1993 年牛津大学通过 DNA 比对，确认全球栽培苹果（Malus domestica）60%以上基因来自天山野苹果（Malus sieversii，或称中亚野苹果），其余来自欧洲野苹果（Malus sylvestris）和中亚其他野生种(主要是 Malus orientalis 东方苹果，或称高加索野苹果)。
Human injury from bear attacks in Alaska, 1900-1985 JP Middaugh - Alaska Medicine, 1987
\n
Injury to people inflicted by black, grizzly or polar bears: recent trends and new insights S Herrero, S Fleck - Bears: Their Biology and Management, 1990
\n
Bear-inflicted human injury and fatality T Floyd Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 1999
\n
Climate change threatens polar bear populations: a stochastic demographic analysis CM Hunter, H Caswell, MC Runge, EV Regehr, SC Amstrup, I Stirling Ecology, 2010
\n
Effects of climate warming on polar bears: a review of the evidence I Stirling, AE Derocher Global Change Biology, 2012
\n
Polar bear-human conflicts: state of knowledge and research needs DA Clark, FM van BEEST, RK Brook Canadian Wildlife Biology and Management, 2012
\n
Polar bear attacks on humans: Implications of a changing climate JM Wilder, D Vongraven, T Atwood, B Hansen, A Jessen, A Kochnev, G York, R Vallender… Wildlife Society Bulletin, 2017
\n
“It's just a matter of time:” Lessons from agency and community responses to polar bear-inflicted human injury AL Schmidt, DA Clark - Conservation and Society, 2018
\n
Human–bear conflict in Alaska: 1880–2015 TS Smith, S Herrero Wildlife Society Bulletin, 2018
Human injury from bear attacks in Alaska, 1900-1985 JP Middaugh - Alaska Medicine, 1987
\n
Injury to people inflicted by black, grizzly or polar bears: recent trends and new insights S Herrero, S Fleck - Bears: Their Biology and Management, 1990
\n
Bear-inflicted human injury and fatality T Floyd Wilderness & Environmental Medicine, 1999
\n
Climate change threatens polar bear populations: a stochastic demographic analysis CM Hunter, H Caswell, MC Runge, EV Regehr, SC Amstrup, I Stirling Ecology, 2010
\n
Effects of climate warming on polar bears: a review of the evidence I Stirling, AE Derocher Global Change Biology, 2012
\n
Polar bear-human conflicts: state of knowledge and research needs DA Clark, FM van BEEST, RK Brook Canadian Wildlife Biology and Management, 2012
\n
Polar bear attacks on humans: Implications of a changing climate JM Wilder, D Vongraven, T Atwood, B Hansen, A Jessen, A Kochnev, G York, R Vallender… Wildlife Society Bulletin, 2017
\n
“It's just a matter of time:” Lessons from agency and community responses to polar bear-inflicted human injury AL Schmidt, DA Clark - Conservation and Society, 2018
\n
Human–bear conflict in Alaska: 1880–2015 TS Smith, S Herrero Wildlife Society Bulletin, 2018
然后我们来看一下《雄性大猩猩（Gorilla gorilla gorilla）的功能解剖及适应与雄性猩猩（Pongo pygmaeus）的比较》（Functional anatomy and adaptation of male gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) with comparison to male orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus)）这篇文章，它介绍了圈养死亡的五个大猩猩和四个红毛猩猩的解剖记录。
Zihlman A L, Mcfarland R K, Underwood C E. Functional anatomy and adaptation of male gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) with comparison to male orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus)[J]. The Anatomical Record: Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology, 2011, 294(11): 1842-1855.
\n
O’Connell C A, DiGiorgio A L, Ugarte A D, et al. Wild Bornean orangutans experience muscle catabolism during episodes of fruit scarcity[J]. Scientific Reports, 2021, 11(1): 10185.
\n
Schmidt D A, Zoo L P. Orangutan Husbandry Manual Nutrition Chapter—2004[J]. Orangutan SSP. Brookfield Zoo, Illinois, 2004.
然后我们来看一下《雄性大猩猩（Gorilla gorilla gorilla）的功能解剖及适应与雄性猩猩（Pongo pygmaeus）的比较》（Functional anatomy and adaptation of male gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) with comparison to male orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus)）这篇文章，它介绍了圈养死亡的五个大猩猩和四个红毛猩猩的解剖记录。
Zihlman A L, Mcfarland R K, Underwood C E. Functional anatomy and adaptation of male gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) with comparison to male orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus)[J]. The Anatomical Record: Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology, 2011, 294(11): 1842-1855.
\n
O’Connell C A, DiGiorgio A L, Ugarte A D, et al. Wild Bornean orangutans experience muscle catabolism during episodes of fruit scarcity[J]. Scientific Reports, 2021, 11(1): 10185.
\n
Schmidt D A, Zoo L P. Orangutan Husbandry Manual Nutrition Chapter—2004[J]. Orangutan SSP. Brookfield Zoo, Illinois, 2004.
BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- China has urged the United States to abandon its generalized and excessive use of the national security concept, and to collaborate with all parties in maintaining a rules-based multilateral trading system, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.
At a regular press conference, He Yongqian, spokesperson for the ministry, made the remarks when asked to comment on the U.S. decision to raise tariffs on imported steel, aluminium and their derivative products from 25 percent to 50 percent.
He said that such U.S. moves not only harm others and itself, but also will severely disrupt the stability of global industrial and supply chains.
The United States should abandon the zero-sum mentality, address respective concerns through equal dialogue, and jointly maintain the stability of global industrial and supply chains, He said.
\n \n \n \n On Tuesday, the United States announced a decision to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) by the end of December 2026. This marks the third time Washington has exited UNESCO.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n According to a statement by the US State Department, the withdrawal was prompted by what Washington perceived as UNESCO's tendency to \"advance divisive social and cultural causes,\" particularly regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict.\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n The US exit will take effect at the end of December 2026.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n Audrey Azoulay, director-general of UNESCO expressed regret over the US decision, calling it inconsistent with the fundamental principles of multilateralism.\n \n \n
\n \n \n UNESCO said the US exit was regrettable but came as no surprise. \"However regrettable, this announcement was expected, and UNESCO has prepared for it,\" Azoulay said in a statement.\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n \"We have implemented major structural reforms and diversified our funding sources. Thanks to the efforts made by the Organization since 2018, the decline in US financial contributions has been effectively offset,\" she stated.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n Earlier Tuesday afternoon, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed on his X account France's \"unwavering support\" for UNESCO. He called UNESCO a \"universal guardian of science, the ocean, education, culture, and world heritage.\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n France, as the host country and a founding member of UNESCO, regrets the US decision to quit UNESCO, the spokesperson of the country's foreign ministry said on Tuesday.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n S\n \n \n \n ince Donald Trump's second term in office started early this year, the Trump administration had announced its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations Human Rights Council.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n Recently, an influencer launched a creative writing challenge where participants were randomly assigned past national college entrance exam essay prompts. A construction worker was assigned\n \n \n \n \n \"My Mother\"—the 1957 gaokao composition topic.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n He wrote:\n \n \n \n \n \"The grass on my mother's grave turns green\n \n \n \n \n ,\n \n \n \n \n then yellow\n \n \n \n \n ;\n \n \n \n \n yellow\n \n \n \n \n ,\n \n \n \n \n then green—just like my longing. Year after year, it never fades. I'\n \n \n \n \n ve become a father and then a grandfather, yet it's been over thirty years since I last called out '\n \n \n \n \n Mom'.\n \n \n \n \n I keep thinking, when the day comes that I can no longer haul cement, I'\n \n \n \n \n ll return to the village and lie down beside that mound of earth. Maybe then, if I call for my mother again, she'll hear me.\"\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n When asked about the essay, the worker\n \n \n \n \n ,\n \n \n \n \n surnamed An,\n \n \n \n \n said: \"\n \n \n \n \n This composition reflects\n \n \n \n \n my family's truth—it'\n \n \n \n \n s my own\n \n \n \n \n lived experience.\"\n \n \n \n \n He recalled how his mother cared for him and his seven siblings. \"\n \n \n \n \n The prompt '\n \n \n \n \n My Mother'\n \n \n \n \n felt deeply moving,\"\n \n \n \n \n he explained. \"\n \n \n \n \n That's what compelled me to pour my heart into this writing.\"\n \n \n \n
President Xi Jinping and Nepalese President Ram Chandra Poudel exchanged congratulations on Friday on the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, with both leaders pledging to boost the countries' partnership.
\n
In his congratulatory message to Poudel, Xi noted that China and Nepal are connected by mountains and rivers, with a long history of friendly exchanges.
\n
Over the 70 years, the two countries have always upheld mutual respect, equality and win-win cooperation, no matter how the international and regional landscapes evolve, setting an example for friendly coexistence between countries with different social systems and of different sizes, he said.
\n
Xi noted that in recent years, China-Nepal relations have developed healthily and steadily, with their political mutual trust continuously enhanced and cooperation in jointly building the Belt and Road and various fields expanding.
\n
Saying that he highly values the development of China-Nepal ties, Xi emphasized that he is willing to work with Poudel to take the 70th anniversary as an opportunity to carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, in order to promote bilateral ties to better benefit the two peoples and contribute to regional peace and development.
\n
Poudel said that over the past 70 years, Nepal-China friendship has stood the test of time. He described China as a trustworthy neighbor and development partner for Nepal, and expressed his appreciation for China's long-term support for Nepal's development and its respect for Nepal's sovereignty and independence.
\n
Nepal firmly adheres to the one-China principle and looks forward to joining hands with China to further deepen cooperation in various fields and realize the common vision of peace, progress and prosperity, Poudel said.
\n
Also on Friday, Premier Li Qiang exchanged congratulatory messages with Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on the 70th anniversary, with both prime ministers committed to promoting bilateral ties.
\n
caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
President Xi Jinping and Nepalese President Ram Chandra Poudel exchanged congratulations on Friday on the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, with both leaders pledging to boost the countries' partnership.
\n
In his congratulatory message to Poudel, Xi noted that China and Nepal are connected by mountains and rivers, with a long history of friendly exchanges.
\n
Over the 70 years, the two countries have always upheld mutual respect, equality and win-win cooperation, no matter how the international and regional landscapes evolve, setting an example for friendly coexistence between countries with different social systems and of different sizes, he said.
\n
Xi noted that in recent years, China-Nepal relations have developed healthily and steadily, with their political mutual trust continuously enhanced and cooperation in jointly building the Belt and Road and various fields expanding.
\n
Saying that he highly values the development of China-Nepal ties, Xi emphasized that he is willing to work with Poudel to take the 70th anniversary as an opportunity to carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, in order to promote bilateral ties to better benefit the two peoples and contribute to regional peace and development.
\n
Poudel said that over the past 70 years, Nepal-China friendship has stood the test of time. He described China as a trustworthy neighbor and development partner for Nepal, and expressed his appreciation for China's long-term support for Nepal's development and its respect for Nepal's sovereignty and independence.
\n
Nepal firmly adheres to the one-China principle and looks forward to joining hands with China to further deepen cooperation in various fields and realize the common vision of peace, progress and prosperity, Poudel said.
\n
Also on Friday, Premier Li Qiang exchanged congratulatory messages with Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on the 70th anniversary, with both prime ministers committed to promoting bilateral ties.
China will further tighten the working rights protection of people past retirement age who have returned or want to return to the job market, according to a draft regulation.
\n
Five central departments including the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the National Health Commission and the Ministry of Emergency Management jointly released the draft regulation on Thursday.
\n
It is the nation's first document focusing on people past retirement age and their working benefits, as reported by the Xinhua News Agency, and is currently soliciting public opinion till Aug 31.
\n
Under the proposed regulation, employers are encouraged to offer appropriate positions to individuals beyond retirement age, considering their expertise, skills and background. They should establish written agreements outlining job responsibilities, work location, hours, breaks, holidays, compensation, social insurance and workplace protections.
\n
The draft stipulates that older workers in regular jobs need to be paid at least the local minimum wage, while prohibiting employers from assigning these workers roles that harm their physical or mental well-being.
\n
Also, it requires employers to give the workers training and education in occupational safety to reduce or avoid accidents and harm during work, adding that the workers will enjoy job-related injury insurance that will also cover occupational diseases.
\n
Yao Junchang, cofounder of W&H Law Firm in Beijing, praised the draft regulation, saying, "It shows China's stronger intensity in protecting people's working rights."
\n
In his view, the written agreement between employers and post-retirement age workers has nearly the same legal validity as standard labor contracts, meaning these older workers enjoy roughly the same working rights and benefits as regular workers.
\n
In recent years, the population of workers beyond retirement age has been increasing due to the shrinking working-age labor force, enhanced education and health conditions among the elderly, and their eagerness to re-enter the job market, according to Li Chang'an, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics.
\n
He said that as the current labor law is not suitable for workers past retirement age, they may face many challenges in gaining working rights or benefits after rejoining the job market. He added that the draft regulation will fill the gap in the law.
\n
Fan Wei, a professor from the School of Labor Economics at the Capital University of Economics and Business, told Xinhua News Agency that the proposed regulation is a necessary step to positively cope with the nation's aging problem, which will support the elderly willing to work by giving them a chance to fulfill their potential without worries.
\n
From Jan 1, China has started to progressively raise the statutory retirement age of male workers from 60 to 63 and for female workers from 50 or 55 to 55 or 58, depending on their jobs or occupations in the last 15 years. The move aims to better use human resources based on scientific analysis of the aging problem.
\n
chengsi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
@@ -7228,28 +6810,6 @@
"hash": "bb7bb5dc5130d8559058ba12fd641a5c",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "004COMMENT - US deal a structural challenge for Japan",
- "description": "
US President Donald Trump announced the conclusion of a trade agreement between the United States and Japan on July 22, which signaled a temporary easing of trade frictions between the two sides. Under the deal, the additional 25 percent tariff imposed on Japan's core products — automobiles and auto parts — since April will be halved, reducing the total tariff to 15 percent.
\n
Japan is one of the major economies with a trade surplus with the US to be subjected to 15 percent tariffs, which appears to be a concession from Washington. But the fact is, Japan "exchanged" $550 billion worth of investment, market access and profit transfer to get the tariffs reduced from 25 percent to 15 percent, a cost far greater than the apparent benefit. Strategically speaking, Japan's economy is set to feel the long-term impact of the US shock.
\n
However, the $550 billion investment, market access and profit transfer in exchange for the 15 percent tariff agreement is not the end of the US administration's "transactional diplomacy".
\n
The trade deal may increase the structural asymmetry in the US-Japan alliance. In international relations, the term "alliance" is often associated with shared security, aligned values and strategic coordination. But amid escalating global trade tensions and conflicting national interests, even the supposedly "unbreakable" US-Japan alliance is struggling to maintain economic harmony.
\n
The US leader began his second term by imposing a series of "reciprocal tariffs" on imports from the US' major trading partners, underscoring a critical reality: even allies can't escape the US' interest-driven geopolitical competition and the "America first" strategy.
\n
For the US administration, "America first" is not just a political slogan but a substantive foreign economic strategy. Its core objective is to rewrite global trade rules through bilateral negotiations that prioritize industrial security, boost exports and reduce trade deficits of the US.
\n
Despite their strong and stable military alliance, economic relations between the US and Japan are marked by inequality and intense competition. Washington has long been wary of Tokyo's trade surplus, while the latter, heavily dependent on the US market, continuously tries to strike a "strategic passive balance" between its interests and US demands.
\n
According to the July 22 trade deal, Japan will invest $550 billion in the US, with the US pocketing 90 percent of the profits the investment generates, and further open up its market to American automobiles, trucks, rice and other products. In return, Washington will impose 15 percent tariffs on Japanese imports — an additional 12.5 percent tariffs on Japanese cars, down from 25 percent — on top of the existing 2.5 percent base rate. This is a major concession by Japan, not the other way around, in order to protect its auto industry.
\n
The auto sector is a key area of US-Japan competition. Washington has long criticized Tokyo for maintaining market barriers against American vehicles. Although Japan denies building any overt tariff barriers, the US claims there exist "technical trade barriers", including emission standards, driving habits, and a closed sales network, all of which "hinder the US' full access" to the Japanese market. What appears to be a technical issue is, in fact, a reflection of the US' structural anxiety over its weakening industrial competitiveness.
\n
The US' weakening competitiveness is especially reflected in the US administration's decision to impose tariffs on Japanese steel and aluminum. Like the European Union and the Republic of Korea, Japan is also a long-standing US ally. Yet on the pretext of safeguarding "national security", the US has been pressuring Japan to agree to its unfair trade terms. This shows the US' growing tendency to label economic issues as security concerns, and suggests there is no institutional exemption even for US allies when it comes to tariffs.
\n
The US-Japan tariff dispute may appear to be about sectoral or product-specific disagreements, but below the surface, it's about a broader structural recalibration of the alliance. Washington has been undermining the traditional "security for market access" norm to safeguard its narrow interests, in the case of not only Japan but also its other allies — the EU, the ROK and Canada.
\n
The tariff friction between the US and Japan is more than a trade dispute, for it symbolizes a change in the global power structure and the nature of alliances. As economic nationalism, strategic competition, and prioritization of national interests dominate foreign policy, even long-standing alliances are prone to breaking up due to unbalanced benefit-sharing.
\n
Japan's restrained and conciliatory response has helped it to mitigate short-term risks, but it has also exposed its vulnerability in the ongoing reconfiguration of global trade rules. For US-Japan relations, the core challenge is not only the wrangling over tariffs. It is also the redefining of the meaning of "alliance", and the search for a new equilibrium between strategic security and economic cooperation. This is a challenge for not only Japan but also for all US allies navigating the realities of a new geopolitical order.
\n
<span class="epaper-status">The author is deputy director of the Institute of American and European Studies at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges.</span>
\n
The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
US President Donald Trump announced the conclusion of a trade agreement between the United States and Japan on July 22, which signaled a temporary easing of trade frictions between the two sides. Under the deal, the additional 25 percent tariff imposed on Japan's core products — automobiles and auto parts — since April will be halved, reducing the total tariff to 15 percent.
\n
Japan is one of the major economies with a trade surplus with the US to be subjected to 15 percent tariffs, which appears to be a concession from Washington. But the fact is, Japan "exchanged" $550 billion worth of investment, market access and profit transfer to get the tariffs reduced from 25 percent to 15 percent, a cost far greater than the apparent benefit. Strategically speaking, Japan's economy is set to feel the long-term impact of the US shock.
\n
However, the $550 billion investment, market access and profit transfer in exchange for the 15 percent tariff agreement is not the end of the US administration's "transactional diplomacy".
\n
The trade deal may increase the structural asymmetry in the US-Japan alliance. In international relations, the term "alliance" is often associated with shared security, aligned values and strategic coordination. But amid escalating global trade tensions and conflicting national interests, even the supposedly "unbreakable" US-Japan alliance is struggling to maintain economic harmony.
\n
The US leader began his second term by imposing a series of "reciprocal tariffs" on imports from the US' major trading partners, underscoring a critical reality: even allies can't escape the US' interest-driven geopolitical competition and the "America first" strategy.
\n
For the US administration, "America first" is not just a political slogan but a substantive foreign economic strategy. Its core objective is to rewrite global trade rules through bilateral negotiations that prioritize industrial security, boost exports and reduce trade deficits of the US.
\n
Despite their strong and stable military alliance, economic relations between the US and Japan are marked by inequality and intense competition. Washington has long been wary of Tokyo's trade surplus, while the latter, heavily dependent on the US market, continuously tries to strike a "strategic passive balance" between its interests and US demands.
\n
According to the July 22 trade deal, Japan will invest $550 billion in the US, with the US pocketing 90 percent of the profits the investment generates, and further open up its market to American automobiles, trucks, rice and other products. In return, Washington will impose 15 percent tariffs on Japanese imports — an additional 12.5 percent tariffs on Japanese cars, down from 25 percent — on top of the existing 2.5 percent base rate. This is a major concession by Japan, not the other way around, in order to protect its auto industry.
\n
The auto sector is a key area of US-Japan competition. Washington has long criticized Tokyo for maintaining market barriers against American vehicles. Although Japan denies building any overt tariff barriers, the US claims there exist "technical trade barriers", including emission standards, driving habits, and a closed sales network, all of which "hinder the US' full access" to the Japanese market. What appears to be a technical issue is, in fact, a reflection of the US' structural anxiety over its weakening industrial competitiveness.
\n
The US' weakening competitiveness is especially reflected in the US administration's decision to impose tariffs on Japanese steel and aluminum. Like the European Union and the Republic of Korea, Japan is also a long-standing US ally. Yet on the pretext of safeguarding "national security", the US has been pressuring Japan to agree to its unfair trade terms. This shows the US' growing tendency to label economic issues as security concerns, and suggests there is no institutional exemption even for US allies when it comes to tariffs.
\n
The US-Japan tariff dispute may appear to be about sectoral or product-specific disagreements, but below the surface, it's about a broader structural recalibration of the alliance. Washington has been undermining the traditional "security for market access" norm to safeguard its narrow interests, in the case of not only Japan but also its other allies — the EU, the ROK and Canada.
\n
The tariff friction between the US and Japan is more than a trade dispute, for it symbolizes a change in the global power structure and the nature of alliances. As economic nationalism, strategic competition, and prioritization of national interests dominate foreign policy, even long-standing alliances are prone to breaking up due to unbalanced benefit-sharing.
\n
Japan's restrained and conciliatory response has helped it to mitigate short-term risks, but it has also exposed its vulnerability in the ongoing reconfiguration of global trade rules. For US-Japan relations, the core challenge is not only the wrangling over tariffs. It is also the redefining of the meaning of "alliance", and the search for a new equilibrium between strategic security and economic cooperation. This is a challenge for not only Japan but also for all US allies navigating the realities of a new geopolitical order.
\n
<span class="epaper-status">The author is deputy director of the Institute of American and European Studies at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges.</span>
\n
The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
China's leading e-commerce and food delivery platforms including Meituan, Taobao, Ele.me and JD have pledged to rein in aggressive discounting practices, in a coordinated response to foster fairer competition and a more sustainable digital economy.
\n
The four firms released statements on Friday outlining a range of commitments, including better planning of subsidies, refraining from irrational promotional campaigns, and avoiding selling goods and services significantly below cost.
\n
The moves come just weeks after China's top market regulator summoned major platforms over concerns about cutthroat competition in the sector.
\n
Meituan published an open letter titled Prospering the Industry Ecosystem, Resisting Disorderly Competition via its official WeChat account, saying it would "firmly regulate promotional activities and eliminate unfair competition."
\n
The company emphasized that all subsidies must comply with antitrust laws and must not involve pricing far below cost. It also committed to transparent disclosure of subsidy amounts, avoiding exaggerated marketing, and ensuring that merchants retain the right to set prices independently.
\n
Meituan said it would protect the interests of small and medium-sized businesses, apply subsidies without discrimination, and aim to build a multi-stakeholder ecosystem that benefits consumers, vendors, delivery workers and the platform alike.
\n
JD made similar pledges via its internal bulletin, stating that it would "resist vicious competition" and focus instead on differentiated offerings and quality service. The company said it would rely on technological innovation and supply chain upgrades to build long-term competitiveness and consumer trust.
\n
"Subsidies should not be a race to the bottom. We believe in winning users through quality, price and service — not by burning cash," the company said.
\n
Taobao's flash sales subsidiary and Ele.me issued a joint statement, pledging to "resolutely oppose malicious competition and jointly foster a win-win ecosystem."
\n
The two Alibaba-owned platforms said they would better tailor subsidies to the needs of both consumers and merchants, avoid irrational large-scale giveaways such as "0-yuan purchases", and uphold merchants' rights to be informed, to choose and to set prices.
\n
The flurry of statements followed a July 18 announcement from the State Administration for Market Regulation, which said it had summoned several platforms and ordered them to curb improper promotional conduct and to participate in competition rationally.
\n
The regulator urged platforms to take primary responsibility for industry standards and "correct irregular promotional activities" to support the healthy development of the catering and delivery sectors.
\n
The move also aligns with broader policy goals set during the Central Economic Work Conference in December, which called for greater oversight of monopolistic behavior and disorderly competition in the digital economy.
\n
Those priorities were further reinforced in the 2025 Government Work Report, which advocated eliminating market entry and exit barriers and creating a unified national market.
\n
Li Mingtao, chief e-commerce analyst at the China International Electronic Commerce Center, said the coordinated pledges marked a "proactive" shift by platforms to address early signs of violations and unfair competition in the food delivery sector.
\n
"All these efforts sent a clear signal on regulating market behavior and set an example for fostering a healthier, more orderly platform economy," Li said.
\n
chengyu@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
@@ -7272,28 +6832,6 @@
"hash": "10700f529f50f621e1b6c948ed3b2954",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "005BUSINESS - Foreign biz units soaring in Yiwu",
- "description": "\n
The total number of foreign-funded business entities in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, officially surpassed 10,000 on Thursday, making it the first county-level city in China to achieve this feat.
\n
Pakistani entrepreneur Ali Kamran received the business license for his new company in Yiwu, marking a major milestone.
\n
Since the establishment of its first foreign-funded enterprise in 1989, Yiwu has remained committed to reform-driven development and service-oriented governance.
\n
China's accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001 further accelerated Yiwu's economic opening. "In 2005, the city's foreign trade volume exceeded its domestic trade for the first time, signaling a rapid growth phase for foreign-funded businesses," said Lou Xiaodong, director of the Yiwu Market Supervision Administration.
\n
According to Lou, representative offices, foreign-invested partnerships, and foreign-invested enterprises are the three main types of foreign business entities, each contributing to Yiwu's robust foreign trade at various stages.
\n
Today, investors from 165 countries and regions across six continents have established businesses in Yiwu. Among these, 133 are from countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, accounting for 81 percent of the total.
\n
In May 2024, Yiwu launched "YiJing", the province's first online service platform for foreign residents. The app offers integrated support covering daily life, business activities, and government services. It enables online consultation and processing for over 120 administrative items across more than 10 departments, including accommodation registration, visa applications, and work permits. Seventeen of these services can be booked and completed entirely online.
\n
"We've pioneered a series of forward-looking and replicable reforms in foreign business registration," Lou said. "Yiwu is now authorized to register all types of foreign-funded business entities. Since 2019, the registration process for all entities has been shortened from the legal maximum of 15 days to just one."
\n
Yiwu has also led the nation in piloting a commitment-based registration system for foreign businesses. In March this year, Yiwu issued Zhejiang's first business licenses processed entirely with foreign passports, enabling expatriates to complete company registration fully online.
\n
According to Chen Jianwei, a professor at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies at the University of International Business and Economics, Yiwu's dynamic business environment and vibrant market demonstrate that "investing in China is investing in the future." He noted that China is not only an ideal destination for global business, but also an increasingly attractive place to live and work, underscoring the country's firm commitment and tangible progress in advancing high-level opening-up.
\n
chenye@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "\n
The total number of foreign-funded business entities in Yiwu, Zhejiang province, officially surpassed 10,000 on Thursday, making it the first county-level city in China to achieve this feat.
\n
Pakistani entrepreneur Ali Kamran received the business license for his new company in Yiwu, marking a major milestone.
\n
Since the establishment of its first foreign-funded enterprise in 1989, Yiwu has remained committed to reform-driven development and service-oriented governance.
\n
China's accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001 further accelerated Yiwu's economic opening. "In 2005, the city's foreign trade volume exceeded its domestic trade for the first time, signaling a rapid growth phase for foreign-funded businesses," said Lou Xiaodong, director of the Yiwu Market Supervision Administration.
\n
According to Lou, representative offices, foreign-invested partnerships, and foreign-invested enterprises are the three main types of foreign business entities, each contributing to Yiwu's robust foreign trade at various stages.
\n
Today, investors from 165 countries and regions across six continents have established businesses in Yiwu. Among these, 133 are from countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative, accounting for 81 percent of the total.
\n
In May 2024, Yiwu launched "YiJing", the province's first online service platform for foreign residents. The app offers integrated support covering daily life, business activities, and government services. It enables online consultation and processing for over 120 administrative items across more than 10 departments, including accommodation registration, visa applications, and work permits. Seventeen of these services can be booked and completed entirely online.
\n
"We've pioneered a series of forward-looking and replicable reforms in foreign business registration," Lou said. "Yiwu is now authorized to register all types of foreign-funded business entities. Since 2019, the registration process for all entities has been shortened from the legal maximum of 15 days to just one."
\n
Yiwu has also led the nation in piloting a commitment-based registration system for foreign businesses. In March this year, Yiwu issued Zhejiang's first business licenses processed entirely with foreign passports, enabling expatriates to complete company registration fully online.
\n
According to Chen Jianwei, a professor at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies at the University of International Business and Economics, Yiwu's dynamic business environment and vibrant market demonstrate that "investing in China is investing in the future." He noted that China is not only an ideal destination for global business, but also an increasingly attractive place to live and work, underscoring the country's firm commitment and tangible progress in advancing high-level opening-up.
NASA's new temporary administrator on Thursday held a rare face-to-face meeting in Florida with Russia's space agency chief, where they discussed cooperation on the moon and maintaining the space powers' long-standing relationship on the International Space Station, Roscosmos said. The talks between Sean Duffy and Dmitry Bakanov at the US space agency's Kennedy Space Center represented the first in-person meeting between the heads of NASA and Russia's space agency, Roscosmos, since 2018.
\n
SOUTH KOREA
\n
Jailed ex-leader Yoon resists questioning
\n
South Korea's impeached former president Yoon Suk-yeol lay on his prison cell floor in his underwear to resist attempts to interrogate him, prosecutors said on Friday. Prosecutors obtained a fresh arrest warrant on Thursday to forcibly bring the former leader in for questioning over allegations of election tampering. However, they were "unable to do so due to his strong refusal", prosecutor Oh Jeong-hee told reporters. Yoon was wearing "a sleeveless top and prison-issued briefs," prosecutors said.
\n",
@@ -7316,28 +6854,6 @@
"hash": "afc9cb66b19cacaeb246ea531cae149e",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "007WORLD - Consumers to pay more after duty exemption ends",
- "description": "
US shoppers who buy low-cost items from overseas will face higher fees from the end of August after President Donald Trump announced the end of a practice that had allowed goods under $800 to bypass US duties.
\n
The change to the "de minimis" exemption was first implemented on goods from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong in May, as China is the largest source of these shipments.
\n
Low-cost online stores like Shein and Temu, both extremely popular with shoppers in the US and worldwide, were among those that would likely be directly affected, warned Z. John Zhang, a professor of marketing at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
\n
But Zhang told China Daily that the recent rule change will also hit many other businesses in China that do business with the US, as it's "not just fast fashion in this case, it's really all kinds of goods under the value of $800".
\n
In fiscal year 2024, $64.6 billion worth of goods in over 1.36 billion small shipments were utilized de minimis, according to Yale University and US Customs and Border Protection.
\n
Now, all countries that send items to US customers or businesses outside of the international postal network will be subject to the rule change starting on Aug 29, Trump's executive order stated on Wednesday.
\n
Any country that sends a low-value shipment to the US through the postal system will face one of two tariffs: either an "ad valorem duty" equal to the effective tariff rate of the package's country of origin. Or, for six months, a specific tariff of $80 to $200, depending on the country of origin's tariff rate, Reuters reported.
\n
At least 75 percent of all the packages that came to the US under de minimis in 2018 were from China, estimates by Baird Equity Research suggested.
\n
George S. Yip, an emeritus professor at Imperial College London and distinguished visiting professor at Northeastern University in Boston, explained that Chinese fast fashion brands have widely adopted this rule and are so popular with a global base because of their efficiency.
\n
"The essence of fast fashion is to see what the trend is, then respond to it very quickly in terms of manufacturing, and in terms of getting the distribution out. So Chinese companies excel at that," Yip told China Daily.
\n
US Customs processes 4 million de minimis shipments per day, the Trump administration said.
\n
Fewer shipments
\n
But delivery companies FedEx and UPS reported that they picked up many fewer shipments from China after the exemption ended, The New York Times reported.
\n
UPS's chief executive, Carol Tome, said during an earnings call on Tuesday that the result of the escalating tariffs and the end of de minimis led their daily volume of shipments from China to the US to fall by 35 percent in May and June this year compared to the same period in 2024, much more than expected.
\n
"There's uncertainty around tariffs and then that means there's uncertainty around consumer demand," she said.
\n
On Tuesday, UPS announced its second quarter sales declined 2.7 percent to $21.2 billion, with net income of $1.3 billion.
\n
Meanwhile, general air cargo volume from Asia declined by 10.7 percent in July after the US canceled the exemption for packages from China, Reuters reported.
\n
The initial aim of the de minimis exemption, enacted in 1938, was to allow US citizens to bring back souvenirs from abroad.
\n
belindarobinson@chinadailyusa.com
\n",
- "content": "
US shoppers who buy low-cost items from overseas will face higher fees from the end of August after President Donald Trump announced the end of a practice that had allowed goods under $800 to bypass US duties.
\n
The change to the "de minimis" exemption was first implemented on goods from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong in May, as China is the largest source of these shipments.
\n
Low-cost online stores like Shein and Temu, both extremely popular with shoppers in the US and worldwide, were among those that would likely be directly affected, warned Z. John Zhang, a professor of marketing at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
\n
But Zhang told China Daily that the recent rule change will also hit many other businesses in China that do business with the US, as it's "not just fast fashion in this case, it's really all kinds of goods under the value of $800".
\n
In fiscal year 2024, $64.6 billion worth of goods in over 1.36 billion small shipments were utilized de minimis, according to Yale University and US Customs and Border Protection.
\n
Now, all countries that send items to US customers or businesses outside of the international postal network will be subject to the rule change starting on Aug 29, Trump's executive order stated on Wednesday.
\n
Any country that sends a low-value shipment to the US through the postal system will face one of two tariffs: either an "ad valorem duty" equal to the effective tariff rate of the package's country of origin. Or, for six months, a specific tariff of $80 to $200, depending on the country of origin's tariff rate, Reuters reported.
\n
At least 75 percent of all the packages that came to the US under de minimis in 2018 were from China, estimates by Baird Equity Research suggested.
\n
George S. Yip, an emeritus professor at Imperial College London and distinguished visiting professor at Northeastern University in Boston, explained that Chinese fast fashion brands have widely adopted this rule and are so popular with a global base because of their efficiency.
\n
"The essence of fast fashion is to see what the trend is, then respond to it very quickly in terms of manufacturing, and in terms of getting the distribution out. So Chinese companies excel at that," Yip told China Daily.
\n
US Customs processes 4 million de minimis shipments per day, the Trump administration said.
\n
Fewer shipments
\n
But delivery companies FedEx and UPS reported that they picked up many fewer shipments from China after the exemption ended, The New York Times reported.
\n
UPS's chief executive, Carol Tome, said during an earnings call on Tuesday that the result of the escalating tariffs and the end of de minimis led their daily volume of shipments from China to the US to fall by 35 percent in May and June this year compared to the same period in 2024, much more than expected.
\n
"There's uncertainty around tariffs and then that means there's uncertainty around consumer demand," she said.
\n
On Tuesday, UPS announced its second quarter sales declined 2.7 percent to $21.2 billion, with net income of $1.3 billion.
\n
Meanwhile, general air cargo volume from Asia declined by 10.7 percent in July after the US canceled the exemption for packages from China, Reuters reported.
\n
The initial aim of the de minimis exemption, enacted in 1938, was to allow US citizens to bring back souvenirs from abroad.
Xiao He (left) talks with residents in his quest for nursery rhymes.
\n
His band and residents perform nursery rhymes at a show in Chengdu, Sichuan province.
\n
He (right) sets up a roadside booth at a local market to collect nursery rhymes with the offer of two eggs for each piece.
\n
A group photo of the Nursery Rhyme Program Band.
\n
Xiao He performs with other musicians and a children's choir at a show presented on Children's Day in Shanghai.
\n
The new album of Xiao He and the Nursery Rhyme Program Band, Rowing on the Wind: Two Eggs for a Nursery Rhyme, was released in May.
\n
Joshua Dunlop, a 35-year-old oral English teacher from the United States currently working at the Foreign Languages College of Shanghai Normal University, is a loyal fan of Chinese musician Xiao He, who, together with the Nursery Rhyme Program Band, connected him to lullabies, nursery rhymes and folk songs born decades and even centuries ago in China.
\n
Always standing front and center at the show, Dunlop and his wife have been showing their support to He, the band and their project, the Nursery Rhyme Program, which helps preserve and share the valuable bits and pieces in local folk cultures that most people probably never heard of or knew about.
\n
Xiao He, a 50-year-old singer-songwriter whose real name is He Guofeng, has been working on this project since 2018. With the aim of saving old nursery rhymes and folk songs from extinction, He and the band members have been searching for elders across China, listening to their life stories, and discovering faded, old melodies.
\n
By 2024, they had visited 24 cities nationwide, meeting more than 750 elders and recording nearly 1,200 pieces of original soundtracks. More than 90 songs have been revitalized at these musicians' hands, among which 15 pieces are recorded in their new album Rowing on the Wind: Two Eggs for a Nursery Rhyme, released in May.
\n
"The project was initiated as a 'public art' in Beijing in 2018", but it was broader than just saving nursery rhymes, recalls He.
\n
"We were invited by a gallery to present a show. We noticed many elders were leaving the city center that used to be their home and then becoming less seen, along with their lives and voices. We hope to bring those people and things back into public view with music."
\n
This led to the unexpected unearthing of nursery rhymes. Motivated by the experience, the team embarked on a nationwide journey of discovery in 2018 to find more rhymes in different cities and villages, presenting around 30 music shows along the way.
\n
"This project was never about profit or basking in the attention. One big motivation that keeps our members going is the 'childlike innocence' rooted in our hearts," says He.
\n
He indicated that the name of the album, Rowing on the Wind, was inspired by Yang Wanli, a poet during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Yang's poem depicts a vivid scene where two children enjoy trying to capture the wind with umbrellas and using it to propel their boat, which He felt was similar to what they were doing with the project.
\n
Two Eggs for a Nursery Rhyme refers to the team's true story during the journey. They had an unusual but highly effective idea. He would go to the local markets, buy eggs and set up a roadside stall with a sign that said, "Two eggs for a nursery rhyme".
\n
"There are countless stories behind the 15 tracks on the album. We hope the songs, along with the pure innocence they represent, can breathe fresh air into the world we are living in," He says.
\n
Nursery rhymes have diverse categories, He adds, such as games, educational messages and lullabies. The album includes four lullabies: Changsha Lullaby from Hunan province, Pudong Lullaby from Shanghai, the Cantonese Child, Sleep Well from Guangdong province, and Walk Softly from Fujian province.
\n
He notes that they do not care too much about the "function" or "sense of purpose" of these nursery rhymes.
\n
Instead, they treat the songs more as good "natural" music, which they hope better connects them with audiences.
\n
"Although some of the tracks were born more than 100 years ago, such as Autumn Willows and Row Your Boat, the lyrics and melodies are still beautiful with high standards. Many nursery rhymes were born naturally in local cultures and in the interactions between the parent and child, with distinct features but no commercial intention at all. It is especially precious in the current context," He says.
\n
Following the album release, He and the band presented two shows on Children's Day in Shanghai — one in the afternoon for the children and the other in the evening for adults and kids.
\n
Unlike the stereotype that nursery rhymes are designed for children, hundreds of adults in the audience also enjoyed the performances — including Dunlop.
\n
Dunlop shared with China Daily that he liked the final song Row Your Boat and enjoyed hearing all the different children's choirs singing with He and the band onstage.
\n
"It is a wonderful experience for the children and a great way to share this culture with the younger generations. Hopefully they'll remember this moment forever. And it's a downright entertaining show for the children and the adults alike," says Dunlop.
\n
In particular, he points out that the album includes an English version of the story behind the songs, which helps foreign audiences understand the project and the team's efforts.
\n
"Music is something beyond materialism, and it can connect people to all kinds of information. When you immerse yourself in a new place and culture, you will be naturally infected by their emotions and fit into their world without the need to understand their languages. That is the most important and beautiful part of music," says He.
\n
"This is also a critical motivation that drives us consistently on the project. We believe music has the power to positively expand our limited reality and thinking, making us go farther and easier," he adds.
Conductor Myung-Whun Chung will lead the China NCPA Orchestra as they perform at Europe's leading festivals from Wednesday to Aug 15. The festivals will feature western classical and Chinese music.
\n
On July 26, the China NCPA Orchestra performed under the baton of Korean conductor Myung-Whun Chung, giving a preview of the pieces they will play on the upcoming European tour.
\n\n
Conductor Myung-Whun Chung, who has collaborated with many of the world's leading orchestras during his decades-long career, prefers to focus on building long-term, deep relationships with a small selection of orchestras.
\n
Since first collaborating with the China NCPA Orchestra in 2014, the conductor says he has developed a strong and harmonious connection with the Chinese orchestra, describing it as a "good friend who understands me".
\n
This mutual understanding is not just reflected in technical precision but also in the emotional resonance of their combined musical expression.
\n
The China NCPA Orchestra is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year and will tour Europe with Chung.
\n
From Wednesday to Aug 15, they will tour some of Europe's leading festivals, including the Edinburgh International Festival in Scotland, the Santander International Festival in Spain, and the International Music festival Koblenz and Elbphilharmonie Summer festival in Germany.
\n
Under Chung's direction, the orchestra will perform a selection of classical Western music pieces, including Maurice Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major, Camille Saint-Saens' Third Symphony, and Sergei Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet suites.
\n
Chen Qigang's Wu Xing (The Five Elements), a 10-minute work comprising five short portrayals of metal, wood, water, fire and earth will also be performed on the tour.
\n
Pianist Bruce Liu, the first-prize winner at the 18th Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw, will join the tour.
\n
"Normally, Western orchestras come to Asia. But now, it's a worldwide sharing of music, which shows the growth and quality of the musicians (from Asia). The orchestra has made great achievements in a short time. We have completed eight rehearsals and they understand me. It's a very warm collaboration," says Chung at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing on July 25.
\n
On July 26 and 27, the conductor led the China NCPA Orchestra in two European tour preview concerts at the NCPA.
\n
In 2023, Chung conducted the China NCPA Orchestra, featuring Liu on Chopin's Piano Concerto No 1 in E Minor, Op 11, in which Liu performed during the final round of the Chopin competition.
\n
In June, Chung invited musicians from the China NCPA Orchestra to join the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra he founded in 1995 to perform the opening concert for the Busan Concert Hall, where he is the artistic director.
\n
"I am glad to see that music development has come to a point where China can partner with the Western world," he adds.
\n
"Music can bring people together; that is important. We have no language barrier, and the world can share this music as one family," the conductor notes. "Music is free, warm, and equally shared."
\n
When asked about the music pieces chosen for the tour, he says he doesn't have a particular reason to choose the pieces because "we have such a wealth of repertoire" and "it depends on the feeling at that moment".
\n
He chose Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet suites because he considers it to be "maybe his greatest work".
\n
"The contrast of the pieces shows many aspects of the orchestra. I think they do particularly well with these music pieces," says the conductor, adding that pianist Liu wanted to play Maurice Ravel, and that's why Saint-Saens' Third Symphony was selected.
\n
According to Chung, the mission of the orchestra is to serve the composer and to understand and convey the essence of the work, rather than getting caught up in regional or stylistic differences.
\n
"When I was young, people asked why a pianist from Asia played music pieces from the West. But now there are no such questions," he says. "Music is a result of collaborations between the orchestra and the conductor, which cannot be defined by where the orchestra comes from — China, Spain or America."
\n
Born in Seoul in 1953, Chung began his career as a pianist, taking the second prize at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1974. He moved to the United States to study conducting at the Juilliard School in 1978. Throughout his career as a conductor, he has led many of the world's most renowned orchestras across Europe, Asia and the US. Milan's La Scala announced in May that Chung will take the post of music director in 2027. Chung will be the first Asian conductor and the second non-Italian musician to hold the position.
\n
The China NCPA Orchestra is the resident orchestra of the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing. Since its founding in 2010, it has established itself as one of the most adventurous and dynamic orchestras in the country and has earned an international reputation through extensive touring and recordings.
\n
Through its demanding schedule of concerts and opera performances, the orchestra serves as a major cultural powerhouse, propelling China's musical landscape forward. In this capacity, the orchestra has performed in over 70 opera productions by the NCPA, making it one of the few leading orchestras alongside the Vienna Philharmonic and the Staatskapelle Dresden to regularly perform in the concert hall and the opera pit.
\n
The orchestra presents over 100 concerts a year to a live audience of nearly 200,000 and an online concert series drawing an audience of 20 million viewers on average.
\n
"Based in the capital city of a country often regarded as the future of classical music, the China NCPA Orchestra is committed to reshaping China's entertainment industry as well as bringing the power of classical music to audiences across the world," says Ren Xiaolong, the China NCPA Orchestra's CEO.
\n
"Therefore, our first European tour is the perfect way to celebrate our 15th anniversary. With maestro Chung and Bruce Liu, our musicians are bringing a distinctively creative program that combines romantic French works and contemporary Chinese music. We look forward to meeting our audiences across Europe in August."
\n
Chung agrees. "It's very heartwarming to see the orchestra's growth in the past 10 years. I have worked with La Scala for over 34 years. The orchestra (China NCPA Orchestra) and our friendship are still young."
Conductor Myung-Whun Chung will lead the China NCPA Orchestra as they perform at Europe's leading festivals from Wednesday to Aug 15. The festivals will feature western classical and Chinese music.
\n
On July 26, the China NCPA Orchestra performed under the baton of Korean conductor Myung-Whun Chung, giving a preview of the pieces they will play on the upcoming European tour.
\n\n
Conductor Myung-Whun Chung, who has collaborated with many of the world's leading orchestras during his decades-long career, prefers to focus on building long-term, deep relationships with a small selection of orchestras.
\n
Since first collaborating with the China NCPA Orchestra in 2014, the conductor says he has developed a strong and harmonious connection with the Chinese orchestra, describing it as a "good friend who understands me".
\n
This mutual understanding is not just reflected in technical precision but also in the emotional resonance of their combined musical expression.
\n
The China NCPA Orchestra is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year and will tour Europe with Chung.
\n
From Wednesday to Aug 15, they will tour some of Europe's leading festivals, including the Edinburgh International Festival in Scotland, the Santander International Festival in Spain, and the International Music festival Koblenz and Elbphilharmonie Summer festival in Germany.
\n
Under Chung's direction, the orchestra will perform a selection of classical Western music pieces, including Maurice Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major, Camille Saint-Saens' Third Symphony, and Sergei Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet suites.
\n
Chen Qigang's Wu Xing (The Five Elements), a 10-minute work comprising five short portrayals of metal, wood, water, fire and earth will also be performed on the tour.
\n
Pianist Bruce Liu, the first-prize winner at the 18th Chopin International Piano Competition in Warsaw, will join the tour.
\n
"Normally, Western orchestras come to Asia. But now, it's a worldwide sharing of music, which shows the growth and quality of the musicians (from Asia). The orchestra has made great achievements in a short time. We have completed eight rehearsals and they understand me. It's a very warm collaboration," says Chung at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing on July 25.
\n
On July 26 and 27, the conductor led the China NCPA Orchestra in two European tour preview concerts at the NCPA.
\n
In 2023, Chung conducted the China NCPA Orchestra, featuring Liu on Chopin's Piano Concerto No 1 in E Minor, Op 11, in which Liu performed during the final round of the Chopin competition.
\n
In June, Chung invited musicians from the China NCPA Orchestra to join the Asia Philharmonic Orchestra he founded in 1995 to perform the opening concert for the Busan Concert Hall, where he is the artistic director.
\n
"I am glad to see that music development has come to a point where China can partner with the Western world," he adds.
\n
"Music can bring people together; that is important. We have no language barrier, and the world can share this music as one family," the conductor notes. "Music is free, warm, and equally shared."
\n
When asked about the music pieces chosen for the tour, he says he doesn't have a particular reason to choose the pieces because "we have such a wealth of repertoire" and "it depends on the feeling at that moment".
\n
He chose Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet suites because he considers it to be "maybe his greatest work".
\n
"The contrast of the pieces shows many aspects of the orchestra. I think they do particularly well with these music pieces," says the conductor, adding that pianist Liu wanted to play Maurice Ravel, and that's why Saint-Saens' Third Symphony was selected.
\n
According to Chung, the mission of the orchestra is to serve the composer and to understand and convey the essence of the work, rather than getting caught up in regional or stylistic differences.
\n
"When I was young, people asked why a pianist from Asia played music pieces from the West. But now there are no such questions," he says. "Music is a result of collaborations between the orchestra and the conductor, which cannot be defined by where the orchestra comes from — China, Spain or America."
\n
Born in Seoul in 1953, Chung began his career as a pianist, taking the second prize at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow in 1974. He moved to the United States to study conducting at the Juilliard School in 1978. Throughout his career as a conductor, he has led many of the world's most renowned orchestras across Europe, Asia and the US. Milan's La Scala announced in May that Chung will take the post of music director in 2027. Chung will be the first Asian conductor and the second non-Italian musician to hold the position.
\n
The China NCPA Orchestra is the resident orchestra of the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing. Since its founding in 2010, it has established itself as one of the most adventurous and dynamic orchestras in the country and has earned an international reputation through extensive touring and recordings.
\n
Through its demanding schedule of concerts and opera performances, the orchestra serves as a major cultural powerhouse, propelling China's musical landscape forward. In this capacity, the orchestra has performed in over 70 opera productions by the NCPA, making it one of the few leading orchestras alongside the Vienna Philharmonic and the Staatskapelle Dresden to regularly perform in the concert hall and the opera pit.
\n
The orchestra presents over 100 concerts a year to a live audience of nearly 200,000 and an online concert series drawing an audience of 20 million viewers on average.
\n
"Based in the capital city of a country often regarded as the future of classical music, the China NCPA Orchestra is committed to reshaping China's entertainment industry as well as bringing the power of classical music to audiences across the world," says Ren Xiaolong, the China NCPA Orchestra's CEO.
\n
"Therefore, our first European tour is the perfect way to celebrate our 15th anniversary. With maestro Chung and Bruce Liu, our musicians are bringing a distinctively creative program that combines romantic French works and contemporary Chinese music. We look forward to meeting our audiences across Europe in August."
\n
Chung agrees. "It's very heartwarming to see the orchestra's growth in the past 10 years. I have worked with La Scala for over 34 years. The orchestra (China NCPA Orchestra) and our friendship are still young."
A worker uses equipment at the workshop of Anhui Shengfang Machinery Manufacturing Co in Huaibei, Anhui province, on Monday. China's manufacturing sector softened slightly in July due to seasonal factors, but underlying growth momentum remained resilient, with emerging industries gaining traction and business confidence continuing to improve. See story, page 3
China's marriage rate continued to decline last year, reflecting both a shrinking pool of eligible partners and changing views on marriage, an expert said, calling for stronger measures to encourage unions.
\n
Registrations of married couples fell to about 6.11 million in 2024, a drop of 20.5 percent from the previous year, according to the 2024 Statistical Bulletin on the Development of Civil Affairs, released on Wednesday by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The figure is less than half the number recorded in 2014.
\n
The bulletin also said the marriage rate stood at 4.3 per 1,000 people in 2024, down 1.1 points year-on-year and marking the lowest since 2020.
\n
Jiang Quanbao, a professor at the School of Labor Economics at the Capital University of Economics and Business, said the decline in the overall population is contributing to a smaller marriage-age demographic.
\n
"Also, today, the idea of marrying late or not marrying at all is becoming more accepted among young people," he said. "The trend of delaying marriage is on the rise, resulting in a lower marriage rate."
\n
About 4.29 million people age 25 to 29 registered marriages last year, a sharp decrease from the 5.83 million in 2023.
\n
"As the Chinese hold the belief of establishing a career before starting a family, economic pressure on young people is hindering the prospect of marriage," Jiang said. "They face both academic pressure — especially as more young women attain higher levels of education — and challenges securing employment."
\n
Local governments have introduced a range of measures to promote marriage, including extended marriage leave and financial incentives.
\n
Since 2021, for example, Henan province has allowed newlyweds an additional 18 days of marriage leave on top of the three-day national allowance. In Lyuliang, Shanxi province, first-time couples in which the woman is 35 or younger have been eligible for a 1,500 yuan ($208) cash reward since Jan 1.
\n
In March, Zhejiang province issued a notice encouraging local authorities to offer incentives such as red packets and shopping vouchers to eligible couples.
\n
Authorities have also moved to streamline the registration process. Revised marriage registration regulations that took effect on May 10 removed the requirement for household registration books and eliminated fees for marriage certificates.
\n
Jiang said further relief from economic burdens is needed, particularly for young people who want to buy property before getting married.
\n
"It is good to see that the government has taken seriously the need to reduce costs associated with marriage, such as traditional practices like dowries in some regions," he added.
China's marriage rate continued to decline last year, reflecting both a shrinking pool of eligible partners and changing views on marriage, an expert said, calling for stronger measures to encourage unions.
\n
Registrations of married couples fell to about 6.11 million in 2024, a drop of 20.5 percent from the previous year, according to the 2024 Statistical Bulletin on the Development of Civil Affairs, released on Wednesday by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The figure is less than half the number recorded in 2014.
\n
The bulletin also said the marriage rate stood at 4.3 per 1,000 people in 2024, down 1.1 points year-on-year and marking the lowest since 2020.
\n
Jiang Quanbao, a professor at the School of Labor Economics at the Capital University of Economics and Business, said the decline in the overall population is contributing to a smaller marriage-age demographic.
\n
"Also, today, the idea of marrying late or not marrying at all is becoming more accepted among young people," he said. "The trend of delaying marriage is on the rise, resulting in a lower marriage rate."
\n
About 4.29 million people age 25 to 29 registered marriages last year, a sharp decrease from the 5.83 million in 2023.
\n
"As the Chinese hold the belief of establishing a career before starting a family, economic pressure on young people is hindering the prospect of marriage," Jiang said. "They face both academic pressure — especially as more young women attain higher levels of education — and challenges securing employment."
\n
Local governments have introduced a range of measures to promote marriage, including extended marriage leave and financial incentives.
\n
Since 2021, for example, Henan province has allowed newlyweds an additional 18 days of marriage leave on top of the three-day national allowance. In Lyuliang, Shanxi province, first-time couples in which the woman is 35 or younger have been eligible for a 1,500 yuan ($208) cash reward since Jan 1.
\n
In March, Zhejiang province issued a notice encouraging local authorities to offer incentives such as red packets and shopping vouchers to eligible couples.
\n
Authorities have also moved to streamline the registration process. Revised marriage registration regulations that took effect on May 10 removed the requirement for household registration books and eliminated fees for marriage certificates.
\n
Jiang said further relief from economic burdens is needed, particularly for young people who want to buy property before getting married.
\n
"It is good to see that the government has taken seriously the need to reduce costs associated with marriage, such as traditional practices like dowries in some regions," he added.
Tourists crowd the peak of Taishan Mountain to enjoy the spectacular view of the sunrise in Tai'an, Shandong province, on Thursday. During the summer, the scenic area experiences a surge of tourists.
A herder falls off his horse while participating in the Daye Verse horse racing cultural tourism season event in Litang county, Sichuan province, on Wednesday.
\n",
- "content": "
A herder falls off his horse while participating in the Daye Verse horse racing cultural tourism season event in Litang county, Sichuan province, on Wednesday.
My son has just finished the college entrance exam and is researching which university and what major he wants to study, all by himself.
\n
At the age of 18, he is able to choose his own path and take responsibility for his life. We respect his opinions and only provide him with some guidance. We tell him about which majors would be good for his future career. He wants to work in research and technology, and prefers college majors related to science and engineering.
\n
His father wanted him to study medicine, which he was not interested in. I discussed with him about the possibility of doctors being replaced by artificial intelligence and he shared his views. He said that doctors need to build trust with patients through face-to-face interactions, which is something AI may not be able to achieve. Without trust, one may not endorse the treatment plan. I think my son is insightful.
\n
His father tends to be stricter with him. Sometimes, when it comes to studying, his dad feels he isn't putting in enough effort. But I think that our son has his own pace. His father simply aims to toughen him up, believing it will lead to certain outcomes. From what I've observed, that is partly because my son's grandfather is strict with his father. I believe my son is a relaxed child. I emphasize the importance of respecting his individuality and what he values.
\n
I would like to seek my son's advice and opinions, as he is good at independent thinking. We don't have strict rules in our interactions. I'm amazed by his unique insights that are often beyond my expectations. I find myself often praising him, acknowledging his brilliance.
\n
He is indeed an easygoing boy. For example, when he played the board game Go, he would calmly explain his moves to his opponents. He has a gentle personality and we have never pressured him to achieve specific goals. We don't force him, but we encourage him to strive for excellence.
\n
He has many friends, some of whom are outstanding students. He may learn from some of his classmates' strengths but still maintains his own unique qualities. He may have classmates who don't perform as well academically, but he believes in their capabilities and thinks they will excel in the future. He is a child with great potential and sincerely appreciates the strengths of others. He acknowledges his own limitations, such as not delving as deeply into subjects as some of his peers. He has a good understanding of himself and his abilities.
\n
Although we didn't push him excessively, the pressure from the surrounding parents and institutions was significant. While many families enrolled their children in extra classes, we did too, but not to the extreme levels of intensity. Not every child is suited for tutorial classes like Olympiad math. But if my child wasn't part of it, I felt like he would fall behind, leading to a culture of intense competition. However, we don't specifically push him to excel academically. Some parents went all out, enrolling their child in multiple classes across different levels, like advanced math classes.
\n
In primary school, we focused on cultivating his interests and hobbies. He enjoyed playing Go, rugby, learning the piano and playing the trombone. These activities have helped him cope with stress and improve his mood.
\n
During kindergarten and primary school, I would often take him on trips to explore and play with friends. When we went out, we visited various places, including remote and challenging locations. For example, we once traveled to Guizhou province, where we experienced activities like harvesting corn to understand different aspects of life. I also took him to rural areas to observe the countryside lifestyle. When we went abroad, I made sure to expose him to different cultures and experiences. That helped him relax and get his own insights and reflections.
\n
Zhang Rong spoke with Li Hongyang.
\n",
@@ -7492,28 +6942,6 @@
"hash": "dc1a6951a3c1717bfd0c2fb78e04338a",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "007CHINA - Gut microbiota help blue sheep adapt to local diets",
- "description": "
XINING — Chinese researchers have recently revealed that the plasticity of gut microbiota is a key factor assisting ungulates in better adapting to different regions on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in western China.
\n
This study has provided insights into understanding how gut microbiota helps hosts adapt to local diets during the adaptation of ungulates to different areas on "the roof of the world", according to the Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
\n
Conducted by a research team from the NWIPB, the study also unveiled the host-microbiota synergy mechanism of plateau wildlife, thereby providing a scientific basis for formulating targeted protection strategies. These findings have been published in the journal mSystems.
\n
"Revealing how wildlife adapts to different regions has always been one of the goals of conservation biology, especially given the background of accelerating loss of global biodiversity," said Zhang Tongzuo, leader of the study and a researcher at the NWIPB.
\n
The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the world's highest-altitude ecosystem and one of the global hot spots in the field of conservation biology studies. It boasts diverse habitats and a rich variety of wild animals, including blue sheep, which is one of the ungulates with the widest distribution and the largest population in this region.
\n
"Blue sheep are widely distributed in various habitats, such as shrub-lands, grasslands and deserts — forming a complex regional dietary differentiation pattern. It provides an ideal model for studying host-microorganism co-adaptation in extreme environments," Zhang said.
\n
The researchers used blue sheep as the focus of the study, adopting high-throughput sequencing techniques and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to investigate their diets and the composition and functioning of their gut microbiota.
\n
The team collected and tested the composition of gut microbial metabolites in three regions of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau — namely the Qinghai Lake basin, the Kunlun Mountains and the Sanjiangyuan area.
\n
The team explored their different diets and the composition and functional characteristics of their gut microbiota, as well as differences in their metabolites. Compared with their peers living in the other two regions, blue sheep in the Qinghai Lake basin possess gut microbiota with a greater capacity to digest seemingly indigestible substances — thus significantly enhancing their energy conversion efficiency, according to the research findings.
\n
This study for the first time reveals an adaptive strategy for efficient energy acquisition in plateau blue sheep via a low crude fiber dietary mode, Zhang said.
\n",
- "content": "
XINING — Chinese researchers have recently revealed that the plasticity of gut microbiota is a key factor assisting ungulates in better adapting to different regions on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in western China.
\n
This study has provided insights into understanding how gut microbiota helps hosts adapt to local diets during the adaptation of ungulates to different areas on "the roof of the world", according to the Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
\n
Conducted by a research team from the NWIPB, the study also unveiled the host-microbiota synergy mechanism of plateau wildlife, thereby providing a scientific basis for formulating targeted protection strategies. These findings have been published in the journal mSystems.
\n
"Revealing how wildlife adapts to different regions has always been one of the goals of conservation biology, especially given the background of accelerating loss of global biodiversity," said Zhang Tongzuo, leader of the study and a researcher at the NWIPB.
\n
The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the world's highest-altitude ecosystem and one of the global hot spots in the field of conservation biology studies. It boasts diverse habitats and a rich variety of wild animals, including blue sheep, which is one of the ungulates with the widest distribution and the largest population in this region.
\n
"Blue sheep are widely distributed in various habitats, such as shrub-lands, grasslands and deserts — forming a complex regional dietary differentiation pattern. It provides an ideal model for studying host-microorganism co-adaptation in extreme environments," Zhang said.
\n
The researchers used blue sheep as the focus of the study, adopting high-throughput sequencing techniques and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to investigate their diets and the composition and functioning of their gut microbiota.
\n
The team collected and tested the composition of gut microbial metabolites in three regions of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau — namely the Qinghai Lake basin, the Kunlun Mountains and the Sanjiangyuan area.
\n
The team explored their different diets and the composition and functional characteristics of their gut microbiota, as well as differences in their metabolites. Compared with their peers living in the other two regions, blue sheep in the Qinghai Lake basin possess gut microbiota with a greater capacity to digest seemingly indigestible substances — thus significantly enhancing their energy conversion efficiency, according to the research findings.
\n
This study for the first time reveals an adaptive strategy for efficient energy acquisition in plateau blue sheep via a low crude fiber dietary mode, Zhang said.
Israel has rejected Hamas' proposed changes to the Gaza ceasefire deal, Egyptian sources said on Wednesday.
\n
Tel Aviv refused to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the remains of Israeli captives held by Hamas, rejected a Hamas-proposed map for the redeployment of Israeli forces in Gaza, and declined to withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor, a key border strip between Gaza and Egypt. Besides, Israel's continued military offensive in Gaza and its closure of border crossings have led to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave, with the United Nations saying that a widespread famine was unfolding in Gaza.
\n
Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip since Hamas' attacks on Oct 7, 2023, has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, injured over 146,000 others, and caused massive destruction, according to an update by Gaza's health authorities on Wednesday.
\n
With no sign of an end to the conflict, the immediate priority is to achieve a full ceasefire in Gaza and alleviate the humanitarian crisis, creating the necessary conditions for realizing a "two-state solution".
\n
That's also the central message that Chinese envoy Zhai Jun delivered at the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution held at the UN Headquarters in New York from Monday to Wednesday.
\n
It is clear for a long time now that Tel Aviv's objective is neither a ceasefire nor the release of hostages — it is the annexation of the Gaza Strip.
\n
"We warn of the dangers of the occupation's plans for the gradual annexation of the Gaza Strip," the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday. The ministry considers Israel's move "a conspiracy to forcibly displace the population of the Strip and undermine the opportunity to establish a Palestinian state on the ground".
\n
Israel, as well as its major backer the United States, should realize that any attempt to forcibly alter Gaza's status or encroach upon West Bank territory will not bring peace. Such actions will only ignite further instability and undermine the prospects for the "two-state solution", which remains the only viable path for resolving the Palestinian question.
\n
China strongly supports the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, enjoying full sovereignty, Zhai said at the UN conference.
\n
All countries that strive for a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestine question oppose any actions that violate international law and seek to undermine the "two-state solution". The UN should play a leading role in prompting relevant stakeholders to come up with a clear timeline and a roadmap for its implementation. China calls for a ceasefire with maximum urgency and for de-escalation of the humanitarian crisis; upholding the principle of "Palestinians governing Palestine" to advance governance in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank; supporting Palestinian internal unity and assisting Palestine with its capacity-building in governance and improvement of economic resilience.
\n
The security of Israel can only be based on the security of its neighbors and regional reconciliation. If it continues to use force to annex its neighboring regions to build a so-called buffer zone for its own security, the "security" it is fighting for will only be a castle built on sand.
\n
The security of all countries in the region is interconnected, and a unilateral approach to security will not work; only collective security can pave the way for lasting peace.
\n
Tel Aviv needs to demonstrate the flexibility, political wisdom and strategic foresight to replace its unilateral approach with a comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security approach for long-term peace in the Middle East. Also, it shouldn't take more lives and another humanitarian crisis for the Israeli people to realize that they have only become more insecure compared with the situation before Oct 7, 2023. Israel's military operations have far exceeded retaliation, instead becoming maneuvers of some politicians for their own narrow ends.
\n
The question is for how long Israelis will continue to allow themselves to be hoodwinked for a "security" based on fighting, hatred and manipulation.
",
@@ -7536,28 +6964,6 @@
"hash": "af9a959ccf616f9ff52e1c0ab4ec843a",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "009VIEWS - Belgium's rich beer culture is intoxicating, to say the least",
- "description": "
Chen Weihua
\n\n
I know I might invite criticism if I promote alcohol, but I also believe it would be a dereliction of duty on my part to bid farewell to Belgium after nearly seven years without writing about its beer culture.
\n
I remember well when the Belgian embassy official who interviewed me in Beijing seven years ago for issuing a journalist visa asked me how long I would be stationed in Brussels, I told him in a lighter vein, "Until I finish all the Belgian beers".
\n
His response was prompt: "That's impossible."
\n
I knew that Belgium brews about 1,600 types of beer, so it would take a little more than four years to taste all of them even if you try a different beer every day. But the fact that a lot of new varieties enter the market every year makes it almost impossible for someone like me to taste all of them.
\n
The official then asked me what I would write about during my posting in Belgium. I said that "my job is to cover the European Union but I might also write about Belgian beer if there is not much news". He got quite excited, saying that I must send him a copy if I write a column on Belgian beer.
\n
I did try different beer brands during my initial days in Belgium in late 2018. I love those Trappist beers brewed by monks in monasteries and the Abbey beers, known for their rigid brewing styles. But they are strong. In fact, Belgian beers are known to be strong, often with 6 to 12 percent ABV(alcohol by volume), compared with German beers, which often have 4-5 percent alcohol.
\n
I have to admit that I was deterred by some beers, especially some Lambic and Gueuze beers. They tasted weird to me.
\n
I have taken friends visiting from China to the Delirium Café in Brussels, which boasts 2,000 beers from around the world and holds the Guinness World Records for the number of beers available for tasting. The mood inside the cafe and the decoration, with many old advertising plates and glasses, are as impressive as the beers.
\n
The Bier Central, where I had dinner on Monday, serves 300 different types of beer. The Belgian beer culture was included on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2016. Beer is like a religion in Belgium. Drinking beer is a social event. People meet in bars, cafes and restaurants over a beer. The same is true for the gatherings in parks, such as in the Parc du Cinquantenaire near my apartment.
\n
The country of 11 million people, half of my hometown Shanghai's population, had 417 breweries at the end of 2023, most of them micro-breweries, with 73 percent of beer produced in Belgium being exported, mostly to neighboring countries such as France and the Netherlands, but also, increasingly, to new markets like China.
\n
Belgian beers Hoegaarden and Vedett are now being brewed in China to meet the growing demand in Chinese and other Asian markets. A Belgian friend who visited China for the first time last month sent me a photo of him drinking Duvel in a Beijing bar.
\n
Belgian company AB InBev is the world's largest producer of beer, brewing 49.5 billion liters of beer in 2024, which accounted for more than a quarter of the global production.
\n
An amazing thing about Belgium is that a brand of beer is always served in a glass with the beer brand's logo, unlike in most other countries. And pouring beer is often like an art, not to mention the annual competition of so-called draught masters.
\n
I gave up the mission impossible of sampling all the Belgian beers long ago. But I have been fascinated by the country's beer culture.
\n
While writing this column, I realized that this year, International Beer Day happens to fall on Aug 1 — the first Friday of August. The timing couldn't have been better for my last column from Brussels.
\n
chenweihua@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Chen Weihua
\n\n
I know I might invite criticism if I promote alcohol, but I also believe it would be a dereliction of duty on my part to bid farewell to Belgium after nearly seven years without writing about its beer culture.
\n
I remember well when the Belgian embassy official who interviewed me in Beijing seven years ago for issuing a journalist visa asked me how long I would be stationed in Brussels, I told him in a lighter vein, "Until I finish all the Belgian beers".
\n
His response was prompt: "That's impossible."
\n
I knew that Belgium brews about 1,600 types of beer, so it would take a little more than four years to taste all of them even if you try a different beer every day. But the fact that a lot of new varieties enter the market every year makes it almost impossible for someone like me to taste all of them.
\n
The official then asked me what I would write about during my posting in Belgium. I said that "my job is to cover the European Union but I might also write about Belgian beer if there is not much news". He got quite excited, saying that I must send him a copy if I write a column on Belgian beer.
\n
I did try different beer brands during my initial days in Belgium in late 2018. I love those Trappist beers brewed by monks in monasteries and the Abbey beers, known for their rigid brewing styles. But they are strong. In fact, Belgian beers are known to be strong, often with 6 to 12 percent ABV(alcohol by volume), compared with German beers, which often have 4-5 percent alcohol.
\n
I have to admit that I was deterred by some beers, especially some Lambic and Gueuze beers. They tasted weird to me.
\n
I have taken friends visiting from China to the Delirium Café in Brussels, which boasts 2,000 beers from around the world and holds the Guinness World Records for the number of beers available for tasting. The mood inside the cafe and the decoration, with many old advertising plates and glasses, are as impressive as the beers.
\n
The Bier Central, where I had dinner on Monday, serves 300 different types of beer. The Belgian beer culture was included on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2016. Beer is like a religion in Belgium. Drinking beer is a social event. People meet in bars, cafes and restaurants over a beer. The same is true for the gatherings in parks, such as in the Parc du Cinquantenaire near my apartment.
\n
The country of 11 million people, half of my hometown Shanghai's population, had 417 breweries at the end of 2023, most of them micro-breweries, with 73 percent of beer produced in Belgium being exported, mostly to neighboring countries such as France and the Netherlands, but also, increasingly, to new markets like China.
\n
Belgian beers Hoegaarden and Vedett are now being brewed in China to meet the growing demand in Chinese and other Asian markets. A Belgian friend who visited China for the first time last month sent me a photo of him drinking Duvel in a Beijing bar.
\n
Belgian company AB InBev is the world's largest producer of beer, brewing 49.5 billion liters of beer in 2024, which accounted for more than a quarter of the global production.
\n
An amazing thing about Belgium is that a brand of beer is always served in a glass with the beer brand's logo, unlike in most other countries. And pouring beer is often like an art, not to mention the annual competition of so-called draught masters.
\n
I gave up the mission impossible of sampling all the Belgian beers long ago. But I have been fascinated by the country's beer culture.
\n
While writing this column, I realized that this year, International Beer Day happens to fall on Aug 1 — the first Friday of August. The timing couldn't have been better for my last column from Brussels.
Lithuanian Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas on Thursday announced his resignation as the country's head of government and chairman of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party. Paluckas' departure from office comes amid investigations into his financial dealings and allegedly inappropriate involvement in business, ties to certain businesspeople and failure to pay damages owed to the Vilnius municipality. Under the Constitution of Lithuania, the entire cabinet will resign along with the prime minister.
\n
SOUTH KOREA
\n
Warrant issued again for ex-president Yoon
\n
A South Korean court on Thursday issued a fresh arrest warrant for former president Yoon Suk-yeol, enabling prosecutors to forcibly bring him in for questioning after he refused to appear for questioning multiple times. The warrant, which was issued by the Seoul Central District Court, had been requested by a team leading an investigation into corruption allegations that involve Yoon's wife, Kim Keon-hee. Yoon defied the special counsel's summons to appear for questioning twice.
Facing a weakening currency and a slump in global diamond demand, Botswana is signaling a strategic pivot to diversify its economy.
\n
The timing of China's recent decision to eliminate tariffs on products from 53 African countries — including Botswana — is seen as critical for the southern African country as it seeks to reduce its dependence on a single export.
\n
In an interview with the correspondent, Botswana's minister of trade and entrepreneurship, Tiroeaone Ntsima, said the announcement "opens doors for Botswana to export a wider array of products".
\n
The country's economy is under growing pressure, with its diamond sector struck by reduced global demand. In addition, Botswana recently devalued its currency by 2.76 percent, a move aimed at boosting export competitiveness and preserving foreign exchange reserves.
\n
In this context, China's zero-tariff initiative is seen not merely as welcome support, but as a lifeline — a timely opportunity for Botswana to break free from its historical reliance on a narrow basket of exports.
\n
"Export diversification has been a priority for the government for many years, and these efforts are being intensified in the face of a subdued global economy, which has adversely affected our traditional export — diamonds," Ntsima said.
\n
While copper ore slag and diamonds remain Botswana's major exports, he said the country is now prioritizing beef, horticultural produce, leather, and processed agricultural goods in a renewed push for economic resilience.
\n
A recently signed beef protocol with China allows for duty-free access to the Chinese market, which is "a significant boost" for the beef industry, he said.
\n
Botswana's ties with China have evolved significantly in recent years. Although they have yet to formalize a bilateral trade agreement, both trade volumes and investment flows have grown rapidly, he said.
\n
"Elimination of tariffs by China for African countries will enhance market access and competitiveness. China's importance as a trading partner is likely to increase."
\n
Mmantlha Sankoloba, CEO of the Botswana Exporters and Manufacturers Association, described China's zero-tariff move as a rare opportunity for local exporters to access new markets, build long-term partnerships and move away from dependence on raw commodity exports.
\n
"Duty-free access to such a large and diverse market offers Botswana exporters the chance to increase their competitiveness through lower landed costs," she said. "It allows us to diversify export markets and reduce overdependence on southern African or Western markets."
\n
Amid mounting economic pressures at home, Sankoloba said she believes Botswana's private sector is well-positioned to turn crisis into opportunity. From the perspective of her association, China's initiative "aligns well with our mission to facilitate greater market access and support Botswana's industrial development agenda", she said.
\n
Niche markets
\n
While Botswana's beef and mineral exports are already well established, Sankoloba is looking ahead to products such as morula oil, baobab-based health supplements, and locally made leather goods that appeal to eco-conscious and health-focused consumers in China.
\n
"Botswana's beef, sorghum, morula-based products, and other indigenous foods already have appeal in niche and health-conscious markets," she said. "We also see potential in textiles and garments."
\n
Crafts and cultural products stand out, too. Sankoloba said handcrafted goods made from local raw materials, particularly those with sustainable or cultural value, are being repositioned for export.
\n
Despite the enthusiasm, Sankoloba remains clear-eyed about the barriers ahead. For many of Botswana's exporters, especially small- and medium-sized companies, entering the Chinese market is no easy feat.
\n
"Logistical costs and complexities remain significant due to our landlocked geography, lack of direct shipping lines, and absence of on-the-ground representation in China," she said.
\n
"There are also language barriers and limited market intelligence. Our exporters struggle with stringent certification standards in the food, health and cosmetics sectors."
\n
According to the Botswana Exporters and Manufacturers Association, overcoming these barriers will require a holistic support system, involving not only the government but also international partners and private sector players.
\n
To maximize the benefits of the zero-tariff policy, Sankoloba outlined critical areas where Botswana's exporters need support, such as training, research of the Chinese market, and government support.
\n
"We are engaging with the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship to align trade policy and export promotion efforts with this opportunity," she said. "We're also advocating for a Botswana-China Export Growth Strategy, possibly within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation."
\n
The association is exploring partnerships with Chinese business chambers, trade expos and e-commerce platforms to enhance visibility for Botswana-made goods, she said.
\n",
- "content": "
Facing a weakening currency and a slump in global diamond demand, Botswana is signaling a strategic pivot to diversify its economy.
\n
The timing of China's recent decision to eliminate tariffs on products from 53 African countries — including Botswana — is seen as critical for the southern African country as it seeks to reduce its dependence on a single export.
\n
In an interview with the correspondent, Botswana's minister of trade and entrepreneurship, Tiroeaone Ntsima, said the announcement "opens doors for Botswana to export a wider array of products".
\n
The country's economy is under growing pressure, with its diamond sector struck by reduced global demand. In addition, Botswana recently devalued its currency by 2.76 percent, a move aimed at boosting export competitiveness and preserving foreign exchange reserves.
\n
In this context, China's zero-tariff initiative is seen not merely as welcome support, but as a lifeline — a timely opportunity for Botswana to break free from its historical reliance on a narrow basket of exports.
\n
"Export diversification has been a priority for the government for many years, and these efforts are being intensified in the face of a subdued global economy, which has adversely affected our traditional export — diamonds," Ntsima said.
\n
While copper ore slag and diamonds remain Botswana's major exports, he said the country is now prioritizing beef, horticultural produce, leather, and processed agricultural goods in a renewed push for economic resilience.
\n
A recently signed beef protocol with China allows for duty-free access to the Chinese market, which is "a significant boost" for the beef industry, he said.
\n
Botswana's ties with China have evolved significantly in recent years. Although they have yet to formalize a bilateral trade agreement, both trade volumes and investment flows have grown rapidly, he said.
\n
"Elimination of tariffs by China for African countries will enhance market access and competitiveness. China's importance as a trading partner is likely to increase."
\n
Mmantlha Sankoloba, CEO of the Botswana Exporters and Manufacturers Association, described China's zero-tariff move as a rare opportunity for local exporters to access new markets, build long-term partnerships and move away from dependence on raw commodity exports.
\n
"Duty-free access to such a large and diverse market offers Botswana exporters the chance to increase their competitiveness through lower landed costs," she said. "It allows us to diversify export markets and reduce overdependence on southern African or Western markets."
\n
Amid mounting economic pressures at home, Sankoloba said she believes Botswana's private sector is well-positioned to turn crisis into opportunity. From the perspective of her association, China's initiative "aligns well with our mission to facilitate greater market access and support Botswana's industrial development agenda", she said.
\n
Niche markets
\n
While Botswana's beef and mineral exports are already well established, Sankoloba is looking ahead to products such as morula oil, baobab-based health supplements, and locally made leather goods that appeal to eco-conscious and health-focused consumers in China.
\n
"Botswana's beef, sorghum, morula-based products, and other indigenous foods already have appeal in niche and health-conscious markets," she said. "We also see potential in textiles and garments."
\n
Crafts and cultural products stand out, too. Sankoloba said handcrafted goods made from local raw materials, particularly those with sustainable or cultural value, are being repositioned for export.
\n
Despite the enthusiasm, Sankoloba remains clear-eyed about the barriers ahead. For many of Botswana's exporters, especially small- and medium-sized companies, entering the Chinese market is no easy feat.
\n
"Logistical costs and complexities remain significant due to our landlocked geography, lack of direct shipping lines, and absence of on-the-ground representation in China," she said.
\n
"There are also language barriers and limited market intelligence. Our exporters struggle with stringent certification standards in the food, health and cosmetics sectors."
\n
According to the Botswana Exporters and Manufacturers Association, overcoming these barriers will require a holistic support system, involving not only the government but also international partners and private sector players.
\n
To maximize the benefits of the zero-tariff policy, Sankoloba outlined critical areas where Botswana's exporters need support, such as training, research of the Chinese market, and government support.
\n
"We are engaging with the Ministry of Trade and Entrepreneurship to align trade policy and export promotion efforts with this opportunity," she said. "We're also advocating for a Botswana-China Export Growth Strategy, possibly within the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation."
\n
The association is exploring partnerships with Chinese business chambers, trade expos and e-commerce platforms to enhance visibility for Botswana-made goods, she said.
Vehicles for export are parked at a port in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, on Thursday. Shares of South Korean automakers Hyundai Motor and Kia fell on Thursday after US President Donald Trump said the US will charge a 15 percent tariff on imports from South Korea, including cars.
\n
The United States has agreed to impose 15 percent tariffs on imports from South Korea under a trade deal announced on Wednesday, easing earlier concerns over a potential 25 percent rate.
\n
Analysts have noted that while the outcome is not a worst-case scenario, it is still economically damaging for both South Korea and the US, and the impact on specific industries will depend on the detailed provisions of the agreement.
\n
US President Donald Trump said in a post on his social media platform Truth Social that South Korea "will give to the United States 350 billion dollars for investments owned and controlled by the US, and selected by myself, as president". He also said South Korea has agreed to purchase $100 billion worth of liquefied natural gas and other energy products.
\n
South Korea's President Lee Jaemyung said the $350 billion investment pledged by South Korea will solidify the foundation for bilateral cooperation in strategic industries, such as shipbuilding, semiconductors, secondary batteries, biotechnology and energy.
\n
In particular, $150 billion will be committed exclusively for supporting the entry of South Korean shipbuilders into the US shipbuilding industry, Lee said.
\n
Yang Jun-sok, an economics professor at the Catholic University of Korea, told China Daily that the new deal was probably "the best" for South Korea from a diplomatic or negotiating perspective, but still "a bad agreement for both the US and South Korea "when considered from an economic perspective.
\n
"Since it will raise general tariffs from the current 10 percent to 15 percent, and from 0 percent to 15 percent if we consider the US-(South) Korea Free Trade Agreement," Yang said.
\n
He also cited a February study by the Industrial Bank of Korea, which estimated that for each one percentage point increase in tariffs imposed by the US, South Korea's exports to the US would fall by 0.45 percent, and exports to other countries would fall by 0.15 percent.
\n
Based on that projection, a 15 percent tariff could reduce exports to the US by 6.8 percent and to other markets by 2.25 percent — translating into a potential 0.7-0.8 percent decline in South Korea's GDP, he said.
\n
Lee Dong-won, an official at the bank, told Yonhap News Agency that "starting from the third quarter, the impact of US tariffs is likely to become more pronounced. Economic growth may slow further under the 15 percent tariff scheme".
\n
Uncertain prospects
\n
Yang noted that in the longer term, the direction of the US tariff policy remains uncertain and will depend on the trajectory of the US economy over the next two to three years. He suggested that South Korea needs to strengthen its domestic demand rather than rely on exports as the main engine of growth.
\n
South Korea's new tariff deal with the US, considered favorable as those achieved by other major trading partners, is likely to offer short-term relief for its export-dependent economy.
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The South Korean industrial community on Thursday welcomed the new trade agreement, which lowered Washington's "reciprocal" tariff on South Korean goods to 15 percent, though businesses remained wary about the deal's details and its potential impact on specific sectors.
\n
"I consider the 15 percent automobile tariff rate to be a considerable success in the negotiations. However, on steel-related goods, it is not yet clear whether they will be covered by 50 percent steel tariffs or 15 percent general tariffs, since home appliances are one of (South) Korea's major export items," Yang said.
\n
Yang also said that despite Seoul's pledge of a $350 billion investment package in the US, key details remain unclear — and interpretations appear to diverge between the two countries.
\n
Most of the money is expected to come from private firms, with the South Korean government providing guarantees and incentives. However, it's difficult to see how such a large sum can be achieved without affecting domestic investment, even if the government insists it will be done by readjusting overseas plans, Yang said.
\n
Yang noted that domestic labor unions could push back against large-scale overseas investments.
\n
"In the past, major (South) Korean unions have opposed foreign investment, fearing long-term job losses. And with the Yellow Envelope Act under review, it may become easier for them to protest," he added.
\n
Contact the writers at houjunjie@chinadaily.com.cn.
In the early 2000s, Shaoxing, a centuries-old city in Zhejiang province, faced a dilemma familiar to many urbanized regions in China: whether to preserve historical neighborhoods or clear the way for modern construction.
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Cangqiao Zhijie, a historical street in Shaoxing dating back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and featuring narrow alleyways, traditional homes and crisscrossing waterways, stood at the heart of a preservation standoff. As redevelopment plans loomed elsewhere, residents feared displacement and officials hesitated.
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The impasse ended in January 2003, when Xi Jinping, then secretary of the Communist Party of China Zhejiang Provincial Committee, visited the neighborhood and gave a clear directive: It must be preserved in its original form and essence.
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He also instructed local officials to prioritize preserving historical authenticity, maintaining the integrity of the landscape and ensuring the continuity of people's lives in restoration and protection efforts — principles that would later point the way for preserving historical and cultural sites throughout Zhejiang.
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Ultimately, over 840 households continued to live in their old residences at the ancient site, earning the site recognition from UNESCO as a "living showcase of Chinese heritage".
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By the end of 2024, Zhejiang boasted 20 historic cultural cities and 11,126 historical buildings, placing it at the forefront of the nation in terms of cultural heritage preservation.
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The practices provided insight into Xi's vision for balancing cultural heritage preservation and urban development, which was reaffirmed at the Central Urban Work Conference held on July 14 and 15 in Beijing.
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During the meeting, President Xi, who is also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, listed priorities for urban development, including preserving historical and cultural heritage alongside refined urban landscape governance, with a focus on protecting cities' unique historical legacies, cultural geography and natural landscapes.
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This policy priority aligns with Xi's consistent approach to integrating cultural preservation into the shaping of urban landscapes, analysts said.
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Liu Guiru, an associate researcher at the Fujian Academy of Social Sciences, said that Xi, who worked in Fujian for more than 17 years, made "historic contributions" to the preservation of cultural heritage in the province.
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In the late 1980s and early 1990s, parts of revolutionary hero Lin Juemin's residence faced demolition due to urban development in Sanfang Qixiang, also known as the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, a 40-hectare cultural and historical neighborhood.
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Upon learning of the situation, Xi, who was then the Party secretary of Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian, visited the neighborhood. During an on-site meeting that focused on the preservation of cultural heritage, Xi said, "We must ensure the comprehensive protection, restoration and utilization of cultural relics in the city — not only safeguarding them from damage but also enhancing their splendor to pass them on to future generations."
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Therefore, Xi ordered a halt to the demolition and called for the restoration of Lin's residence. Later, other old houses in the historical neighborhood were gradually restored and brought under protection.
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Liu said that "during his tenure in Fujian, Xi placed a high emphasis on cultural heritage protection, introduced many forward-thinking ideas and spearheaded a series of pioneering explorations and practices, ensuring the preservation of cultural heritage and historical cities".
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"This is in line with the philosophy and practices regarding cultural heritage protection that Xi has advocated since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012," she added.
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"Cultural heritage protection requires efforts to strike a balance between urban development and the preservation of cultural legacy, ensuring that history, culture and modern life are seamlessly integrated," Liu said. "Xi's philosophy allows cities to grow and modernize while still preserving and celebrating their unique historical and cultural identities."
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For the Chinese president, preserving cultural relics is not just about honoring the past, but also about shaping the future for cities and their residents.
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During an inspection of Suzhou, Jiangsu province, in July 2023, Xi called for efforts to better protect, develop and leverage the Pingjiang Historic and Cultural Block, a site with a rich history spanning over 2,500 years.
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Xi said that Suzhou has excelled in blending tradition with modernity, simultaneously promoting historical and cultural inheritance and boosting high-tech innovation and high-quality development.
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This approach represents the future of development, he added.
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Xu Yunhe, an official in charge of cultural heritage protection in Suzhou's Gusu district, said that "Gusu has successfully integrated the cultural, commercial, tourism and public service industries, while prioritizing cultural heritage protection, achieving a synergy between preservation and development".
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"On the one hand, this approach promotes local economic growth. On the other, the restoration of ancient buildings enhances their potential for upgrading and reclassification, increasing the number of heritage buildings and reinforcing the profound historical legacy of the ancient city," Xu added.
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In June 2023, Suzhou launched an initiative aimed at promoting the preservation of the ancient city while infusing it with new vibrancy.
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The focus is on revitalizing historical residences within the 19.2 square kilometers of its ancient city area through inviting enterprises and individuals to participate in the revitalization and utilization of these historic buildings.
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By June 2025, the program included 80 historical residences, with 36 of them now being utilized.
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Thanks to such revitalization efforts, more historical and cultural areas are thriving in Suzhou. For example, the Pingjiang Historic and Cultural Block received 15.06 million visits in the first half of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 11.73 percent.
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As the Central Urban Work Conference set clear goals and directions for more systematic and scientific urban cultural heritage protection efforts in the years ahead, greater policy emphasis is being given to integrate cultural heritage into everyday life to ensure sustainable development.
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Liu, the associate researcher, said urban cultural heritage protection should be treated as a comprehensive project, promoting the systematic integration and deepening of cultural heritage protection.
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She noted that Xi's vision for cultural heritage protection has always emphasized maintaining the unique historical and cultural character of cities throughout the course of modernization.
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"This vision also emphasizes that in the new era, the preservation of traditional cultural districts must always uphold a people-centered approach, ensuring that the value of preservation is genuinely realized," she added.
\n
Zhejiang Daily contributed to this story.
\n
Contact the writers at jihaisheng@chinadaily.com.cn
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