Tea Garden Co Ltd, a tea producer based in Pu'er, Yunnan, workers were busy packaging the latest batch of Pu'er tea cakes bound for France.
\n
These organic tea cakes, labeled in both Chinese and French, will soon cross the seas to appear on the shelves of supermarkets in Paris. It is the company's 15th export shipment of Pu'er tea this year.
\n
"In addition to supplying raw tea leaves for making milk tea to overseas clients, our organic tea has long enjoyed strong sales in the European market. This shipment of organic Pu'er tea cakes — available in 200-gram, 150-gram and 75-gram sizes — was tailored to meet French customer demand," said Duan Liyuan, the company's foreign trade manager.
\n
The packaging integrates both Chinese and French cultural elements and comes with a French language introduction to Pu'er tea culture and a tasting guide, said Duan.
\n
She added that by leveraging tea culture and innovating in brand building, the company is gradually expanding the international presence of Pu'er tea, with its products commanding a price premium of about 20 percent over traditional bagged tea.
\n
Yunnan exported 2,707 tons of tea valued at 49.4 million yuan in the January-July period, reaching 24 countries and regions including Germany, France, Japan and Singapore, said Kunming Customs.
\n",
+ "content": "
Workers operate tea-picking machines at an organic tea plantation in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.
\n
Chinese tea is reinventing itself, prompted by the fact that tea and coffee are no longer the only options people turn to while working, relaxing or socializing worldwide.
\n
Once confined to traditional brews, tea is now being blended with milk, fruits and herbs to create inventive flavors that are winning over young consumers and turning these tea-based drinks into a life-style trend.
\n
Fueled by the booming craze for "new-style" Chinese tea drinks, tea producers in East China's Zhejiang province and Southwest China's Yunnan province are seizing the momentum, shifting from bulk leaf exports toward higher-value processing and stronger branding.
\n
Their modern twists on Chinese tea are finding eager audiences overseas, from fruit-infused teas gaining popularity in tea and coffee shops in Southeast Asia, to creative blends making their way into the menus of milk tea stores close to universities in London, Manchester, Paris and Dusseldorf (Germany), and even chilled milk-tea variations appealing to young consumers in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
\n
According to Hangzhou Customs, Zhejiang exported 2.24 billion yuan ($312 million) worth of tea between January and July, up 24.3 percent year-on-year and accounting for 37.2 percent of China's total tea exports during this period, with major markets including the United Kingdom, Sweden, Morocco, Russia and Uzbekistan.
\n
Shengzhou Houtu Tea Co Ltd, a producer and exporter of green tea in Shaoxing, Zhejiang, shipped 5 metric tons of flavored bagged tea to Saudi Arabia in mid-August. The products included blends with ingredients such as ginger, mint, chrysanthemum and lemon.
\n
"We previously focused on bulk green tea exports. As demand for personalized products has grown, exports of new-style Chinese tea raw materials and beverages have been on the rise," said Yuan Junyang, the company's operations director.
\n
Yuan said that drinks such as Longjing (Dragon Well) lattes and matcha lattes are thriving at home and finding markets overseas, presenting the world with a new way to savor the essence of Chinese tea.
\n
From traditional brews to ready-to-drink lines, Lanfangyuan Food Co Ltd, a Huzhou, Zhejiang-based tea beverage producer, is expanding its footprint in overseas markets through innovation. Its export value surged 42.1 percent year-on-year to 20 million yuan in the first seven months.
\n
"We have developed a frozen lemon tea and fruit tea series with distinctive, refreshing flavors. They have successfully entered the United States, European and Southeast Asian markets," said Zhu Yuemin, a manager at the company's overseas business unit.
\n
In mid-August, at the production workshop of Pu'er Zuxiang Highmountain Tea Garden Co Ltd, a tea producer based in Pu'er, Yunnan, workers were busy packaging the latest batch of Pu'er tea cakes bound for France.
\n
These organic tea cakes, labeled in both Chinese and French, will soon cross the seas to appear on the shelves of supermarkets in Paris. It is the company's 15th export shipment of Pu'er tea this year.
\n
"In addition to supplying raw tea leaves for making milk tea to overseas clients, our organic tea has long enjoyed strong sales in the European market. This shipment of organic Pu'er tea cakes — available in 200-gram, 150-gram and 75-gram sizes — was tailored to meet French customer demand," said Duan Liyuan, the company's foreign trade manager.
\n
The packaging integrates both Chinese and French cultural elements and comes with a French language introduction to Pu'er tea culture and a tasting guide, said Duan.
\n
She added that by leveraging tea culture and innovating in brand building, the company is gradually expanding the international presence of Pu'er tea, with its products commanding a price premium of about 20 percent over traditional bagged tea.
\n
Yunnan exported 2,707 tons of tea valued at 49.4 million yuan in the January-July period, reaching 24 countries and regions including Germany, France, Japan and Singapore, said Kunming Customs.
From left: Feng Yuanzheng, president of Beijing People's Art Theatre and codirector of the latest rendition of Hamlet, Yang Jiayin, codirector of Hamlet, and actor Zheng Yunlong, who plays the title role, announce the new Chinese play in Beijing on Aug 27.
\n
The creative team of the Chinese stage adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet poses at the Capital Theater in Beijing on Aug 27.
\n
Character stills of Hamlet played by actor Zheng Yunlong.
\n\n
More than four centuries after its debut, Shakespeare's Hamlet continues to resonate across generations, an enduring masterpiece that has been reinterpreted countless times in countless languages.
\n
This autumn, the Beijing People's Art Theatre unveils yet another fresh take on the tragedy of the Danish prince's quest for revenge, marking its newest rendition in a series of explorations of this iconic work.
\n
Audiences can expect a bold reinterpretation, designed not only to deliver a dynamic visual experience but also to provoke reflection on the timeless themes of choices, fate, and human nature.
\n
The new rendition will be staged at the Capital Theater from Sept 19 to Oct 12, with 21 performances scheduled.
\n
The Beijing People's Art Theatre's relationship with Hamlet spans decades. The first production in 1994 featured Pu Cunxin as the titular prince, with actors and actresses including Chen Xiaoyi, Xu Fan, and Liang Guanhua, bringing to life other key characters. A second iteration in 2008, a collaboration with Japan's Shiki Theatre Company, added an international dimension. In 2023, the theater presented a smaller, experimental version that received critical acclaim for its intimate and innovative approach.
\n
This new grand-scale staging in 2025, directed by Feng Yuanzheng and Yang Jiayin, brings Hamlet back to the main stage with an innovative interpretation that challenges the audience to reconsider the play's most famous line: "To be, or not to be, that is the question".
\n
In a reflective moment, Feng, a veteran actor and the president of Beijing People's Art Theatre, says that performing in Hamlet was always his dream, but circumstances never aligned.
\n
"Instead of stepping into the role of Hamlet myself, I can fulfill that dream through directing. In a way, I've found a new kind of fulfillment in this journey — by guiding these young actors, passing on the essence of Shakespeare's masterpiece, and sharing my understanding with the audience," says Feng.
\n
He went on to explain that his deep connection with Hamlet wasn't just about the character or the plot — it was about the timeless nature of the play and its profound exploration of human emotions, fate, and choices.
\n
"Every actor, regardless of experience, can learn from Hamlet's internal struggle. I wanted to create a space where the younger generation could grapple with that complexity," Feng adds. "Through directing, I impart my interpretation of the play, but I also learn something new each time I revisit its themes with these young minds. It feels like entering Hamlet's world in a different way, and I'm still fulfilling that long-held dream."
\n
For Feng, directing represents a deeper, more lasting engagement with the material than acting could have offered.
\n
"I am glad to help young actors explore such an iconic text," he says. "By guiding them through these universal themes, I can not only share my knowledge, but also help them make their roles their own. It's a profound experience for both the performers and the director, as we all strive to reach a new understanding of what Hamlet means in today's world."
\n
In Feng's vision, Hamlet is not just the story of a young prince torn between duty and desire. The central theme of "making a choice" is brought into sharp focus, extending beyond the protagonist to include characters, each grappling with their own decisions and motivations.
\n
"In the face of the iconic line, 'to be, or not to be', the theme of making a choice in life immediately resonates," Feng says. "Every character has their own choice to make, and their underlying motivations are equally worth our contemplation. This is the core message we wish to communicate to the audience: that we all face choices, at every moment, and we must decide which path to follow."
\n
The new Hamlet features a dynamic and youthful cast, including talented young actors, such as Zheng Yunlong and Lu Lu.
\n
Full of energy and passion, this new generation of performers brings a fresh vitality to the stage, blending tradition with innovation, says codirector Yang.
\n
"These young actors create new ideas at every rehearsal. Portraying such a classic will shape them profoundly," he says, noting that the cast members must master the delicate balance between precision in stage direction and the beauty of Shakespeare's language, while bringing to life characters with rich, vivid personalities.
\n
Zheng emphasizes the universality of Hamlet's struggle. "Hamlet is not just a prince; he is every one of us. Rehearsals have shown me that his challenges are timeless and relatable."
\n
The 35-year-old Zheng has gained a large fan following for his roles in musical productions.
\n
In 2021, he won recognition for his performance as Eben Cabot in the Beijing People's Art Theatre's adaptation of Desire Under the Elms, a three-part tragedy written by US playwright Eugene O'Neill. The successful collaboration with the theater propelled Zheng to become an actor of the theater.
\n
Actress Lu Lu, 28, who plays Ophelia, says that performing Shakespeare is both thrilling and exhilarating.
\n
"The beauty of this work lies in discovering new possibilities through repeated rehearsals," she says. "Ophelia is not just a tragic figure; she is alive, lovable, and, at times, heartbreakingly fragile."
\n
Visually, the production embraces an experimental style. Feng describes a stage featuring suspended ladders, sliding beams, and dramatic lighting that expands the space vertically and horizontally.
\n
"The audience won't see a castle. Instead, they'll encounter the aesthetic of a decaying theater, intensifying the tension between reason and emotion."
\n
The 2025 production will also open the Beijing People's Art Theatre International Drama Invitation Exhibition. Through this annual global event, the play will engage in a cultural dialogue with international theatrical traditions and explore the evolving nature of Shakespeare's work in contemporary theater.
\n
Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
From left: Feng Yuanzheng, president of Beijing People's Art Theatre and codirector of the latest rendition of Hamlet, Yang Jiayin, codirector of Hamlet, and actor Zheng Yunlong, who plays the title role, announce the new Chinese play in Beijing on Aug 27.
\n
The creative team of the Chinese stage adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet poses at the Capital Theater in Beijing on Aug 27.
\n
Character stills of Hamlet played by actor Zheng Yunlong.
\n\n
More than four centuries after its debut, Shakespeare's Hamlet continues to resonate across generations, an enduring masterpiece that has been reinterpreted countless times in countless languages.
\n
This autumn, the Beijing People's Art Theatre unveils yet another fresh take on the tragedy of the Danish prince's quest for revenge, marking its newest rendition in a series of explorations of this iconic work.
\n
Audiences can expect a bold reinterpretation, designed not only to deliver a dynamic visual experience but also to provoke reflection on the timeless themes of choices, fate, and human nature.
\n
The new rendition will be staged at the Capital Theater from Sept 19 to Oct 12, with 21 performances scheduled.
\n
The Beijing People's Art Theatre's relationship with Hamlet spans decades. The first production in 1994 featured Pu Cunxin as the titular prince, with actors and actresses including Chen Xiaoyi, Xu Fan, and Liang Guanhua, bringing to life other key characters. A second iteration in 2008, a collaboration with Japan's Shiki Theatre Company, added an international dimension. In 2023, the theater presented a smaller, experimental version that received critical acclaim for its intimate and innovative approach.
\n
This new grand-scale staging in 2025, directed by Feng Yuanzheng and Yang Jiayin, brings Hamlet back to the main stage with an innovative interpretation that challenges the audience to reconsider the play's most famous line: "To be, or not to be, that is the question".
\n
In a reflective moment, Feng, a veteran actor and the president of Beijing People's Art Theatre, says that performing in Hamlet was always his dream, but circumstances never aligned.
\n
"Instead of stepping into the role of Hamlet myself, I can fulfill that dream through directing. In a way, I've found a new kind of fulfillment in this journey — by guiding these young actors, passing on the essence of Shakespeare's masterpiece, and sharing my understanding with the audience," says Feng.
\n
He went on to explain that his deep connection with Hamlet wasn't just about the character or the plot — it was about the timeless nature of the play and its profound exploration of human emotions, fate, and choices.
\n
"Every actor, regardless of experience, can learn from Hamlet's internal struggle. I wanted to create a space where the younger generation could grapple with that complexity," Feng adds. "Through directing, I impart my interpretation of the play, but I also learn something new each time I revisit its themes with these young minds. It feels like entering Hamlet's world in a different way, and I'm still fulfilling that long-held dream."
\n
For Feng, directing represents a deeper, more lasting engagement with the material than acting could have offered.
\n
"I am glad to help young actors explore such an iconic text," he says. "By guiding them through these universal themes, I can not only share my knowledge, but also help them make their roles their own. It's a profound experience for both the performers and the director, as we all strive to reach a new understanding of what Hamlet means in today's world."
\n
In Feng's vision, Hamlet is not just the story of a young prince torn between duty and desire. The central theme of "making a choice" is brought into sharp focus, extending beyond the protagonist to include characters, each grappling with their own decisions and motivations.
\n
"In the face of the iconic line, 'to be, or not to be', the theme of making a choice in life immediately resonates," Feng says. "Every character has their own choice to make, and their underlying motivations are equally worth our contemplation. This is the core message we wish to communicate to the audience: that we all face choices, at every moment, and we must decide which path to follow."
\n
The new Hamlet features a dynamic and youthful cast, including talented young actors, such as Zheng Yunlong and Lu Lu.
\n
Full of energy and passion, this new generation of performers brings a fresh vitality to the stage, blending tradition with innovation, says codirector Yang.
\n
"These young actors create new ideas at every rehearsal. Portraying such a classic will shape them profoundly," he says, noting that the cast members must master the delicate balance between precision in stage direction and the beauty of Shakespeare's language, while bringing to life characters with rich, vivid personalities.
\n
Zheng emphasizes the universality of Hamlet's struggle. "Hamlet is not just a prince; he is every one of us. Rehearsals have shown me that his challenges are timeless and relatable."
\n
The 35-year-old Zheng has gained a large fan following for his roles in musical productions.
\n
In 2021, he won recognition for his performance as Eben Cabot in the Beijing People's Art Theatre's adaptation of Desire Under the Elms, a three-part tragedy written by US playwright Eugene O'Neill. The successful collaboration with the theater propelled Zheng to become an actor of the theater.
\n
Actress Lu Lu, 28, who plays Ophelia, says that performing Shakespeare is both thrilling and exhilarating.
\n
"The beauty of this work lies in discovering new possibilities through repeated rehearsals," she says. "Ophelia is not just a tragic figure; she is alive, lovable, and, at times, heartbreakingly fragile."
\n
Visually, the production embraces an experimental style. Feng describes a stage featuring suspended ladders, sliding beams, and dramatic lighting that expands the space vertically and horizontally.
\n
"The audience won't see a castle. Instead, they'll encounter the aesthetic of a decaying theater, intensifying the tension between reason and emotion."
\n
The 2025 production will also open the Beijing People's Art Theatre International Drama Invitation Exhibition. Through this annual global event, the play will engage in a cultural dialogue with international theatrical traditions and explore the evolving nature of Shakespeare's work in contemporary theater.
An ink painting titled Nanmin Xing (Refugees' Walk) depicting the plight of war refugees in 1931, a photograph of Canadian surgeon Henry Norman Bethune performing surgery, and a padded jacket once worn by a pilot from the American Volunteer Group "Flying Tigers" are among the historical treasures now on display at United in Arms, Standing for Peace, an exhibition at the Hong Kong Museum of History, marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). Running until Dec 15, it presents 183 objects from the National Museum of China in Beijing, Hong Kong institutions, and private collections. The display traces the course of the war and highlights Hong Kong's important role in the national campaign.
\n
10 am-6 pm, on Monday, Wednesday to Friday; 10 am-7 pm, on Saturday and Sunday. 100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. 852-2724-9042.
\n
Timeless workmanship
\n
Bronze wares of the Shang Dynasty (c. 16th century-11th century BC), featuring intricate motifs, patterns, and shapes, showcase the imagination and craftsmanship of the era. Shang Capital Crafts: Made in China 3,000 Years Ago, a long-term exhibition at Tianjin Museum, re-creates the working environments of late Shang artisans through more than 180 objects from Tianjin and other museums, including those in Anyang, Henan province, the site of the Yinxu Ruins, the remnants of the capital of late Shang Dynasty and a UNESCO World Heritage site. These diverse artifacts help visitors picture the bustling workshops of Shang craftspeople working with various materials and tools, whose products enriched the economic and cultural life of the dynasty.
Once Upon a Page, an exhibition now ongoing at Tsinghua University Art Museum, shows a selection of comic works featured at Fumetto Comic Festival Lucerne, Switzerland, over the years. It presents the works of 20 artists, including small sculptures inspired by their comics, addressing themes such as courage, individual identity, dreams, history and social change. It offers delights for audiences of all ages while encouraging reflection on the richness and depth of comic art. The exhibition, through to Nov 16, marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland.
An ink painting titled Nanmin Xing (Refugees' Walk) depicting the plight of war refugees in 1931, a photograph of Canadian surgeon Henry Norman Bethune performing surgery, and a padded jacket once worn by a pilot from the American Volunteer Group "Flying Tigers" are among the historical treasures now on display at United in Arms, Standing for Peace, an exhibition at the Hong Kong Museum of History, marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). Running until Dec 15, it presents 183 objects from the National Museum of China in Beijing, Hong Kong institutions, and private collections. The display traces the course of the war and highlights Hong Kong's important role in the national campaign.
\n
10 am-6 pm, on Monday, Wednesday to Friday; 10 am-7 pm, on Saturday and Sunday. 100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong. 852-2724-9042.
\n
Timeless workmanship
\n
Bronze wares of the Shang Dynasty (c. 16th century-11th century BC), featuring intricate motifs, patterns, and shapes, showcase the imagination and craftsmanship of the era. Shang Capital Crafts: Made in China 3,000 Years Ago, a long-term exhibition at Tianjin Museum, re-creates the working environments of late Shang artisans through more than 180 objects from Tianjin and other museums, including those in Anyang, Henan province, the site of the Yinxu Ruins, the remnants of the capital of late Shang Dynasty and a UNESCO World Heritage site. These diverse artifacts help visitors picture the bustling workshops of Shang craftspeople working with various materials and tools, whose products enriched the economic and cultural life of the dynasty.
Once Upon a Page, an exhibition now ongoing at Tsinghua University Art Museum, shows a selection of comic works featured at Fumetto Comic Festival Lucerne, Switzerland, over the years. It presents the works of 20 artists, including small sculptures inspired by their comics, addressing themes such as courage, individual identity, dreams, history and social change. It offers delights for audiences of all ages while encouraging reflection on the richness and depth of comic art. The exhibition, through to Nov 16, marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland.
Top: Participants flank a bronze plaque commemorating Dr Ho Feng Shan at a 2008 ceremony at the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum. Jakob Rosenfeld's niece Margaret Rosenfeld Frija is center left, Ho Manli at center right. Above left: Shanghai Bund, 1938. Above right: Passport photo of 11-year-old Lotte Lustig. A red "J" stamp designates her as a Jew.
\n
Top: Dr Ho Feng Shan, Chinese Consul General to Vienna, circa 1938. Above: His daughter Ho Manli.
\n
From left: Eric Goldstaub and his parents in Vienna. Jewish prisoners line up at Dachau concentration camp after Kristallnacht on Nov 9 and 10, 1938, when 30,000 Jewish males were arrested and deported to such camps by the Nazis. Photo taken by Goldstaub of fellow Jewish refugees onboard the Conte Biancamano on their way to Shanghai in December 1938. Jewish refugees disembarking in Shanghai, in December 1938.
\n
Toward the end of 1938, in the second year of the full-scale Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), and on the eve of World War II in Europe, there was suddenly a mass influx of European Jewish refugees into the Chinese port city of Shanghai.
\n
In less than two years, some 18,000 Jews would seek refuge in Shanghai. During that period, the very use of its name as a destination provided thousands with a means of escape from certain death at the hands of the Nazis.
\n
How did an occupied war-torn Chinese port city become a refuge of last resort from the Holocaust?
\n
It has only been in the last two decades that this history has surfaced and become more widely known. At that time, elderly Jewish Shanghai survivors began to write their memoirs, and I embarked on a two-decade long investigation into the instrumental role that my late father, the Chinese diplomat Dr Ho Feng Shan (1901-97), played in saving Jews.
\n
Well before Nazi policy turned to genocide in 1941, the Anschluss, the political union of Austria and Germany in March 1938, unleashed a reign of terror on Jews, precipitating a refugee crisis.
\n
Up until then, Nazi efforts to render Germany Judenrein, or "cleansed of Jews", had not gained much traction. But with the Anschluss, anti-Semitic violence and persecution of Jews escalated exponentially.
\n
The Nazis created draconian bureaucratic measures for Jewish emigration combining economic expropriation and forced deportation, a "model" perfected in 1938 in Vienna by Adolf Eichmann, who later became one of the architects of "the Final Solution", the Nazi plan for the genocide of Jews in 1942. This "model" was subsequently instituted in all Nazi-occupied territories.
\n
My father was posted to the Chinese legation in Vienna in 1937. He watched in horror as Adolf Hitler marched triumphantly into Vienna in March 1938, to a delirious welcome by the Austrians.
\n
"Since the Anschluss, the persecution of the Jews by Hitler's 'devils' became increasingly fierce. The fate of Austrian Jews was tragic, persecution a daily occurrence," my father wrote in his memoir Forty Years of My Diplomatic Life.
\n
After the Anschluss, all foreign diplomatic missions in Vienna were downgraded to consulates. My father was appointed Consul General a month later.
\n
Around the same time, the first Austrian Jews were sent to Dachau and Buchenwald concentration camps. They were told by Nazi authorities that if they produced "proof of emigration" to another country, they would be released. Many Jews wanted to emigrate to the United States, but the US not only required an affidavit of financial sponsorship but had long ago filled its Austrian quota. Those who wished to go to Palestine found that Britain, under pressure from the Arabs, had severely reduced the quota for Jewish emigrants.
\n
Jews besieged foreign consulates in Vienna day after day. Obtaining the "proof of emigration" required by Nazi authorities became a desperate and agonizing quest for survival. Here is how one refugee described it:
\n
"Visas! We began to live visas day and night. When we were awake, we were obsessed by visas. We talked about them all the time. Exit visas. Transit visas. Entrance visas. Where could we go? During the day, we tried to get the proper documents, approvals, stamps. At night, in bed, we tossed about and dreamed about long lines, officials, visas. Visas."
\n
At this time, foreign diplomats like my father could play a crucial role in helping Jews, but none did so. Many of their countries, and nearly all of the 32 Western nations participating in the Evian Conference in July 1938, had anti-immigration policies and were unwilling to open their doors to Jewish refugees.
\n
The father of 11-year-old Lotte Lustig, for example, obtained an American telephone directory, and Lotte wrote to all the people who bore the same last name — Lustig — asking them to sponsor her family to the US.None agreed. The Lustigs obtained Shanghai visas from my father's consulate on Oct 18, 1938, a day when at least 106 such visas were issued, and escaped to Shanghai.
\n
My father came from a generation of Chinese who keenly felt the 100 years of humiliation that China had suffered under foreign imperialism, so he could not stand idly by. "Seeing the tragic plight of the Jews, it is only natural to feel deep compassion, and from a humanitarian standpoint, to be impelled to help them," he would later recall.
\n
"I used every means possible, saving who-knows-how-many Jews!"
\n
However, unlike his diplomatic peers, my father faced some daunting obstacles as China's representative in 1938. The first was access to his home country, much of which, including all of its ports of entry, had been under Japanese occupation since 1937. Any entry visa issued by a Chinese diplomat would certainly not be recognized by the Japanese occupiers.
\n
There was, however, one loophole: the port of Shanghai. Following the Opium War of 1840, portions of Shanghai had been carved up by the foreign imperialist powers into extraterritorial "concessions". The Japanese invasion in 1937 occupied the Chinese portions of the city, but the International Settlement and the French Concession remained untouched enclaves.
\n
Until July 1937, the Chinese Nationalist government had exercised passport control for entry into Shanghai, but after their retreat to the wartime capital of Chongqing, the harbor was left unattended. Because the other foreign powers in Shanghai did not want to be "inconvenienced", it was the only entry point into China that the Japanese occupiers did not exert control over. Until the end of 1941, when the Japanese took over the entire city, there was no harbor authority to examine passports or entry documents into Shanghai. Anyone could land ashore without passports or papers.
\n
My father took full advantage of this situation and devised an ingenious strategy: issuing entry visas to Shanghai, a destination requiring no visa for entry.
\n
This intentional off-label use of a standard entry visa would provide the "proof of emigration "required by Nazi authorities to allow safe passage out of Nazi-occupied territories and to be released from detention. The visas could also be used to obtain transit visas into otherwise inaccessible countries on the pretext of going to Shanghai. Many Shanghai visa recipients in fact did not go to Shanghai but used these visas to make their way to the Philippines, Cuba, Palestine, England and even the US, the only places they could get to.
\n
At the time, China, and especially Shanghai, was alien to most Europeans. Soon after Hitler's rise to power in 1933, a handful of German Jewish doctors and dentists had answered an advertisement from the foreign concessions for medical professionals and had set up practices in Shanghai. In the subsequent five years, there were no further arrivals until the mass influx of Jewish refugees landing in Shanghai at the end of 1938, after the Anschluss and then Kristallnacht, the Nazi-orchestrated anti-Jewish rampage known as the Night of Broken Glass on Nov 9 and 10 of that year.
\n
Four months after the Anschluss, 17-year-old Eric Goldstaub made the rounds of 50 consulates in Vienna before obtaining 20 visas for himself and his extended family from the Chinese Consulate General. The visas were to a destination — Shanghai — that he had never heard of, in a distant country — China — that he had never dreamed of going to, Eric later recalled.
\n
With the visas, the family bought tickets on an Italian luxury liner from the Lloyd Triestino company, which was war profiteering by ferrying Jewish refugees to Shanghai.
\n
But before they could leave, Eric and his father were arrested on Kristallnacht, along with 30,000 Jewish males from Germany and Austria. Because they were able to produce the Shanghai visas as proof of emigration, they were released and set sail for Shanghai in December. On board the ship, Eric took photographs of fellow Jewish refugee passengers.
\n
More importantly, in 1938 and 1939, the Shanghai visas were instrumental in securing the release of those deported to concentration camps, especially after Kristallnacht. Austrian physician Jakob Rosenfeld was among those deported to Dachau and then to Buchenwald. He was released in 1939 and went to China, where he joined the Chinese New Fourth Army as a medical officer and participated in the revolution.
\n
By making Shanghai a final destination, my father also provided a safety net to Jewish refugees who were unable to obtain his Shanghai visas in Vienna. After the Anschluss and Kristallnacht, word spread rapidly throughout Nazi-occupied territories that in China there existed a port which required no entry papers. This prompted a mass exodus by ship, and later by rail, to Shanghai between 1938 and 1940.
\n
As Evelyn Pike Rubin, a survivor, wrote in 2007: "I am from Breslau (today's Wroclaw, Poland), and all I can remember is that my parents seem to have heard about Shanghai from the Austrian Jews who needed to leave right after the Anschluss. I guess someone in Austria heard about Shanghai being an 'open city' and the word spread and also got to us in Germany."
\n
The majority of the 18,000 Jewish refugees who ended up in Shanghai were from Germany. Only 5,000-6,000 were from Austria. Most of the Austrian Jews who were able to obtain visas from my father's consulate used them as a means to escape elsewhere. The last group of refugees were 300-400 Polish Jews, the entire Mir Yeshiva (a traditional Jewish religious educational institution), who had fled to Kobe, Japan, but were deported by the Japanese to Shanghai in 1941.
\n
The second major obstacle my father faced was from his home government. The Nationalist government had had long-standing economic and diplomatic relations with Germany. But by 1938, Hitler had begun to turn to Germany's soon-to-be ally, Japan. Desperate to salvage deteriorating diplomatic relations with Germany, Chen Chieh, the new Chinese ambassador to Berlin, ordered my father to desist from issuing visas to Jews. My father disobeyed.
\n
On April 8, 1939, roughly a year after he began issuing visas, my father was punished with a demerit for disobeying orders. Just prior to that, the consulate building at 3 Beethoven Platz was confiscated by the Nazis. The Nationalist government not only did not protest this breach of diplomatic extraterritoriality but refused to give my father funds to relocate. My father moved the consulate to much smaller quarters around the corner at 22 Johannesgasse and paid all the expenses himself. In February 1940, he was removed from his post and transferred out of Vienna.
\n
The Jews who arrived in Shanghai faced harsh and brutal wartime conditions under Japanese occupation, but survived. None were ever reunited with my father. Until now, most did not even know his name, as my father never sought recognition for his deeds.
\n
This unusual chapter in history serves as a reminder that there is an indelible and direct link between East and West in humanity's shared struggles.
\n
On this 80th anniversary year of victory over fascism, my father's humanitarian deeds can best be remembered not for whom he saved, but simply that they were human lives.
\n
Lao Tzu said: "The sage saves others and abandons none."
\n
Ho Manli, daughter of Ho Feng Shan, did not follow in her father's diplomatic footsteps and instead chose journalism. In 1981, she was one of the foreign editors who worked at China Daily on its launch, and also at China Daily US edition on its launch. For the past two decades, she has been uncovering and documenting the history of her father's wartime heroism and is working on a book.
\n
Contact the writer at homanli@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Top: Participants flank a bronze plaque commemorating Dr Ho Feng Shan at a 2008 ceremony at the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum. Jakob Rosenfeld's niece Margaret Rosenfeld Frija is center left, Ho Manli at center right. Above left: Shanghai Bund, 1938. Above right: Passport photo of 11-year-old Lotte Lustig. A red "J" stamp designates her as a Jew.
\n
Top: Dr Ho Feng Shan, Chinese Consul General to Vienna, circa 1938. Above: His daughter Ho Manli.
\n
From left: Eric Goldstaub and his parents in Vienna. Jewish prisoners line up at Dachau concentration camp after Kristallnacht on Nov 9 and 10, 1938, when 30,000 Jewish males were arrested and deported to such camps by the Nazis. Photo taken by Goldstaub of fellow Jewish refugees onboard the Conte Biancamano on their way to Shanghai in December 1938. Jewish refugees disembarking in Shanghai, in December 1938.
\n
Toward the end of 1938, in the second year of the full-scale Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), and on the eve of World War II in Europe, there was suddenly a mass influx of European Jewish refugees into the Chinese port city of Shanghai.
\n
In less than two years, some 18,000 Jews would seek refuge in Shanghai. During that period, the very use of its name as a destination provided thousands with a means of escape from certain death at the hands of the Nazis.
\n
How did an occupied war-torn Chinese port city become a refuge of last resort from the Holocaust?
\n
It has only been in the last two decades that this history has surfaced and become more widely known. At that time, elderly Jewish Shanghai survivors began to write their memoirs, and I embarked on a two-decade long investigation into the instrumental role that my late father, the Chinese diplomat Dr Ho Feng Shan (1901-97), played in saving Jews.
\n
Well before Nazi policy turned to genocide in 1941, the Anschluss, the political union of Austria and Germany in March 1938, unleashed a reign of terror on Jews, precipitating a refugee crisis.
\n
Up until then, Nazi efforts to render Germany Judenrein, or "cleansed of Jews", had not gained much traction. But with the Anschluss, anti-Semitic violence and persecution of Jews escalated exponentially.
\n
The Nazis created draconian bureaucratic measures for Jewish emigration combining economic expropriation and forced deportation, a "model" perfected in 1938 in Vienna by Adolf Eichmann, who later became one of the architects of "the Final Solution", the Nazi plan for the genocide of Jews in 1942. This "model" was subsequently instituted in all Nazi-occupied territories.
\n
My father was posted to the Chinese legation in Vienna in 1937. He watched in horror as Adolf Hitler marched triumphantly into Vienna in March 1938, to a delirious welcome by the Austrians.
\n
"Since the Anschluss, the persecution of the Jews by Hitler's 'devils' became increasingly fierce. The fate of Austrian Jews was tragic, persecution a daily occurrence," my father wrote in his memoir Forty Years of My Diplomatic Life.
\n
After the Anschluss, all foreign diplomatic missions in Vienna were downgraded to consulates. My father was appointed Consul General a month later.
\n
Around the same time, the first Austrian Jews were sent to Dachau and Buchenwald concentration camps. They were told by Nazi authorities that if they produced "proof of emigration" to another country, they would be released. Many Jews wanted to emigrate to the United States, but the US not only required an affidavit of financial sponsorship but had long ago filled its Austrian quota. Those who wished to go to Palestine found that Britain, under pressure from the Arabs, had severely reduced the quota for Jewish emigrants.
\n
Jews besieged foreign consulates in Vienna day after day. Obtaining the "proof of emigration" required by Nazi authorities became a desperate and agonizing quest for survival. Here is how one refugee described it:
\n
"Visas! We began to live visas day and night. When we were awake, we were obsessed by visas. We talked about them all the time. Exit visas. Transit visas. Entrance visas. Where could we go? During the day, we tried to get the proper documents, approvals, stamps. At night, in bed, we tossed about and dreamed about long lines, officials, visas. Visas."
\n
At this time, foreign diplomats like my father could play a crucial role in helping Jews, but none did so. Many of their countries, and nearly all of the 32 Western nations participating in the Evian Conference in July 1938, had anti-immigration policies and were unwilling to open their doors to Jewish refugees.
\n
The father of 11-year-old Lotte Lustig, for example, obtained an American telephone directory, and Lotte wrote to all the people who bore the same last name — Lustig — asking them to sponsor her family to the US.None agreed. The Lustigs obtained Shanghai visas from my father's consulate on Oct 18, 1938, a day when at least 106 such visas were issued, and escaped to Shanghai.
\n
My father came from a generation of Chinese who keenly felt the 100 years of humiliation that China had suffered under foreign imperialism, so he could not stand idly by. "Seeing the tragic plight of the Jews, it is only natural to feel deep compassion, and from a humanitarian standpoint, to be impelled to help them," he would later recall.
\n
"I used every means possible, saving who-knows-how-many Jews!"
\n
However, unlike his diplomatic peers, my father faced some daunting obstacles as China's representative in 1938. The first was access to his home country, much of which, including all of its ports of entry, had been under Japanese occupation since 1937. Any entry visa issued by a Chinese diplomat would certainly not be recognized by the Japanese occupiers.
\n
There was, however, one loophole: the port of Shanghai. Following the Opium War of 1840, portions of Shanghai had been carved up by the foreign imperialist powers into extraterritorial "concessions". The Japanese invasion in 1937 occupied the Chinese portions of the city, but the International Settlement and the French Concession remained untouched enclaves.
\n
Until July 1937, the Chinese Nationalist government had exercised passport control for entry into Shanghai, but after their retreat to the wartime capital of Chongqing, the harbor was left unattended. Because the other foreign powers in Shanghai did not want to be "inconvenienced", it was the only entry point into China that the Japanese occupiers did not exert control over. Until the end of 1941, when the Japanese took over the entire city, there was no harbor authority to examine passports or entry documents into Shanghai. Anyone could land ashore without passports or papers.
\n
My father took full advantage of this situation and devised an ingenious strategy: issuing entry visas to Shanghai, a destination requiring no visa for entry.
\n
This intentional off-label use of a standard entry visa would provide the "proof of emigration "required by Nazi authorities to allow safe passage out of Nazi-occupied territories and to be released from detention. The visas could also be used to obtain transit visas into otherwise inaccessible countries on the pretext of going to Shanghai. Many Shanghai visa recipients in fact did not go to Shanghai but used these visas to make their way to the Philippines, Cuba, Palestine, England and even the US, the only places they could get to.
\n
At the time, China, and especially Shanghai, was alien to most Europeans. Soon after Hitler's rise to power in 1933, a handful of German Jewish doctors and dentists had answered an advertisement from the foreign concessions for medical professionals and had set up practices in Shanghai. In the subsequent five years, there were no further arrivals until the mass influx of Jewish refugees landing in Shanghai at the end of 1938, after the Anschluss and then Kristallnacht, the Nazi-orchestrated anti-Jewish rampage known as the Night of Broken Glass on Nov 9 and 10 of that year.
\n
Four months after the Anschluss, 17-year-old Eric Goldstaub made the rounds of 50 consulates in Vienna before obtaining 20 visas for himself and his extended family from the Chinese Consulate General. The visas were to a destination — Shanghai — that he had never heard of, in a distant country — China — that he had never dreamed of going to, Eric later recalled.
\n
With the visas, the family bought tickets on an Italian luxury liner from the Lloyd Triestino company, which was war profiteering by ferrying Jewish refugees to Shanghai.
\n
But before they could leave, Eric and his father were arrested on Kristallnacht, along with 30,000 Jewish males from Germany and Austria. Because they were able to produce the Shanghai visas as proof of emigration, they were released and set sail for Shanghai in December. On board the ship, Eric took photographs of fellow Jewish refugee passengers.
\n
More importantly, in 1938 and 1939, the Shanghai visas were instrumental in securing the release of those deported to concentration camps, especially after Kristallnacht. Austrian physician Jakob Rosenfeld was among those deported to Dachau and then to Buchenwald. He was released in 1939 and went to China, where he joined the Chinese New Fourth Army as a medical officer and participated in the revolution.
\n
By making Shanghai a final destination, my father also provided a safety net to Jewish refugees who were unable to obtain his Shanghai visas in Vienna. After the Anschluss and Kristallnacht, word spread rapidly throughout Nazi-occupied territories that in China there existed a port which required no entry papers. This prompted a mass exodus by ship, and later by rail, to Shanghai between 1938 and 1940.
\n
As Evelyn Pike Rubin, a survivor, wrote in 2007: "I am from Breslau (today's Wroclaw, Poland), and all I can remember is that my parents seem to have heard about Shanghai from the Austrian Jews who needed to leave right after the Anschluss. I guess someone in Austria heard about Shanghai being an 'open city' and the word spread and also got to us in Germany."
\n
The majority of the 18,000 Jewish refugees who ended up in Shanghai were from Germany. Only 5,000-6,000 were from Austria. Most of the Austrian Jews who were able to obtain visas from my father's consulate used them as a means to escape elsewhere. The last group of refugees were 300-400 Polish Jews, the entire Mir Yeshiva (a traditional Jewish religious educational institution), who had fled to Kobe, Japan, but were deported by the Japanese to Shanghai in 1941.
\n
The second major obstacle my father faced was from his home government. The Nationalist government had had long-standing economic and diplomatic relations with Germany. But by 1938, Hitler had begun to turn to Germany's soon-to-be ally, Japan. Desperate to salvage deteriorating diplomatic relations with Germany, Chen Chieh, the new Chinese ambassador to Berlin, ordered my father to desist from issuing visas to Jews. My father disobeyed.
\n
On April 8, 1939, roughly a year after he began issuing visas, my father was punished with a demerit for disobeying orders. Just prior to that, the consulate building at 3 Beethoven Platz was confiscated by the Nazis. The Nationalist government not only did not protest this breach of diplomatic extraterritoriality but refused to give my father funds to relocate. My father moved the consulate to much smaller quarters around the corner at 22 Johannesgasse and paid all the expenses himself. In February 1940, he was removed from his post and transferred out of Vienna.
\n
The Jews who arrived in Shanghai faced harsh and brutal wartime conditions under Japanese occupation, but survived. None were ever reunited with my father. Until now, most did not even know his name, as my father never sought recognition for his deeds.
\n
This unusual chapter in history serves as a reminder that there is an indelible and direct link between East and West in humanity's shared struggles.
\n
On this 80th anniversary year of victory over fascism, my father's humanitarian deeds can best be remembered not for whom he saved, but simply that they were human lives.
\n
Lao Tzu said: "The sage saves others and abandons none."
\n
Ho Manli, daughter of Ho Feng Shan, did not follow in her father's diplomatic footsteps and instead chose journalism. In 1981, she was one of the foreign editors who worked at China Daily on its launch, and also at China Daily US edition on its launch. For the past two decades, she has been uncovering and documenting the history of her father's wartime heroism and is working on a book.
Wearing a Superman costume, Orlando Magic forward Dwight Howard soars toward the basket during a slam dunk contest at the 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans. He will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend.
\n\n\n
All Dwight Howard urges his doubters to do is this: look at the numbers. They tell the story, he insists. He averaged 15.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. Only 13 other players in the history of the NBA have posted those for a career.
\n
They all made the Hall of Fame.
\n
"So, why not me?" Howard asked.
\n
He doesn't have to ask that question anymore.
\n
Howard — who is still upset, and some would say rightly so, for being left off the NBA's 75th anniversary team that was unveiled nearly four years ago — wasn't snubbed for the top individual honor that can be bestowed upon a player. He goes into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend, capping a career where he was an eight-time All-Star, a five-time rebounding champion, a two-time blocked shots champion and the only player to win defensive player of the year over three consecutive seasons.
\n
"I'm most proud of the fact that I've had longevity. That I've been able to play as long as I've been able to, and stay as healthy as I have," Howard said. "And I want people to say that one thing about me is that I was always going to put my best foot forward, 100 percent effort. They can say, 'no matter what it is, he's going to put in everything he has'."
\n
Howard is one of two dual-enshrinees this weekend; he and Carmelo Anthony are both going into the Hall of Fame for both their individual achievements and, again, as part of the 2008 US Olympic basketball team dubbed the "Redeem Team" after winning gold at the Beijing Games that summer.
\n
Also entering the Hall this weekend: women's basketball greats Sue Bird, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles, Miami Heat managing general partner Micky Arison, longtime NBA referee Dan Crawford and Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan — a winner of two NCAA titles when he coached at Florida.
\n
"It's a great class," USA Basketball men's national team director Sean Ford said.
\n
Howard is 10th on the NBA's all-time rebounding list, 13th on the list of blocked shots. He's one of four players with three DPOY awards, behind only four-time winners Dikembe Mutombo, Ben Wallace and Rudy Gobert. And he got his lone NBA ring in 2020, when the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Miami Heat in the bubble finals.
\n
Only one other player — Elvin Hayes — finished his NBA career averaging as many points, rebounds and blocked shots as Howard did. Blocks didn't become an official stat until 1973, but regardless, the numbers showed Howard was a lock for the hall in Springfield, Massachusetts, to call.
\n
"It was absolutely ridiculous that he didn't make Top 75," Stan Van Gundy, Howard's longtime coach in Orlando, said when that 75th anniversary team was released.
\n
Howard and Van Gundy didn't always agree. On this point, they're in lockstep.
\n
"I was wondering if I was ever going to get into the Hall of Fame after the Top 75 thing, because it just seemed like, as far as my basketball play, I haven't really received that much respect from my years in the league," Howard said. "It was a little difficult. But then, once I got the call, I was like, 'wow, this is here'."
\n
The 75th anniversary team snub might come up in the speech that Howard is planning to deliver this weekend. If this speech goes like the one he gave when he was inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame earlier this year — he spent his first eight NBA seasons with the Magic, hardly missing a game after they took him No 1 overall in the 2004 draft — expect some laughs and some tears. Howard doesn't mind showing his emotions.
\n
The Hall didn't make him wait, either. Howard was voted in during his first year of eligibility.
\n
"It's happening. It's me being in the Hall of Fame, being inducted in the Hall of Fame as player and then being inducted into the Hall of Fame as an Olympian," Howard said. "It's just like a double whammy, but in a good way."
Wearing a Superman costume, Orlando Magic forward Dwight Howard soars toward the basket during a slam dunk contest at the 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans. He will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend.
\n\n\n
All Dwight Howard urges his doubters to do is this: look at the numbers. They tell the story, he insists. He averaged 15.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. Only 13 other players in the history of the NBA have posted those for a career.
\n
They all made the Hall of Fame.
\n
"So, why not me?" Howard asked.
\n
He doesn't have to ask that question anymore.
\n
Howard — who is still upset, and some would say rightly so, for being left off the NBA's 75th anniversary team that was unveiled nearly four years ago — wasn't snubbed for the top individual honor that can be bestowed upon a player. He goes into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this weekend, capping a career where he was an eight-time All-Star, a five-time rebounding champion, a two-time blocked shots champion and the only player to win defensive player of the year over three consecutive seasons.
\n
"I'm most proud of the fact that I've had longevity. That I've been able to play as long as I've been able to, and stay as healthy as I have," Howard said. "And I want people to say that one thing about me is that I was always going to put my best foot forward, 100 percent effort. They can say, 'no matter what it is, he's going to put in everything he has'."
\n
Howard is one of two dual-enshrinees this weekend; he and Carmelo Anthony are both going into the Hall of Fame for both their individual achievements and, again, as part of the 2008 US Olympic basketball team dubbed the "Redeem Team" after winning gold at the Beijing Games that summer.
\n
Also entering the Hall this weekend: women's basketball greats Sue Bird, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles, Miami Heat managing general partner Micky Arison, longtime NBA referee Dan Crawford and Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan — a winner of two NCAA titles when he coached at Florida.
\n
"It's a great class," USA Basketball men's national team director Sean Ford said.
\n
Howard is 10th on the NBA's all-time rebounding list, 13th on the list of blocked shots. He's one of four players with three DPOY awards, behind only four-time winners Dikembe Mutombo, Ben Wallace and Rudy Gobert. And he got his lone NBA ring in 2020, when the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Miami Heat in the bubble finals.
\n
Only one other player — Elvin Hayes — finished his NBA career averaging as many points, rebounds and blocked shots as Howard did. Blocks didn't become an official stat until 1973, but regardless, the numbers showed Howard was a lock for the hall in Springfield, Massachusetts, to call.
\n
"It was absolutely ridiculous that he didn't make Top 75," Stan Van Gundy, Howard's longtime coach in Orlando, said when that 75th anniversary team was released.
\n
Howard and Van Gundy didn't always agree. On this point, they're in lockstep.
\n
"I was wondering if I was ever going to get into the Hall of Fame after the Top 75 thing, because it just seemed like, as far as my basketball play, I haven't really received that much respect from my years in the league," Howard said. "It was a little difficult. But then, once I got the call, I was like, 'wow, this is here'."
\n
The 75th anniversary team snub might come up in the speech that Howard is planning to deliver this weekend. If this speech goes like the one he gave when he was inducted into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame earlier this year — he spent his first eight NBA seasons with the Magic, hardly missing a game after they took him No 1 overall in the 2004 draft — expect some laughs and some tears. Howard doesn't mind showing his emotions.
\n
The Hall didn't make him wait, either. Howard was voted in during his first year of eligibility.
\n
"It's happening. It's me being in the Hall of Fame, being inducted in the Hall of Fame as player and then being inducted into the Hall of Fame as an Olympian," Howard said. "It's just like a double whammy, but in a good way."
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard looks toward the scoreboard during an NBA game in May at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
\n
LOS ANGELES — The NBA said Wednesday that it will investigate if a $28 million endorsement contract between Kawhi Leonard and a California-based sustainability services company allowed the Los Angeles Clippers to circumvent league salary cap rules, following a report by journalist Pablo Torre.
\n
The Clippers strongly denied that any rules were broken, and said that they welcomed the league's investigation.
\n
The probe will focus on ties between Leonard, the Clippers and a company called Aspiration Fund Adviser, which filed for bankruptcy this year.
\n
It listed several creditors at that time, among them the Clippers (who were owed about $30 million) and a company called KL2 Aspire that was owed $7 million.
\n
Leonard is listed as the manager of that company in California filings. The name KL2 combines his initials and his jersey number. Emails sent to his listed representatives seeking comment Wednesday were not immediately returned.
\n
"We are aware of this morning's media report regarding the LA Clippers and are commencing an investigation," NBA spokesman Mike Bass said Wednesday.
\n
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer made a $50 million investment in Aspiration, and the company and the team announced a $300 million partnership in September 2021.That was about a month after Leonard signed a four-year, $176 million extension with the Clippers.
\n
The team ended its relationship with Aspiration after two years, saying the contract was in default.
\n
"Neither the Clippers, nor Steve Ballmer, circumvented the salary cap," the team said. "The notion that Steve invested in Aspiration in order to funnel money to Kawhi Leonard is absurd. Steve invested because Aspiration's co-founders presented themselves as committed to doing right by their customers while protecting the environment.
\n
"After a long campaign of market manipulation, which defrauded not only Steve, but numerous other investors and sports teams, Aspiration filed for bankruptcy. Neither Steve nor the Clippers had knowledge of any improper activity by Aspiration or its co-founder until after the government initiated its investigation."
\n
Aspiration's co-founder, Joseph Sanberg, agreed to plead guilty last month after facing federal charges of wire fraud. Prosecutors said he defrauded investors and lenders out of $248 million, adding that "Aspiration's financial statements were inaccurate and reflected much higher revenue than the company in fact received."
\n
Torre, in his reporting, obtained a copy of the endorsement agreement between Aspiration and KL2 Aspire, one that called for Leonard to be paid $7 million annually for four years. Given that timetable, Leonard still would have been owed the final $7 million at the time of Aspiration's bankruptcy filing.
\n
There is no evidence that Leonard did anything to publicly endorse Aspiration.
\n
"There is nothing unusual or untoward about team sponsors doing endorsement deals with players on the same team," the Clippers said. "Neither Steve nor the Clippers organization had any oversight of Kawhi's independent endorsement agreement with Aspiration. To say otherwise is flat-out wrong."
\n
The league — which previously looked into claims that Leonard's representatives asked for certain things that would be considered cap circumventions when he was a free agent several years ago — can issue stiff penalties if cap rules are found to have been broken by a team, including a fine of up to $7.5 million, the voiding of contracts and the forfeiture of future draft picks.
\n",
+ "content": "
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard looks toward the scoreboard during an NBA game in May at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.
\n
LOS ANGELES — The NBA said Wednesday that it will investigate if a $28 million endorsement contract between Kawhi Leonard and a California-based sustainability services company allowed the Los Angeles Clippers to circumvent league salary cap rules, following a report by journalist Pablo Torre.
\n
The Clippers strongly denied that any rules were broken, and said that they welcomed the league's investigation.
\n
The probe will focus on ties between Leonard, the Clippers and a company called Aspiration Fund Adviser, which filed for bankruptcy this year.
\n
It listed several creditors at that time, among them the Clippers (who were owed about $30 million) and a company called KL2 Aspire that was owed $7 million.
\n
Leonard is listed as the manager of that company in California filings. The name KL2 combines his initials and his jersey number. Emails sent to his listed representatives seeking comment Wednesday were not immediately returned.
\n
"We are aware of this morning's media report regarding the LA Clippers and are commencing an investigation," NBA spokesman Mike Bass said Wednesday.
\n
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer made a $50 million investment in Aspiration, and the company and the team announced a $300 million partnership in September 2021.That was about a month after Leonard signed a four-year, $176 million extension with the Clippers.
\n
The team ended its relationship with Aspiration after two years, saying the contract was in default.
\n
"Neither the Clippers, nor Steve Ballmer, circumvented the salary cap," the team said. "The notion that Steve invested in Aspiration in order to funnel money to Kawhi Leonard is absurd. Steve invested because Aspiration's co-founders presented themselves as committed to doing right by their customers while protecting the environment.
\n
"After a long campaign of market manipulation, which defrauded not only Steve, but numerous other investors and sports teams, Aspiration filed for bankruptcy. Neither Steve nor the Clippers had knowledge of any improper activity by Aspiration or its co-founder until after the government initiated its investigation."
\n
Aspiration's co-founder, Joseph Sanberg, agreed to plead guilty last month after facing federal charges of wire fraud. Prosecutors said he defrauded investors and lenders out of $248 million, adding that "Aspiration's financial statements were inaccurate and reflected much higher revenue than the company in fact received."
\n
Torre, in his reporting, obtained a copy of the endorsement agreement between Aspiration and KL2 Aspire, one that called for Leonard to be paid $7 million annually for four years. Given that timetable, Leonard still would have been owed the final $7 million at the time of Aspiration's bankruptcy filing.
\n
There is no evidence that Leonard did anything to publicly endorse Aspiration.
\n
"There is nothing unusual or untoward about team sponsors doing endorsement deals with players on the same team," the Clippers said. "Neither Steve nor the Clippers organization had any oversight of Kawhi's independent endorsement agreement with Aspiration. To say otherwise is flat-out wrong."
\n
The league — which previously looked into claims that Leonard's representatives asked for certain things that would be considered cap circumventions when he was a free agent several years ago — can issue stiff penalties if cap rules are found to have been broken by a team, including a fine of up to $7.5 million, the voiding of contracts and the forfeiture of future draft picks.
Having a United States versus The World game is getting closer to becoming an NBA All-Star reality.
\n
The NBA is closing in on finalizing another new format for this season's All-Star Game, one where three eight-man teams — two from the US and one composed of international players — would square off in a round-robin tournament, a person with knowledge of the plan said Wednesday.
\n
The league's competition committee has reviewed details of the plan and reacted positively to the concept, said the person, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity because the format has not been finalized by the league.
\n
Having 16 All-Stars from the US and eight from other countries would be in line with the current breakdown of NBA players.
\n
The idea of having a simple US vs The World game has also been talked about, but NBA commissioner Adam Silver said that would be difficult, simply because the league has more American players than it has international players. The league is about 70 percent American, 30 percent international, and that would roughly be the same breakdown of All-Stars this coming season under the proposed plan.
\n
The league has been heading in this direction for several months, especially after last season's All-Star mini-tournament — untimed games to 40 points, with four teams of eight players each — was a flop.
\n
Silver has wanted a more competitive All-Star format for years. Nobody has been willing to play much in the way of defense at the game in recent seasons — a 211-186 game in 2024 was the last straw there — so the league tried the tournament plan this past season.
\n
But after seeing how hockey's 4 Nations Face-Off — a tournament that was capped by a US vs Canada final and essentially took the place of the NHL All-Star Game earlier this year — was a huge hit, NBA executives and players alike wondered aloud if it was time for their midseason showcase game to adopt the US vs The World plan.
\n
And All-Star Weekend this season just happens to fall at a time when cheering for one's home country will be going on all over the world.
\n
The 2026 All-Star Game — to be played Feb 15 at the LA Clippers' Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California — is happening just past the midpoint of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.
\n
It will be moved from its traditional prime time Sunday night slot to one that starts on Sunday afternoon. That's happening because the game will be aired on NBC under the terms of the new 11-year media rights deals that kick in this season. NBC is also the Olympic broadcaster in the US.
\n
NBC's plan is to show Olympic events in the morning and early afternoon, then the All-Star Game, before kicking off its prime-time Olympic programming.
\n
Top international players like San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama (France) and Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece) have said multiple times that they would welcome a US vs The World matchup. US Olympic gold medalist Draymond Green of Golden State also said last season that, based on how NHL's 4 Nations went, he thought such an idea would work for the NBA.
\n",
+ "content": "
Having a United States versus The World game is getting closer to becoming an NBA All-Star reality.
\n
The NBA is closing in on finalizing another new format for this season's All-Star Game, one where three eight-man teams — two from the US and one composed of international players — would square off in a round-robin tournament, a person with knowledge of the plan said Wednesday.
\n
The league's competition committee has reviewed details of the plan and reacted positively to the concept, said the person, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity because the format has not been finalized by the league.
\n
Having 16 All-Stars from the US and eight from other countries would be in line with the current breakdown of NBA players.
\n
The idea of having a simple US vs The World game has also been talked about, but NBA commissioner Adam Silver said that would be difficult, simply because the league has more American players than it has international players. The league is about 70 percent American, 30 percent international, and that would roughly be the same breakdown of All-Stars this coming season under the proposed plan.
\n
The league has been heading in this direction for several months, especially after last season's All-Star mini-tournament — untimed games to 40 points, with four teams of eight players each — was a flop.
\n
Silver has wanted a more competitive All-Star format for years. Nobody has been willing to play much in the way of defense at the game in recent seasons — a 211-186 game in 2024 was the last straw there — so the league tried the tournament plan this past season.
\n
But after seeing how hockey's 4 Nations Face-Off — a tournament that was capped by a US vs Canada final and essentially took the place of the NHL All-Star Game earlier this year — was a huge hit, NBA executives and players alike wondered aloud if it was time for their midseason showcase game to adopt the US vs The World plan.
\n
And All-Star Weekend this season just happens to fall at a time when cheering for one's home country will be going on all over the world.
\n
The 2026 All-Star Game — to be played Feb 15 at the LA Clippers' Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California — is happening just past the midpoint of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.
\n
It will be moved from its traditional prime time Sunday night slot to one that starts on Sunday afternoon. That's happening because the game will be aired on NBC under the terms of the new 11-year media rights deals that kick in this season. NBC is also the Olympic broadcaster in the US.
\n
NBC's plan is to show Olympic events in the morning and early afternoon, then the All-Star Game, before kicking off its prime-time Olympic programming.
\n
Top international players like San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama (France) and Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece) have said multiple times that they would welcome a US vs The World matchup. US Olympic gold medalist Draymond Green of Golden State also said last season that, based on how NHL's 4 Nations went, he thought such an idea would work for the NBA.
Amanda Anisimova of the United States reacts after beating Poland's Iga Swiatek in the US Open quarterfinals on Wednesday. The straight-sets win for the 24-year-old 8th seed comes just two months after Swiatek dismantled her 6-0, 6-0 in the Wimbledon Final.
\n
A frustrated Swiatek ponders her game plan during a changeover break.
\n
Japan's Naomi Osaka celebrates reaching the semis of the US Open for the first time in five years after beating Czech ace Karolina Muchova on Wednesday.
\n
Amanda Anisimova upset Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-3 in the US Open quarterfinals Wednesday, less than two months after losing to the six-time Grand Slam champion in the Wimbledon final by a 6-0, 6-0 score.
\n
The No 8-seeded Anisimova reached her third major semifinal and first at Flushing Meadows in New York.
\n
"To come back from Wimbledon like that is really special to me," said Anisimova, a 24-year-old who was born in New Jersey and grew up in Florida. "I feel like I worked so hard to try and turn around from that.
\n
"Today is really special."
\n
The powerful strokes and poise she displayed in Arthur Ashe Stadium against No 2 Swiatek — the 2022 US Open champion — were such a striking contrast to what happened at the All England Club's Centre Court on July 12.
\n
That title match lasted just 57 minutes, and Anisimova only managed to win 24 points that day, a total she eclipsed about midway through the first set this time.
\n
"Everybody knows how Amanda can play. Yeah, she didn't play well at Wimbledon," said Polish 24-year-old Swiatek, "but it's not like she's always going to make the same mistakes or feel the same."
\n
Anisimova cried during her runner-up speech during the trophy ceremony at Wimbledon; on Wednesday, she was all smiles while addressing thousands of supportive spectators who kept interrupting her on-court interview with cheers.
\n
"Playing here is so freaking special," Anisimova told them, "and I've been having the run of my life here."
\n
On Thursday, Anisimova will try to reach a second consecutive major final. She'll face four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka — who eliminated Coco Gauff on Monday — after the No 23 seed beat No 11 Karolina Muchova 6-4, 7-6 (3).
\n
After one game against Swiatek in the quarterfinals Wednesday, Anisimova might have been forgiven for thinking, "oh, no. Not this again."
\n
That's because Anisimova served first and got broken immediately when she lost three points in a row by missing forehands — one into the net, one wide and one long.
\n
But Anisimova broke right back, and soon, she was the one dictating points with her strong, flat groundstrokes that wound up contributing to 23 total winners, 10 more than Swiatek accumulated. Anisimova also played quite cleanly, making just 12 unforced errors.
\n
"She moved better, she played better," Swiatek said, comparing this match to the one at Wimbledon. "Everything was different."
\n
Swiatek's serve was problematic: She only put in 50 percent of her first serves and was broken four times.
\n
"I couldn't win today's match playing like that, serving like that," Swiatek said, "and with Amanda being so aggressive on the returns."
\n
In the second set, Anisimova fell behind early again, this time 2-0.But, again, she regrouped and quickly gained the upper hand. Swiatek was the one looking increasingly frustrated, shaking her head or slumping her shoulders between points, spreading her arms wide and looking to her coach for advice, and leaning back in her changeover chair as if pondering what, exactly, she could do differently.
\n
When Swiatek double-faulted to trail 5-3 in the second set, that allowed Anisimova to serve out the victory.
\n
"From the get-go, I was trying to fire myself up," Anisimova said. "She is one of the toughest players I've ever played. I knew I was going to have to dig deep."
\n
Anisimova's semifinal opponent, Osaka, surged back to the final four of the US Open for the first time in five years on Wednesday with a straight-sets defeat of Muchova.
\n
Two-time US Open champion Osaka, seeded 23rd, will head into the semifinal showdown brimming with confidence after another polished performance.
\n
Osaka has beaten three higher-ranked opponents on her journey to the semis and has shown flashes of the class that earned her four Grand Slam singles titles, before she paused her career in 2023 due to the birth of her daughter.
\n
Osaka, 27, said that, during her hiatus from tennis, she had dreamed of returning to the elite stage.
\n
"I'm just really grateful to be here. Honestly I was sitting up there and watching and hoping I would have the opportunity to play on this court again. My dream is coming true."
\n
Osaka said her journey back to the elite level of Grand Slam tennis had given her a new perspective on the sport.
\n
"I learned I loved tennis way more than I thought I did, and I learned that I actually really love challenges," she said.
\n
"It's like a video game. You pick it up, and even if you lose a level, you kind of just restart and keep going until you eventually win.
\n
"It's a little tough sometimes, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I appreciate the journey a lot more now. I think when I was younger, I kind of just kept thinking the next one, the next one, the next one."
\n
Sinner sails to semis
\n
Jannik Sinner returned to the US Open semifinals by beating No 10 Lorenzo Musetti 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 on Wednesday night in an all-Italian quarterfinal matchup.
\n
The No 1 seed continued what's been an easy title defense so far, and on Friday will face Canadian No 25 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, who beat No 8 Alex de Minaur of Australia 4-6, 7-6 (7), 7-5, 7-6 (4).
\n
Sinner is into his fifth straight Grand Slam semifinal, and a win on Friday would put him into his fourth major final of the year.
\n
He has won 26 consecutive matches in majors on hard courts. That includes the past two Australian Open titles along with his triumph in New York a year ago.
\n
"It was a great performance. Very solid, especially starting very, very well," Sinner said.
\n
He needed just two hours — the first set took only 27 minutes — fighting off all seven break points he faced. He has dropped just 38 games in his five matches, the second-fewest by a man to reach the US Open semifinals since 2020.
\n",
+ "content": "
Amanda Anisimova of the United States reacts after beating Poland's Iga Swiatek in the US Open quarterfinals on Wednesday. The straight-sets win for the 24-year-old 8th seed comes just two months after Swiatek dismantled her 6-0, 6-0 in the Wimbledon Final.
\n
A frustrated Swiatek ponders her game plan during a changeover break.
\n
Japan's Naomi Osaka celebrates reaching the semis of the US Open for the first time in five years after beating Czech ace Karolina Muchova on Wednesday.
\n
Amanda Anisimova upset Iga Swiatek 6-4, 6-3 in the US Open quarterfinals Wednesday, less than two months after losing to the six-time Grand Slam champion in the Wimbledon final by a 6-0, 6-0 score.
\n
The No 8-seeded Anisimova reached her third major semifinal and first at Flushing Meadows in New York.
\n
"To come back from Wimbledon like that is really special to me," said Anisimova, a 24-year-old who was born in New Jersey and grew up in Florida. "I feel like I worked so hard to try and turn around from that.
\n
"Today is really special."
\n
The powerful strokes and poise she displayed in Arthur Ashe Stadium against No 2 Swiatek — the 2022 US Open champion — were such a striking contrast to what happened at the All England Club's Centre Court on July 12.
\n
That title match lasted just 57 minutes, and Anisimova only managed to win 24 points that day, a total she eclipsed about midway through the first set this time.
\n
"Everybody knows how Amanda can play. Yeah, she didn't play well at Wimbledon," said Polish 24-year-old Swiatek, "but it's not like she's always going to make the same mistakes or feel the same."
\n
Anisimova cried during her runner-up speech during the trophy ceremony at Wimbledon; on Wednesday, she was all smiles while addressing thousands of supportive spectators who kept interrupting her on-court interview with cheers.
\n
"Playing here is so freaking special," Anisimova told them, "and I've been having the run of my life here."
\n
On Thursday, Anisimova will try to reach a second consecutive major final. She'll face four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka — who eliminated Coco Gauff on Monday — after the No 23 seed beat No 11 Karolina Muchova 6-4, 7-6 (3).
\n
After one game against Swiatek in the quarterfinals Wednesday, Anisimova might have been forgiven for thinking, "oh, no. Not this again."
\n
That's because Anisimova served first and got broken immediately when she lost three points in a row by missing forehands — one into the net, one wide and one long.
\n
But Anisimova broke right back, and soon, she was the one dictating points with her strong, flat groundstrokes that wound up contributing to 23 total winners, 10 more than Swiatek accumulated. Anisimova also played quite cleanly, making just 12 unforced errors.
\n
"She moved better, she played better," Swiatek said, comparing this match to the one at Wimbledon. "Everything was different."
\n
Swiatek's serve was problematic: She only put in 50 percent of her first serves and was broken four times.
\n
"I couldn't win today's match playing like that, serving like that," Swiatek said, "and with Amanda being so aggressive on the returns."
\n
In the second set, Anisimova fell behind early again, this time 2-0.But, again, she regrouped and quickly gained the upper hand. Swiatek was the one looking increasingly frustrated, shaking her head or slumping her shoulders between points, spreading her arms wide and looking to her coach for advice, and leaning back in her changeover chair as if pondering what, exactly, she could do differently.
\n
When Swiatek double-faulted to trail 5-3 in the second set, that allowed Anisimova to serve out the victory.
\n
"From the get-go, I was trying to fire myself up," Anisimova said. "She is one of the toughest players I've ever played. I knew I was going to have to dig deep."
\n
Anisimova's semifinal opponent, Osaka, surged back to the final four of the US Open for the first time in five years on Wednesday with a straight-sets defeat of Muchova.
\n
Two-time US Open champion Osaka, seeded 23rd, will head into the semifinal showdown brimming with confidence after another polished performance.
\n
Osaka has beaten three higher-ranked opponents on her journey to the semis and has shown flashes of the class that earned her four Grand Slam singles titles, before she paused her career in 2023 due to the birth of her daughter.
\n
Osaka, 27, said that, during her hiatus from tennis, she had dreamed of returning to the elite stage.
\n
"I'm just really grateful to be here. Honestly I was sitting up there and watching and hoping I would have the opportunity to play on this court again. My dream is coming true."
\n
Osaka said her journey back to the elite level of Grand Slam tennis had given her a new perspective on the sport.
\n
"I learned I loved tennis way more than I thought I did, and I learned that I actually really love challenges," she said.
\n
"It's like a video game. You pick it up, and even if you lose a level, you kind of just restart and keep going until you eventually win.
\n
"It's a little tough sometimes, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I appreciate the journey a lot more now. I think when I was younger, I kind of just kept thinking the next one, the next one, the next one."
\n
Sinner sails to semis
\n
Jannik Sinner returned to the US Open semifinals by beating No 10 Lorenzo Musetti 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 on Wednesday night in an all-Italian quarterfinal matchup.
\n
The No 1 seed continued what's been an easy title defense so far, and on Friday will face Canadian No 25 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, who beat No 8 Alex de Minaur of Australia 4-6, 7-6 (7), 7-5, 7-6 (4).
\n
Sinner is into his fifth straight Grand Slam semifinal, and a win on Friday would put him into his fourth major final of the year.
\n
He has won 26 consecutive matches in majors on hard courts. That includes the past two Australian Open titles along with his triumph in New York a year ago.
\n
"It was a great performance. Very solid, especially starting very, very well," Sinner said.
\n
He needed just two hours — the first set took only 27 minutes — fighting off all seven break points he faced. He has dropped just 38 games in his five matches, the second-fewest by a man to reach the US Open semifinals since 2020.
MIAMI — Ticket prices for next year's FIFA World Cup will range from $60 for group-stage matches to $6,730 for the final, but could change as soccer's top event adopts dynamic pricing for the first time.
\n
The prices are up from a range of $25 to $475 for the 1994 tournament in the United States, and from the US dollar equivalent $69 to $1,607 when ticket details were announced for the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
\n
"I think the message is 'get your tickets early', especially if you know where you will be, because you live in that city, or you're a fan of the three host nations, and then you know already when and where they will play," said Heimo Schirgi, the World Cup's chief operating officer. "So that's the message: 'Get your tickets early', because anything could happen."
\n
Next year's tournament runs from June 11 to July 19 and will be played at 11 sites in the US, three in Mexico and two in Canada. The tournament expanded from 32 nations to 48 and from 64 games to 104.
\n
The initial draw period will be limited to Visa card holders and will run from 11 am EDT on Sept 10 through 11 am EDT on Sept 19.Those selected to buy tickets will be notified starting Sept 29 and will be given a time slot to purchase starting Oct 1. While tickets for all 104 matches are being put on sale, receiving a time slot does not guarantee tickets will be available.
\n
Sales will be capped at four tickets per person per match, with no person being able to purchase more than 40 for the totality of the showpiece tournament.
\n
FIFA said it has no additional details on prices to announce.
\n
A second phase, called an early ticket draw, likely will run from Oct 27-31, with purchase time slots from mid-November to early December.
\n
A third phase, termed a random selection draw, will start after the final draw of teams on Dec 5 determines the World Cup schedule. FIFA said tickets will be available closer to the tournament "on a first-come, first-served basis".
\n
FIFA also said it will start an official resale platform.
\n
Hospitality packages have been sold since May. For the eight matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, including the final on July 19, prices range from $3,500 to $73,200 per person.
\n
Fans can purchase tickets to follow a certain team, or purchase for a certain site. Dynamic pricing was also utilized for this year's Club World Cup, when tickets were cut from $473.90 to $13.40 for the Chelsea vs Fluminense semifinal at Met-Life Stadium.
\n
"It's key to highlight FIFA's mission and FIFA's objective of providing funding, providing opportunities, providing growth to our sport across all the 211 member associations," Schirgi said. "And, as part of that mission, which we take very seriously, we're looking at optimizing the revenue, but also optimizing attendance in the stadium, right? So, it's always a balance between different factors."
\n
American Airlines announced Wednesday that its A-Advantage loyalty program members can redeem miles for World Cup tickets, starting with executive platinum and concierge key members from Oct 13, with platinum pro, platinum and gold starting the following day and all members having access on Oct 15.
\n
Thirteen teams in the field have been determined. The US, Canada and Mexico all are assured of World Cup spots as the host nations, while reigning champion Argentina and perennial powerhouse Brazil are among the teams that have already secured qualification.
\n
The host nations will play all three of their group stage matches on home soil. The US will open its campaign on June 12 in Inglewood, California, then play June 19 in Seattle and, again, back in Inglewood on June 25. Canada will play June 12 in Toronto, then June 18 and June 24 in Vancouver. Mexico will play June 11 and June 24 in Mexico City, with a June 18 match in Guadalajara.
\n",
+ "content": "
MIAMI — Ticket prices for next year's FIFA World Cup will range from $60 for group-stage matches to $6,730 for the final, but could change as soccer's top event adopts dynamic pricing for the first time.
\n
The prices are up from a range of $25 to $475 for the 1994 tournament in the United States, and from the US dollar equivalent $69 to $1,607 when ticket details were announced for the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
\n
"I think the message is 'get your tickets early', especially if you know where you will be, because you live in that city, or you're a fan of the three host nations, and then you know already when and where they will play," said Heimo Schirgi, the World Cup's chief operating officer. "So that's the message: 'Get your tickets early', because anything could happen."
\n
Next year's tournament runs from June 11 to July 19 and will be played at 11 sites in the US, three in Mexico and two in Canada. The tournament expanded from 32 nations to 48 and from 64 games to 104.
\n
The initial draw period will be limited to Visa card holders and will run from 11 am EDT on Sept 10 through 11 am EDT on Sept 19.Those selected to buy tickets will be notified starting Sept 29 and will be given a time slot to purchase starting Oct 1. While tickets for all 104 matches are being put on sale, receiving a time slot does not guarantee tickets will be available.
\n
Sales will be capped at four tickets per person per match, with no person being able to purchase more than 40 for the totality of the showpiece tournament.
\n
FIFA said it has no additional details on prices to announce.
\n
A second phase, called an early ticket draw, likely will run from Oct 27-31, with purchase time slots from mid-November to early December.
\n
A third phase, termed a random selection draw, will start after the final draw of teams on Dec 5 determines the World Cup schedule. FIFA said tickets will be available closer to the tournament "on a first-come, first-served basis".
\n
FIFA also said it will start an official resale platform.
\n
Hospitality packages have been sold since May. For the eight matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, including the final on July 19, prices range from $3,500 to $73,200 per person.
\n
Fans can purchase tickets to follow a certain team, or purchase for a certain site. Dynamic pricing was also utilized for this year's Club World Cup, when tickets were cut from $473.90 to $13.40 for the Chelsea vs Fluminense semifinal at Met-Life Stadium.
\n
"It's key to highlight FIFA's mission and FIFA's objective of providing funding, providing opportunities, providing growth to our sport across all the 211 member associations," Schirgi said. "And, as part of that mission, which we take very seriously, we're looking at optimizing the revenue, but also optimizing attendance in the stadium, right? So, it's always a balance between different factors."
\n
American Airlines announced Wednesday that its A-Advantage loyalty program members can redeem miles for World Cup tickets, starting with executive platinum and concierge key members from Oct 13, with platinum pro, platinum and gold starting the following day and all members having access on Oct 15.
\n
Thirteen teams in the field have been determined. The US, Canada and Mexico all are assured of World Cup spots as the host nations, while reigning champion Argentina and perennial powerhouse Brazil are among the teams that have already secured qualification.
\n
The host nations will play all three of their group stage matches on home soil. The US will open its campaign on June 12 in Inglewood, California, then play June 19 in Seattle and, again, back in Inglewood on June 25. Canada will play June 12 in Toronto, then June 18 and June 24 in Vancouver. Mexico will play June 11 and June 24 in Mexico City, with a June 18 match in Guadalajara.
President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, foreign leaders and guests walk to the Tian'anmen Rostrum ahead of a grand gathering in Beijing on Wednesday to commemorate 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.
\n
President Xi Jinping reviews troops along Chang'an Avenue on Wednesday, standing in a Hongqi limousine during the military parade in Beijing.
\n
China held a massive military parade at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing on Wednesday as part of its commemorations on 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, pledging to pursue a path of peaceful development in a world fraught with turbulence and uncertainty.
\n
President Xi Jinping oversaw the parade and reviewed the troops. Standing beside Xi on the Tian'anmen Rostrum were Russian President Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, along with more than 20 other foreign leaders.
\n
Representatives of those who had supported China's fight in World War II, or their family members, were invited to the event.
\n
While addressing the grand gathering for the commemorative event ahead of the parade, Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said that the commemorations aim to bear history in mind, honor martyrs, cherish peace and strive for a better future.
\n
He said that the resistance war, arduous and great, marks China's first complete victory against foreign aggression in modern times.
\n
Noting that the victory was achieved under a national united front against Japanese aggression, as advocated by the CPC, Xi said that the Chinese people made a major contribution to the salvation of human civilization and the defense of world peace with immense sacrifice in the war, a significant part of the World Anti-Fascist War.
\n
History has given the lesson that only when nations across the world treat each other as equals, live in harmony and mutually support one another can common security be safeguarded, the root cause of war eliminated, and historical tragedies prevented from recurring, he said.
\n
Noting that humanity is once again faced with a choice of peace or war, dialogue or confrontation, and win-win outcomes or zero-sum games, Xi said that the Chinese people will stand firmly on the right side of history and on the side of human progress, adhere to the path of peaceful development, and join hands with the rest of world to build a community with a shared future for humanity.
\n
Xi called on Chinese people of all ethnic groups to stay united and work hard under the strong leadership of the CPC to build a strong country and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.
\n
"The rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is unstoppable and humanity's cause of peace and development will prevail," he said.
\n
Xi asked the People's Liberation Army to build itself into world-class forces and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, provide strategic support for national rejuvenation and make greater contributions to world peace and development.
\n
Japan officially surrendered on Sept 2,1945, by signing the Instrument of Surrender. China designated Sept 3 as its Victory Day.
\n
China tied down and struck over half of Japan's overseas forces, at the cost of 35 million Chinese military and civilian casualties — accounting for around one-third of all casualties worldwide in World War II.
\n
During the military parade on Wednesday, more than 10,000 military personnel, along with over 100 aircraft and hundreds of ground armaments, were arranged into 45 formations and echelons according to a wartime command system, Xinhua News Agency reported. Most of the PLA's new system of services and arms was put on display for the first time.
\n
The advanced armaments that were on display included unmanned intelligence and counter-unmanned equipment, hypersonic missiles, directed-energy weapons, electronic jamming systems and strategic weaponry capable of global strikes.
\n
Among them were land-, sea-and air-based strategic forces as the nuclear triad, including the JingLei-1 air-based long-range missile, the JuLang-3 submarine-launched intercontinental missile, the DongFeng-61 land-based intercontinental missile, and the new type DongFeng-31 land-based intercontinental missile. The weapons are considered to be China's strategic "ace" power to safeguard the country's sovereignty and the nation's dignity.
\n
Chinese soldiers who have participated in United Nations peacekeeping operations made their first appearance in a V-Day parade.
\n
Ahead of the start of the V-day commemorations, Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, greeted the heads of foreign delegations and their spouses and had a group photo taken.
\n
Xi signed an order on Wednesday to commend all personnel who participated in the military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
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@@ -10358,28 +10314,6 @@
"hash": "86f09a8c5c6c98da4927830dd271d9ab",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "名局赏析：这打的一定是一个假牌",
- "description": "打假充满了波谲诡异，也扣人心弦。造假就更是惊心动魄，一本万利了。桥牌中的假牌，指的是一种误导，这种误导如果运用的好便是无往利器。",
- "content": "![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-09-04/014/20250904_014_01_58331.png\")
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