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.
In 1954, one year after China initiated the inaugural Five-Year Plan (1953-57), a specialized factory for manufacturing bearings, core components of mechanical equipment, was set up in Luoyang, Henan province.
\n
It was one of the 156 key projects launched nationwide during the period when the country was striving to build up the basic industries essential for national industrialization. These projects, spanning sectors such as steel, machinery, energy and chemical engineering, laid the foundation for China's industrialization in its early days, marking a determined stride from an agricultural society toward industrial prowess.
\n
Over 70 years later, Luoyang Bearing Group stands as a testament to this enduring vision, as it has evolved into an innovation-driven enterprise manufacturing over 30,000 types of high-precision bearings, vital to industries ranging from aerospace and wind power to rail transit and marine engineering.
\n
During a visit to the company in May, President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, reflected on this remarkable progress, saying: "China has always adhered to the path of developing the real economy. From the past reliance on imported matches, soap and iron, to now becoming the world's largest manufacturing country with the most complete industrial categories, we have taken the right path."
\n
Sticking to this path, China has remained the world's largest manufacturing country for 15 consecutive years. Observers noted that this transformative journey underscores the profound efficacy of the five-year plan system as a fundamental instrument of China's governance.
\n
Five-year plans are crucial strategic documents that outline national goals, major tasks and policy directions in various sectors for each five-year period.
\n
It is an approach that experts say maintains policy continuity and stability toward established goals, and ensures the efficient and well-calibrated allocation of resources.
\n
Formulating and implementing five-year plans has been a hallmark of the Communist Party of China's governance, enabling China to promote coordinated economic and social development over the medium and long terms. For China, the consistent theme from the first Five-Year Plan to the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), as President Xi pointed out, has been to build China into a modern socialist country.
\n
For more than seven decades, a key to the enduring vitality of the five-year plan system lies in "a synergistic relationship in which the top-level design and long-term perspective of national planning effectively complement the microlevel efficiency and innovative drive of the market economy", said Yan Yilong, deputy dean of the Institute for Contemporary China Studies at Tsinghua University.
\n
"This system operates on three pillars: building consensus on national goals through political guidance and scientific planning, breaking down goals into actionable tasks with evaluation and supervision, and ensuring resource allocation to support these objectives," Yan said.
\n
The five-year plans are not merely economic plans but comprehensive national development blueprints, and the robust implementation of these blueprints is the highlight of China's governance, he added.
\n
Acknowledging the nature and significance of China's five-year plan system, The Diplomat, a Washington, DC-based foreign affairs magazine, noted that "the plans are neither rigid blueprints nor mere guidelines. Instead, they act as authoritative signals that shape the behavior of ministries, provincial governments, State-owned enterprises, private firms, and increasingly foreign investors".
\n
Over the decades, China's five-year plans have guided continuous progress in national development and living standards, from ensuring adequate food and clothing after completing the sixth and seventh five-year plans in the 1980s to propelling China's total economic output to become the world's second-largest in the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-10) period.
\n
"Five-year plans illustrate the nation's shift from a planned economy to a socialist market economy," said Zhang Zhanbin, director of the Chinese Modernization Research Center at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee.
\n
He highlighted the transformative power of these plans by citing the example of the revitalization of Northeast China, comprising Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces.
\n
The region became the nation's heavy-industry heartland during the first Five-Year Plan period and was reinvigorated decades later by the 10th Five-Year Plan (2001-05), which proposed to support the adjustment and transformation of the old industrial base. Each subsequent five-year plan has included dedicated sections outlining tasks for Northeast China's revitalization.
\n
The 14th Five-Year Plan has initiated a more comprehensive revitalization phase for Northeast China, with a State Council-approved implementation plan outlining a clear road map for the region's future.
\n
"The elevating of the strategic positioning of Northeast China in the recent five-year plans reflects the Party and the country's earnest expectations for its comprehensive revitalization in the new era," Zhang said.
\n
Pivotal stage
\n
The year 2025 signifies the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and is pivotal in shaping the subsequent five-year agenda.
\n
The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), the draft proposals of which are being discussed at the ongoing fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, is tasked with achieving "decisive progress" in basically realizing socialist modernization by 2035, said Yan.
\n
Speaking at a symposium with provincial leaders in Shanghai in April, Xi pointed out that the scientific formulation and consistent implementation of five-year plans represent an important experience of the Party in governing the country and a major political strength of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
\n
Xi, who previously led the drafting groups for both the 13th and 14th five-year plans, has consistently emphasized strategic foresight in guiding each phase of national development.
\n
During the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) period, he underscored that this stage was decisive for building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and highlighted the importance of leveraging strategic opportunities. For the 14th Five-Year Plan, he outlined the historic mission of advancing toward the second centenary goal and called for a profound understanding of the new stage of development, including its characteristics and requirements.
\n
Broad consensus
\n
Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan, Xi has highlighted that the formulation and implementation of this plan has immense significance for fully realizing the strategic initiatives outlined at the 20th CPC National Congress and advancing Chinese modernization.
\n
In an instruction in May, he emphasized the importance of integrating top-level design with seeking advice from the public, enhancing research and discussions, and building broad consensus, and stressed sound, democratic and law-based decision-making to ensure that the next five-year plan is formulated with high quality.
\n
A key feature of the planning process has been the emphasis on public participation. From May 20 to June 20, an online campaign soliciting opinions for the 15th Five-Year Plan received over 3.11 million suggestions from the public. Xi described this as a vivid example of whole-process people's democracy and urged relevant departments to carefully study and absorb these valuable insights.
\n
By integrating visionary guidance with inclusive governance, China's "target governance mechanism", exemplified by the five-year plan system, continues to be a vital tool for aligning national ambitions with the aspirations of its people, said Yan, the Tsinghua expert.
\n
As China navigates a complex landscape of technological acceleration, economic transformation and strategic competition, the next five-year plan represents a critical step toward securing sustainable and high-quality development, he added.
\n
jihaisheng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
In 1954, one year after China initiated the inaugural Five-Year Plan (1953-57), a specialized factory for manufacturing bearings, core components of mechanical equipment, was set up in Luoyang, Henan province.
\n
It was one of the 156 key projects launched nationwide during the period when the country was striving to build up the basic industries essential for national industrialization. These projects, spanning sectors such as steel, machinery, energy and chemical engineering, laid the foundation for China's industrialization in its early days, marking a determined stride from an agricultural society toward industrial prowess.
\n
Over 70 years later, Luoyang Bearing Group stands as a testament to this enduring vision, as it has evolved into an innovation-driven enterprise manufacturing over 30,000 types of high-precision bearings, vital to industries ranging from aerospace and wind power to rail transit and marine engineering.
\n
During a visit to the company in May, President Xi Jinping, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, reflected on this remarkable progress, saying: "China has always adhered to the path of developing the real economy. From the past reliance on imported matches, soap and iron, to now becoming the world's largest manufacturing country with the most complete industrial categories, we have taken the right path."
\n
Sticking to this path, China has remained the world's largest manufacturing country for 15 consecutive years. Observers noted that this transformative journey underscores the profound efficacy of the five-year plan system as a fundamental instrument of China's governance.
\n
Five-year plans are crucial strategic documents that outline national goals, major tasks and policy directions in various sectors for each five-year period.
\n
It is an approach that experts say maintains policy continuity and stability toward established goals, and ensures the efficient and well-calibrated allocation of resources.
\n
Formulating and implementing five-year plans has been a hallmark of the Communist Party of China's governance, enabling China to promote coordinated economic and social development over the medium and long terms. For China, the consistent theme from the first Five-Year Plan to the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), as President Xi pointed out, has been to build China into a modern socialist country.
\n
For more than seven decades, a key to the enduring vitality of the five-year plan system lies in "a synergistic relationship in which the top-level design and long-term perspective of national planning effectively complement the microlevel efficiency and innovative drive of the market economy", said Yan Yilong, deputy dean of the Institute for Contemporary China Studies at Tsinghua University.
\n
"This system operates on three pillars: building consensus on national goals through political guidance and scientific planning, breaking down goals into actionable tasks with evaluation and supervision, and ensuring resource allocation to support these objectives," Yan said.
\n
The five-year plans are not merely economic plans but comprehensive national development blueprints, and the robust implementation of these blueprints is the highlight of China's governance, he added.
\n
Acknowledging the nature and significance of China's five-year plan system, The Diplomat, a Washington, DC-based foreign affairs magazine, noted that "the plans are neither rigid blueprints nor mere guidelines. Instead, they act as authoritative signals that shape the behavior of ministries, provincial governments, State-owned enterprises, private firms, and increasingly foreign investors".
\n
Over the decades, China's five-year plans have guided continuous progress in national development and living standards, from ensuring adequate food and clothing after completing the sixth and seventh five-year plans in the 1980s to propelling China's total economic output to become the world's second-largest in the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-10) period.
\n
"Five-year plans illustrate the nation's shift from a planned economy to a socialist market economy," said Zhang Zhanbin, director of the Chinese Modernization Research Center at the Party School of the CPC Central Committee.
\n
He highlighted the transformative power of these plans by citing the example of the revitalization of Northeast China, comprising Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces.
\n
The region became the nation's heavy-industry heartland during the first Five-Year Plan period and was reinvigorated decades later by the 10th Five-Year Plan (2001-05), which proposed to support the adjustment and transformation of the old industrial base. Each subsequent five-year plan has included dedicated sections outlining tasks for Northeast China's revitalization.
\n
The 14th Five-Year Plan has initiated a more comprehensive revitalization phase for Northeast China, with a State Council-approved implementation plan outlining a clear road map for the region's future.
\n
"The elevating of the strategic positioning of Northeast China in the recent five-year plans reflects the Party and the country's earnest expectations for its comprehensive revitalization in the new era," Zhang said.
\n
Pivotal stage
\n
The year 2025 signifies the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan and is pivotal in shaping the subsequent five-year agenda.
\n
The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), the draft proposals of which are being discussed at the ongoing fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, is tasked with achieving "decisive progress" in basically realizing socialist modernization by 2035, said Yan.
\n
Speaking at a symposium with provincial leaders in Shanghai in April, Xi pointed out that the scientific formulation and consistent implementation of five-year plans represent an important experience of the Party in governing the country and a major political strength of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
\n
Xi, who previously led the drafting groups for both the 13th and 14th five-year plans, has consistently emphasized strategic foresight in guiding each phase of national development.
\n
During the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20) period, he underscored that this stage was decisive for building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and highlighted the importance of leveraging strategic opportunities. For the 14th Five-Year Plan, he outlined the historic mission of advancing toward the second centenary goal and called for a profound understanding of the new stage of development, including its characteristics and requirements.
\n
Broad consensus
\n
Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan, Xi has highlighted that the formulation and implementation of this plan has immense significance for fully realizing the strategic initiatives outlined at the 20th CPC National Congress and advancing Chinese modernization.
\n
In an instruction in May, he emphasized the importance of integrating top-level design with seeking advice from the public, enhancing research and discussions, and building broad consensus, and stressed sound, democratic and law-based decision-making to ensure that the next five-year plan is formulated with high quality.
\n
A key feature of the planning process has been the emphasis on public participation. From May 20 to June 20, an online campaign soliciting opinions for the 15th Five-Year Plan received over 3.11 million suggestions from the public. Xi described this as a vivid example of whole-process people's democracy and urged relevant departments to carefully study and absorb these valuable insights.
\n
By integrating visionary guidance with inclusive governance, China's "target governance mechanism", exemplified by the five-year plan system, continues to be a vital tool for aligning national ambitions with the aspirations of its people, said Yan, the Tsinghua expert.
\n
As China navigates a complex landscape of technological acceleration, economic transformation and strategic competition, the next five-year plan represents a critical step toward securing sustainable and high-quality development, he added.
The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China started its fourth plenary session in Beijing on Monday morning.
\n
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a work report on behalf of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and expounded on the Party leadership's draft proposals for the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for national economic and social development.
\n",
+ "content": "
The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China started its fourth plenary session in Beijing on Monday morning.
\n
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, delivered a work report on behalf of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and expounded on the Party leadership's draft proposals for the formulation of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for national economic and social development.
Zhaotong, a city in Southwest China's Yunnan province, is home to Yiliang, one of the 832 counties lifted out of the doldrums by China's poverty alleviation drive.
\n
Since then, Zhaotong has capitalized on its special agricultural products to further push economic growth and improve rural living standards.
\n
The city ranks first in Yunnan in the cultivation of apples, bamboo, gastrodia elata, Sichuan peppers and potato seed tubers. Last year, its total agricultural output value exceeded 150 billion yuan ($21.06 billion), and this year it is expected to reach 180 billion, local officials said.
\n
Gastrodia elata, an orchid-like plant used in traditional Chinese medicine, has blossomed into a pillar industry of the county and reshaped its economy.
\n
In Yiliang's Baozang village, farmer Jiang Qingkun has benefited from the transformation. In the past, Jiang was forced to seek work away from home due to low agricultural returns. But he literally returned to his roots when the gastrodia industry began to flourish.
\n
"We used to get about 7.5 (metric) tons per hectare, but now it's 26.2 tons, which can earn over 100,000 yuan," Jiang said, adding that the family's annual income now exceeds 1 million yuan.
\n
Before 2020, local farmers relied on self-cultivated fungi for planting gastrodia, resulting in low yields and carrying high risks. To overcome these challenges, Zhaotong established a comprehensive germplasm resource base for gastrodia, collaborating with research institutions to develop high-yield and stable varieties such as Zhaowuma No 1.
\n
The city also attracted investment to establish standardized production facilities for the fungi needed to grow gastrodia, significantly boosting production capacity.
\n
Yunnan Senhao Fungi, a key player in the sector, has seen annual production reach 1.9 million bags, with sales extending nationwide.
\n
Long Tonghong, production manager at the company, said the Wutianma fungus strain they developed jointly with research institutes, can increase a farmer's income by more than 60,000 yuan per hectare. Gastrodia has been officially included in the national "medicine and food homology" catalog. The fresh gastrodia output of the city has reached 58,200 tons and the industry's comprehensive output value stood at 9.39 billion yuan by the end of 2024.
\n
Specialty agricultural products have played a crucial role over the past five years in consolidating the victory over poverty alleviation and ensuring the rise of rural incomes, according to officials and experts.
\n
China made remarkable strides in rural vitalization during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), particularly in improving the livelihoods of once impoverished rural people.
\n
Since then, each of the 832 counties lifted out of poverty has developed two to three leading industries, with the total output value exceeding 1.7 trillion yuan, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
\n
Rural incomes have continued to rise over the past five years, with the average disposable income of rural residents reaching 23,119 yuan in 2024. The income gap between urban and rural residents is narrowing, with the ratio decreasing from 2.56 yuan to 1 yuan in 2020, to 2.34 to 1 in 2024, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Han Jun said.
\n
The agricultural sector has seen significant growth. The revenue of large-scale agricultural processing enterprises reached 18 trillion yuan last year. New industries and business models such as rural e-commerce and tourism are thriving, Han added.
\n
Resettlement communities
\n
Maojiawan in Ludian county is the largest resettlement community for poverty alleviation in China. Jobs are available at a "green" food park just half a kilometer away, an edible fungi base 1 km away, a scallion production base about 2 km away, and an apple orchard 3 km away.
\n
Zhang Shaofen, a formerly impoverished farmer now living in Tao-yuan community, said that in her spare time, she works at the scallion base where she earns 3,000 to 4,000 yuan a month.
\n
"The scallion base is a major employer," said manager Xu Jianhua. "From mulching and planting, to harvesting and transport, every hectare of land requires 150 laborers," he said.
\n
Last year, the area's core industrial bases provided 200,000 work opportunities for local farmers and relocated residents.
\n
These industries take into account local resources, market prospects, and labor absorption capacity, and have strong momentum for growth. Among them, edible fungi have emerged as a key sector serving poverty alleviation.
\n
Yunnan Yunmeng Biotechnology brought in technical teams from Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces to provide hands-on guidance, and partnered with research institutes including the Kunming Edible Fungi Research Institute of the All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives and the Guangdong Academy of Sciences. The collaboration boosted the output of mushroom cultivation sticks.
\n
"Now we've basically reached the break-even point, and we expect to turn a steady profit starting next year," said Li Xiaoyang, deputy general manager of the company.
\n
To sharpen its competitive edge, the company is developing sales of graded dried mushrooms, and exploring new varieties such as artificially cultivated lurid bolete, or jianshouqing mushrooms.
\n
National strategy
\n
Zhaotong's efforts reflect a broader national strategy to consolidate poverty alleviation achievements and promote rural vitalization. Minister Han highlighted the importance of the five-year transition period that followed the 2020 victory over poverty. Its aim was to solidify and expand poverty alleviation results, and ensure a seamless transition to rural vitalization, he said at a news conference last month.
\n
Approaches during the transition period have continued support for impoverished rural residents, enhancing their economic vitality and resilience.
\n
During this period, efforts have been made to prevent large-scale returns to poverty. A robust monitoring and assistance system was established, providing targeted support to over 600 million people. This proactive approach helped ensure early intervention and support for those at risk, effectively reducing the chances of poverty relapse, Han said.
\n
Efforts have also focused on improving people's motivation by combining developmental assistance with bottom-line guarantees, and emphasizing the importance of self-driven growth. Over 85 percent of formerly impoverished households have benefited from industry support, and employment initiatives have kept over 30 million people in stable jobs.
\n
The transition period identified 160 key counties for rural vitalization, with significant resources directed to these areas. The central government has allocated over 850 billion yuan to support rural infrastructure and public services, leading to improved transportation, telecommunications, education, healthcare, and cultural facilities.
\n
"China's poverty alleviation success has not only improved domestic conditions but also garnered international recognition, contributing Chinese solutions and wisdom to global poverty reduction efforts," Han said.
\n
Maierdan Mugaiti, a vice-minister of agriculture and rural affairs, said the construction of livable and workable rural areas has seen significant progress.
\n
Local authorities have tailored development strategies to boost rural industries and living conditions. The national average toilet coverage rate has reached 76 percent, and over 90 percent of administrative villages now manage waste effectively.
\n
Rural infrastructure has also been significantly upgraded. The total length of rural roads now exceeds 4.64 million km, with 5G coverage reaching over 90 percent of administrative villages.
\n
"As the delivery network now extends deeper into rural areas, more farmers can now send and receive parcels right at their doorstep," Maierdan said.
\n
In addition, initiatives like the county-level medical system have made healthcare more accessible, with over 95 percent of village clinics covered by medical insurance. More than 140,000 elderly care facilities and over 16,000 rural nursing homes have been built, enabling senior citizens to enjoy a wider range of elderly care services, he added.
\n
zhaoyimeng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "\n\n\n
Zhaotong, a city in Southwest China's Yunnan province, is home to Yiliang, one of the 832 counties lifted out of the doldrums by China's poverty alleviation drive.
\n
Since then, Zhaotong has capitalized on its special agricultural products to further push economic growth and improve rural living standards.
\n
The city ranks first in Yunnan in the cultivation of apples, bamboo, gastrodia elata, Sichuan peppers and potato seed tubers. Last year, its total agricultural output value exceeded 150 billion yuan ($21.06 billion), and this year it is expected to reach 180 billion, local officials said.
\n
Gastrodia elata, an orchid-like plant used in traditional Chinese medicine, has blossomed into a pillar industry of the county and reshaped its economy.
\n
In Yiliang's Baozang village, farmer Jiang Qingkun has benefited from the transformation. In the past, Jiang was forced to seek work away from home due to low agricultural returns. But he literally returned to his roots when the gastrodia industry began to flourish.
\n
"We used to get about 7.5 (metric) tons per hectare, but now it's 26.2 tons, which can earn over 100,000 yuan," Jiang said, adding that the family's annual income now exceeds 1 million yuan.
\n
Before 2020, local farmers relied on self-cultivated fungi for planting gastrodia, resulting in low yields and carrying high risks. To overcome these challenges, Zhaotong established a comprehensive germplasm resource base for gastrodia, collaborating with research institutions to develop high-yield and stable varieties such as Zhaowuma No 1.
\n
The city also attracted investment to establish standardized production facilities for the fungi needed to grow gastrodia, significantly boosting production capacity.
\n
Yunnan Senhao Fungi, a key player in the sector, has seen annual production reach 1.9 million bags, with sales extending nationwide.
\n
Long Tonghong, production manager at the company, said the Wutianma fungus strain they developed jointly with research institutes, can increase a farmer's income by more than 60,000 yuan per hectare. Gastrodia has been officially included in the national "medicine and food homology" catalog. The fresh gastrodia output of the city has reached 58,200 tons and the industry's comprehensive output value stood at 9.39 billion yuan by the end of 2024.
\n
Specialty agricultural products have played a crucial role over the past five years in consolidating the victory over poverty alleviation and ensuring the rise of rural incomes, according to officials and experts.
\n
China made remarkable strides in rural vitalization during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), particularly in improving the livelihoods of once impoverished rural people.
\n
Since then, each of the 832 counties lifted out of poverty has developed two to three leading industries, with the total output value exceeding 1.7 trillion yuan, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
\n
Rural incomes have continued to rise over the past five years, with the average disposable income of rural residents reaching 23,119 yuan in 2024. The income gap between urban and rural residents is narrowing, with the ratio decreasing from 2.56 yuan to 1 yuan in 2020, to 2.34 to 1 in 2024, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Han Jun said.
\n
The agricultural sector has seen significant growth. The revenue of large-scale agricultural processing enterprises reached 18 trillion yuan last year. New industries and business models such as rural e-commerce and tourism are thriving, Han added.
\n
Resettlement communities
\n
Maojiawan in Ludian county is the largest resettlement community for poverty alleviation in China. Jobs are available at a "green" food park just half a kilometer away, an edible fungi base 1 km away, a scallion production base about 2 km away, and an apple orchard 3 km away.
\n
Zhang Shaofen, a formerly impoverished farmer now living in Tao-yuan community, said that in her spare time, she works at the scallion base where she earns 3,000 to 4,000 yuan a month.
\n
"The scallion base is a major employer," said manager Xu Jianhua. "From mulching and planting, to harvesting and transport, every hectare of land requires 150 laborers," he said.
\n
Last year, the area's core industrial bases provided 200,000 work opportunities for local farmers and relocated residents.
\n
These industries take into account local resources, market prospects, and labor absorption capacity, and have strong momentum for growth. Among them, edible fungi have emerged as a key sector serving poverty alleviation.
\n
Yunnan Yunmeng Biotechnology brought in technical teams from Shaanxi and Sichuan provinces to provide hands-on guidance, and partnered with research institutes including the Kunming Edible Fungi Research Institute of the All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives and the Guangdong Academy of Sciences. The collaboration boosted the output of mushroom cultivation sticks.
\n
"Now we've basically reached the break-even point, and we expect to turn a steady profit starting next year," said Li Xiaoyang, deputy general manager of the company.
\n
To sharpen its competitive edge, the company is developing sales of graded dried mushrooms, and exploring new varieties such as artificially cultivated lurid bolete, or jianshouqing mushrooms.
\n
National strategy
\n
Zhaotong's efforts reflect a broader national strategy to consolidate poverty alleviation achievements and promote rural vitalization. Minister Han highlighted the importance of the five-year transition period that followed the 2020 victory over poverty. Its aim was to solidify and expand poverty alleviation results, and ensure a seamless transition to rural vitalization, he said at a news conference last month.
\n
Approaches during the transition period have continued support for impoverished rural residents, enhancing their economic vitality and resilience.
\n
During this period, efforts have been made to prevent large-scale returns to poverty. A robust monitoring and assistance system was established, providing targeted support to over 600 million people. This proactive approach helped ensure early intervention and support for those at risk, effectively reducing the chances of poverty relapse, Han said.
\n
Efforts have also focused on improving people's motivation by combining developmental assistance with bottom-line guarantees, and emphasizing the importance of self-driven growth. Over 85 percent of formerly impoverished households have benefited from industry support, and employment initiatives have kept over 30 million people in stable jobs.
\n
The transition period identified 160 key counties for rural vitalization, with significant resources directed to these areas. The central government has allocated over 850 billion yuan to support rural infrastructure and public services, leading to improved transportation, telecommunications, education, healthcare, and cultural facilities.
\n
"China's poverty alleviation success has not only improved domestic conditions but also garnered international recognition, contributing Chinese solutions and wisdom to global poverty reduction efforts," Han said.
\n
Maierdan Mugaiti, a vice-minister of agriculture and rural affairs, said the construction of livable and workable rural areas has seen significant progress.
\n
Local authorities have tailored development strategies to boost rural industries and living conditions. The national average toilet coverage rate has reached 76 percent, and over 90 percent of administrative villages now manage waste effectively.
\n
Rural infrastructure has also been significantly upgraded. The total length of rural roads now exceeds 4.64 million km, with 5G coverage reaching over 90 percent of administrative villages.
\n
"As the delivery network now extends deeper into rural areas, more farmers can now send and receive parcels right at their doorstep," Maierdan said.
\n
In addition, initiatives like the county-level medical system have made healthcare more accessible, with over 95 percent of village clinics covered by medical insurance. More than 140,000 elderly care facilities and over 16,000 rural nursing homes have been built, enabling senior citizens to enjoy a wider range of elderly care services, he added.
China's robust 5.2 percent economic expansion in the first three quarters has laid a solid foundation for achieving its full-year growth target, analysts said, as the world's second-largest economy continues to show resilience with strong industrial production despite headwinds.
\n
They said growth momentum is expected to persist in the final quarter of the year, supported by a potential new round of measures aimed at shoring up demand, spurring consumption and reviving confidence in the property market.
\n
Wang Qing, chief macroeconomic analyst at Golden Credit Rating International, said, "We expect China's GDP growth to stabilize in the fourth quarter, driven by the implementation of growth-stabilizing policies, enabling the country to smoothly achieve its full-year target of around 5 percent."
\n
Wang made the comment after data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Monday that China's gross domestic product grew 4.8 percent year-on-year in the third quarter, following a 5.2 percent rise in the second quarter. In the first three quarters, China's GDP rose 5.2 percent after 5.3 percent growth in the first half of the year.
\n
"China's third-quarter GDP growth matched our forecast and slightly exceeded consensus expectations," said Sheana Yue, a senior economist at British think tank Oxford Economics.
\n
Economic activity picked up in September after softening in July and August, with industrial output up 6.5 percent year-on-year in September, compared with a 5.2 percent rise in August, marking the first acceleration in three months.
\n
"The shift toward higher-value segments is showing up in industrial activity, which exceeded expectations in September," Yue noted. "Our estimates suggest that production of high-tech manufacturing, including transportation equipment, electrical machinery and electronics manufacturing, remained strong, growing by a six-month high of 11.3 percent year-on-year last month."
\n
Yue said her team expects to see more support and guidance on the high-tech sector when details of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) emerge in the next few days, extending the tailwind from this and related sectors.
\n
Meanwhile, consumers continue to keep their purse strings tight, as NBS data showed that retail sales, a key measurement of consumer spending, increased 3 percent year-on-year in September, down from the 3.4 percent growth in August.
\n
"In the near term, we continue to expect targeted macro policy support, such as the 19-step package to boost service consumption and financing support for local investment, for the remainder of this year," Yue said.
\n
Wang, from Golden Credit Rating International, also expects consumption-boosting policies to be stepped up in the fourth quarter, with possible moves including raising subsidies for trade-in deals for consumer goods, issuing consumption vouchers nationwide, and supporting export-to-domestic sales, which could lift retail sales growth to about 4 percent for the year, up 0.5 percentage point from the previous year.
\n
Meanwhile, he also highlighted that the key to boosting consumption lies in reviving the property market as soon as possible to effectively restore consumer confidence.
\n
"To stabilize the macroeconomic performance in the fourth quarter and the first quarter of next year, the necessity of introducing a new round of growth-stabilizing policies has increased — with a focus on stronger fiscal support, monetary easing and greater efforts to halt the decline and stabilize the real estate market," he added.
\n
Looking ahead, Alex Muscatelli, director of sovereign economics at Fitch Ratings, said his team expects stable GDP growth in the last quarter of the year.
\n
"We do expect some degree of further policy loosening, and we have had announcements of extra bond issuance in recent days," Muscatelli added. "If these were implemented swiftly and focused on growth-enhancing areas of public spending, this would provide an upside to our full-year growth forecast."
\n
ouyangshijia@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
China's year-on-year growth in numbers
\n
China's robust 5.2 percent economic expansion in the first three quarters has laid a solid foundation for achieving its full-year growth target, analysts said, as the world's second-largest economy continues to show resilience with strong industrial production despite headwinds.
\n
They said growth momentum is expected to persist in the final quarter of the year, supported by a potential new round of measures aimed at shoring up demand, spurring consumption and reviving confidence in the property market.
\n
Wang Qing, chief macroeconomic analyst at Golden Credit Rating International, said, "We expect China's GDP growth to stabilize in the fourth quarter, driven by the implementation of growth-stabilizing policies, enabling the country to smoothly achieve its full-year target of around 5 percent."
\n
Wang made the comment after data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Monday that China's gross domestic product grew 4.8 percent year-on-year in the third quarter, following a 5.2 percent rise in the second quarter. In the first three quarters, China's GDP rose 5.2 percent after 5.3 percent growth in the first half of the year.
\n
"China's third-quarter GDP growth matched our forecast and slightly exceeded consensus expectations," said Sheana Yue, a senior economist at British think tank Oxford Economics.
\n
Economic activity picked up in September after softening in July and August, with industrial output up 6.5 percent year-on-year in September, compared with a 5.2 percent rise in August, marking the first acceleration in three months.
\n
"The shift toward higher-value segments is showing up in industrial activity, which exceeded expectations in September," Yue noted. "Our estimates suggest that production of high-tech manufacturing, including transportation equipment, electrical machinery and electronics manufacturing, remained strong, growing by a six-month high of 11.3 percent year-on-year last month."
\n
Yue said her team expects to see more support and guidance on the high-tech sector when details of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) emerge in the next few days, extending the tailwind from this and related sectors.
\n
Meanwhile, consumers continue to keep their purse strings tight, as NBS data showed that retail sales, a key measurement of consumer spending, increased 3 percent year-on-year in September, down from the 3.4 percent growth in August.
\n
"In the near term, we continue to expect targeted macro policy support, such as the 19-step package to boost service consumption and financing support for local investment, for the remainder of this year," Yue said.
\n
Wang, from Golden Credit Rating International, also expects consumption-boosting policies to be stepped up in the fourth quarter, with possible moves including raising subsidies for trade-in deals for consumer goods, issuing consumption vouchers nationwide, and supporting export-to-domestic sales, which could lift retail sales growth to about 4 percent for the year, up 0.5 percentage point from the previous year.
\n
Meanwhile, he also highlighted that the key to boosting consumption lies in reviving the property market as soon as possible to effectively restore consumer confidence.
\n
"To stabilize the macroeconomic performance in the fourth quarter and the first quarter of next year, the necessity of introducing a new round of growth-stabilizing policies has increased — with a focus on stronger fiscal support, monetary easing and greater efforts to halt the decline and stabilize the real estate market," he added.
\n
Looking ahead, Alex Muscatelli, director of sovereign economics at Fitch Ratings, said his team expects stable GDP growth in the last quarter of the year.
\n
"We do expect some degree of further policy loosening, and we have had announcements of extra bond issuance in recent days," Muscatelli added. "If these were implemented swiftly and focused on growth-enhancing areas of public spending, this would provide an upside to our full-year growth forecast."
Isabelle Hannedouche, managing director of Sodexo Greater China, speaks along with four other panelists during the "CEO: Grow with China" Roundtable in Shanghai on Monday.
\n
At the forefront of China's reform and opening-up, Shanghai is spearheading the world's second-largest economy's push for high-quality development, forging a path built on international collaboration and inclusive innovation, economists and executives said.
\n
They made the remarks on Monday in Shanghai during the "CEO: Grow with China" Roundtable, which was jointly organized by the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and China Daily.
\n
Marc Horn, president of Merck China, said that Shanghai is really open for cooperation, which goes beyond business. "We always say, 'You need to be in Shanghai to not fall behind'," he added.
\n
The company has been strengthening its global portfolios by utilizing Shanghai's innovation, talent and manufacturing capacity. Horn said the city has become a key manufacturing and R&D hub for the company.
\n
Merck's presence in Shanghai is not an isolated phenomenon, but a deliberate outcome of the city's policy and positioning.
\n
According to economist David Blair, Shanghai keeps the prices of operation low while linking to the real economy. "That's the key for Shanghai's growth and for China's growth — emphasizing new technologies linked with real production."
\n
Toshinobu Umetsu, CEO of Shiseido China and Travel Retail, noted that the company has two R&D centers in Shanghai. "The Chinese market gathers very savvy and forward-looking consumers, providing us with profound market insights," Umetsu said.
\n
"Shanghai is an ecosystem builder," he said, adding, "We are accelerating cooperation with local partners. China gives us inspirations."
\n
Jean-Paul Agon, chairman of L'Oreal Group, said in a written address at the event that Shanghai is the company's heart in China and North Asia, serving as a strategic engine in terms of innovation, operation, talents and sustainability, among other heads.
\n
Isabelle Hannedouche, managing director of Sodexo Greater China, said the "trustful environment" in Shanghai — a good-faith confidence between local government and enterprises — has emerged as a critical competitive edge for the city for multinational companies to thrive.
\n
"Shanghai offers a fair and balanced ecosystem to enable companies to provide the right service with the right standard in a very compliant way. It showcases the inclusiveness of the city," Hannedouche said. "We have people with very different backgrounds, here, we are able to attract them, retain them and give them opportunities to grow."
\n
Buoyed by the optimism widely shared by global businesses, Shanghai approved the establishment of 4,223 new foreign-funded enterprises between January and August, a 3.9 percent increase compared with the same period last year.
\n
Shanghai's opening-up and innovation-centered policies provide a powerful counter-narrative to claims of a China turning inward. For global executives, watching Shanghai is about observing the future of China's engagement with the world taking shape.
\n
Rani Jarkas, chairman of Cedrus Group, said the Chinese government is building a unique global ecosystem, with the country taking on a greater role in global investment. He added that innovations in areas such as artificial intelligence and battery technology provide other countries with more alternatives.
\n
Panelists also spoke highly of International Services Shanghai, a multilingual portal launched last year by the Shanghai municipal government.
\n
Contact the writers at wangkeju@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Isabelle Hannedouche, managing director of Sodexo Greater China, speaks along with four other panelists during the "CEO: Grow with China" Roundtable in Shanghai on Monday.
\n
At the forefront of China's reform and opening-up, Shanghai is spearheading the world's second-largest economy's push for high-quality development, forging a path built on international collaboration and inclusive innovation, economists and executives said.
\n
They made the remarks on Monday in Shanghai during the "CEO: Grow with China" Roundtable, which was jointly organized by the Foreign Affairs Office of the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and China Daily.
\n
Marc Horn, president of Merck China, said that Shanghai is really open for cooperation, which goes beyond business. "We always say, 'You need to be in Shanghai to not fall behind'," he added.
\n
The company has been strengthening its global portfolios by utilizing Shanghai's innovation, talent and manufacturing capacity. Horn said the city has become a key manufacturing and R&D hub for the company.
\n
Merck's presence in Shanghai is not an isolated phenomenon, but a deliberate outcome of the city's policy and positioning.
\n
According to economist David Blair, Shanghai keeps the prices of operation low while linking to the real economy. "That's the key for Shanghai's growth and for China's growth — emphasizing new technologies linked with real production."
\n
Toshinobu Umetsu, CEO of Shiseido China and Travel Retail, noted that the company has two R&D centers in Shanghai. "The Chinese market gathers very savvy and forward-looking consumers, providing us with profound market insights," Umetsu said.
\n
"Shanghai is an ecosystem builder," he said, adding, "We are accelerating cooperation with local partners. China gives us inspirations."
\n
Jean-Paul Agon, chairman of L'Oreal Group, said in a written address at the event that Shanghai is the company's heart in China and North Asia, serving as a strategic engine in terms of innovation, operation, talents and sustainability, among other heads.
\n
Isabelle Hannedouche, managing director of Sodexo Greater China, said the "trustful environment" in Shanghai — a good-faith confidence between local government and enterprises — has emerged as a critical competitive edge for the city for multinational companies to thrive.
\n
"Shanghai offers a fair and balanced ecosystem to enable companies to provide the right service with the right standard in a very compliant way. It showcases the inclusiveness of the city," Hannedouche said. "We have people with very different backgrounds, here, we are able to attract them, retain them and give them opportunities to grow."
\n
Buoyed by the optimism widely shared by global businesses, Shanghai approved the establishment of 4,223 new foreign-funded enterprises between January and August, a 3.9 percent increase compared with the same period last year.
\n
Shanghai's opening-up and innovation-centered policies provide a powerful counter-narrative to claims of a China turning inward. For global executives, watching Shanghai is about observing the future of China's engagement with the world taking shape.
\n
Rani Jarkas, chairman of Cedrus Group, said the Chinese government is building a unique global ecosystem, with the country taking on a greater role in global investment. He added that innovations in areas such as artificial intelligence and battery technology provide other countries with more alternatives.
\n
Panelists also spoke highly of International Services Shanghai, a multilingual portal launched last year by the Shanghai municipal government.
China's top court has reiterated the need to strictly control firearms and explosives, underscoring its judicial commitment to eliminating gun-related hazards and maintaining public security.
\n
With the release of six landmark cases, the Supreme People's Court emphasized the importance of cracking down on gun-related offenses, particularly those involving modified weapons. The court urged judges nationwide to protect people's lives and property.
\n
"Firearms, ammunition and explosives can escalate criminal activities, leading to major violent incidents and easily causing public panic," the top court said. "It is essential to intensify control over such items and take a tough stance on related offenses."
\n
The court said the disclosed cases mainly involved nail guns, noting that the modification of such tools into firearms has become relatively common in some regions in recent years. Several areas have even reported serious injuries caused by these altered devices.
\n
A nail gun is a rapid fastening tool used in construction and renovation. It operates by using compressed air, gas from gunpowder or electricity to drive nails, bolts and other fasteners at high speed into materials such as concrete, steel and wood.
\n
"However, because nail guns are easy to obtain and modify, a number of individuals have purchased key components to process and assemble them into firearms, posing a serious potential threat to public safety," the court said.
\n
In one case, two operators of a hardware store in Qidong, Jiangsu province, were aware of the dangers of attaching metal plates to nail guns but still bought, sold and shipped the modified devices to buyers through an online platform for financial gain. Attaching the plates would allow the guns to fire metal projectiles without needing to press the gun against a hard surface, as they are traditionally used.
\n
According to a police investigation, the two individuals bought, sold and mailed 36 nail guns equipped with metal plates, earning a profit of 16,324 yuan ($2,290). All the items processed and sold by the pair were classified as firearms under the law.
\n
A court in Qidong found that their actions constituted illegal trafficking and the mailing of firearms. One defendant was sentenced to 11 years in prison and the other to 12 years.
\n
"A nail gun will be classified as a firearm under the Criminal Law if it can discharge metal projectiles or other materials without the support of a hard surface, as this capability poses a risk of injury to individuals," the local court said.
\n
It added that because the two offenders knowingly engaged in the manufacturing and sale of such dangerous tools despite understanding the potential harm, their actions constituted "serious circumstances" under the law, leading to sentences exceeding 10 years.
\n
The Supreme People's Court said the ruling "reflects the judiciary's firm stance against crimes involving firearms and similar tools" and will help prevent gun-related violence, strengthen public safety measures and maintain social stability.
\n
While harshly punishing people who commit such crimes, the court also stated that those who illegally collect firearms or related items as a hobby — and who have not used them for illegal activities or caused serious consequences — may be eligible for leniency if they turn themselves in to authorities.
\n
The court also encouraged the public to raise awareness of safety and the rule of law and to promptly report any information involving guns and explosives to the police.
\n
caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
China's top court has reiterated the need to strictly control firearms and explosives, underscoring its judicial commitment to eliminating gun-related hazards and maintaining public security.
\n
With the release of six landmark cases, the Supreme People's Court emphasized the importance of cracking down on gun-related offenses, particularly those involving modified weapons. The court urged judges nationwide to protect people's lives and property.
\n
"Firearms, ammunition and explosives can escalate criminal activities, leading to major violent incidents and easily causing public panic," the top court said. "It is essential to intensify control over such items and take a tough stance on related offenses."
\n
The court said the disclosed cases mainly involved nail guns, noting that the modification of such tools into firearms has become relatively common in some regions in recent years. Several areas have even reported serious injuries caused by these altered devices.
\n
A nail gun is a rapid fastening tool used in construction and renovation. It operates by using compressed air, gas from gunpowder or electricity to drive nails, bolts and other fasteners at high speed into materials such as concrete, steel and wood.
\n
"However, because nail guns are easy to obtain and modify, a number of individuals have purchased key components to process and assemble them into firearms, posing a serious potential threat to public safety," the court said.
\n
In one case, two operators of a hardware store in Qidong, Jiangsu province, were aware of the dangers of attaching metal plates to nail guns but still bought, sold and shipped the modified devices to buyers through an online platform for financial gain. Attaching the plates would allow the guns to fire metal projectiles without needing to press the gun against a hard surface, as they are traditionally used.
\n
According to a police investigation, the two individuals bought, sold and mailed 36 nail guns equipped with metal plates, earning a profit of 16,324 yuan ($2,290). All the items processed and sold by the pair were classified as firearms under the law.
\n
A court in Qidong found that their actions constituted illegal trafficking and the mailing of firearms. One defendant was sentenced to 11 years in prison and the other to 12 years.
\n
"A nail gun will be classified as a firearm under the Criminal Law if it can discharge metal projectiles or other materials without the support of a hard surface, as this capability poses a risk of injury to individuals," the local court said.
\n
It added that because the two offenders knowingly engaged in the manufacturing and sale of such dangerous tools despite understanding the potential harm, their actions constituted "serious circumstances" under the law, leading to sentences exceeding 10 years.
\n
The Supreme People's Court said the ruling "reflects the judiciary's firm stance against crimes involving firearms and similar tools" and will help prevent gun-related violence, strengthen public safety measures and maintain social stability.
\n
While harshly punishing people who commit such crimes, the court also stated that those who illegally collect firearms or related items as a hobby — and who have not used them for illegal activities or caused serious consequences — may be eligible for leniency if they turn themselves in to authorities.
\n
The court also encouraged the public to raise awareness of safety and the rule of law and to promptly report any information involving guns and explosives to the police.
Jiu Jiu (front) and You You, the newly arrived male twin pandas at Guangzhou Zoo, Guangdong province, draw a large crowd on Monday as the zoo's upgraded giant panda pavilion opens. Currently, the zoo has a star-studded lineup of four giant pandas, including the original residents Xing Yi and Ya Yi.
Jiu Jiu (front) and You You, the newly arrived male twin pandas at Guangzhou Zoo, Guangdong province, draw a large crowd on Monday as the zoo's upgraded giant panda pavilion opens. Currently, the zoo has a star-studded lineup of four giant pandas, including the original residents Xing Yi and Ya Yi.
Individuals in key groups who sign labor contracts of one year or longer with small, medium and micro enterprises in key industry sectors in Guangdong province, an economic powerhouse in South China, will be eligible for social insurance subsidies, according to a recent notice issued by provincial authorities.
\n
The notice, jointly released in early October by Guangdong's finance, human resources and social security, and agriculture and rural affairs departments follows a similar policy guideline issued by the State Council, China's Cabinet, in early July aimed at strengthening support for employment stabilization.
\n
The State Council's notice proposed a series of measures, including special loans for job stabilization and expansion, temporary deferrals of social insurance payments for eligible enterprises and social insurance subsidies for key groups in key industrial sectors.
\n
Guangdong's notice specifies the subsidy conditions, standards, scope of eligible enterprises and individuals, and the application process. Enterprises registered in Guangdong that operate in the manufacturing or service sectors and are not classified as large enterprises are considered small, medium or micro enterprises, according to the notice.
\n
Individuals eligible for the subsidy include graduate students in their final year of study, college graduates who have not found employment within two years of leaving school, eligible workers who have been registered as unemployed for more than six months, and people identified as being at risk of returning to poverty.
\n
The monthly subsidy standard is 25 percent of an individual's total contributions to basic pension, medical and unemployment insurance. The subsidy will begin from the month in which the enterprise pays social insurance for the employee in 2025, based on the actual number of months contributions are made, with a maximum duration of 12 months.
\n
Eligible enterprises must submit initial subsidy applications by the end of 2025 through the provincial public employment service cloud platform. Once approved, the subsidy funds will be directly deposited into the social security accounts of the relevant individuals, the notice said.
\n
Since September, several other provinces and regions have issued similar notices, stating that a subsidy of 25 percent of personal social security contributions will be provided to key groups employed by small, medium and micro enterprises in specific industries.
\n
Providing subsidies directly to individuals employed by small and micro enterprises in specific sectors marks an innovative approach compared with previous practices, said Fang Lianquan, a researcher at the National Academy of Chinese Modernization of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
\n
"The subsidies can reduce the personal contribution burden for individuals in key groups, who tend to have low participation rates and contribution levels in social insurance, and help enhance employment stability," Fang said.
Individuals in key groups who sign labor contracts of one year or longer with small, medium and micro enterprises in key industry sectors in Guangdong province, an economic powerhouse in South China, will be eligible for social insurance subsidies, according to a recent notice issued by provincial authorities.
\n
The notice, jointly released in early October by Guangdong's finance, human resources and social security, and agriculture and rural affairs departments follows a similar policy guideline issued by the State Council, China's Cabinet, in early July aimed at strengthening support for employment stabilization.
\n
The State Council's notice proposed a series of measures, including special loans for job stabilization and expansion, temporary deferrals of social insurance payments for eligible enterprises and social insurance subsidies for key groups in key industrial sectors.
\n
Guangdong's notice specifies the subsidy conditions, standards, scope of eligible enterprises and individuals, and the application process. Enterprises registered in Guangdong that operate in the manufacturing or service sectors and are not classified as large enterprises are considered small, medium or micro enterprises, according to the notice.
\n
Individuals eligible for the subsidy include graduate students in their final year of study, college graduates who have not found employment within two years of leaving school, eligible workers who have been registered as unemployed for more than six months, and people identified as being at risk of returning to poverty.
\n
The monthly subsidy standard is 25 percent of an individual's total contributions to basic pension, medical and unemployment insurance. The subsidy will begin from the month in which the enterprise pays social insurance for the employee in 2025, based on the actual number of months contributions are made, with a maximum duration of 12 months.
\n
Eligible enterprises must submit initial subsidy applications by the end of 2025 through the provincial public employment service cloud platform. Once approved, the subsidy funds will be directly deposited into the social security accounts of the relevant individuals, the notice said.
\n
Since September, several other provinces and regions have issued similar notices, stating that a subsidy of 25 percent of personal social security contributions will be provided to key groups employed by small, medium and micro enterprises in specific industries.
\n
Providing subsidies directly to individuals employed by small and micro enterprises in specific sectors marks an innovative approach compared with previous practices, said Fang Lianquan, a researcher at the National Academy of Chinese Modernization of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
\n
"The subsidies can reduce the personal contribution burden for individuals in key groups, who tend to have low participation rates and contribution levels in social insurance, and help enhance employment stability," Fang said.
People venture out fully bundled up in Haizhou district, Lianyungang, Jiangsu province on Monday, as a cold front sweeps across China's central and eastern regions.
\n
Over the next three days, Typhoon Fengshen will affect the central and northern South China Sea as well as southern coastal areas of China, the National Meteorological Center said on Monday, warning of potential damage from strong winds and secondary disasters caused by heavy rainfall.
\n
The center issued a blue alert for Fengshen on Monday morning as the 24th typhoon of 2025 continued to strengthen over the South China Sea. As of 9 am, the storm's center was located about 455 kilometers northeast of Sansha city, Hainan province.
\n
Fengshen is currently classified as a tropical storm, with maximum sustained winds of 82.8 kilometers per hour. Its wind field extends 220 to 280 km from the center. The storm is expected to move northwest at a speed of 20 to 25 km/h, gradually intensifying into a severe tropical storm or even a typhoon, with wind speeds reaching 108 to 126 km/h.
\n
By Tuesday, Fengshen is forecast to turn southwestward due to a cold front, heading toward the central coast of Vietnam and weakening as it approaches.
\n
The typhoon will bring heavy rain and strong winds to eastern and northern Taiwan, the coastal areas of Fujian, Guangdong and Hainan provinces, and the northern part of the South China Sea. From 2 pm Monday to 2 pm Tuesday, northern Taiwan is expected to experience heavy to torrential rain, with some areas receiving 100 to 200 millimeters of rainfall.
\n
Meanwhile, a cold front will continue to affect central and eastern China, causing temperatures to drop by 4 to 6 C in these regions, as well as parts of Guizhou and Yunnan provinces. Some areas may see a temperature drop of up to 8 C, with the "0 C line" pushing southward to central North China.
\n
The center said due to the combined effects of the cold front and Fengshen, the southern East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, the northern South China Sea and coastal areas of Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong provinces are forecast to experience winds of up to 117.4 km/h, with gusts of up to 149 km/h, from 2 pm Monday to 2 pm Tuesday. It also issued a yellow alert for strong winds.
\n
From Oct 19 to 28, heavy rainfall is expected across several regions. Some areas — including parts of Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangdong and Hainan provinces, as well as Taiwan and the Xizang autonomous region — may receive 80 to 150 mm of rain, with eastern Hainan and northern Taiwan exceeding 250 mm.
\n
Rainfall in these areas is expected to be 50 percent to 80 percent above the average for this time of year, according to the center.
\n
Most of central and eastern China will experience average temperatures 1 to 3 C below the seasonal norm over the next 10 days. In contrast, temperatures in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau will be 1 to 3 C above average.
\n
The center warned that widespread frost is expected, potentially affecting crop storage and agricultural facilities. Starting Tuesday, the prolonged rainy period in the Huanghuai region will end, aiding autumn harvests, soil drying, and the planting of winter wheat and rapeseed, it added.
\n
zhaoyimeng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
People venture out fully bundled up in Haizhou district, Lianyungang, Jiangsu province on Monday, as a cold front sweeps across China's central and eastern regions.
\n
Over the next three days, Typhoon Fengshen will affect the central and northern South China Sea as well as southern coastal areas of China, the National Meteorological Center said on Monday, warning of potential damage from strong winds and secondary disasters caused by heavy rainfall.
\n
The center issued a blue alert for Fengshen on Monday morning as the 24th typhoon of 2025 continued to strengthen over the South China Sea. As of 9 am, the storm's center was located about 455 kilometers northeast of Sansha city, Hainan province.
\n
Fengshen is currently classified as a tropical storm, with maximum sustained winds of 82.8 kilometers per hour. Its wind field extends 220 to 280 km from the center. The storm is expected to move northwest at a speed of 20 to 25 km/h, gradually intensifying into a severe tropical storm or even a typhoon, with wind speeds reaching 108 to 126 km/h.
\n
By Tuesday, Fengshen is forecast to turn southwestward due to a cold front, heading toward the central coast of Vietnam and weakening as it approaches.
\n
The typhoon will bring heavy rain and strong winds to eastern and northern Taiwan, the coastal areas of Fujian, Guangdong and Hainan provinces, and the northern part of the South China Sea. From 2 pm Monday to 2 pm Tuesday, northern Taiwan is expected to experience heavy to torrential rain, with some areas receiving 100 to 200 millimeters of rainfall.
\n
Meanwhile, a cold front will continue to affect central and eastern China, causing temperatures to drop by 4 to 6 C in these regions, as well as parts of Guizhou and Yunnan provinces. Some areas may see a temperature drop of up to 8 C, with the "0 C line" pushing southward to central North China.
\n
The center said due to the combined effects of the cold front and Fengshen, the southern East China Sea, the Taiwan Strait, the northern South China Sea and coastal areas of Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangdong provinces are forecast to experience winds of up to 117.4 km/h, with gusts of up to 149 km/h, from 2 pm Monday to 2 pm Tuesday. It also issued a yellow alert for strong winds.
\n
From Oct 19 to 28, heavy rainfall is expected across several regions. Some areas — including parts of Sichuan, Yunnan, Guizhou, Guangdong and Hainan provinces, as well as Taiwan and the Xizang autonomous region — may receive 80 to 150 mm of rain, with eastern Hainan and northern Taiwan exceeding 250 mm.
\n
Rainfall in these areas is expected to be 50 percent to 80 percent above the average for this time of year, according to the center.
\n
Most of central and eastern China will experience average temperatures 1 to 3 C below the seasonal norm over the next 10 days. In contrast, temperatures in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau will be 1 to 3 C above average.
\n
The center warned that widespread frost is expected, potentially affecting crop storage and agricultural facilities. Starting Tuesday, the prolonged rainy period in the Huanghuai region will end, aiding autumn harvests, soil drying, and the planting of winter wheat and rapeseed, it added.
The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) — a policy road map shaping key areas of national socioeconomic development — holds "historic significance" for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, primarily in its clear outline of the city as a global hub in eight key areas, industry and community leaders have said.
\n
They made their comments as the plan nears the end of its final year and draft proposals for its successor, the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), are being discussed at the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, which kicked off in Beijing on Monday.
\n
The "unprecedentedly clear directions for Hong Kong" set in the current plan, as lawmaker William Wong Kam-fai described, have provided the city's stakeholders at all levels with "explicit, easy-to-follow guidance" for local development and deeper integration with national strategies.
\n
Launched in 2021, the plan designated Hong Kong's role in eight key areas, including as a center for international finance, trade, innovation and technology, and cultural exchange.
\n
Hong Kong has since yielded significant results in various fields aligned with the central government's development priorities, Wong noted, crediting the SAR government's proactive and rigorous implementation of the national framework.
\n
Wong, an associate dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, pointed to what he called "the most significant, beneficial shift" for Hong Kong's innovation and technology sector in recent years: the SAR government's "decisive, concrete move" to steer the sector's development within the city. He cited the promulgation of the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint in 2022 and the subsequent surge in government investment in innovation as evidence of this strategic pivot to government-led growth.
\n
This substantial funding injection has tangibly improved research financing, talent recruitment and commercialization outcomes, while also boosting the local private sector's confidence to invest in I&T ventures, he said.
\n
Lo Hiu-fung, a Hong Kong district councilor, stressed the 14th Five-Year Plan's vital role in the city's social development, particularly through its objectives to instill patriotism among residents and deepen social integration with the Chinese mainland.
\n
Lo highlighted the city's intensified cross-border educational exchanges with the mainland, spearheaded by the SAR government, calling this leadership "an invaluable addition to previously grassroots-led initiatives", which has delivered impressive outcomes.
\n
He noted a growing trend of local schools opting for mainland destinations for their exchange programs over overseas options, aiming to help young people understand the nation's development and foster a greater sense of national pride.
\n
"Hong Kong youth are pursuing study and working opportunities on the mainland more nowadays," he said. "They've increasingly recognized that their future development has been extended beyond Hong Kong to the entire Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and other mainland regions."
\n
Angus Ng Hok-ming, chairman of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Youth Association, agreed that Hong Kong's younger generation — with a more extensive understanding of the nation's strategic development — is evolving from a traditional bridge role to that of a dynamic "dual-converter", assuming greater responsibility across sectors in support of the region's collaborative progress.
\n
As attention turns to the 15th Five-Year Plan, representatives anticipate more guidance in the coming iteration regarding Hong Kong's accelerated national integration, specifically through measures that further reduce cross-border collaboration barriers.
\n
Wong identified the Northern Metropolis — a mega urban transformation project spanning 30,000 hectares across Hong Kong's North and Yuen Long districts, bordering Shenzhen — as one of the key future nodes for Greater Bay Area integration, expecting the new plan to specify the project's role in further breaking down walls.
\n
wanqing@chinadailyhk.com
\n",
+ "content": "\n
The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) — a policy road map shaping key areas of national socioeconomic development — holds "historic significance" for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, primarily in its clear outline of the city as a global hub in eight key areas, industry and community leaders have said.
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They made their comments as the plan nears the end of its final year and draft proposals for its successor, the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), are being discussed at the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, which kicked off in Beijing on Monday.
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The "unprecedentedly clear directions for Hong Kong" set in the current plan, as lawmaker William Wong Kam-fai described, have provided the city's stakeholders at all levels with "explicit, easy-to-follow guidance" for local development and deeper integration with national strategies.
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Launched in 2021, the plan designated Hong Kong's role in eight key areas, including as a center for international finance, trade, innovation and technology, and cultural exchange.
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Hong Kong has since yielded significant results in various fields aligned with the central government's development priorities, Wong noted, crediting the SAR government's proactive and rigorous implementation of the national framework.
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Wong, an associate dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, pointed to what he called "the most significant, beneficial shift" for Hong Kong's innovation and technology sector in recent years: the SAR government's "decisive, concrete move" to steer the sector's development within the city. He cited the promulgation of the Hong Kong I&T Development Blueprint in 2022 and the subsequent surge in government investment in innovation as evidence of this strategic pivot to government-led growth.
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This substantial funding injection has tangibly improved research financing, talent recruitment and commercialization outcomes, while also boosting the local private sector's confidence to invest in I&T ventures, he said.
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Lo Hiu-fung, a Hong Kong district councilor, stressed the 14th Five-Year Plan's vital role in the city's social development, particularly through its objectives to instill patriotism among residents and deepen social integration with the Chinese mainland.
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Lo highlighted the city's intensified cross-border educational exchanges with the mainland, spearheaded by the SAR government, calling this leadership "an invaluable addition to previously grassroots-led initiatives", which has delivered impressive outcomes.
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He noted a growing trend of local schools opting for mainland destinations for their exchange programs over overseas options, aiming to help young people understand the nation's development and foster a greater sense of national pride.
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"Hong Kong youth are pursuing study and working opportunities on the mainland more nowadays," he said. "They've increasingly recognized that their future development has been extended beyond Hong Kong to the entire Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and other mainland regions."
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Angus Ng Hok-ming, chairman of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Youth Association, agreed that Hong Kong's younger generation — with a more extensive understanding of the nation's strategic development — is evolving from a traditional bridge role to that of a dynamic "dual-converter", assuming greater responsibility across sectors in support of the region's collaborative progress.
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As attention turns to the 15th Five-Year Plan, representatives anticipate more guidance in the coming iteration regarding Hong Kong's accelerated national integration, specifically through measures that further reduce cross-border collaboration barriers.
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Wong identified the Northern Metropolis — a mega urban transformation project spanning 30,000 hectares across Hong Kong's North and Yuen Long districts, bordering Shenzhen — as one of the key future nodes for Greater Bay Area integration, expecting the new plan to specify the project's role in further breaking down walls.
China's rural tourism promotion efforts have drawn international recognition for preserving cultural traditions, promoting sustainable development and boosting local economies, local governments said.
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Four Chinese villages were named Best Tourism Villages by the United Nations World Tourism Organization at an award ceremony held on Friday in Huzhou, Zhejiang province.
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The honored villages are Huanggang in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture of Guizhou province; Jikayi in Garze Tibetan autonomous prefecture of Sichuan province; Dongluo in Taizhou, Jiangsu province; and Digang in Huzhou.
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Launched in 2021, the Best Tourism Villages initiative honors rural destinations around the world that are leaders in preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values and culinary traditions. So far, 236 villages in 57 countries have been recognized by UN Tourism.
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With the latest additions, China now has 19 villages on the global list.
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"The 19 Best Tourism Villages that China has show the readiness and diversity of Chinese villages as destinations," UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said. "All of them have unique cultures and traditions."
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Huanggang village is known for its rich Dong cultural heritage, featuring five ancient drum towers and traditional wooden architecture that seamlessly integrates into village life, Guizhou Daily reported on Saturday.
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The village is also famous for the Dong ethnic group's Grand Song, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage that villagers continue to perform, the publication said.
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The Sichuan provincial culture and tourism bureau said on its WeChat account on Saturday that Jikayi's Gyalrong Tibetan-style homes sit among snow-capped peaks, forests and grasslands, creating a serene setting. At an average altitude of 2,300 meters, the mountainous terrain supports a distinctive highland agricultural civilization.
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Danba county is renowned for its Gyalrong Tibetan embroidery, celebrated for its intricate designs and vibrant colors. The Danba Guozhuang, a traditional folk dance dating back to the Sui Dynasty (581-618), mimics animal movements such as rabbits and peacocks, combining vigorous and graceful steps.
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The Huzhou government said on its official WeChat that Digang's standout feature is its 67 hectares of mulberry fish ponds. In 2017, the system was included on the list of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization.
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Dating back more than 2,500 years, the system remains vibrant today. Mulberry trees grow on pond dykes and their leaves feed silkworms; silkworm waste feeds fish, whose waste fertilizes the ponds; and pond mud nourishes the mulberry trees. The cycle embodies the ancient wisdom of living in harmony with nature.
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According to a Huzhou news media center report, Hu Wei, vice-governor of Zhejiang, said the award not only celebrates outstanding villages but also explores sustainable development paths for rural areas worldwide. By actively promoting rural tourism in Zhejiang, he said, the province aims to turn the goal of rural vitalization into a "beautiful reality".
\n
Pololikashvili said that the main goal of the Best Tourism Villages initiative is poverty alleviation.
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"About 80 percent of the world's poor live in rural areas," he said. "By recognizing villages as tourist destinations, this program creates job opportunities and helps families in rural communities increase income."
\n
He added that the title is not only recognition for the winning villages but also motivation for local governments to support their growth by upgrading infrastructure.
\n
For example, in Huanggang, traditional granaries have been transformed into modern guesthouses. The seven homestays, offering a total of 38 rooms, give visitors an immersive experience of Dong culture while providing dining services. The project has boosted local incomes, generating 1.24 million yuan ($174,000) in revenue in 2024, according to Guizhou Daily.
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UN Tourism also provides follow-up education to empower the awarded communities and has created the Best Tourism Village network to promote peer learning and exchange, Pololikashvili said.
\n
Contact the writers at lihongyang@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
China's rural tourism promotion efforts have drawn international recognition for preserving cultural traditions, promoting sustainable development and boosting local economies, local governments said.
\n
Four Chinese villages were named Best Tourism Villages by the United Nations World Tourism Organization at an award ceremony held on Friday in Huzhou, Zhejiang province.
\n
The honored villages are Huanggang in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture of Guizhou province; Jikayi in Garze Tibetan autonomous prefecture of Sichuan province; Dongluo in Taizhou, Jiangsu province; and Digang in Huzhou.
\n
Launched in 2021, the Best Tourism Villages initiative honors rural destinations around the world that are leaders in preserving landscapes, cultural diversity, local values and culinary traditions. So far, 236 villages in 57 countries have been recognized by UN Tourism.
\n
With the latest additions, China now has 19 villages on the global list.
\n
"The 19 Best Tourism Villages that China has show the readiness and diversity of Chinese villages as destinations," UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said. "All of them have unique cultures and traditions."
\n
Huanggang village is known for its rich Dong cultural heritage, featuring five ancient drum towers and traditional wooden architecture that seamlessly integrates into village life, Guizhou Daily reported on Saturday.
\n
The village is also famous for the Dong ethnic group's Grand Song, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage that villagers continue to perform, the publication said.
\n
The Sichuan provincial culture and tourism bureau said on its WeChat account on Saturday that Jikayi's Gyalrong Tibetan-style homes sit among snow-capped peaks, forests and grasslands, creating a serene setting. At an average altitude of 2,300 meters, the mountainous terrain supports a distinctive highland agricultural civilization.
\n
Danba county is renowned for its Gyalrong Tibetan embroidery, celebrated for its intricate designs and vibrant colors. The Danba Guozhuang, a traditional folk dance dating back to the Sui Dynasty (581-618), mimics animal movements such as rabbits and peacocks, combining vigorous and graceful steps.
\n
The Huzhou government said on its official WeChat that Digang's standout feature is its 67 hectares of mulberry fish ponds. In 2017, the system was included on the list of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems by the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization.
\n
Dating back more than 2,500 years, the system remains vibrant today. Mulberry trees grow on pond dykes and their leaves feed silkworms; silkworm waste feeds fish, whose waste fertilizes the ponds; and pond mud nourishes the mulberry trees. The cycle embodies the ancient wisdom of living in harmony with nature.
\n
According to a Huzhou news media center report, Hu Wei, vice-governor of Zhejiang, said the award not only celebrates outstanding villages but also explores sustainable development paths for rural areas worldwide. By actively promoting rural tourism in Zhejiang, he said, the province aims to turn the goal of rural vitalization into a "beautiful reality".
\n
Pololikashvili said that the main goal of the Best Tourism Villages initiative is poverty alleviation.
\n
"About 80 percent of the world's poor live in rural areas," he said. "By recognizing villages as tourist destinations, this program creates job opportunities and helps families in rural communities increase income."
\n
He added that the title is not only recognition for the winning villages but also motivation for local governments to support their growth by upgrading infrastructure.
\n
For example, in Huanggang, traditional granaries have been transformed into modern guesthouses. The seven homestays, offering a total of 38 rooms, give visitors an immersive experience of Dong culture while providing dining services. The project has boosted local incomes, generating 1.24 million yuan ($174,000) in revenue in 2024, according to Guizhou Daily.
\n
UN Tourism also provides follow-up education to empower the awarded communities and has created the Best Tourism Village network to promote peer learning and exchange, Pololikashvili said.
\n
Contact the writers at lihongyang@chinadaily.com.cn
Children learn to grind herbs under the guidance of a medical staff member in Bozhou, Anhui province, on Monday. The event, organized ahead of the 34th World Traditional Medicine Day on Wednesday, is aimed at educating children on the unique charm of traditional Chinese medicine.
\n",
+ "content": "
Children learn to grind herbs under the guidance of a medical staff member in Bozhou, Anhui province, on Monday. The event, organized ahead of the 34th World Traditional Medicine Day on Wednesday, is aimed at educating children on the unique charm of traditional Chinese medicine.
Visitors wearing virtual reality headsets experience a virtual reality exhibition of Liangzhu ancient city at the Yuhang pavilion during the 19th Hangzhou Cultural and Creative Industry Expo in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Sunday. Held from Friday to Monday, the expo brought together over 5,800 creative brands from 66 countries and regions, serving as a significant platform for showcasing the achievements of global cultural and creative industries.
\n",
+ "content": "
Visitors wearing virtual reality headsets experience a virtual reality exhibition of Liangzhu ancient city at the Yuhang pavilion during the 19th Hangzhou Cultural and Creative Industry Expo in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on Sunday. Held from Friday to Monday, the expo brought together over 5,800 creative brands from 66 countries and regions, serving as a significant platform for showcasing the achievements of global cultural and creative industries.
Two Chinese scientists were named leaders of the UNESCO Chair for Mountain Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in Beijing on Sunday. The initiative aims to advance knowledge and practices to tackle the interdependent challenges of today's increasingly complex world.
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Cui Peng, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and chief scientist at the China-Pakistan Joint Research Center on Earth Sciences, is now chair of the project, while Yang Saini, executive director of the Integrated Research on Disaster Risk program and a professor at Beijing Normal University, serves as assistant chair.
\n
"As global climate change has an increasingly profound impact on human society, extreme weather events and the natural hazards triggered by climate change pose severe threats to food security, water resources, ecosystems, energy supply, urban operations and the safety of human lives and property," said Liu Weidong, director-general of the international cooperation bureau of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
\n
Research by scholars from the academy shows that since 2008, natural disasters worldwide — particularly in mountainous regions — have become increasingly complex, Liu said, adding that they are now more difficult to detect and growing stronger.
\n
He noted that new and evolving disaster risks emerging from environmental, climate and societal changes have surpassed current capabilities and understanding in disaster risk research and prevention, underscoring the need to strengthen societal resilience.
\n
Liu made the remarks at the unveiling ceremony of the UNESCO Chair for Mountain Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience, held during the opening of the two-day 2nd International Conference on Climate Change and Disaster Risk.
\n
Cui emphasized the increasing vulnerability of mountainous areas due to climate change, noting that the terrain makes them more prone to disasters, while limited economic development reduces resilience.
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"Around 70 percent of China's territory consists of mountainous regions or plateaus, while globally, 30 percent of the land area falls into these categories," Cui said, adding that these regions cannot be left behind if the world is to achieve high-quality development.
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He said the purpose of applying for the UNESCO Chair was to reduce loss of life and property in mountainous regions caused by disasters, and to explore ways to integrate disaster reduction with regional economic development to benefit local communities.
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Yang said China will better leverage global resources and share its extensive experience and lessons learned in disaster risk reduction through the UNESCO platform, while also introducing effective international practices. Such mutually beneficial cooperation serves as "an augmenter in global disaster risk reduction", she said.
\n
Shahbaz Khan, director of the UNESCO Beijing Office, noted the highly competitive nature of the UNESCO Chair program in China and extended his congratulations.
\n
"UNESCO Chairs are not individuals but networks. They promote research, promote education and help with capacity building," Khan said.
\n
He added that the achievement is not only key to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals but also vital to building capacity in countries of the Global South.
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Wang Fawu, a professor at Tongji University and chairholder of the UNESCO Chair on Geoenvironmental Disaster Reduction, said the new chair could generate deliverables with global impact and international influence.
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"This achievement will further enhance China's role and position in the global disaster risk community," Wang said.
\n
limenghan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "\n
Two Chinese scientists were named leaders of the UNESCO Chair for Mountain Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in Beijing on Sunday. The initiative aims to advance knowledge and practices to tackle the interdependent challenges of today's increasingly complex world.
\n
Cui Peng, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and chief scientist at the China-Pakistan Joint Research Center on Earth Sciences, is now chair of the project, while Yang Saini, executive director of the Integrated Research on Disaster Risk program and a professor at Beijing Normal University, serves as assistant chair.
\n
"As global climate change has an increasingly profound impact on human society, extreme weather events and the natural hazards triggered by climate change pose severe threats to food security, water resources, ecosystems, energy supply, urban operations and the safety of human lives and property," said Liu Weidong, director-general of the international cooperation bureau of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
\n
Research by scholars from the academy shows that since 2008, natural disasters worldwide — particularly in mountainous regions — have become increasingly complex, Liu said, adding that they are now more difficult to detect and growing stronger.
\n
He noted that new and evolving disaster risks emerging from environmental, climate and societal changes have surpassed current capabilities and understanding in disaster risk research and prevention, underscoring the need to strengthen societal resilience.
\n
Liu made the remarks at the unveiling ceremony of the UNESCO Chair for Mountain Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience, held during the opening of the two-day 2nd International Conference on Climate Change and Disaster Risk.
\n
Cui emphasized the increasing vulnerability of mountainous areas due to climate change, noting that the terrain makes them more prone to disasters, while limited economic development reduces resilience.
\n
"Around 70 percent of China's territory consists of mountainous regions or plateaus, while globally, 30 percent of the land area falls into these categories," Cui said, adding that these regions cannot be left behind if the world is to achieve high-quality development.
\n
He said the purpose of applying for the UNESCO Chair was to reduce loss of life and property in mountainous regions caused by disasters, and to explore ways to integrate disaster reduction with regional economic development to benefit local communities.
\n
Yang said China will better leverage global resources and share its extensive experience and lessons learned in disaster risk reduction through the UNESCO platform, while also introducing effective international practices. Such mutually beneficial cooperation serves as "an augmenter in global disaster risk reduction", she said.
\n
Shahbaz Khan, director of the UNESCO Beijing Office, noted the highly competitive nature of the UNESCO Chair program in China and extended his congratulations.
\n
"UNESCO Chairs are not individuals but networks. They promote research, promote education and help with capacity building," Khan said.
\n
He added that the achievement is not only key to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals but also vital to building capacity in countries of the Global South.
\n
Wang Fawu, a professor at Tongji University and chairholder of the UNESCO Chair on Geoenvironmental Disaster Reduction, said the new chair could generate deliverables with global impact and international influence.
\n
"This achievement will further enhance China's role and position in the global disaster risk community," Wang said.
Hospitals in Beijing will gain faster access to nationally negotiated and innovative drugs under new measures aimed at accelerating the application of medical advances in clinical settings, according to the city's health authority.
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Chen Hang, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Health Commission, said at a news conference on Thursday that the city has introduced "green channels "to simplify hospital procurement procedures for new drugs and medical devices.
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"We have reduced red tape and opened green channels for drugs on the national negotiation list and some innovative products," Chen said.
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Under the new policy, hospitals will no longer be required to convene drug selection meetings following the release of the national drug negotiation list or the launch of Category I innovative drugs. These drugs will be added directly to hospital formularies, Chen said.
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Category I innovative drugs are those independently developed in China that feature novel mechanisms of action or new therapeutic uses.
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The city has also established green channels for innovative drugs and devices that address urgent clinical needs or demonstrate significantly improved efficacy. To streamline oversight, the health commission and the Beijing Municipal Medical Products Administration have created a joint coordination mechanism to regularly update the list of approved innovations.
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So far, 59 products have been reviewed under the system, and clinical trials have been initiated for 25. At the moment, eight trials are being conducted by Beijing-based medical institutions, Chen said.
\n
According to the health commission, the average time to initiate clinical trials in Beijing has been reduced to 8.43 weeks.
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Alongside these reforms, Beijing is promoting closer collaboration between major hospitals and pharmaceutical companies under a new "Pairing Project".
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The partnerships are already yielding results in clinical research and academic exchange. Xuanwu Hospital, in cooperation with United States pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, issued China's first prescription for the Alzheimer's drug donanemab and published an expert consensus on disease-modifying treatments for the disease.
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Meanwhile, Beijing Friendship Hospital is collaborating with Pfizer (Beijing) Research and Development Co and plans to launch several early-stage and pivotal Phase III clinical trials for a global pipeline of innovative products before the end of this year. The work will include nearly 10 new drugs in fields such as dermatology, endocrinology and immunology.
\n
"Clinical research is a crucial step in the transformation of medical products, and clinical trials represent the 'last mile' in making innovative drugs accessible to patients," said You Hong, executive vice-president of Beijing Friendship Hospital.
\n
"We aim to establish a quantitative evaluation system for comprehensive hospital clinical trial projects and operational management," she said.
\n
yangcheng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Hospitals in Beijing will gain faster access to nationally negotiated and innovative drugs under new measures aimed at accelerating the application of medical advances in clinical settings, according to the city's health authority.
\n
Chen Hang, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Health Commission, said at a news conference on Thursday that the city has introduced "green channels "to simplify hospital procurement procedures for new drugs and medical devices.
\n
"We have reduced red tape and opened green channels for drugs on the national negotiation list and some innovative products," Chen said.
\n
Under the new policy, hospitals will no longer be required to convene drug selection meetings following the release of the national drug negotiation list or the launch of Category I innovative drugs. These drugs will be added directly to hospital formularies, Chen said.
\n
Category I innovative drugs are those independently developed in China that feature novel mechanisms of action or new therapeutic uses.
\n
The city has also established green channels for innovative drugs and devices that address urgent clinical needs or demonstrate significantly improved efficacy. To streamline oversight, the health commission and the Beijing Municipal Medical Products Administration have created a joint coordination mechanism to regularly update the list of approved innovations.
\n
So far, 59 products have been reviewed under the system, and clinical trials have been initiated for 25. At the moment, eight trials are being conducted by Beijing-based medical institutions, Chen said.
\n
According to the health commission, the average time to initiate clinical trials in Beijing has been reduced to 8.43 weeks.
\n
Alongside these reforms, Beijing is promoting closer collaboration between major hospitals and pharmaceutical companies under a new "Pairing Project".
\n
The partnerships are already yielding results in clinical research and academic exchange. Xuanwu Hospital, in cooperation with United States pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, issued China's first prescription for the Alzheimer's drug donanemab and published an expert consensus on disease-modifying treatments for the disease.
\n
Meanwhile, Beijing Friendship Hospital is collaborating with Pfizer (Beijing) Research and Development Co and plans to launch several early-stage and pivotal Phase III clinical trials for a global pipeline of innovative products before the end of this year. The work will include nearly 10 new drugs in fields such as dermatology, endocrinology and immunology.
\n
"Clinical research is a crucial step in the transformation of medical products, and clinical trials represent the 'last mile' in making innovative drugs accessible to patients," said You Hong, executive vice-president of Beijing Friendship Hospital.
\n
"We aim to establish a quantitative evaluation system for comprehensive hospital clinical trial projects and operational management," she said.
China has approved the world's first domestically developed drug designed to achieve a functional cure for hepatitis B, marking a significant step in the global fight against the chronic liver infection.
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The injectable drug, named Pegbing, was developed by Amoytop Biotech based in Xiamen, Fujian province. It has been approved for use in combination with antiviral medication to achieve sustained clearance of the hepatitis B surface antigen in adults with chronic hepatitis B, according to a notice recently released by the National Medical Products Administration.
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The Chinese Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control said the approval represents the world's first market authorization for a drug aimed at achieving a functional cure for hepatitis B, ushering in a new stage in the global battle against the viral infection.
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Globally, hepatitis B affects about 254 million people and causes more than 1 million related deaths each year. China has about 75 million chronic hepatitis B patients.
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A functional cure for hepatitis B is defined as the sustained loss of the hepatitis B surface antigen after treatment ends, in contrast to conventional therapies that suppress viral replication but do not eliminate the virus entirely.
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Data from the foundation shows that more than 92 percent of liver cancer cases in China are caused by hepatitis B infection.
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The incidence of liver cancer can be reduced to 10.7 percent among patients receiving antiviral treatment, compared with nearly 15 percent among those who do not. For those who achieve a clinical cure, the rate drops to just 1 percent.
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"Such a significant difference underscores the critical importance of achieving clinical cure for hepatitis B patients," the foundation said.
\n
Amoytop Biotech said that in a clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of the injection combined with antiviral treatment, 31.4 percent of patients receiving the combination therapy achieved a clinical cure 24 weeks after discontinuing all medications. This rate is significantly higher than that observed in patients following conventional treatment regimens.
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According to an action plan released last month by the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration and eight other government departments, China aims to raise the antiviral treatment rate for newly reported cases to at least 80 percent by 2030. The plan also emphasized intensified efforts in innovative drug research and development and the exploration of new solutions for the functional cure of hepatitis B.
\n
wangxiaoyu@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
China has approved the world's first domestically developed drug designed to achieve a functional cure for hepatitis B, marking a significant step in the global fight against the chronic liver infection.
\n
The injectable drug, named Pegbing, was developed by Amoytop Biotech based in Xiamen, Fujian province. It has been approved for use in combination with antiviral medication to achieve sustained clearance of the hepatitis B surface antigen in adults with chronic hepatitis B, according to a notice recently released by the National Medical Products Administration.
\n
The Chinese Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control said the approval represents the world's first market authorization for a drug aimed at achieving a functional cure for hepatitis B, ushering in a new stage in the global battle against the viral infection.
\n
Globally, hepatitis B affects about 254 million people and causes more than 1 million related deaths each year. China has about 75 million chronic hepatitis B patients.
\n
A functional cure for hepatitis B is defined as the sustained loss of the hepatitis B surface antigen after treatment ends, in contrast to conventional therapies that suppress viral replication but do not eliminate the virus entirely.
\n
Data from the foundation shows that more than 92 percent of liver cancer cases in China are caused by hepatitis B infection.
\n
The incidence of liver cancer can be reduced to 10.7 percent among patients receiving antiviral treatment, compared with nearly 15 percent among those who do not. For those who achieve a clinical cure, the rate drops to just 1 percent.
\n
"Such a significant difference underscores the critical importance of achieving clinical cure for hepatitis B patients," the foundation said.
\n
Amoytop Biotech said that in a clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of the injection combined with antiviral treatment, 31.4 percent of patients receiving the combination therapy achieved a clinical cure 24 weeks after discontinuing all medications. This rate is significantly higher than that observed in patients following conventional treatment regimens.
\n
According to an action plan released last month by the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration and eight other government departments, China aims to raise the antiviral treatment rate for newly reported cases to at least 80 percent by 2030. The plan also emphasized intensified efforts in innovative drug research and development and the exploration of new solutions for the functional cure of hepatitis B.
Zhang Yi (center), a student at Guangqumen Middle School, manipulates a humanoid at the opening ceremony of his school's sports meeting on Sept 26 in Beijing.
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Students from Guangqumen Middle School operate a robotic arm with a smart headband during an AI class in Beijing last month.
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Editor's Note: The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence is reshaping nearly every facet of human existence. This series will take an in-depth look at this transformative force, examining how AI is redefining the way we live, work and interact.
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Beijing has become the first provincial-level region in China to launch compulsory comprehensive artificial intelligence education for primary and secondary schools, with the capital demonstrating the importance of incorporating the groundbreaking technology into early education.
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This semester, over 1,400 primary and secondary schools in the city will provide no fewer than eight class hours of AI education covering all grade levels from primary through senior high schools.
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This citywide initiative follows the release of two recent guidelines, which together define the positioning, content and instructional pathways for AI education.
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Schools such as Haidian District Experimental Primary School and Guangqumen Middle School are already pioneering comprehensive, multistage AI programs that equip students with both foundational knowledge and hands-on skills.
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At Haidian Experimental Primary School, students from Grades 1 to 6 are progressively introduced to AI through interactive, project-based lessons. Younger students build basic AI awareness, middle graders learn fundamental principles, and upper-grade students advance to creating smart hardware applications, according to Shi Yuan, head of the school's information center.
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"The courses are designed to make AI tangible and accessible," he said. "We focus on letting students experience AI through projects that connect to real-life scenarios."
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The school employs a range of educational tools, including block-based programming platforms, iFlytek robots with image recognition capabilities, and large language models that help students generate executable code from Chinese instructions.
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"We turn abstract concepts into tangible projects. It's not about making every child an expert, but about helping each one understand and interact confidently with AI," Shi said.
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After-school clubs offer further exploration, with students studying more advanced projects and preparing for competitions, he added.
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"Learning AI is not difficult for these young students as they are very interested in it. Just like people learning to use the computer some 20 or 30 years ago, the age of AI has come and we are not turning back."
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Two Grade 6 students at the school, Miao Ruoyi, 11, and Fang Xi, 12, are both members of the programming club and started learning about AI in third grade.
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Ruoyi finds great satisfaction in assembling robots. "Programming feels a bit challenging to me, but building things with my hands is much more interesting," she said.
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She is strong in math and English and sees programming as a refreshing diversion.
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The sense of accomplishment after finishing a robot — with components like clamps for grabbing buckets and rollers for shooting balls — keeps her motivated.
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Xi, who has already won awards for his work in school competitions, said he feels he is gifted in learning AI and coding, and thinks they are actually more straightforward than learning academic subjects.
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Guangqumen Middle School has built a continuous AI curriculum spanning primary, middle and high schools, according to Pei Yi, director of the school's talent cultivation center. Pei said that the goal is not only technical mastery but also preparing students for a human-machine collaborative future.
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"In the future, human-machine collaboration will be inevitable. Students may not all become AI specialists, but they must learn how to use AI effectively," he said.
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At the primary level, AI knowledge is integrated into information technology classes starting from the third grade. Lower grades focus on handson experience, while upper grades introduce basic programming. Extracurricular clubs, such as robotics and coding, create a seamless link with middle school education, he said.
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For middle school students, seventh graders take a semester-long information technology course covering AI fundamentals, principles and applications. For eighth and ninth graders, AI learning shifts to subject-based activities such as designing "intelligent study companions" using generative AI tools. Off-campus study tours to universities, tech companies and institutions like the Chinese Academy of Sciences complement classroom learning, said Pei.
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High school offers more specialized pathways. This year, the school launched an AI class emphasizing mathematics and science, developed in collaboration with institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences and tech firms like Huawei. Students explore cutting-edge domains such as embodied intelligence, brain-computer interfaces and autonomous driving.
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Beyond the classroom, the school organizes AI-themed science festivals, industry visits and research trips. A popular science lecture on the low-altitude economy with a local drone company is set to evolve into a full course.
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Pei emphasized that the school's approach exceeds the requirements of the education authorities. "We want students to understand not only how AI works but also how it can be applied across disciplines," he said. AI tools are already used in physical education to analyze movement and in English classes to create interactive games.
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When it comes to assignments, students are encouraged to use AI as an assistant — not a crutch. "We teach students to use AI to brainstorm or organize ideas — but not to rely on it entirely. Critical thinking and independent work remain essential," Pei added.
\n
"The goal is not to turn every student into an AI expert, but to ensure they can proficiently use AI," he said. For students interested in AI, the curriculum offers in-depth exploration such as participating in scientific projects with universities. For others, it builds essential digital literacy, analogous to how internet skills became indispensable in the digital age.
\n
Zhang Xuanyang, 15, from Guangqumen Middle School, won a first-place prize in a national robotics competition in Grade 8.
\n
After narrowly qualifying for the national round, he spent seven days in training, debugging programs for six hours daily. The competition included autonomous tasks and an aerospace knowledge test. "I expected a second-place prize, so seeing my name in first place was thrilling," he said.
\n
Zhang Yi, another student from the school, said the tide of technology is now surging forward, and it can't be stopped. Moreover, after getting in touch with it, he has developed a strong interest in technology. That's why he has kept learning.
\n
During the recent school sports meeting, Zhang Yi was in charge of operating a humanoid robot. "As long as you're familiar with its operations, the robot is extremely obedient," he said.
\n
This is because it uses some AI technologies to adapt, and there are also AI codes inside it to ensure the smoothness of the operations, he said.
\n
"We mainly had it walk forward and wave to the students in the stands, performing actions like that."
\n
Despite their tech engagement, both maintain top academic rankings. They see AI as a tool that enhances — not replaces — traditional learning. "AI is a helper, not a replacement. We still prioritize asking teachers and independent thinking," Zhang Xuanyang said.
\n
zoushuo@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Zhang Yi (center), a student at Guangqumen Middle School, manipulates a humanoid at the opening ceremony of his school's sports meeting on Sept 26 in Beijing.
\n
Students from Guangqumen Middle School operate a robotic arm with a smart headband during an AI class in Beijing last month.
\n
Editor's Note: The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence is reshaping nearly every facet of human existence. This series will take an in-depth look at this transformative force, examining how AI is redefining the way we live, work and interact.
\n
Beijing has become the first provincial-level region in China to launch compulsory comprehensive artificial intelligence education for primary and secondary schools, with the capital demonstrating the importance of incorporating the groundbreaking technology into early education.
\n
This semester, over 1,400 primary and secondary schools in the city will provide no fewer than eight class hours of AI education covering all grade levels from primary through senior high schools.
\n
This citywide initiative follows the release of two recent guidelines, which together define the positioning, content and instructional pathways for AI education.
\n
Schools such as Haidian District Experimental Primary School and Guangqumen Middle School are already pioneering comprehensive, multistage AI programs that equip students with both foundational knowledge and hands-on skills.
\n
At Haidian Experimental Primary School, students from Grades 1 to 6 are progressively introduced to AI through interactive, project-based lessons. Younger students build basic AI awareness, middle graders learn fundamental principles, and upper-grade students advance to creating smart hardware applications, according to Shi Yuan, head of the school's information center.
\n
"The courses are designed to make AI tangible and accessible," he said. "We focus on letting students experience AI through projects that connect to real-life scenarios."
\n
The school employs a range of educational tools, including block-based programming platforms, iFlytek robots with image recognition capabilities, and large language models that help students generate executable code from Chinese instructions.
\n
"We turn abstract concepts into tangible projects. It's not about making every child an expert, but about helping each one understand and interact confidently with AI," Shi said.
\n
After-school clubs offer further exploration, with students studying more advanced projects and preparing for competitions, he added.
\n
"Learning AI is not difficult for these young students as they are very interested in it. Just like people learning to use the computer some 20 or 30 years ago, the age of AI has come and we are not turning back."
\n
Two Grade 6 students at the school, Miao Ruoyi, 11, and Fang Xi, 12, are both members of the programming club and started learning about AI in third grade.
\n
Ruoyi finds great satisfaction in assembling robots. "Programming feels a bit challenging to me, but building things with my hands is much more interesting," she said.
\n
She is strong in math and English and sees programming as a refreshing diversion.
\n
The sense of accomplishment after finishing a robot — with components like clamps for grabbing buckets and rollers for shooting balls — keeps her motivated.
\n
Xi, who has already won awards for his work in school competitions, said he feels he is gifted in learning AI and coding, and thinks they are actually more straightforward than learning academic subjects.
\n
Guangqumen Middle School has built a continuous AI curriculum spanning primary, middle and high schools, according to Pei Yi, director of the school's talent cultivation center. Pei said that the goal is not only technical mastery but also preparing students for a human-machine collaborative future.
\n
"In the future, human-machine collaboration will be inevitable. Students may not all become AI specialists, but they must learn how to use AI effectively," he said.
\n
At the primary level, AI knowledge is integrated into information technology classes starting from the third grade. Lower grades focus on handson experience, while upper grades introduce basic programming. Extracurricular clubs, such as robotics and coding, create a seamless link with middle school education, he said.
\n
For middle school students, seventh graders take a semester-long information technology course covering AI fundamentals, principles and applications. For eighth and ninth graders, AI learning shifts to subject-based activities such as designing "intelligent study companions" using generative AI tools. Off-campus study tours to universities, tech companies and institutions like the Chinese Academy of Sciences complement classroom learning, said Pei.
\n
High school offers more specialized pathways. This year, the school launched an AI class emphasizing mathematics and science, developed in collaboration with institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences and tech firms like Huawei. Students explore cutting-edge domains such as embodied intelligence, brain-computer interfaces and autonomous driving.
\n
Beyond the classroom, the school organizes AI-themed science festivals, industry visits and research trips. A popular science lecture on the low-altitude economy with a local drone company is set to evolve into a full course.
\n
Pei emphasized that the school's approach exceeds the requirements of the education authorities. "We want students to understand not only how AI works but also how it can be applied across disciplines," he said. AI tools are already used in physical education to analyze movement and in English classes to create interactive games.
\n
When it comes to assignments, students are encouraged to use AI as an assistant — not a crutch. "We teach students to use AI to brainstorm or organize ideas — but not to rely on it entirely. Critical thinking and independent work remain essential," Pei added.
\n
"The goal is not to turn every student into an AI expert, but to ensure they can proficiently use AI," he said. For students interested in AI, the curriculum offers in-depth exploration such as participating in scientific projects with universities. For others, it builds essential digital literacy, analogous to how internet skills became indispensable in the digital age.
\n
Zhang Xuanyang, 15, from Guangqumen Middle School, won a first-place prize in a national robotics competition in Grade 8.
\n
After narrowly qualifying for the national round, he spent seven days in training, debugging programs for six hours daily. The competition included autonomous tasks and an aerospace knowledge test. "I expected a second-place prize, so seeing my name in first place was thrilling," he said.
\n
Zhang Yi, another student from the school, said the tide of technology is now surging forward, and it can't be stopped. Moreover, after getting in touch with it, he has developed a strong interest in technology. That's why he has kept learning.
\n
During the recent school sports meeting, Zhang Yi was in charge of operating a humanoid robot. "As long as you're familiar with its operations, the robot is extremely obedient," he said.
\n
This is because it uses some AI technologies to adapt, and there are also AI codes inside it to ensure the smoothness of the operations, he said.
\n
"We mainly had it walk forward and wave to the students in the stands, performing actions like that."
\n
Despite their tech engagement, both maintain top academic rankings. They see AI as a tool that enhances — not replaces — traditional learning. "AI is a helper, not a replacement. We still prioritize asking teachers and independent thinking," Zhang Xuanyang said.
Beijing No 80 High School has pioneered the introduction of artificial intelligence-driven courses in the city, exceeding the educational requirements set by authorities for this academic year.
\n
Last year, the school was designated a National-level AI Key Education Base by the Ministry of Education, and it has since made significant advancements in the field.
\n
The school began its exploration of AI education even before the city issued guidelines to incorporate AI into the general curriculum across some 1,400 primary and secondary schools, impacting about 1.83 million students this year.
\n
Ren Weidong, principal of the Beijing No 80 High School education group, which spans primary to high school education, said, "Local schools should establish an educational framework for AI-driven reform and bring in expert groups to strengthen the courses."
\n
In line with this strategy, the school invited Song Ruihua, dean of the Gaoling School of AI at Renmin University of China, to deliver the first class of the new semester on Sept 4.
\n
Shi Yan, director of the curriculum management department at Beijing No 80 High School, said, "Creating diverse educational scenarios, particularly those that foster teacher-student collaboration, is crucial for advancing educational innovation and reform driven by AI."
\n
Under the guidance of Jia Zhiyong, an information technology teacher, in April, students developed a database and a keyword-sorting AI program for an education conference co-hosted by the school and the China Computer Federation.
\n
"Participants could scan a QR code, ask questions and receive immediate answers. This is part of our practical approach to AI in educational settings," Jia said.
\n
Shi also guided teachers in developing an intelligent agent to answer students' questions when teachers are unavailable.
\n
"Our efforts aim to achieve precision in instructional design, intelligence in teaching processes, personalization in student learning, and scientific rigor in learning assessment," Shi said. "By catering to each student's unique needs, we can improve teaching quality and enhance learning outcomes."
\n
Beyond AI, but with AI as a key element, the school group has launched robotics courses from junior to senior high school.
\n
At the World Robot Conference in Beijing in August, the World Robot Contest Championship was a highlight, with the school's education group winning the junior-high division and taking the runner-up position in the senior-high division.
\n
The teams also participated in the closing ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, showcasing local students' capabilities in the field.
\n
Zhang Peng, a teacher in the school's robotics team, said: "The training has enhanced their skills in robot assembly, practice and operation, as well as their AI and algorithm capabilities. I hope these experiences will guide their choices in university majors."
\n
He said that robotics training begins in primary school, with students selected based on their interests and enthusiasm, allowing them to join robotics clubs across different schools.
\n
Student Wu Yaoduo, said, "I love the training; it has improved my thinking processes and provided a unique perspective beyond regular classes."
\n
Fellow student Yang Hanbo expressed his strong determination to pursue a major in this field, saying, "Our team has a solid foundation in software, automated programming and AI majors."
\n
Student engagement
\n
To ensure the effective implementation of the curriculum, Beijing has made efforts to support local schools with software resources and teacher training.
\n
The first batch of 160 city-level curriculum resources was issued on Aug 22, covering all grade levels, according to the Beijing Municipal Education Commission.
\n
Each set includes a core teaching video of about 15 minutes, a teaching guide and activity task sheets.
\n
The teaching implementation follows the cognitive development of students. At the primary school stage, the focus is on experiential courses, using everyday scenarios like image recognition and interactive games to spark interest.
\n
At the middle school stage, the emphasis shifts to cognitive teaching, guiding students to experience model training and use generative AI tools to enhance their learning and daily lives.
\n
At the high school stage, the focus is on comprehensive practice and cultivating skills in data processing, algorithm application and interdisciplinary innovation.
\n
Across all stages, there is a strong emphasis on ethics education, guiding students to embrace the value of "technology for good".
\n
Gong Ke, president of the Chinese Institute of New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Strategies and former president of Nankai University, said that while it is important to introduce courses on intelligent technologies, the approach should not be limited to simply adding one or two specialized courses.
\n
"We need to teach and learn both the general and specialized knowledge related to AI systems, and cultivate the digital literacy of the new generation. This includes integrating ethical consciousness and considerations, digital mindsets, digital learning capability and digital application skill," he said.
\n
The goal is to achieve an overarching integration of intelligence into the current teaching system, Gong said.
\n
He also advocated for "learning by doing", which should not be about memorizing rigid rules or some knowledge points, but rather about creating a digital campus and classrooms that blend the real and virtual worlds.
\n
Gong emphasized prioritizing moral development in education.
\n
"The fundamental aspect of the healthy development of intelligent systems lies in human talent," he said. "The quality of talent determines the quality of AI; it is human input that makes AI truly effective, safe and fair. We also rely on human intervention to ensure that AI is compassionate and benevolent, and we must instill a moral compass in AI. It is essential for people to cultivate the right intentions for AI."
\n
yangcheng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Beijing No 80 High School has pioneered the introduction of artificial intelligence-driven courses in the city, exceeding the educational requirements set by authorities for this academic year.
\n
Last year, the school was designated a National-level AI Key Education Base by the Ministry of Education, and it has since made significant advancements in the field.
\n
The school began its exploration of AI education even before the city issued guidelines to incorporate AI into the general curriculum across some 1,400 primary and secondary schools, impacting about 1.83 million students this year.
\n
Ren Weidong, principal of the Beijing No 80 High School education group, which spans primary to high school education, said, "Local schools should establish an educational framework for AI-driven reform and bring in expert groups to strengthen the courses."
\n
In line with this strategy, the school invited Song Ruihua, dean of the Gaoling School of AI at Renmin University of China, to deliver the first class of the new semester on Sept 4.
\n
Shi Yan, director of the curriculum management department at Beijing No 80 High School, said, "Creating diverse educational scenarios, particularly those that foster teacher-student collaboration, is crucial for advancing educational innovation and reform driven by AI."
\n
Under the guidance of Jia Zhiyong, an information technology teacher, in April, students developed a database and a keyword-sorting AI program for an education conference co-hosted by the school and the China Computer Federation.
\n
"Participants could scan a QR code, ask questions and receive immediate answers. This is part of our practical approach to AI in educational settings," Jia said.
\n
Shi also guided teachers in developing an intelligent agent to answer students' questions when teachers are unavailable.
\n
"Our efforts aim to achieve precision in instructional design, intelligence in teaching processes, personalization in student learning, and scientific rigor in learning assessment," Shi said. "By catering to each student's unique needs, we can improve teaching quality and enhance learning outcomes."
\n
Beyond AI, but with AI as a key element, the school group has launched robotics courses from junior to senior high school.
\n
At the World Robot Conference in Beijing in August, the World Robot Contest Championship was a highlight, with the school's education group winning the junior-high division and taking the runner-up position in the senior-high division.
\n
The teams also participated in the closing ceremony of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, showcasing local students' capabilities in the field.
\n
Zhang Peng, a teacher in the school's robotics team, said: "The training has enhanced their skills in robot assembly, practice and operation, as well as their AI and algorithm capabilities. I hope these experiences will guide their choices in university majors."
\n
He said that robotics training begins in primary school, with students selected based on their interests and enthusiasm, allowing them to join robotics clubs across different schools.
\n
Student Wu Yaoduo, said, "I love the training; it has improved my thinking processes and provided a unique perspective beyond regular classes."
\n
Fellow student Yang Hanbo expressed his strong determination to pursue a major in this field, saying, "Our team has a solid foundation in software, automated programming and AI majors."
\n
Student engagement
\n
To ensure the effective implementation of the curriculum, Beijing has made efforts to support local schools with software resources and teacher training.
\n
The first batch of 160 city-level curriculum resources was issued on Aug 22, covering all grade levels, according to the Beijing Municipal Education Commission.
\n
Each set includes a core teaching video of about 15 minutes, a teaching guide and activity task sheets.
\n
The teaching implementation follows the cognitive development of students. At the primary school stage, the focus is on experiential courses, using everyday scenarios like image recognition and interactive games to spark interest.
\n
At the middle school stage, the emphasis shifts to cognitive teaching, guiding students to experience model training and use generative AI tools to enhance their learning and daily lives.
\n
At the high school stage, the focus is on comprehensive practice and cultivating skills in data processing, algorithm application and interdisciplinary innovation.
\n
Across all stages, there is a strong emphasis on ethics education, guiding students to embrace the value of "technology for good".
\n
Gong Ke, president of the Chinese Institute of New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Strategies and former president of Nankai University, said that while it is important to introduce courses on intelligent technologies, the approach should not be limited to simply adding one or two specialized courses.
\n
"We need to teach and learn both the general and specialized knowledge related to AI systems, and cultivate the digital literacy of the new generation. This includes integrating ethical consciousness and considerations, digital mindsets, digital learning capability and digital application skill," he said.
\n
The goal is to achieve an overarching integration of intelligence into the current teaching system, Gong said.
\n
He also advocated for "learning by doing", which should not be about memorizing rigid rules or some knowledge points, but rather about creating a digital campus and classrooms that blend the real and virtual worlds.
\n
Gong emphasized prioritizing moral development in education.
\n
"The fundamental aspect of the healthy development of intelligent systems lies in human talent," he said. "The quality of talent determines the quality of AI; it is human input that makes AI truly effective, safe and fair. We also rely on human intervention to ensure that AI is compassionate and benevolent, and we must instill a moral compass in AI. It is essential for people to cultivate the right intentions for AI."
Students at Tsinghua University's affiliated primary school jump rope while artificial intelligence devices analyze their exercise intensity and provide suggestions.
\n
Journalist-turned-biographer Fan Haitao is preparing to release a new book about children in the era of artificial intelligence, though she has yet to settle on a final title.
\n
For the past three years, since her daughter started attending, she has been following the developments at the century-old primary school affiliated with Tsinghua University.
\n
Her project has already garnered attention among commentators and publishers, thanks to her previous best-selling biographies of influential IT entrepreneurs Lei Jun, Zhou Hongyi and Kai-Fu Lee.
\n
As readers speculate about the next business visionary in China's current economic climate, Fan has shifted her focus to examining the AI-driven era.
\n
"I was anxious when the AI wave hit, worried about its impact on my daughter and my career. That's when I decided to delve into how the education sector is navigating the AI era," she said.
\n
Fan shared her insights exclusively with China Daily.
\n
Her narrative is crafted with professional finesse, weaving in her personal research on the prestigious school and presenting perspectives on AI from various Tsinghua University professors.
\n
The specifics of implementing AI in education have yet to be fully explored, but schools are actively experimenting with various approaches.
\n
Her firsthand observations of AI's impact on education began when she noticed her daughter's determination to wake up early and practice jump rope at school.
\n
She was puzzled until she discovered the school's intelligent campus AI project, which records each child's jump rope count and displays the data on an electronic billboard. The database can help students review their performance independently.
\n
"The overall performance of the class is also displayed, and it's fascinating to see each child competing for their class's honor, which has ultimately improved their physical fitness," she said.
\n
The school is enhancing its efforts to develop a large language model with themed teaching, inspired by principal Dou Guimei, a nationally accredited top-level language and literature teacher.
\n
"She hopes the themed model will benefit current educational reforms and be implemented in schools in Lhasa in the Xizang autonomous region, and Fuzhou in Fujian province," Fan said.
\n
In the first chapter of her book, she highlights the school's dedicated efforts in AI-supported teaching trials and the principal's commitment, reflecting the spirit of exploration among the Chinese people.
\n
The vivid portrayal of the principal and her team's endeavors underscores that Tsinghua University's affiliated primary school is not an isolated case.
\n
Many schools in China are experimenting in this field because, as Fan puts it, "The future of AI's development has enormous possibilities and is displaying a vigorous development momentum."
\n
yangcheng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Students at Tsinghua University's affiliated primary school jump rope while artificial intelligence devices analyze their exercise intensity and provide suggestions.
\n
Journalist-turned-biographer Fan Haitao is preparing to release a new book about children in the era of artificial intelligence, though she has yet to settle on a final title.
\n
For the past three years, since her daughter started attending, she has been following the developments at the century-old primary school affiliated with Tsinghua University.
\n
Her project has already garnered attention among commentators and publishers, thanks to her previous best-selling biographies of influential IT entrepreneurs Lei Jun, Zhou Hongyi and Kai-Fu Lee.
\n
As readers speculate about the next business visionary in China's current economic climate, Fan has shifted her focus to examining the AI-driven era.
\n
"I was anxious when the AI wave hit, worried about its impact on my daughter and my career. That's when I decided to delve into how the education sector is navigating the AI era," she said.
\n
Fan shared her insights exclusively with China Daily.
\n
Her narrative is crafted with professional finesse, weaving in her personal research on the prestigious school and presenting perspectives on AI from various Tsinghua University professors.
\n
The specifics of implementing AI in education have yet to be fully explored, but schools are actively experimenting with various approaches.
\n
Her firsthand observations of AI's impact on education began when she noticed her daughter's determination to wake up early and practice jump rope at school.
\n
She was puzzled until she discovered the school's intelligent campus AI project, which records each child's jump rope count and displays the data on an electronic billboard. The database can help students review their performance independently.
\n
"The overall performance of the class is also displayed, and it's fascinating to see each child competing for their class's honor, which has ultimately improved their physical fitness," she said.
\n
The school is enhancing its efforts to develop a large language model with themed teaching, inspired by principal Dou Guimei, a nationally accredited top-level language and literature teacher.
\n
"She hopes the themed model will benefit current educational reforms and be implemented in schools in Lhasa in the Xizang autonomous region, and Fuzhou in Fujian province," Fan said.
\n
In the first chapter of her book, she highlights the school's dedicated efforts in AI-supported teaching trials and the principal's commitment, reflecting the spirit of exploration among the Chinese people.
\n
The vivid portrayal of the principal and her team's endeavors underscores that Tsinghua University's affiliated primary school is not an isolated case.
\n
Many schools in China are experimenting in this field because, as Fan puts it, "The future of AI's development has enormous possibilities and is displaying a vigorous development momentum."
Song Hengchun and his wife repair nets used for collecting debris from the reservoir in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Sept 17.
\n
Song Hengchun (left) and his son Song Chengjun release fish into the reservoir in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 6.
\n
Song Hengchun (left) and his son check the water level gauge in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 11.
\n
Song Hengchun's wife sews up uniforms in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 6.
\n
Song Hengchun washes his face after a tiring patrol in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 7.
\n
Song Hengchun's grandson visits his grandparents in the reservoir area in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 6.
\n
Song Hengchun and his wife clear debris from the reservoir in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 7.
\n
Song Hengchun (left) checks the spillway gate's steel wire rope with his son in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 11.
\n
Song Hengchun makes an announcement about the reservoir's water condition to residents of Dongzhaozhuang village in Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 11.
\n
Song Hengchun tells children about reservoir safety knowledge in Dongzhaozhuang village, Shandong province, on Aug 11.
\n
Song Hengchun (fourth from left) and local village residents conduct flood prevention drills in Yuezhuang town of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 11.
\n
Song Hengchun has been the river chief in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Zibo city of Shandong province, for more than a decade, but the association runs deeper. Over the past four decades, Song and his family have been religiously contributing to keeping the reservoir clean. The Zhaozhuang reservoir was built in the 1960s and provides irrigation to farms and the surrounding villages. In the 1980s, the then 30-year-old Song quit his city job and returned to his hometown to guard and manage the reservoir. To help him in this task, starting with regular inspection of the reservoir's water quality, Song also got his family involved, settling down in the area. During the flood season, Song and his wife take a boat ride from upstream to downstream, clearing the water of debris and trash. In 2014, Song was appointed river chief, which increased his sense of responsibility toward the reservoir. In June, Song's son inherited his role as river chief.
\n",
+ "content": "
Song Hengchun and his wife repair nets used for collecting debris from the reservoir in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Sept 17.
\n
Song Hengchun (left) and his son Song Chengjun release fish into the reservoir in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 6.
\n
Song Hengchun (left) and his son check the water level gauge in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 11.
\n
Song Hengchun's wife sews up uniforms in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 6.
\n
Song Hengchun washes his face after a tiring patrol in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 7.
\n
Song Hengchun's grandson visits his grandparents in the reservoir area in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 6.
\n
Song Hengchun and his wife clear debris from the reservoir in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 7.
\n
Song Hengchun (left) checks the spillway gate's steel wire rope with his son in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 11.
\n
Song Hengchun makes an announcement about the reservoir's water condition to residents of Dongzhaozhuang village in Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 11.
\n
Song Hengchun tells children about reservoir safety knowledge in Dongzhaozhuang village, Shandong province, on Aug 11.
\n
Song Hengchun (fourth from left) and local village residents conduct flood prevention drills in Yuezhuang town of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 11.
\n
Song Hengchun has been the river chief in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Zibo city of Shandong province, for more than a decade, but the association runs deeper. Over the past four decades, Song and his family have been religiously contributing to keeping the reservoir clean. The Zhaozhuang reservoir was built in the 1960s and provides irrigation to farms and the surrounding villages. In the 1980s, the then 30-year-old Song quit his city job and returned to his hometown to guard and manage the reservoir. To help him in this task, starting with regular inspection of the reservoir's water quality, Song also got his family involved, settling down in the area. During the flood season, Song and his wife take a boat ride from upstream to downstream, clearing the water of debris and trash. In 2014, Song was appointed river chief, which increased his sense of responsibility toward the reservoir. In June, Song's son inherited his role as river chief.
The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China began its fourth plenary session in Beijing on Monday. Running till Thursday, the session has far-reaching significance for China and beyond.
\n
As the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) nears its conclusion, China stands at a crucial juncture. It is important to understand the position of the country in the current situation, analyze the profound changes facing its development in the coming five years, and lay out the top-level design and strategic blueprint for the next stage of the country's modernization journey, which features the coexistence of opportunities and challenges.
\n
The strategic foresight of the CPC Central Committee and its ability to unite and lead the nation in writing new chapters in China's national rejuvenation journey will help chart the course of the world's second-largest economy in the period of its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for national economic and social development.
\n
The blueprint for the next stage of China's modernization is taking shape. It aims to enable the country to basically realize socialist modernization by 2035, laying a solid foundation for building China into a modern socialist country in all respects by the middle of this century, promising a future of greater vitality and progress.
\n
The scientific formulation and consistent implementation of five-year plans have long been a hallmark of China's governance and a key advantage of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
\n
Over the past five years, global turbulence and uncertainty have intensified, and the tasks of promoting reform, development and innovation have remained arduous. Yet China has still managed to make new breakthroughs and achievements.
\n
That the country's gross domestic product grew 5.2 percent year-on-year in the first three quarters, as the National Bureau of Statistics announced on Monday, testifies to the Chinese economy's solid fundamentals and resilience. China's economic output is expected to reach about 140 trillion yuan ($19.66 trillion) this year and its average annual contribution to global growth is projected to remain near 30 percent.
\n
The nation has also advanced steadily in the Global Innovation Index, becoming one of the fastest-growing innovation economies over the past decade.
\n
Since the nation's economic fundamentals remain sound — it has a complete industrial base, a vast market, a sizable talent pool and immense potential — the long-term trend of steady development through reform and opening-up remains unchanged.
\n
During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will unswervingly pursue high-quality development guided by its new development philosophy — innovation, coordination, green growth, openness and inclusiveness. It will continue to accelerate the establishment of its new development paradigm, give greater strategic importance to cultivating new quality productive forces and foster scientific and technological innovation rooted in the real economy.
\n
To that end, more down-to-earth efforts should be made to upgrade traditional industries, develop emerging sectors and plan for future industries to build a robust modern industrial system that sustains long-term prosperity. The aim is to complete the over 300 key reform tasks outlined at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.
\n
In the process, the country's high-level opening-up will be expanded by promoting trade facilitation, strengthening international economic cooperation and enhancing its position in the global industry and supply chains. That will bring new opportunities to the world.
\n
But all these endeavors are meaningful only when they ultimately serve the people. Improving livelihoods and enhancing well-being must remain the starting and end points of all development efforts, which depend, as always, on the Party's leadership.
\n
Upholding the CPC Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership is the fundamental guarantee to address pressing public concerns, ensure that the fruits of modernization are shared more equitably, increasing people's sense of fulfillment, happiness and security.
\n
From the first five-year plan to the 15th, the consistent goal has been to build China into a modern socialist country. For that, China must coordinate development and security, strengthen risk prevention and maintain the interaction between high-quality development and high-level security.
\n
Development and security are two wings of one body that must be properly coordinated. Only by safeguarding its security can the nation ensure it continues to make progress on the path to modernization.
The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China began its fourth plenary session in Beijing on Monday. Running till Thursday, the session has far-reaching significance for China and beyond.
\n
As the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) nears its conclusion, China stands at a crucial juncture. It is important to understand the position of the country in the current situation, analyze the profound changes facing its development in the coming five years, and lay out the top-level design and strategic blueprint for the next stage of the country's modernization journey, which features the coexistence of opportunities and challenges.
\n
The strategic foresight of the CPC Central Committee and its ability to unite and lead the nation in writing new chapters in China's national rejuvenation journey will help chart the course of the world's second-largest economy in the period of its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for national economic and social development.
\n
The blueprint for the next stage of China's modernization is taking shape. It aims to enable the country to basically realize socialist modernization by 2035, laying a solid foundation for building China into a modern socialist country in all respects by the middle of this century, promising a future of greater vitality and progress.
\n
The scientific formulation and consistent implementation of five-year plans have long been a hallmark of China's governance and a key advantage of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
\n
Over the past five years, global turbulence and uncertainty have intensified, and the tasks of promoting reform, development and innovation have remained arduous. Yet China has still managed to make new breakthroughs and achievements.
\n
That the country's gross domestic product grew 5.2 percent year-on-year in the first three quarters, as the National Bureau of Statistics announced on Monday, testifies to the Chinese economy's solid fundamentals and resilience. China's economic output is expected to reach about 140 trillion yuan ($19.66 trillion) this year and its average annual contribution to global growth is projected to remain near 30 percent.
\n
The nation has also advanced steadily in the Global Innovation Index, becoming one of the fastest-growing innovation economies over the past decade.
\n
Since the nation's economic fundamentals remain sound — it has a complete industrial base, a vast market, a sizable talent pool and immense potential — the long-term trend of steady development through reform and opening-up remains unchanged.
\n
During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China will unswervingly pursue high-quality development guided by its new development philosophy — innovation, coordination, green growth, openness and inclusiveness. It will continue to accelerate the establishment of its new development paradigm, give greater strategic importance to cultivating new quality productive forces and foster scientific and technological innovation rooted in the real economy.
\n
To that end, more down-to-earth efforts should be made to upgrade traditional industries, develop emerging sectors and plan for future industries to build a robust modern industrial system that sustains long-term prosperity. The aim is to complete the over 300 key reform tasks outlined at the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee.
\n
In the process, the country's high-level opening-up will be expanded by promoting trade facilitation, strengthening international economic cooperation and enhancing its position in the global industry and supply chains. That will bring new opportunities to the world.
\n
But all these endeavors are meaningful only when they ultimately serve the people. Improving livelihoods and enhancing well-being must remain the starting and end points of all development efforts, which depend, as always, on the Party's leadership.
\n
Upholding the CPC Central Committee's authority and its centralized, unified leadership is the fundamental guarantee to address pressing public concerns, ensure that the fruits of modernization are shared more equitably, increasing people's sense of fulfillment, happiness and security.
\n
From the first five-year plan to the 15th, the consistent goal has been to build China into a modern socialist country. For that, China must coordinate development and security, strengthen risk prevention and maintain the interaction between high-quality development and high-level security.
\n
Development and security are two wings of one body that must be properly coordinated. Only by safeguarding its security can the nation ensure it continues to make progress on the path to modernization.
In a revelation that puts the spotlight on the cyber warfare waged by the United States, China's state security authorities announced they had uncovered and thwarted brazen cyberattacks orchestrated by the US National Security Agency against China's National Time Service Center, a critical institution under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
\n
Situated in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, the National Time Service Center provides the high-precision time services essential for China's national communications, finance, power, transportation and defense sectors. The center's pioneering autonomous time measurement system is a technological guarantee that is vital not only for national stability but also for global timekeeping standards. A successful cyberattack could have unleashed chaos, disrupting networks, financial systems and even aerospace operations, with ramifications that could have resonated globally.
\n
The meticulous investigation by the National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team of China revealed a long-term, systematic cyber campaign by the NSA that began in March 2022, when it exploited vulnerabilities in foreign-branded phones to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. By April 2023, the NSA had escalated its efforts, using stolen credentials to breach the center's network infrastructure.
\n
The intensity of these attacks peaked between August 2023 and June 2024, when the NSA deployed a sophisticated cyber operations platform, launching high-intensity assaults on the center's systems, according to the investigation. Its goal was clear: to cripple China's high-precision ground-based timing system, an act that would have posed a grave threat to China's national security.
\n
According to the probe, the NSA employed 42 distinct tools designed for long-term infiltration, covert communication and data extraction. Yet the resilience and vigilance of China's cybersecurity teams ensured these threats were neutralized and the National Time Service Center underwent a comprehensive remediation process to upgrade its defenses and eliminate potential vulnerabilities.
\n
The cyberattack on the center is not an isolated incident. It is emblematic of the US' cyber aggression that infiltrates critical infrastructure and violates cyber sovereignty on a global scale.
\n
While the US hypocritically brands China as a "cyber threat", it is the US itself that has repeatedly been exposed as the true "empire of hackers". By leveraging technological footholds in regions such as Europe and Asia, the US has systematically expanded its cyber activities targeting other countries, undermining the trust and cooperation necessary for international cybersecurity. Such tactics are symptomatic of the instincts of the US to preserve its hegemony. Such activities are a pervasive threat to other countries, regardless of whether the US views them as friend or foe.
\n
The international community must stand united in condemning and defending against the US' malignant cyber activities and reaffirm the importance of adhering to international norms and laws governing state behavior in cyberspace. It is essential to foster an environment where dialogue and cooperation triumph over unilateral actions and cyber aggression.
\n
The latest revelation of the attack on the National Time Service Center calls for a global reassessment of cyber norms and the establishment of reliable international frameworks to prevent such state-sponsored cyber aggression. Countries worldwide must collaborate to create transparent, enforceable rules that ensure cyberspace remains a domain of peace and cooperation, rather than an arena for conflict and exploitation.
\n
China remains committed to safeguarding its national security and will continue to strengthen its cyber defense capabilities while engaging in constructive dialogue to promote a safer and more secure cyberspace for all. Only through mutual respect and adherence to international principles can humanity achieve lasting peace and security in the digital age.
\n",
+ "content": "
In a revelation that puts the spotlight on the cyber warfare waged by the United States, China's state security authorities announced they had uncovered and thwarted brazen cyberattacks orchestrated by the US National Security Agency against China's National Time Service Center, a critical institution under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
\n
Situated in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, the National Time Service Center provides the high-precision time services essential for China's national communications, finance, power, transportation and defense sectors. The center's pioneering autonomous time measurement system is a technological guarantee that is vital not only for national stability but also for global timekeeping standards. A successful cyberattack could have unleashed chaos, disrupting networks, financial systems and even aerospace operations, with ramifications that could have resonated globally.
\n
The meticulous investigation by the National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team of China revealed a long-term, systematic cyber campaign by the NSA that began in March 2022, when it exploited vulnerabilities in foreign-branded phones to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data. By April 2023, the NSA had escalated its efforts, using stolen credentials to breach the center's network infrastructure.
\n
The intensity of these attacks peaked between August 2023 and June 2024, when the NSA deployed a sophisticated cyber operations platform, launching high-intensity assaults on the center's systems, according to the investigation. Its goal was clear: to cripple China's high-precision ground-based timing system, an act that would have posed a grave threat to China's national security.
\n
According to the probe, the NSA employed 42 distinct tools designed for long-term infiltration, covert communication and data extraction. Yet the resilience and vigilance of China's cybersecurity teams ensured these threats were neutralized and the National Time Service Center underwent a comprehensive remediation process to upgrade its defenses and eliminate potential vulnerabilities.
\n
The cyberattack on the center is not an isolated incident. It is emblematic of the US' cyber aggression that infiltrates critical infrastructure and violates cyber sovereignty on a global scale.
\n
While the US hypocritically brands China as a "cyber threat", it is the US itself that has repeatedly been exposed as the true "empire of hackers". By leveraging technological footholds in regions such as Europe and Asia, the US has systematically expanded its cyber activities targeting other countries, undermining the trust and cooperation necessary for international cybersecurity. Such tactics are symptomatic of the instincts of the US to preserve its hegemony. Such activities are a pervasive threat to other countries, regardless of whether the US views them as friend or foe.
\n
The international community must stand united in condemning and defending against the US' malignant cyber activities and reaffirm the importance of adhering to international norms and laws governing state behavior in cyberspace. It is essential to foster an environment where dialogue and cooperation triumph over unilateral actions and cyber aggression.
\n
The latest revelation of the attack on the National Time Service Center calls for a global reassessment of cyber norms and the establishment of reliable international frameworks to prevent such state-sponsored cyber aggression. Countries worldwide must collaborate to create transparent, enforceable rules that ensure cyberspace remains a domain of peace and cooperation, rather than an arena for conflict and exploitation.
\n
China remains committed to safeguarding its national security and will continue to strengthen its cyber defense capabilities while engaging in constructive dialogue to promote a safer and more secure cyberspace for all. Only through mutual respect and adherence to international principles can humanity achieve lasting peace and security in the digital age.
The ink had barely dried on the latest ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas than Israeli forces began pounding Gaza, citing renewed militant attacks. The Israeli air strikes underscore a painful truth: relying solely on military means cannot bring lasting peace to the Middle East. Instead, such actions deepen the humanitarian crisis, sow enduring hatred and push the prospects for a political settlement further out of reach.
\n
This new eruption of violence should serve as a wake-up call for the international community. After months of bombardment, Gaza is at breaking point. Hundreds of thousands remain displaced, hospitals are barely functioning, and access to food, water and medical supplies is gravely inadequate. Each new air strike adds to the immense civilian suffering, eroding the moral and political legitimacy of any party that claims to be acting in the name of "security".
\n
As the Chinese Foreign Ministry has repeatedly emphasized, what the region needs is not another fragile ceasefire but a genuine political process aimed at realizing the two-state solution, which is the only viable path to lasting peace. All parties concerned must exercise maximum restraint, uphold international law and work toward an immediate and comprehensive cessation of hostilities.
\n
The Palestinian people's right to establish an independent state is not a privilege bestowed by others, nor a bargaining chip for political negotiations. It is their inherent and legitimate right. To delay or deny this right is to perpetuate injustice and ensure that the region remains trapped in a cycle of violence.
\n
The world must also be wary of those who seek to turn peace into political capital. The end of a humanitarian catastrophe should never be a bargaining chip in any ceasefire talks but an imperative calling for concerted actions from all stakeholders. True peace cannot be achieved through showmanship or selective mediation that disregards the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people.
\n
It is therefore legitimate for the international community to question whether the "peace process" repeatedly brokered by Washington genuinely serves the cause of peace or merely provides diplomatic cover for Israel to consolidate its strategic position in the region. Every ceasefire mediated by the United States over the past year has coincided with the expansion of Israel's military objectives, further marginalizing Palestinians and weakening prospects for a just resolution of the Palestinian question.
\n
If this latest ceasefire once again collapses — as it already appears to be doing — the world must ask if the US-brokered truce is designed to end bloodshed, or to buy time for Israel to better fulfill its assigned role in the US' Middle East geopolitical calculations. The credibility of any peace effort lies in its ability to halt violence and pave the way for dialogue, not in its capacity to serve as a temporary pause before the next escalation.
\n
Now that Hamas has begun handing over refugees and displaced civilians under the ceasefire terms, Israel must refrain from using this moment to pursue broader military goals under the pretext of "security operations". Otherwise, history may look back on the events since Oct 7, 2023, as merely the prelude to an even darker chapter in the region's future.
\n
Peace in Gaza and beyond will not be achieved through bombs or blockades, but through justice, equality and genuine dialogue. The international community must increase its sense of urgency and press all parties to return to the negotiating table with sincerity. Only a comprehensive political settlement based on the two-state solution can bring an end to the suffering of the Palestinians and turn the fragile ceasefire into a foundation for lasting peace.
\n",
+ "content": "
The ink had barely dried on the latest ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas than Israeli forces began pounding Gaza, citing renewed militant attacks. The Israeli air strikes underscore a painful truth: relying solely on military means cannot bring lasting peace to the Middle East. Instead, such actions deepen the humanitarian crisis, sow enduring hatred and push the prospects for a political settlement further out of reach.
\n
This new eruption of violence should serve as a wake-up call for the international community. After months of bombardment, Gaza is at breaking point. Hundreds of thousands remain displaced, hospitals are barely functioning, and access to food, water and medical supplies is gravely inadequate. Each new air strike adds to the immense civilian suffering, eroding the moral and political legitimacy of any party that claims to be acting in the name of "security".
\n
As the Chinese Foreign Ministry has repeatedly emphasized, what the region needs is not another fragile ceasefire but a genuine political process aimed at realizing the two-state solution, which is the only viable path to lasting peace. All parties concerned must exercise maximum restraint, uphold international law and work toward an immediate and comprehensive cessation of hostilities.
\n
The Palestinian people's right to establish an independent state is not a privilege bestowed by others, nor a bargaining chip for political negotiations. It is their inherent and legitimate right. To delay or deny this right is to perpetuate injustice and ensure that the region remains trapped in a cycle of violence.
\n
The world must also be wary of those who seek to turn peace into political capital. The end of a humanitarian catastrophe should never be a bargaining chip in any ceasefire talks but an imperative calling for concerted actions from all stakeholders. True peace cannot be achieved through showmanship or selective mediation that disregards the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people.
\n
It is therefore legitimate for the international community to question whether the "peace process" repeatedly brokered by Washington genuinely serves the cause of peace or merely provides diplomatic cover for Israel to consolidate its strategic position in the region. Every ceasefire mediated by the United States over the past year has coincided with the expansion of Israel's military objectives, further marginalizing Palestinians and weakening prospects for a just resolution of the Palestinian question.
\n
If this latest ceasefire once again collapses — as it already appears to be doing — the world must ask if the US-brokered truce is designed to end bloodshed, or to buy time for Israel to better fulfill its assigned role in the US' Middle East geopolitical calculations. The credibility of any peace effort lies in its ability to halt violence and pave the way for dialogue, not in its capacity to serve as a temporary pause before the next escalation.
\n
Now that Hamas has begun handing over refugees and displaced civilians under the ceasefire terms, Israel must refrain from using this moment to pursue broader military goals under the pretext of "security operations". Otherwise, history may look back on the events since Oct 7, 2023, as merely the prelude to an even darker chapter in the region's future.
\n
Peace in Gaza and beyond will not be achieved through bombs or blockades, but through justice, equality and genuine dialogue. The international community must increase its sense of urgency and press all parties to return to the negotiating table with sincerity. Only a comprehensive political settlement based on the two-state solution can bring an end to the suffering of the Palestinians and turn the fragile ceasefire into a foundation for lasting peace.
Editor's note: The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period is crucial for laying a solid foundation for the realization of China's modernization. Dong Yu, executive deputy dean of the China Institute for Development Planning at Tsinghua University, spoke to China News Service to analyze the opportunities as well as structural challenges facing the economic and social sectors of China. He also offered suggestions for advancing the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation. Below are excerpts from the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n
Over the next five years, China will face several structural challenges relating to industrial growth, regional development, urbanization and the demographic structure. The core issue for industrial restructuring is how to offset the weakening of traditional growth drivers. The traditional pillar industries, especially real estate, have lost some economic impetus. Whether emerging pillar industries can rise during the 15th Five-Year Plan period to become the main driving force of economic growth is the foremost challenge facing industrial development.
\n
When it comes to the regional structure, the development of western and central areas continues to be important, but is no longer the main issue. The focus now is on whether the growth poles in western regions can effectively drive broader development, whether existing growth opportunities in the central and western regions can be sustained and whether new growth opportunities can be created.
\n
As for the urban-rural structure, although the pace of urbanization has slowed, China's urbanization rate has reached 67 percent, a record high. The key question is whether public services can keep pace as more migrant workers from rural areas move into cities. This will have a significant impact on the economy, because sectors such as real estate and consumption are closely linked to this development. The central concern remains how to further strengthen the economic growth momentum amid the shift of population from rural to urban areas.
\n
In terms of demographic structure, the number of graduates will continue to hit record highs in the coming five years, even as the total population is declining. Population changes will affect the layout of public services and infrastructure planning in certain regions. Although new birth support policies have been introduced this year, it remains to be seen to what extent they can stabilize the demographic trends.
\n
The industrial focus of the 15th Five-Year Plan will undoubtedly be on fostering new quality productive forces, especially accelerating the transformation from old to new growth drivers. Future industries, though not yet very large, are expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. The transformation and upgrading of traditional industries present both opportunities and challenges.
\n
In the initial years of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China should focus resources on select future industries to ensure it does not miss emerging development trends. A major advantage is that the country has a comprehensive industrial system, which provides abundant application scenarios for all kinds of innovations. Even if the country lags behind in some areas of technological research and development, strong support on the application side can enable faster progress in experimentation, commercialization and large-scale deployment.
\n
What is needed, therefore, is to avoid imposing too many restrictions when industries are still in their initial exploratory stages. Instead, policymakers should observe and guide development, creating an enabling environment for the rapid growth of nascent future industries. This is another major advantage for China, as efforts are mobilized from both the top and the bottom.
\n
Regarding government support, local authorities are now placing particular emphasis on talent development. Nearly all local development blueprints highlight talent attraction and cultivation, as well as support for start-ups, making China one of the most favorable environments for entrepreneurship in the world.
\n",
+ "content": "
Editor's note: The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period is crucial for laying a solid foundation for the realization of China's modernization. Dong Yu, executive deputy dean of the China Institute for Development Planning at Tsinghua University, spoke to China News Service to analyze the opportunities as well as structural challenges facing the economic and social sectors of China. He also offered suggestions for advancing the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation. Below are excerpts from the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n
Over the next five years, China will face several structural challenges relating to industrial growth, regional development, urbanization and the demographic structure. The core issue for industrial restructuring is how to offset the weakening of traditional growth drivers. The traditional pillar industries, especially real estate, have lost some economic impetus. Whether emerging pillar industries can rise during the 15th Five-Year Plan period to become the main driving force of economic growth is the foremost challenge facing industrial development.
\n
When it comes to the regional structure, the development of western and central areas continues to be important, but is no longer the main issue. The focus now is on whether the growth poles in western regions can effectively drive broader development, whether existing growth opportunities in the central and western regions can be sustained and whether new growth opportunities can be created.
\n
As for the urban-rural structure, although the pace of urbanization has slowed, China's urbanization rate has reached 67 percent, a record high. The key question is whether public services can keep pace as more migrant workers from rural areas move into cities. This will have a significant impact on the economy, because sectors such as real estate and consumption are closely linked to this development. The central concern remains how to further strengthen the economic growth momentum amid the shift of population from rural to urban areas.
\n
In terms of demographic structure, the number of graduates will continue to hit record highs in the coming five years, even as the total population is declining. Population changes will affect the layout of public services and infrastructure planning in certain regions. Although new birth support policies have been introduced this year, it remains to be seen to what extent they can stabilize the demographic trends.
\n
The industrial focus of the 15th Five-Year Plan will undoubtedly be on fostering new quality productive forces, especially accelerating the transformation from old to new growth drivers. Future industries, though not yet very large, are expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. The transformation and upgrading of traditional industries present both opportunities and challenges.
\n
In the initial years of the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China should focus resources on select future industries to ensure it does not miss emerging development trends. A major advantage is that the country has a comprehensive industrial system, which provides abundant application scenarios for all kinds of innovations. Even if the country lags behind in some areas of technological research and development, strong support on the application side can enable faster progress in experimentation, commercialization and large-scale deployment.
\n
What is needed, therefore, is to avoid imposing too many restrictions when industries are still in their initial exploratory stages. Instead, policymakers should observe and guide development, creating an enabling environment for the rapid growth of nascent future industries. This is another major advantage for China, as efforts are mobilized from both the top and the bottom.
\n
Regarding government support, local authorities are now placing particular emphasis on talent development. Nearly all local development blueprints highlight talent attraction and cultivation, as well as support for start-ups, making China one of the most favorable environments for entrepreneurship in the world.
Editor's note: The fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee takes place from October 20 to 23. In the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), China has achieved groundbreaking progress, transformative breakthroughs and historic accomplishments by fostering new quality productive forces. Three experts share their views with China Daily.
\n
The fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, ongoing this week, offers an important opportunity for China to review its progress and chart its path forward. The plenary session, which will help shape the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), is not only about governance or economics but also about reaffirming China's vision for high-quality, innovation-driven, sustainable development.
\n
What impresses me most about China's technological development is the incredible speed at which it has caught up with the rest of the world, and even surpassed some developed economies in certain fields. Considering the gaps China had to narrow over the years, its pace of progress is truly astonishing. In some sectors, I believe China is leading. What stands out is the environment it has created to nurture creativity and talent, which is reflective of the high level of education China has provided at all levels over the past years.
\n
When visiting the robotics area of a park recently, I felt like I was stepping into the future. The robots were performing tasks like making needles. These technologies are not only advancing science but are also being applied in areas such as healthcare, revolutionizing services, which could potentially extend human life. Seeing robots undertake strenuous physical work that humans had been doing was striking. Such technologies have created opportunities for people to focus on what they truly enjoy rather than performing hard labor.
\n
The human-like robots, in particular, show how China is addressing potential labor shortages. China is already using robots in numerous sectors, filling the gaps that have arisen as the economy evolves. Such developments embody the spirit of high-quality development envisioned in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) and will now be advanced in the 15th Five-Year Plan. This seamless integration of technology into daily life and production, I believe, will continue to drive China's transformation in the years ahead. What excites me is how science and technology are improving the quality of life, not just in industries but also in homes. Household robots, for instance, contribute to gender equality by freeing women from repetitive domestic work.
\n
China's influence extends beyond its borders. In my country, Guyana, Chinese technology has, in many cases under the Belt and Road Initiative framework, played a transformative role in infrastructure development in the shape of roads, bridges, convention centers and hotels. These projects have bridged significant development gaps and brought tangible benefits to both nations.
\n
Particularly admirable is the fact that China never imposes conditions; instead, it collaborates with local authorities, offering expertise and guidance while respecting the sovereignty and aspirations of partner countries. This approach contrasts sharply with the conditional interventions of Western institutions, which often exacerbate problems rather than solving them.
\n
I remember visiting a new bridge in my country, built with Chinese support, and being struck by the precision and efficiency of the project. Unlike some other foreign-funded projects that were delayed or plagued with mismanagement, this one was completed on time and within budget.
\n
Similarly, Chinese-built hotels and convention centers have elevated local tourism and created new employment opportunities. This shows how China's planning philosophy, anchored in long-term stability, translates into concrete progress.
\n
The global influence of China is evident in Africa and other developing regions, too, where infrastructure and development programs have created real opportunities for growth. In countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia and Ghana, Chinese-led projects — from railways and ports to urban development projects — have improved connectivity and economic activity. China's pursuit of mutual benefit, rather than self-interest, embodies a philosophy that emphasizes common prosperity as essential for global peace. Contrary to some Western countries' claim, China has been playing a constructive role in its partner countries.
\n
Besides, China's governance philosophy is reflected in its unique combination of planning and market forces. The country has learned from its own experiences and by observing the failures of other socialist countries how to navigate the troubled waters to realize sustainable development. Under its innovative development philosophy, China uses creativity, initiative and the practical application of Marxism to overcome contemporary challenges, and become a global leader in clean energy, electric vehicles and robotics, while setting examples for other developing countries. It is the capacity to plan scientifically and execute professionally that has made the five-year plans not just a bureaucratic exercise, but a road map for transformation.
\n
China addresses environmental and ecological challenges, too, with this long-term vision. Beijing has transformed from a smog-covered city in 1996, when I first visited China, to a green, thriving capital today. The improvement in air quality is not cosmetic; it reflects a comprehensive approach to environmental protection that integrates renewable energy, EVs, urban planning, and public awareness campaigns.
\n
China is using advanced technologies — in the form of clean energy and EVs — to address ecological challenges. The country's dedication to sustainability is evident in the way urban green spaces are being expanded, rivers cleaned up and industrial emissions reduced. For resource-rich countries in the Global South, such as Guyana, this offers valuable lessons in harmonizing development, technology and the natural environment. The focus on green transformation will be a key priority of the 15th Five-Year Plan, echoing China's "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" campaign.
\n
I am also struck by China's cultural and social innovations. The promotion of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) among young people, the cultivation of scientific literacy, and the integration of modern technology with traditional practices reveal China's holistic vision. For instance, Chinese robotics and AI programs often include educational outreach to schools and communities, encouraging students to engage with science from an early age. Such a forward-looking approach ensures technological advancement is accompanied by human capacity-building, which I see as a crucial factor sustaining long-term development.
\n
These developments show China's success lies not just in rapid technological advancement but also in its strategic application of knowledge, collaborative international approach, and commitment to improve both domestic and global well-being.
\n
The combination of creativity, pragmatism, long-term vision and respect for other countries' sovereignty makes China a model of development. Its influence is not imposed but shared, not extractive but generative, and its approach continues to inspire countries seeking to balance progress and social harmony and environmental responsibility. As the fourth plenary session deliberates on future directions, the world will once again see how China's planning, rooted in foresight, inclusiveness and innovation, remains central to both its domestic success and its global contribution.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n",
+ "content": "
The author is former president of Guyana.
\n\n
Editor's note: The fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee takes place from October 20 to 23. In the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), China has achieved groundbreaking progress, transformative breakthroughs and historic accomplishments by fostering new quality productive forces. Three experts share their views with China Daily.
\n
The fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, ongoing this week, offers an important opportunity for China to review its progress and chart its path forward. The plenary session, which will help shape the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), is not only about governance or economics but also about reaffirming China's vision for high-quality, innovation-driven, sustainable development.
\n
What impresses me most about China's technological development is the incredible speed at which it has caught up with the rest of the world, and even surpassed some developed economies in certain fields. Considering the gaps China had to narrow over the years, its pace of progress is truly astonishing. In some sectors, I believe China is leading. What stands out is the environment it has created to nurture creativity and talent, which is reflective of the high level of education China has provided at all levels over the past years.
\n
When visiting the robotics area of a park recently, I felt like I was stepping into the future. The robots were performing tasks like making needles. These technologies are not only advancing science but are also being applied in areas such as healthcare, revolutionizing services, which could potentially extend human life. Seeing robots undertake strenuous physical work that humans had been doing was striking. Such technologies have created opportunities for people to focus on what they truly enjoy rather than performing hard labor.
\n
The human-like robots, in particular, show how China is addressing potential labor shortages. China is already using robots in numerous sectors, filling the gaps that have arisen as the economy evolves. Such developments embody the spirit of high-quality development envisioned in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) and will now be advanced in the 15th Five-Year Plan. This seamless integration of technology into daily life and production, I believe, will continue to drive China's transformation in the years ahead. What excites me is how science and technology are improving the quality of life, not just in industries but also in homes. Household robots, for instance, contribute to gender equality by freeing women from repetitive domestic work.
\n
China's influence extends beyond its borders. In my country, Guyana, Chinese technology has, in many cases under the Belt and Road Initiative framework, played a transformative role in infrastructure development in the shape of roads, bridges, convention centers and hotels. These projects have bridged significant development gaps and brought tangible benefits to both nations.
\n
Particularly admirable is the fact that China never imposes conditions; instead, it collaborates with local authorities, offering expertise and guidance while respecting the sovereignty and aspirations of partner countries. This approach contrasts sharply with the conditional interventions of Western institutions, which often exacerbate problems rather than solving them.
\n
I remember visiting a new bridge in my country, built with Chinese support, and being struck by the precision and efficiency of the project. Unlike some other foreign-funded projects that were delayed or plagued with mismanagement, this one was completed on time and within budget.
\n
Similarly, Chinese-built hotels and convention centers have elevated local tourism and created new employment opportunities. This shows how China's planning philosophy, anchored in long-term stability, translates into concrete progress.
\n
The global influence of China is evident in Africa and other developing regions, too, where infrastructure and development programs have created real opportunities for growth. In countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia and Ghana, Chinese-led projects — from railways and ports to urban development projects — have improved connectivity and economic activity. China's pursuit of mutual benefit, rather than self-interest, embodies a philosophy that emphasizes common prosperity as essential for global peace. Contrary to some Western countries' claim, China has been playing a constructive role in its partner countries.
\n
Besides, China's governance philosophy is reflected in its unique combination of planning and market forces. The country has learned from its own experiences and by observing the failures of other socialist countries how to navigate the troubled waters to realize sustainable development. Under its innovative development philosophy, China uses creativity, initiative and the practical application of Marxism to overcome contemporary challenges, and become a global leader in clean energy, electric vehicles and robotics, while setting examples for other developing countries. It is the capacity to plan scientifically and execute professionally that has made the five-year plans not just a bureaucratic exercise, but a road map for transformation.
\n
China addresses environmental and ecological challenges, too, with this long-term vision. Beijing has transformed from a smog-covered city in 1996, when I first visited China, to a green, thriving capital today. The improvement in air quality is not cosmetic; it reflects a comprehensive approach to environmental protection that integrates renewable energy, EVs, urban planning, and public awareness campaigns.
\n
China is using advanced technologies — in the form of clean energy and EVs — to address ecological challenges. The country's dedication to sustainability is evident in the way urban green spaces are being expanded, rivers cleaned up and industrial emissions reduced. For resource-rich countries in the Global South, such as Guyana, this offers valuable lessons in harmonizing development, technology and the natural environment. The focus on green transformation will be a key priority of the 15th Five-Year Plan, echoing China's "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" campaign.
\n
I am also struck by China's cultural and social innovations. The promotion of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) among young people, the cultivation of scientific literacy, and the integration of modern technology with traditional practices reveal China's holistic vision. For instance, Chinese robotics and AI programs often include educational outreach to schools and communities, encouraging students to engage with science from an early age. Such a forward-looking approach ensures technological advancement is accompanied by human capacity-building, which I see as a crucial factor sustaining long-term development.
\n
These developments show China's success lies not just in rapid technological advancement but also in its strategic application of knowledge, collaborative international approach, and commitment to improve both domestic and global well-being.
\n
The combination of creativity, pragmatism, long-term vision and respect for other countries' sovereignty makes China a model of development. Its influence is not imposed but shared, not extractive but generative, and its approach continues to inspire countries seeking to balance progress and social harmony and environmental responsibility. As the fourth plenary session deliberates on future directions, the world will once again see how China's planning, rooted in foresight, inclusiveness and innovation, remains central to both its domestic success and its global contribution.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
The author is convener of the Executive Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and a legislator.
\n
Proposals for China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), expected to be announced after the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China from Oct 20 to 23, are poised to place the country firmly on the path toward Chinese modernization and national rejuvenation.
\n
This 15th Five-Year Plan represents a pivotal phase in a journey that began with the 14th Five-Year Plan in 2021, which sought to accelerate Chinese modernization through a combination of strong Party leadership and effective use of market forces. Over the past five years, China has deepened economic liberalization, fostered entrepreneurship, diversified trade and investment, expanded free trade zones, and accelerated technological development. These measures have laid a solid foundation for harnessing "new quality productive forces", particularly artificial intelligence, to enhance the country's competitiveness and innovation capacity.
\n
The results have been remarkable. Trade between China and its Belt and Road partner countries soared to $3.1 trillion in 2024, accounting for 50.7 percent of the country's total trade, up from 45.3 percent in 2021. China also made major strides in its green transformation. According to the International Energy Agency, China invested $625 billion in clean energy in 2024 — nearly one-third of global spending — covering renewables, electric vehicles (EVs), nuclear power, green fuels, and smart infrastructure.
\n
But as China enters the 15th Five-Year Plan period, new challenges loom. Rising protectionism, unilateralism and geopolitical tensions threaten global stability. Domestically, China must better safeguard national security, reinforce economic resilience, and tackle demographic and consumption-related challenges. The next phase of development must focus on strengthening the social fabric and ensuring sustainable, innovation-driven growth.
\n
Internationally, weaknesses in global governance, ranging from the erosion of multilateral systems to the under-representation of the Global South, have prompted China to play a greater leadership role. The Global Governance Initiative unveiled by President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin on Sept 1 articulates a vision that is based on five guiding principles: respect for sovereignty, adherence to international law, multilateralism, people-centric governance, and real outcomes. This initiative offers a timely moral compass for a world facing growing uncertainty and ideological fragmentation.
\n
To meet these challenges, China must continue to embrace reform and innovation. Central to the 15th Five-Year Plan will be the development of "new quality productive forces" — technologies and industries that harness the power of AI to drive productivity and improve people's livelihoods. Far from a slogan, this concept signals the dawn of a new industrial revolution. Just as steam engines, electricity, fossil fuels and the internet transformed production in the previous eras, AI is now set to reshape every aspect of life, from manufacturing and services to scientific discovery and exploration of the deep sea, the poles, and outer space.
\n
China's technological edge, however, extends beyond AI. It leads globally in EVs, batteries, robotics, and space technology, while advancing rapidly in sectors such as semiconductors, life sciences, innovative pharmaceuticals, aviation and defense. These strengths will enable China to remain a driver of global growth and innovation in the years to come.
\n
At the same time, boosting domestic consumption will be critical. According to the World Bank, private consumption accounted for 56.6 percent of GDP in 2024 — about 17 percentage points below the global average. Hence, policies to increase household spending are needed to help release latent demand and balance the economy more evenly across regions and sectors.
\n
As China moves toward a "high-standard market economy", the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has a vital role to play. Integration into the "unified national market" offers Hong Kong unprecedented opportunities to benefit from the Chinese mainland's continental-scale economy, through technology collaboration or access to new markets.
\n
As one of the world's freest economies and a leading financial center, Hong Kong brings valuable expertise in modern finance, professional services, arbitration, mediation and global capital access. With deep connections to ASEAN and emerging outreach to the Middle East, Latin America and Africa, the Hong Kong SAR can be an important bridge in the mainland's continued modernization and global engagement.
\n
Let Hong Kong stand shoulder to shoulder with the nation as it advances toward comprehensive Chinese modernization and national rejuvenation. In doing so, it will not only strengthen the nation's rise but also secure a more prosperous future for itself.
\n
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
The author is convener of the Executive Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and a legislator.
\n
Proposals for China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), expected to be announced after the fourth plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China from Oct 20 to 23, are poised to place the country firmly on the path toward Chinese modernization and national rejuvenation.
\n
This 15th Five-Year Plan represents a pivotal phase in a journey that began with the 14th Five-Year Plan in 2021, which sought to accelerate Chinese modernization through a combination of strong Party leadership and effective use of market forces. Over the past five years, China has deepened economic liberalization, fostered entrepreneurship, diversified trade and investment, expanded free trade zones, and accelerated technological development. These measures have laid a solid foundation for harnessing "new quality productive forces", particularly artificial intelligence, to enhance the country's competitiveness and innovation capacity.
\n
The results have been remarkable. Trade between China and its Belt and Road partner countries soared to $3.1 trillion in 2024, accounting for 50.7 percent of the country's total trade, up from 45.3 percent in 2021. China also made major strides in its green transformation. According to the International Energy Agency, China invested $625 billion in clean energy in 2024 — nearly one-third of global spending — covering renewables, electric vehicles (EVs), nuclear power, green fuels, and smart infrastructure.
\n
But as China enters the 15th Five-Year Plan period, new challenges loom. Rising protectionism, unilateralism and geopolitical tensions threaten global stability. Domestically, China must better safeguard national security, reinforce economic resilience, and tackle demographic and consumption-related challenges. The next phase of development must focus on strengthening the social fabric and ensuring sustainable, innovation-driven growth.
\n
Internationally, weaknesses in global governance, ranging from the erosion of multilateral systems to the under-representation of the Global South, have prompted China to play a greater leadership role. The Global Governance Initiative unveiled by President Xi Jinping at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit in Tianjin on Sept 1 articulates a vision that is based on five guiding principles: respect for sovereignty, adherence to international law, multilateralism, people-centric governance, and real outcomes. This initiative offers a timely moral compass for a world facing growing uncertainty and ideological fragmentation.
\n
To meet these challenges, China must continue to embrace reform and innovation. Central to the 15th Five-Year Plan will be the development of "new quality productive forces" — technologies and industries that harness the power of AI to drive productivity and improve people's livelihoods. Far from a slogan, this concept signals the dawn of a new industrial revolution. Just as steam engines, electricity, fossil fuels and the internet transformed production in the previous eras, AI is now set to reshape every aspect of life, from manufacturing and services to scientific discovery and exploration of the deep sea, the poles, and outer space.
\n
China's technological edge, however, extends beyond AI. It leads globally in EVs, batteries, robotics, and space technology, while advancing rapidly in sectors such as semiconductors, life sciences, innovative pharmaceuticals, aviation and defense. These strengths will enable China to remain a driver of global growth and innovation in the years to come.
\n
At the same time, boosting domestic consumption will be critical. According to the World Bank, private consumption accounted for 56.6 percent of GDP in 2024 — about 17 percentage points below the global average. Hence, policies to increase household spending are needed to help release latent demand and balance the economy more evenly across regions and sectors.
\n
As China moves toward a "high-standard market economy", the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has a vital role to play. Integration into the "unified national market" offers Hong Kong unprecedented opportunities to benefit from the Chinese mainland's continental-scale economy, through technology collaboration or access to new markets.
\n
As one of the world's freest economies and a leading financial center, Hong Kong brings valuable expertise in modern finance, professional services, arbitration, mediation and global capital access. With deep connections to ASEAN and emerging outreach to the Middle East, Latin America and Africa, the Hong Kong SAR can be an important bridge in the mainland's continued modernization and global engagement.
\n
Let Hong Kong stand shoulder to shoulder with the nation as it advances toward comprehensive Chinese modernization and national rejuvenation. In doing so, it will not only strengthen the nation's rise but also secure a more prosperous future for itself.
\n
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
The author is chief economist for Greater China and North Asia, Standard Chartered Bank.
\n
The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) will be implemented from next year, extending China's long-term policy of pursuing sustainable growth. The fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, scheduled for Oct 20-23, will lay the groundwork for the 15th Five-Year Plan, which will reflect the country's enduring commitment to development. While specific economic growth targets are not expected to be officially announced, policy discussions suggest an average growth of 4.7-4.8 percent over the next five years, supporting the long-term goal of doubling the 2020 GDP by 2035 in real terms.
\n
Given the rapidly rising aging population and ongoing technology restrictions by Western powers, innovation is likely to remain the priority. Total factor productivity gains, fueled by technological advancement, are expected to underpin the economy's expansion.
\n
Investment in research and development will be encouraged, leveraging the country's vast STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) talent pool, with an emphasis on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, integrated circuits, biotech, humanoid robotics and renewable energy. Indeed, these efforts have already borne fruit, with China rising to 10th place in the Global Innovation Index in 2025.
\n
The private sector is expected to play a pivotal role in technological advancement. With the recently promulgated Private Sector Promotion Law, private enterprises will have wider room for innovation, expand and contribute to the country's competitiveness. Accordingly, the 15th Five-Year Plan will promote the application of new technologies across industries, creating new growth engines. The "AI+" approach, integrating AI into a wide array of industries, reflects China's goal of transitioning from "Made in China" to "Created in China".
\n
China's commitment to green development will remain central to its industrial policy. The country has vowed to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, with interim goals for 2035, including a 7-10 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the peak and the non-fossil fuel energy share exceeding 30 percent. Investments in wind, solar and hydropower, new energy vehicles, and related infrastructure will continue, reinforcing China's leadership in renewable energy while balancing environmental protection and economic modernization.
\n
The 15th Five-Year Plan is expected to put renewed emphasis on domestic consumption to complement investment. China has experienced prolonged deflation, with weak domestic demand limiting the economy's growth potential. Stabilizing the housing market, expanding infrastructure investment, and improving medical and elderly care, as well as cultural and sports facilities, are likely to be key priorities.
\n
Shared growth, or common prosperity, will guide policies to increase consumption among low-income groups, recognizing their higher propensity to spend. This includes measures to narrow the income gap by lowering their tax burden, increasing social benefits, and universalizing public services across urban and rural areas. Boosting services consumption, particularly in education, healthcare, childcare, tourism and entertainment, is also expected to receive greater policy support, with reforms facilitating private and foreign participation in the sector.
\n
The 15th Five-Year Plan is likely to advance China's reform agenda, with market forces expected to continue playing a decisive role in resource allocation, and the government ensuring fair competition, equal market access and property rights protection. On the other hand, fiscal reforms are expected to boost local government revenue, adjust tax-sharing mechanisms, and help increase the central government's spending responsibilities.
\n
Besides, the internationalization of the renminbi will also be a priority, with the government expected to shift from cautious promotion and adopting a steadier and more proactive approach. Policies may focus on increasing the currency's role in international trade and investment, making renminbi-denominated assets more attractive, and supporting alternative cross-border payment systems, such as the Cross-Border Interbank Payment System and the digital RMB. Also, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is expected to continue its role as the primary offshore renminbi hub.
\n
The 15th Five-Year Plan is expected to be a road map that balances ambitious growth, innovation, environmental protection and inclusive prosperity. By focusing on self-reliance in technology, green transformation, boosting domestic demand, and international economic engagement, China aims to navigate global uncertainties while pursuing its sustainable development plan, under which development is not merely an economic goal but the foundation for social stability, national rejuvenation, and a more equitable society.
\n
The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
\n",
+ "content": "
The author is chief economist for Greater China and North Asia, Standard Chartered Bank.
\n
The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) will be implemented from next year, extending China's long-term policy of pursuing sustainable growth. The fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, scheduled for Oct 20-23, will lay the groundwork for the 15th Five-Year Plan, which will reflect the country's enduring commitment to development. While specific economic growth targets are not expected to be officially announced, policy discussions suggest an average growth of 4.7-4.8 percent over the next five years, supporting the long-term goal of doubling the 2020 GDP by 2035 in real terms.
\n
Given the rapidly rising aging population and ongoing technology restrictions by Western powers, innovation is likely to remain the priority. Total factor productivity gains, fueled by technological advancement, are expected to underpin the economy's expansion.
\n
Investment in research and development will be encouraged, leveraging the country's vast STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) talent pool, with an emphasis on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, integrated circuits, biotech, humanoid robotics and renewable energy. Indeed, these efforts have already borne fruit, with China rising to 10th place in the Global Innovation Index in 2025.
\n
The private sector is expected to play a pivotal role in technological advancement. With the recently promulgated Private Sector Promotion Law, private enterprises will have wider room for innovation, expand and contribute to the country's competitiveness. Accordingly, the 15th Five-Year Plan will promote the application of new technologies across industries, creating new growth engines. The "AI+" approach, integrating AI into a wide array of industries, reflects China's goal of transitioning from "Made in China" to "Created in China".
\n
China's commitment to green development will remain central to its industrial policy. The country has vowed to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, with interim goals for 2035, including a 7-10 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the peak and the non-fossil fuel energy share exceeding 30 percent. Investments in wind, solar and hydropower, new energy vehicles, and related infrastructure will continue, reinforcing China's leadership in renewable energy while balancing environmental protection and economic modernization.
\n
The 15th Five-Year Plan is expected to put renewed emphasis on domestic consumption to complement investment. China has experienced prolonged deflation, with weak domestic demand limiting the economy's growth potential. Stabilizing the housing market, expanding infrastructure investment, and improving medical and elderly care, as well as cultural and sports facilities, are likely to be key priorities.
\n
Shared growth, or common prosperity, will guide policies to increase consumption among low-income groups, recognizing their higher propensity to spend. This includes measures to narrow the income gap by lowering their tax burden, increasing social benefits, and universalizing public services across urban and rural areas. Boosting services consumption, particularly in education, healthcare, childcare, tourism and entertainment, is also expected to receive greater policy support, with reforms facilitating private and foreign participation in the sector.
\n
The 15th Five-Year Plan is likely to advance China's reform agenda, with market forces expected to continue playing a decisive role in resource allocation, and the government ensuring fair competition, equal market access and property rights protection. On the other hand, fiscal reforms are expected to boost local government revenue, adjust tax-sharing mechanisms, and help increase the central government's spending responsibilities.
\n
Besides, the internationalization of the renminbi will also be a priority, with the government expected to shift from cautious promotion and adopting a steadier and more proactive approach. Policies may focus on increasing the currency's role in international trade and investment, making renminbi-denominated assets more attractive, and supporting alternative cross-border payment systems, such as the Cross-Border Interbank Payment System and the digital RMB. Also, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is expected to continue its role as the primary offshore renminbi hub.
\n
The 15th Five-Year Plan is expected to be a road map that balances ambitious growth, innovation, environmental protection and inclusive prosperity. By focusing on self-reliance in technology, green transformation, boosting domestic demand, and international economic engagement, China aims to navigate global uncertainties while pursuing its sustainable development plan, under which development is not merely an economic goal but the foundation for social stability, national rejuvenation, and a more equitable society.
\n
The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi has largely boosted her chances to be elected Japan's first female prime minister after her party formally signed an agreement in Tokyo to form a coalition government with the Japan Innovation Party on the eve of the extraordinary session of the Diet.
\n
Hirofumi Yoshimura, the leader of the JIP and Osaka Governor, told reporters in Osaka on Monday, "I told her, 'Let's push Japan forward together.'"
\n
The new LDP-JIP coalition will command 231 seats in the Lower House, two short of a majority. To secure a first-round victory, the LDP has already reached out to smaller parties. Nikkei Asia reported that the LDP has already courted Sanseito, a right-wing populist party, as well as other smaller political forces.
\n
The Japan Times reports that the LDP and JIP have agreed to push for a secondary capital — reflecting the JIP's goal of making Osaka Japan's second capital — to cut 10 percent of parliamentary seats and to reform the social security system.
\n
However, LDP and JIP failed to agree on banning corporate political donations or suspending the consumption tax on food for two years. While the JIP has urged the LDP to prohibit such donations to individual lawmakers, the LDP, the largest recipient of corporate and industry contributions, has resisted.
\n
JIP's co-leader Fumitake Fujita told reporters after a meeting with fellow lawmakers on Monday that the two parties will establish an inter-party consultative body to continue discussions on these policies.
\n
According to Japanese media, the LDP asked the JIP to provide ministers as part of "in-cabinet cooperation" and had prepared several cabinet posts. The JIP, however, opted for "outside-cabinet cooperation", joining the government through a policy agreement without immediately sending ministers, allowing the party to participate in policymaking while retaining a degree of independence.
\n
Nikkei Asia, citing a senior JIP official, reported that the LDP has sounded out a proposal to appoint Takashi Endo, chairman of the JIP's Diet Affairs Committee, as an aide to the prime minister, potentially giving him influence within the prime minister's office.
\n
Since the breakup of the LDP-Komeito coalition on Oct 10, major opposition forces have intensified their consultations.
\n
Leaders of the three main opposition parties — the Constitutional Democratic Party, the Democratic Party for the People, and the Japan Innovation Party — met several times over the past week but failed to reach a policy consensus.
\n
If these parties were to unite behind a single candidate in the prime ministerial vote, they could potentially block Takaichi's path to becoming prime minister, given that they hold a relatively large number of seats in the Diet.
\n
Takahide Kiuchi, executive economist at Nomura Research Institute, told Nikkei Asia that the LDP and JIP share common ground on national security, energy and constitutional reform, but differ on issues such as political fundraising, a consumption tax freeze and reducing the number of lawmakers.
\n
Kiuchi noted that the JIP supports the LDP as an "extra-cabinet "partner without sending ministers, which makes their collaboration less deep than that between the LDP and Komeito. Its ability to bring political stability remains to be seen.
\n
houjunjie@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Liberal Democratic Party President Sanae Takaichi has largely boosted her chances to be elected Japan's first female prime minister after her party formally signed an agreement in Tokyo to form a coalition government with the Japan Innovation Party on the eve of the extraordinary session of the Diet.
\n
Hirofumi Yoshimura, the leader of the JIP and Osaka Governor, told reporters in Osaka on Monday, "I told her, 'Let's push Japan forward together.'"
\n
The new LDP-JIP coalition will command 231 seats in the Lower House, two short of a majority. To secure a first-round victory, the LDP has already reached out to smaller parties. Nikkei Asia reported that the LDP has already courted Sanseito, a right-wing populist party, as well as other smaller political forces.
\n
The Japan Times reports that the LDP and JIP have agreed to push for a secondary capital — reflecting the JIP's goal of making Osaka Japan's second capital — to cut 10 percent of parliamentary seats and to reform the social security system.
\n
However, LDP and JIP failed to agree on banning corporate political donations or suspending the consumption tax on food for two years. While the JIP has urged the LDP to prohibit such donations to individual lawmakers, the LDP, the largest recipient of corporate and industry contributions, has resisted.
\n
JIP's co-leader Fumitake Fujita told reporters after a meeting with fellow lawmakers on Monday that the two parties will establish an inter-party consultative body to continue discussions on these policies.
\n
According to Japanese media, the LDP asked the JIP to provide ministers as part of "in-cabinet cooperation" and had prepared several cabinet posts. The JIP, however, opted for "outside-cabinet cooperation", joining the government through a policy agreement without immediately sending ministers, allowing the party to participate in policymaking while retaining a degree of independence.
\n
Nikkei Asia, citing a senior JIP official, reported that the LDP has sounded out a proposal to appoint Takashi Endo, chairman of the JIP's Diet Affairs Committee, as an aide to the prime minister, potentially giving him influence within the prime minister's office.
\n
Since the breakup of the LDP-Komeito coalition on Oct 10, major opposition forces have intensified their consultations.
\n
Leaders of the three main opposition parties — the Constitutional Democratic Party, the Democratic Party for the People, and the Japan Innovation Party — met several times over the past week but failed to reach a policy consensus.
\n
If these parties were to unite behind a single candidate in the prime ministerial vote, they could potentially block Takaichi's path to becoming prime minister, given that they hold a relatively large number of seats in the Diet.
\n
Takahide Kiuchi, executive economist at Nomura Research Institute, told Nikkei Asia that the LDP and JIP share common ground on national security, energy and constitutional reform, but differ on issues such as political fundraising, a consumption tax freeze and reducing the number of lawmakers.
\n
Kiuchi noted that the JIP supports the LDP as an "extra-cabinet "partner without sending ministers, which makes their collaboration less deep than that between the LDP and Komeito. Its ability to bring political stability remains to be seen.
Flocks of sheep are herded through the city center of Madrid during the annual Transhumance Festival held on Sunday. Every year shepherds guide flocks of hundreds of sheep and goats through the streets of Madrid in defense of the historic cattle trails and ancient grazing rights increasingly threatened by urban sprawl.
\n",
+ "content": "
Flocks of sheep are herded through the city center of Madrid during the annual Transhumance Festival held on Sunday. Every year shepherds guide flocks of hundreds of sheep and goats through the streets of Madrid in defense of the historic cattle trails and ancient grazing rights increasingly threatened by urban sprawl.
WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration of the United States said on Sunday that air traffic control staffing issues were delaying travel at airports in Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta and Newark as a US government shutdown hit its 19th day.
\n
The FAA said staffing triggers had been received for the evening shift and flights could also be delayed in Las Vegas and Phoenix because of air traffic control absences.
\n
FlightAware said more than 5,800 flights had been delayed on Sunday. Weather issues and a Formula 1 race were also impacting flights.
\n
More than 20 percent of American Airlines and Southwest Airlines flights were delayed Sunday, according to FlightAware.
\n
Earlier this month, over 23,000 flights were delayed over a week. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said 53 percent of flight delays were due to staffing issues compared with 5 percent normally, but staffing issues have improved over the last week.
\n
One of the biggest disruptions so far may have been felt at Hollywood Burbank Airport on Oct 6 when its air traffic control tower was left unmanned for a few hours.
\n
Some 13,000 air traffic controllers and about 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers must work during the government shutdown, but are not being paid.
\n
Air traffic control has become a flashpoint in the debate over the shutdown with both parties blaming the other. Unions and airlines have urged a quick end to the standoff.
\n
The Trump administration is airing videos at some airport security checkpoints blaming Democrats, but many airports have refused to run them.
\n
In 2019, during a 35-day shutdown, the number of absences by controllers and Transportation Security Administration officers rose as workers missed paychecks, extending checkpoint wait times at some airports.
\n
The FAA is about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of targeted staffing levels and many had been working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks even before the shutdown.
\n
Aviation unions warned that the situation may get worse if the shutdown continues long enough for workers to miss more paychecks.
\n
"We need to bring this shutdown to a close so that the FAA and the committed aviation safety professionals can put this distraction aside and focus completely on their vital work," said Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.
\n
Julian Kheel, CEO and travel expert at Points Path, told New York-based travel publication Afar that if the shutdown drags into the holiday rush, it could easily result in chaos.
\n
"Thanksgiving and Christmas are already the busiest travel periods of the year, and the system runs near capacity even in normal times. If staffing levels remain strained, a single storm or tech glitch could cause nationwide ripple effects that ruin travel plans for millions."
\n",
+ "content": "
WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration of the United States said on Sunday that air traffic control staffing issues were delaying travel at airports in Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta and Newark as a US government shutdown hit its 19th day.
\n
The FAA said staffing triggers had been received for the evening shift and flights could also be delayed in Las Vegas and Phoenix because of air traffic control absences.
\n
FlightAware said more than 5,800 flights had been delayed on Sunday. Weather issues and a Formula 1 race were also impacting flights.
\n
More than 20 percent of American Airlines and Southwest Airlines flights were delayed Sunday, according to FlightAware.
\n
Earlier this month, over 23,000 flights were delayed over a week. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said 53 percent of flight delays were due to staffing issues compared with 5 percent normally, but staffing issues have improved over the last week.
\n
One of the biggest disruptions so far may have been felt at Hollywood Burbank Airport on Oct 6 when its air traffic control tower was left unmanned for a few hours.
\n
Some 13,000 air traffic controllers and about 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers must work during the government shutdown, but are not being paid.
\n
Air traffic control has become a flashpoint in the debate over the shutdown with both parties blaming the other. Unions and airlines have urged a quick end to the standoff.
\n
The Trump administration is airing videos at some airport security checkpoints blaming Democrats, but many airports have refused to run them.
\n
In 2019, during a 35-day shutdown, the number of absences by controllers and Transportation Security Administration officers rose as workers missed paychecks, extending checkpoint wait times at some airports.
\n
The FAA is about 3,500 air traffic controllers short of targeted staffing levels and many had been working mandatory overtime and six-day weeks even before the shutdown.
\n
Aviation unions warned that the situation may get worse if the shutdown continues long enough for workers to miss more paychecks.
\n
"We need to bring this shutdown to a close so that the FAA and the committed aviation safety professionals can put this distraction aside and focus completely on their vital work," said Nick Daniels, president of the National Air Traffic Controllers Association.
\n
Julian Kheel, CEO and travel expert at Points Path, told New York-based travel publication Afar that if the shutdown drags into the holiday rush, it could easily result in chaos.
\n
"Thanksgiving and Christmas are already the busiest travel periods of the year, and the system runs near capacity even in normal times. If staffing levels remain strained, a single storm or tech glitch could cause nationwide ripple effects that ruin travel plans for millions."
Jacob Brinnand strikes a hung gar martial arts pose at his school in Katy, US state of Texas, on Sept 9.
\n
Editor's note: China Daily presents the series Friends Afar to tell the stories of people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries. Through the vivid narration of the people in the stories, readers can get a better understanding of a country that is boosting openness.
\n
Growing up in the Bay Area, Jacob Brinnand spent a lot of time in the Asian and Pacific Islander community where martial arts was a big part of the culture.
\n
"I became really interested in martial arts when I was a kid. I loved it," Brinnand said. "I always watched kung fu movies growing up. Drunken Master II with Lau Kar-leung and Jackie Chan was one of my favorites."
\n
He took martial arts classes, but had never found the kind of legacy he saw in those kung fu movies. "I couldn't find a good teacher. I couldn't find authenticity."
\n
A lucky star shone upon him in early 2005 when he met Y.C. Wong, a fourth-generation disciple of direct lineage from grandmaster Wong Fei-hung when he was going to college.
\n
Wong Fei-hung (1847-1925), a legendary figure, was famous for his superb martial arts skills in hung gar and drunk boxing as well as his practice of dit da (traumatology and bone setting in traditional Chinese medicine). More than 100 films have been made about his life.
\n
"I was a young man that didn't have a lot of direction in my life. I was living in inner-city San Francisco at the time, a colorful neighborhood with different personalities. I was on a self-destructive path," Brinnand said. "Going to Chinatown was a way of finding a remarkable human being. In 2005, I met with great-grandmaster Y.C.Wong and I became obsessed."
\n
At that time, Wong was in his 70s and had dedicated his whole life to kung fu. He's been teaching kung fu in San Francisco since the 1960s.
\n
"He decided to take me, a young kid, on, and show me the ways of this ancient art … There were times where I didn't have money, and my old shifu (master) would pay for my meals. He would tell me, don't worry, keep coming to class, keep training. There were many times he showed us incredible amounts of kindness and strength without asking for anything in return."
\n
Brinnand witnessed how Y.C.Wong modeled his life after Wong Fei-hung and also practiced dit da. "So, not only was he a master of fighting, but also he was a healer."
\n
In 2007, Brinnand went to China to take part in the 160th anniversary of Wong Fei-hung's birth as one of his lineage disciples, among whom only a few were Westerners.
\n
"For 12 days we traveled on a bus with masters and living legends together all over Guangdong. I got to sit shoulder to shoulder with people who were born in the early nineteen hundreds and they got to see us demonstrate."
\n
Helping community
\n
From Wong, Brinnand said he learned that kung fu isn't just about beating somebody down. "It is for health, it is for strength, it is for longevity, it is for healing, it is for helping the community, it is for being a part of the community," Brinnand said. "I've never seen that before."
\n
Wong sent him Chinese classic texts from time to time. "I've got them all translated and when you read it, it is profound. It's profound in the sense where it really makes you stop and observe deeply." He got hooked on the Tao Te Ching and has listened to it day in and day out, hundreds of times so far.
\n
He later quit his marketing and advertising business to devote his life entirely to kung fu.
\n
The new path took him to Houston, Texas, about three years ago to teach and practice kung fu full time. Besides teaching young kids basic skills, he also trains about 50 teenagers and adults, who are serious about learning kung fu.
\n
"Now my biggest passion is helping others succeed and watch them blossom," he said.
\n
mayzhou@chinadailyusa.com
\n",
+ "content": "
Jacob Brinnand strikes a hung gar martial arts pose at his school in Katy, US state of Texas, on Sept 9.
\n
Editor's note: China Daily presents the series Friends Afar to tell the stories of people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries. Through the vivid narration of the people in the stories, readers can get a better understanding of a country that is boosting openness.
\n
Growing up in the Bay Area, Jacob Brinnand spent a lot of time in the Asian and Pacific Islander community where martial arts was a big part of the culture.
\n
"I became really interested in martial arts when I was a kid. I loved it," Brinnand said. "I always watched kung fu movies growing up. Drunken Master II with Lau Kar-leung and Jackie Chan was one of my favorites."
\n
He took martial arts classes, but had never found the kind of legacy he saw in those kung fu movies. "I couldn't find a good teacher. I couldn't find authenticity."
\n
A lucky star shone upon him in early 2005 when he met Y.C. Wong, a fourth-generation disciple of direct lineage from grandmaster Wong Fei-hung when he was going to college.
\n
Wong Fei-hung (1847-1925), a legendary figure, was famous for his superb martial arts skills in hung gar and drunk boxing as well as his practice of dit da (traumatology and bone setting in traditional Chinese medicine). More than 100 films have been made about his life.
\n
"I was a young man that didn't have a lot of direction in my life. I was living in inner-city San Francisco at the time, a colorful neighborhood with different personalities. I was on a self-destructive path," Brinnand said. "Going to Chinatown was a way of finding a remarkable human being. In 2005, I met with great-grandmaster Y.C.Wong and I became obsessed."
\n
At that time, Wong was in his 70s and had dedicated his whole life to kung fu. He's been teaching kung fu in San Francisco since the 1960s.
\n
"He decided to take me, a young kid, on, and show me the ways of this ancient art … There were times where I didn't have money, and my old shifu (master) would pay for my meals. He would tell me, don't worry, keep coming to class, keep training. There were many times he showed us incredible amounts of kindness and strength without asking for anything in return."
\n
Brinnand witnessed how Y.C.Wong modeled his life after Wong Fei-hung and also practiced dit da. "So, not only was he a master of fighting, but also he was a healer."
\n
In 2007, Brinnand went to China to take part in the 160th anniversary of Wong Fei-hung's birth as one of his lineage disciples, among whom only a few were Westerners.
\n
"For 12 days we traveled on a bus with masters and living legends together all over Guangdong. I got to sit shoulder to shoulder with people who were born in the early nineteen hundreds and they got to see us demonstrate."
\n
Helping community
\n
From Wong, Brinnand said he learned that kung fu isn't just about beating somebody down. "It is for health, it is for strength, it is for longevity, it is for healing, it is for helping the community, it is for being a part of the community," Brinnand said. "I've never seen that before."
\n
Wong sent him Chinese classic texts from time to time. "I've got them all translated and when you read it, it is profound. It's profound in the sense where it really makes you stop and observe deeply." He got hooked on the Tao Te Ching and has listened to it day in and day out, hundreds of times so far.
\n
He later quit his marketing and advertising business to devote his life entirely to kung fu.
\n
The new path took him to Houston, Texas, about three years ago to teach and practice kung fu full time. Besides teaching young kids basic skills, he also trains about 50 teenagers and adults, who are serious about learning kung fu.
\n
"Now my biggest passion is helping others succeed and watch them blossom," he said.
As world leaders prepare to gather for this year's G20 Summit in South Africa next month, experts say closer China-Africa and broader South-South collaboration could provide vital impetus to increased global solidarity and help shape a fairer and more inclusive global order.
\n
The summit, hosted with South Africa as president, comes amid uneven global economic recovery and deepening geopolitical divisions. Some traditional multilateral institutions have struggled to adapt, creating an opening for developing countries to redefine cooperation models, experts say.
\n
Carlos Lopes, a professor at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, said it is unrealistic to continue to rely entirely on legacy institutions to deliver meaningfully for all, including Global South countries.
\n
"Their governance, incentives and representation remain deeply misaligned with today's realities. That is why South-South cooperation, including the China-Africa partnership, becomes critical: It provides the space to push for fresh approaches rather than endlessly recycling promises from structures that have already shown their limits."
\n
The summit's theme of solidarity, equality and sustainability reflects a growing desire among developing countries for fairer participation in global decision-making, Lopes said.
\n
Melha Rout Biel, executive director and founder of the Institute for Strategic and Policy Studies in South Sudan, said China can help strengthen Africa's voice in the G20 by "supporting the position of African states and using its influence in the group to place African issues firmly on the agenda".
\n
"These are important keywords which need to be result-oriented discussions and not for media show only," Biel said, adding that genuine solidarity depends on shared responsibility.
\n
"All countries, big or small, should work collaboratively because current world issues require cooperation. Equality means every person deserves access to clean water, quality education, clean energy and decent food. Sustainability is about using our resources responsibly today for the sake of future generations."
\n
Biel called for greater representation and voice for developing countries in global decision-making and for sustained efforts to strengthen the Global South, which, he said, remains a weak link in the current governance framework.
\n
"We are eager to take the Global Governance Initiative as a guiding framework and work hand in hand with the African Union, African nations and all developing countries to build a more just, equitable and inclusive international order."
\n
Socrates Majune, an economist at the University of Nairobi, said China's economic engagement with Africa offers a strong foundation for translating the G20 theme into tangible action.
\n
China remains Africa's largest trading partner, Majune said, and its zero-tariff policy underscores the country's commitment to deepening ties with the continent.
\n
"Through measures such as the zero-tariff policy, China is opening up new opportunities for African exporters and helping to reduce structural imbalances in trade," he said, adding that the partnership could be strengthened in the G20 framework by aligning economic, environmental and diplomatic efforts.
\n
"The African Union's permanent seat in the G20 now provides a formal platform for China and Africa to coordinate positions and amplify the voice of developing nations."
\n
Majune talked of the growing significance of China's green investments in Africa, which can help countries "leapfrog dirty development paths" and jointly advocate climate justice within the G20.
\n
Growing maturity
\n
Denis Akaz, a political scientist and international relations specialist in Singapore, said the China-Africa partnership represents the growing maturity of South-South relations.
\n
"Their cooperation is increasingly strategic rather than transactional, reflecting shared goals of development autonomy, industrialization and innovation. Through projects in infrastructure, technology and education they can offer models of mutual benefit instead of dependency."
\n
This year's summit will test the G20's ability to restore "collective purpose in a time of global fragmentation", he said.
\n
"The forum must find balance between geopolitical rivalries, particularly those involving the United States and China, while reaffirming its credibility as a platform for inclusive economic governance. Its success will depend less on rhetoric and more on practical cooperation in areas such as debt relief, sustainable development and digital transformation, where the Global South's influence is steadily increasing."
\n
Africa's inclusion in the G20 through the African Union's membership should encourage a rethinking of global governance ethics, Akaz said.
\n
"Representation must evolve into redistribution, recognition into restructuring. Africa's presence challenges centuries of marginalization and opens new opportunities for transformation. The continent does not merely need a seat at the table; it needs the table itself to serve a new menu — fairer, more humane and more just."
\n
Experts said that achieving solidarity, equality and sustainability will require translating ideals into practical cooperation. The growing alignment between China and Africa offers both a moral and pragmatic foundation for building a more equitable international system, they said.
\n
sharon@chinadailyafrica.com
\n",
+ "content": "
As world leaders prepare to gather for this year's G20 Summit in South Africa next month, experts say closer China-Africa and broader South-South collaboration could provide vital impetus to increased global solidarity and help shape a fairer and more inclusive global order.
\n
The summit, hosted with South Africa as president, comes amid uneven global economic recovery and deepening geopolitical divisions. Some traditional multilateral institutions have struggled to adapt, creating an opening for developing countries to redefine cooperation models, experts say.
\n
Carlos Lopes, a professor at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, said it is unrealistic to continue to rely entirely on legacy institutions to deliver meaningfully for all, including Global South countries.
\n
"Their governance, incentives and representation remain deeply misaligned with today's realities. That is why South-South cooperation, including the China-Africa partnership, becomes critical: It provides the space to push for fresh approaches rather than endlessly recycling promises from structures that have already shown their limits."
\n
The summit's theme of solidarity, equality and sustainability reflects a growing desire among developing countries for fairer participation in global decision-making, Lopes said.
\n
Melha Rout Biel, executive director and founder of the Institute for Strategic and Policy Studies in South Sudan, said China can help strengthen Africa's voice in the G20 by "supporting the position of African states and using its influence in the group to place African issues firmly on the agenda".
\n
"These are important keywords which need to be result-oriented discussions and not for media show only," Biel said, adding that genuine solidarity depends on shared responsibility.
\n
"All countries, big or small, should work collaboratively because current world issues require cooperation. Equality means every person deserves access to clean water, quality education, clean energy and decent food. Sustainability is about using our resources responsibly today for the sake of future generations."
\n
Biel called for greater representation and voice for developing countries in global decision-making and for sustained efforts to strengthen the Global South, which, he said, remains a weak link in the current governance framework.
\n
"We are eager to take the Global Governance Initiative as a guiding framework and work hand in hand with the African Union, African nations and all developing countries to build a more just, equitable and inclusive international order."
\n
Socrates Majune, an economist at the University of Nairobi, said China's economic engagement with Africa offers a strong foundation for translating the G20 theme into tangible action.
\n
China remains Africa's largest trading partner, Majune said, and its zero-tariff policy underscores the country's commitment to deepening ties with the continent.
\n
"Through measures such as the zero-tariff policy, China is opening up new opportunities for African exporters and helping to reduce structural imbalances in trade," he said, adding that the partnership could be strengthened in the G20 framework by aligning economic, environmental and diplomatic efforts.
\n
"The African Union's permanent seat in the G20 now provides a formal platform for China and Africa to coordinate positions and amplify the voice of developing nations."
\n
Majune talked of the growing significance of China's green investments in Africa, which can help countries "leapfrog dirty development paths" and jointly advocate climate justice within the G20.
\n
Growing maturity
\n
Denis Akaz, a political scientist and international relations specialist in Singapore, said the China-Africa partnership represents the growing maturity of South-South relations.
\n
"Their cooperation is increasingly strategic rather than transactional, reflecting shared goals of development autonomy, industrialization and innovation. Through projects in infrastructure, technology and education they can offer models of mutual benefit instead of dependency."
\n
This year's summit will test the G20's ability to restore "collective purpose in a time of global fragmentation", he said.
\n
"The forum must find balance between geopolitical rivalries, particularly those involving the United States and China, while reaffirming its credibility as a platform for inclusive economic governance. Its success will depend less on rhetoric and more on practical cooperation in areas such as debt relief, sustainable development and digital transformation, where the Global South's influence is steadily increasing."
\n
Africa's inclusion in the G20 through the African Union's membership should encourage a rethinking of global governance ethics, Akaz said.
\n
"Representation must evolve into redistribution, recognition into restructuring. Africa's presence challenges centuries of marginalization and opens new opportunities for transformation. The continent does not merely need a seat at the table; it needs the table itself to serve a new menu — fairer, more humane and more just."
\n
Experts said that achieving solidarity, equality and sustainability will require translating ideals into practical cooperation. The growing alignment between China and Africa offers both a moral and pragmatic foundation for building a more equitable international system, they said.
Nina Richards, dressed as Shrek, paddles her way across the lake in a hollowed-out pumpkin during the annual West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta in Tualatin, Oregon, on Sunday.
\n",
+ "content": "
Nina Richards, dressed as Shrek, paddles her way across the lake in a hollowed-out pumpkin during the annual West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta in Tualatin, Oregon, on Sunday.
A tiara of Empress Eugenie, which features 212 pearls and 1,998 diamonds.
\n
A tiara featuring 24 Ceylon sapphires and 1,083 diamonds was worn by Queen Hortense, wife of Louis Bonaparte and Queen Marie-Amelie, wife of Louis Philippe I.
\n
One of the stolen items, a decorative bow of Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III.
\n
An emerald necklace of Marie-Louise, Napoleon's second wife.
\n
Police in France believe priceless antique jewelry stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday could be broken into constituent jewels, re-cut and sold.
\n
The building remained closed on Monday as the investigation continued. Prosecutors said four thieves used battery-powered disccutters or mini chain saws to enter the world's most-visited museum during the daylight raid, using a mechanized cherry-picker to gain access and two scooters to escape.
\n
They made off with nine extremely valuable items from France's "royal jewels", including diadems, necklaces, earrings and brooches made in the 19th century for members of the royal family and imperial rulers.
\n
One of the items, a crown made for Napoleon III's wife, the Empress Eugenie, was apparently dropped as the thieves escaped. The ornate gold piece featuring 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds was damaged during the theft, the French TV station TF1 and the newspaper Le Parisien reported.
\n
The minister of culture, Rachida Dati, told TF1 that investigators have video of the thieves entering the ornate, gold-gilded Galerie d'Apollon, on the first floor of the museum, "calmly" before smashing display cases.
\n
They did not use violence and appeared "very professional" and "experienced", she said.
\n
The interior minister, Laurent Nunez, told France Inter radio that they moved "very, very fast" and that the heist was over in less than seven minutes, between about 9:30 am and about 9:40 am.
\n
The stolen items were "priceless" and "of immeasurable heritage value", Nunez said.
\n
The thieves told security guards to evacuate the area while they opened two glass display cases, police said. The Ministry of Culture confirmed that museum workers correctly followed procedure and did not attempt to tackle the thieves.
\n
Arthur Brand, an art recovery expert, told CNN that the theft amounts to a "national disaster" for France.
\n
"These are the crown jewels from Napoleon, his wife and his successors. So these are the natural pride of France. It's a great loss."
\n
Jordan Bardella, leader of France's far-right National Rally party, put the blame at the foot of the government, writing on X: "The Louvre is a global symbol of our culture. This robbery, which allowed thieves to steal jewels from the French crown, is an unbearable humiliation for our country. How far will the decay of the state go?"
\n
Nathalie Goulet, a member of the French Senate's finance committee, told the BBC that "we are all disappointed and angry".
\n
" (It is) difficult to understand how it happened so easily," she said.
\n
Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin agreed, telling France Inter, "People were able to park a furniture hoist in the middle of Paris, get people up it in several minutes to grab priceless jewels and give France a terrible image."
\n
earle@mail.chinadailyuk.com
\n",
+ "content": "
A tiara of Empress Eugenie, which features 212 pearls and 1,998 diamonds.
\n
A tiara featuring 24 Ceylon sapphires and 1,083 diamonds was worn by Queen Hortense, wife of Louis Bonaparte and Queen Marie-Amelie, wife of Louis Philippe I.
\n
One of the stolen items, a decorative bow of Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III.
\n
An emerald necklace of Marie-Louise, Napoleon's second wife.
\n
Police in France believe priceless antique jewelry stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday could be broken into constituent jewels, re-cut and sold.
\n
The building remained closed on Monday as the investigation continued. Prosecutors said four thieves used battery-powered disccutters or mini chain saws to enter the world's most-visited museum during the daylight raid, using a mechanized cherry-picker to gain access and two scooters to escape.
\n
They made off with nine extremely valuable items from France's "royal jewels", including diadems, necklaces, earrings and brooches made in the 19th century for members of the royal family and imperial rulers.
\n
One of the items, a crown made for Napoleon III's wife, the Empress Eugenie, was apparently dropped as the thieves escaped. The ornate gold piece featuring 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds was damaged during the theft, the French TV station TF1 and the newspaper Le Parisien reported.
\n
The minister of culture, Rachida Dati, told TF1 that investigators have video of the thieves entering the ornate, gold-gilded Galerie d'Apollon, on the first floor of the museum, "calmly" before smashing display cases.
\n
They did not use violence and appeared "very professional" and "experienced", she said.
\n
The interior minister, Laurent Nunez, told France Inter radio that they moved "very, very fast" and that the heist was over in less than seven minutes, between about 9:30 am and about 9:40 am.
\n
The stolen items were "priceless" and "of immeasurable heritage value", Nunez said.
\n
The thieves told security guards to evacuate the area while they opened two glass display cases, police said. The Ministry of Culture confirmed that museum workers correctly followed procedure and did not attempt to tackle the thieves.
\n
Arthur Brand, an art recovery expert, told CNN that the theft amounts to a "national disaster" for France.
\n
"These are the crown jewels from Napoleon, his wife and his successors. So these are the natural pride of France. It's a great loss."
\n
Jordan Bardella, leader of France's far-right National Rally party, put the blame at the foot of the government, writing on X: "The Louvre is a global symbol of our culture. This robbery, which allowed thieves to steal jewels from the French crown, is an unbearable humiliation for our country. How far will the decay of the state go?"
\n
Nathalie Goulet, a member of the French Senate's finance committee, told the BBC that "we are all disappointed and angry".
\n
" (It is) difficult to understand how it happened so easily," she said.
\n
Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin agreed, telling France Inter, "People were able to park a furniture hoist in the middle of Paris, get people up it in several minutes to grab priceless jewels and give France a terrible image."
Rodrigo Paz, a centrist senator, won Bolivia's presidential runoff on Sunday, marking the end of two decades of left-wing rule. Paz, 58, won 54.53 percent of the votes, beating former president Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga, who obtained 45.44 percent of the votes. The new president takes office on Nov 8 for a five-year term. He faces a weakened economy marked by fuel shortages, fiscal deficits and a prolonged lack of foreign exchange caused by declining international reserves.
\n
UNITED STATES
\n
Trump threatens new tariffs on Colombia
\n
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he would raise tariffs on Colombia and stop all payments to it, escalating a feud that stems from the US military's strikes on vessels allegedly transporting drugs. Earlier, Trump called Colombia's President Gustavo Petro an "illegal drug leader", while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said US forces had attacked a vessel associated with a Colombian rebel group. Petro said the boat belonged to a "humble family", not a rebel group, and his government called Trump's remarks offensive. Trump also said US financial aid would be cut off to the country and details about the new tariffs would be unveiled on Monday.
Rodrigo Paz, a centrist senator, won Bolivia's presidential runoff on Sunday, marking the end of two decades of left-wing rule. Paz, 58, won 54.53 percent of the votes, beating former president Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga, who obtained 45.44 percent of the votes. The new president takes office on Nov 8 for a five-year term. He faces a weakened economy marked by fuel shortages, fiscal deficits and a prolonged lack of foreign exchange caused by declining international reserves.
\n
UNITED STATES
\n
Trump threatens new tariffs on Colombia
\n
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he would raise tariffs on Colombia and stop all payments to it, escalating a feud that stems from the US military's strikes on vessels allegedly transporting drugs. Earlier, Trump called Colombia's President Gustavo Petro an "illegal drug leader", while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said US forces had attacked a vessel associated with a Colombian rebel group. Petro said the boat belonged to a "humble family", not a rebel group, and his government called Trump's remarks offensive. Trump also said US financial aid would be cut off to the country and details about the new tariffs would be unveiled on Monday.
JERUSALEM — Gaza's fragile ceasefire faced its first major test on Sunday as Israeli forces launched a wave of deadly strikes, saying Hamas militants had killed two soldiers, and an Israeli security official said the transfer of aid into the territory was halted.
\n
The military later said it resumed enforcing the truce, and the security official confirmed that aid deliveries would resume on Monday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the issue with the media.
\n
A little over a week has passed since the start of the United States-proposed ceasefire aimed at ending two years of conflict. US President Donald Trump said the truce remained in place and "we want to make sure it's going to be very peaceful".
\n
He told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday that Hamas has been "quite rambunctious "and "they've been doing some shooting". He suggested the violence might be the fault of "rebels "within the organization rather than its leadership.
\n
"It's going to be handled toughly but properly," he said. Trump did not say whether he thought the Israeli strikes were justified, saying "it's under review".
\n
Health officials said at least 36 Palestinians were killed across Gaza, including children. Israel's military said it struck dozens of Hamas targets after its troops came under fire.
\n
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the military to respond forcefully to what he described as Hamas' violations of the ceasefire.
\n
The military said militants had fired at troops in areas of the southern Rafah city that are Israeli-controlled according to agreed-upon ceasefire lines.
\n
Hamas, which continued to accuse Israel of numerous ceasefire violations, said communication with its remaining units in Rafah had been cut off for months and "we are not responsible for any incidents occurring in those areas".
\n
Cairo meeting
\n
A Hamas delegation was to meet Qatari and Egyptian officials in Cairo on Monday to discuss the continuation of the Gaza ceasefire, a source close to negotiations told Agence France-Presse.
\n
The source said that the delegation, headed by Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, would discuss "the dozens of airstrikes that killed dozens in the Gaza Strip "on Sunday.
\n
It was also to meet Egyptian officials to discuss an upcoming intra-Palestinian dialogue hosted by Egypt and aiming "to unify the Palestinian factions", the source said.
\n
Palestinians feared war would return to the famine-stricken territory in which Israel cut off aid for more than two months earlier this year after ending a previous ceasefire.
\n
"It will be a nightmare," said Mahmoud Hashim, a father of five from Gaza City, who appealed to Trump and other mediators to act.
\n
One hospital said it received 24 bodies from several Israeli strikes in the Nuseirat and Bureij camps in central Gaza.
\n
An airstrike on a makeshift cafe in the town of Zawaida in central Gaza killed at least six Palestinians, Gaza's Health Ministry said. A strike in Beit Lahiya in the north killed two men, hospital officials said.
\n
Another strike hit a tent in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis in the south, killing at least four people, including a woman and two children, according to the Nasser Hospital.
\n
"Where is peace?" said Khadijeh abu-Nofal in Khan Younis, as hospital workers treated wounded children. She accompanied a young woman hurt by shrapnel.
\n",
+ "content": "
JERUSALEM — Gaza's fragile ceasefire faced its first major test on Sunday as Israeli forces launched a wave of deadly strikes, saying Hamas militants had killed two soldiers, and an Israeli security official said the transfer of aid into the territory was halted.
\n
The military later said it resumed enforcing the truce, and the security official confirmed that aid deliveries would resume on Monday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the issue with the media.
\n
A little over a week has passed since the start of the United States-proposed ceasefire aimed at ending two years of conflict. US President Donald Trump said the truce remained in place and "we want to make sure it's going to be very peaceful".
\n
He told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday that Hamas has been "quite rambunctious "and "they've been doing some shooting". He suggested the violence might be the fault of "rebels "within the organization rather than its leadership.
\n
"It's going to be handled toughly but properly," he said. Trump did not say whether he thought the Israeli strikes were justified, saying "it's under review".
\n
Health officials said at least 36 Palestinians were killed across Gaza, including children. Israel's military said it struck dozens of Hamas targets after its troops came under fire.
\n
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the military to respond forcefully to what he described as Hamas' violations of the ceasefire.
\n
The military said militants had fired at troops in areas of the southern Rafah city that are Israeli-controlled according to agreed-upon ceasefire lines.
\n
Hamas, which continued to accuse Israel of numerous ceasefire violations, said communication with its remaining units in Rafah had been cut off for months and "we are not responsible for any incidents occurring in those areas".
\n
Cairo meeting
\n
A Hamas delegation was to meet Qatari and Egyptian officials in Cairo on Monday to discuss the continuation of the Gaza ceasefire, a source close to negotiations told Agence France-Presse.
\n
The source said that the delegation, headed by Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, would discuss "the dozens of airstrikes that killed dozens in the Gaza Strip "on Sunday.
\n
It was also to meet Egyptian officials to discuss an upcoming intra-Palestinian dialogue hosted by Egypt and aiming "to unify the Palestinian factions", the source said.
\n
Palestinians feared war would return to the famine-stricken territory in which Israel cut off aid for more than two months earlier this year after ending a previous ceasefire.
\n
"It will be a nightmare," said Mahmoud Hashim, a father of five from Gaza City, who appealed to Trump and other mediators to act.
\n
One hospital said it received 24 bodies from several Israeli strikes in the Nuseirat and Bureij camps in central Gaza.
\n
An airstrike on a makeshift cafe in the town of Zawaida in central Gaza killed at least six Palestinians, Gaza's Health Ministry said. A strike in Beit Lahiya in the north killed two men, hospital officials said.
\n
Another strike hit a tent in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis in the south, killing at least four people, including a woman and two children, according to the Nasser Hospital.
\n
"Where is peace?" said Khadijeh abu-Nofal in Khan Younis, as hospital workers treated wounded children. She accompanied a young woman hurt by shrapnel.
China's journey to becoming a financial powerhouse must start with institutional reform and the establishment of a transparent, innovation-driven capital market, experts said.
\n
Wu Xiaoqiu, former vice-president of Renmin University of China and dean of the university's National Academy of Financial Research, said the capital market plays a fundamental role in supporting the real economy and driving technological innovation.
\n
"Capital markets are not just financing platforms," he said at a financial forum in Beijing. "They are mechanisms that reward innovation, efficiently distribute resources and drive technological progress."
\n
Wu outlined three key priorities for capital market reform during the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period — strengthening the market's innovation function, improving the overall market ecosystem, and enhancing institutional credibility through greater openness and transparency.
\n
He said a robust capital market system is essential for China to advance toward becoming a financial powerhouse, particularly as the country continues its transition to high-quality development.
\n
Wu also highlighted that financial modernization must be rooted in an inclusive and forward-looking culture. Citing the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics, which recognized research on innovation-led growth, he said, "Innovation thrives in societies that tolerate risk and encourage originality, and policy design should reflect that principle."
\n
He called for a comprehensive overhaul of the capital market ecology.
\n
On the assets side, he said listed companies must deliver genuine profitability and technological value. On the funding side, institutional investors and pension funds should play a greater role in providing stable, long-term capital. And on the rules side, regulators must build transparency and enforce accountability with real teeth.
\n
"China's capital market reform is not only a domestic necessity but also a contribution to the stability and diversity of the world's financial system."
\n
Zhu Xiaoneng, Party secretary at the School of Finance at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, said that digitalization is reshaping how markets operate and how institutions must adapt.
\n
"China's capital market is entering a new stage driven by digital transformation. Just as mobile payments changed how people live, digital assets and stablecoins are beginning to redefine the logic of market operations," Zhu said, adding that the integration of digital finance — from blockchain to tokenized assets — will require not only technological infrastructure but also forward-looking regulation and institutional flexibility.
\n
"Digital finance isn't just a trend. It's becoming the foundation for the next generation of capital markets."
\n
Against this backdrop, Wu Weixing, president of Capital University of Economics and Business, highlighted the global headwinds affecting capital flows. He said that financial globalization has slowed considerably since 2008, with rising protectionism and geopolitical tensions reshaping the investment landscape.
\n
"For decades, integration defined the world economy. Now we're seeing the opposite — fragmentation, regionalization and more complex capital barriers. Global capital markets are no longer converging into one system. Instead, we're seeing multiple centers emerging, with technology, trust and transparency determining who leads the next financial cycle," Wu said.
\n
Experts believe that China's continued reform and opening-up of its financial sector — combined with efforts to enhance corporate governance and legal protections — will play a pivotal role in ensuring the country's resilience and competitiveness in this evolving global environment.
\n
lijing2009@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
China's journey to becoming a financial powerhouse must start with institutional reform and the establishment of a transparent, innovation-driven capital market, experts said.
\n
Wu Xiaoqiu, former vice-president of Renmin University of China and dean of the university's National Academy of Financial Research, said the capital market plays a fundamental role in supporting the real economy and driving technological innovation.
\n
"Capital markets are not just financing platforms," he said at a financial forum in Beijing. "They are mechanisms that reward innovation, efficiently distribute resources and drive technological progress."
\n
Wu outlined three key priorities for capital market reform during the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period — strengthening the market's innovation function, improving the overall market ecosystem, and enhancing institutional credibility through greater openness and transparency.
\n
He said a robust capital market system is essential for China to advance toward becoming a financial powerhouse, particularly as the country continues its transition to high-quality development.
\n
Wu also highlighted that financial modernization must be rooted in an inclusive and forward-looking culture. Citing the 2025 Nobel Prize in Economics, which recognized research on innovation-led growth, he said, "Innovation thrives in societies that tolerate risk and encourage originality, and policy design should reflect that principle."
\n
He called for a comprehensive overhaul of the capital market ecology.
\n
On the assets side, he said listed companies must deliver genuine profitability and technological value. On the funding side, institutional investors and pension funds should play a greater role in providing stable, long-term capital. And on the rules side, regulators must build transparency and enforce accountability with real teeth.
\n
"China's capital market reform is not only a domestic necessity but also a contribution to the stability and diversity of the world's financial system."
\n
Zhu Xiaoneng, Party secretary at the School of Finance at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, said that digitalization is reshaping how markets operate and how institutions must adapt.
\n
"China's capital market is entering a new stage driven by digital transformation. Just as mobile payments changed how people live, digital assets and stablecoins are beginning to redefine the logic of market operations," Zhu said, adding that the integration of digital finance — from blockchain to tokenized assets — will require not only technological infrastructure but also forward-looking regulation and institutional flexibility.
\n
"Digital finance isn't just a trend. It's becoming the foundation for the next generation of capital markets."
\n
Against this backdrop, Wu Weixing, president of Capital University of Economics and Business, highlighted the global headwinds affecting capital flows. He said that financial globalization has slowed considerably since 2008, with rising protectionism and geopolitical tensions reshaping the investment landscape.
\n
"For decades, integration defined the world economy. Now we're seeing the opposite — fragmentation, regionalization and more complex capital barriers. Global capital markets are no longer converging into one system. Instead, we're seeing multiple centers emerging, with technology, trust and transparency determining who leads the next financial cycle," Wu said.
\n
Experts believe that China's continued reform and opening-up of its financial sector — combined with efforts to enhance corporate governance and legal protections — will play a pivotal role in ensuring the country's resilience and competitiveness in this evolving global environment.
Technicians from State Grid Chuzhou in Anhui province check charging piles at Fushan service area along the Changchun-Shenzhen Expressway to provide better services for new energy vehicle drivers and boost green travel.
Technicians from State Grid Chuzhou in Anhui province check charging piles at Fushan service area along the Changchun-Shenzhen Expressway to provide better services for new energy vehicle drivers and boost green travel.
China's one-year loan prime rate came in at 3 percent on Monday, unchanged from the previous month. The over-five-year LPR, on which many lenders base their mortgage rates, also remained unchanged from the previous reading of 3.5 percent, according to the National Interbank Funding Center.
\n
Rail logistics bolsters progress
\n
Chinese railway operators have intensified efforts to boost logistics and energy supply. At Jiexiu Train Service Depot under China Railway Taiyuan Bureau Group, staff members of Wan'an Station have adopted a package of measures to keep fourth quarter freight volumes running at record levels, innovating shunting methods and refining operational routines. By clearing unloading bottlenecks, the station has received and dispatched an average of 9,000 carriages each month, letting its traffic mix and improve, while showcasing a well-ordered transport operation.
\n",
+ "content": "
Loan prime rates remain unchanged
\n
China's one-year loan prime rate came in at 3 percent on Monday, unchanged from the previous month. The over-five-year LPR, on which many lenders base their mortgage rates, also remained unchanged from the previous reading of 3.5 percent, according to the National Interbank Funding Center.
\n
Rail logistics bolsters progress
\n
Chinese railway operators have intensified efforts to boost logistics and energy supply. At Jiexiu Train Service Depot under China Railway Taiyuan Bureau Group, staff members of Wan'an Station have adopted a package of measures to keep fourth quarter freight volumes running at record levels, innovating shunting methods and refining operational routines. By clearing unloading bottlenecks, the station has received and dispatched an average of 9,000 carriages each month, letting its traffic mix and improve, while showcasing a well-ordered transport operation.
A view of The Louis, which was launched in Shanghai earlier this year.
\n
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world's largest luxury goods group, has reported revenue of 58.1 billion euros ($67.7 billion) for the first nine months of 2025, up 1 percent year-on-year, buoyed by improving demand in China.
\n
The modest uptick offers a positive signal for a global luxury sector struggling with a waning appetite for high-end goods.
\n
The company said it maintained "good resilience and powerful innovative momentum" despite ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
\n
Revenue in Europe and the United States remained broadly stable compared with the same period in 2024, supported by solid local demand.
\n
Japan posted a decline, reflecting a normalization from last year's tourist-driven surge fueled by a weaker yen.
\n
Meanwhile, the rest of Asia — largely dominated by China — recorded a notable turnaround, with 2 percent growth after contractions of 6 percent and 11 percent in previous quarters this year.
\n
The third quarter was LVMH's first of organic growth this year, with all groups and regions improving except Europe, where tourist spending fell due to currency shifts.
\n
"The Chinese mainland market turned positive in Q3," Chief Financial Officer Cecile Cabanis told analysts during an earnings call. "We are getting very close to stabilization. Chinese local demand is now growing mid to high-single digits, and while Chinese travel purchases are still down double digits, they are improving significantly."
\n
Cabanis cautioned that LVMH faces headwinds heading into the fourth quarter, including unfavorable currency movements and a challenging macroeconomic outlook. However, she expressed confidence in the group's creative momentum, noting that financial improvement would come "gradually" over time.
\n
Chinese consumers have long driven luxury market growth, but recent years saw slowed spending, particularly among younger buyers, impacting brands like Gucci, whose first-half sales fell 26 percent this year.
\n
Despite that, Zhou Ting, head of consultancy Yaok Institute, said LVMH's recent rebound in China was closely tied to Louis Vuitton's marketing efforts.
\n
Launched in June in Shanghai, in the shape of a magnificent boat, "The Louis" is a 1,600-square-meter, three-storey experience space, measuring 114.5 meters in length and 30 meters in height, comprising retail, Le Cafe Louis Vuitton, and a Louis Vuitton Visionary Journeys exhibition.
\n
"'The Louis' concept has been a major contributor to LVMH's performance recovery in China," Zhou told Beijing Business Today.
\n
"The project has helped LV stand out amid a sluggish market, generating both attention and sales," Zhou added.
\n
Zhou said that LVMH's broader "store optimization strategy" — closing smaller locations, expanding flagship experiences, and engaging with high-end communities through exclusive events — has enhanced its brand performance in China.
\n
Euromonitor International projects a gradual recovery for China's luxury market, with retail value to rise to 3.13 trillion yuan ($380 million) this year from 3.01 trillion yuan in 2024.
\n
wangzhuoqiong@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
A view of The Louis, which was launched in Shanghai earlier this year.
\n
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world's largest luxury goods group, has reported revenue of 58.1 billion euros ($67.7 billion) for the first nine months of 2025, up 1 percent year-on-year, buoyed by improving demand in China.
\n
The modest uptick offers a positive signal for a global luxury sector struggling with a waning appetite for high-end goods.
\n
The company said it maintained "good resilience and powerful innovative momentum" despite ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty.
\n
Revenue in Europe and the United States remained broadly stable compared with the same period in 2024, supported by solid local demand.
\n
Japan posted a decline, reflecting a normalization from last year's tourist-driven surge fueled by a weaker yen.
\n
Meanwhile, the rest of Asia — largely dominated by China — recorded a notable turnaround, with 2 percent growth after contractions of 6 percent and 11 percent in previous quarters this year.
\n
The third quarter was LVMH's first of organic growth this year, with all groups and regions improving except Europe, where tourist spending fell due to currency shifts.
\n
"The Chinese mainland market turned positive in Q3," Chief Financial Officer Cecile Cabanis told analysts during an earnings call. "We are getting very close to stabilization. Chinese local demand is now growing mid to high-single digits, and while Chinese travel purchases are still down double digits, they are improving significantly."
\n
Cabanis cautioned that LVMH faces headwinds heading into the fourth quarter, including unfavorable currency movements and a challenging macroeconomic outlook. However, she expressed confidence in the group's creative momentum, noting that financial improvement would come "gradually" over time.
\n
Chinese consumers have long driven luxury market growth, but recent years saw slowed spending, particularly among younger buyers, impacting brands like Gucci, whose first-half sales fell 26 percent this year.
\n
Despite that, Zhou Ting, head of consultancy Yaok Institute, said LVMH's recent rebound in China was closely tied to Louis Vuitton's marketing efforts.
\n
Launched in June in Shanghai, in the shape of a magnificent boat, "The Louis" is a 1,600-square-meter, three-storey experience space, measuring 114.5 meters in length and 30 meters in height, comprising retail, Le Cafe Louis Vuitton, and a Louis Vuitton Visionary Journeys exhibition.
\n
"'The Louis' concept has been a major contributor to LVMH's performance recovery in China," Zhou told Beijing Business Today.
\n
"The project has helped LV stand out amid a sluggish market, generating both attention and sales," Zhou added.
\n
Zhou said that LVMH's broader "store optimization strategy" — closing smaller locations, expanding flagship experiences, and engaging with high-end communities through exclusive events — has enhanced its brand performance in China.
\n
Euromonitor International projects a gradual recovery for China's luxury market, with retail value to rise to 3.13 trillion yuan ($380 million) this year from 3.01 trillion yuan in 2024.
China's efforts to regulate the submission of tax-related information by internet platform companies will standardize tax reporting practices among these enterprises both at home and abroad, and boost the sound and regulated development of the platform economy, experts said.
\n
US tech company Amazon has announced that it will begin reporting information about China-based sellers to the nation's tax authority in accordance with new government regulations.
\n
Amazon said the required information includes sellers' identity information, number of transactions, revenue, commission and service fees.
\n
It added that the policy applies to all China-based sellers who sell goods, services or intangible items to customers across Amazon's worldwide store network.
\n
Amazon noted that the first quarterly filing deadline is Oct 31, which covers the third quarter of 2025. Subsequent reports will be submitted every quarter.
\n
The company emphasized that reporting requirements apply to all China-based sellers, regardless of which Amazon store they sell in. Even if a seller only sells products on Amazon's US marketplace, their account information will still be reported to China's tax authority.
\n
In June, the State Council, China's Cabinet, issued new regulations on the reporting of tax-related information by internet platform companies.
\n
According to the rules, starting Oct 1, platform companies are required to submit the identity information of operators and employees, as well as income data for the previous quarter, to their respective tax authorities within one month following the end of each quarter.
\n
These regulations established mandatory reporting obligations for all platforms serving Chinese sellers, regardless of whether those platforms operate domestically or internationally. The State Taxation Administration also released a notice, requiring both domestic and overseas internet platforms to submit tax-related information about Chinese sellers to the authority.
\n
In September, cross-border platforms such as AliExpress and Shein began issuing notices and reminders to sellers regarding the reporting of tax-related information. Alibaba Group's online marketplaces Tmall and Taobao, and e-commerce platform JD have also released similar announcements.
\n
These platforms said they will submit sellers' identity information and revenue data for the third quarter of the year to tax authorities for the first time in October.
\n
Hong Yong, an associate research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said, "The move to report Chinese sellers' tax-related information to China's tax authorities signifies that the supervision over cross-border e-commerce platform enterprises' tax situation will become more transparent."
\n
Noting that platforms are required to submit sellers' identity and transaction data on a quarterly basis, Hong said that the previous practice of concealing income information will no longer be viable, making compliance the new bottom line for survival.
\n
In the face of new regulations, Chinese merchants should proactively verify and ensure that their information matches their tax records, and establish a robust financial and tax compliance system to align with the global trend toward tax transparency.
\n
Zhu Keli, founding director of the China Institute of New Economy, said in the past, some sellers evaded tax responsibilities through information asymmetries, leading to low prices and cutthroat competition. However, the new rules on tax-related information reporting by internet platform companies will further promote the long-term and healthy development of the cross-border e-commerce industry.
\n
"The tax transparency will help sellers to restructure their financial systems and make their orders, payments and logistics traceable, while laying a solid foundation for their future fundraising and listing. Compliance capabilities will emerge as the new core competitiveness for internet platform enterprises," Zhu added.
\n
He noted that tax compliance will not increase the burden of merchants on e-commerce platforms. In the long run, enterprises that boast strong supply chain management and tax planning capabilities will gain an upper hand in the increasingly fierce competition.
\n
Since 2022, tax authorities have piloted quarterly reporting of tax-related information by internet platform enterprises engaged in activities, such as online sales and livestreaming in five provincial-level regions, according to the State Taxation Administration.
\n
fanfeifei@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
China's efforts to regulate the submission of tax-related information by internet platform companies will standardize tax reporting practices among these enterprises both at home and abroad, and boost the sound and regulated development of the platform economy, experts said.
\n
US tech company Amazon has announced that it will begin reporting information about China-based sellers to the nation's tax authority in accordance with new government regulations.
\n
Amazon said the required information includes sellers' identity information, number of transactions, revenue, commission and service fees.
\n
It added that the policy applies to all China-based sellers who sell goods, services or intangible items to customers across Amazon's worldwide store network.
\n
Amazon noted that the first quarterly filing deadline is Oct 31, which covers the third quarter of 2025. Subsequent reports will be submitted every quarter.
\n
The company emphasized that reporting requirements apply to all China-based sellers, regardless of which Amazon store they sell in. Even if a seller only sells products on Amazon's US marketplace, their account information will still be reported to China's tax authority.
\n
In June, the State Council, China's Cabinet, issued new regulations on the reporting of tax-related information by internet platform companies.
\n
According to the rules, starting Oct 1, platform companies are required to submit the identity information of operators and employees, as well as income data for the previous quarter, to their respective tax authorities within one month following the end of each quarter.
\n
These regulations established mandatory reporting obligations for all platforms serving Chinese sellers, regardless of whether those platforms operate domestically or internationally. The State Taxation Administration also released a notice, requiring both domestic and overseas internet platforms to submit tax-related information about Chinese sellers to the authority.
\n
In September, cross-border platforms such as AliExpress and Shein began issuing notices and reminders to sellers regarding the reporting of tax-related information. Alibaba Group's online marketplaces Tmall and Taobao, and e-commerce platform JD have also released similar announcements.
\n
These platforms said they will submit sellers' identity information and revenue data for the third quarter of the year to tax authorities for the first time in October.
\n
Hong Yong, an associate research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said, "The move to report Chinese sellers' tax-related information to China's tax authorities signifies that the supervision over cross-border e-commerce platform enterprises' tax situation will become more transparent."
\n
Noting that platforms are required to submit sellers' identity and transaction data on a quarterly basis, Hong said that the previous practice of concealing income information will no longer be viable, making compliance the new bottom line for survival.
\n
In the face of new regulations, Chinese merchants should proactively verify and ensure that their information matches their tax records, and establish a robust financial and tax compliance system to align with the global trend toward tax transparency.
\n
Zhu Keli, founding director of the China Institute of New Economy, said in the past, some sellers evaded tax responsibilities through information asymmetries, leading to low prices and cutthroat competition. However, the new rules on tax-related information reporting by internet platform companies will further promote the long-term and healthy development of the cross-border e-commerce industry.
\n
"The tax transparency will help sellers to restructure their financial systems and make their orders, payments and logistics traceable, while laying a solid foundation for their future fundraising and listing. Compliance capabilities will emerge as the new core competitiveness for internet platform enterprises," Zhu added.
\n
He noted that tax compliance will not increase the burden of merchants on e-commerce platforms. In the long run, enterprises that boast strong supply chain management and tax planning capabilities will gain an upper hand in the increasingly fierce competition.
\n
Since 2022, tax authorities have piloted quarterly reporting of tax-related information by internet platform enterprises engaged in activities, such as online sales and livestreaming in five provincial-level regions, according to the State Taxation Administration.
China is tightening safety oversight in its fast-evolving intelligent vehicle sector as regulators seek to improve recall management and strengthen safeguards against new risks arising from cutting-edge technologies and market competition.
\n
"As the industry rapidly expands and the market landscape evolves, the safety situation surrounding intelligent and connected vehicles is becoming increasingly complex," said Wang Nailyu, deputy director of the defective product recall technical center under the State Administration for Market Regulation, at the just concluded 2025 World Intelligent Connected Vehicles Conference in Beijing.
\n
"Emerging technologies, business models and applications are posing continuous challenges, while intensified and irrational competition within the industry is putting higher demands on safety supervision and regulatory innovation," Wang said.
\n
According to SAMR data, by the end of September, China had conducted 3,230 vehicle recalls, involving a total of 120 million vehicles.
\n
The official said that in the next phase, the regulator will enhance safety supervision of intelligent connected vehicles through an innovative recall mechanism, including the establishment of a corporate reporting system for new energy vehicle fire incidents, an over-the-air (OTA) software upgrade reporting system which allows vehicles to update software using wireless network connections, and pilot projects for safety sandbox supervision.
\n
Strengthening recall management carries special significance as Chinese NEVs accelerate into overseas markets.
\n
"Large-scale recalls demonstrate China's capability to meet international market challenges," said Zhang Hong, a senior NEV industry expert at the China Automobile Dealers Association.
\n
"By improving recall management, China can effectively reduce trade frictions and market entry barriers caused by quality issues, ensuring the stable growth of automobile exports."
\n
Zhang said China's extensive experience and data accumulation in auto recalls will also contribute to the development and refinement of global recall standards, aligning Chinese practices more closely with international norms.
\n
From January to September, China exported 1.758 million NEVs, up 89.4 percent year-on-year, said the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.
\n
"The improvement and strict implementation of recall mechanisms will enhance Chinese automakers' credibility in international markets," Zhang said. "It will help further expand their global footprint and attract more overseas consumers to choose Chinese-branded vehicles, further increasing China's share in the global auto market."
\n
Safety issues related to driver-assistance systems have become one of the leading causes of recalls. In 2024, about 2.56 million vehicles were recalled due to problems in driver-assistance systems, accounting for 23 percent of total recalls, said the SAMR.
\n
"Driver-assistance systems integrate multiple technologies, including perception, decision-making and execution. The complexity of these components means unexpected failures may occur. In addition, software-hardware interactions can also lead to compatibility or communication errors, which further increase recall risks," Zhang said, adding that safety issues uncovered during the recall process will spur automakers to ramp up research and development investment, accelerate technological upgrades and innovation, and eventually improve product reliability and safety.
\n
lijiaying@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
China is tightening safety oversight in its fast-evolving intelligent vehicle sector as regulators seek to improve recall management and strengthen safeguards against new risks arising from cutting-edge technologies and market competition.
\n
"As the industry rapidly expands and the market landscape evolves, the safety situation surrounding intelligent and connected vehicles is becoming increasingly complex," said Wang Nailyu, deputy director of the defective product recall technical center under the State Administration for Market Regulation, at the just concluded 2025 World Intelligent Connected Vehicles Conference in Beijing.
\n
"Emerging technologies, business models and applications are posing continuous challenges, while intensified and irrational competition within the industry is putting higher demands on safety supervision and regulatory innovation," Wang said.
\n
According to SAMR data, by the end of September, China had conducted 3,230 vehicle recalls, involving a total of 120 million vehicles.
\n
The official said that in the next phase, the regulator will enhance safety supervision of intelligent connected vehicles through an innovative recall mechanism, including the establishment of a corporate reporting system for new energy vehicle fire incidents, an over-the-air (OTA) software upgrade reporting system which allows vehicles to update software using wireless network connections, and pilot projects for safety sandbox supervision.
\n
Strengthening recall management carries special significance as Chinese NEVs accelerate into overseas markets.
\n
"Large-scale recalls demonstrate China's capability to meet international market challenges," said Zhang Hong, a senior NEV industry expert at the China Automobile Dealers Association.
\n
"By improving recall management, China can effectively reduce trade frictions and market entry barriers caused by quality issues, ensuring the stable growth of automobile exports."
\n
Zhang said China's extensive experience and data accumulation in auto recalls will also contribute to the development and refinement of global recall standards, aligning Chinese practices more closely with international norms.
\n
From January to September, China exported 1.758 million NEVs, up 89.4 percent year-on-year, said the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.
\n
"The improvement and strict implementation of recall mechanisms will enhance Chinese automakers' credibility in international markets," Zhang said. "It will help further expand their global footprint and attract more overseas consumers to choose Chinese-branded vehicles, further increasing China's share in the global auto market."
\n
Safety issues related to driver-assistance systems have become one of the leading causes of recalls. In 2024, about 2.56 million vehicles were recalled due to problems in driver-assistance systems, accounting for 23 percent of total recalls, said the SAMR.
\n
"Driver-assistance systems integrate multiple technologies, including perception, decision-making and execution. The complexity of these components means unexpected failures may occur. In addition, software-hardware interactions can also lead to compatibility or communication errors, which further increase recall risks," Zhang said, adding that safety issues uncovered during the recall process will spur automakers to ramp up research and development investment, accelerate technological upgrades and innovation, and eventually improve product reliability and safety.
Mobile payment systems are gaining popularity among inbound visitors, which experts attributed to the joint efforts in recent years by the People's Bank of China and other government units that have made payment services more accessible and convenient.
\n
According to data from the PBOC — the central bank — active mobile payment users among inbound travelers who entered the nation in the first half of the year exceeded 10 million, with the number and value of transactions surging 162 percent and 149 percent year-on-year, respectively.
\n
The surge showed that a more diversified payment system is taking shape, significantly improving payment convenience for foreigners in China, an official from the Payment and Settlement Department of the PBOC was quoted by Financial News as saying.
\n
The nation has been enhancing efforts in recent years to foster a more open and convenient payment environment, such as the guideline released last March by the State Council, the nation's Cabinet, to further improve payment services and make transactions more convenient.
\n
The guideline also calls for coordinated efforts to expand foreign card acceptance, safeguard the use of cash and enhance mobile payment accessibility.
\n
Following the guideline, the central bank released a multilingual guide to facilitate payment services for foreigners, detailing how they can use bank cards, mobile services, cash and bank accounts for payments during their stay in China.
\n
The PBOC has rolled out measures, including raising transaction limits, streamlining mobile payment procedures and allowing visitors to register domestic apps with foreign phone numbers, as well as allowing links with overseas bank cards and directly scanning and paying using their own e-wallets, the official said.
\n
In addition, more than 60 airports have also established dedicated payment service zones, providing on-site consultation and assistance for inbound travelers, the bank added.
\n
As China's mobile payment penetration rate has already reached 86 percent, Lou Feipeng, a senior researcher at Postal Savings Bank of China, said, "China has made remarkable progress in improving payment services for foreign visitors, building a more diverse and complementary system that has greatly enhanced payment convenience."
\n
However, due to differences in payment habits, there are still challenges expanding mobile payment services among foreign visitors, especially when it comes to older travelers and those from non-English speaking countries, Lou said.
\n
Payment options are still unevenly available, and support for foreign cards is limited in some smaller cities and non-tourist areas. The lack of unified cross-border payment standards has also raised integration costs and impeded broader adoption, he added.
\n
"China should continue to accelerate its efforts to internationalize its payment standards to promote global compatibility. Meanwhile, closer collaboration with tourism and cultural authorities is needed to help foreign visitors better understand and trust Chinese payment systems, while ensuring that greater convenience goes hand in hand with robust safeguards for data privacy and payment security."
Mobile payment systems are gaining popularity among inbound visitors, which experts attributed to the joint efforts in recent years by the People's Bank of China and other government units that have made payment services more accessible and convenient.
\n
According to data from the PBOC — the central bank — active mobile payment users among inbound travelers who entered the nation in the first half of the year exceeded 10 million, with the number and value of transactions surging 162 percent and 149 percent year-on-year, respectively.
\n
The surge showed that a more diversified payment system is taking shape, significantly improving payment convenience for foreigners in China, an official from the Payment and Settlement Department of the PBOC was quoted by Financial News as saying.
\n
The nation has been enhancing efforts in recent years to foster a more open and convenient payment environment, such as the guideline released last March by the State Council, the nation's Cabinet, to further improve payment services and make transactions more convenient.
\n
The guideline also calls for coordinated efforts to expand foreign card acceptance, safeguard the use of cash and enhance mobile payment accessibility.
\n
Following the guideline, the central bank released a multilingual guide to facilitate payment services for foreigners, detailing how they can use bank cards, mobile services, cash and bank accounts for payments during their stay in China.
\n
The PBOC has rolled out measures, including raising transaction limits, streamlining mobile payment procedures and allowing visitors to register domestic apps with foreign phone numbers, as well as allowing links with overseas bank cards and directly scanning and paying using their own e-wallets, the official said.
\n
In addition, more than 60 airports have also established dedicated payment service zones, providing on-site consultation and assistance for inbound travelers, the bank added.
\n
As China's mobile payment penetration rate has already reached 86 percent, Lou Feipeng, a senior researcher at Postal Savings Bank of China, said, "China has made remarkable progress in improving payment services for foreign visitors, building a more diverse and complementary system that has greatly enhanced payment convenience."
\n
However, due to differences in payment habits, there are still challenges expanding mobile payment services among foreign visitors, especially when it comes to older travelers and those from non-English speaking countries, Lou said.
\n
Payment options are still unevenly available, and support for foreign cards is limited in some smaller cities and non-tourist areas. The lack of unified cross-border payment standards has also raised integration costs and impeded broader adoption, he added.
\n
"China should continue to accelerate its efforts to internationalize its payment standards to promote global compatibility. Meanwhile, closer collaboration with tourism and cultural authorities is needed to help foreign visitors better understand and trust Chinese payment systems, while ensuring that greater convenience goes hand in hand with robust safeguards for data privacy and payment security."
A drone image shows a newly built expressway linking Dongxiang and Linchuan districts in Fuzhou, Jiangxi province. According to the expressway's builder China Railway 24th Bureau Group Corp, the roadway forms a key part of the connection between the city and Nanchang, the provincial capital, which is expanding as the center of another city cluster along the Yangtze River economic belt.
\n",
+ "content": "
A drone image shows a newly built expressway linking Dongxiang and Linchuan districts in Fuzhou, Jiangxi province. According to the expressway's builder China Railway 24th Bureau Group Corp, the roadway forms a key part of the connection between the city and Nanchang, the provincial capital, which is expanding as the center of another city cluster along the Yangtze River economic belt.
An aerial view of the Three Gorges Dam in Yichang, Hubei province.
\n
China's hydropower sector is poised to grow stronger and become a critical "cornerstone" in the nation's energy security and green transition, said industry experts, citing its robust regulatory capabilities amid soaring demand for new renewable energy.
\n
Possessing abundant hydraulic resources, China has developed world-leading capabilities across the entire hydropower industrial chain, from surveying and design to engineering construction and equipment manufacturing, they added.
\n
Hydropower is considered a vital and high-quality supporting power source for the electricity system, serving as both a non-fossil fuel and a crucial grid stabilizer, said Xiang Haiping, chief expert of China Energy Research Society.
\n
Xiang said he believes that China still has potential for an additional 160 million kilowatts of hydropower development, as the country vows to peak carbon before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.
\n
Future expansion will largely shift from central and eastern regions to the upper reaches of southwestern rivers, particularly in the Xizang autonomous region, he said during the recently-held Tongzhou Global Development Forum 2025.
\n
Against this backdrop of increasing demand for flexible and stable power, China has, in recent years, significantly intensified its hydropower development.
\n
Leveraging its world-leading expertise across the entire industrial chain, Beijing has prioritized new projects and capacity expansion to bolster energy security and provide essential grid stability amidst the rapid growth of intermittent renewable sources.
\n
The world's largest clean energy corridor, consisting of six mega hydropower stations on China's Yangtze River, has cumulatively produced over 4 trillion kilowatt-hours of power so far, according to its operator China Three Gorges Corp (CTG).
\n
Consisting of Wudongde, Baihetan, Xiluodu, Xiangjiaba, the Three Gorges and Gezhouba, the corridor generated 235.1 billion kWh of electricity in the first three quarters of this year, it said.
\n
It has significantly bolstered the safe and stable operation of the power grid during periods of high electricity demand and provided strong support for economic and social green development in China, said the company.
\n
Spanning 1,800 kilometers, the green corridor boasts a total installed capacity of around 71.70 million kW and generates approximately 300 billion kWh annually.
\n
With large power output and strong power regulation capacity, the clean energy corridor has played a key role in guaranteeing safe and stable operation of power grids and supporting implementation of the nation's west-to-east power transmission program.
\n
In addition, China has announced the construction of a hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, which will consist of five cascade hydropower stations with a total investment estimated at around 1.2 trillion yuan ($168.5 billion).
\n
The project, according to Xiang, will further ensure domestic energy security.
\n
Guo Bowei, associate professor at the School of Applied Economics at Renmin University of China, also warned of challenges that arise from the geographical distribution of hydropower resources in the southwestern parts of the country.
\n
While China's main electricity demand centers are concentrated in the eastern coastal regions, transporting energy from the west to the east incurs high costs, underscoring the need for new pathways to ensure regional energy security, said Guo.
\n
China's eastern regions should further prioritize enhancing grid flexibility and load response capabilities to meet evolving energy demands, while central and western areas need to strengthen the integrated development of new energy bases and computing centers, he said.
\n
Guo suggested that the government should emphasize the need to bolster advanced technologies, including energy storage, hydrogen energy, smart grids and virtual power plants to ensure a more resilient and sustainable energy system nationwide.
\n
By focusing on distinct regional needs and advancing key technological innovations, China should further optimize its energy distribution and consumption, particularly as demand from sectors like artificial intelligence continues to grow, he said.
\n
Li Sheng, director-general of the China Renewable Energy Engineering Institute, echoed these thoughts, saying that hydropower units offer rapid start-up and shutdown, flexible operation and strong load-following capabilities, making them a crucial regulatory resource for the electricity system.
\n
However, Li also pointed to growing complexities in hydropower development and external constraints.
\n
Future power stations are mainly situated in challenging regions such as in the southwestern parts of China, which present more intricate construction conditions, diverse ecological sensitivities and complex issues like population resettlement, he said.
\n
To address these challenges and maximize hydropower's potential, Li recommended accelerating the construction of major hydropower bases and key reservoir power stations.
\n
zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
An aerial view of the Three Gorges Dam in Yichang, Hubei province.
\n
China's hydropower sector is poised to grow stronger and become a critical "cornerstone" in the nation's energy security and green transition, said industry experts, citing its robust regulatory capabilities amid soaring demand for new renewable energy.
\n
Possessing abundant hydraulic resources, China has developed world-leading capabilities across the entire hydropower industrial chain, from surveying and design to engineering construction and equipment manufacturing, they added.
\n
Hydropower is considered a vital and high-quality supporting power source for the electricity system, serving as both a non-fossil fuel and a crucial grid stabilizer, said Xiang Haiping, chief expert of China Energy Research Society.
\n
Xiang said he believes that China still has potential for an additional 160 million kilowatts of hydropower development, as the country vows to peak carbon before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.
\n
Future expansion will largely shift from central and eastern regions to the upper reaches of southwestern rivers, particularly in the Xizang autonomous region, he said during the recently-held Tongzhou Global Development Forum 2025.
\n
Against this backdrop of increasing demand for flexible and stable power, China has, in recent years, significantly intensified its hydropower development.
\n
Leveraging its world-leading expertise across the entire industrial chain, Beijing has prioritized new projects and capacity expansion to bolster energy security and provide essential grid stability amidst the rapid growth of intermittent renewable sources.
\n
The world's largest clean energy corridor, consisting of six mega hydropower stations on China's Yangtze River, has cumulatively produced over 4 trillion kilowatt-hours of power so far, according to its operator China Three Gorges Corp (CTG).
\n
Consisting of Wudongde, Baihetan, Xiluodu, Xiangjiaba, the Three Gorges and Gezhouba, the corridor generated 235.1 billion kWh of electricity in the first three quarters of this year, it said.
\n
It has significantly bolstered the safe and stable operation of the power grid during periods of high electricity demand and provided strong support for economic and social green development in China, said the company.
\n
Spanning 1,800 kilometers, the green corridor boasts a total installed capacity of around 71.70 million kW and generates approximately 300 billion kWh annually.
\n
With large power output and strong power regulation capacity, the clean energy corridor has played a key role in guaranteeing safe and stable operation of power grids and supporting implementation of the nation's west-to-east power transmission program.
\n
In addition, China has announced the construction of a hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, which will consist of five cascade hydropower stations with a total investment estimated at around 1.2 trillion yuan ($168.5 billion).
\n
The project, according to Xiang, will further ensure domestic energy security.
\n
Guo Bowei, associate professor at the School of Applied Economics at Renmin University of China, also warned of challenges that arise from the geographical distribution of hydropower resources in the southwestern parts of the country.
\n
While China's main electricity demand centers are concentrated in the eastern coastal regions, transporting energy from the west to the east incurs high costs, underscoring the need for new pathways to ensure regional energy security, said Guo.
\n
China's eastern regions should further prioritize enhancing grid flexibility and load response capabilities to meet evolving energy demands, while central and western areas need to strengthen the integrated development of new energy bases and computing centers, he said.
\n
Guo suggested that the government should emphasize the need to bolster advanced technologies, including energy storage, hydrogen energy, smart grids and virtual power plants to ensure a more resilient and sustainable energy system nationwide.
\n
By focusing on distinct regional needs and advancing key technological innovations, China should further optimize its energy distribution and consumption, particularly as demand from sectors like artificial intelligence continues to grow, he said.
\n
Li Sheng, director-general of the China Renewable Energy Engineering Institute, echoed these thoughts, saying that hydropower units offer rapid start-up and shutdown, flexible operation and strong load-following capabilities, making them a crucial regulatory resource for the electricity system.
\n
However, Li also pointed to growing complexities in hydropower development and external constraints.
\n
Future power stations are mainly situated in challenging regions such as in the southwestern parts of China, which present more intricate construction conditions, diverse ecological sensitivities and complex issues like population resettlement, he said.
\n
To address these challenges and maximize hydropower's potential, Li recommended accelerating the construction of major hydropower bases and key reservoir power stations.
Alibaba's acquisition of multiple floors in a Hong Kong office tower — the city's largest office deal since 2021 — is expected to inject impetus into the local commercial real estate market.
\n
According to a recent report, the sector saw sustained recovery in the third quarter, with net absorption for Grade A office space reaching a seven-year high.
\n
CBRE Hong Kong said on Monday that despite persistently high vacancy rates and rental declines, the special administrative region's commercial real estate activities across office, retail, industrial and investment still gained momentum between July and September, buoyed by easing interest rates and a more stable macroeconomic outlook.
\n
For the Grade A office sector, net absorption citywide hit 691,800 square feet (64,270 square meters) during the period, marking the highest quarterly total since the third quarter of 2018, a report by the real estate agency showed.
\n
Notably, for the first time since the second quarter of 2015, all major districts posted positive net absorption, which indicates that more space was leased than vacated in the areas.
\n
Chinese technology giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and its affiliate Ant Group Co said on Saturday that they have agreed to acquire several floors of One Causeway Bay, an office building in Causeway Bay, one of Hong Kong's priciest districts, for HK$7.2 billion ($925 million). The companies said the space will serve as their Hong Kong headquarters, as the companies step up efforts to expand their global presence.
\n
Reeves Yan, head of capital markets at CBRE Hong Kong, said the landmark deal could significantly boost market sentiment, given the scale and reputation of Alibaba.
\n
Interest from Chinese mainland investors in Hong Kong real estate — including office buildings, retail spaces, and luxury homes — has been rising, Yan added. "I believe this trend will continue not just in the coming one or two years, but well beyond."
\n
Echoing this sentiment, Marcos Chan, head of research at CBRE Hong Kong, said Hong Kong's role as a "super-connector" makes it a launchpad for thousands of Chinese mainland enterprises looking to expand globally.
\n
As these companies receive assistance from Hong Kong, Chan said he believes many will need a base in the SAR. "That demand could have a positive impact on the office leasing market," he added.
\n
Mark Leung, a property analyst at UBS Investment Bank, said Hong Kong's office leasing sentiment has slightly improved, buoyed by an increase in international companies setting up operations in the city and the recovery of capital markets.
\n
Moreover, he said that the rising number of non-local students could further support a revival in the office market, as a lack of student housing may create opportunities to convert hotels and office buildings into accommodation.
\n
"We're not far from the end of the tunnel," said Leung, who predicted the office market to bottom out and stabilize by late 2026, adding that with new supply set to decline, rents are expected to recover between 2027 and 2028.
\n
Contact the writers at gabylin@chinadailyhk.com
\n",
+ "content": "
Alibaba's acquisition of multiple floors in a Hong Kong office tower — the city's largest office deal since 2021 — is expected to inject impetus into the local commercial real estate market.
\n
According to a recent report, the sector saw sustained recovery in the third quarter, with net absorption for Grade A office space reaching a seven-year high.
\n
CBRE Hong Kong said on Monday that despite persistently high vacancy rates and rental declines, the special administrative region's commercial real estate activities across office, retail, industrial and investment still gained momentum between July and September, buoyed by easing interest rates and a more stable macroeconomic outlook.
\n
For the Grade A office sector, net absorption citywide hit 691,800 square feet (64,270 square meters) during the period, marking the highest quarterly total since the third quarter of 2018, a report by the real estate agency showed.
\n
Notably, for the first time since the second quarter of 2015, all major districts posted positive net absorption, which indicates that more space was leased than vacated in the areas.
\n
Chinese technology giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd and its affiliate Ant Group Co said on Saturday that they have agreed to acquire several floors of One Causeway Bay, an office building in Causeway Bay, one of Hong Kong's priciest districts, for HK$7.2 billion ($925 million). The companies said the space will serve as their Hong Kong headquarters, as the companies step up efforts to expand their global presence.
\n
Reeves Yan, head of capital markets at CBRE Hong Kong, said the landmark deal could significantly boost market sentiment, given the scale and reputation of Alibaba.
\n
Interest from Chinese mainland investors in Hong Kong real estate — including office buildings, retail spaces, and luxury homes — has been rising, Yan added. "I believe this trend will continue not just in the coming one or two years, but well beyond."
\n
Echoing this sentiment, Marcos Chan, head of research at CBRE Hong Kong, said Hong Kong's role as a "super-connector" makes it a launchpad for thousands of Chinese mainland enterprises looking to expand globally.
\n
As these companies receive assistance from Hong Kong, Chan said he believes many will need a base in the SAR. "That demand could have a positive impact on the office leasing market," he added.
\n
Mark Leung, a property analyst at UBS Investment Bank, said Hong Kong's office leasing sentiment has slightly improved, buoyed by an increase in international companies setting up operations in the city and the recovery of capital markets.
\n
Moreover, he said that the rising number of non-local students could further support a revival in the office market, as a lack of student housing may create opportunities to convert hotels and office buildings into accommodation.
\n
"We're not far from the end of the tunnel," said Leung, who predicted the office market to bottom out and stabilize by late 2026, adding that with new supply set to decline, rents are expected to recover between 2027 and 2028.
TIANJIN — As a futuristic economic model gradually integrates into daily life, China's low-altitude economy is rapidly expanding, unlocking potential across sectors including emergency rescue, drone delivery, power line inspection and aerial tourism.
\n
This momentum was highlighted at the 2025 China Helicopter Development Forum, a key event during the 7th China (Tianjin) International Helicopter Expo, hosted by the Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC) in Tianjin in North China.
\n
At a photovoltaic project site in Northwest China's Gansu province, drones have been employed for image collection — identifying defects like panel damage or heat spots with over 95-percent accuracy. Such an approach features strong adaptability to extreme weather, showcasing how unmanned systems optimize traditional industries.
\n
The sector's rise aligns with national strategic priorities. In 2024, low-altitude economy was first included in the Chinese Government Work Report — emphasizing it as a new growth engine alongside biomanufacturing and the commercial space sector. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee further outlined plans to develop general aviation and low-altitude economy, setting a clear direction for expansion.
\n
Market projections, notably, reflect robust confidence. The Civil Aviation Administration of China estimates the industry's value will reach 1.5 trillion yuan ($211.4 billion) in 2025 and exceed 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035.
\n
Most provincial governments have incorporated low-altitude economy into their development agenda — signaling widespread recognition of its potential.
\n
Cities like East China's Hangzhou in Zhejiang province and Central China's Wuhan in Hubei province are spearheading initiatives. Hangzhou identified low-altitude economy as one of its five pioneering industries in the future, focusing on low-altitude industries and traffic, while Wuhan aims to build 1,000 drone hangars and an integrated management system by 2030.
\n
Helicopters are an important part of the low-altitude economy. Gong Quan, general manager of China Flying Dragon General Aviation Co Ltd, which operates 43 helicopters, noted that China-made helicopters have demonstrated high reliability across various scenarios and will play an important role in advancing the low-altitude economy.
\n
Gong emphasized the need to develop manned-unmanned collaborative systems for complex missions like rescue operations.
\n
Electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, also known as eVTOL, are also gaining traction as future urban air taxi options.
\n
Liu Wenqi, deputy chief designer at AVIC China Helicopter Research and Development Institute, said eVTOLs excel in terms of eco-friendliness, safety, low noise and cost-effectiveness, promising broad applications.
\n
Industry experts are urging cross-sector collaboration to accelerate development of infrastructure, research and development and operational ecosystems, to translate the potential of low-altitude economy into real productivity at an early date.
\n",
+ "content": "
TIANJIN — As a futuristic economic model gradually integrates into daily life, China's low-altitude economy is rapidly expanding, unlocking potential across sectors including emergency rescue, drone delivery, power line inspection and aerial tourism.
\n
This momentum was highlighted at the 2025 China Helicopter Development Forum, a key event during the 7th China (Tianjin) International Helicopter Expo, hosted by the Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC) in Tianjin in North China.
\n
At a photovoltaic project site in Northwest China's Gansu province, drones have been employed for image collection — identifying defects like panel damage or heat spots with over 95-percent accuracy. Such an approach features strong adaptability to extreme weather, showcasing how unmanned systems optimize traditional industries.
\n
The sector's rise aligns with national strategic priorities. In 2024, low-altitude economy was first included in the Chinese Government Work Report — emphasizing it as a new growth engine alongside biomanufacturing and the commercial space sector. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee further outlined plans to develop general aviation and low-altitude economy, setting a clear direction for expansion.
\n
Market projections, notably, reflect robust confidence. The Civil Aviation Administration of China estimates the industry's value will reach 1.5 trillion yuan ($211.4 billion) in 2025 and exceed 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035.
\n
Most provincial governments have incorporated low-altitude economy into their development agenda — signaling widespread recognition of its potential.
\n
Cities like East China's Hangzhou in Zhejiang province and Central China's Wuhan in Hubei province are spearheading initiatives. Hangzhou identified low-altitude economy as one of its five pioneering industries in the future, focusing on low-altitude industries and traffic, while Wuhan aims to build 1,000 drone hangars and an integrated management system by 2030.
\n
Helicopters are an important part of the low-altitude economy. Gong Quan, general manager of China Flying Dragon General Aviation Co Ltd, which operates 43 helicopters, noted that China-made helicopters have demonstrated high reliability across various scenarios and will play an important role in advancing the low-altitude economy.
\n
Gong emphasized the need to develop manned-unmanned collaborative systems for complex missions like rescue operations.
\n
Electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, also known as eVTOL, are also gaining traction as future urban air taxi options.
\n
Liu Wenqi, deputy chief designer at AVIC China Helicopter Research and Development Institute, said eVTOLs excel in terms of eco-friendliness, safety, low noise and cost-effectiveness, promising broad applications.
\n
Industry experts are urging cross-sector collaboration to accelerate development of infrastructure, research and development and operational ecosystems, to translate the potential of low-altitude economy into real productivity at an early date.
Staff members of a pharmaceutical company in Hainan province test peptide pharmaceutical equipment on Sept 4.
\n
An employee works on compounds in the laboratory of a biopharmaceutical company in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, in December.
\n\n
China's pharmaceutical sector, once driven largely by generic drug production, is now witnessing a steady rise in innovative drug development, cross-border partnerships, and record research and development spending, signaling a structural transformation toward high-quality growth, experts and industry insiders said.
\n
In the first half, Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co Ltd reported total revenue of 15.76 billion yuan ($2.21 billion), up nearly 16 percent year-on-year, with net profit rising around 30 percent to 4.45 billion yuan, according to its interim report.
\n
For the first time, income from innovative drugs and licensing accounted for more than 60 percent of its total revenue. In 2018, the majority of the company's revenue was generated from generics, while only a small fraction came from innovative products.
\n
The shift reflects more than just product mix. "Innovation and globalization have become the twin engines driving our growth," the company said in a statement to China Daily. "As one of the country's leading R&D-driven pharmaceutical enterprises, we have made continuous innovation our first development strategy."
\n
Over the years, Hengrui has invested more than 48 billion yuan in research and development, with its R&D-to-revenue ratio climbing to 29.4 percent in 2024 — among the highest in the industry. The company operates 14 research centers worldwide, supported by a 5,600-strong global research team.
\n
To date, Hengrui has secured domestic approvals for 24 Category 1 innovative drugs and four Category 2 new drugs.
\n
Hengrui's transformation reflects not just the company's evolution, but the transformation of China's broader pharmaceutical industry.
\n
Across China, a growing number of once traditional drugmakers, such as Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co Ltd, Jiangsu province-based Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Ltd and Hebei province-based CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd, now are achieving similar transitions, reporting double-digit R&D growth and rising revenue shares from innovative products, according to their interim reports.
\n
The shift is reconfirmed by hard figures.
\n
China's pharmaceutical industry, now the world's second largest, accounts for around 30 percent of the global pipeline of innovative drugs in research, according to the National Medical Products Administration.
\n
Jin Chunlin, director of the Shanghai institute of medical science and technology information, said China's pharmaceutical industry is entering a new developmental phase, underpinned by policy reform and accumulated industry expertise.
\n
Jin explained that the generic-drug era was an essential foundation. It allowed firms to accumulate funds, master manufacturing techniques and establish a robust drug quality evaluation system. However, he said: "Companies cannot remain forever in the comfort zone of generics. Innovation is the only way forward."
\n
The industry's transformation has been propelled by a decade of deep structural reforms. Beginning in 2015, the government overhauled drug review and approval mechanisms, accelerating the path to market for innovative therapies.
\n
A landmark shift came in 2018 with the introduction of the national drug centralized procurement program, designed to pool public hospital demand and negotiate lower prices directly with drugmakers. By reducing inflated generic prices, the reform freed up funds for medical insurance coverage and redirected corporate focus toward innovation.
\n
By 2020, a consensus had formed across the industry: the era of high-margin generics was over. China's pharmaceutical sector needed to evolve from imitation to innovation.
\n
"The national drug centralized procurement reform has effectively reshaped China's pharmaceutical landscape," said Jiang Bin, deputy director of the Research Center of Public Policy at Peking University. "It has driven the industry away from a 'high-marketing, high-margin' model toward one defined by 'low cost and high innovation', improving efficiency and encouraging higher-quality growth."
\n
Jiang added that the reform's impact "extends far beyond price reductions", helping establish a more transparent, competitive and sustainable market order.
\n
The program continues to evolve. Its 11th round, currently underway, has shifted from "price suppression "to "value optimization", with new emphasis on both affordability and quality.
\n
Complementing these efforts, the authorities have rolled out multiple measures to support the high-quality development of innovative drugs, providing full-chain support for R&D, clinical trials, approval, production and commercialization.
\n
In 2025, for the first time, commercial health insurance was formally included in national drug reimbursement negotiations, paving the way for chimeric antigen receptor T-cell and gene therapies to enter the domestic payment system.
\n
China's regulatory efficiency for new drugs has also improved dramatically. Over the past decade, the average review cycle for new medicines has been shortened from several years to just months, enabling companies to bring novel therapies to patients faster.
\n
Since September, the National Medical Products Administration has implemented a 30-working-day fast-track review for key innovative drugs with clear clinical value. Eligible products include pediatric, oncology, and rare-disease treatments, specifically those supported by national R&D programs, or global multicenter trials led or co-led by Chinese principal investigators.
\n
According to the administration, more than 200 innovative drugs and 260 medical devices have been approved in the past five years. In the first half of 2025 alone, 43 new innovative drugs were approved including 40 developed domestically, with an average review time of 11 months, a 62 percent reduction compared with 2018.
\n
Zhao Heng, founder of consultancy Latitude Health, which specializes on the healthcare industry, said the acceleration allows Chinese patients to access global breakthroughs faster while helping domestic innovators reach commercialization sooner.
\n
The shift is also evident in global markets.
\n
Data from PharmCube, an industry intelligence firm showed that in 2024, Chinese pharmaceutical companies completed 94 out-licensing transactions with a total contract value of $51.9 billion, up 26 percent year-on-year. Upfront payments reached $4.1 billion, marking a 16 percent increase from 2023.
\n
The momentum has only accelerated in 2025. In the first half alone, the total value of innovative drug out-licensing deals reached nearly $66 billion, already surpassing the full-year total for 2024, said Xu Jinghe, deputy commissioner of the National Medical Products Administration.
\n
These collaborations show that Chinese innovation is gaining recognition from the global pharmaceutical community. Among the most prominent examples is that of Hengrui's $12.5 billion license-out collaboration with London-based GlaxoSmithKline, including a $500 million upfront payment and potential milestones worth $12 billion, one of the largest licensing deals ever signed by a Chinese drugmaker.
\n
"Business development revenue has become a significant contributor to our performance," the company said. "Through out-licensing and co-development, we share R&D risks, learn from international partners, and bring Chinese innovation to global patients."
\n
Across the industry, R&D intensity is climbing steadily. Major firms such as Simcere and Hansoh are deepening investment to sustain innovation. Simcere's R&D spending reached 28.7 percent of revenue in the first half, while Hansoh raised its R&D budget by 20.4 percent to 1.44 billion yuan.
\n
These surges in spending have been underpinned by capital market reforms — notably the STAR Market in Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchange's Chapter 18A list, which allows pre-revenue biotech firms to raise innovation funding.
\n
Despite strong momentum, challenges persist. Developing a single innovative drug can take more than 10 years and cost upwards of $1 billion. Many smaller firms face financial strain as they await trial results, and competition in crowded fields such as oncology and diabetes has intensified.
\n
Industry executives note that the hardest part of transformation lies in overcoming inertia, shifting from the predictable "recipe" of generics to the uncertainty of true innovation, which demands tolerance for failure and a culture that rewards experimentation.
\n
Zhou Liyun, chairman of PharmCube, said fostering trial and error and enabling market-based selection help retain the global biopharmaceutical industry dynamics and China is now beginning to cultivate a similar innovation ecosystem.
\n
For Hengrui, the next step lies in differentiation. "To stand out globally, innovation must address unmet clinical needs," the company said. "From target selection to indication expansion, we're pursuing diversified, patient-centered strategies across oncology, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, immunological and respiratory diseases, and neuroscience."
\n
From 2025 to 2027, the company expects dozens of major innovations to reach the market, including GLP-1 therapies for obesity and diabetes, and next-generation oncology drugs.
\n
lijing2009@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Staff members of a pharmaceutical company in Hainan province test peptide pharmaceutical equipment on Sept 4.
\n
An employee works on compounds in the laboratory of a biopharmaceutical company in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, in December.
\n\n
China's pharmaceutical sector, once driven largely by generic drug production, is now witnessing a steady rise in innovative drug development, cross-border partnerships, and record research and development spending, signaling a structural transformation toward high-quality growth, experts and industry insiders said.
\n
In the first half, Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals Co Ltd reported total revenue of 15.76 billion yuan ($2.21 billion), up nearly 16 percent year-on-year, with net profit rising around 30 percent to 4.45 billion yuan, according to its interim report.
\n
For the first time, income from innovative drugs and licensing accounted for more than 60 percent of its total revenue. In 2018, the majority of the company's revenue was generated from generics, while only a small fraction came from innovative products.
\n
The shift reflects more than just product mix. "Innovation and globalization have become the twin engines driving our growth," the company said in a statement to China Daily. "As one of the country's leading R&D-driven pharmaceutical enterprises, we have made continuous innovation our first development strategy."
\n
Over the years, Hengrui has invested more than 48 billion yuan in research and development, with its R&D-to-revenue ratio climbing to 29.4 percent in 2024 — among the highest in the industry. The company operates 14 research centers worldwide, supported by a 5,600-strong global research team.
\n
To date, Hengrui has secured domestic approvals for 24 Category 1 innovative drugs and four Category 2 new drugs.
\n
Hengrui's transformation reflects not just the company's evolution, but the transformation of China's broader pharmaceutical industry.
\n
Across China, a growing number of once traditional drugmakers, such as Jiangsu Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co Ltd, Jiangsu province-based Simcere Pharmaceutical Group Ltd and Hebei province-based CSPC Pharmaceutical Group Ltd, now are achieving similar transitions, reporting double-digit R&D growth and rising revenue shares from innovative products, according to their interim reports.
\n
The shift is reconfirmed by hard figures.
\n
China's pharmaceutical industry, now the world's second largest, accounts for around 30 percent of the global pipeline of innovative drugs in research, according to the National Medical Products Administration.
\n
Jin Chunlin, director of the Shanghai institute of medical science and technology information, said China's pharmaceutical industry is entering a new developmental phase, underpinned by policy reform and accumulated industry expertise.
\n
Jin explained that the generic-drug era was an essential foundation. It allowed firms to accumulate funds, master manufacturing techniques and establish a robust drug quality evaluation system. However, he said: "Companies cannot remain forever in the comfort zone of generics. Innovation is the only way forward."
\n
The industry's transformation has been propelled by a decade of deep structural reforms. Beginning in 2015, the government overhauled drug review and approval mechanisms, accelerating the path to market for innovative therapies.
\n
A landmark shift came in 2018 with the introduction of the national drug centralized procurement program, designed to pool public hospital demand and negotiate lower prices directly with drugmakers. By reducing inflated generic prices, the reform freed up funds for medical insurance coverage and redirected corporate focus toward innovation.
\n
By 2020, a consensus had formed across the industry: the era of high-margin generics was over. China's pharmaceutical sector needed to evolve from imitation to innovation.
\n
"The national drug centralized procurement reform has effectively reshaped China's pharmaceutical landscape," said Jiang Bin, deputy director of the Research Center of Public Policy at Peking University. "It has driven the industry away from a 'high-marketing, high-margin' model toward one defined by 'low cost and high innovation', improving efficiency and encouraging higher-quality growth."
\n
Jiang added that the reform's impact "extends far beyond price reductions", helping establish a more transparent, competitive and sustainable market order.
\n
The program continues to evolve. Its 11th round, currently underway, has shifted from "price suppression "to "value optimization", with new emphasis on both affordability and quality.
\n
Complementing these efforts, the authorities have rolled out multiple measures to support the high-quality development of innovative drugs, providing full-chain support for R&D, clinical trials, approval, production and commercialization.
\n
In 2025, for the first time, commercial health insurance was formally included in national drug reimbursement negotiations, paving the way for chimeric antigen receptor T-cell and gene therapies to enter the domestic payment system.
\n
China's regulatory efficiency for new drugs has also improved dramatically. Over the past decade, the average review cycle for new medicines has been shortened from several years to just months, enabling companies to bring novel therapies to patients faster.
\n
Since September, the National Medical Products Administration has implemented a 30-working-day fast-track review for key innovative drugs with clear clinical value. Eligible products include pediatric, oncology, and rare-disease treatments, specifically those supported by national R&D programs, or global multicenter trials led or co-led by Chinese principal investigators.
\n
According to the administration, more than 200 innovative drugs and 260 medical devices have been approved in the past five years. In the first half of 2025 alone, 43 new innovative drugs were approved including 40 developed domestically, with an average review time of 11 months, a 62 percent reduction compared with 2018.
\n
Zhao Heng, founder of consultancy Latitude Health, which specializes on the healthcare industry, said the acceleration allows Chinese patients to access global breakthroughs faster while helping domestic innovators reach commercialization sooner.
\n
The shift is also evident in global markets.
\n
Data from PharmCube, an industry intelligence firm showed that in 2024, Chinese pharmaceutical companies completed 94 out-licensing transactions with a total contract value of $51.9 billion, up 26 percent year-on-year. Upfront payments reached $4.1 billion, marking a 16 percent increase from 2023.
\n
The momentum has only accelerated in 2025. In the first half alone, the total value of innovative drug out-licensing deals reached nearly $66 billion, already surpassing the full-year total for 2024, said Xu Jinghe, deputy commissioner of the National Medical Products Administration.
\n
These collaborations show that Chinese innovation is gaining recognition from the global pharmaceutical community. Among the most prominent examples is that of Hengrui's $12.5 billion license-out collaboration with London-based GlaxoSmithKline, including a $500 million upfront payment and potential milestones worth $12 billion, one of the largest licensing deals ever signed by a Chinese drugmaker.
\n
"Business development revenue has become a significant contributor to our performance," the company said. "Through out-licensing and co-development, we share R&D risks, learn from international partners, and bring Chinese innovation to global patients."
\n
Across the industry, R&D intensity is climbing steadily. Major firms such as Simcere and Hansoh are deepening investment to sustain innovation. Simcere's R&D spending reached 28.7 percent of revenue in the first half, while Hansoh raised its R&D budget by 20.4 percent to 1.44 billion yuan.
\n
These surges in spending have been underpinned by capital market reforms — notably the STAR Market in Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchange's Chapter 18A list, which allows pre-revenue biotech firms to raise innovation funding.
\n
Despite strong momentum, challenges persist. Developing a single innovative drug can take more than 10 years and cost upwards of $1 billion. Many smaller firms face financial strain as they await trial results, and competition in crowded fields such as oncology and diabetes has intensified.
\n
Industry executives note that the hardest part of transformation lies in overcoming inertia, shifting from the predictable "recipe" of generics to the uncertainty of true innovation, which demands tolerance for failure and a culture that rewards experimentation.
\n
Zhou Liyun, chairman of PharmCube, said fostering trial and error and enabling market-based selection help retain the global biopharmaceutical industry dynamics and China is now beginning to cultivate a similar innovation ecosystem.
\n
For Hengrui, the next step lies in differentiation. "To stand out globally, innovation must address unmet clinical needs," the company said. "From target selection to indication expansion, we're pursuing diversified, patient-centered strategies across oncology, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, immunological and respiratory diseases, and neuroscience."
\n
From 2025 to 2027, the company expects dozens of major innovations to reach the market, including GLP-1 therapies for obesity and diabetes, and next-generation oncology drugs.
A technician works in an innovative drug laboratory in Chengdu, Sichuan province, in April 2024.
\n
The Hong Kong stock market is seeing an unprecedented surge in listing applications from A-share companies, with pharmaceutical firms at the forefront.
\n
According to market tracker Wind Info, as of Oct 13, a total of 83 A-share companies had sought dual listings on the Hong Kong stock exchange since the start of the year, more than the total from the past decade combined, underscoring that the "A+H" dual-listing trend has shifted into high gear.
\n
Among these applicants, healthcare companies stand out both in number and ambition. Kexing Biopharm, for instance, said in a recent statement that its board had approved an H-share issuance and listing in Hong Kong. The company described the move as part of its "innovation + internationalization" strategy to accelerate overseas expansion, optimize capital structure and enhance brand visibility abroad. The firm specializes in research and development, production and sales of recombinant protein drugs and microecological preparations, according to its website.
\n
That announcement coincided with a flurry of filings at the end of September. Over the two days of Sept 29 and 30, more than 10 pharmaceutical and biotech firms submitted IPO applications to the Hong Kong stock exchange.
\n
Dong Ximiao, chief researcher at Merchants Union Consumer Finance, said the momentum is "the combined result of policy, market and corporate factors".
\n
"The Hong Kong stock exchange's Chapter 18A, introduced in 2018, opened a financing channel for pre-profit biotech companies," he said. "The Technology Enterprises Channel launched in May this year further streamlined the process, allowing confidential submissions and one-stop consultations, making listings faster and safer for biotech firms."
\n
Dong added that Hong Kong's deep pool of long-term institutional investors makes it "not just a financing platform, but a stage for biotech companies to build international credibility and partnerships".
\n
Meanwhile, the Southbound Stock Connect continues to direct mainland capital into Hong Kong's equity market. Adjustments made by the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges in March this year widened investor access, fueling steady inflows into biotech H-shares.
\n
Earnings momentum has strengthened sentiment. According to Southwest Securities, the innovative drug sector in the Hong Kong stock market saw its first turnaround from loss to gain in the first half. Analysts at Southwest Securities said the industry has "entered a new, profit-driven cycle", with leading firms benefiting from successful commercialization and overseas licensing that are finally converting years of R&D into tangible returns.
\n
Some applicants remain unprofitable but qualify under the 18A framework. Yantai Lannacheng Biotechnology Co Ltd, for example, is a pre-profit company founded in 2021 with a pipeline of 13 drug candidates, including seven diagnostic and six therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.
\n
Experts describe the 18A segment as a vital "innovation incubator "within China's biotech ecosystem. Lou Feipeng, a researcher at Postal Savings Bank of China, said lighter requirements for profitability, cash flow and lock-up periods make the Hong Kong stock exchange "particularly appealing to early-stage drug innovators".
\n
Still, Lou cautioned that stronger oversight is needed to ensure funds are used effectively.
\n
"To make sure capital truly fuels innovation, regulators should adopt milestone-based assessments, tie management incentives to R&D outcomes, and encourage commercialization and mergers that boost industry concentration," he said. "Innovation should be judged by clinical value and market potential, not just patent counts."
\n
Experts agree that the A-share companies' dual listing boom on the Hong Kong stock exchange is reshaping China's biotech industry.
\n
Dong believes it will accelerate both consolidation and innovation. "Capital will increasingly concentrate in well-funded leaders, strengthening their market position and triggering a reshuffle across the industry," he said. "At the same time, greater access to capital will encourage firms to invest boldly in long-cycle, high-risk innovation, fueling faster development of new drugs and technologies."
\n
On Oct 14, the Hong Kong stock exchange announced plans to launch Hang Seng Biotech Index Futures, which track the performance of the 30 largest Southbound Stock Connect-eligible biotech, pharmaceuticals and medical devices companies listed in Hong Kong. The futures are expected to offer investors a targeted risk management tool for one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic sectors, complementing the exchange's existing suite of biotech-related offerings and flagship equity index derivatives.
\n",
+ "content": "
A technician works in an innovative drug laboratory in Chengdu, Sichuan province, in April 2024.
\n
The Hong Kong stock market is seeing an unprecedented surge in listing applications from A-share companies, with pharmaceutical firms at the forefront.
\n
According to market tracker Wind Info, as of Oct 13, a total of 83 A-share companies had sought dual listings on the Hong Kong stock exchange since the start of the year, more than the total from the past decade combined, underscoring that the "A+H" dual-listing trend has shifted into high gear.
\n
Among these applicants, healthcare companies stand out both in number and ambition. Kexing Biopharm, for instance, said in a recent statement that its board had approved an H-share issuance and listing in Hong Kong. The company described the move as part of its "innovation + internationalization" strategy to accelerate overseas expansion, optimize capital structure and enhance brand visibility abroad. The firm specializes in research and development, production and sales of recombinant protein drugs and microecological preparations, according to its website.
\n
That announcement coincided with a flurry of filings at the end of September. Over the two days of Sept 29 and 30, more than 10 pharmaceutical and biotech firms submitted IPO applications to the Hong Kong stock exchange.
\n
Dong Ximiao, chief researcher at Merchants Union Consumer Finance, said the momentum is "the combined result of policy, market and corporate factors".
\n
"The Hong Kong stock exchange's Chapter 18A, introduced in 2018, opened a financing channel for pre-profit biotech companies," he said. "The Technology Enterprises Channel launched in May this year further streamlined the process, allowing confidential submissions and one-stop consultations, making listings faster and safer for biotech firms."
\n
Dong added that Hong Kong's deep pool of long-term institutional investors makes it "not just a financing platform, but a stage for biotech companies to build international credibility and partnerships".
\n
Meanwhile, the Southbound Stock Connect continues to direct mainland capital into Hong Kong's equity market. Adjustments made by the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges in March this year widened investor access, fueling steady inflows into biotech H-shares.
\n
Earnings momentum has strengthened sentiment. According to Southwest Securities, the innovative drug sector in the Hong Kong stock market saw its first turnaround from loss to gain in the first half. Analysts at Southwest Securities said the industry has "entered a new, profit-driven cycle", with leading firms benefiting from successful commercialization and overseas licensing that are finally converting years of R&D into tangible returns.
\n
Some applicants remain unprofitable but qualify under the 18A framework. Yantai Lannacheng Biotechnology Co Ltd, for example, is a pre-profit company founded in 2021 with a pipeline of 13 drug candidates, including seven diagnostic and six therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.
\n
Experts describe the 18A segment as a vital "innovation incubator "within China's biotech ecosystem. Lou Feipeng, a researcher at Postal Savings Bank of China, said lighter requirements for profitability, cash flow and lock-up periods make the Hong Kong stock exchange "particularly appealing to early-stage drug innovators".
\n
Still, Lou cautioned that stronger oversight is needed to ensure funds are used effectively.
\n
"To make sure capital truly fuels innovation, regulators should adopt milestone-based assessments, tie management incentives to R&D outcomes, and encourage commercialization and mergers that boost industry concentration," he said. "Innovation should be judged by clinical value and market potential, not just patent counts."
\n
Experts agree that the A-share companies' dual listing boom on the Hong Kong stock exchange is reshaping China's biotech industry.
\n
Dong believes it will accelerate both consolidation and innovation. "Capital will increasingly concentrate in well-funded leaders, strengthening their market position and triggering a reshuffle across the industry," he said. "At the same time, greater access to capital will encourage firms to invest boldly in long-cycle, high-risk innovation, fueling faster development of new drugs and technologies."
\n
On Oct 14, the Hong Kong stock exchange announced plans to launch Hang Seng Biotech Index Futures, which track the performance of the 30 largest Southbound Stock Connect-eligible biotech, pharmaceuticals and medical devices companies listed in Hong Kong. The futures are expected to offer investors a targeted risk management tool for one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic sectors, complementing the exchange's existing suite of biotech-related offerings and flagship equity index derivatives.
The juxtaposition of Qi Baishi's Squirrels and Grapes (right) and Wu Changshuo's Grapes at the exhibition shows how Qi learned from Wu to shade colors in an elegant way.
\n
The juxtaposition of Qi Baishi's Squirrels and Grapes (right) and Wu Changshuo's Grapes at the exhibition shows how Qi learned from Wu to shade colors in an elegant way.
\n
The show also includes Magpies and Stone (left) by Zhu Da and A Snow Landscape by Xu Wei, reflecting their minimalist aesthetic preferences.
\n
The show also includes Magpies and Stone (left) by Zhu Da and A Snow Landscape by Xu Wei, reflecting their minimalist aesthetic preferences.
\n
A painting from Xu Wei's Miscellaneous Plants album on show. Xu created a vigorous world through his depiction of plants and flowers.
\n
An exhibition of works by a renowned ink artist and his three mentors drew people to the Art Museum of Beijing Fine Art Academy at the end of the Golden Week holiday. Despite living in different eras, all four artists embraced a revolutionary spirit that has left a long-lasting influence on Chinese art history.
\n
The spotlight of the exhibition was Qi Baishi (1864-1957), an eminent figure of modern ink art, and his three renowned "teachers": Xu Wei of the 16th century, Zhu Da (1626-1705) — better known by the pseudonym Bada Shanren — and Wu Changshuo (1844-1927). Works by the four painters were brought together from various museums across the country at the exhibition Brushstrokes Across Centuries, which is on show at the Art Museum of Beijing Fine Art Academy until Dec 5.
\n
Qi was elected the honorary dean of Beijing Fine Art Academy when it was established in May 1957, about four months before he died. The academy holds an abundant collection of Qi's works and documents and administers Qi's former residence, a siheyuan-style courtyard which is now a museum.
\n
The exhibition marks the 20th anniversary of the Art Museum of Beijing Fine Art Academy, an occasion that the academy's head Wu Hongliang wants to mark by mounting a unique and unprecedented show that would have struck a chord in the heart of Qi if he were alive to see it.
\n
The theme stemmed from a poem of Qi's which expressed his admiration for his three artistic heroes in a way no less significant than idol worship in pop culture today.
\n
Wu says that among the many great artists in history whom Qi studied, these three illuminated the xieyi (drawing the spirit) tradition of classic Chinese painting, and nourished Qi the most in his own attempts at xieyi.
\n
To showcase the evolution of art practiced by the four painters and compare their creative works, Wu's colleagues reached out to museums and cultural institutions across the country to borrow their exhibits, including the National Art Museum of China, Nanjing Museum in Jiangsu province and Liaoning Provincial Museum in Shenyang, Liaoning province, as well as Beijing-based Rong Bao Zhai, the time-honored cultural brand from which Qi used to order fine-quality paper.
\n
Technically, the xieyi style prioritizes expansive washes of ink and muted shades of color over precise delineation of the subjects. This minimalist treatment accentuates an understated beauty and otherworldly tendencies.
\n
The exhibition shows how the four featured painters championed the style not only for artistic creativity, but also because it allowed them to embed their personas, individuality and world views in every stroke.
\n
Wu says the exhibition is "a key", "an invisible hand", to open the studios of the four men to visitors.
\n
The first stop of this journey through centuries takes people into the mind of Xu Wei. Hailed as a child prodigy for his skill in painting and poetry, Xu, however, led a turbulent life, falling victim to the political darkness of the mid-to-late stages of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).Although viewed as unhinged by some, Xu created, with unbounded strokes, a vigorous world, especially through his depiction of plants and flowers.
\n
"He splashed and shaded ink on paper as if he were throwing a shower of storms and gales," Wu says. He adds that it is an eruption of emotions and melancholy, reflecting the romanticism movement, with Xu being a representative figure of it in various areas of art, literature and philosophy.
\n
Decades later, the monk-artist Zhu Da took the baton of xieyi to leverage it to an even higher expressive realm. His paintings are known for delivering an enigmatic mood — he often painted fish, birds, deer and cranes with upturned eyes, raising their heads toward the sky.
\n
A member of the fallen Ming royal family, he secluded himself from the hustle of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). "There is symbolism manifested by his bold outlines and the animals, sometimes alone on a tree branch or a cliff rock. Underneath the minimalist beauty of his works is sorrow, loneliness and a compassion for the lives that suffered — a portrayal of his own experience and mentality," Wu says.
\n
Exhibition visitor Zhong Wei says, "It is a great opportunity for fans of Bada Shanren to see some of his best works drawn from different museums and get a comprehensive picture of his art. I'm most impressed by the work A School of Fish. There are only six small fish, each different, which are set in a backdrop of great emptiness, (it's) so engaging that you want to look again and again".
\n
Qi learned from Xu Wei and Zhu Da how to express himself without limits and was inspired by Wu Changshuo, a senior artist of the time, to introduce colors in an elegant way and add new aesthetic dimensions to the xieyi tradition.
\n
Wu Changshuo integrated the varied styles of ancient Chinese characters and the practice of calligraphy into painting. His best-known depiction of plum blossoms, drawn with "iron wire-like" lines, indicates a scholarly integrity within him, while his graceful use of colors reflects a modern twist.
\n
Wu Hongliang says that Qi was nurtured and inspired by his predecessors, but he was not restricted by them. He was willing to experiment and rejected self-admiration and seclusion, instead embracing the vigor of life and wit. "He was from the countryside. He loved the unsophisticated, warm aspects of rural life which he injected into the creatures, fruits and vegetables he drew, celebrating the magic of nature."
\n
The late oil painter Hou Yimin once summarized Qi's work as "a unity of the finest and the simplest, common things".
\n
Qi himself remained humble about his accomplishments.
\n
He said: "I feast on mulberry leaves and honey provided by thousands (of great artists in history) so that I can spin and produce myself. I have toiled through many hardships and made small achievements, all owed to those mentors in the past and of my time."
\n
Contact the writer at linqi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
The juxtaposition of Qi Baishi's Squirrels and Grapes (right) and Wu Changshuo's Grapes at the exhibition shows how Qi learned from Wu to shade colors in an elegant way.
\n
The juxtaposition of Qi Baishi's Squirrels and Grapes (right) and Wu Changshuo's Grapes at the exhibition shows how Qi learned from Wu to shade colors in an elegant way.
\n
The show also includes Magpies and Stone (left) by Zhu Da and A Snow Landscape by Xu Wei, reflecting their minimalist aesthetic preferences.
\n
The show also includes Magpies and Stone (left) by Zhu Da and A Snow Landscape by Xu Wei, reflecting their minimalist aesthetic preferences.
\n
A painting from Xu Wei's Miscellaneous Plants album on show. Xu created a vigorous world through his depiction of plants and flowers.
\n
An exhibition of works by a renowned ink artist and his three mentors drew people to the Art Museum of Beijing Fine Art Academy at the end of the Golden Week holiday. Despite living in different eras, all four artists embraced a revolutionary spirit that has left a long-lasting influence on Chinese art history.
\n
The spotlight of the exhibition was Qi Baishi (1864-1957), an eminent figure of modern ink art, and his three renowned "teachers": Xu Wei of the 16th century, Zhu Da (1626-1705) — better known by the pseudonym Bada Shanren — and Wu Changshuo (1844-1927). Works by the four painters were brought together from various museums across the country at the exhibition Brushstrokes Across Centuries, which is on show at the Art Museum of Beijing Fine Art Academy until Dec 5.
\n
Qi was elected the honorary dean of Beijing Fine Art Academy when it was established in May 1957, about four months before he died. The academy holds an abundant collection of Qi's works and documents and administers Qi's former residence, a siheyuan-style courtyard which is now a museum.
\n
The exhibition marks the 20th anniversary of the Art Museum of Beijing Fine Art Academy, an occasion that the academy's head Wu Hongliang wants to mark by mounting a unique and unprecedented show that would have struck a chord in the heart of Qi if he were alive to see it.
\n
The theme stemmed from a poem of Qi's which expressed his admiration for his three artistic heroes in a way no less significant than idol worship in pop culture today.
\n
Wu says that among the many great artists in history whom Qi studied, these three illuminated the xieyi (drawing the spirit) tradition of classic Chinese painting, and nourished Qi the most in his own attempts at xieyi.
\n
To showcase the evolution of art practiced by the four painters and compare their creative works, Wu's colleagues reached out to museums and cultural institutions across the country to borrow their exhibits, including the National Art Museum of China, Nanjing Museum in Jiangsu province and Liaoning Provincial Museum in Shenyang, Liaoning province, as well as Beijing-based Rong Bao Zhai, the time-honored cultural brand from which Qi used to order fine-quality paper.
\n
Technically, the xieyi style prioritizes expansive washes of ink and muted shades of color over precise delineation of the subjects. This minimalist treatment accentuates an understated beauty and otherworldly tendencies.
\n
The exhibition shows how the four featured painters championed the style not only for artistic creativity, but also because it allowed them to embed their personas, individuality and world views in every stroke.
\n
Wu says the exhibition is "a key", "an invisible hand", to open the studios of the four men to visitors.
\n
The first stop of this journey through centuries takes people into the mind of Xu Wei. Hailed as a child prodigy for his skill in painting and poetry, Xu, however, led a turbulent life, falling victim to the political darkness of the mid-to-late stages of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).Although viewed as unhinged by some, Xu created, with unbounded strokes, a vigorous world, especially through his depiction of plants and flowers.
\n
"He splashed and shaded ink on paper as if he were throwing a shower of storms and gales," Wu says. He adds that it is an eruption of emotions and melancholy, reflecting the romanticism movement, with Xu being a representative figure of it in various areas of art, literature and philosophy.
\n
Decades later, the monk-artist Zhu Da took the baton of xieyi to leverage it to an even higher expressive realm. His paintings are known for delivering an enigmatic mood — he often painted fish, birds, deer and cranes with upturned eyes, raising their heads toward the sky.
\n
A member of the fallen Ming royal family, he secluded himself from the hustle of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). "There is symbolism manifested by his bold outlines and the animals, sometimes alone on a tree branch or a cliff rock. Underneath the minimalist beauty of his works is sorrow, loneliness and a compassion for the lives that suffered — a portrayal of his own experience and mentality," Wu says.
\n
Exhibition visitor Zhong Wei says, "It is a great opportunity for fans of Bada Shanren to see some of his best works drawn from different museums and get a comprehensive picture of his art. I'm most impressed by the work A School of Fish. There are only six small fish, each different, which are set in a backdrop of great emptiness, (it's) so engaging that you want to look again and again".
\n
Qi learned from Xu Wei and Zhu Da how to express himself without limits and was inspired by Wu Changshuo, a senior artist of the time, to introduce colors in an elegant way and add new aesthetic dimensions to the xieyi tradition.
\n
Wu Changshuo integrated the varied styles of ancient Chinese characters and the practice of calligraphy into painting. His best-known depiction of plum blossoms, drawn with "iron wire-like" lines, indicates a scholarly integrity within him, while his graceful use of colors reflects a modern twist.
\n
Wu Hongliang says that Qi was nurtured and inspired by his predecessors, but he was not restricted by them. He was willing to experiment and rejected self-admiration and seclusion, instead embracing the vigor of life and wit. "He was from the countryside. He loved the unsophisticated, warm aspects of rural life which he injected into the creatures, fruits and vegetables he drew, celebrating the magic of nature."
\n
The late oil painter Hou Yimin once summarized Qi's work as "a unity of the finest and the simplest, common things".
\n
Qi himself remained humble about his accomplishments.
\n
He said: "I feast on mulberry leaves and honey provided by thousands (of great artists in history) so that I can spin and produce myself. I have toiled through many hardships and made small achievements, all owed to those mentors in the past and of my time."
Tong Liya at the launch ceremony of a national tour of Here, and Beyond.
\n
She leads the performance in the dance drama that celebrates diverse ethnic cultures.
\n
At 42, Tong Liya has returned to a stage that once defined her dreams — this time, as a dancer.
\n
After years of focusing on her acting career, she faces the unique challenge of reentering the world of dance, which she had once called her own.
\n
On Sept 23, she announced the national tour of the dance drama, Here, and Beyond, at Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center as the production's initiator, producer and lead performer.
\n
Tong is not only embracing a new artistic challenge but also returning to her roots in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, the place where her journey as a dancer began.
\n
"I grew up in Xinjiang and I conceived the idea of creating this dance drama as a tribute to my hometown," says Tong, who was born in the Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture in northwestern Xinjiang.
\n
"Dance was where my dream began. The stage was where I first set out. For me, performing in this dance drama at 42 is not only a challenge but also a way to revisit the passion that first defined my artistic journey."
\n
Her history with dance dates back to her childhood.
\n
At 12, Tong studied at Xinjiang Arts University's dance school.
\n
By 19, she had become a professional dancer with the Xinjiang Song and Dance Troupe. Later, she continued studies at the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing.
\n
Here, and Beyond had its premiere in 2019 at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing.
\n
Since its reimagined version debuted at the 7th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival in July, it has now embarked on a nationwide tour, set to cover 17 cities and 50 performances by April 2026.
\n
The dance drama, featuring more than 50 dancers from Xinjiang, is structured into six chapters: Encounter, To Father, To Mother, To Love, To the Distance and To Here. Each chapter weaves together the stories of various ethnic groups, blending folk dance forms with international dance vocabulary.
\n
The work explores themes of love, identity and personal growth, while drawing on the cultural traditions of various ethnic groups, including Kazak, Uygur, Xibe and Tajik.
\n
The forceful dance movements of the Xibe group reflect the gravity of To Father, while the fluid rhythms of the Tajik group express the warmth of To Mother. Furthermore, the vibrant beats of the Kazak group convey the passionate intensity of To Love.
\n
The overall choreography, woven together by multiple ethnic groups, brings to life the expansive dreams and emotions of the dance.
\n
To prepare, Tong committed to months of rigorous training to meet the physical demands of the intense choreography.
\n
"Once Tong Liya stepped onto the stage, it was as if she had been 'reawakened'," recalls Dong Jie, the chief director of the dance drama.
\n
"The wealth of acting experience she has gained over the years, combined with her life journey, allowed her to capture the emotional essence of her role. On stage, she exuded an electrifying energy that captivated the audience."
\n
chennan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Tong Liya at the launch ceremony of a national tour of Here, and Beyond.
\n
She leads the performance in the dance drama that celebrates diverse ethnic cultures.
\n
At 42, Tong Liya has returned to a stage that once defined her dreams — this time, as a dancer.
\n
After years of focusing on her acting career, she faces the unique challenge of reentering the world of dance, which she had once called her own.
\n
On Sept 23, she announced the national tour of the dance drama, Here, and Beyond, at Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center as the production's initiator, producer and lead performer.
\n
Tong is not only embracing a new artistic challenge but also returning to her roots in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, the place where her journey as a dancer began.
\n
"I grew up in Xinjiang and I conceived the idea of creating this dance drama as a tribute to my hometown," says Tong, who was born in the Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture in northwestern Xinjiang.
\n
"Dance was where my dream began. The stage was where I first set out. For me, performing in this dance drama at 42 is not only a challenge but also a way to revisit the passion that first defined my artistic journey."
\n
Her history with dance dates back to her childhood.
\n
At 12, Tong studied at Xinjiang Arts University's dance school.
\n
By 19, she had become a professional dancer with the Xinjiang Song and Dance Troupe. Later, she continued studies at the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing.
\n
Here, and Beyond had its premiere in 2019 at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing.
\n
Since its reimagined version debuted at the 7th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival in July, it has now embarked on a nationwide tour, set to cover 17 cities and 50 performances by April 2026.
\n
The dance drama, featuring more than 50 dancers from Xinjiang, is structured into six chapters: Encounter, To Father, To Mother, To Love, To the Distance and To Here. Each chapter weaves together the stories of various ethnic groups, blending folk dance forms with international dance vocabulary.
\n
The work explores themes of love, identity and personal growth, while drawing on the cultural traditions of various ethnic groups, including Kazak, Uygur, Xibe and Tajik.
\n
The forceful dance movements of the Xibe group reflect the gravity of To Father, while the fluid rhythms of the Tajik group express the warmth of To Mother. Furthermore, the vibrant beats of the Kazak group convey the passionate intensity of To Love.
\n
The overall choreography, woven together by multiple ethnic groups, brings to life the expansive dreams and emotions of the dance.
\n
To prepare, Tong committed to months of rigorous training to meet the physical demands of the intense choreography.
\n
"Once Tong Liya stepped onto the stage, it was as if she had been 'reawakened'," recalls Dong Jie, the chief director of the dance drama.
\n
"The wealth of acting experience she has gained over the years, combined with her life journey, allowed her to capture the emotional essence of her role. On stage, she exuded an electrifying energy that captivated the audience."
Creative members of the Chinese stage adaptation of August: Osage County, including directors Tang Ye (third from right, back row) and Gong Lijun (fourth from right, back row), pose on Oct 13 in Beijing.
\n
Feng Yuanzheng, president of Beijing People's Art Theatre announces, the upcoming new stage production of the Pulitzer-winning play.
\n
Actress Chen Xiaoyi, who plays the role of Barbara in the play, speaks during the media event held in Beijing on Oct 13.
\n
The 2008 Pulitzer-winning August: Osage County, an American play by playwright Tracy Letts, is set to make its mark on Chinese stages with a new adaptation of the same title.
\n
Produced and performed by artists of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, the Chinese adaptation of the play will premiere at Cao Yu Theatre in the capital on Nov 13, with shows running until Nov 29.
\n
Directed by Tang Ye and Gong Lijun, the production is an exciting fusion of cultural nuances, shedding light on the complex web of family dynamics and unresolved secrets.
\n
Set in the stifling heat of August in a quiet corner of Oklahoma, Letts' original play tells the story of the Weston family, thrown into turmoil after the sudden disappearance of the father, Beverly Weston.
\n
As the family members, each struggling with their personal problems, reunite under one roof, decades of secrets, betrayals, and emotional wounds slowly rise to the surface.
\n
The mother, Violet, is a cruel, sharp-tongued woman whose troubled relationships with her daughters unravel before the audience's eyes, reflecting not just personal struggles but also generational conflicts.
\n
"This play is filled with suspense from start to finish, and emotional depth. We are confident about adding this compelling foreign drama to our repertoire, continuing a tradition of bringing international works to Chinese audiences," says Feng Yuanzheng, president of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, who also notes that the theater's Chinese stage adaptation of classic plays, such as Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller and The Gin Game by D.L.Coburn, have previously explored family struggles, resonating deeply with Chinese viewers.
\n
Feng notes that the script of August: Osage County was recommended and translated by famed Chinese-born American actress Lisa Lu, 98. She also translated The Gin Game for the Beijing theater.
\n
"Our hope is that people leave the theater feeling not just entertained, but also with a sense of catharsis and reflection on their relationships," he adds.
\n
Directors Tang and Gong are both seasoned female theater artists who have a distinct vision for this adaptation.
\n
Known for their unique sensitivity to female perspectives, they bring a deep emotional resonance to the stage. Their previous collaboration on adapting Night, Mother by Marsha Norman, also a winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1983, was met with warm feedback.
\n
Now, with Letts' play, they continue to explore relationships within the context of marriage, family and personal identity.
\n
"With August: Osage County, we are given the opportunity to look at a woman's world from multiple angles. The characters are all burdened by societal expectations and family history. We understand these pressures in a way that allows us to depict them with nuance and honesty," says Tang. "This is a play about survival, emotionally, psychologically, and physically. For women like Violet and Barbara (the eldest daughter), the family isn't just a place of love, but also a battlefield."
\n
The role of Barbara, played by Chen Xiaoyi, is central to this emotional landscape. Despite her sharp, independent demeanor often clashing with her mother, Barbara is not immune to personal struggles.
\n
"The roller-coaster of emotions in Barbara's life during this short period is one of the things that drew me to this script," says Chen. "As women, we're often expected to balance many roles, including daughter, wife and mother. Barbara is no different. She must confront not just her family's secrets but her own self-worth. It's a powerful role to portray, especially as a woman. We carry so much, and sometimes, it's too much to bear."
\n
Gong, also a veteran actress, plays the role of Violet. "This play is so rooted in the complexities of female relationships — the tension between mothers and daughters, the expectations placed on women, and the emotional labor that often goes unseen," she says. "As a director, I wanted to ensure that Violet's toxic love for her daughters is felt, as something born from her own suffering. It's easy to judge Violet from the outside, but I wanted the audience to see her struggles with the same empathy we offer to our own family members, even when they hurt us.
\n
"I recognize that, as women, we are often expected to hold everything together: the family, the home, the emotions. In the play, this pressure is laid bare. The set represents this — on the outside, the house appears to be like any other family home. But inside, it's full of cracks, of unresolved pain. It's a powerful metaphor for what many women experience every day," adds Gong. Referring to the stage design, which features minimalist elements with a rotating, three-story house, the set symbolizes the "cage" in which the family members find themselves trapped.
\n
Contact the writer at chennan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Creative members of the Chinese stage adaptation of August: Osage County, including directors Tang Ye (third from right, back row) and Gong Lijun (fourth from right, back row), pose on Oct 13 in Beijing.
\n
Feng Yuanzheng, president of Beijing People's Art Theatre announces, the upcoming new stage production of the Pulitzer-winning play.
\n
Actress Chen Xiaoyi, who plays the role of Barbara in the play, speaks during the media event held in Beijing on Oct 13.
\n
The 2008 Pulitzer-winning August: Osage County, an American play by playwright Tracy Letts, is set to make its mark on Chinese stages with a new adaptation of the same title.
\n
Produced and performed by artists of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, the Chinese adaptation of the play will premiere at Cao Yu Theatre in the capital on Nov 13, with shows running until Nov 29.
\n
Directed by Tang Ye and Gong Lijun, the production is an exciting fusion of cultural nuances, shedding light on the complex web of family dynamics and unresolved secrets.
\n
Set in the stifling heat of August in a quiet corner of Oklahoma, Letts' original play tells the story of the Weston family, thrown into turmoil after the sudden disappearance of the father, Beverly Weston.
\n
As the family members, each struggling with their personal problems, reunite under one roof, decades of secrets, betrayals, and emotional wounds slowly rise to the surface.
\n
The mother, Violet, is a cruel, sharp-tongued woman whose troubled relationships with her daughters unravel before the audience's eyes, reflecting not just personal struggles but also generational conflicts.
\n
"This play is filled with suspense from start to finish, and emotional depth. We are confident about adding this compelling foreign drama to our repertoire, continuing a tradition of bringing international works to Chinese audiences," says Feng Yuanzheng, president of the Beijing People's Art Theatre, who also notes that the theater's Chinese stage adaptation of classic plays, such as Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller and The Gin Game by D.L.Coburn, have previously explored family struggles, resonating deeply with Chinese viewers.
\n
Feng notes that the script of August: Osage County was recommended and translated by famed Chinese-born American actress Lisa Lu, 98. She also translated The Gin Game for the Beijing theater.
\n
"Our hope is that people leave the theater feeling not just entertained, but also with a sense of catharsis and reflection on their relationships," he adds.
\n
Directors Tang and Gong are both seasoned female theater artists who have a distinct vision for this adaptation.
\n
Known for their unique sensitivity to female perspectives, they bring a deep emotional resonance to the stage. Their previous collaboration on adapting Night, Mother by Marsha Norman, also a winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1983, was met with warm feedback.
\n
Now, with Letts' play, they continue to explore relationships within the context of marriage, family and personal identity.
\n
"With August: Osage County, we are given the opportunity to look at a woman's world from multiple angles. The characters are all burdened by societal expectations and family history. We understand these pressures in a way that allows us to depict them with nuance and honesty," says Tang. "This is a play about survival, emotionally, psychologically, and physically. For women like Violet and Barbara (the eldest daughter), the family isn't just a place of love, but also a battlefield."
\n
The role of Barbara, played by Chen Xiaoyi, is central to this emotional landscape. Despite her sharp, independent demeanor often clashing with her mother, Barbara is not immune to personal struggles.
\n
"The roller-coaster of emotions in Barbara's life during this short period is one of the things that drew me to this script," says Chen. "As women, we're often expected to balance many roles, including daughter, wife and mother. Barbara is no different. She must confront not just her family's secrets but her own self-worth. It's a powerful role to portray, especially as a woman. We carry so much, and sometimes, it's too much to bear."
\n
Gong, also a veteran actress, plays the role of Violet. "This play is so rooted in the complexities of female relationships — the tension between mothers and daughters, the expectations placed on women, and the emotional labor that often goes unseen," she says. "As a director, I wanted to ensure that Violet's toxic love for her daughters is felt, as something born from her own suffering. It's easy to judge Violet from the outside, but I wanted the audience to see her struggles with the same empathy we offer to our own family members, even when they hurt us.
\n
"I recognize that, as women, we are often expected to hold everything together: the family, the home, the emotions. In the play, this pressure is laid bare. The set represents this — on the outside, the house appears to be like any other family home. But inside, it's full of cracks, of unresolved pain. It's a powerful metaphor for what many women experience every day," adds Gong. Referring to the stage design, which features minimalist elements with a rotating, three-story house, the set symbolizes the "cage" in which the family members find themselves trapped.
Two visitors appreciate the exhibits at a museum in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, on Oct 4 during the weeklong holiday.
\n
A girl learns to make a windmill-shaped lantern at a museum in Tengzhou, Shandong province, on Oct 6.
\n
TAIYUAN — Visiting museums has become a new holiday trend among young Chinese people, as more travelers took the road less traveled during the eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday earlier this month to enjoy culture and history rather than overcrowded tourist spots.
\n
Ahead of the "super golden week", online tickets for popular museums, such as the National Museum of China and the Palace Museum in Beijing, and the Shanxi Museum in the northern province of Shanxi, sold out quickly.
\n
"I feel lucky to have secured a ticket for the National Day," says a visitor surnamed Wang in her early 30s from Fuzhou, Fujian province, who visited the Shanxi Museum.
\n
For many young visitors, museums offer not only a cultural enrichment journey but also a peaceful and therapeutic retreat from the holiday bustle.
\n
"I like to come here for a walk when I feel stressed," says another 30-year-old museum visitor also surnamed Wang. The internet company employee visited Jinci Museum in Shanxi's provincial capital Taiyuan. "Gazing at these millennia-old buildings and reflecting on how ancient people created such marvels with so little help puts my own troubles into perspective."
\n
Some visitors make their museum visits more entertaining and personal by creating humorous memes based on artifacts in the museums and purchasing creative cultural products from the museum shops.
\n
At Shanxi Museum, stuffed toys shown sleeping cozily in a pouch were a particular hit with visitors during the holiday.
\n
Qiu Ping, deputy director of Jinci Museum, notices the changing behaviors of young visitors. "They are no longer satisfied with just walking through exhibits — they do homework on the museums. They are not shy with the museum guides and ask questions about the exhibit's cultural significance."
\n
This shift from passive observation to active participation reflects the younger Chinese generations' growing interest in traditional culture, Qiu says.
\n
On Xiaohongshu, or RedNote, a popular Chinese lifestyle-sharing platform, posts tagged "museum "have exceeded 11 million, as many share their experiences.
\n
Technology is also adding a new dimension to museum experiences. At the Taiyuan Northern Qi Dynasty Mural Museum, visitors can wear virtual reality headsets to experience the grandeur of ancient banquets, while interactive projection walls allow them to play music alongside musicians in the murals with a simple wave of their hand.
\n
Wang Jiang, the museum's director, says the venue aims to create immersive experiences for visitors using technologies such as digital imaging and 3D animation.
\n
The move has helped the museum attract more young visitors. Those under 30 accounted for more than 60 percent of all bookings during the holiday, according to the museum's data.
\n",
+ "content": "
Two visitors appreciate the exhibits at a museum in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, on Oct 4 during the weeklong holiday.
\n
A girl learns to make a windmill-shaped lantern at a museum in Tengzhou, Shandong province, on Oct 6.
\n
TAIYUAN — Visiting museums has become a new holiday trend among young Chinese people, as more travelers took the road less traveled during the eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday earlier this month to enjoy culture and history rather than overcrowded tourist spots.
\n
Ahead of the "super golden week", online tickets for popular museums, such as the National Museum of China and the Palace Museum in Beijing, and the Shanxi Museum in the northern province of Shanxi, sold out quickly.
\n
"I feel lucky to have secured a ticket for the National Day," says a visitor surnamed Wang in her early 30s from Fuzhou, Fujian province, who visited the Shanxi Museum.
\n
For many young visitors, museums offer not only a cultural enrichment journey but also a peaceful and therapeutic retreat from the holiday bustle.
\n
"I like to come here for a walk when I feel stressed," says another 30-year-old museum visitor also surnamed Wang. The internet company employee visited Jinci Museum in Shanxi's provincial capital Taiyuan. "Gazing at these millennia-old buildings and reflecting on how ancient people created such marvels with so little help puts my own troubles into perspective."
\n
Some visitors make their museum visits more entertaining and personal by creating humorous memes based on artifacts in the museums and purchasing creative cultural products from the museum shops.
\n
At Shanxi Museum, stuffed toys shown sleeping cozily in a pouch were a particular hit with visitors during the holiday.
\n
Qiu Ping, deputy director of Jinci Museum, notices the changing behaviors of young visitors. "They are no longer satisfied with just walking through exhibits — they do homework on the museums. They are not shy with the museum guides and ask questions about the exhibit's cultural significance."
\n
This shift from passive observation to active participation reflects the younger Chinese generations' growing interest in traditional culture, Qiu says.
\n
On Xiaohongshu, or RedNote, a popular Chinese lifestyle-sharing platform, posts tagged "museum "have exceeded 11 million, as many share their experiences.
\n
Technology is also adding a new dimension to museum experiences. At the Taiyuan Northern Qi Dynasty Mural Museum, visitors can wear virtual reality headsets to experience the grandeur of ancient banquets, while interactive projection walls allow them to play music alongside musicians in the murals with a simple wave of their hand.
\n
Wang Jiang, the museum's director, says the venue aims to create immersive experiences for visitors using technologies such as digital imaging and 3D animation.
\n
The move has helped the museum attract more young visitors. Those under 30 accounted for more than 60 percent of all bookings during the holiday, according to the museum's data.
The Jiayuguan Great Wall was built long ago for military defense and continues to safeguard the Hexi Corridor's historical legacy in today's Gansu province.
\n
The main pass of Jiayuguan is also known as the First Pass Under Heaven, not only because of its location but also because it hosts resplendent architecture, including grand towers.
\n
The Overhanging Great Wall in Jiayuguan is a narrow bulwark that snakes up the slope of a mountainside.
\n
Online Scan the code to watch the video.
\n
His life hung on the position of a single brick. The architectural engineer had meticulously calculated that he needed precisely 99,999 blocks to construct the tower at the Jiayuguan Great Wall's main pass. But his boss demanded he use exactly 100,000 — or die.
\n
So, the sly engineer built according to his original plan but, when it was finished, he precariously perched a solitary block atop the tower's narrow ledge. When his commander saw this ostensibly leftover piece, he erupted into a tantrum and declared he'd execute the designer. But the shrewd builder insisted the seemingly useless brick actually braced the entire structure, which might disintegrate into 100,000 pieces if disturbed.
\n
The leader felt incredulous but dared not disturb the brick or kill the engineer — just in case he wasn't bluffing. Otherwise, it might instead be his head on the chopping block.
\n
A replica of this storied slab teeters atop the structure's edge today.
\n
This fable is one of many myths and true tales written in stone at this Great Wall terminus.
\n
Another account says that the bricks were hewn and transported from the Heishan Mountains. A clever old man suggested pouring water on the frozen ground to "pave" slick ice paths along which laborers could slide these hefty rocks to the building site.
\n
Yet another story offers a musical mystery. It says that if you use a small stone to tap a special rock that rests in a corner of the Jiayuguan Pass, it "sings" like chirping birds. This phenomenon harks back to a fairy tale about a sparrow's sorrow following her mate's death. Historical records suggest soldiers' families would strike it when they marched out to battle to wish for a safe return.
\n
Such stories tell us how Jiayuguan's real legacy extends beyond archaeology and history to encompass the legendary and lyrical.
\n
It's called the First Pass Under Heaven and the "end of the Great Wall". Its First Beacon Tower is also known as the "dragon's tail". Jiayuguan largely lives up to these nicknames that nod to its alpha and omega position as a sentinel shielding the far edge of the Ming-era Great Wall in the desert of today's Gansu province.
\n
That said, such extravagant appellations are sometimes evocative misnomers that indulge in poetic license. The Overhanging Great Wall section actually slithers up a mountainside rather than protruding over the edge of a sheer cliff. And while Jiayuguan was the wall's westernmost section during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) — hence, the "end" — other sections extended farther afield during different periods.
\n
Ultimately, our understanding of this splendid structure at the edge of the ancient empire is built not only on actual history but on a sense of story that stands on the frontier of truth and sometimes sneaks across its borders into the realm of myth.
\n
That's because Jiayuguan's geographic location intersected with its sociopolitical position, mapping a cultural landscape at a coordinate where the longitude of fact crosses the latitude of lore.
\n
Truly, this gateway of the Hexi Corridor — a fertile valley swooping between the Heishan and Qilian mountain ranges — was busiest during the Silk Road traffic peaks of the Han (206 BC-AD 220) and Tang (618-907) dynasties. It was traversed by officials, warriors, monks and traders of various ethnic groups.
\n
Even when trade along this route waned in later periods, the reduction was relative. Many of the remaining Ming-era flagstones are grooved by the thousands of wheels that rolled atop them and ultimately ground into them over the centuries.
\n
In addition to repelling invaders, Jiayuguan also welcomed travelers from abroad and operated as an immigration and customs center.
\n
The remnants of the 44-kilometer Ming bulwark in the modern city feature 89 ruins — 26 walls, 19 defense and 30 beacon towers, six trenches, and eight passes and forts.
\n
Narrative displays and 250 artifacts at the Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum elaborate on this heritage.
\n
These objects tell the stories of the guards stationed at this remote outpost hundreds of years ago. They were literally born for the job, since they were conscripted from designated "military families", who were required to provide their sons for armed service.
\n
Actually, most of these soldiers were mainly farmers.
\n
Jiayuguan's location was strategically selected not only because it optimized border defense but also because its oasis enabled frontier guardsmen to sustain themselves by planting crops and raising livestock in the otherwise dusty badlands. During peacetime, roughly 70 percent of them produced food while the rest engaged in defense work.
\n
This synthesis of functions literally shaped the land, as the springs fed both defensive moats and irrigation channels.
\n
In addition to basic combat, fighters learned such specialized skills as raking sand to detect footprints, inserting sharp sticks into the ground to impale enemy horses and crushing dried dung into dust to fling into foes' eyes.
\n
The garrisons these soldiers guarded centuries ago now guard their stories.
\n
They no longer stand at the frontier of nations but extend beyond the borders of boundless global imagination.
\n
Contact the writers at erik_nilsson@chinadaily.com.cn
The Jiayuguan Great Wall was built long ago for military defense and continues to safeguard the Hexi Corridor's historical legacy in today's Gansu province.
\n
The main pass of Jiayuguan is also known as the First Pass Under Heaven, not only because of its location but also because it hosts resplendent architecture, including grand towers.
\n
The Overhanging Great Wall in Jiayuguan is a narrow bulwark that snakes up the slope of a mountainside.
\n
Online Scan the code to watch the video.
\n
His life hung on the position of a single brick. The architectural engineer had meticulously calculated that he needed precisely 99,999 blocks to construct the tower at the Jiayuguan Great Wall's main pass. But his boss demanded he use exactly 100,000 — or die.
\n
So, the sly engineer built according to his original plan but, when it was finished, he precariously perched a solitary block atop the tower's narrow ledge. When his commander saw this ostensibly leftover piece, he erupted into a tantrum and declared he'd execute the designer. But the shrewd builder insisted the seemingly useless brick actually braced the entire structure, which might disintegrate into 100,000 pieces if disturbed.
\n
The leader felt incredulous but dared not disturb the brick or kill the engineer — just in case he wasn't bluffing. Otherwise, it might instead be his head on the chopping block.
\n
A replica of this storied slab teeters atop the structure's edge today.
\n
This fable is one of many myths and true tales written in stone at this Great Wall terminus.
\n
Another account says that the bricks were hewn and transported from the Heishan Mountains. A clever old man suggested pouring water on the frozen ground to "pave" slick ice paths along which laborers could slide these hefty rocks to the building site.
\n
Yet another story offers a musical mystery. It says that if you use a small stone to tap a special rock that rests in a corner of the Jiayuguan Pass, it "sings" like chirping birds. This phenomenon harks back to a fairy tale about a sparrow's sorrow following her mate's death. Historical records suggest soldiers' families would strike it when they marched out to battle to wish for a safe return.
\n
Such stories tell us how Jiayuguan's real legacy extends beyond archaeology and history to encompass the legendary and lyrical.
\n
It's called the First Pass Under Heaven and the "end of the Great Wall". Its First Beacon Tower is also known as the "dragon's tail". Jiayuguan largely lives up to these nicknames that nod to its alpha and omega position as a sentinel shielding the far edge of the Ming-era Great Wall in the desert of today's Gansu province.
\n
That said, such extravagant appellations are sometimes evocative misnomers that indulge in poetic license. The Overhanging Great Wall section actually slithers up a mountainside rather than protruding over the edge of a sheer cliff. And while Jiayuguan was the wall's westernmost section during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) — hence, the "end" — other sections extended farther afield during different periods.
\n
Ultimately, our understanding of this splendid structure at the edge of the ancient empire is built not only on actual history but on a sense of story that stands on the frontier of truth and sometimes sneaks across its borders into the realm of myth.
\n
That's because Jiayuguan's geographic location intersected with its sociopolitical position, mapping a cultural landscape at a coordinate where the longitude of fact crosses the latitude of lore.
\n
Truly, this gateway of the Hexi Corridor — a fertile valley swooping between the Heishan and Qilian mountain ranges — was busiest during the Silk Road traffic peaks of the Han (206 BC-AD 220) and Tang (618-907) dynasties. It was traversed by officials, warriors, monks and traders of various ethnic groups.
\n
Even when trade along this route waned in later periods, the reduction was relative. Many of the remaining Ming-era flagstones are grooved by the thousands of wheels that rolled atop them and ultimately ground into them over the centuries.
\n
In addition to repelling invaders, Jiayuguan also welcomed travelers from abroad and operated as an immigration and customs center.
\n
The remnants of the 44-kilometer Ming bulwark in the modern city feature 89 ruins — 26 walls, 19 defense and 30 beacon towers, six trenches, and eight passes and forts.
\n
Narrative displays and 250 artifacts at the Jiayuguan Great Wall Museum elaborate on this heritage.
\n
These objects tell the stories of the guards stationed at this remote outpost hundreds of years ago. They were literally born for the job, since they were conscripted from designated "military families", who were required to provide their sons for armed service.
\n
Actually, most of these soldiers were mainly farmers.
\n
Jiayuguan's location was strategically selected not only because it optimized border defense but also because its oasis enabled frontier guardsmen to sustain themselves by planting crops and raising livestock in the otherwise dusty badlands. During peacetime, roughly 70 percent of them produced food while the rest engaged in defense work.
\n
This synthesis of functions literally shaped the land, as the springs fed both defensive moats and irrigation channels.
\n
In addition to basic combat, fighters learned such specialized skills as raking sand to detect footprints, inserting sharp sticks into the ground to impale enemy horses and crushing dried dung into dust to fling into foes' eyes.
\n
The garrisons these soldiers guarded centuries ago now guard their stories.
\n
They no longer stand at the frontier of nations but extend beyond the borders of boundless global imagination.
\n
Contact the writers at erik_nilsson@chinadaily.com.cn
A colored pottery jar and a statue of a worshipper from the National Museum of Damascus.
\n
A colored pottery jar and a statue of a worshipper from the National Museum of Damascus.
\n
Titled Incredible Syria, the exhibition at the Dalian Museum in Dalian, Liaoning province, has seen growing popularity.
\n
Visitors at the exhibition take photos of the statue of a worshipper from the National Museum of Damascus.
\n
An exhibition featuring 95 precious artifacts from Syria is currently being held at the Dalian Museum in Dalian, Liaoning province, sparking appreciation for diverse civilizations among visitors.
\n
Titled Incredible Syria, the exhibition of antiquities showcases items on loan from eight Syrian cultural institutions, including the National Museum of Damascus and the National Museum of Aleppo.
\n
Jiang Ye, the curator of the exhibition and director of the Dalian Museum, says that Syria's position places it in the corridor from Africa to the rest of Asia and into Europe, which makes it a focus of cultural innovation and dissemination.
\n
"We hope that through this exhibition, visitors can use these tangible artifacts, now close at hand, to understand the diversity of early human civilizations and observe and contemplate the exchanges and mutual learning between different civilizations," she says.
\n
The collection encompasses stone tools, pottery, bronze ware, gold and silver artifacts, and statues, systematically presenting the historical and cultural context of Syria from the Paleolithic Age to the 1600s in chronological order.
\n
The most ancient item on display is a stone hand axe from the early Paleolithic Age, dating back 500,000 to 300,000 years.
\n
Another highlight is a statue of a worshipper, dressed in typical Sumerian attire and striking a pose as if in prayer.
\n
"Despite the changes of time and kingdoms, Syria's rich cultural heritage remains amazing," the exhibition's description states.
\n
"As the common wealth left by history to people throughout the world, though silent, the cultural relics carry the wonderful diversity of civilizations."
\n
Cao Mingyu, an associate professor of history at Dalian University who specializes in ancient West Asian history and culture, notes that archaeological discoveries and research, both domestic and international, indicate that ancient West Asia and Central Asia, including Syria, had close interactions among populations and cultural exchanges with ancient China.
\n
"The ancient Silk Road routes functioned like a major artery for civilizational engagement between the East and West, comprehensively promoting communication and exchange among countries along the route and jointly advancing the development of world civilization," says Cao, pointing out that several exhibits vividly highlight these characteristics.
\n
A piece of silky fabric from the National Museum of Damascus, unearthed from a tomb in the ancient city of Palmyra, is believed to have been imported from China, underscoring its crucial commercial role along the Silk Road.
\n
In addition to the Syrian antiquities, the exhibition also includes one cultural relic replica from the Dunhuang Academy and two artifacts from the Gansu Provincial Museum. The host museum is also displaying eight pieces from its own collection of painted pottery.
\n
One notable piece from the provincial museum is a Tang Dynasty (618-907) brocade with a five-color bird pattern.
\n
It combines Persian-style pearl roundel patterns with the auspicious symbolism of the Chinese phoenix, serving as a witness to prosperous foreign exchanges and the depth of cultural integration.
\n
Since its opening on Sept 30, the exhibition has been growing in popularity.
\n
During the National Day holiday, the museum recorded 20,126 visitors on Oct 3 alone, a 73 percent increase year-on-year, setting a new single-day attendance record for the Dalian Museum. The exhibition is set to last until Jan 8 and is free to the public.
\n
With support from Art Exhibitions China under the National Cultural Heritage Administration, a total of 195 Syrian antiquities — including those currently on display in Dalian — have been exhibited in more than 10 Chinese cities, including Shenzhen in Guangdong province, Chengdu in Sichuan province, and Beijing, since August 2021.
A colored pottery jar and a statue of a worshipper from the National Museum of Damascus.
\n
A colored pottery jar and a statue of a worshipper from the National Museum of Damascus.
\n
Titled Incredible Syria, the exhibition at the Dalian Museum in Dalian, Liaoning province, has seen growing popularity.
\n
Visitors at the exhibition take photos of the statue of a worshipper from the National Museum of Damascus.
\n
An exhibition featuring 95 precious artifacts from Syria is currently being held at the Dalian Museum in Dalian, Liaoning province, sparking appreciation for diverse civilizations among visitors.
\n
Titled Incredible Syria, the exhibition of antiquities showcases items on loan from eight Syrian cultural institutions, including the National Museum of Damascus and the National Museum of Aleppo.
\n
Jiang Ye, the curator of the exhibition and director of the Dalian Museum, says that Syria's position places it in the corridor from Africa to the rest of Asia and into Europe, which makes it a focus of cultural innovation and dissemination.
\n
"We hope that through this exhibition, visitors can use these tangible artifacts, now close at hand, to understand the diversity of early human civilizations and observe and contemplate the exchanges and mutual learning between different civilizations," she says.
\n
The collection encompasses stone tools, pottery, bronze ware, gold and silver artifacts, and statues, systematically presenting the historical and cultural context of Syria from the Paleolithic Age to the 1600s in chronological order.
\n
The most ancient item on display is a stone hand axe from the early Paleolithic Age, dating back 500,000 to 300,000 years.
\n
Another highlight is a statue of a worshipper, dressed in typical Sumerian attire and striking a pose as if in prayer.
\n
"Despite the changes of time and kingdoms, Syria's rich cultural heritage remains amazing," the exhibition's description states.
\n
"As the common wealth left by history to people throughout the world, though silent, the cultural relics carry the wonderful diversity of civilizations."
\n
Cao Mingyu, an associate professor of history at Dalian University who specializes in ancient West Asian history and culture, notes that archaeological discoveries and research, both domestic and international, indicate that ancient West Asia and Central Asia, including Syria, had close interactions among populations and cultural exchanges with ancient China.
\n
"The ancient Silk Road routes functioned like a major artery for civilizational engagement between the East and West, comprehensively promoting communication and exchange among countries along the route and jointly advancing the development of world civilization," says Cao, pointing out that several exhibits vividly highlight these characteristics.
\n
A piece of silky fabric from the National Museum of Damascus, unearthed from a tomb in the ancient city of Palmyra, is believed to have been imported from China, underscoring its crucial commercial role along the Silk Road.
\n
In addition to the Syrian antiquities, the exhibition also includes one cultural relic replica from the Dunhuang Academy and two artifacts from the Gansu Provincial Museum. The host museum is also displaying eight pieces from its own collection of painted pottery.
\n
One notable piece from the provincial museum is a Tang Dynasty (618-907) brocade with a five-color bird pattern.
\n
It combines Persian-style pearl roundel patterns with the auspicious symbolism of the Chinese phoenix, serving as a witness to prosperous foreign exchanges and the depth of cultural integration.
\n
Since its opening on Sept 30, the exhibition has been growing in popularity.
\n
During the National Day holiday, the museum recorded 20,126 visitors on Oct 3 alone, a 73 percent increase year-on-year, setting a new single-day attendance record for the Dalian Museum. The exhibition is set to last until Jan 8 and is free to the public.
\n
With support from Art Exhibitions China under the National Cultural Heritage Administration, a total of 195 Syrian antiquities — including those currently on display in Dalian — have been exhibited in more than 10 Chinese cities, including Shenzhen in Guangdong province, Chengdu in Sichuan province, and Beijing, since August 2021.
According to an industry report released at the 2025 World Winter Sports Expo, the total market value of China's winter sports sector reached 980 billion yuan (about $138 billion) in 2024, and is predicted to exceed 1 trillion yuan by the end of this year.
\n
According to an industry report released at the 2025 World Winter Sports Expo, the total market value of China's winter sports sector reached 980 billion yuan (about $138 billion) in 2024, and is predicted to exceed 1 trillion yuan by the end of this year.
\n
According to an industry report released at the 2025 World Winter Sports Expo, the total market value of China's winter sports sector reached 980 billion yuan (about $138 billion) in 2024, and is predicted to exceed 1 trillion yuan by the end of this year.
\n
With yet another Winter Olympics just around the corner, the legacy of Beijing 2022 lives on, with China's public involvement and industry growth in ice and snow sports driving on with consistent momentum.
\n
Backed up by surging public interest and robust market demand, international governing bodies, business executives and event promoters remain bullish on the potential of China's winter sports industry, even with the global focus having shifted to Italy for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Games, which will open in less than four months.
\n
As the 2025-26 winter fast approaches, the bustling scenes of slope-shaping, snowmaking and staff training at five major ski resorts in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, a co-host city of Beijing 2022, indicate an early-season boom, as resort owners race against each other to open for business as early as the end of this month.
\n
The post-Olympics business slump that some industry analysts warned of has not materialized, with China's continuous hosting of elite international events driving strong growth in the country's winter tourism and outdoor leisure sectors. This growth has participants of the 2025 World Winter Sports Expo stoked about the untapped business opportunities.
\n
Giovanni Malago, president of the Milano-Cortina 2026 organizing committee, said the greater awareness in winter sports on the global stage, impacted by Beijing 2022, has set the tone for another successful gala in Italy.
\n
"The handover from Beijing 2022 to Milano-Cortina 2026 is far more than a symbolic gesture," Malago said in a video message presented at the opening ceremony of the expo, which concluded its 10th edition at west Beijing's Shougang Industrial Park on Sunday.
\n
"We have maintained an ongoing dialogue with the Chinese organizing committee and relevant institutions, allowing us to learn from their organizational model and gain invaluable experience and insights during our own preparations," said the IOC member.
\n
"With significant investment and an exceptional increase in public engagement, China is now one of the leading nations in the global winter sports movement. The success of the home Olympics left an important legacy and involved millions of people, especially the younger generations, bringing them closer to winter sports."
\n
The expo, which was launched in 2016 in the build-up to Beijing 2022, hosted over 500 global winter sports brands from manufacturing, service, tourism and resort operation sectors within the fair's 20,000-square-meter exhibition space at Shougang.
\n
Featuring leaders of global winter sports governing bodies and renowned business executives from home and abroad, 200 forums and panel discussions took place at the expo, shedding light on the latest trends in winter sports promotion, technology and operational expertise, which are expected to benefit related businesses in China.
\n
"The leapfrog progress of winter sports in China came down to a national strategy and government support to integrate public involvement in ice and snow sports into a powerful driver of economic growth and regional development," Yu Zaiqing, vice-president of the Chinese Olympic Committee, said in his opening speech at the expo.
\n
According to an industry report released at the expo, the total market value of China's winter sports sector reached 980 billion yuan (about $138 billion) in 2024, and is predicted to exceed 1 trillion yuan by the end of this year, putting it well on course to hit the target of 1.5 trillion yuan by the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), set by the State Council, China's cabinet.
\n
Data in the report also shows that during the 2024-25 winter season, China recorded 187.5 trillion yuan in revenue from public consumption in winter sports and relevant leisure activities, marking a strong 25 percent year-on-year increase.
\n
Better infrastructure support, such as more high-speed railways connecting resorts with target markets, more indoor all-season venues, and more flexible financial policies in loan approval and tax reduction for small businesses, which were highlighted in a broad industry development guideline issued by the State Council last year, are expected to further facilitate growth.
\n
A newly-built indoor ski resort in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong province, where it never snows, saw higher-than-expected customer flow during the recent National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, receiving about 200,000 visitors over its first eight days following its opening on Sept 29, according to venue operators.
\n
As of April this year, China had built 79 large-scale indoor ski resorts, 20 more than the previous year, with plans to open 16 more in the next 12 months, according to the industry report published at the expo.
\n
Johan Eliasch, president of International Ski and Snowboard Federation, said China's active involvement in winter sports popularization will help the promotion of those events reach new frontiers.
\n
"Looking back, the progress has been remarkable, participation in winter sports is growing, new venues and infrastructure are leaving a lasting legacy, and most importantly, a new generation of athletes and fans are embracing snow sports with passion and enthusiasm," said Eliasch, a guest speaker at the expo.
\n
"From the perspective of the FIS, China has played, and will continue to play, a central role on this journey, from the unforgettable Winter Olympic Games in Beijing to the vibrant growth of snow sports across the country, the momentum here is inspiring for all of us."
\n
sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
According to an industry report released at the 2025 World Winter Sports Expo, the total market value of China's winter sports sector reached 980 billion yuan (about $138 billion) in 2024, and is predicted to exceed 1 trillion yuan by the end of this year.
\n
According to an industry report released at the 2025 World Winter Sports Expo, the total market value of China's winter sports sector reached 980 billion yuan (about $138 billion) in 2024, and is predicted to exceed 1 trillion yuan by the end of this year.
\n
According to an industry report released at the 2025 World Winter Sports Expo, the total market value of China's winter sports sector reached 980 billion yuan (about $138 billion) in 2024, and is predicted to exceed 1 trillion yuan by the end of this year.
\n
With yet another Winter Olympics just around the corner, the legacy of Beijing 2022 lives on, with China's public involvement and industry growth in ice and snow sports driving on with consistent momentum.
\n
Backed up by surging public interest and robust market demand, international governing bodies, business executives and event promoters remain bullish on the potential of China's winter sports industry, even with the global focus having shifted to Italy for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Games, which will open in less than four months.
\n
As the 2025-26 winter fast approaches, the bustling scenes of slope-shaping, snowmaking and staff training at five major ski resorts in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, a co-host city of Beijing 2022, indicate an early-season boom, as resort owners race against each other to open for business as early as the end of this month.
\n
The post-Olympics business slump that some industry analysts warned of has not materialized, with China's continuous hosting of elite international events driving strong growth in the country's winter tourism and outdoor leisure sectors. This growth has participants of the 2025 World Winter Sports Expo stoked about the untapped business opportunities.
\n
Giovanni Malago, president of the Milano-Cortina 2026 organizing committee, said the greater awareness in winter sports on the global stage, impacted by Beijing 2022, has set the tone for another successful gala in Italy.
\n
"The handover from Beijing 2022 to Milano-Cortina 2026 is far more than a symbolic gesture," Malago said in a video message presented at the opening ceremony of the expo, which concluded its 10th edition at west Beijing's Shougang Industrial Park on Sunday.
\n
"We have maintained an ongoing dialogue with the Chinese organizing committee and relevant institutions, allowing us to learn from their organizational model and gain invaluable experience and insights during our own preparations," said the IOC member.
\n
"With significant investment and an exceptional increase in public engagement, China is now one of the leading nations in the global winter sports movement. The success of the home Olympics left an important legacy and involved millions of people, especially the younger generations, bringing them closer to winter sports."
\n
The expo, which was launched in 2016 in the build-up to Beijing 2022, hosted over 500 global winter sports brands from manufacturing, service, tourism and resort operation sectors within the fair's 20,000-square-meter exhibition space at Shougang.
\n
Featuring leaders of global winter sports governing bodies and renowned business executives from home and abroad, 200 forums and panel discussions took place at the expo, shedding light on the latest trends in winter sports promotion, technology and operational expertise, which are expected to benefit related businesses in China.
\n
"The leapfrog progress of winter sports in China came down to a national strategy and government support to integrate public involvement in ice and snow sports into a powerful driver of economic growth and regional development," Yu Zaiqing, vice-president of the Chinese Olympic Committee, said in his opening speech at the expo.
\n
According to an industry report released at the expo, the total market value of China's winter sports sector reached 980 billion yuan (about $138 billion) in 2024, and is predicted to exceed 1 trillion yuan by the end of this year, putting it well on course to hit the target of 1.5 trillion yuan by the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), set by the State Council, China's cabinet.
\n
Data in the report also shows that during the 2024-25 winter season, China recorded 187.5 trillion yuan in revenue from public consumption in winter sports and relevant leisure activities, marking a strong 25 percent year-on-year increase.
\n
Better infrastructure support, such as more high-speed railways connecting resorts with target markets, more indoor all-season venues, and more flexible financial policies in loan approval and tax reduction for small businesses, which were highlighted in a broad industry development guideline issued by the State Council last year, are expected to further facilitate growth.
\n
A newly-built indoor ski resort in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong province, where it never snows, saw higher-than-expected customer flow during the recent National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, receiving about 200,000 visitors over its first eight days following its opening on Sept 29, according to venue operators.
\n
As of April this year, China had built 79 large-scale indoor ski resorts, 20 more than the previous year, with plans to open 16 more in the next 12 months, according to the industry report published at the expo.
\n
Johan Eliasch, president of International Ski and Snowboard Federation, said China's active involvement in winter sports popularization will help the promotion of those events reach new frontiers.
\n
"Looking back, the progress has been remarkable, participation in winter sports is growing, new venues and infrastructure are leaving a lasting legacy, and most importantly, a new generation of athletes and fans are embracing snow sports with passion and enthusiasm," said Eliasch, a guest speaker at the expo.
\n
"From the perspective of the FIS, China has played, and will continue to play, a central role on this journey, from the unforgettable Winter Olympic Games in Beijing to the vibrant growth of snow sports across the country, the momentum here is inspiring for all of us."
Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on Sunday.
\n
AUSTIN, Texas — Max Verstappen is making history with every race and could stage one of the most remarkable fightbacks Formula One has ever seen, according to two team bosses who have worked closely with the four-time world champion.
\n
The Dutch driver was 104 points behind McLaren's Oscar Piastri at the end of August and would have ridiculed anyone who seriously suggested he still had a chance of a fifth successive title.
\n
"I would have told him he was an idiot," the driver told reporters on Sunday.
\n
After three wins in the last four races, he is now 40 points behind the Australian — still a hefty amount — and very much a threat.
\n
"For sure, the chance is there," Verstappen said of the title battle. "We just need to try and deliver these weekends until the end.
\n
"We will try whatever we can. It's exciting," he added after his third win in the last four races and 68th of his career. In Austin alone he clawed back 23 points.
\n
If Verstappen were to come out on top it would be an unprecedented turnaround, even taking into account changed scoring systems.
\n
"I think watching Max driving is watching history in the making," Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies told reporters after Verstappen completed a perfect weekend with a US sprint and Grand Prix double from pole position.
\n
"He surprises us every time he goes out on track. He surprises us with how much he's pushing us between one session and another, how much sensitivity he has for stuff that sometimes we can see, and stuff that, sometimes, we cannot."
\n
Sauber principal Jonathan Wheatley, who was previously Red Bull's team manager and sporting director, agreed that Verstappen could make the impossible possible.
\n
"You can never write Max Verstappen off. What an unbelievable, dominant weekend from Max," the Briton said. "It's a pleasure to watch.
\n
"Max Verstappen is perhaps the best driver in the world ... if I was McLaren I'd be looking in my rearview mirrors."
\n
Asked whether he thought Verstappen could make up the remaining ground, Wheatley said it was possible, as long as the points were there.
\n
"Is it probable? Not normally. But Max tends to rewrite the rules to suit himself, and has done so his whole career," he added.
\n
Verstappen told reporters the chance was definitely there.
\n
"I know that we need to be perfect until the end to have a chance, so that's what we just need to focus on," he said.
\n
"It's super close, and only attention to detail will make the difference. Trying to get the best setup on the car every weekend, and then try not to make mistakes. So that's what we'll try to do."
\n
Starting in Mexico this weekend.
\n
Piastri not concerned
\n
Piastri said he still had full confidence in his ability to win the F1 championship, and no major concerns, despite a tough weekend in Texas that saw rivals slash his overall lead.
\n
"You know, I've been in fights that were as close, or at this point, even closer than what they are now," Piastri told reporters, referring to his previous junior championships experience.
\n
"I've got the evidence for myself that things can still turn out well, and I still fully believe that I can win the championship.
\n
"This weekend has obviously been tough, and the gap has come down a little bit in the last few weekends. But, you know, again, performance is what's going to win you a championship, not just looking at points and seeing if you can increase it or decrease it.
\n
"The faster you go, the more points you're going to score, and that's what I'll focus on."
\n
Piastri played down the threat from Verstappen with the dream back on after looking impossible not so long ago.
\n
Recognizing that he had simply not gelled with the car, Piastri said the problem seemed to be more in qualifying than race pace.
\n
"I'd still rather be where I am than the other two," added the 24-year-old.
Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on Sunday.
\n
AUSTIN, Texas — Max Verstappen is making history with every race and could stage one of the most remarkable fightbacks Formula One has ever seen, according to two team bosses who have worked closely with the four-time world champion.
\n
The Dutch driver was 104 points behind McLaren's Oscar Piastri at the end of August and would have ridiculed anyone who seriously suggested he still had a chance of a fifth successive title.
\n
"I would have told him he was an idiot," the driver told reporters on Sunday.
\n
After three wins in the last four races, he is now 40 points behind the Australian — still a hefty amount — and very much a threat.
\n
"For sure, the chance is there," Verstappen said of the title battle. "We just need to try and deliver these weekends until the end.
\n
"We will try whatever we can. It's exciting," he added after his third win in the last four races and 68th of his career. In Austin alone he clawed back 23 points.
\n
If Verstappen were to come out on top it would be an unprecedented turnaround, even taking into account changed scoring systems.
\n
"I think watching Max driving is watching history in the making," Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies told reporters after Verstappen completed a perfect weekend with a US sprint and Grand Prix double from pole position.
\n
"He surprises us every time he goes out on track. He surprises us with how much he's pushing us between one session and another, how much sensitivity he has for stuff that sometimes we can see, and stuff that, sometimes, we cannot."
\n
Sauber principal Jonathan Wheatley, who was previously Red Bull's team manager and sporting director, agreed that Verstappen could make the impossible possible.
\n
"You can never write Max Verstappen off. What an unbelievable, dominant weekend from Max," the Briton said. "It's a pleasure to watch.
\n
"Max Verstappen is perhaps the best driver in the world ... if I was McLaren I'd be looking in my rearview mirrors."
\n
Asked whether he thought Verstappen could make up the remaining ground, Wheatley said it was possible, as long as the points were there.
\n
"Is it probable? Not normally. But Max tends to rewrite the rules to suit himself, and has done so his whole career," he added.
\n
Verstappen told reporters the chance was definitely there.
\n
"I know that we need to be perfect until the end to have a chance, so that's what we just need to focus on," he said.
\n
"It's super close, and only attention to detail will make the difference. Trying to get the best setup on the car every weekend, and then try not to make mistakes. So that's what we'll try to do."
\n
Starting in Mexico this weekend.
\n
Piastri not concerned
\n
Piastri said he still had full confidence in his ability to win the F1 championship, and no major concerns, despite a tough weekend in Texas that saw rivals slash his overall lead.
\n
"You know, I've been in fights that were as close, or at this point, even closer than what they are now," Piastri told reporters, referring to his previous junior championships experience.
\n
"I've got the evidence for myself that things can still turn out well, and I still fully believe that I can win the championship.
\n
"This weekend has obviously been tough, and the gap has come down a little bit in the last few weekends. But, you know, again, performance is what's going to win you a championship, not just looking at points and seeing if you can increase it or decrease it.
\n
"The faster you go, the more points you're going to score, and that's what I'll focus on."
\n
Piastri played down the threat from Verstappen with the dream back on after looking impossible not so long ago.
\n
Recognizing that he had simply not gelled with the car, Piastri said the problem seemed to be more in qualifying than race pace.
\n
"I'd still rather be where I am than the other two," added the 24-year-old.
Holger Rune reacts to tearing his Achilles tendon at the BNP Paribas Nordic Open in Stockholm on Saturday.
\n
World No 9 Jack Draper said the ATP Tour must review its packed calendar if young players are to have long careers, after Holger Rune sustained a serious injury and joined a growing list of players breaking down as the season nears its end.
\n
Rune said on Sunday he faced "a while" out of action with an Achilles injury that will require surgery.
\n
The No 11-ranked player limped off the court in visible distress in the semifinals of the Nordic Open in Stockholm on Saturday and had to retire injured from the match against Ugo Humbert. He was leading 6-4, 2-2.
\n
"It's gonna be a while before I can step on court again. It's tough. I had so much joy on court in Stockholm, and it's unbearable to think that I will not feel this energy for some time now," he posted on Instagram.
\n
The 22-year-old Dane said his Achilles was "full broken on the proximal part" and needed an operation this week.
\n
The relentless men's and women's tennis circuits, which run for 11 months, have come under a harsh spotlight in recent weeks with a string of high-profile players, including Draper, pulling out of tournaments and prematurely ending their seasons.
\n
Several women's players have also struggled with health and fitness concerns in the ongoing Asian swing of tournaments, with the likes of Naomi Osaka, Emma Raducanu, Daria Kasatkina, Elina Svitolina and Paula Badosa all affected.
\n
Draper, who is nursing an arm injury that forced him out of last month's US Open, said physical issues were inevitable in a demanding sport like tennis. His comments came after Rune was left in tears in Stockholm after tearing his Achilles.
\n
"Injuries are going to happen," the 23-year-old Draper said on social media.
\n
"We are pushing our bodies to do things that they aren't supposed to in elite sport.
\n
"We have so many incredible younger guys on the tour right now, and I'm proud to be a part of that.
\n
"However, the tour and the calendar have to adapt if any of us are going to achieve some sort of longevity."
\n
American Taylor Fritz, who won his Six Kings Slam exhibition match in Riyadh on Saturday after Novak Djokovic retired injured, said Draper was right in seeking change.
\n
"Facts. (I'm) also seeing more injuries and burnout now than ever before," the world No 4 said.
\n
"Because balls, courts, conditions have slowed down a lot, making the weekly grind even more physically demanding and tough on the body."
\n
Women's world No 2 Iga Swiatek said the smart option for her amid a grueling schedule would be to cut her commitments for the sake of her health.
\n
Carlos Alcaraz agreed with the Pole, but the men's world No 1 later defended his move to play in the lucrative Saudi Arabia exhibition tournament — where the Spaniard was beaten by Jannik Sinner in the final.
\n",
+ "content": "
Holger Rune reacts to tearing his Achilles tendon at the BNP Paribas Nordic Open in Stockholm on Saturday.
\n
World No 9 Jack Draper said the ATP Tour must review its packed calendar if young players are to have long careers, after Holger Rune sustained a serious injury and joined a growing list of players breaking down as the season nears its end.
\n
Rune said on Sunday he faced "a while" out of action with an Achilles injury that will require surgery.
\n
The No 11-ranked player limped off the court in visible distress in the semifinals of the Nordic Open in Stockholm on Saturday and had to retire injured from the match against Ugo Humbert. He was leading 6-4, 2-2.
\n
"It's gonna be a while before I can step on court again. It's tough. I had so much joy on court in Stockholm, and it's unbearable to think that I will not feel this energy for some time now," he posted on Instagram.
\n
The 22-year-old Dane said his Achilles was "full broken on the proximal part" and needed an operation this week.
\n
The relentless men's and women's tennis circuits, which run for 11 months, have come under a harsh spotlight in recent weeks with a string of high-profile players, including Draper, pulling out of tournaments and prematurely ending their seasons.
\n
Several women's players have also struggled with health and fitness concerns in the ongoing Asian swing of tournaments, with the likes of Naomi Osaka, Emma Raducanu, Daria Kasatkina, Elina Svitolina and Paula Badosa all affected.
\n
Draper, who is nursing an arm injury that forced him out of last month's US Open, said physical issues were inevitable in a demanding sport like tennis. His comments came after Rune was left in tears in Stockholm after tearing his Achilles.
\n
"Injuries are going to happen," the 23-year-old Draper said on social media.
\n
"We are pushing our bodies to do things that they aren't supposed to in elite sport.
\n
"We have so many incredible younger guys on the tour right now, and I'm proud to be a part of that.
\n
"However, the tour and the calendar have to adapt if any of us are going to achieve some sort of longevity."
\n
American Taylor Fritz, who won his Six Kings Slam exhibition match in Riyadh on Saturday after Novak Djokovic retired injured, said Draper was right in seeking change.
\n
"Facts. (I'm) also seeing more injuries and burnout now than ever before," the world No 4 said.
\n
"Because balls, courts, conditions have slowed down a lot, making the weekly grind even more physically demanding and tough on the body."
\n
Women's world No 2 Iga Swiatek said the smart option for her amid a grueling schedule would be to cut her commitments for the sake of her health.
\n
Carlos Alcaraz agreed with the Pole, but the men's world No 1 later defended his move to play in the lucrative Saudi Arabia exhibition tournament — where the Spaniard was beaten by Jannik Sinner in the final.
Manchester United's Harry Maguire (second right) consigns Liverpool to defeat by scoring a late winner during an English Premier League match in Liverpool, England, on Sunday.
\n
Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo (bottom) celebrates scoring his side's opening goal with Amad Diallo on Sunday.
\n
Manchester United's Harry Maguire celebrates scoring his side's second, and decisive, goal against Liverpool on Sunday.
\n
After nine painful years, and at the 11th time of asking, Manchester United ended its Anfield hoodoo with a 2-1 win against defending Premier League champion Liverpool on Sunday, while Aston Villa's resurgence continued with a comeback win against Tottenham Hotspur.
\n
Harry Maguire's header in the 84th minute sealed one of United's most significant wins under coach Ruben Amorim and consigned Liverpool to a fourth straight defeat in all competitions.
\n
The frustration of so many miserable experiences on Merseyside appeared to pour out of Maguire as the defender celebrated in front of United's traveling fans.
\n
"It means everything. They've had the better of us over the last few years and we know that and it hasn't been good enough for our club," Maguire said. "The old cliche is that it is only three points, but it definitely isn't. It means a lot more than that for the club, the boys and the fans."
\n
Maguire's goal came late in another frenetic and thrilling match involving Liverpool in a season of so many dramatic finales for Arne Slot's team.
\n
That's three league games in a row in which Liverpool has been beaten by a goal scored in the last 10 minutes of regulation time or beyond. Before that, it had scraped to late wins of its own in six of the first seven games.
\n
So while Maguire's headed effort maintained the trend of late goals, perhaps the biggest surprise was that there wasn't another twist in the tale.
\n
There might have been when Cody Gakpo headed wide with an open goal to aim at, and the fourth official indicated there would be eight minutes of added time.
\n
The Dutch forward had already got Liverpool back on level terms in the 78th — poking home from close range after Bryan Mbeumo had fired United ahead inside two minutes.
\n
'Stay humble, keep working'
\n
United's last win at Anfield came back in 2016 when Wayne Rooney scored the only goal of the match. Since then, there have been some humiliating defeats, notably the 7-0 rout in 2023 and a 4-0 loss a year earlier.
\n
Not only has Amorim ended that bitter run, but he also collected back-to-back wins in the league for the first time since taking over at United last November.
\n
The Portuguese coach has been under increasing pressure, with speculation mounting over his position after a troubled start to his first full season in charge. While United is ninth in the standings, it is only two points off the top four and such a morale-boosting performance could finally prove a turning point for Amorim.
\n
"It was really important for our fans, because they are struggling," Amorim said. "Today they saw a different thing, and that is really important. To come here to the stadium of the champion, our biggest rival, and to sing during the game, that is massive for us, so this win is for them."
\n
Defeat for Liverpool raises more doubts about its wobbling title defense, leaving it in fourth place, four points behind leader Arsenal.
\n
That is not an insurmountable gap, but the run of four straight defeats is Liverpool's worst losing run since 2014. It also extended Slot's worst run as Liverpool coach and further highlights weaknesses in his team, which has only kept two clean sheets in 12 games in all competitions this season.
\n
In attack, Mohamed Salah's only goal in his last seven league games was a penalty against Burnley, while British-record signing Alexander Isak has scored just one goal in seven appearances since joining from Newcastle.
\n
"We have to stick together. Not just as players, but the fans and everyone," said Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. "First and foremost, we have to stay humble and keep working. We need to keep our confidence high and stay very calm."
\n
Disputed opener
\n
Liverpool players felt aggrieved by United's opener after play was allowed to go on despite Alexis Mac Allister going down with a head injury when clashing with teammate Van Dijk.
\n
Referee Michael Oliver didn't blow his whistle and Amad Diallo slipped a pass through to Mbeumo, who lashed a shot past Giorgi Mamardashvili at the goalkeeper's near post.
\n
"The main thing I should do now is not to complain or do these kinds of things," Slot said. "We could have done much better after Macca was on the floor, we should have done better. But, the well-being of a player is something that is important, and, if a player needs four stitches, you would hope everybody understands that he needs immediate treatment.
\n
"That's not the reason why we lost this game. The reason is that we missed far too many chances."
\n
Gakpo had the best of them, hitting the post on three occasions.
\n
Brilliant Buendia
\n
Emiliano Buendia's curling shot sealed a 2-1 comeback win for Aston Villa against Tottenham.
\n
The victory continued Villa's resurgence after a desperate start to the season and denied Spurs the chance to provisionally move up to second in the standings.
\n
Buendia shimmied his way across the edge of the box in the 77th minute at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before sweeping a perfect shot low into the bottom corner.
\n
It was Villa's fifth-straight win in all competitions after failing to pick up a victory in its first six games of the campaign. It ended Spurs' seven-game unbeaten run that looked set to continue when Rodrigo Bentancur fired the home team ahead after just five minutes.
\n
Morgan Rogers leveled the game in the 37th before Villa went on to take all three points and consign Tottenham coach Thomas Frank to his second league loss since taking over in the summer.
Manchester United's Harry Maguire (second right) consigns Liverpool to defeat by scoring a late winner during an English Premier League match in Liverpool, England, on Sunday.
\n
Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo (bottom) celebrates scoring his side's opening goal with Amad Diallo on Sunday.
\n
Manchester United's Harry Maguire celebrates scoring his side's second, and decisive, goal against Liverpool on Sunday.
\n
After nine painful years, and at the 11th time of asking, Manchester United ended its Anfield hoodoo with a 2-1 win against defending Premier League champion Liverpool on Sunday, while Aston Villa's resurgence continued with a comeback win against Tottenham Hotspur.
\n
Harry Maguire's header in the 84th minute sealed one of United's most significant wins under coach Ruben Amorim and consigned Liverpool to a fourth straight defeat in all competitions.
\n
The frustration of so many miserable experiences on Merseyside appeared to pour out of Maguire as the defender celebrated in front of United's traveling fans.
\n
"It means everything. They've had the better of us over the last few years and we know that and it hasn't been good enough for our club," Maguire said. "The old cliche is that it is only three points, but it definitely isn't. It means a lot more than that for the club, the boys and the fans."
\n
Maguire's goal came late in another frenetic and thrilling match involving Liverpool in a season of so many dramatic finales for Arne Slot's team.
\n
That's three league games in a row in which Liverpool has been beaten by a goal scored in the last 10 minutes of regulation time or beyond. Before that, it had scraped to late wins of its own in six of the first seven games.
\n
So while Maguire's headed effort maintained the trend of late goals, perhaps the biggest surprise was that there wasn't another twist in the tale.
\n
There might have been when Cody Gakpo headed wide with an open goal to aim at, and the fourth official indicated there would be eight minutes of added time.
\n
The Dutch forward had already got Liverpool back on level terms in the 78th — poking home from close range after Bryan Mbeumo had fired United ahead inside two minutes.
\n
'Stay humble, keep working'
\n
United's last win at Anfield came back in 2016 when Wayne Rooney scored the only goal of the match. Since then, there have been some humiliating defeats, notably the 7-0 rout in 2023 and a 4-0 loss a year earlier.
\n
Not only has Amorim ended that bitter run, but he also collected back-to-back wins in the league for the first time since taking over at United last November.
\n
The Portuguese coach has been under increasing pressure, with speculation mounting over his position after a troubled start to his first full season in charge. While United is ninth in the standings, it is only two points off the top four and such a morale-boosting performance could finally prove a turning point for Amorim.
\n
"It was really important for our fans, because they are struggling," Amorim said. "Today they saw a different thing, and that is really important. To come here to the stadium of the champion, our biggest rival, and to sing during the game, that is massive for us, so this win is for them."
\n
Defeat for Liverpool raises more doubts about its wobbling title defense, leaving it in fourth place, four points behind leader Arsenal.
\n
That is not an insurmountable gap, but the run of four straight defeats is Liverpool's worst losing run since 2014. It also extended Slot's worst run as Liverpool coach and further highlights weaknesses in his team, which has only kept two clean sheets in 12 games in all competitions this season.
\n
In attack, Mohamed Salah's only goal in his last seven league games was a penalty against Burnley, while British-record signing Alexander Isak has scored just one goal in seven appearances since joining from Newcastle.
\n
"We have to stick together. Not just as players, but the fans and everyone," said Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. "First and foremost, we have to stay humble and keep working. We need to keep our confidence high and stay very calm."
\n
Disputed opener
\n
Liverpool players felt aggrieved by United's opener after play was allowed to go on despite Alexis Mac Allister going down with a head injury when clashing with teammate Van Dijk.
\n
Referee Michael Oliver didn't blow his whistle and Amad Diallo slipped a pass through to Mbeumo, who lashed a shot past Giorgi Mamardashvili at the goalkeeper's near post.
\n
"The main thing I should do now is not to complain or do these kinds of things," Slot said. "We could have done much better after Macca was on the floor, we should have done better. But, the well-being of a player is something that is important, and, if a player needs four stitches, you would hope everybody understands that he needs immediate treatment.
\n
"That's not the reason why we lost this game. The reason is that we missed far too many chances."
\n
Gakpo had the best of them, hitting the post on three occasions.
\n
Brilliant Buendia
\n
Emiliano Buendia's curling shot sealed a 2-1 comeback win for Aston Villa against Tottenham.
\n
The victory continued Villa's resurgence after a desperate start to the season and denied Spurs the chance to provisionally move up to second in the standings.
\n
Buendia shimmied his way across the edge of the box in the 77th minute at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before sweeping a perfect shot low into the bottom corner.
\n
It was Villa's fifth-straight win in all competitions after failing to pick up a victory in its first six games of the campaign. It ended Spurs' seven-game unbeaten run that looked set to continue when Rodrigo Bentancur fired the home team ahead after just five minutes.
\n
Morgan Rogers leveled the game in the 37th before Villa went on to take all three points and consign Tottenham coach Thomas Frank to his second league loss since taking over in the summer.
Coach Arne Slot conceded he has a challenge on his hands to revive Liverpool's faltering form after Manchester United claimed a rare win at Anfield to hand the reigning Premier League champion a fourth consecutive defeat.
\n
The Liverpool boss was left ruing his players' profligacy in front of goal, with Cody Gakpo hitting the woodwork three times and squandering a golden opportunity to equalize again in the dying minutes of the 2-1 loss.
\n
Mohamed Salah also missed a gilt-edged chance when he fired a close-range shot well wide of the net, before shaking his head in frustration. Liverpool's talisman has now gone seven games without a non-penalty goal.
\n
Slot acknowledged the scale of the task ahead. If Liverpool loses to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday, it would be the first time the Reds have lost five in a row since September of 1953.
\n
"As a manager, challenges never stop," Slot said. "Whether it's winning games at the start, stepping into a big club, or succeeding someone like Jurgen Klopp, each phase brings its own test. Now, losing four in a row is another challenge. That's the life of a football manager."
\n
Despite the poor run, Slot insisted confidence within the squad remains intact.
\n
"In every game we've lost, we've created an incredible number of chances in the second half," the Dutchman said. "If we keep doing that, and improve in a few areas, there's every reason to believe we'll start winning again.
\n
"But, when you're chasing a game, you take more risks — and that's where we've struggled defensively."
\n
Slot also expressed frustration over Bryan Mbeumo's goal a minute into the game, suggesting play should have been halted due to a head injury sustained by Alexis Mac Allister, who later required four stitches.
\n
"The main thing I should do now is not to complain about these kind of things," he said. "We should have done much better. That is not the reason we lost. The reason is we missed far too many chances."
\n
Liverpool's troublesome start comes despite the club spending an unprecedented 446 million pounds ($599 million) in the summer transfer window, bolstering its squad with the arrivals of British-record signing Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and others.
\n",
+ "content": "
Coach Arne Slot conceded he has a challenge on his hands to revive Liverpool's faltering form after Manchester United claimed a rare win at Anfield to hand the reigning Premier League champion a fourth consecutive defeat.
\n
The Liverpool boss was left ruing his players' profligacy in front of goal, with Cody Gakpo hitting the woodwork three times and squandering a golden opportunity to equalize again in the dying minutes of the 2-1 loss.
\n
Mohamed Salah also missed a gilt-edged chance when he fired a close-range shot well wide of the net, before shaking his head in frustration. Liverpool's talisman has now gone seven games without a non-penalty goal.
\n
Slot acknowledged the scale of the task ahead. If Liverpool loses to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday, it would be the first time the Reds have lost five in a row since September of 1953.
\n
"As a manager, challenges never stop," Slot said. "Whether it's winning games at the start, stepping into a big club, or succeeding someone like Jurgen Klopp, each phase brings its own test. Now, losing four in a row is another challenge. That's the life of a football manager."
\n
Despite the poor run, Slot insisted confidence within the squad remains intact.
\n
"In every game we've lost, we've created an incredible number of chances in the second half," the Dutchman said. "If we keep doing that, and improve in a few areas, there's every reason to believe we'll start winning again.
\n
"But, when you're chasing a game, you take more risks — and that's where we've struggled defensively."
\n
Slot also expressed frustration over Bryan Mbeumo's goal a minute into the game, suggesting play should have been halted due to a head injury sustained by Alexis Mac Allister, who later required four stitches.
\n
"The main thing I should do now is not to complain about these kind of things," he said. "We should have done much better. That is not the reason we lost. The reason is we missed far too many chances."
\n
Liverpool's troublesome start comes despite the club spending an unprecedented 446 million pounds ($599 million) in the summer transfer window, bolstering its squad with the arrivals of British-record signing Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and others.
\n",
+ "category": "",
+ "link": "https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/html5/2025-10/21/content_020_68f6a3bced50ccabe151b77b.htm#020SPORTS",
+ "creator": "",
+ "pubDate": "Tue, 21 Oct 2025 00:21:04 +0000",
+ "enclosure": "",
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+ "image": "",
+ "id": "",
+ "language": "",
+ "folder": "双语",
+ "feed": "ChinaDaily",
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+ "created": false,
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+ "highlights": []
+ },
+ {
+ "title": "020SPORTS - Fiorentina left fuming as Leao brace fires AC Milan to top of Serie A",
+ "description": "
AC Milan's Rafael Leao scores his side's first goal during an Italian Serie A match against Fiorentina in Milan, on Sunday.
\n
MILAN — Rafael Leao shot AC Milan to the top of Serie A with a brace in Sunday's 2-1 win over Fiorentina which was enraged by the "scandalous" awarding of the penalty that decided the game.
\n
Portugal winger Leao pushed Milan one point ahead of local rivals Inter Milan, Napoli and Roma with a coolly-taken spot-kick, given for what looked like a soft foul on Santiago Gimenez by Fabiano Parisi, with four minutes remaining.
\n
That goal capped a fine first league start of the season for Leao, and came after he drew the host level with a brilliantly struck effort from distance in the 63rd minute.
\n
"He's an amazing talent. From outside when I used to watch him, and, now, when I train with him, I see he is one of the best players in the world," Luka Modric told DAZN.
\n
"The incredible thing is that he can still improve, it just depends on him. I hope these two goals can help him grow his confidence and be the main guy for us. He will be very important and we will depend a lot on him. He showed why tonight."
\n
Leao's goals are a boost for Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri, who has had to deal with a spate of injuries, most recently to key players Adrien Rabiot and Christian Pulisic who were hurt on international duty and will not be back for weeks.
\n
The 26-year-old's brace canceled out Robin Gosens' opener in the 55th minute for Fiorentina, which is still seeking its first league win of the season under former Milan coach Stefano Pioli and sits in the relegation zone.
\n
But Pioli said the awarding of the decisive penalty, given by referee Livio Marinelli following a check of the pitchside monitor, would "encourage players to dive at the slightest touch".
\n
Fiorentina's sporting director Daniele Prade was even more blunt, blasting Marinelli for not having "the courage to back his original decision".
\n
"These are those incidents that change everything, we were playing to win the game, and you just can't do things like that. It's scandalous," said Prade.
\n
"Gimenez was on the floor for 20 minutes and he was barely touched, it was almost grotesque... We didn't deserve to lose, and we definitely didn't deserve to lose in that way."
\n
Como sinks Juve
\n
Earlier, Nico Paz shone again for Como with a goal and assist in a landmark 2-0 win over Juventus, which lifted the minnow club up to sixth place.
\n
Argentina international Paz set up Marc-Oliver Kempf to sweep home in the fourth minute at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, before making sure of Como's first win against Juve since 1952 with a wonderful individual goal 12 minutes from full time.
\n
Owned by tobacco giant Djarum and coached by former Spain and Barcelona star Cesc Fabregas, ambitious Como is on 12 points from seven matches, only four behind Milan.
\n
Paz, 21, was signed from Real Madrid in August last year, and, after an impressive debut season in Italy, he has been a key part of Como's strong start to this campaign with four goals and as many assists.
\n
"He's a great player, I'm not worried about his future, because I can tell when a player is hungry, whether they have the right mentality to become a top player or whether they're a flash in the pan," said Fabregas to DAZN.
\n
Paz's fine display on Sunday left Juve without a win since a dramatic victory over archrival Inter just over a month ago.
\n
The defeat ended a tough week for Juve, which not only lost starting center-back Gleison Bremer until the end of the year with a knee ligament tear, but is also under investigation by European governing body UEFA for possible financial fair play breaches.
\n
The challenges keep coming, too. With just two points from its first two matches in this season's Champions League, on Wednesday, Juve travels to play Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
\n
Riccardo Orsolini helped move Bologna a point above Como and into fifth spot with his fifth goal of the season in a comfortable 2-0 win at Cagliari.
\n",
+ "content": "
AC Milan's Rafael Leao scores his side's first goal during an Italian Serie A match against Fiorentina in Milan, on Sunday.
\n
MILAN — Rafael Leao shot AC Milan to the top of Serie A with a brace in Sunday's 2-1 win over Fiorentina which was enraged by the "scandalous" awarding of the penalty that decided the game.
\n
Portugal winger Leao pushed Milan one point ahead of local rivals Inter Milan, Napoli and Roma with a coolly-taken spot-kick, given for what looked like a soft foul on Santiago Gimenez by Fabiano Parisi, with four minutes remaining.
\n
That goal capped a fine first league start of the season for Leao, and came after he drew the host level with a brilliantly struck effort from distance in the 63rd minute.
\n
"He's an amazing talent. From outside when I used to watch him, and, now, when I train with him, I see he is one of the best players in the world," Luka Modric told DAZN.
\n
"The incredible thing is that he can still improve, it just depends on him. I hope these two goals can help him grow his confidence and be the main guy for us. He will be very important and we will depend a lot on him. He showed why tonight."
\n
Leao's goals are a boost for Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri, who has had to deal with a spate of injuries, most recently to key players Adrien Rabiot and Christian Pulisic who were hurt on international duty and will not be back for weeks.
\n
The 26-year-old's brace canceled out Robin Gosens' opener in the 55th minute for Fiorentina, which is still seeking its first league win of the season under former Milan coach Stefano Pioli and sits in the relegation zone.
\n
But Pioli said the awarding of the decisive penalty, given by referee Livio Marinelli following a check of the pitchside monitor, would "encourage players to dive at the slightest touch".
\n
Fiorentina's sporting director Daniele Prade was even more blunt, blasting Marinelli for not having "the courage to back his original decision".
\n
"These are those incidents that change everything, we were playing to win the game, and you just can't do things like that. It's scandalous," said Prade.
\n
"Gimenez was on the floor for 20 minutes and he was barely touched, it was almost grotesque... We didn't deserve to lose, and we definitely didn't deserve to lose in that way."
\n
Como sinks Juve
\n
Earlier, Nico Paz shone again for Como with a goal and assist in a landmark 2-0 win over Juventus, which lifted the minnow club up to sixth place.
\n
Argentina international Paz set up Marc-Oliver Kempf to sweep home in the fourth minute at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, before making sure of Como's first win against Juve since 1952 with a wonderful individual goal 12 minutes from full time.
\n
Owned by tobacco giant Djarum and coached by former Spain and Barcelona star Cesc Fabregas, ambitious Como is on 12 points from seven matches, only four behind Milan.
\n
Paz, 21, was signed from Real Madrid in August last year, and, after an impressive debut season in Italy, he has been a key part of Como's strong start to this campaign with four goals and as many assists.
\n
"He's a great player, I'm not worried about his future, because I can tell when a player is hungry, whether they have the right mentality to become a top player or whether they're a flash in the pan," said Fabregas to DAZN.
\n
Paz's fine display on Sunday left Juve without a win since a dramatic victory over archrival Inter just over a month ago.
\n
The defeat ended a tough week for Juve, which not only lost starting center-back Gleison Bremer until the end of the year with a knee ligament tear, but is also under investigation by European governing body UEFA for possible financial fair play breaches.
\n
The challenges keep coming, too. With just two points from its first two matches in this season's Champions League, on Wednesday, Juve travels to play Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
\n
Riccardo Orsolini helped move Bologna a point above Como and into fifth spot with his fifth goal of the season in a comfortable 2-0 win at Cagliari.
As the fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee is held from Monday to Thursday, the spotlight will be on how China will use the key Party meeting to set the tone for its development priorities for the next five years amid persistent economic headwinds.
\n
The fourth plenary session is expected to see the leadership reviewing the proposal of the CPC Central Committee for the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, which will lay the groundwork for the country's development from 2026 to 2030.
\n
Observers said that what makes this meeting significant is not the prospect of dramatic shifts, but rather the reaffirmation of a steady and pragmatic vision that has enabled China to weather global uncertainty and maintain momentum as the world's second-largest economy.
\n
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, has chartered the course for the 15th Five-Year Plan. He has chaired a number of high-level meetings attended by senior officials to discuss key priorities for the new plan, while State media outlets have launched a national campaign to gather public input and feedback.
\n
During an inspection tour to Shanghai in April, Xi presided over a symposium on China's economic and social development in the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
\n
"We must unswervingly manage our own affairs well, and stay committed to expanding high-standard opening-up," Xi told the symposium, while stressing the need to adapt to the changing global landscape and grasp strategic priorities for China's development.
\n
"Greater emphasis should be placed on ensuring both development and security, with a comprehensive assessment of domestic and external risks and challenges," he said.
\n
The 15th Five-Year Plan is considered a crucial step, as China is using a three-plan period — the 14th, 15th and 16th Five-Year Plans — to "basically realize socialist modernization" by 2035.
\n
Experts said that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China's development priorities are likely to be centered around enhancing its economic resilience, which will include diversifying trading partners, boosting domestic consumption and improving technology and innovation capabilities.
\n
Cheng Xusen, a research fellow at Renmin University of China's National Academy of Development and Strategy, said that the development of new quality productive forces, a key driver for high-quality growth, is expected to be a priority in the 15th Five-Year Plan.
\n
Key priorities include expanding domestic demand, boosting consumption's role in economic growth, creating high-quality jobs and increasing household incomes, Cheng said.
\n
In addition, China intends to deepen high-level opening-up by promoting trade facilitation and liberalization, strengthening international economic cooperation, and enhancing its position in global industrial and supply chains, he added.
\n
Cao Heping, a professor at Peking University's School of Economics, said that technology innovation, as the main driving force of high-quality growth, is evolving from an engine that propels progress into a key force reshaping the nation's economic landscape.
\n
During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the innovation-driven development strategy is expected to further unleash its effectiveness on a broader scale, Cao said, and the deeper integration of new energy, new materials and intelligent manufacturing is expected to forge new technological strengths and drive the next phase of industrial transformation.
\n
At the April symposium, Xi highlighted the strategic importance of developing new quality productive forces tailored to local conditions during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, adding that China's development will be driven by technological innovation, with the real economy being the foundation.
\n
He also highlighted the importance of improving the national innovation system through stimulating the vitality of various innovation entities and zeroing in on global scientific and technological frontiers.
\n
Matteo Giovannini, a finance professional at the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and a nonresident associate fellow at the Beijing-based think tank Center for China and Globalization, said that over the past few years, China has consistently contributed around 30 percent of global economic growth, a figure unmatched by any other major economy.
\n
"In 2024, the country's GDP grew by 5 percent year-on-year, reaffirming its role as a key stabilizer of the world economy. These achievements are not the outcome of short-term stimulus, but of structural progress guided by long-term vision," Giovannini said in an article published by the China Global Television Network.
\n
He said that as China prepares to embark on the next stage of modernization, the fourth plenary session offers an opportunity to consolidate these gains and chart the path forward.
\n
"Ultimately, the fourth plenum embodies China's quiet confidence in its governance model. It demonstrates that reform, innovation and openness can coexist under a framework of stability and national purpose," Giovannini said. "The global environment may be fraught with sanctions, trade friction and political suspicion, but China's long-term orientation enables it to look beyond short-term turbulence."
As the fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee is held from Monday to Thursday, the spotlight will be on how China will use the key Party meeting to set the tone for its development priorities for the next five years amid persistent economic headwinds.
\n
The fourth plenary session is expected to see the leadership reviewing the proposal of the CPC Central Committee for the 15th Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, which will lay the groundwork for the country's development from 2026 to 2030.
\n
Observers said that what makes this meeting significant is not the prospect of dramatic shifts, but rather the reaffirmation of a steady and pragmatic vision that has enabled China to weather global uncertainty and maintain momentum as the world's second-largest economy.
\n
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, has chartered the course for the 15th Five-Year Plan. He has chaired a number of high-level meetings attended by senior officials to discuss key priorities for the new plan, while State media outlets have launched a national campaign to gather public input and feedback.
\n
During an inspection tour to Shanghai in April, Xi presided over a symposium on China's economic and social development in the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
\n
"We must unswervingly manage our own affairs well, and stay committed to expanding high-standard opening-up," Xi told the symposium, while stressing the need to adapt to the changing global landscape and grasp strategic priorities for China's development.
\n
"Greater emphasis should be placed on ensuring both development and security, with a comprehensive assessment of domestic and external risks and challenges," he said.
\n
The 15th Five-Year Plan is considered a crucial step, as China is using a three-plan period — the 14th, 15th and 16th Five-Year Plans — to "basically realize socialist modernization" by 2035.
\n
Experts said that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, China's development priorities are likely to be centered around enhancing its economic resilience, which will include diversifying trading partners, boosting domestic consumption and improving technology and innovation capabilities.
\n
Cheng Xusen, a research fellow at Renmin University of China's National Academy of Development and Strategy, said that the development of new quality productive forces, a key driver for high-quality growth, is expected to be a priority in the 15th Five-Year Plan.
\n
Key priorities include expanding domestic demand, boosting consumption's role in economic growth, creating high-quality jobs and increasing household incomes, Cheng said.
\n
In addition, China intends to deepen high-level opening-up by promoting trade facilitation and liberalization, strengthening international economic cooperation, and enhancing its position in global industrial and supply chains, he added.
\n
Cao Heping, a professor at Peking University's School of Economics, said that technology innovation, as the main driving force of high-quality growth, is evolving from an engine that propels progress into a key force reshaping the nation's economic landscape.
\n
During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the innovation-driven development strategy is expected to further unleash its effectiveness on a broader scale, Cao said, and the deeper integration of new energy, new materials and intelligent manufacturing is expected to forge new technological strengths and drive the next phase of industrial transformation.
\n
At the April symposium, Xi highlighted the strategic importance of developing new quality productive forces tailored to local conditions during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, adding that China's development will be driven by technological innovation, with the real economy being the foundation.
\n
He also highlighted the importance of improving the national innovation system through stimulating the vitality of various innovation entities and zeroing in on global scientific and technological frontiers.
\n
Matteo Giovannini, a finance professional at the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China and a nonresident associate fellow at the Beijing-based think tank Center for China and Globalization, said that over the past few years, China has consistently contributed around 30 percent of global economic growth, a figure unmatched by any other major economy.
\n
"In 2024, the country's GDP grew by 5 percent year-on-year, reaffirming its role as a key stabilizer of the world economy. These achievements are not the outcome of short-term stimulus, but of structural progress guided by long-term vision," Giovannini said in an article published by the China Global Television Network.
\n
He said that as China prepares to embark on the next stage of modernization, the fourth plenary session offers an opportunity to consolidate these gains and chart the path forward.
\n
"Ultimately, the fourth plenum embodies China's quiet confidence in its governance model. It demonstrates that reform, innovation and openness can coexist under a framework of stability and national purpose," Giovannini said. "The global environment may be fraught with sanctions, trade friction and political suspicion, but China's long-term orientation enables it to look beyond short-term turbulence."
Foreign visitors look at ceramic creations at the 2025 China Jingdezhen International Ceramic Expo in Jingdezhen, known as China's "porcelain capital", in Jiangxi province, on Saturday. The event, which began on Saturday and runs through Wednesday, has attracted more than 1,000 buyers from home and abroad. See story, page 4
\n",
+ "content": "
Foreign visitors look at ceramic creations at the 2025 China Jingdezhen International Ceramic Expo in Jingdezhen, known as China's "porcelain capital", in Jiangxi province, on Saturday. The event, which began on Saturday and runs through Wednesday, has attracted more than 1,000 buyers from home and abroad. See story, page 4
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, congratulated Cheng Li-wun on Sunday on being elected chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang party.
\n
Cheng won the election in Taiwan on Saturday with 50.15 percent of the vote.
\n
Xi expressed his expectations for the two political parties to uphold their common political foundation and unite the vast majority of people in Taiwan to deepen exchanges and cooperation, boost common development, and advance national reunification.
\n
He noted that for many years, the two parties have, on the common political foundation of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence", promoted cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, worked to safeguard peace and stability across the Strait, and enhanced the affinity and well-being of compatriots on both sides, yielding positive outcomes.
\n
At a time when the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is an unstoppable historical trend, Xi said.
\n
He called on the two political parties to firmly safeguard the shared home of the Chinese nation, uphold the fundamental interests of compatriots on both sides of the Strait, and work together for a brighter future for the Chinese nation.
\n
Cheng expressed her gratitude in a reply sent to Xi on Sunday.
\n
Echoing Xi's views, Cheng commended the many historic achievements made in promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, thanks to the common political foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence".
\n
Cheng said that both sides across the Strait, being descendants of Yan and Huang emperors, belong to the Chinese nation.
\n
On the existing foundation, the two political parties should strengthen cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, promote peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, strive for the greatest benefits for people on both sides, and open up a grand prospect for national rejuvenation, she added.
\n
mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, congratulated Cheng Li-wun on Sunday on being elected chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang party.
\n
Cheng won the election in Taiwan on Saturday with 50.15 percent of the vote.
\n
Xi expressed his expectations for the two political parties to uphold their common political foundation and unite the vast majority of people in Taiwan to deepen exchanges and cooperation, boost common development, and advance national reunification.
\n
He noted that for many years, the two parties have, on the common political foundation of adhering to the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence", promoted cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, worked to safeguard peace and stability across the Strait, and enhanced the affinity and well-being of compatriots on both sides, yielding positive outcomes.
\n
At a time when the world is undergoing profound changes unseen in a century, the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is an unstoppable historical trend, Xi said.
\n
He called on the two political parties to firmly safeguard the shared home of the Chinese nation, uphold the fundamental interests of compatriots on both sides of the Strait, and work together for a brighter future for the Chinese nation.
\n
Cheng expressed her gratitude in a reply sent to Xi on Sunday.
\n
Echoing Xi's views, Cheng commended the many historic achievements made in promoting the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations, thanks to the common political foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence".
\n
Cheng said that both sides across the Strait, being descendants of Yan and Huang emperors, belong to the Chinese nation.
\n
On the existing foundation, the two political parties should strengthen cross-Strait exchanges and cooperation, promote peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, strive for the greatest benefits for people on both sides, and open up a grand prospect for national rejuvenation, she added.
Students of Tsinghua University pay tribute to Yang Chen-Ning in Beijing on Sunday, mourning the passing of the renowned physicist and Nobel laureate, who died on Saturday at the age of 103. Yang, seen as one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century, achieved many breakthroughs in particle physics, quantum field theory, statistical physics and condensed matter physics. See story, page 3; comment, page 8
\n",
+ "content": "
Students of Tsinghua University pay tribute to Yang Chen-Ning in Beijing on Sunday, mourning the passing of the renowned physicist and Nobel laureate, who died on Saturday at the age of 103. Yang, seen as one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century, achieved many breakthroughs in particle physics, quantum field theory, statistical physics and condensed matter physics. See story, page 3; comment, page 8
Washington should show greater sincerity in engaging with Beijing and maintain the stability of global industrial and supply chains, analysts said, as China and the United States agreed to resume economic and trade consultations soon.
\n
They made the remarks after Vice-Premier He Lifeng, who is also China's lead person for China-US economic and trade affairs, held a video call on Saturday with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Both sides agreed to hold a fresh round of talks as soon as possible.
\n
Despite the Sino-US trade talks held in mid-September in Madrid, Spain, the US government introduced a series of new restrictions targeting China, such as adding more Chinese entities to various exclusion lists and maintaining Section 301 tariffs on key Chinese industries, further increasing the friction between the world's two largest economies.
\n
Zhou Mi, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, called the decision to resume economic and trade consultations a positive step, but urged the US to show "genuine sincerity and refrain from moves that could erode trust or hinder constructive dialogue".
\n
"Failure to do so will deepen mistrust and escalate tensions," he said.
\n
Huang Rengang, vice-chairman of the China Society for World Trade Organization Studies, said that Washington's repeated threats to impose additional tariffs to pressure Beijing have time and again proved to be the wrong approach in handling China-US relations.
\n
Wang Wei, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of American Studies in Beijing, said that China has ample means to counter actions harming its interests, and it can defend its legitimate rights as well as global fairness.
\n
China's continuous improvement of its export control system on rare earths is a legitimate act within the scope of national sovereignty, Wang added.
\n
According to the "2025 Report on WTO Compliance of the United States" released last week by China's Ministry of Commerce, US trade practices have violated World Trade Organization rules, including those on tariffs and nontariff barriers, trade remedies, industrial and agricultural subsidies, technical regulations, services, export controls and sanctions, investment reviews and discriminatory arrangements in international cooperation.
\n
Chen Wenling, former chief economist at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, noted that the complex interdependence between China and the US has created a commercial ecosystem so deeply integrated that the two countries have become inseparable in many critical sectors.
\n
Supply chains, technological innovation and consumer markets have become so intertwined that confrontation would come at a cost neither country could easily bear, she said.
\n
Responding to the US' discriminatory actions against Chinese shipping and shipbuilding businesses, China announced that it will start charging special port service fees, effective Oct 14, on ships owned or operated by US entities.
\n
The announcement prompted Danish shipping group Maersk Line and Germany's Hapag-Lloyd to make operational shifts last week. They diverted two US-flagged vessels away from Chinese ports.
\n
Hapag-Lloyd's container ship, the Potomac Express, skipped its scheduled call at the Port of Ningbo in East China's Zhejiang province and instead sailed directly to Busan, South Korea. Cargo originally bound for or transiting through Ningbo was discharged in Busan and will be delivered to its final destination via Maersk's network under their business partnership.
\n
Maersk also made similar arrangements for one of its vessels, the Maersk Kinloss. The container ship will skip its call at Ningbo and sail directly to South Korea, where cargo bound for Ningbo will be unloaded and forwarded to its final destination.
\n
Reflecting on broader changes in global trade, Wang Yiwei, a professor of international affairs at Renmin University of China, said that as trade volume with the US moderates, China is rapidly deepening economic integration with economies participating in the Belt and Road Initiative and other trading partners.
\n
US attempts to halt China's growth through punitive tariffs have only fueled Beijing's push for greater economic resilience, he added.
\n
Steven Altman, an assistant professor at New York University's Stern School of Business, said that trade and international business investment trends so far this year do not support the view that globalization has hit reverse gear.
\n
"Companies are not generally pulling back from international markets. Geopolitical conflicts have reshaped only a small fraction of the world's international activity," Altman said.
\n
FedEx Corp, the US-based express transportation service provider, highlighted the resilience of global trade by expanding its global reach last week, with five weekly flights connecting its hubs in Shanghai and Guangzhou, Guangdong province, to Paris, France.
\n
"As the global trade landscape continues to evolve, the European market is playing an increasingly pivotal role in the global strategies of Chinese businesses," said Poh-Yian Koh, president of FedEx China.
\n
zhongnan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Washington should show greater sincerity in engaging with Beijing and maintain the stability of global industrial and supply chains, analysts said, as China and the United States agreed to resume economic and trade consultations soon.
\n
They made the remarks after Vice-Premier He Lifeng, who is also China's lead person for China-US economic and trade affairs, held a video call on Saturday with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Both sides agreed to hold a fresh round of talks as soon as possible.
\n
Despite the Sino-US trade talks held in mid-September in Madrid, Spain, the US government introduced a series of new restrictions targeting China, such as adding more Chinese entities to various exclusion lists and maintaining Section 301 tariffs on key Chinese industries, further increasing the friction between the world's two largest economies.
\n
Zhou Mi, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, called the decision to resume economic and trade consultations a positive step, but urged the US to show "genuine sincerity and refrain from moves that could erode trust or hinder constructive dialogue".
\n
"Failure to do so will deepen mistrust and escalate tensions," he said.
\n
Huang Rengang, vice-chairman of the China Society for World Trade Organization Studies, said that Washington's repeated threats to impose additional tariffs to pressure Beijing have time and again proved to be the wrong approach in handling China-US relations.
\n
Wang Wei, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of American Studies in Beijing, said that China has ample means to counter actions harming its interests, and it can defend its legitimate rights as well as global fairness.
\n
China's continuous improvement of its export control system on rare earths is a legitimate act within the scope of national sovereignty, Wang added.
\n
According to the "2025 Report on WTO Compliance of the United States" released last week by China's Ministry of Commerce, US trade practices have violated World Trade Organization rules, including those on tariffs and nontariff barriers, trade remedies, industrial and agricultural subsidies, technical regulations, services, export controls and sanctions, investment reviews and discriminatory arrangements in international cooperation.
\n
Chen Wenling, former chief economist at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, noted that the complex interdependence between China and the US has created a commercial ecosystem so deeply integrated that the two countries have become inseparable in many critical sectors.
\n
Supply chains, technological innovation and consumer markets have become so intertwined that confrontation would come at a cost neither country could easily bear, she said.
\n
Responding to the US' discriminatory actions against Chinese shipping and shipbuilding businesses, China announced that it will start charging special port service fees, effective Oct 14, on ships owned or operated by US entities.
\n
The announcement prompted Danish shipping group Maersk Line and Germany's Hapag-Lloyd to make operational shifts last week. They diverted two US-flagged vessels away from Chinese ports.
\n
Hapag-Lloyd's container ship, the Potomac Express, skipped its scheduled call at the Port of Ningbo in East China's Zhejiang province and instead sailed directly to Busan, South Korea. Cargo originally bound for or transiting through Ningbo was discharged in Busan and will be delivered to its final destination via Maersk's network under their business partnership.
\n
Maersk also made similar arrangements for one of its vessels, the Maersk Kinloss. The container ship will skip its call at Ningbo and sail directly to South Korea, where cargo bound for Ningbo will be unloaded and forwarded to its final destination.
\n
Reflecting on broader changes in global trade, Wang Yiwei, a professor of international affairs at Renmin University of China, said that as trade volume with the US moderates, China is rapidly deepening economic integration with economies participating in the Belt and Road Initiative and other trading partners.
\n
US attempts to halt China's growth through punitive tariffs have only fueled Beijing's push for greater economic resilience, he added.
\n
Steven Altman, an assistant professor at New York University's Stern School of Business, said that trade and international business investment trends so far this year do not support the view that globalization has hit reverse gear.
\n
"Companies are not generally pulling back from international markets. Geopolitical conflicts have reshaped only a small fraction of the world's international activity," Altman said.
\n
FedEx Corp, the US-based express transportation service provider, highlighted the resilience of global trade by expanding its global reach last week, with five weekly flights connecting its hubs in Shanghai and Guangzhou, Guangdong province, to Paris, France.
\n
"As the global trade landscape continues to evolve, the European market is playing an increasingly pivotal role in the global strategies of Chinese businesses," said Poh-Yian Koh, president of FedEx China.
China intensified efforts to bolster the integration of sci-tech innovation and industrial innovation, with notable strides made in key and core technologies, as part of its broader push to drive the development of new quality productive forces during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25).
\n
Experts said the country has sent a clear signal that it is dedicated to implementing the innovation-driven development strategy to achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, boosting its core competitiveness globally and injecting strong momentum into high-quality economic growth amid external uncertainties.
\n
Over the past five years, China's innovation capacity has steadily improved, and its foundation for becoming a technological powerhouse has been continuously strengthened.
\n
The country's investment in sci-tech has continued to rise, with its research and development expenditure exceeding 3.6 trillion yuan ($505 billion) in an increase of 48 percent compared with 2020, said Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun.
\n
R&D intensity reached 2.68 percent, surpassing the average level of European Union countries, while the total number of people engaged in R&D ranked first in the world, Yin said, adding that China's spending on basic research stood at 250.09 billion yuan last year, a rise of more than 70 percent compared with 2020.
\n
Rise in rankings
\n
China has achieved significant breakthroughs in innovation, including in quantum science, life sciences, material science, and space science, he said. It has topped the world in the number of high-level international journal papers and the volume of global patent applications for five consecutive years.
\n
The ranking of the country's comprehensive innovation capability rose from 14th in 2020 to 10th in 2024, Yin noted. China has established the strategic goal of building a strong country in science and technology by 2035, and accelerated the realization of high-level self-reliance in science and technology.
\n
The integration of China's sci-tech innovation with industrial innovation gathered pace during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25). Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the value-added output of high-tech manufacturing enterprises — each with an annual main business revenue of at least 20 million yuan — is up 42 percent compared with the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20).
\n
The added value of new industries, new business formats and new business models, dubbed the "three new" economy, accounted for 18 percent of the country's GDP last year. Tech frontiers such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology are emerging as new drivers for economic growth.
\n
The innovation capabilities of Chinese enterprises have been significantly elevated over the past five years. In 2024, a total of 524 Chinese mainland enterprises ranked among the world's top 2,000 industrial enterprises in terms of R&D investment, accounting for 26.2 percent of the total, which represented an increase of 4.8 percentage points from 2020.
\n
The number of high-tech enterprises exceeded 500,000 last year, an 83 percent increase from 2020.
\n
China has accelerated steps to achieve breakthroughs in key technologies in areas including high-end equipment and advanced manufacturing, and promoted the transformation of traditional industries to higher-end, smarter, and greener ones to build a modern industrial system and nurture new quality productive forces.
\n
It has also made great efforts to boost the development of emerging industries and future-oriented industries, such as new-generation information technology, new energy, artificial intelligence and brain-computer interface technology to gain a competitive edge and build up new growth drivers amid fierce international competition.
\n
For instance, in the rapidly advancing AI domain, China has developed a number of general large language models that have reached an advanced international level, creating more than 100 exemplary application scenarios, Yin said.
\n
He added that technological breakthroughs in humanoid robots have sped up their applications in automobile manufacturing, logistics and power inspection, laying a solid foundation for the development of a trillion-yuan industry.
\n
Li Lecheng, minister of industry and information technology, said China has quickened the pace of the industrial upgrade, with the added value of equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing sectors rising at an average annual rate of 7.9 percent and 8.7 percent, respectively, from 2020 to 2024.
\n
Last year, the country's production of new energy vehicles exceeded 13 million units. China has maintained its position as the world's largest manufacturer and seller of NEVs for 10 consecutive years, Li said, highlighting that the production of photovoltaic and wind power equipment also ranked among the top in the world.
\n
Building strengths
\n
China has also achieved significant progress in the major technical equipment sector.
\n
The domestically developed C919 aircraft has entered commercial service. China's first domestically built cruise ship is now in operation, and the CR450 high-speed train has rolled off the production line.
\n
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), the real economy accelerated integration with the digital economy. Li said China has built the world's largest and most extensive network infrastructure, with 4.598 million 5G base stations in operation.
\n
The 5G technology has been deployed across various fields such as mining, ports, and factories, while the number of connected devices on major industrial internet platforms exceeds 100 million units, Li said. The country has established more than 60 national advanced manufacturing clusters in emerging industries and 23 national innovation demonstration zones.
\n
It is noteworthy that the number of AI enterprises and the scale of the AI industry in China have continued to grow over the past five years. Domestic large models such as DeepSeek and Alibaba's Qwen take the lead in the global open-source innovation ecosystem.
\n
AI-powered devices such as AI smartphones and AI glasses are rapidly gaining popularity, while industry-specific large models are being applied in various scenarios, according to the MIIT.
\n
Li also emphasized that enterprises' dominant position in technological innovation has been reinforced. "Enterprises' spending on R&D now accounts for more than three quarters of the country's total R&D expenditure. The number of invention patent applications filed by industrial enterprises increased from 907,000 at the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20) to 1.244 million last year."
\n
Critical period
\n
Huang Hanquan, head of the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research, said China's emphasis on nurturing new quality productive forces and its significant achievements in sci-tech innovation are conducive to speeding up the establishment of a modern industrial system, enhancing the stability and resilience of industrial and supply chains, and strengthening the capacity to buffer against external shocks and challenges.
\n
He underscored the importance of giving full play to the role of enterprises, especially small and medium-sized ones, in bolstering sci-tech innovation, accelerating the industrial application of innovation achievements, and strengthening the training of high-level talent.
\n
"The key to developing new quality productive forces lies in achieving high-level self-reliance and strength in sci-tech, reinforcing original and disruptive technology innovations, and giving birth to new industries and new growth momentum," said Deng Zhonghan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
\n
Noting that China is now in a critical period of innovation-driven development, Deng said it is of vital significance to support growth of tech startups through financial technology tools and step up R&D in emerging industries and future-oriented industries.
\n
In the face of increasingly fierce international competition, technological innovation and self-reliance in sci-tech are crucial for realizing Chinese modernization, said Qi Xiangdong, chairman of Chinese cybersecurity company Qi-Anxin Technology Group, adding that his company will pour more resources into pioneering sci-tech innovation.
\n
"China is not only a manufacturing powerhouse, but also a global innovation powerhouse driving trends in digitalization, sustainability and high-tech industries," said Denis Depoux, global managing director of market consultancy Roland Berger. "We have seen China leapfrogging in some new areas such as electric vehicles, energy storage, aerospace, solar photovoltaics and wind energy."
\n
China has emerged as a strong player in the global R&D landscape, and has made rapid progress in the development of AI technology, becoming one of the global leaders, and the pace will further accelerate, Depoux added.
\n
fanfeifei@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "\n\n\n
China intensified efforts to bolster the integration of sci-tech innovation and industrial innovation, with notable strides made in key and core technologies, as part of its broader push to drive the development of new quality productive forces during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25).
\n
Experts said the country has sent a clear signal that it is dedicated to implementing the innovation-driven development strategy to achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, boosting its core competitiveness globally and injecting strong momentum into high-quality economic growth amid external uncertainties.
\n
Over the past five years, China's innovation capacity has steadily improved, and its foundation for becoming a technological powerhouse has been continuously strengthened.
\n
The country's investment in sci-tech has continued to rise, with its research and development expenditure exceeding 3.6 trillion yuan ($505 billion) in an increase of 48 percent compared with 2020, said Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun.
\n
R&D intensity reached 2.68 percent, surpassing the average level of European Union countries, while the total number of people engaged in R&D ranked first in the world, Yin said, adding that China's spending on basic research stood at 250.09 billion yuan last year, a rise of more than 70 percent compared with 2020.
\n
Rise in rankings
\n
China has achieved significant breakthroughs in innovation, including in quantum science, life sciences, material science, and space science, he said. It has topped the world in the number of high-level international journal papers and the volume of global patent applications for five consecutive years.
\n
The ranking of the country's comprehensive innovation capability rose from 14th in 2020 to 10th in 2024, Yin noted. China has established the strategic goal of building a strong country in science and technology by 2035, and accelerated the realization of high-level self-reliance in science and technology.
\n
The integration of China's sci-tech innovation with industrial innovation gathered pace during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25). Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the value-added output of high-tech manufacturing enterprises — each with an annual main business revenue of at least 20 million yuan — is up 42 percent compared with the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20).
\n
The added value of new industries, new business formats and new business models, dubbed the "three new" economy, accounted for 18 percent of the country's GDP last year. Tech frontiers such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology are emerging as new drivers for economic growth.
\n
The innovation capabilities of Chinese enterprises have been significantly elevated over the past five years. In 2024, a total of 524 Chinese mainland enterprises ranked among the world's top 2,000 industrial enterprises in terms of R&D investment, accounting for 26.2 percent of the total, which represented an increase of 4.8 percentage points from 2020.
\n
The number of high-tech enterprises exceeded 500,000 last year, an 83 percent increase from 2020.
\n
China has accelerated steps to achieve breakthroughs in key technologies in areas including high-end equipment and advanced manufacturing, and promoted the transformation of traditional industries to higher-end, smarter, and greener ones to build a modern industrial system and nurture new quality productive forces.
\n
It has also made great efforts to boost the development of emerging industries and future-oriented industries, such as new-generation information technology, new energy, artificial intelligence and brain-computer interface technology to gain a competitive edge and build up new growth drivers amid fierce international competition.
\n
For instance, in the rapidly advancing AI domain, China has developed a number of general large language models that have reached an advanced international level, creating more than 100 exemplary application scenarios, Yin said.
\n
He added that technological breakthroughs in humanoid robots have sped up their applications in automobile manufacturing, logistics and power inspection, laying a solid foundation for the development of a trillion-yuan industry.
\n
Li Lecheng, minister of industry and information technology, said China has quickened the pace of the industrial upgrade, with the added value of equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing sectors rising at an average annual rate of 7.9 percent and 8.7 percent, respectively, from 2020 to 2024.
\n
Last year, the country's production of new energy vehicles exceeded 13 million units. China has maintained its position as the world's largest manufacturer and seller of NEVs for 10 consecutive years, Li said, highlighting that the production of photovoltaic and wind power equipment also ranked among the top in the world.
\n
Building strengths
\n
China has also achieved significant progress in the major technical equipment sector.
\n
The domestically developed C919 aircraft has entered commercial service. China's first domestically built cruise ship is now in operation, and the CR450 high-speed train has rolled off the production line.
\n
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), the real economy accelerated integration with the digital economy. Li said China has built the world's largest and most extensive network infrastructure, with 4.598 million 5G base stations in operation.
\n
The 5G technology has been deployed across various fields such as mining, ports, and factories, while the number of connected devices on major industrial internet platforms exceeds 100 million units, Li said. The country has established more than 60 national advanced manufacturing clusters in emerging industries and 23 national innovation demonstration zones.
\n
It is noteworthy that the number of AI enterprises and the scale of the AI industry in China have continued to grow over the past five years. Domestic large models such as DeepSeek and Alibaba's Qwen take the lead in the global open-source innovation ecosystem.
\n
AI-powered devices such as AI smartphones and AI glasses are rapidly gaining popularity, while industry-specific large models are being applied in various scenarios, according to the MIIT.
\n
Li also emphasized that enterprises' dominant position in technological innovation has been reinforced. "Enterprises' spending on R&D now accounts for more than three quarters of the country's total R&D expenditure. The number of invention patent applications filed by industrial enterprises increased from 907,000 at the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20) to 1.244 million last year."
\n
Critical period
\n
Huang Hanquan, head of the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research, said China's emphasis on nurturing new quality productive forces and its significant achievements in sci-tech innovation are conducive to speeding up the establishment of a modern industrial system, enhancing the stability and resilience of industrial and supply chains, and strengthening the capacity to buffer against external shocks and challenges.
\n
He underscored the importance of giving full play to the role of enterprises, especially small and medium-sized ones, in bolstering sci-tech innovation, accelerating the industrial application of innovation achievements, and strengthening the training of high-level talent.
\n
"The key to developing new quality productive forces lies in achieving high-level self-reliance and strength in sci-tech, reinforcing original and disruptive technology innovations, and giving birth to new industries and new growth momentum," said Deng Zhonghan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
\n
Noting that China is now in a critical period of innovation-driven development, Deng said it is of vital significance to support growth of tech startups through financial technology tools and step up R&D in emerging industries and future-oriented industries.
\n
In the face of increasingly fierce international competition, technological innovation and self-reliance in sci-tech are crucial for realizing Chinese modernization, said Qi Xiangdong, chairman of Chinese cybersecurity company Qi-Anxin Technology Group, adding that his company will pour more resources into pioneering sci-tech innovation.
\n
"China is not only a manufacturing powerhouse, but also a global innovation powerhouse driving trends in digitalization, sustainability and high-tech industries," said Denis Depoux, global managing director of market consultancy Roland Berger. "We have seen China leapfrogging in some new areas such as electric vehicles, energy storage, aerospace, solar photovoltaics and wind energy."
\n
China has emerged as a strong player in the global R&D landscape, and has made rapid progress in the development of AI technology, becoming one of the global leaders, and the pace will further accelerate, Depoux added.
City leaders from around the world hailed ceramics on Sunday as a timeless bridge of culture and friendship, saying that shared artistic heritage continues to transcend borders and foster understanding in a world of growing diversity and complexity.
\n
The remarks were made at the 2025 Global Mayors Dialogue�9�9Jingdezhen, an event held in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, known as China's "porcelain capital".
\n
Kagan Mehmet Usta, mayor of Iznik, Turkiye, said both Iznik and Jingdezhen have been renowned for their craftsmanship and ceramic art for centuries.
\n
"The bond between the two cities goes beyond their sister-city relationship," he said. "It symbolizes our shared cultural and artistic heritage and inspires new generations."
\n
Iznik and Jingdezhen established sister-city ties in 2021, further deepening cooperation in ceramic art between China and Turkiye.
\n
Nurbaev Niiazbek, deputy speaker of the City Council of Osh, Kyrgyzstan, said art has become a rare universal language capable of transcending barriers and building consensus in today's complex world.
\n
"Ceramics are ambassadors of peace, reflecting a nation's aesthetics, craftsmanship and philosophy," he said. "Jingdezhen, fluent in this 'global language', has long kept its doors open to cultural exchange, fostering understanding and friendship."
\n
Located at the heart of the ancient Silk Road, Osh shares a deep historical connection with Jingdezhen, he added.
\n
"I plan to invite Jingdezhen's experts to train our ceramic specialists and to set up a special pavilion for Jingdezhen porcelain at our Silk Road trade fairs," Niiazbek said.
\n
He added that the Belt and Road Initiative has created opportunities for cooperation among local cities from both sides.
\n
"I believe there is still great potential ahead, and we hope to see more participation from Jingdezhen and Chinese partners."
\n
Chen Kelong, mayor of Jingdezhen, said openness empowers both sides.
\n
"Jingdezhen is promoting cultural and trade cooperation in ceramics and building new platforms for global exchange," Chen said. "We have carried out exchange activities in France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Turkiye, and opened flagship stores in Dubai and Istanbul to promote the 'Made in Jingdezhen' brand."
\n
He said the city now trades with 70 countries and regions and has hosted artists from more than 50 nations in its open studios.
\n
"We welcome friends from all over the world to share development opportunities and build Jingdezhen into a hub for international cultural exchanges," Chen said.
\n
The Jingdezhen International Ceramic Expo, which began on Saturday and concludes on Wednesday, is showcasing the city's centuries-old craftsmanship and innovation.
\n
Tourism in Jingdezhen has continued to surge in recent years, with official data recording 44 million visitors in 2022, 59 million in 2023 and more than 60 million in 2024.
\n
During this year's eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, more than 9 million tourists visited the city, marking nearly double-digit year-on-year growth.
\n
Veronika Todorova, deputy mayor of humanities activities for Troyan, Bulgaria, said she was very impressed by Jingdezhen's history, ceramics industry and traditions.
\n
"We believe that the traditions of making pottery and ceramics provide a strong foundation for future exchanges and cooperation. We are eager to see how we can learn from each other and collaborate on new projects," she said.
\n
zhaoruinan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "\n
City leaders from around the world hailed ceramics on Sunday as a timeless bridge of culture and friendship, saying that shared artistic heritage continues to transcend borders and foster understanding in a world of growing diversity and complexity.
\n
The remarks were made at the 2025 Global Mayors Dialogue�9�9Jingdezhen, an event held in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province, known as China's "porcelain capital".
\n
Kagan Mehmet Usta, mayor of Iznik, Turkiye, said both Iznik and Jingdezhen have been renowned for their craftsmanship and ceramic art for centuries.
\n
"The bond between the two cities goes beyond their sister-city relationship," he said. "It symbolizes our shared cultural and artistic heritage and inspires new generations."
\n
Iznik and Jingdezhen established sister-city ties in 2021, further deepening cooperation in ceramic art between China and Turkiye.
\n
Nurbaev Niiazbek, deputy speaker of the City Council of Osh, Kyrgyzstan, said art has become a rare universal language capable of transcending barriers and building consensus in today's complex world.
\n
"Ceramics are ambassadors of peace, reflecting a nation's aesthetics, craftsmanship and philosophy," he said. "Jingdezhen, fluent in this 'global language', has long kept its doors open to cultural exchange, fostering understanding and friendship."
\n
Located at the heart of the ancient Silk Road, Osh shares a deep historical connection with Jingdezhen, he added.
\n
"I plan to invite Jingdezhen's experts to train our ceramic specialists and to set up a special pavilion for Jingdezhen porcelain at our Silk Road trade fairs," Niiazbek said.
\n
He added that the Belt and Road Initiative has created opportunities for cooperation among local cities from both sides.
\n
"I believe there is still great potential ahead, and we hope to see more participation from Jingdezhen and Chinese partners."
\n
Chen Kelong, mayor of Jingdezhen, said openness empowers both sides.
\n
"Jingdezhen is promoting cultural and trade cooperation in ceramics and building new platforms for global exchange," Chen said. "We have carried out exchange activities in France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Turkiye, and opened flagship stores in Dubai and Istanbul to promote the 'Made in Jingdezhen' brand."
\n
He said the city now trades with 70 countries and regions and has hosted artists from more than 50 nations in its open studios.
\n
"We welcome friends from all over the world to share development opportunities and build Jingdezhen into a hub for international cultural exchanges," Chen said.
\n
The Jingdezhen International Ceramic Expo, which began on Saturday and concludes on Wednesday, is showcasing the city's centuries-old craftsmanship and innovation.
\n
Tourism in Jingdezhen has continued to surge in recent years, with official data recording 44 million visitors in 2022, 59 million in 2023 and more than 60 million in 2024.
\n
During this year's eight-day National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, more than 9 million tourists visited the city, marking nearly double-digit year-on-year growth.
\n
Veronika Todorova, deputy mayor of humanities activities for Troyan, Bulgaria, said she was very impressed by Jingdezhen's history, ceramics industry and traditions.
\n
"We believe that the traditions of making pottery and ceramics provide a strong foundation for future exchanges and cooperation. We are eager to see how we can learn from each other and collaborate on new projects," she said.
Runners pass the Xi'an Bell Tower as the 2025 Xi'an Marathon kicks off in Shaanxi province on Sunday. The popular event expanded this year to include 38,000 runners who participated in the event's marathon, half-marathon and fun-run.
\n",
+ "content": "
Runners pass the Xi'an Bell Tower as the 2025 Xi'an Marathon kicks off in Shaanxi province on Sunday. The popular event expanded this year to include 38,000 runners who participated in the event's marathon, half-marathon and fun-run.
More than 300 representatives from 17 countries and regions, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany and South Korea, gathered in Tianjin on Sunday for the 2025 Tianjin Forum to explore innovative ideas and effective pathways for technology-driven urban development.
\n
During the forum, Nankai University's think tanks released several reports, including the Urban Dual-Digital and Green Transformation for Sustainable Development. Based on data from over 2,000 Chinese digital enterprises, the report highlighted digital technology as a key driver of China's sustainable development and outlined how the country is at the forefront of global digital economy growth.
\n
Guo Huadong, an academician and director of the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals, shared research using satellite data and artificial intelligence to assess progress on the United Nations'2030 Sustainable Development Goals. He said global progress has been modest, with only about 18 percent of targets met over the past nine years, while China has achieved nearly 60 percent of the assessed indicators.
\n
Gong Ke, executive president of the Chinese Institute of New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Strategies, said the extensive application of artificial intelligence and big data in infrastructure planning, smart transportation, energy management and healthcare has significantly enhanced urban operational efficiency through the integration of technology and practical scenarios.
\n
"China and Europe are two major markets driving the green economy concept. Therefore, there is huge potential for cooperation, especially in technological innovation and sustainability standard setting," said Dirk Messner, president of the German Environment Agency. He emphasized the importance of academic and technological collaboration between the two regions, calling China "a pioneer in digital infrastructure investment".
\n
Gong, who is also the former president of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, underscored the importance of a people-oriented approach to smart city development.
\n
"Our core focus is on enhancing the human experience. By integrating general-purpose technologies like AI with specific needs in transportation and healthcare, we aim to achieve efficiency, low carbon emissions and improved public satisfaction," he said.
\n
The Tianjin Forum, established in 2015 and held biennially, has convened five sessions to date. This week also marks the 106th anniversary of Nankai University, one of the forum's organizers.
\n
Over the past decade, the Tianjin Forum has focused on urban development and governance, creating an important platform for interdisciplinary and international academic exchange and cooperation, said Chen Yulu, president of Nankai University.
\n
"We hope to continue providing Chinese solutions and global insights for urban development worldwide," Chen said.
\n
Wang Xu, Tianjin vice-mayor, said the city has vigorously promoted technological and industrial innovation and urban renewal in recent years, emphasizing innovation-driven and green transformation.
\n
"The successful hosting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit was highly praised by foreign guests and the international community," Wang said. "Tianjin will proactively embrace new opportunities brought by technological and industrial revolutions and actively address the ensuing challenges to advance urban modernization."
\n
yandongjie@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
More than 300 representatives from 17 countries and regions, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany and South Korea, gathered in Tianjin on Sunday for the 2025 Tianjin Forum to explore innovative ideas and effective pathways for technology-driven urban development.
\n
During the forum, Nankai University's think tanks released several reports, including the Urban Dual-Digital and Green Transformation for Sustainable Development. Based on data from over 2,000 Chinese digital enterprises, the report highlighted digital technology as a key driver of China's sustainable development and outlined how the country is at the forefront of global digital economy growth.
\n
Guo Huadong, an academician and director of the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals, shared research using satellite data and artificial intelligence to assess progress on the United Nations'2030 Sustainable Development Goals. He said global progress has been modest, with only about 18 percent of targets met over the past nine years, while China has achieved nearly 60 percent of the assessed indicators.
\n
Gong Ke, executive president of the Chinese Institute of New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Strategies, said the extensive application of artificial intelligence and big data in infrastructure planning, smart transportation, energy management and healthcare has significantly enhanced urban operational efficiency through the integration of technology and practical scenarios.
\n
"China and Europe are two major markets driving the green economy concept. Therefore, there is huge potential for cooperation, especially in technological innovation and sustainability standard setting," said Dirk Messner, president of the German Environment Agency. He emphasized the importance of academic and technological collaboration between the two regions, calling China "a pioneer in digital infrastructure investment".
\n
Gong, who is also the former president of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, underscored the importance of a people-oriented approach to smart city development.
\n
"Our core focus is on enhancing the human experience. By integrating general-purpose technologies like AI with specific needs in transportation and healthcare, we aim to achieve efficiency, low carbon emissions and improved public satisfaction," he said.
\n
The Tianjin Forum, established in 2015 and held biennially, has convened five sessions to date. This week also marks the 106th anniversary of Nankai University, one of the forum's organizers.
\n
Over the past decade, the Tianjin Forum has focused on urban development and governance, creating an important platform for interdisciplinary and international academic exchange and cooperation, said Chen Yulu, president of Nankai University.
\n
"We hope to continue providing Chinese solutions and global insights for urban development worldwide," Chen said.
\n
Wang Xu, Tianjin vice-mayor, said the city has vigorously promoted technological and industrial innovation and urban renewal in recent years, emphasizing innovation-driven and green transformation.
\n
"The successful hosting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit was highly praised by foreign guests and the international community," Wang said. "Tianjin will proactively embrace new opportunities brought by technological and industrial revolutions and actively address the ensuing challenges to advance urban modernization."
While attending a conference in East China over the weekend, experts from around the world praised influential Chinese philosopher Zhu Xi, emphasizing his ideas on moral cultivation, ethical leadership and people-oriented governance as vital for global coexistence and harmony amid competition and uncertainty.
\n
Nearly 200 scholars from 51 countries and regions attended the Conference on Zhu Xi's Philosophy and Dialogue of Global Civilization to explore the contemporary relevance of the 12th-century Neo-Confucian scholar's thought.
\n
The event, also known as the Fourth Kaoting Forum, was co-hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the International Confucian Association and the Fujian provincial government. It took place in Nanping, Fujian province, where Zhu taught in his later years.
\n
Zhu (1130-1200) was a prominent scholar known for his major contributions to Confucianism during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). He compiled and wrote influential commentaries on the Four Books, which became the core texts for China's imperial civil service examinations for centuries.
\n
In 1171, Zhu established the Wufu Granary, pioneering community-based relief programs to ease the impact of famine on farmers, which influenced China's ancient social security system.
\n
Former vice-premier Sun Chunlan, who is now president of the International Confucian Association, said Zhu's philosophy offers valuable insights into human society and global civilization. She called on scholars to further explore the contemporary value of traditional cultures like Zhu's to foster a harmonious world of diverse civilizations.
\n
Vincent Meriton, former vice-president of the Seychelles, said he found Zhu's thought inspiring, especially in a world marked by intense competition, mistrust and rivalry, where power has often been exercised with a sense of superiority and disregard for the dignity of others.
\n
"Against this backdrop, Zhu Xi's insistence on moral cultivation, ethical leadership and the principle that human nature is essentially good offers a vital corrective — a reminder that governance, diplomacy and global coexistence must be rooted in virtue, respect and a willingness to understand and compromise," he said.
\n
William Brown, a professor from the United States working at Xiamen University, said Zhu's concept of "unity while respecting differences" offers powerful guidance for understanding and coexistence, especially for Western countries that have relied on "hard power" in business competition for years.
\n
Mohammad Saiyedul Islam, a senior lecturer at Sanming University, said Zhu, who established himself as an educator, philosopher and thinker, is inspiring for him as a teacher, and that Zhu's people-oriented philosophy should be shared with the rest of the world.
\n
Contact the writers at zhangyi1@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
While attending a conference in East China over the weekend, experts from around the world praised influential Chinese philosopher Zhu Xi, emphasizing his ideas on moral cultivation, ethical leadership and people-oriented governance as vital for global coexistence and harmony amid competition and uncertainty.
\n
Nearly 200 scholars from 51 countries and regions attended the Conference on Zhu Xi's Philosophy and Dialogue of Global Civilization to explore the contemporary relevance of the 12th-century Neo-Confucian scholar's thought.
\n
The event, also known as the Fourth Kaoting Forum, was co-hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the International Confucian Association and the Fujian provincial government. It took place in Nanping, Fujian province, where Zhu taught in his later years.
\n
Zhu (1130-1200) was a prominent scholar known for his major contributions to Confucianism during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). He compiled and wrote influential commentaries on the Four Books, which became the core texts for China's imperial civil service examinations for centuries.
\n
In 1171, Zhu established the Wufu Granary, pioneering community-based relief programs to ease the impact of famine on farmers, which influenced China's ancient social security system.
\n
Former vice-premier Sun Chunlan, who is now president of the International Confucian Association, said Zhu's philosophy offers valuable insights into human society and global civilization. She called on scholars to further explore the contemporary value of traditional cultures like Zhu's to foster a harmonious world of diverse civilizations.
\n
Vincent Meriton, former vice-president of the Seychelles, said he found Zhu's thought inspiring, especially in a world marked by intense competition, mistrust and rivalry, where power has often been exercised with a sense of superiority and disregard for the dignity of others.
\n
"Against this backdrop, Zhu Xi's insistence on moral cultivation, ethical leadership and the principle that human nature is essentially good offers a vital corrective — a reminder that governance, diplomacy and global coexistence must be rooted in virtue, respect and a willingness to understand and compromise," he said.
\n
William Brown, a professor from the United States working at Xiamen University, said Zhu's concept of "unity while respecting differences" offers powerful guidance for understanding and coexistence, especially for Western countries that have relied on "hard power" in business competition for years.
\n
Mohammad Saiyedul Islam, a senior lecturer at Sanming University, said Zhu, who established himself as an educator, philosopher and thinker, is inspiring for him as a teacher, and that Zhu's people-oriented philosophy should be shared with the rest of the world.
International law experts reaffirmed the validity of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 and the one-China principle during an academic seminar on Saturday in Wuhan, Hubei province, emphasizing their importance in upholding the UN-centered international order.
\n
"UN Resolution 2758 recognized the government of the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate representative of China to the UN," said Miguel de Serpa Soares, former UN undersecretary-general for legal affairs, at the seminar marking the UN's 80th anniversary. The event was jointly hosted by Wuhan University and Egypt's Benha University.
\n
Experts from several countries refuted misinterpretations of Resolution 2758 and key post-World War II documents, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Declaration. Using legal reasoning and historical evidence, they reiterated the legal status and enduring importance of these documents.
\n
"The resolution provides China with sovereignty over Taiwan both legally and historically," said Ignacio de la Rasilla, professor of international law at Wuhan University.
\n
Mamadou Hebie, associate professor of international law at Leiden University in the Netherlands, reviewed the historical context of Resolution 2758 by presenting statements from African representatives to the UN in the 1960s and 1970s, underscoring the contribution of African nations to the resolution.
\n
He cited a remark made by Solomon Pratt of Sierra Leone in 1969: "Taiwan has never in modern times been an independent state. It has always been recognized as part and parcel of China."
\n
"The global majority, through a clear understanding of history, strong legal reasoning, and a vision for the future of the organization, was able to articulate an unassailable case for the restoration of China's legal rights," Hebie said.
\n
Citing evidence such as the UN's consistent use of the term "Taiwan, province of China" in official documents and the fact that more than 180 countries have established diplomatic relations with China based on the one-China principle, scholars at the seminar reaffirmed that Resolution 2758 has fully addressed the issue of Taiwan's representation at the UN.
\n
"Upholding the authority of the resolution means safeguarding international fairness and justice, which serves the common interests of the global community," said Kong Qingjiang, director of the Academy for the Foreign-related Rule of Law at the China University of Political Science and Law.
\n
Zhu Kongjun, Party secretary of Wuhan University, warned that "certain forces are attempting to challenge the postwar international order established by the Cairo Declaration and Potsdam Declaration and overturn the principles embodied in UN Resolution 2758." He called for efforts to safeguard these hard-earned principles that have stood the test of time and remain vital to global peace.
\n
Zhao Shitong, deputy director of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said "acts of distorting or challenging Resolution 2758 not only undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity but also challenge the authority of the UN."
\n
Two books compiling texts, documents, materials and legal studies related to UN Resolution 2758 were also released at the event.
\n
lishangyi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
International law experts reaffirmed the validity of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 and the one-China principle during an academic seminar on Saturday in Wuhan, Hubei province, emphasizing their importance in upholding the UN-centered international order.
\n
"UN Resolution 2758 recognized the government of the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate representative of China to the UN," said Miguel de Serpa Soares, former UN undersecretary-general for legal affairs, at the seminar marking the UN's 80th anniversary. The event was jointly hosted by Wuhan University and Egypt's Benha University.
\n
Experts from several countries refuted misinterpretations of Resolution 2758 and key post-World War II documents, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Declaration. Using legal reasoning and historical evidence, they reiterated the legal status and enduring importance of these documents.
\n
"The resolution provides China with sovereignty over Taiwan both legally and historically," said Ignacio de la Rasilla, professor of international law at Wuhan University.
\n
Mamadou Hebie, associate professor of international law at Leiden University in the Netherlands, reviewed the historical context of Resolution 2758 by presenting statements from African representatives to the UN in the 1960s and 1970s, underscoring the contribution of African nations to the resolution.
\n
He cited a remark made by Solomon Pratt of Sierra Leone in 1969: "Taiwan has never in modern times been an independent state. It has always been recognized as part and parcel of China."
\n
"The global majority, through a clear understanding of history, strong legal reasoning, and a vision for the future of the organization, was able to articulate an unassailable case for the restoration of China's legal rights," Hebie said.
\n
Citing evidence such as the UN's consistent use of the term "Taiwan, province of China" in official documents and the fact that more than 180 countries have established diplomatic relations with China based on the one-China principle, scholars at the seminar reaffirmed that Resolution 2758 has fully addressed the issue of Taiwan's representation at the UN.
\n
"Upholding the authority of the resolution means safeguarding international fairness and justice, which serves the common interests of the global community," said Kong Qingjiang, director of the Academy for the Foreign-related Rule of Law at the China University of Political Science and Law.
\n
Zhu Kongjun, Party secretary of Wuhan University, warned that "certain forces are attempting to challenge the postwar international order established by the Cairo Declaration and Potsdam Declaration and overturn the principles embodied in UN Resolution 2758." He called for efforts to safeguard these hard-earned principles that have stood the test of time and remain vital to global peace.
\n
Zhao Shitong, deputy director of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said "acts of distorting or challenging Resolution 2758 not only undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity but also challenge the authority of the UN."
\n
Two books compiling texts, documents, materials and legal studies related to UN Resolution 2758 were also released at the event.
China's national security agency revealed on Sunday that the United States National Security Agency has long plotted cyberattacks against the National Time Service Center, which is responsible for generating and maintaining standard Beijing Time.
\n
Such attacks could jeopardize the secure and stable operation of Beijing Time, potentially causing network communication failures, financial system disruptions, power outages, transportation paralysis and even space launch failures, according to the latest investigations.
\n
Located in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, the center provides high-precision time services crucial for national communications, finance, electricity, transportation, mapping and defense sectors. Besides causing severe disruptions in China, such cyberattacks could lead to international time chaos with incalculable consequences, the agency said in a post on its official WeChat account.
\n
Wei Dong, deputy director of the general office at the center, said a time discrepancy of just one millisecond can disrupt the sequencing of power substations, leading to widespread blackouts. A difference of one microsecond could result in fluctuations worth billions in international stock markets.
\n
"Furthermore, a nanosecond discrepancy, which is one-billionth of a second, can reduce the positioning accuracy of the Beidou Navigation Satellite System by 30 centimeters and impact everyday communications. And a one-trillionth of a second could cause several kilometers of deviation in the positioning of lunar soil collection vehicles and the Chang'e spacecraft, potentially preventing it from returning successfully," Wei told China Central Television.
\n
On March 25, 2022, the US NSA began exploiting a vulnerability in a foreign cellphone brand's messaging service to covertly control the mobile devices of several center workers, stealing sensitive information stored on those phones.
\n
In addition, on April 18, 2023, the agency started using stolen login credentials to infiltrate the center's computer systems and probe its network infrastructure, according to the investigations.
\n
Chinese authorities managed to resolve both infiltrations.
\n
Between August 2023 and June 2024, the NSA deployed a new cyberwarfare platform, using 42 specialized cyberattack tools to launch high-intensity attacks on the center's multiple internal network systems, attempting to infiltrate the High-Precision Ground-Based Timing System.
\n
Furthermore, the Chinese national security agency found that the NSA often initiated attacks during Beijing's late-night to early-morning hours, using virtual private servers in the US, Europe and Asia to obscure the origins of the attacks. The attackers also forged digital certificates to bypass antivirus software and used strong encryption algorithms to erase traces of the attacks, the investigations found.
\n
Li Jianhua, a cybersecurity expert and professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, said the attacks are typical of an advanced persistent threat carried out by a state or state-sponsored group.
\n
"The move aims to remotely monitor or even sabotage key infrastructure and information systems. It poses a grave threat to targeted countries in the era of globalization," Li told CCTV.
\n
After the national security agency discovered and collected evidence of the cyberattacks from the US, it guided the center to upgrade preventive measures and eliminate potential hazards, the post said.
\n
In recent years, the US has aggressively pursued cyber hegemony, repeatedly violating international cyberspace norms, the post said. Led by the NSA, US intelligence agencies have recklessly conducted cyberattacks against China, Southeast Asia, Europe and South America.
\n
They have infiltrated critical infrastructure, stolen vital intelligence and eavesdropped on key individuals, flagrantly infringing on other nations' cyber sovereignty and personal privacy, posing a severe threat to global cybersecurity. The US also frequently uses its technical bases in Taiwan and countries such as the Philippines and Japan to launch cyberattacks, aiming to conceal its identity and shift blame onto others.
\n
Meanwhile, the US hypocritically hypes the "China cyber threat theory", the post said, adding that the undeniable facts prove the US has become the true "hacker empire "and the greatest source of instability in cyberspace.
\n
cuijia@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
China's national security agency revealed on Sunday that the United States National Security Agency has long plotted cyberattacks against the National Time Service Center, which is responsible for generating and maintaining standard Beijing Time.
\n
Such attacks could jeopardize the secure and stable operation of Beijing Time, potentially causing network communication failures, financial system disruptions, power outages, transportation paralysis and even space launch failures, according to the latest investigations.
\n
Located in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, the center provides high-precision time services crucial for national communications, finance, electricity, transportation, mapping and defense sectors. Besides causing severe disruptions in China, such cyberattacks could lead to international time chaos with incalculable consequences, the agency said in a post on its official WeChat account.
\n
Wei Dong, deputy director of the general office at the center, said a time discrepancy of just one millisecond can disrupt the sequencing of power substations, leading to widespread blackouts. A difference of one microsecond could result in fluctuations worth billions in international stock markets.
\n
"Furthermore, a nanosecond discrepancy, which is one-billionth of a second, can reduce the positioning accuracy of the Beidou Navigation Satellite System by 30 centimeters and impact everyday communications. And a one-trillionth of a second could cause several kilometers of deviation in the positioning of lunar soil collection vehicles and the Chang'e spacecraft, potentially preventing it from returning successfully," Wei told China Central Television.
\n
On March 25, 2022, the US NSA began exploiting a vulnerability in a foreign cellphone brand's messaging service to covertly control the mobile devices of several center workers, stealing sensitive information stored on those phones.
\n
In addition, on April 18, 2023, the agency started using stolen login credentials to infiltrate the center's computer systems and probe its network infrastructure, according to the investigations.
\n
Chinese authorities managed to resolve both infiltrations.
\n
Between August 2023 and June 2024, the NSA deployed a new cyberwarfare platform, using 42 specialized cyberattack tools to launch high-intensity attacks on the center's multiple internal network systems, attempting to infiltrate the High-Precision Ground-Based Timing System.
\n
Furthermore, the Chinese national security agency found that the NSA often initiated attacks during Beijing's late-night to early-morning hours, using virtual private servers in the US, Europe and Asia to obscure the origins of the attacks. The attackers also forged digital certificates to bypass antivirus software and used strong encryption algorithms to erase traces of the attacks, the investigations found.
\n
Li Jianhua, a cybersecurity expert and professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, said the attacks are typical of an advanced persistent threat carried out by a state or state-sponsored group.
\n
"The move aims to remotely monitor or even sabotage key infrastructure and information systems. It poses a grave threat to targeted countries in the era of globalization," Li told CCTV.
\n
After the national security agency discovered and collected evidence of the cyberattacks from the US, it guided the center to upgrade preventive measures and eliminate potential hazards, the post said.
\n
In recent years, the US has aggressively pursued cyber hegemony, repeatedly violating international cyberspace norms, the post said. Led by the NSA, US intelligence agencies have recklessly conducted cyberattacks against China, Southeast Asia, Europe and South America.
\n
They have infiltrated critical infrastructure, stolen vital intelligence and eavesdropped on key individuals, flagrantly infringing on other nations' cyber sovereignty and personal privacy, posing a severe threat to global cybersecurity. The US also frequently uses its technical bases in Taiwan and countries such as the Philippines and Japan to launch cyberattacks, aiming to conceal its identity and shift blame onto others.
\n
Meanwhile, the US hypocritically hypes the "China cyber threat theory", the post said, adding that the undeniable facts prove the US has become the true "hacker empire "and the greatest source of instability in cyberspace.
An art troupe from Damshung county captivates the audience with an award-winning dance routine during a performance activity to showcase grassroots artistic achievements in Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region, on Sunday.
\n",
+ "content": "
An art troupe from Damshung county captivates the audience with an award-winning dance routine during a performance activity to showcase grassroots artistic achievements in Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region, on Sunday.
Elderly attendees engage with a humanoid robot at the inaugural Shanghai Exhibition of Courses for the Senior on Saturday. The three-day event, which began Saturday, is themed "Boundless Learning, Ageless Living", with over 120 organizations gathered to provide courses tailored for the silver-haired community.
\n",
+ "content": "
Elderly attendees engage with a humanoid robot at the inaugural Shanghai Exhibition of Courses for the Senior on Saturday. The three-day event, which began Saturday, is themed "Boundless Learning, Ageless Living", with over 120 organizations gathered to provide courses tailored for the silver-haired community.
By protecting cultural heritages and safeguarding diversity among civilizations, societies around the world can be seen and understood by others, officials and experts said during the third Liangzhu Forum in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.
\n
The three-day event, which concludes on Monday, hosted more than 300 participants who engaged in in-depth discussions and shared best practices on world cultural heritage protection. Four thematic subforums focusing on topics such as cultural roots, innovation in practice, sustained legacy and future vision were also held.
\n
"Through the platform of the Liangzhu Forum, we can let everyone know that 5,000 years ago, there were such rich and integrated cultures on the vast land of China," said Wang Ningyuan, lead archaeologist of the Liangzhu Ancient City and its water conservancy system project, at a subforum titled "Cultural Roots: Timeless Wisdom and Contemporary Value of Ancient Civilizations".
\n
The subforum brought together the Egyptian, Mediterranean and Mayan civilizations, along with those of China's Yellow River and Yangtze River basins, in a shared space for dialogue, seeking to explore the universal patterns underlying the development of early human civilizations through multidimensional comparisons.
\n
"Through exchanges at the forum, international archaeologists can more clearly understand the characteristics of Chinese civilization, as well as make comparisons with other major civilizations around the world, so they can see the beauty of harmony while appreciating each other's beauty," Wang said.
\n
Ana Sofia Fonseca de Oliveira Braga, secretary-general of the International Cultural Tourism Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites, stressed the critical role cultural sites play worldwide.
\n
"I believe that the diversity of cultural heritage sites is extremely important because they represent humanity and our contributions from all times, ages and spaces," she said. "In a way, we feel all represented somehow — being nowadays or our ancestors — it's important to have that representation. So the communities that see themselves represented, they feel they are seen."
\n
But there are still gaps and challenges in achieving such mutual understanding.
\n
"It's clear that China is now really thinking in terms of civilizational heritage — how regions, religions and people with very different cultural backgrounds can come together in more tolerant and respectful ways. But we are in a moment of rising geopolitical tension, so that's not an easy challenge," said Tim Winter, research cluster leader of inter-Asian engagements at the National University of Singapore's Asia Research Institute. "Within China, there's a very strong understanding and awareness of different cultural forms and histories. Outside China, it is a lot less well-known. Some people know about Dunhuang, but Jingdezhen is not so well known. So the challenge is also communicating that to different audiences."
\n
Mario Cutajar, chairman of Heritage Malta, underscored the importance of investing in major cultural heritage restoration projects during a keynote speech at the main forum.
\n
"National museums and cultural heritage institutions undertake a major cultural heritage restoration project almost every year. These investments are not luxuries, but necessities," he said. "Cultural heritage helps foster cultural identity; historical artifacts and sites embody our traditions, beliefs and memories, serving as a physical manifestation of who we are and where we come from."
\n
Maria Guadalupe Espinosa Rodriguez, director of the Archaeological Zone, Museum and Visitor Center of Chichen Itza, said, "The value of such a forum speaks for itself. I believe its influence will extend to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and to archaeological and cultural sites recognized by UNESCO around the world."
\n
2025 marks two significant milestones — the 40th anniversary of China's accession to the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, and the 20th anniversary of UNESCO's Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
\n
Contact the writers at chenye@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "\n
By protecting cultural heritages and safeguarding diversity among civilizations, societies around the world can be seen and understood by others, officials and experts said during the third Liangzhu Forum in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province.
\n
The three-day event, which concludes on Monday, hosted more than 300 participants who engaged in in-depth discussions and shared best practices on world cultural heritage protection. Four thematic subforums focusing on topics such as cultural roots, innovation in practice, sustained legacy and future vision were also held.
\n
"Through the platform of the Liangzhu Forum, we can let everyone know that 5,000 years ago, there were such rich and integrated cultures on the vast land of China," said Wang Ningyuan, lead archaeologist of the Liangzhu Ancient City and its water conservancy system project, at a subforum titled "Cultural Roots: Timeless Wisdom and Contemporary Value of Ancient Civilizations".
\n
The subforum brought together the Egyptian, Mediterranean and Mayan civilizations, along with those of China's Yellow River and Yangtze River basins, in a shared space for dialogue, seeking to explore the universal patterns underlying the development of early human civilizations through multidimensional comparisons.
\n
"Through exchanges at the forum, international archaeologists can more clearly understand the characteristics of Chinese civilization, as well as make comparisons with other major civilizations around the world, so they can see the beauty of harmony while appreciating each other's beauty," Wang said.
\n
Ana Sofia Fonseca de Oliveira Braga, secretary-general of the International Cultural Tourism Committee of the International Council on Monuments and Sites, stressed the critical role cultural sites play worldwide.
\n
"I believe that the diversity of cultural heritage sites is extremely important because they represent humanity and our contributions from all times, ages and spaces," she said. "In a way, we feel all represented somehow — being nowadays or our ancestors — it's important to have that representation. So the communities that see themselves represented, they feel they are seen."
\n
But there are still gaps and challenges in achieving such mutual understanding.
\n
"It's clear that China is now really thinking in terms of civilizational heritage — how regions, religions and people with very different cultural backgrounds can come together in more tolerant and respectful ways. But we are in a moment of rising geopolitical tension, so that's not an easy challenge," said Tim Winter, research cluster leader of inter-Asian engagements at the National University of Singapore's Asia Research Institute. "Within China, there's a very strong understanding and awareness of different cultural forms and histories. Outside China, it is a lot less well-known. Some people know about Dunhuang, but Jingdezhen is not so well known. So the challenge is also communicating that to different audiences."
\n
Mario Cutajar, chairman of Heritage Malta, underscored the importance of investing in major cultural heritage restoration projects during a keynote speech at the main forum.
\n
"National museums and cultural heritage institutions undertake a major cultural heritage restoration project almost every year. These investments are not luxuries, but necessities," he said. "Cultural heritage helps foster cultural identity; historical artifacts and sites embody our traditions, beliefs and memories, serving as a physical manifestation of who we are and where we come from."
\n
Maria Guadalupe Espinosa Rodriguez, director of the Archaeological Zone, Museum and Visitor Center of Chichen Itza, said, "The value of such a forum speaks for itself. I believe its influence will extend to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee and to archaeological and cultural sites recognized by UNESCO around the world."
\n
2025 marks two significant milestones — the 40th anniversary of China's accession to the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, and the 20th anniversary of UNESCO's Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
China is launching an investigation into the impact of the United States' additional port fees on Chinese vessels, Minister of Transport Liu Wei said during a forum in Shanghai.
\n
Initiated in accordance with Chinese laws, the investigation will assess the impact on the safety and development of China's shipping, shipbuilding and related industries. The move aims to protect the stability and growth of these sectors, Liu said in his keynote speech at the 2025 North Bund Forum, which opened in Shanghai on Sunday.
\n
In April, the US Trade Representative announced a Section 301 investigation into China's maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors and began imposing additional port fees on Chinese ships on Oct 14.
\n
"The US' actions disregard the facts, fully exposing their unilateral and protectionist nature. They seriously harm the legitimate interests of China's shipping industry, disrupt global supply chain stability, and undermine international trade and economic relations," Liu said.
\n
In line with Chinese regulations, the Ministry of Transport released a document on Oct 14 detailing measures to impose special port fees on vessels owned or operated by US enterprises, organizations and individuals.
\n
On the sidelines of the forum, Eugene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, highlighted the importance of trade between the US and China, noting that China represents 40 percent of all business at his port, which has the largest container business in the Western Hemisphere.
\n
"Last year, at the Port of Los Angeles, about one in five ships — more than 20 percent — were either built in China or managed by Chinese companies, accounting for a significant share of our business. This past week, however, only one China-built ship called at the Port of Los Angeles," Seroka said.
\n
"What we know is that companies around the world, the major shipping lines, are doing their best to adjust and support their customers and partners. But I cannot emphasize enough how vital the trading relationship is between the world's two largest economies," he added.
\n
Jens Meier, president of the International Association of Ports and Harbors, said it is important to keep global trade running smoothly. While some tariffs between countries are normal, he said the uncertainty surrounding such measures may deter investment.
\n
"Global shipping peers should work together to promote a fair, open and just environment, protecting the shared interests of international trade and economic development," Liu said.
\n
Liu added that advancing the sector's green transformation requires active international cooperation. China will continue to follow the principles of consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, collaborating with other nations to address challenges, drive sustainable development in shipping, and ensure stable global supply chains — fostering trade prosperity and contributing to a community with a shared future for humanity.
\n
According to Chen Jining, Party secretary of Shanghai, the city has made more progress in developing itself as an international shipping center in recent years.
\n
The Port of Shanghai, the world's busiest container port, handled 51.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units in 2024. It became the world's first port to surpass the 50 million TEUs mark in annual container throughput, maintaining its position as the busiest container port globally for 15 consecutive years.
\n
Themed "Collaborating for Sustainable Global Shipping & Aviation", this year marks the fifth edition of the North Bund Forum. As many as 4,000 participants from more than 50 countries and regions are attending the three-day event in person.
\n
wang_ying@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
China is launching an investigation into the impact of the United States' additional port fees on Chinese vessels, Minister of Transport Liu Wei said during a forum in Shanghai.
\n
Initiated in accordance with Chinese laws, the investigation will assess the impact on the safety and development of China's shipping, shipbuilding and related industries. The move aims to protect the stability and growth of these sectors, Liu said in his keynote speech at the 2025 North Bund Forum, which opened in Shanghai on Sunday.
\n
In April, the US Trade Representative announced a Section 301 investigation into China's maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors and began imposing additional port fees on Chinese ships on Oct 14.
\n
"The US' actions disregard the facts, fully exposing their unilateral and protectionist nature. They seriously harm the legitimate interests of China's shipping industry, disrupt global supply chain stability, and undermine international trade and economic relations," Liu said.
\n
In line with Chinese regulations, the Ministry of Transport released a document on Oct 14 detailing measures to impose special port fees on vessels owned or operated by US enterprises, organizations and individuals.
\n
On the sidelines of the forum, Eugene Seroka, executive director of the Port of Los Angeles, highlighted the importance of trade between the US and China, noting that China represents 40 percent of all business at his port, which has the largest container business in the Western Hemisphere.
\n
"Last year, at the Port of Los Angeles, about one in five ships — more than 20 percent — were either built in China or managed by Chinese companies, accounting for a significant share of our business. This past week, however, only one China-built ship called at the Port of Los Angeles," Seroka said.
\n
"What we know is that companies around the world, the major shipping lines, are doing their best to adjust and support their customers and partners. But I cannot emphasize enough how vital the trading relationship is between the world's two largest economies," he added.
\n
Jens Meier, president of the International Association of Ports and Harbors, said it is important to keep global trade running smoothly. While some tariffs between countries are normal, he said the uncertainty surrounding such measures may deter investment.
\n
"Global shipping peers should work together to promote a fair, open and just environment, protecting the shared interests of international trade and economic development," Liu said.
\n
Liu added that advancing the sector's green transformation requires active international cooperation. China will continue to follow the principles of consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, collaborating with other nations to address challenges, drive sustainable development in shipping, and ensure stable global supply chains — fostering trade prosperity and contributing to a community with a shared future for humanity.
\n
According to Chen Jining, Party secretary of Shanghai, the city has made more progress in developing itself as an international shipping center in recent years.
\n
The Port of Shanghai, the world's busiest container port, handled 51.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units in 2024. It became the world's first port to surpass the 50 million TEUs mark in annual container throughput, maintaining its position as the busiest container port globally for 15 consecutive years.
\n
Themed "Collaborating for Sustainable Global Shipping & Aviation", this year marks the fifth edition of the North Bund Forum. As many as 4,000 participants from more than 50 countries and regions are attending the three-day event in person.
The Gaojia Lake Wetland in Barkol Kazak autonomous county, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, under the starry night on Sept 23.
\n
Star trek on China's largest linear-Fresnel CSP (concentrated solar power) integrated energy demonstration base in Hami prefecture, Xinjiang, on Sept 25.
\n
The Lagoon Nebula and the Trifid Nebula above the Pterosaur-Yardang Dahaidao Scenic Area in Hami on Sept 22.
\n
A heap of wheat is sun-dried at the Gaojia Lake Wetland in Barkol on Sept 23.
\n
Cui Yong presents a lecture on landscape photography using drones in Hami city on Sept 21.
\n
Zhou Bo shares his thoughts on astrophotography to participants of the tour on Sept 24.
\n
Many participants of the "Ten Years Overlooking Hami" Photography Culture Week and the annual "Sweet Whispers to the Galaxy" Festival, held in Hami last month, were not newcomers to this prefecture in the eastern part of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
\n
Among them was Li Qing, a photographer from the converged media center in Panzhihua city, Sichuan province, who also leads a local livestreaming institution. Li first visited Hami in 2015 for a drone photography competition. When the culture week extended an invitation to him to return, he eagerly accepted it.
\n
"In 2015, I was awestruck by the vastness and splendor of Hami's landscapes," Li said. "The Gobi Desert, the grasslands and the mountains are a treasure trove for a drone aerial photographer. I was thrilled to have another opportunity to capture their beauty."
\n
Dai Jianfeng, one of the country's top astrophotographers and an influencer with over 3 million online followers, attended the annual "Sweet Whispers" event in 2022. This year, he returned with a specific goal in mind: to capture the Hami Solar Thermal Power Station.
\n
This impressive project features a mirror field with a reflective area of 696,751 square meters and a 220-meter-high molten salt tower for heat absorption, creating a stunning spectacle under a clear, starry night. "In 2022, the organizers didn't include the solar thermal power station in our itinerary," Dai explained. "This year, my main objective is to visit the site on a clear night."
\n
Zhou Bo, an experienced astrophotographer and cofounder of the China StarVision Alliance — a platform supporting nearly 1,000 Chinese astrophotographers and businesses related to dark sky tourism — has been hosting the livestream sessions for the "Sweet Whispers" festival since 2022.
\n
This year, he felt somewhat pessimistic about the livestream's online traffic. Unlike previous festivals, which coincided with the annual Perseid meteor shower in the summer and typically attracted many of the country's stargazing enthusiasts to Hami, a premier dark sky tourism destination, this year's event was not aligned with a major astronomical occurrence.
\n
Wang Junfeng, a seasoned astronomy photographer, online influencer and cofounder of the CSVA, has been a frequent visitor to Hami, capturing its various landmarks through his lens. Since 2020, he has also been one of the festival's organizers. "This year we decided to postpone our festival to collaborate with the culture week," he said. "But trust me, Hami will surprise us with its wonders in a different season."
\n
Shifting focus
\n
After the culture week and the festival — jointly organized by the government of Hami prefecture, China Image Group, Economic Observer News and China National Travel magazine — kicked off on Sept 20 at Hami city's Zuo Zongtang Fenghuangtai Historical and Cultural Park, the organizers had to inform over a dozen participating professional and amateur drone aerial photographers that drone flights would be prohibited for the following week. This temporary ban was implemented due to security concerns related to the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Xinjiang's founding.
\n
The organizers quickly decided to shift the event's focus to astrophotography and photography cultural exchange, a change that all participants embraced without difficulty.
\n
"We are all photographers," Li remarked. "Even without our drones, we can still capture images with our cameras or even our mobile phones."
\n
On the morning of Sept 21, Hei Ming, a renowned documentary photographer, delivered a lecture on humanist photography to Hami's photography enthusiasts in the local converged media center. Cui Yong, a senior photographer from Hebei province, presented a lecture on landscape photography using drones.
\n
The group headed to Xishan township in the city's Yizhou district and checked into a resort in a quiet village. About an hour's drive from downtown Hami, the village is hidden in a valley in the eastern Tianshan Mountains and offers a view of rolling mountains tinged by autumn leaves and a vast plain stretching to the city.
\n
Zhou and his colleagues initially planned to livestream their night watch at the resort. However, a thunderstorm dampened their enthusiasm, forcing them to abandon the plan.
\n
Wang, undeterred by the sudden weather change, set up his mobile phones and cameras in a corridor of the resort to document the rainy night sky.
\n
Midway through his recording, he heard thunder and lightning and went outside to check on his equipment. To his surprise, one of his mobile phones had captured a spectacular scene: a lightning bolt streaking across the skyline of Hami city, resembling a dragon swimming on the horizon. On Sept 22, the short video of the dragon-shaped lightning quickly went viral on the Chinese internet, captivating viewers with its dramatic imagery.
\n
Hami's surprise for him had arrived swiftly, but not unexpectedly.
\n
Learning astrography
\n
The highlight of the event unfolded on Sept 22, just before the autumnal equinox, as the group ventured deep into the Pterosaur-Yardang Dahaidao Scenic Area in Yizhou district. Renowned for its wind-eroded Yardang landforms, this site offers an ideal setting for stargazing and astrophotography, boasting vast, flat expanses of desert rock formations and minimal light pollution.
\n
After dinner at the campsite, some members of the group began readying their equipment, while others provided on-site instruction in astrophotography to eager participants. For some drone aerial photographers, this was their first attempt at capturing the starry night. Armed with newly acquired skills, they set up their cameras, zoomed in on the clear Milky Way, and began to enjoy the art of dark night photography.
\n
Following the teaching session, the astrophotographers disappeared into the darkness, each selecting a unique observation point in the heart of the Gobi Desert. There, they captured stunning panoramas of the galaxy, the bright stars of Orion, the zodiacal light of the autumnal equinox, the Rosette Nebula, and the Lagoon Nebula.
\n
Zhou and his team livestreamed their observations, offering millions of viewers around the world a real-time glimpse into the serene yet majestic beauty of the Hami desert's starry expanse.
\n
Li managed to capture some "satisfactory photos" on the Milky Way. "Hami's starry skies are incredibly beautiful," said the Sichuan photographer. "I am happy to harvest my first group of astrophotos."
\n
The following day, stunning photos and short videos of Hami's starry night began capturing attention across the Chinese internet.
\n
Another surprise
\n
The group moved to Gaojiahu village in Barkol Kazak autonomous county. The hamlet, with a population of barely 200 people, is right in the heart of Gaojia Lake Wetland.
\n
Located 20 kilometers from the town of Barkol, the wetland covers a total area of 59,400 hectares and is one of the region's breeding and stopover sites for migratory birds.
\n
Following the development of the wetland into a national 4A-level tourist attraction, most of the villagers' homes have been transformed into guesthouses and restaurants to accommodate the influx of tourists.
\n
According to Liu Xuehua, an official from the Publicity Department of the Hami Prefecture Committee of the Communist Party of China and coordinator of the event, the scenic area attracted nearly 350,000 tourists from January to August, generating an operating income of nearly 3 million yuan ($420,000) and establishing the village as a popular tourist destination.
\n
The group members were accommodated in two of the village's homestays. They were soon drawn outside to the plank trails that wind through the wetland surrounding the village, enticed by the calls of common cranes flying overhead.
\n
It was the peak of the autumn migration season for many waterbirds. Thousands of common cranes, ruddy shelducks, and several species of geese gathered to feed on the newly harvested wheat fields around the wetland, moving from one patch to another. Consequently, the airspace above the wetland was bustling and quite noisy.
\n
The photographers quickly dispersed across the wetland, each finding their own unique angles. Dai Jianfeng embarked on a long trek through the wetland without his cameras.
\n
"Gaojia Lake Wetland is a perfect place for drone aerial photography," he said. "For us astrophotographers, the light pollution around the village might be a bit intense. But in such a beautiful place, I can temporarily forget my work and simply enjoy myself."
\n
Wang Junfeng borrowed a threewheel motorcycle to explore the scenic area, searching for ideal locations for livestreaming and nighttime observation. At a crossroads near the wetland's parking area, he encountered a local farming family sun-drying wheat on the paved road.
\n
The wheat on the road formed a golden heap, creating a striking contrast with the lush green wetland and the distant snowcapped mountains. Wang captured the scene with his mobile phone, taking photos and short videos.
\n
"Today is the country's 8th Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival," he said. "I think I've found an interesting angle to salute the festival."
\n
With his keen sense as an online influencer, Wang's short videos on the subject quickly gained traction, climbing onto the hot search lists of several social media platforms.
\n
Happy ending
\n
The event concluded on Sept 24, and while most participants headed home, Dai and another astrophotographer planned to continue their work by visiting the Hami Solar Thermal Power Station. However, Liu Xuehua informed them of some bad news — the power station was closed for repair and maintenance.
\n
She also shared some good news: they had the option to visit the country's largest linear-Fresnel CSP (concentrated solar power) integrated energy demonstration base instead. "The 100-megawatt project just achieved full-system grid connection on Sept 18," Liu said. Equipped with 260,000 reflectors and covering a solar field area of 800,000 square meters, she added, "It's a site worth visiting on a clear night."
\n
They did. Dai's works on the energy project under the starry night topped the premium content chart of a major news platform, with 2.38 million reads.
\n
According to Liu, from January to September, Hami received a total of almost 21 million tourists, an increase of 17.62 percent compared to the same period last year. Tourist spending reached 15.09 billion yuan, reflecting a growth of 27.40 percent.
\n
Probably because of all the efforts made by the local government to promote tourism, during this year's National Day holiday, Hami received a total of 1.05 million tourists, an increase of 29.34 percent compared to the same period last year. Tourist spending reached 806 million yuan, marking a growth of 43.95 percent.
\n
chenliang@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
The Gaojia Lake Wetland in Barkol Kazak autonomous county, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, under the starry night on Sept 23.
\n
Star trek on China's largest linear-Fresnel CSP (concentrated solar power) integrated energy demonstration base in Hami prefecture, Xinjiang, on Sept 25.
\n
The Lagoon Nebula and the Trifid Nebula above the Pterosaur-Yardang Dahaidao Scenic Area in Hami on Sept 22.
\n
A heap of wheat is sun-dried at the Gaojia Lake Wetland in Barkol on Sept 23.
\n
Cui Yong presents a lecture on landscape photography using drones in Hami city on Sept 21.
\n
Zhou Bo shares his thoughts on astrophotography to participants of the tour on Sept 24.
\n
Many participants of the "Ten Years Overlooking Hami" Photography Culture Week and the annual "Sweet Whispers to the Galaxy" Festival, held in Hami last month, were not newcomers to this prefecture in the eastern part of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
\n
Among them was Li Qing, a photographer from the converged media center in Panzhihua city, Sichuan province, who also leads a local livestreaming institution. Li first visited Hami in 2015 for a drone photography competition. When the culture week extended an invitation to him to return, he eagerly accepted it.
\n
"In 2015, I was awestruck by the vastness and splendor of Hami's landscapes," Li said. "The Gobi Desert, the grasslands and the mountains are a treasure trove for a drone aerial photographer. I was thrilled to have another opportunity to capture their beauty."
\n
Dai Jianfeng, one of the country's top astrophotographers and an influencer with over 3 million online followers, attended the annual "Sweet Whispers" event in 2022. This year, he returned with a specific goal in mind: to capture the Hami Solar Thermal Power Station.
\n
This impressive project features a mirror field with a reflective area of 696,751 square meters and a 220-meter-high molten salt tower for heat absorption, creating a stunning spectacle under a clear, starry night. "In 2022, the organizers didn't include the solar thermal power station in our itinerary," Dai explained. "This year, my main objective is to visit the site on a clear night."
\n
Zhou Bo, an experienced astrophotographer and cofounder of the China StarVision Alliance — a platform supporting nearly 1,000 Chinese astrophotographers and businesses related to dark sky tourism — has been hosting the livestream sessions for the "Sweet Whispers" festival since 2022.
\n
This year, he felt somewhat pessimistic about the livestream's online traffic. Unlike previous festivals, which coincided with the annual Perseid meteor shower in the summer and typically attracted many of the country's stargazing enthusiasts to Hami, a premier dark sky tourism destination, this year's event was not aligned with a major astronomical occurrence.
\n
Wang Junfeng, a seasoned astronomy photographer, online influencer and cofounder of the CSVA, has been a frequent visitor to Hami, capturing its various landmarks through his lens. Since 2020, he has also been one of the festival's organizers. "This year we decided to postpone our festival to collaborate with the culture week," he said. "But trust me, Hami will surprise us with its wonders in a different season."
\n
Shifting focus
\n
After the culture week and the festival — jointly organized by the government of Hami prefecture, China Image Group, Economic Observer News and China National Travel magazine — kicked off on Sept 20 at Hami city's Zuo Zongtang Fenghuangtai Historical and Cultural Park, the organizers had to inform over a dozen participating professional and amateur drone aerial photographers that drone flights would be prohibited for the following week. This temporary ban was implemented due to security concerns related to the celebration of the 70th anniversary of Xinjiang's founding.
\n
The organizers quickly decided to shift the event's focus to astrophotography and photography cultural exchange, a change that all participants embraced without difficulty.
\n
"We are all photographers," Li remarked. "Even without our drones, we can still capture images with our cameras or even our mobile phones."
\n
On the morning of Sept 21, Hei Ming, a renowned documentary photographer, delivered a lecture on humanist photography to Hami's photography enthusiasts in the local converged media center. Cui Yong, a senior photographer from Hebei province, presented a lecture on landscape photography using drones.
\n
The group headed to Xishan township in the city's Yizhou district and checked into a resort in a quiet village. About an hour's drive from downtown Hami, the village is hidden in a valley in the eastern Tianshan Mountains and offers a view of rolling mountains tinged by autumn leaves and a vast plain stretching to the city.
\n
Zhou and his colleagues initially planned to livestream their night watch at the resort. However, a thunderstorm dampened their enthusiasm, forcing them to abandon the plan.
\n
Wang, undeterred by the sudden weather change, set up his mobile phones and cameras in a corridor of the resort to document the rainy night sky.
\n
Midway through his recording, he heard thunder and lightning and went outside to check on his equipment. To his surprise, one of his mobile phones had captured a spectacular scene: a lightning bolt streaking across the skyline of Hami city, resembling a dragon swimming on the horizon. On Sept 22, the short video of the dragon-shaped lightning quickly went viral on the Chinese internet, captivating viewers with its dramatic imagery.
\n
Hami's surprise for him had arrived swiftly, but not unexpectedly.
\n
Learning astrography
\n
The highlight of the event unfolded on Sept 22, just before the autumnal equinox, as the group ventured deep into the Pterosaur-Yardang Dahaidao Scenic Area in Yizhou district. Renowned for its wind-eroded Yardang landforms, this site offers an ideal setting for stargazing and astrophotography, boasting vast, flat expanses of desert rock formations and minimal light pollution.
\n
After dinner at the campsite, some members of the group began readying their equipment, while others provided on-site instruction in astrophotography to eager participants. For some drone aerial photographers, this was their first attempt at capturing the starry night. Armed with newly acquired skills, they set up their cameras, zoomed in on the clear Milky Way, and began to enjoy the art of dark night photography.
\n
Following the teaching session, the astrophotographers disappeared into the darkness, each selecting a unique observation point in the heart of the Gobi Desert. There, they captured stunning panoramas of the galaxy, the bright stars of Orion, the zodiacal light of the autumnal equinox, the Rosette Nebula, and the Lagoon Nebula.
\n
Zhou and his team livestreamed their observations, offering millions of viewers around the world a real-time glimpse into the serene yet majestic beauty of the Hami desert's starry expanse.
\n
Li managed to capture some "satisfactory photos" on the Milky Way. "Hami's starry skies are incredibly beautiful," said the Sichuan photographer. "I am happy to harvest my first group of astrophotos."
\n
The following day, stunning photos and short videos of Hami's starry night began capturing attention across the Chinese internet.
\n
Another surprise
\n
The group moved to Gaojiahu village in Barkol Kazak autonomous county. The hamlet, with a population of barely 200 people, is right in the heart of Gaojia Lake Wetland.
\n
Located 20 kilometers from the town of Barkol, the wetland covers a total area of 59,400 hectares and is one of the region's breeding and stopover sites for migratory birds.
\n
Following the development of the wetland into a national 4A-level tourist attraction, most of the villagers' homes have been transformed into guesthouses and restaurants to accommodate the influx of tourists.
\n
According to Liu Xuehua, an official from the Publicity Department of the Hami Prefecture Committee of the Communist Party of China and coordinator of the event, the scenic area attracted nearly 350,000 tourists from January to August, generating an operating income of nearly 3 million yuan ($420,000) and establishing the village as a popular tourist destination.
\n
The group members were accommodated in two of the village's homestays. They were soon drawn outside to the plank trails that wind through the wetland surrounding the village, enticed by the calls of common cranes flying overhead.
\n
It was the peak of the autumn migration season for many waterbirds. Thousands of common cranes, ruddy shelducks, and several species of geese gathered to feed on the newly harvested wheat fields around the wetland, moving from one patch to another. Consequently, the airspace above the wetland was bustling and quite noisy.
\n
The photographers quickly dispersed across the wetland, each finding their own unique angles. Dai Jianfeng embarked on a long trek through the wetland without his cameras.
\n
"Gaojia Lake Wetland is a perfect place for drone aerial photography," he said. "For us astrophotographers, the light pollution around the village might be a bit intense. But in such a beautiful place, I can temporarily forget my work and simply enjoy myself."
\n
Wang Junfeng borrowed a threewheel motorcycle to explore the scenic area, searching for ideal locations for livestreaming and nighttime observation. At a crossroads near the wetland's parking area, he encountered a local farming family sun-drying wheat on the paved road.
\n
The wheat on the road formed a golden heap, creating a striking contrast with the lush green wetland and the distant snowcapped mountains. Wang captured the scene with his mobile phone, taking photos and short videos.
\n
"Today is the country's 8th Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival," he said. "I think I've found an interesting angle to salute the festival."
\n
With his keen sense as an online influencer, Wang's short videos on the subject quickly gained traction, climbing onto the hot search lists of several social media platforms.
\n
Happy ending
\n
The event concluded on Sept 24, and while most participants headed home, Dai and another astrophotographer planned to continue their work by visiting the Hami Solar Thermal Power Station. However, Liu Xuehua informed them of some bad news — the power station was closed for repair and maintenance.
\n
She also shared some good news: they had the option to visit the country's largest linear-Fresnel CSP (concentrated solar power) integrated energy demonstration base instead. "The 100-megawatt project just achieved full-system grid connection on Sept 18," Liu said. Equipped with 260,000 reflectors and covering a solar field area of 800,000 square meters, she added, "It's a site worth visiting on a clear night."
\n
They did. Dai's works on the energy project under the starry night topped the premium content chart of a major news platform, with 2.38 million reads.
\n
According to Liu, from January to September, Hami received a total of almost 21 million tourists, an increase of 17.62 percent compared to the same period last year. Tourist spending reached 15.09 billion yuan, reflecting a growth of 27.40 percent.
\n
Probably because of all the efforts made by the local government to promote tourism, during this year's National Day holiday, Hami received a total of 1.05 million tourists, an increase of 29.34 percent compared to the same period last year. Tourist spending reached 806 million yuan, marking a growth of 43.95 percent.
\n
chenliang@chinadaily.com.cn
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+ {
+ "title": "008COMMENT - Ball in US court to prove it is not just talking for the sake of talk",
+ "description": "
China and the United States have held trade talks in Geneva, London, Stockholm and Madrid since May. Each round of talks has served to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state that the world's two largest economies must manage their differences through dialogue and cooperation, not confrontation and coercion.
\n
The Geneva talks helped reopen stalled working channels; the London and Stockholm discussions saw both sides exchange lists of practical cooperation areas; and the Madrid meeting, despite tensions, helped preserve communication at a critical juncture, producing a tariff truce that brought duties down from triple-digit levels for each country. However, the Madrid agreement expires on Nov 10.
\n
To maintain the momentum, Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng had a video call on Saturday with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in which the two sides agreed to hold a new round of consultations "as soon as possible".
\n
It is widely presumed that these forthcoming talks will focus on core differences such as export controls as well as tariff measures. The meeting is also being widely interpreted as a buffer against the recent escalation of trade frictions and aimed at creating conditions conducive to higher-level talks.
\n
Unfortunately, the US administration's recent actions risk fouling the nest for talks. In the short span of weeks since the Madrid consultations, the US has rolled out a string of new restrictive measures targeting China — from adding Chinese entities to its Entity List and threatening to impose 100 percent tariffs on Chinese goods, to introducing unilateral port fees on Chinese vessels. These actions have not only undermined the good-faith foundation for dialogue but also violated basic principles of the World Trade Organization and bilateral agreements.
\n
China's counteractions, such as its newly refined export control measures on rare earths and related items, are a legitimate response. It is disingenuous for some in Washington to describe China's actions as "China versus the world". What truly goes against the global good is the US' abuse of export controls and tariffs, as well as its scrapping of the "de minimis" rules that extend its unilateral jurisdiction far beyond its borders. The US Commerce Control List covers more than 3,000 items, over three times that of China's. Such measures not only distort markets but also destabilize the global supply chains that all countries rely on.
\n
China remains ready and willing to manage the trade and economic differences that have come to the fore through equal-footed consultations. The US, however, must abandon its wishful thinking that China will yield to its trade bullying. Constructive engagement will only be possible when Washington respects China's right to development and treats bilateral trade as a two-way street rather than a geopolitical tool of coercion.
\n
That requires the US to meet China halfway. Bilateral economic ties over the past months indicate whenever the US side reverts to threats, sanctions, or tariff blackmail, the atmosphere for dialogue quickly deteriorates, even jeopardizing previously achieved results.
\n
The planned talks will take place at an important moment. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, to be held in Beijing from Monday to Thursday, will draft the framework of China's next five-year plan — a road map that will further enhance the country's high-quality development and governance capacity.
\n
That China's total goods imports and exports in the first nine months of 2025 are up 4 percent year-on-year, with goods exports leading the overall expansion during the period, surging 7.1 percent year-on-year, demonstrates the vitality of the Chinese economy.
\n
The resilience of the economy means China has both the capacity and the confidence to engage in calm and principled dialogue. If the US is able and willing to do the same and genuinely work with China to address the differences between the two sides — refraining from imposing unilateral pressure — real progress can be expected. If not, even the process of dialogue itself will meet obstacles, and the fruits of past progress may easily be undone.
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Cooperation serves both sides' interests and global stability. Only when the US walks its talk in the same direction as China can the two largest economies in the world truly turn dialogue into durable progress, preventing their otherwise cooperative economic ties being downgraded to a who-blinks-first game.
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+ "content": "
China and the United States have held trade talks in Geneva, London, Stockholm and Madrid since May. Each round of talks has served to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state that the world's two largest economies must manage their differences through dialogue and cooperation, not confrontation and coercion.
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The Geneva talks helped reopen stalled working channels; the London and Stockholm discussions saw both sides exchange lists of practical cooperation areas; and the Madrid meeting, despite tensions, helped preserve communication at a critical juncture, producing a tariff truce that brought duties down from triple-digit levels for each country. However, the Madrid agreement expires on Nov 10.
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To maintain the momentum, Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng had a video call on Saturday with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in which the two sides agreed to hold a new round of consultations "as soon as possible".
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It is widely presumed that these forthcoming talks will focus on core differences such as export controls as well as tariff measures. The meeting is also being widely interpreted as a buffer against the recent escalation of trade frictions and aimed at creating conditions conducive to higher-level talks.
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Unfortunately, the US administration's recent actions risk fouling the nest for talks. In the short span of weeks since the Madrid consultations, the US has rolled out a string of new restrictive measures targeting China — from adding Chinese entities to its Entity List and threatening to impose 100 percent tariffs on Chinese goods, to introducing unilateral port fees on Chinese vessels. These actions have not only undermined the good-faith foundation for dialogue but also violated basic principles of the World Trade Organization and bilateral agreements.
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China's counteractions, such as its newly refined export control measures on rare earths and related items, are a legitimate response. It is disingenuous for some in Washington to describe China's actions as "China versus the world". What truly goes against the global good is the US' abuse of export controls and tariffs, as well as its scrapping of the "de minimis" rules that extend its unilateral jurisdiction far beyond its borders. The US Commerce Control List covers more than 3,000 items, over three times that of China's. Such measures not only distort markets but also destabilize the global supply chains that all countries rely on.
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China remains ready and willing to manage the trade and economic differences that have come to the fore through equal-footed consultations. The US, however, must abandon its wishful thinking that China will yield to its trade bullying. Constructive engagement will only be possible when Washington respects China's right to development and treats bilateral trade as a two-way street rather than a geopolitical tool of coercion.
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That requires the US to meet China halfway. Bilateral economic ties over the past months indicate whenever the US side reverts to threats, sanctions, or tariff blackmail, the atmosphere for dialogue quickly deteriorates, even jeopardizing previously achieved results.
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The planned talks will take place at an important moment. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, to be held in Beijing from Monday to Thursday, will draft the framework of China's next five-year plan — a road map that will further enhance the country's high-quality development and governance capacity.
\n
That China's total goods imports and exports in the first nine months of 2025 are up 4 percent year-on-year, with goods exports leading the overall expansion during the period, surging 7.1 percent year-on-year, demonstrates the vitality of the Chinese economy.
\n
The resilience of the economy means China has both the capacity and the confidence to engage in calm and principled dialogue. If the US is able and willing to do the same and genuinely work with China to address the differences between the two sides — refraining from imposing unilateral pressure — real progress can be expected. If not, even the process of dialogue itself will meet obstacles, and the fruits of past progress may easily be undone.
\n
Cooperation serves both sides' interests and global stability. Only when the US walks its talk in the same direction as China can the two largest economies in the world truly turn dialogue into durable progress, preventing their otherwise cooperative economic ties being downgraded to a who-blinks-first game.
\n \n \n A primary school in Shanghai has drawn widespread attention after reports revealed it has just 22 students across five classes, but 23 full-time teachers.\n \n \n
\n \n \n According to a local official bulletin published in April, Sanqiao Primary School in Pudong New Area is listed as having five classes with 22 students, giving it a teacher–student ratio of nearly one-to-one. A notice on the school's official WeChat account also stated that only one new first-grade class will be admitted in 2025.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n The figures quickly went viral, with some netizens describing the setup as a \"luxurious one-on-one tutoring arrangement\n \n \n \n \n \"\n \n \n \n \n , while others criticized it as a waste of educational resources.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n A staff member from the Pudong district government's student enrolment and examination center confirmed that the data about the school was accurate. Every school can only recruit students from their designated catchment areas, and for Sanqiao \"the number of age-appropriate children in the actual catchment area is just this many\", the staff member said.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n The decline in student numbers has been particularly dramatic in Sanqiao's case because several residential communities in the school's catchment area were recently demolished and relocated, the staff member explained.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Education expert Xiong Bingqi, director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, said Sanqiao's case is mainly the result of several residential communities in the school's catchment area recently undergoing relocation, which does not represent the overall situation in Shanghai.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Xiong rejected the idea that \"having more teachers than students\" means wasting resources. With primary education now expected to balance moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor education, it is unrealistic to expect one or two teachers to cover all subjects, he noted.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Looking ahead, Xiong predicted that more small-scale schools with only a few dozen or around 100 students will emerge in both cities and rural areas. Improving school standards and promoting small-class teaching, he added, should be the way forward.\n \n \n
\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
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\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
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\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
\n \n \n Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are officially engaged. The couple shared the big news on Instagram with a carousel of photos and the caption, \"Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.\" The photos capture the moment Kelce got down on his knee in a rose garden, including a close up shot of the diamond engagement ring.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n Their post earned more than 14 million likes and 425,000 reposts in just over an hour. A spokesperson for Meta, the parent company of Instagram, confirmed that Instagram had crashed for some users.\n \n \n
\n \n 就在霉霉公开订婚消息的同日，吉尼斯世界纪录发文表示：\n \n 霉霉又多了一项吉尼斯世界纪录\n \n 。她近日在凯尔斯的播客节目上首度亮相，创下了 “YouTube播客同时观看次数最多”（the most concurrent views for a podcast on YouTube）的纪录。\n \n
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\n \n \n \n 外媒花式玩梗报道\n \n \n \n
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\n \n \n 许多网友形容，\n \n \n \n 两人的订婚场景就\n \n \n \n 如同斯威夫特的歌曲《Love Story》\n \n \n \n 描绘的求婚画面一样\n \n \n \n ：“He knelt to the ground and pulled out a ring”\n \n \n \n （他单膝跪地，取出一枚戒指）\n \n \n \n ，是“现实版的Love Story”。\n \n \n
\n \n \n Shortly after Swift's post, Fox News broke away from their continuous coverage of\n \n \n \n \n Donald Trump\n \n \n \n \n 's Cabinet meeting in Washington to share the news, according to The Hill.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n \"I wish them a lot of luck,\" Trump told reporters during a Cabinet meeting. \"I think he's a great player, I think he's a great guy. I think that she's a terrific person, so I wish them a lot of luck.\"\n \n \n
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\n \n 此前，2024年美国大选期间，由于泰勒·斯威夫特公开支持民主党总统候选人哈里斯，特朗普曾在社交平台“\n \n \n Truth Social\n \n \n ”发文：“我讨厌泰勒·斯威夫特！(I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!)”\n \n
\n \n \n Joint Statement on China-US Economic and Trade Meeting in Stockholm\n \n \n
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\n \n 中华人民共和国政府（“中国”）和美利坚合众国政府（“美国”），\n \n
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\n \n \n The Government of the People's Republic of China (\"China\") and the Government of the United States of America (the \"United States\"),\n \n \n
\n \n \n 1. The United States will continue to modify the application of the additional ad valorem rate of duty on articles of China (including articles of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region) set forth in Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025, by suspending 24 percentage points of that rate for an additional period of 90 days, starting on August 12, 2025, while retaining the remaining ad valorem rate of 10 percent on those articles pursuant to the terms of said Order.\n \n \n
\n \n \n 2. China will continue to (1) modify the application of the additional ad valorem rate of duty on articles of the United States set forth in the Announcement of the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council No. 4 of 2025, by suspending 24 percentage points of that rate for an additional period of 90 days, starting on August 12, 2025, while retaining the remaining additional ad valorem rate of 10 percent on those articles, and (2) adopt or maintain all necessary administrative measures to suspend or remove the non-tariff countermeasures taken against the United States as agreed in the Geneva Joint Statement.\n \n \n
\n \n \n This Joint Statement is based on the discussions that took place during the China-US Economic and Trade Meeting in Stockholm, which was held under the mechanism established by the Geneva Joint Statement. The representative from the Chinese side for this meeting was He Lifeng, Vice-Premier of the State Council, and the representatives from the US side were Scott Bessent, Secretary of Treasury, and Jamieson Greer, United States Trade Representative.\n \n \n
\n \n \n China will continue to suspend 24 percentage points of additional duty rate on imports from the United States within 90 days starting from 12:01 pm Tuesday, while retaining the remaining additional tariffs of 10 percent on those articles, according to an announcement from the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council.\n \n \n
\n \n \n China's commerce ministry announced Tuesday that the country has continued to suspend or removed related unreliable entity list measures on certain US entities from Tuesday.\n \n \n
\n \n \n China's commerce ministry announced Tuesday that it has continued to suspend or removed export-control measures on some US entities from Tuesday, in line with the consensus reached during the high-level China-US economic and trade meeting in Stockholm.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Nobody\n \n \n , the first feature-length film adapted from the hit animated series\n \n \n Yao\n \n \n \n \n \n —\n \n \n \n \n \n Chinese Folktales\n \n \n , set to premiere in Chinese theaters on Saturday.\n \n \n
\n \n \n The film, a spin-off based of one of the eight stand-alone short stories from the\n \n \n Yao — Chinese Folktales\n \n \n anthology,\n \n \n Nobody\n \n \n follows the adventures of four grassroots monsters: a pig, a toad, a chimpanzee and a mink.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n Disguised as the Buddhist monk Xuanzang and his three disciples, they set out on a quest to obtain sacred Buddhist scrolls in hopes of achieving immortality. However, their quest soon takes an unexpected turn as they find themselves battling evil and saving innocent villagers.\n \n \n
\n \n \n The production took over two years and involved a team of more than 600 animators. It features over 1,800 animated shots and more than 2,000 background paintings, with an aesthetic inspired by traditional Chinese brushwork.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Chen Liaoyu, the film's executive producer and art director, shared that the visual style is rooted in traditional ink wash painting, enriched with vibrant colors, dynamic lighting, and a realistic sense of space to create a fantastical yet believable world for the audience.\n \n \n
\n \n \n The film appeals to young urban audiences by depicting workplace challenges. The characters face obstacles and misunderstandings while representing the experiences of ordinary urban employees and their efforts to maintain personal values and goals.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n On the G1546 train from Nanning East to Hangzhou West, a post-00s train attendant Qin Yunhao carries a plastic bag with him every time he works during the busy summer travel season, according to China Railway's official social media account.\n \n \n \n
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\n \n \n \n This \"mysterious plastic bag\" contains a stack of primary school exam papers for various grades. If children are being noisy, Qin approaches them and \"rewards\" them with a test paper.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n This summer, Qin's train has been especially crowded, popular with study tour groups and families. At times, student passengers make up half the carriage. Keeping children calm is a frequent topic discussed among the crew.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \"I noticed some parents bring their kids' summer homework on board, which keeps them busy and quiet,\" Qin said. \"So I thought, why not print simple exam papers for parents who didn't bring any?\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n He added that many of his colleagues have their own tricks, like giving out coloring books, stickers, or small toys that help improve concentration. Some trains even set up \"mobile play zones\" in dining cars for young travelers.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n \n Qin advises parents to prepare cartoons, movies, toys, or picture books to make trips more enjoyable.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n With a performance inspired by the Terracotta Warriors, the Chinese artistic swimming team concluded their World\n \n \n \n \n Aquatics\n \n \n \n \n Championships campaign in Singapore on July 25, as they secured a gold in the team acrobatic event, bringing their total medal tally to four golds and three silvers in the tournament with gold medals in all three team events.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n Wearing golden headbands symbolizing the legendary Monkey King, China's artistic swimmers brought the myth to life in a powerful Wukong-inspired routine to win gold in the team technical event at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships last Tuesday. Their performance, based on the popular Chinese video game\n \n Black Myth: Wukong\n \n , earned China 307.8001 points.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n Performing a routine titled \"Soul of the Terracotta Army\", the Chinese squad topped the preliminary round and carried that momentum into the team acrobatic final on Friday, where they scored 229.0186 points to secure the gold.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n \n \n The finals of the 2025 RoboCup Humanoid League\n \n \n \n \n concluded on Sunday in Brazil, with Tsinghu\n \n \n \n \n \n \n a U\n \n \n \n \n niversity's Hephaestus team beating China Agricultural University's Mountain Sea tea\n \n \n \n \n m 5:3 to clinch the title.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n China has made history by winning the gold for the first time in the 28-year history of the tournament's Humanoid AdultSize Soccer Competition.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Chinese teams showed dominant form from the group stage onward. Hephaestus, powered by the domestically developed T1 humanoid robots, overwhelmed opponents with multiple clean-sheet victories, including 16:0, 9:0, and 12:0 triumphs over UT Austin Villa from the United States.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n One highlight of the tournament came during the group stage, when a Hephaestus robot scored the tournament's \"best goal\"\n \n \n \n \n \n .\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
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\n \n \n \n In a moment reminiscent of Dutch footballer Robin van Persie's iconic diving header, the robot read the ball's trajectory at the goalmouth and launched forward to head the ball into the net. The dramatic goal was dubbed the \"robot Van Persie dive.\"\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n Other Chinese teams also delivered impressive results, with Tsinghua's TH-MOS team taking second place in the KidSize category. In the KidSize soccer competition final, both the German champions Boosted HTWK and China's TH-MOS team relied on the K1 robot.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n Notably, both Chinese and international teams, including those from Germany and the US, chose to use China-made humanoid robots such as the T1 and K1, underscoring the growing global influence of Chinese robotics.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n Founded in 1997, RoboCup is the world's leading robotics competition, known for its scale, prestige, and technological rigor. Among its many leagues, the Humanoid category attracts the most attention.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n \n The ultimate goal of the RoboCup Initiative is stated as,\"By the middle of the 21st century, a team of fully autonomous humanoid robot soccer players shall win a soccer game, complying with the official rules of FIFA, against the winner of the most recent World Cup,\"\n \n \n according to its official website.\n \n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n Several of the teams that participated in RoboCup 2025 are also expected to compete at the upcoming first World Humanoid Sports Games to be held in August in Beijing, where the world's first 5v5 AI robotic soccer will be introduced.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n In a small workshop in Wuhan, Hubei province, traditional Chinese elements like dragons and cranes aren't just painted on walls or silk — they're coming alive on sneakers.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n Behind these creations is Wang Qing, a 26-year-old postgraduate student at the School of Arts and Design, Wuhan University of Technology.\n \n \n
\n \n \n One of his most popular collections was inspired by the animated film\n \n \n White Snake\n \n \n (2019), a modern retelling of a classic Chinese legend. The design features a dragon that coils gently around the shoe's emblem, blending into a misty mountain background. A silhouette emerges from the clouds on the heel, adding a scent of romantic mystique.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Beyond folklore, Wang's work incorporates regional heritage. For example, his \"Waking Lion\" series pays homage to the lion dance traditions.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \"I loved reciting Chinese poems when I was little and was deeply fascinated by the artistic conception brought by the verses,\" he said. \"Even before the term 'China chic' existed, traditional culture was already influencing my imagination.\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n In a spontaneous moment in 2022, he decided to repair his torn skate shoes by drawing Chinese-style cartoon patterns on them. That was when the idea of wearable culture took form.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Wang explained that government-backed innovation programs have played a crucial role in helping their team expand.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n Through Hubei's entrepreneurship fund for university students, his team secured 50,000 yuan in initial funding. Later, by participating in a youth innovation competition, they received an additional 100,000 yuan and established valuable connections with investors and policy advisers.\n \n \n
\n \n \n But for Wang, it's not just about decoration. \"It's never as easy as simply copying a symbol and printing it on a shoe,\" he said. \"We consider the shoe's silhouette, its structure, and how each design element complements the form.\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n His academic background in landscape architecture gives him a unique edge. Wang believes that core design principles — structure, proportion, and harmony — are transferable across disciplines. \"When I design a 50-square-meter courtyard, I think about plant arrangement, paving patterns, water features — it's all about composition,\" he said. \"Sneakers may be a smaller canvas, but the design logic is similar.\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n To maintain high standards, Wang and his team traveled to major footwear material markets in Houjie, Guangdong, and Quanzhou, Fujian, to source better materials. One result: their shoes are 30 percent more scratch-resistant than comparable handcrafted products.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n When facing color fading issues, Wang consulted a doctoral researcher in materials science at his university and developed a pigment formula that preserves color saturation while enhancing wear resistance.\n \n \n
\n \n \n The team also established its own design database and incorporated an AI color-matching system. \"This allows us to complete color matching in approximately 10 seconds,\" Wang noted. \"Designers then build on this foundation by adding elements, significantly boosting design efficiency.\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n Looking ahead, Wang hopes to launch his own China chic fashion brand, expanding into clothing, accessories, and global markets. \"Being Chinese and growing up with these traditions has deeply influenced me,\" he said.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n \"We want to create something that truly belongs to us and reflects our identity. Our dream is to make Chinese brands more high-end and infuse international brands with the spirit of Chinese culture.\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n Known to some Westerners as \"century eggs\" or \"thousand-year-old eggs\" for their dark, translucent appearance and bold flavor, these traditional Chinese delicacies have long sparked mixed reactions abroad.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Once dubbed one of the world's most disgusting foods, China's preserved eggs are now flying off the shelves at Costco stores across the United States.\n \n \n
\n \n \n The buzz began on Xiaohongshu, where Chinese shoppers in the US posted photos of the eggs on display. The posts quickly drew a flood of comments asking for store locations and ZIP codes.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Then came a viral boost. US food influencer \"The Sushi Guy\" reviewed the eggs on TikTok and YouTube, drawing more than 660,000 views. Food site Tasting Table followed up with a feature exploring the eggs' cultural roots and distinctive taste.\n \n \n
\n \n \n On TikTok, adventurous eaters filmed their reactions: some recoiled at the first bite, then returned for more.\n \n \n
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\n \n \n On TikTok, adventurous eaters filmed their reactions: some recoiled at the first bite, then returned for more. \"I don't know what I'm doing, but it's weirdly addictive,\" said vloggers.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \"We planned enough stock for three months – some stores ran out in under three days,\" sales manager of the company behind the product said.\n \n \n
China's robust 5.2 percent economic expansion in the first three quarters has laid a solid foundation for achieving its full-year growth target, analysts said, as the world's second-largest economy continues to show resilience with strong industrial production despite headwinds.
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They said growth momentum is expected to persist in the final quarter of the year, supported by a potential new round of measures aimed at shoring up demand, spurring consumption and reviving confidence in the property market.
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Wang Qing, chief macroeconomic analyst at Golden Credit Rating International, said, "We expect China's GDP growth to stabilize in the fourth quarter, driven by the implementation of growth-stabilizing policies, enabling the country to smoothly achieve its full-year target of around 5 percent."
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Wang made the comment after data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Monday that China's gross domestic product grew 4.8 percent year-on-year in the third quarter, following a 5.2 percent rise in the second quarter. In the first three quarters, China's GDP rose 5.2 percent after 5.3 percent growth in the first half of the year.
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"China's third-quarter GDP growth matched our forecast and slightly exceeded consensus expectations," said Sheana Yue, a senior economist at British think tank Oxford Economics.
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Economic activity picked up in September after softening in July and August, with industrial output up 6.5 percent year-on-year in September, compared with a 5.2 percent rise in August, marking the first acceleration in three months.
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"The shift toward higher-value segments is showing up in industrial activity, which exceeded expectations in September," Yue noted. "Our estimates suggest that production of high-tech manufacturing, including transportation equipment, electrical machinery and electronics manufacturing, remained strong, growing by a six-month high of 11.3 percent year-on-year last month."
\n
Yue said her team expects to see more support and guidance on the high-tech sector when details of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) emerge in the next few days, extending the tailwind from this and related sectors.
\n
Meanwhile, consumers continue to keep their purse strings tight, as NBS data showed that retail sales, a key measurement of consumer spending, increased 3 percent year-on-year in September, down from the 3.4 percent growth in August.
\n
"In the near term, we continue to expect targeted macro policy support, such as the 19-step package to boost service consumption and financing support for local investment, for the remainder of this year," Yue said.
\n
Wang, from Golden Credit Rating International, also expects consumption-boosting policies to be stepped up in the fourth quarter, with possible moves including raising subsidies for trade-in deals for consumer goods, issuing consumption vouchers nationwide, and supporting export-to-domestic sales, which could lift retail sales growth to about 4 percent for the year, up 0.5 percentage point from the previous year.
\n
Meanwhile, he also highlighted that the key to boosting consumption lies in reviving the property market as soon as possible to effectively restore consumer confidence.
\n
"To stabilize the macroeconomic performance in the fourth quarter and the first quarter of next year, the necessity of introducing a new round of growth-stabilizing policies has increased — with a focus on stronger fiscal support, monetary easing and greater efforts to halt the decline and stabilize the real estate market," he added.
\n
Looking ahead, Alex Muscatelli, director of sovereign economics at Fitch Ratings, said his team expects stable GDP growth in the last quarter of the year.
\n
"We do expect some degree of further policy loosening, and we have had announcements of extra bond issuance in recent days," Muscatelli added. "If these were implemented swiftly and focused on growth-enhancing areas of public spending, this would provide an upside to our full-year growth forecast."
\n
ouyangshijia@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
China's year-on-year growth in numbers
\n
China's robust 5.2 percent economic expansion in the first three quarters has laid a solid foundation for achieving its full-year growth target, analysts said, as the world's second-largest economy continues to show resilience with strong industrial production despite headwinds.
\n
They said growth momentum is expected to persist in the final quarter of the year, supported by a potential new round of measures aimed at shoring up demand, spurring consumption and reviving confidence in the property market.
\n
Wang Qing, chief macroeconomic analyst at Golden Credit Rating International, said, "We expect China's GDP growth to stabilize in the fourth quarter, driven by the implementation of growth-stabilizing policies, enabling the country to smoothly achieve its full-year target of around 5 percent."
\n
Wang made the comment after data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Monday that China's gross domestic product grew 4.8 percent year-on-year in the third quarter, following a 5.2 percent rise in the second quarter. In the first three quarters, China's GDP rose 5.2 percent after 5.3 percent growth in the first half of the year.
\n
"China's third-quarter GDP growth matched our forecast and slightly exceeded consensus expectations," said Sheana Yue, a senior economist at British think tank Oxford Economics.
\n
Economic activity picked up in September after softening in July and August, with industrial output up 6.5 percent year-on-year in September, compared with a 5.2 percent rise in August, marking the first acceleration in three months.
\n
"The shift toward higher-value segments is showing up in industrial activity, which exceeded expectations in September," Yue noted. "Our estimates suggest that production of high-tech manufacturing, including transportation equipment, electrical machinery and electronics manufacturing, remained strong, growing by a six-month high of 11.3 percent year-on-year last month."
\n
Yue said her team expects to see more support and guidance on the high-tech sector when details of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) emerge in the next few days, extending the tailwind from this and related sectors.
\n
Meanwhile, consumers continue to keep their purse strings tight, as NBS data showed that retail sales, a key measurement of consumer spending, increased 3 percent year-on-year in September, down from the 3.4 percent growth in August.
\n
"In the near term, we continue to expect targeted macro policy support, such as the 19-step package to boost service consumption and financing support for local investment, for the remainder of this year," Yue said.
\n
Wang, from Golden Credit Rating International, also expects consumption-boosting policies to be stepped up in the fourth quarter, with possible moves including raising subsidies for trade-in deals for consumer goods, issuing consumption vouchers nationwide, and supporting export-to-domestic sales, which could lift retail sales growth to about 4 percent for the year, up 0.5 percentage point from the previous year.
\n
Meanwhile, he also highlighted that the key to boosting consumption lies in reviving the property market as soon as possible to effectively restore consumer confidence.
\n
"To stabilize the macroeconomic performance in the fourth quarter and the first quarter of next year, the necessity of introducing a new round of growth-stabilizing policies has increased — with a focus on stronger fiscal support, monetary easing and greater efforts to halt the decline and stabilize the real estate market," he added.
\n
Looking ahead, Alex Muscatelli, director of sovereign economics at Fitch Ratings, said his team expects stable GDP growth in the last quarter of the year.
\n
"We do expect some degree of further policy loosening, and we have had announcements of extra bond issuance in recent days," Muscatelli added. "If these were implemented swiftly and focused on growth-enhancing areas of public spending, this would provide an upside to our full-year growth forecast."
Individuals in key groups who sign labor contracts of one year or longer with small, medium and micro enterprises in key industry sectors in Guangdong province, an economic powerhouse in South China, will be eligible for social insurance subsidies, according to a recent notice issued by provincial authorities.
\n
The notice, jointly released in early October by Guangdong's finance, human resources and social security, and agriculture and rural affairs departments follows a similar policy guideline issued by the State Council, China's Cabinet, in early July aimed at strengthening support for employment stabilization.
\n
The State Council's notice proposed a series of measures, including special loans for job stabilization and expansion, temporary deferrals of social insurance payments for eligible enterprises and social insurance subsidies for key groups in key industrial sectors.
\n
Guangdong's notice specifies the subsidy conditions, standards, scope of eligible enterprises and individuals, and the application process. Enterprises registered in Guangdong that operate in the manufacturing or service sectors and are not classified as large enterprises are considered small, medium or micro enterprises, according to the notice.
\n
Individuals eligible for the subsidy include graduate students in their final year of study, college graduates who have not found employment within two years of leaving school, eligible workers who have been registered as unemployed for more than six months, and people identified as being at risk of returning to poverty.
\n
The monthly subsidy standard is 25 percent of an individual's total contributions to basic pension, medical and unemployment insurance. The subsidy will begin from the month in which the enterprise pays social insurance for the employee in 2025, based on the actual number of months contributions are made, with a maximum duration of 12 months.
\n
Eligible enterprises must submit initial subsidy applications by the end of 2025 through the provincial public employment service cloud platform. Once approved, the subsidy funds will be directly deposited into the social security accounts of the relevant individuals, the notice said.
\n
Since September, several other provinces and regions have issued similar notices, stating that a subsidy of 25 percent of personal social security contributions will be provided to key groups employed by small, medium and micro enterprises in specific industries.
\n
Providing subsidies directly to individuals employed by small and micro enterprises in specific sectors marks an innovative approach compared with previous practices, said Fang Lianquan, a researcher at the National Academy of Chinese Modernization of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
\n
"The subsidies can reduce the personal contribution burden for individuals in key groups, who tend to have low participation rates and contribution levels in social insurance, and help enhance employment stability," Fang said.
Children learn to grind herbs under the guidance of a medical staff member in Bozhou, Anhui province, on Monday. The event, organized ahead of the 34th World Traditional Medicine Day on Wednesday, is aimed at educating children on the unique charm of traditional Chinese medicine.
\n",
- "content": "
Children learn to grind herbs under the guidance of a medical staff member in Bozhou, Anhui province, on Monday. The event, organized ahead of the 34th World Traditional Medicine Day on Wednesday, is aimed at educating children on the unique charm of traditional Chinese medicine.
China has approved the world's first domestically developed drug designed to achieve a functional cure for hepatitis B, marking a significant step in the global fight against the chronic liver infection.
\n
The injectable drug, named Pegbing, was developed by Amoytop Biotech based in Xiamen, Fujian province. It has been approved for use in combination with antiviral medication to achieve sustained clearance of the hepatitis B surface antigen in adults with chronic hepatitis B, according to a notice recently released by the National Medical Products Administration.
\n
The Chinese Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control said the approval represents the world's first market authorization for a drug aimed at achieving a functional cure for hepatitis B, ushering in a new stage in the global battle against the viral infection.
\n
Globally, hepatitis B affects about 254 million people and causes more than 1 million related deaths each year. China has about 75 million chronic hepatitis B patients.
\n
A functional cure for hepatitis B is defined as the sustained loss of the hepatitis B surface antigen after treatment ends, in contrast to conventional therapies that suppress viral replication but do not eliminate the virus entirely.
\n
Data from the foundation shows that more than 92 percent of liver cancer cases in China are caused by hepatitis B infection.
\n
The incidence of liver cancer can be reduced to 10.7 percent among patients receiving antiviral treatment, compared with nearly 15 percent among those who do not. For those who achieve a clinical cure, the rate drops to just 1 percent.
\n
"Such a significant difference underscores the critical importance of achieving clinical cure for hepatitis B patients," the foundation said.
\n
Amoytop Biotech said that in a clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of the injection combined with antiviral treatment, 31.4 percent of patients receiving the combination therapy achieved a clinical cure 24 weeks after discontinuing all medications. This rate is significantly higher than that observed in patients following conventional treatment regimens.
\n
According to an action plan released last month by the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration and eight other government departments, China aims to raise the antiviral treatment rate for newly reported cases to at least 80 percent by 2030. The plan also emphasized intensified efforts in innovative drug research and development and the exploration of new solutions for the functional cure of hepatitis B.
Song Hengchun and his wife repair nets used for collecting debris from the reservoir in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Sept 17.
\n
Song Hengchun (left) and his son Song Chengjun release fish into the reservoir in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 6.
\n
Song Hengchun (left) and his son check the water level gauge in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 11.
\n
Song Hengchun's wife sews up uniforms in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 6.
\n
Song Hengchun washes his face after a tiring patrol in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 7.
\n
Song Hengchun's grandson visits his grandparents in the reservoir area in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 6.
\n
Song Hengchun and his wife clear debris from the reservoir in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 7.
\n
Song Hengchun (left) checks the spillway gate's steel wire rope with his son in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 11.
\n
Song Hengchun makes an announcement about the reservoir's water condition to residents of Dongzhaozhuang village in Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 11.
\n
Song Hengchun tells children about reservoir safety knowledge in Dongzhaozhuang village, Shandong province, on Aug 11.
\n
Song Hengchun (fourth from left) and local village residents conduct flood prevention drills in Yuezhuang town of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 11.
\n
Song Hengchun has been the river chief in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Zibo city of Shandong province, for more than a decade, but the association runs deeper. Over the past four decades, Song and his family have been religiously contributing to keeping the reservoir clean. The Zhaozhuang reservoir was built in the 1960s and provides irrigation to farms and the surrounding villages. In the 1980s, the then 30-year-old Song quit his city job and returned to his hometown to guard and manage the reservoir. To help him in this task, starting with regular inspection of the reservoir's water quality, Song also got his family involved, settling down in the area. During the flood season, Song and his wife take a boat ride from upstream to downstream, clearing the water of debris and trash. In 2014, Song was appointed river chief, which increased his sense of responsibility toward the reservoir. In June, Song's son inherited his role as river chief.
\n",
- "content": "
Song Hengchun and his wife repair nets used for collecting debris from the reservoir in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Sept 17.
\n
Song Hengchun (left) and his son Song Chengjun release fish into the reservoir in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 6.
\n
Song Hengchun (left) and his son check the water level gauge in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 11.
\n
Song Hengchun's wife sews up uniforms in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 6.
\n
Song Hengchun washes his face after a tiring patrol in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 7.
\n
Song Hengchun's grandson visits his grandparents in the reservoir area in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 6.
\n
Song Hengchun and his wife clear debris from the reservoir in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 7.
\n
Song Hengchun (left) checks the spillway gate's steel wire rope with his son in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 11.
\n
Song Hengchun makes an announcement about the reservoir's water condition to residents of Dongzhaozhuang village in Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 11.
\n
Song Hengchun tells children about reservoir safety knowledge in Dongzhaozhuang village, Shandong province, on Aug 11.
\n
Song Hengchun (fourth from left) and local village residents conduct flood prevention drills in Yuezhuang town of Yiyuan county, Shandong province, on Aug 11.
\n
Song Hengchun has been the river chief in Dongzhaozhuang village of Yiyuan county, Zibo city of Shandong province, for more than a decade, but the association runs deeper. Over the past four decades, Song and his family have been religiously contributing to keeping the reservoir clean. The Zhaozhuang reservoir was built in the 1960s and provides irrigation to farms and the surrounding villages. In the 1980s, the then 30-year-old Song quit his city job and returned to his hometown to guard and manage the reservoir. To help him in this task, starting with regular inspection of the reservoir's water quality, Song also got his family involved, settling down in the area. During the flood season, Song and his wife take a boat ride from upstream to downstream, clearing the water of debris and trash. In 2014, Song was appointed river chief, which increased his sense of responsibility toward the reservoir. In June, Song's son inherited his role as river chief.
The ink had barely dried on the latest ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas than Israeli forces began pounding Gaza, citing renewed militant attacks. The Israeli air strikes underscore a painful truth: relying solely on military means cannot bring lasting peace to the Middle East. Instead, such actions deepen the humanitarian crisis, sow enduring hatred and push the prospects for a political settlement further out of reach.
\n
This new eruption of violence should serve as a wake-up call for the international community. After months of bombardment, Gaza is at breaking point. Hundreds of thousands remain displaced, hospitals are barely functioning, and access to food, water and medical supplies is gravely inadequate. Each new air strike adds to the immense civilian suffering, eroding the moral and political legitimacy of any party that claims to be acting in the name of "security".
\n
As the Chinese Foreign Ministry has repeatedly emphasized, what the region needs is not another fragile ceasefire but a genuine political process aimed at realizing the two-state solution, which is the only viable path to lasting peace. All parties concerned must exercise maximum restraint, uphold international law and work toward an immediate and comprehensive cessation of hostilities.
\n
The Palestinian people's right to establish an independent state is not a privilege bestowed by others, nor a bargaining chip for political negotiations. It is their inherent and legitimate right. To delay or deny this right is to perpetuate injustice and ensure that the region remains trapped in a cycle of violence.
\n
The world must also be wary of those who seek to turn peace into political capital. The end of a humanitarian catastrophe should never be a bargaining chip in any ceasefire talks but an imperative calling for concerted actions from all stakeholders. True peace cannot be achieved through showmanship or selective mediation that disregards the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Palestinian people.
\n
It is therefore legitimate for the international community to question whether the "peace process" repeatedly brokered by Washington genuinely serves the cause of peace or merely provides diplomatic cover for Israel to consolidate its strategic position in the region. Every ceasefire mediated by the United States over the past year has coincided with the expansion of Israel's military objectives, further marginalizing Palestinians and weakening prospects for a just resolution of the Palestinian question.
\n
If this latest ceasefire once again collapses — as it already appears to be doing — the world must ask if the US-brokered truce is designed to end bloodshed, or to buy time for Israel to better fulfill its assigned role in the US' Middle East geopolitical calculations. The credibility of any peace effort lies in its ability to halt violence and pave the way for dialogue, not in its capacity to serve as a temporary pause before the next escalation.
\n
Now that Hamas has begun handing over refugees and displaced civilians under the ceasefire terms, Israel must refrain from using this moment to pursue broader military goals under the pretext of "security operations". Otherwise, history may look back on the events since Oct 7, 2023, as merely the prelude to an even darker chapter in the region's future.
\n
Peace in Gaza and beyond will not be achieved through bombs or blockades, but through justice, equality and genuine dialogue. The international community must increase its sense of urgency and press all parties to return to the negotiating table with sincerity. Only a comprehensive political settlement based on the two-state solution can bring an end to the suffering of the Palestinians and turn the fragile ceasefire into a foundation for lasting peace.
\n",
@@ -26131,28 +24041,6 @@
"hash": "6420cd995767c6f9d28601f92c00b258",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "009VIEWS - 15th Five-Year Plan to cast vision for development",
- "description": "
The author is chief economist for Greater China and North Asia, Standard Chartered Bank.
\n
The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) will be implemented from next year, extending China's long-term policy of pursuing sustainable growth. The fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, scheduled for Oct 20-23, will lay the groundwork for the 15th Five-Year Plan, which will reflect the country's enduring commitment to development. While specific economic growth targets are not expected to be officially announced, policy discussions suggest an average growth of 4.7-4.8 percent over the next five years, supporting the long-term goal of doubling the 2020 GDP by 2035 in real terms.
\n
Given the rapidly rising aging population and ongoing technology restrictions by Western powers, innovation is likely to remain the priority. Total factor productivity gains, fueled by technological advancement, are expected to underpin the economy's expansion.
\n
Investment in research and development will be encouraged, leveraging the country's vast STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) talent pool, with an emphasis on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, integrated circuits, biotech, humanoid robotics and renewable energy. Indeed, these efforts have already borne fruit, with China rising to 10th place in the Global Innovation Index in 2025.
\n
The private sector is expected to play a pivotal role in technological advancement. With the recently promulgated Private Sector Promotion Law, private enterprises will have wider room for innovation, expand and contribute to the country's competitiveness. Accordingly, the 15th Five-Year Plan will promote the application of new technologies across industries, creating new growth engines. The "AI+" approach, integrating AI into a wide array of industries, reflects China's goal of transitioning from "Made in China" to "Created in China".
\n
China's commitment to green development will remain central to its industrial policy. The country has vowed to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, with interim goals for 2035, including a 7-10 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the peak and the non-fossil fuel energy share exceeding 30 percent. Investments in wind, solar and hydropower, new energy vehicles, and related infrastructure will continue, reinforcing China's leadership in renewable energy while balancing environmental protection and economic modernization.
\n
The 15th Five-Year Plan is expected to put renewed emphasis on domestic consumption to complement investment. China has experienced prolonged deflation, with weak domestic demand limiting the economy's growth potential. Stabilizing the housing market, expanding infrastructure investment, and improving medical and elderly care, as well as cultural and sports facilities, are likely to be key priorities.
\n
Shared growth, or common prosperity, will guide policies to increase consumption among low-income groups, recognizing their higher propensity to spend. This includes measures to narrow the income gap by lowering their tax burden, increasing social benefits, and universalizing public services across urban and rural areas. Boosting services consumption, particularly in education, healthcare, childcare, tourism and entertainment, is also expected to receive greater policy support, with reforms facilitating private and foreign participation in the sector.
\n
The 15th Five-Year Plan is likely to advance China's reform agenda, with market forces expected to continue playing a decisive role in resource allocation, and the government ensuring fair competition, equal market access and property rights protection. On the other hand, fiscal reforms are expected to boost local government revenue, adjust tax-sharing mechanisms, and help increase the central government's spending responsibilities.
\n
Besides, the internationalization of the renminbi will also be a priority, with the government expected to shift from cautious promotion and adopting a steadier and more proactive approach. Policies may focus on increasing the currency's role in international trade and investment, making renminbi-denominated assets more attractive, and supporting alternative cross-border payment systems, such as the Cross-Border Interbank Payment System and the digital RMB. Also, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is expected to continue its role as the primary offshore renminbi hub.
\n
The 15th Five-Year Plan is expected to be a road map that balances ambitious growth, innovation, environmental protection and inclusive prosperity. By focusing on self-reliance in technology, green transformation, boosting domestic demand, and international economic engagement, China aims to navigate global uncertainties while pursuing its sustainable development plan, under which development is not merely an economic goal but the foundation for social stability, national rejuvenation, and a more equitable society.
\n
The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
\n",
- "content": "
The author is chief economist for Greater China and North Asia, Standard Chartered Bank.
\n
The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) will be implemented from next year, extending China's long-term policy of pursuing sustainable growth. The fourth plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, scheduled for Oct 20-23, will lay the groundwork for the 15th Five-Year Plan, which will reflect the country's enduring commitment to development. While specific economic growth targets are not expected to be officially announced, policy discussions suggest an average growth of 4.7-4.8 percent over the next five years, supporting the long-term goal of doubling the 2020 GDP by 2035 in real terms.
\n
Given the rapidly rising aging population and ongoing technology restrictions by Western powers, innovation is likely to remain the priority. Total factor productivity gains, fueled by technological advancement, are expected to underpin the economy's expansion.
\n
Investment in research and development will be encouraged, leveraging the country's vast STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) talent pool, with an emphasis on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, integrated circuits, biotech, humanoid robotics and renewable energy. Indeed, these efforts have already borne fruit, with China rising to 10th place in the Global Innovation Index in 2025.
\n
The private sector is expected to play a pivotal role in technological advancement. With the recently promulgated Private Sector Promotion Law, private enterprises will have wider room for innovation, expand and contribute to the country's competitiveness. Accordingly, the 15th Five-Year Plan will promote the application of new technologies across industries, creating new growth engines. The "AI+" approach, integrating AI into a wide array of industries, reflects China's goal of transitioning from "Made in China" to "Created in China".
\n
China's commitment to green development will remain central to its industrial policy. The country has vowed to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, with interim goals for 2035, including a 7-10 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the peak and the non-fossil fuel energy share exceeding 30 percent. Investments in wind, solar and hydropower, new energy vehicles, and related infrastructure will continue, reinforcing China's leadership in renewable energy while balancing environmental protection and economic modernization.
\n
The 15th Five-Year Plan is expected to put renewed emphasis on domestic consumption to complement investment. China has experienced prolonged deflation, with weak domestic demand limiting the economy's growth potential. Stabilizing the housing market, expanding infrastructure investment, and improving medical and elderly care, as well as cultural and sports facilities, are likely to be key priorities.
\n
Shared growth, or common prosperity, will guide policies to increase consumption among low-income groups, recognizing their higher propensity to spend. This includes measures to narrow the income gap by lowering their tax burden, increasing social benefits, and universalizing public services across urban and rural areas. Boosting services consumption, particularly in education, healthcare, childcare, tourism and entertainment, is also expected to receive greater policy support, with reforms facilitating private and foreign participation in the sector.
\n
The 15th Five-Year Plan is likely to advance China's reform agenda, with market forces expected to continue playing a decisive role in resource allocation, and the government ensuring fair competition, equal market access and property rights protection. On the other hand, fiscal reforms are expected to boost local government revenue, adjust tax-sharing mechanisms, and help increase the central government's spending responsibilities.
\n
Besides, the internationalization of the renminbi will also be a priority, with the government expected to shift from cautious promotion and adopting a steadier and more proactive approach. Policies may focus on increasing the currency's role in international trade and investment, making renminbi-denominated assets more attractive, and supporting alternative cross-border payment systems, such as the Cross-Border Interbank Payment System and the digital RMB. Also, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is expected to continue its role as the primary offshore renminbi hub.
\n
The 15th Five-Year Plan is expected to be a road map that balances ambitious growth, innovation, environmental protection and inclusive prosperity. By focusing on self-reliance in technology, green transformation, boosting domestic demand, and international economic engagement, China aims to navigate global uncertainties while pursuing its sustainable development plan, under which development is not merely an economic goal but the foundation for social stability, national rejuvenation, and a more equitable society.
\n
The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
Jacob Brinnand strikes a hung gar martial arts pose at his school in Katy, US state of Texas, on Sept 9.
\n
Editor's note: China Daily presents the series Friends Afar to tell the stories of people-to-people exchanges between China and other countries. Through the vivid narration of the people in the stories, readers can get a better understanding of a country that is boosting openness.
\n
Growing up in the Bay Area, Jacob Brinnand spent a lot of time in the Asian and Pacific Islander community where martial arts was a big part of the culture.
\n
"I became really interested in martial arts when I was a kid. I loved it," Brinnand said. "I always watched kung fu movies growing up. Drunken Master II with Lau Kar-leung and Jackie Chan was one of my favorites."
\n
He took martial arts classes, but had never found the kind of legacy he saw in those kung fu movies. "I couldn't find a good teacher. I couldn't find authenticity."
\n
A lucky star shone upon him in early 2005 when he met Y.C. Wong, a fourth-generation disciple of direct lineage from grandmaster Wong Fei-hung when he was going to college.
\n
Wong Fei-hung (1847-1925), a legendary figure, was famous for his superb martial arts skills in hung gar and drunk boxing as well as his practice of dit da (traumatology and bone setting in traditional Chinese medicine). More than 100 films have been made about his life.
\n
"I was a young man that didn't have a lot of direction in my life. I was living in inner-city San Francisco at the time, a colorful neighborhood with different personalities. I was on a self-destructive path," Brinnand said. "Going to Chinatown was a way of finding a remarkable human being. In 2005, I met with great-grandmaster Y.C.Wong and I became obsessed."
\n
At that time, Wong was in his 70s and had dedicated his whole life to kung fu. He's been teaching kung fu in San Francisco since the 1960s.
\n
"He decided to take me, a young kid, on, and show me the ways of this ancient art … There were times where I didn't have money, and my old shifu (master) would pay for my meals. He would tell me, don't worry, keep coming to class, keep training. There were many times he showed us incredible amounts of kindness and strength without asking for anything in return."
\n
Brinnand witnessed how Y.C.Wong modeled his life after Wong Fei-hung and also practiced dit da. "So, not only was he a master of fighting, but also he was a healer."
\n
In 2007, Brinnand went to China to take part in the 160th anniversary of Wong Fei-hung's birth as one of his lineage disciples, among whom only a few were Westerners.
\n
"For 12 days we traveled on a bus with masters and living legends together all over Guangdong. I got to sit shoulder to shoulder with people who were born in the early nineteen hundreds and they got to see us demonstrate."
\n
Helping community
\n
From Wong, Brinnand said he learned that kung fu isn't just about beating somebody down. "It is for health, it is for strength, it is for longevity, it is for healing, it is for helping the community, it is for being a part of the community," Brinnand said. "I've never seen that before."
\n
Wong sent him Chinese classic texts from time to time. "I've got them all translated and when you read it, it is profound. It's profound in the sense where it really makes you stop and observe deeply." He got hooked on the Tao Te Ching and has listened to it day in and day out, hundreds of times so far.
\n
He later quit his marketing and advertising business to devote his life entirely to kung fu.
\n
The new path took him to Houston, Texas, about three years ago to teach and practice kung fu full time. Besides teaching young kids basic skills, he also trains about 50 teenagers and adults, who are serious about learning kung fu.
\n
"Now my biggest passion is helping others succeed and watch them blossom," he said.
Rodrigo Paz, a centrist senator, won Bolivia's presidential runoff on Sunday, marking the end of two decades of left-wing rule. Paz, 58, won 54.53 percent of the votes, beating former president Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga, who obtained 45.44 percent of the votes. The new president takes office on Nov 8 for a five-year term. He faces a weakened economy marked by fuel shortages, fiscal deficits and a prolonged lack of foreign exchange caused by declining international reserves.
\n
UNITED STATES
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Trump threatens new tariffs on Colombia
\n
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he would raise tariffs on Colombia and stop all payments to it, escalating a feud that stems from the US military's strikes on vessels allegedly transporting drugs. Earlier, Trump called Colombia's President Gustavo Petro an "illegal drug leader", while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said US forces had attacked a vessel associated with a Colombian rebel group. Petro said the boat belonged to a "humble family", not a rebel group, and his government called Trump's remarks offensive. Trump also said US financial aid would be cut off to the country and details about the new tariffs would be unveiled on Monday.
Rodrigo Paz, a centrist senator, won Bolivia's presidential runoff on Sunday, marking the end of two decades of left-wing rule. Paz, 58, won 54.53 percent of the votes, beating former president Jorge "Tuto" Quiroga, who obtained 45.44 percent of the votes. The new president takes office on Nov 8 for a five-year term. He faces a weakened economy marked by fuel shortages, fiscal deficits and a prolonged lack of foreign exchange caused by declining international reserves.
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UNITED STATES
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Trump threatens new tariffs on Colombia
\n
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he would raise tariffs on Colombia and stop all payments to it, escalating a feud that stems from the US military's strikes on vessels allegedly transporting drugs. Earlier, Trump called Colombia's President Gustavo Petro an "illegal drug leader", while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said US forces had attacked a vessel associated with a Colombian rebel group. Petro said the boat belonged to a "humble family", not a rebel group, and his government called Trump's remarks offensive. Trump also said US financial aid would be cut off to the country and details about the new tariffs would be unveiled on Monday.
China's one-year loan prime rate came in at 3 percent on Monday, unchanged from the previous month. The over-five-year LPR, on which many lenders base their mortgage rates, also remained unchanged from the previous reading of 3.5 percent, according to the National Interbank Funding Center.
\n
Rail logistics bolsters progress
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Chinese railway operators have intensified efforts to boost logistics and energy supply. At Jiexiu Train Service Depot under China Railway Taiyuan Bureau Group, staff members of Wan'an Station have adopted a package of measures to keep fourth quarter freight volumes running at record levels, innovating shunting methods and refining operational routines. By clearing unloading bottlenecks, the station has received and dispatched an average of 9,000 carriages each month, letting its traffic mix and improve, while showcasing a well-ordered transport operation.
\n",
@@ -26219,28 +24085,6 @@
"hash": "c2138a0bff1d490138b90ef7853dc9ef",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "014BUSINESS - Digital payment more popular among visitors",
- "description": "\n
Mobile payment systems are gaining popularity among inbound visitors, which experts attributed to the joint efforts in recent years by the People's Bank of China and other government units that have made payment services more accessible and convenient.
\n
According to data from the PBOC — the central bank — active mobile payment users among inbound travelers who entered the nation in the first half of the year exceeded 10 million, with the number and value of transactions surging 162 percent and 149 percent year-on-year, respectively.
\n
The surge showed that a more diversified payment system is taking shape, significantly improving payment convenience for foreigners in China, an official from the Payment and Settlement Department of the PBOC was quoted by Financial News as saying.
\n
The nation has been enhancing efforts in recent years to foster a more open and convenient payment environment, such as the guideline released last March by the State Council, the nation's Cabinet, to further improve payment services and make transactions more convenient.
\n
The guideline also calls for coordinated efforts to expand foreign card acceptance, safeguard the use of cash and enhance mobile payment accessibility.
\n
Following the guideline, the central bank released a multilingual guide to facilitate payment services for foreigners, detailing how they can use bank cards, mobile services, cash and bank accounts for payments during their stay in China.
\n
The PBOC has rolled out measures, including raising transaction limits, streamlining mobile payment procedures and allowing visitors to register domestic apps with foreign phone numbers, as well as allowing links with overseas bank cards and directly scanning and paying using their own e-wallets, the official said.
\n
In addition, more than 60 airports have also established dedicated payment service zones, providing on-site consultation and assistance for inbound travelers, the bank added.
\n
As China's mobile payment penetration rate has already reached 86 percent, Lou Feipeng, a senior researcher at Postal Savings Bank of China, said, "China has made remarkable progress in improving payment services for foreign visitors, building a more diverse and complementary system that has greatly enhanced payment convenience."
\n
However, due to differences in payment habits, there are still challenges expanding mobile payment services among foreign visitors, especially when it comes to older travelers and those from non-English speaking countries, Lou said.
\n
Payment options are still unevenly available, and support for foreign cards is limited in some smaller cities and non-tourist areas. The lack of unified cross-border payment standards has also raised integration costs and impeded broader adoption, he added.
\n
"China should continue to accelerate its efforts to internationalize its payment standards to promote global compatibility. Meanwhile, closer collaboration with tourism and cultural authorities is needed to help foreign visitors better understand and trust Chinese payment systems, while ensuring that greater convenience goes hand in hand with robust safeguards for data privacy and payment security."
Mobile payment systems are gaining popularity among inbound visitors, which experts attributed to the joint efforts in recent years by the People's Bank of China and other government units that have made payment services more accessible and convenient.
\n
According to data from the PBOC — the central bank — active mobile payment users among inbound travelers who entered the nation in the first half of the year exceeded 10 million, with the number and value of transactions surging 162 percent and 149 percent year-on-year, respectively.
\n
The surge showed that a more diversified payment system is taking shape, significantly improving payment convenience for foreigners in China, an official from the Payment and Settlement Department of the PBOC was quoted by Financial News as saying.
\n
The nation has been enhancing efforts in recent years to foster a more open and convenient payment environment, such as the guideline released last March by the State Council, the nation's Cabinet, to further improve payment services and make transactions more convenient.
\n
The guideline also calls for coordinated efforts to expand foreign card acceptance, safeguard the use of cash and enhance mobile payment accessibility.
\n
Following the guideline, the central bank released a multilingual guide to facilitate payment services for foreigners, detailing how they can use bank cards, mobile services, cash and bank accounts for payments during their stay in China.
\n
The PBOC has rolled out measures, including raising transaction limits, streamlining mobile payment procedures and allowing visitors to register domestic apps with foreign phone numbers, as well as allowing links with overseas bank cards and directly scanning and paying using their own e-wallets, the official said.
\n
In addition, more than 60 airports have also established dedicated payment service zones, providing on-site consultation and assistance for inbound travelers, the bank added.
\n
As China's mobile payment penetration rate has already reached 86 percent, Lou Feipeng, a senior researcher at Postal Savings Bank of China, said, "China has made remarkable progress in improving payment services for foreign visitors, building a more diverse and complementary system that has greatly enhanced payment convenience."
\n
However, due to differences in payment habits, there are still challenges expanding mobile payment services among foreign visitors, especially when it comes to older travelers and those from non-English speaking countries, Lou said.
\n
Payment options are still unevenly available, and support for foreign cards is limited in some smaller cities and non-tourist areas. The lack of unified cross-border payment standards has also raised integration costs and impeded broader adoption, he added.
\n
"China should continue to accelerate its efforts to internationalize its payment standards to promote global compatibility. Meanwhile, closer collaboration with tourism and cultural authorities is needed to help foreign visitors better understand and trust Chinese payment systems, while ensuring that greater convenience goes hand in hand with robust safeguards for data privacy and payment security."
TIANJIN — As a futuristic economic model gradually integrates into daily life, China's low-altitude economy is rapidly expanding, unlocking potential across sectors including emergency rescue, drone delivery, power line inspection and aerial tourism.
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This momentum was highlighted at the 2025 China Helicopter Development Forum, a key event during the 7th China (Tianjin) International Helicopter Expo, hosted by the Aviation Industry Corp of China (AVIC) in Tianjin in North China.
\n
At a photovoltaic project site in Northwest China's Gansu province, drones have been employed for image collection — identifying defects like panel damage or heat spots with over 95-percent accuracy. Such an approach features strong adaptability to extreme weather, showcasing how unmanned systems optimize traditional industries.
\n
The sector's rise aligns with national strategic priorities. In 2024, low-altitude economy was first included in the Chinese Government Work Report — emphasizing it as a new growth engine alongside biomanufacturing and the commercial space sector. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee further outlined plans to develop general aviation and low-altitude economy, setting a clear direction for expansion.
\n
Market projections, notably, reflect robust confidence. The Civil Aviation Administration of China estimates the industry's value will reach 1.5 trillion yuan ($211.4 billion) in 2025 and exceed 3.5 trillion yuan by 2035.
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Most provincial governments have incorporated low-altitude economy into their development agenda — signaling widespread recognition of its potential.
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Cities like East China's Hangzhou in Zhejiang province and Central China's Wuhan in Hubei province are spearheading initiatives. Hangzhou identified low-altitude economy as one of its five pioneering industries in the future, focusing on low-altitude industries and traffic, while Wuhan aims to build 1,000 drone hangars and an integrated management system by 2030.
\n
Helicopters are an important part of the low-altitude economy. Gong Quan, general manager of China Flying Dragon General Aviation Co Ltd, which operates 43 helicopters, noted that China-made helicopters have demonstrated high reliability across various scenarios and will play an important role in advancing the low-altitude economy.
\n
Gong emphasized the need to develop manned-unmanned collaborative systems for complex missions like rescue operations.
\n
Electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, also known as eVTOL, are also gaining traction as future urban air taxi options.
\n
Liu Wenqi, deputy chief designer at AVIC China Helicopter Research and Development Institute, said eVTOLs excel in terms of eco-friendliness, safety, low noise and cost-effectiveness, promising broad applications.
\n
Industry experts are urging cross-sector collaboration to accelerate development of infrastructure, research and development and operational ecosystems, to translate the potential of low-altitude economy into real productivity at an early date.
\n",
@@ -26263,28 +24107,6 @@
"hash": "9a86d6ca8a61aeba7daee858771cd96e",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "016CULTURE - Tong Liya makes stage return as she embarks on national tour",
- "description": "
Tong Liya at the launch ceremony of a national tour of Here, and Beyond.
\n
She leads the performance in the dance drama that celebrates diverse ethnic cultures.
\n
At 42, Tong Liya has returned to a stage that once defined her dreams — this time, as a dancer.
\n
After years of focusing on her acting career, she faces the unique challenge of reentering the world of dance, which she had once called her own.
\n
On Sept 23, she announced the national tour of the dance drama, Here, and Beyond, at Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center as the production's initiator, producer and lead performer.
\n
Tong is not only embracing a new artistic challenge but also returning to her roots in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, the place where her journey as a dancer began.
\n
"I grew up in Xinjiang and I conceived the idea of creating this dance drama as a tribute to my hometown," says Tong, who was born in the Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture in northwestern Xinjiang.
\n
"Dance was where my dream began. The stage was where I first set out. For me, performing in this dance drama at 42 is not only a challenge but also a way to revisit the passion that first defined my artistic journey."
\n
Her history with dance dates back to her childhood.
\n
At 12, Tong studied at Xinjiang Arts University's dance school.
\n
By 19, she had become a professional dancer with the Xinjiang Song and Dance Troupe. Later, she continued studies at the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing.
\n
Here, and Beyond had its premiere in 2019 at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing.
\n
Since its reimagined version debuted at the 7th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival in July, it has now embarked on a nationwide tour, set to cover 17 cities and 50 performances by April 2026.
\n
The dance drama, featuring more than 50 dancers from Xinjiang, is structured into six chapters: Encounter, To Father, To Mother, To Love, To the Distance and To Here. Each chapter weaves together the stories of various ethnic groups, blending folk dance forms with international dance vocabulary.
\n
The work explores themes of love, identity and personal growth, while drawing on the cultural traditions of various ethnic groups, including Kazak, Uygur, Xibe and Tajik.
\n
The forceful dance movements of the Xibe group reflect the gravity of To Father, while the fluid rhythms of the Tajik group express the warmth of To Mother. Furthermore, the vibrant beats of the Kazak group convey the passionate intensity of To Love.
\n
The overall choreography, woven together by multiple ethnic groups, brings to life the expansive dreams and emotions of the dance.
\n
To prepare, Tong committed to months of rigorous training to meet the physical demands of the intense choreography.
\n
"Once Tong Liya stepped onto the stage, it was as if she had been 'reawakened'," recalls Dong Jie, the chief director of the dance drama.
\n
"The wealth of acting experience she has gained over the years, combined with her life journey, allowed her to capture the emotional essence of her role. On stage, she exuded an electrifying energy that captivated the audience."
\n
chennan@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Tong Liya at the launch ceremony of a national tour of Here, and Beyond.
\n
She leads the performance in the dance drama that celebrates diverse ethnic cultures.
\n
At 42, Tong Liya has returned to a stage that once defined her dreams — this time, as a dancer.
\n
After years of focusing on her acting career, she faces the unique challenge of reentering the world of dance, which she had once called her own.
\n
On Sept 23, she announced the national tour of the dance drama, Here, and Beyond, at Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center as the production's initiator, producer and lead performer.
\n
Tong is not only embracing a new artistic challenge but also returning to her roots in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, the place where her journey as a dancer began.
\n
"I grew up in Xinjiang and I conceived the idea of creating this dance drama as a tribute to my hometown," says Tong, who was born in the Ili Kazak autonomous prefecture in northwestern Xinjiang.
\n
"Dance was where my dream began. The stage was where I first set out. For me, performing in this dance drama at 42 is not only a challenge but also a way to revisit the passion that first defined my artistic journey."
\n
Her history with dance dates back to her childhood.
\n
At 12, Tong studied at Xinjiang Arts University's dance school.
\n
By 19, she had become a professional dancer with the Xinjiang Song and Dance Troupe. Later, she continued studies at the Central Academy of Drama in Beijing.
\n
Here, and Beyond had its premiere in 2019 at the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing.
\n
Since its reimagined version debuted at the 7th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival in July, it has now embarked on a nationwide tour, set to cover 17 cities and 50 performances by April 2026.
\n
The dance drama, featuring more than 50 dancers from Xinjiang, is structured into six chapters: Encounter, To Father, To Mother, To Love, To the Distance and To Here. Each chapter weaves together the stories of various ethnic groups, blending folk dance forms with international dance vocabulary.
\n
The work explores themes of love, identity and personal growth, while drawing on the cultural traditions of various ethnic groups, including Kazak, Uygur, Xibe and Tajik.
\n
The forceful dance movements of the Xibe group reflect the gravity of To Father, while the fluid rhythms of the Tajik group express the warmth of To Mother. Furthermore, the vibrant beats of the Kazak group convey the passionate intensity of To Love.
\n
The overall choreography, woven together by multiple ethnic groups, brings to life the expansive dreams and emotions of the dance.
\n
To prepare, Tong committed to months of rigorous training to meet the physical demands of the intense choreography.
\n
"Once Tong Liya stepped onto the stage, it was as if she had been 'reawakened'," recalls Dong Jie, the chief director of the dance drama.
\n
"The wealth of acting experience she has gained over the years, combined with her life journey, allowed her to capture the emotional essence of her role. On stage, she exuded an electrifying energy that captivated the audience."
A colored pottery jar and a statue of a worshipper from the National Museum of Damascus.
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A colored pottery jar and a statue of a worshipper from the National Museum of Damascus.
\n
Titled Incredible Syria, the exhibition at the Dalian Museum in Dalian, Liaoning province, has seen growing popularity.
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Visitors at the exhibition take photos of the statue of a worshipper from the National Museum of Damascus.
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An exhibition featuring 95 precious artifacts from Syria is currently being held at the Dalian Museum in Dalian, Liaoning province, sparking appreciation for diverse civilizations among visitors.
\n
Titled Incredible Syria, the exhibition of antiquities showcases items on loan from eight Syrian cultural institutions, including the National Museum of Damascus and the National Museum of Aleppo.
\n
Jiang Ye, the curator of the exhibition and director of the Dalian Museum, says that Syria's position places it in the corridor from Africa to the rest of Asia and into Europe, which makes it a focus of cultural innovation and dissemination.
\n
"We hope that through this exhibition, visitors can use these tangible artifacts, now close at hand, to understand the diversity of early human civilizations and observe and contemplate the exchanges and mutual learning between different civilizations," she says.
\n
The collection encompasses stone tools, pottery, bronze ware, gold and silver artifacts, and statues, systematically presenting the historical and cultural context of Syria from the Paleolithic Age to the 1600s in chronological order.
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The most ancient item on display is a stone hand axe from the early Paleolithic Age, dating back 500,000 to 300,000 years.
\n
Another highlight is a statue of a worshipper, dressed in typical Sumerian attire and striking a pose as if in prayer.
\n
"Despite the changes of time and kingdoms, Syria's rich cultural heritage remains amazing," the exhibition's description states.
\n
"As the common wealth left by history to people throughout the world, though silent, the cultural relics carry the wonderful diversity of civilizations."
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Cao Mingyu, an associate professor of history at Dalian University who specializes in ancient West Asian history and culture, notes that archaeological discoveries and research, both domestic and international, indicate that ancient West Asia and Central Asia, including Syria, had close interactions among populations and cultural exchanges with ancient China.
\n
"The ancient Silk Road routes functioned like a major artery for civilizational engagement between the East and West, comprehensively promoting communication and exchange among countries along the route and jointly advancing the development of world civilization," says Cao, pointing out that several exhibits vividly highlight these characteristics.
\n
A piece of silky fabric from the National Museum of Damascus, unearthed from a tomb in the ancient city of Palmyra, is believed to have been imported from China, underscoring its crucial commercial role along the Silk Road.
\n
In addition to the Syrian antiquities, the exhibition also includes one cultural relic replica from the Dunhuang Academy and two artifacts from the Gansu Provincial Museum. The host museum is also displaying eight pieces from its own collection of painted pottery.
\n
One notable piece from the provincial museum is a Tang Dynasty (618-907) brocade with a five-color bird pattern.
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It combines Persian-style pearl roundel patterns with the auspicious symbolism of the Chinese phoenix, serving as a witness to prosperous foreign exchanges and the depth of cultural integration.
\n
Since its opening on Sept 30, the exhibition has been growing in popularity.
\n
During the National Day holiday, the museum recorded 20,126 visitors on Oct 3 alone, a 73 percent increase year-on-year, setting a new single-day attendance record for the Dalian Museum. The exhibition is set to last until Jan 8 and is free to the public.
\n
With support from Art Exhibitions China under the National Cultural Heritage Administration, a total of 195 Syrian antiquities — including those currently on display in Dalian — have been exhibited in more than 10 Chinese cities, including Shenzhen in Guangdong province, Chengdu in Sichuan province, and Beijing, since August 2021.
Manchester United's Harry Maguire (second right) consigns Liverpool to defeat by scoring a late winner during an English Premier League match in Liverpool, England, on Sunday.
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Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo (bottom) celebrates scoring his side's opening goal with Amad Diallo on Sunday.
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Manchester United's Harry Maguire celebrates scoring his side's second, and decisive, goal against Liverpool on Sunday.
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After nine painful years, and at the 11th time of asking, Manchester United ended its Anfield hoodoo with a 2-1 win against defending Premier League champion Liverpool on Sunday, while Aston Villa's resurgence continued with a comeback win against Tottenham Hotspur.
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Harry Maguire's header in the 84th minute sealed one of United's most significant wins under coach Ruben Amorim and consigned Liverpool to a fourth straight defeat in all competitions.
\n
The frustration of so many miserable experiences on Merseyside appeared to pour out of Maguire as the defender celebrated in front of United's traveling fans.
\n
"It means everything. They've had the better of us over the last few years and we know that and it hasn't been good enough for our club," Maguire said. "The old cliche is that it is only three points, but it definitely isn't. It means a lot more than that for the club, the boys and the fans."
\n
Maguire's goal came late in another frenetic and thrilling match involving Liverpool in a season of so many dramatic finales for Arne Slot's team.
\n
That's three league games in a row in which Liverpool has been beaten by a goal scored in the last 10 minutes of regulation time or beyond. Before that, it had scraped to late wins of its own in six of the first seven games.
\n
So while Maguire's headed effort maintained the trend of late goals, perhaps the biggest surprise was that there wasn't another twist in the tale.
\n
There might have been when Cody Gakpo headed wide with an open goal to aim at, and the fourth official indicated there would be eight minutes of added time.
\n
The Dutch forward had already got Liverpool back on level terms in the 78th — poking home from close range after Bryan Mbeumo had fired United ahead inside two minutes.
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'Stay humble, keep working'
\n
United's last win at Anfield came back in 2016 when Wayne Rooney scored the only goal of the match. Since then, there have been some humiliating defeats, notably the 7-0 rout in 2023 and a 4-0 loss a year earlier.
\n
Not only has Amorim ended that bitter run, but he also collected back-to-back wins in the league for the first time since taking over at United last November.
\n
The Portuguese coach has been under increasing pressure, with speculation mounting over his position after a troubled start to his first full season in charge. While United is ninth in the standings, it is only two points off the top four and such a morale-boosting performance could finally prove a turning point for Amorim.
\n
"It was really important for our fans, because they are struggling," Amorim said. "Today they saw a different thing, and that is really important. To come here to the stadium of the champion, our biggest rival, and to sing during the game, that is massive for us, so this win is for them."
\n
Defeat for Liverpool raises more doubts about its wobbling title defense, leaving it in fourth place, four points behind leader Arsenal.
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That is not an insurmountable gap, but the run of four straight defeats is Liverpool's worst losing run since 2014. It also extended Slot's worst run as Liverpool coach and further highlights weaknesses in his team, which has only kept two clean sheets in 12 games in all competitions this season.
\n
In attack, Mohamed Salah's only goal in his last seven league games was a penalty against Burnley, while British-record signing Alexander Isak has scored just one goal in seven appearances since joining from Newcastle.
\n
"We have to stick together. Not just as players, but the fans and everyone," said Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. "First and foremost, we have to stay humble and keep working. We need to keep our confidence high and stay very calm."
\n
Disputed opener
\n
Liverpool players felt aggrieved by United's opener after play was allowed to go on despite Alexis Mac Allister going down with a head injury when clashing with teammate Van Dijk.
\n
Referee Michael Oliver didn't blow his whistle and Amad Diallo slipped a pass through to Mbeumo, who lashed a shot past Giorgi Mamardashvili at the goalkeeper's near post.
\n
"The main thing I should do now is not to complain or do these kinds of things," Slot said. "We could have done much better after Macca was on the floor, we should have done better. But, the well-being of a player is something that is important, and, if a player needs four stitches, you would hope everybody understands that he needs immediate treatment.
\n
"That's not the reason why we lost this game. The reason is that we missed far too many chances."
\n
Gakpo had the best of them, hitting the post on three occasions.
\n
Brilliant Buendia
\n
Emiliano Buendia's curling shot sealed a 2-1 comeback win for Aston Villa against Tottenham.
\n
The victory continued Villa's resurgence after a desperate start to the season and denied Spurs the chance to provisionally move up to second in the standings.
\n
Buendia shimmied his way across the edge of the box in the 77th minute at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before sweeping a perfect shot low into the bottom corner.
\n
It was Villa's fifth-straight win in all competitions after failing to pick up a victory in its first six games of the campaign. It ended Spurs' seven-game unbeaten run that looked set to continue when Rodrigo Bentancur fired the home team ahead after just five minutes.
\n
Morgan Rogers leveled the game in the 37th before Villa went on to take all three points and consign Tottenham coach Thomas Frank to his second league loss since taking over in the summer.
Manchester United's Harry Maguire (second right) consigns Liverpool to defeat by scoring a late winner during an English Premier League match in Liverpool, England, on Sunday.
\n
Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo (bottom) celebrates scoring his side's opening goal with Amad Diallo on Sunday.
\n
Manchester United's Harry Maguire celebrates scoring his side's second, and decisive, goal against Liverpool on Sunday.
\n
After nine painful years, and at the 11th time of asking, Manchester United ended its Anfield hoodoo with a 2-1 win against defending Premier League champion Liverpool on Sunday, while Aston Villa's resurgence continued with a comeback win against Tottenham Hotspur.
\n
Harry Maguire's header in the 84th minute sealed one of United's most significant wins under coach Ruben Amorim and consigned Liverpool to a fourth straight defeat in all competitions.
\n
The frustration of so many miserable experiences on Merseyside appeared to pour out of Maguire as the defender celebrated in front of United's traveling fans.
\n
"It means everything. They've had the better of us over the last few years and we know that and it hasn't been good enough for our club," Maguire said. "The old cliche is that it is only three points, but it definitely isn't. It means a lot more than that for the club, the boys and the fans."
\n
Maguire's goal came late in another frenetic and thrilling match involving Liverpool in a season of so many dramatic finales for Arne Slot's team.
\n
That's three league games in a row in which Liverpool has been beaten by a goal scored in the last 10 minutes of regulation time or beyond. Before that, it had scraped to late wins of its own in six of the first seven games.
\n
So while Maguire's headed effort maintained the trend of late goals, perhaps the biggest surprise was that there wasn't another twist in the tale.
\n
There might have been when Cody Gakpo headed wide with an open goal to aim at, and the fourth official indicated there would be eight minutes of added time.
\n
The Dutch forward had already got Liverpool back on level terms in the 78th — poking home from close range after Bryan Mbeumo had fired United ahead inside two minutes.
\n
'Stay humble, keep working'
\n
United's last win at Anfield came back in 2016 when Wayne Rooney scored the only goal of the match. Since then, there have been some humiliating defeats, notably the 7-0 rout in 2023 and a 4-0 loss a year earlier.
\n
Not only has Amorim ended that bitter run, but he also collected back-to-back wins in the league for the first time since taking over at United last November.
\n
The Portuguese coach has been under increasing pressure, with speculation mounting over his position after a troubled start to his first full season in charge. While United is ninth in the standings, it is only two points off the top four and such a morale-boosting performance could finally prove a turning point for Amorim.
\n
"It was really important for our fans, because they are struggling," Amorim said. "Today they saw a different thing, and that is really important. To come here to the stadium of the champion, our biggest rival, and to sing during the game, that is massive for us, so this win is for them."
\n
Defeat for Liverpool raises more doubts about its wobbling title defense, leaving it in fourth place, four points behind leader Arsenal.
\n
That is not an insurmountable gap, but the run of four straight defeats is Liverpool's worst losing run since 2014. It also extended Slot's worst run as Liverpool coach and further highlights weaknesses in his team, which has only kept two clean sheets in 12 games in all competitions this season.
\n
In attack, Mohamed Salah's only goal in his last seven league games was a penalty against Burnley, while British-record signing Alexander Isak has scored just one goal in seven appearances since joining from Newcastle.
\n
"We have to stick together. Not just as players, but the fans and everyone," said Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk. "First and foremost, we have to stay humble and keep working. We need to keep our confidence high and stay very calm."
\n
Disputed opener
\n
Liverpool players felt aggrieved by United's opener after play was allowed to go on despite Alexis Mac Allister going down with a head injury when clashing with teammate Van Dijk.
\n
Referee Michael Oliver didn't blow his whistle and Amad Diallo slipped a pass through to Mbeumo, who lashed a shot past Giorgi Mamardashvili at the goalkeeper's near post.
\n
"The main thing I should do now is not to complain or do these kinds of things," Slot said. "We could have done much better after Macca was on the floor, we should have done better. But, the well-being of a player is something that is important, and, if a player needs four stitches, you would hope everybody understands that he needs immediate treatment.
\n
"That's not the reason why we lost this game. The reason is that we missed far too many chances."
\n
Gakpo had the best of them, hitting the post on three occasions.
\n
Brilliant Buendia
\n
Emiliano Buendia's curling shot sealed a 2-1 comeback win for Aston Villa against Tottenham.
\n
The victory continued Villa's resurgence after a desperate start to the season and denied Spurs the chance to provisionally move up to second in the standings.
\n
Buendia shimmied his way across the edge of the box in the 77th minute at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before sweeping a perfect shot low into the bottom corner.
\n
It was Villa's fifth-straight win in all competitions after failing to pick up a victory in its first six games of the campaign. It ended Spurs' seven-game unbeaten run that looked set to continue when Rodrigo Bentancur fired the home team ahead after just five minutes.
\n
Morgan Rogers leveled the game in the 37th before Villa went on to take all three points and consign Tottenham coach Thomas Frank to his second league loss since taking over in the summer.
Foreign visitors look at ceramic creations at the 2025 China Jingdezhen International Ceramic Expo in Jingdezhen, known as China's "porcelain capital", in Jiangxi province, on Saturday. The event, which began on Saturday and runs through Wednesday, has attracted more than 1,000 buyers from home and abroad. See story, page 4
China intensified efforts to bolster the integration of sci-tech innovation and industrial innovation, with notable strides made in key and core technologies, as part of its broader push to drive the development of new quality productive forces during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25).
\n
Experts said the country has sent a clear signal that it is dedicated to implementing the innovation-driven development strategy to achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, boosting its core competitiveness globally and injecting strong momentum into high-quality economic growth amid external uncertainties.
\n
Over the past five years, China's innovation capacity has steadily improved, and its foundation for becoming a technological powerhouse has been continuously strengthened.
\n
The country's investment in sci-tech has continued to rise, with its research and development expenditure exceeding 3.6 trillion yuan ($505 billion) in an increase of 48 percent compared with 2020, said Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun.
\n
R&D intensity reached 2.68 percent, surpassing the average level of European Union countries, while the total number of people engaged in R&D ranked first in the world, Yin said, adding that China's spending on basic research stood at 250.09 billion yuan last year, a rise of more than 70 percent compared with 2020.
\n
Rise in rankings
\n
China has achieved significant breakthroughs in innovation, including in quantum science, life sciences, material science, and space science, he said. It has topped the world in the number of high-level international journal papers and the volume of global patent applications for five consecutive years.
\n
The ranking of the country's comprehensive innovation capability rose from 14th in 2020 to 10th in 2024, Yin noted. China has established the strategic goal of building a strong country in science and technology by 2035, and accelerated the realization of high-level self-reliance in science and technology.
\n
The integration of China's sci-tech innovation with industrial innovation gathered pace during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25). Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the value-added output of high-tech manufacturing enterprises — each with an annual main business revenue of at least 20 million yuan — is up 42 percent compared with the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20).
\n
The added value of new industries, new business formats and new business models, dubbed the "three new" economy, accounted for 18 percent of the country's GDP last year. Tech frontiers such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology are emerging as new drivers for economic growth.
\n
The innovation capabilities of Chinese enterprises have been significantly elevated over the past five years. In 2024, a total of 524 Chinese mainland enterprises ranked among the world's top 2,000 industrial enterprises in terms of R&D investment, accounting for 26.2 percent of the total, which represented an increase of 4.8 percentage points from 2020.
\n
The number of high-tech enterprises exceeded 500,000 last year, an 83 percent increase from 2020.
\n
China has accelerated steps to achieve breakthroughs in key technologies in areas including high-end equipment and advanced manufacturing, and promoted the transformation of traditional industries to higher-end, smarter, and greener ones to build a modern industrial system and nurture new quality productive forces.
\n
It has also made great efforts to boost the development of emerging industries and future-oriented industries, such as new-generation information technology, new energy, artificial intelligence and brain-computer interface technology to gain a competitive edge and build up new growth drivers amid fierce international competition.
\n
For instance, in the rapidly advancing AI domain, China has developed a number of general large language models that have reached an advanced international level, creating more than 100 exemplary application scenarios, Yin said.
\n
He added that technological breakthroughs in humanoid robots have sped up their applications in automobile manufacturing, logistics and power inspection, laying a solid foundation for the development of a trillion-yuan industry.
\n
Li Lecheng, minister of industry and information technology, said China has quickened the pace of the industrial upgrade, with the added value of equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing sectors rising at an average annual rate of 7.9 percent and 8.7 percent, respectively, from 2020 to 2024.
\n
Last year, the country's production of new energy vehicles exceeded 13 million units. China has maintained its position as the world's largest manufacturer and seller of NEVs for 10 consecutive years, Li said, highlighting that the production of photovoltaic and wind power equipment also ranked among the top in the world.
\n
Building strengths
\n
China has also achieved significant progress in the major technical equipment sector.
\n
The domestically developed C919 aircraft has entered commercial service. China's first domestically built cruise ship is now in operation, and the CR450 high-speed train has rolled off the production line.
\n
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), the real economy accelerated integration with the digital economy. Li said China has built the world's largest and most extensive network infrastructure, with 4.598 million 5G base stations in operation.
\n
The 5G technology has been deployed across various fields such as mining, ports, and factories, while the number of connected devices on major industrial internet platforms exceeds 100 million units, Li said. The country has established more than 60 national advanced manufacturing clusters in emerging industries and 23 national innovation demonstration zones.
\n
It is noteworthy that the number of AI enterprises and the scale of the AI industry in China have continued to grow over the past five years. Domestic large models such as DeepSeek and Alibaba's Qwen take the lead in the global open-source innovation ecosystem.
\n
AI-powered devices such as AI smartphones and AI glasses are rapidly gaining popularity, while industry-specific large models are being applied in various scenarios, according to the MIIT.
\n
Li also emphasized that enterprises' dominant position in technological innovation has been reinforced. "Enterprises' spending on R&D now accounts for more than three quarters of the country's total R&D expenditure. The number of invention patent applications filed by industrial enterprises increased from 907,000 at the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20) to 1.244 million last year."
\n
Critical period
\n
Huang Hanquan, head of the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research, said China's emphasis on nurturing new quality productive forces and its significant achievements in sci-tech innovation are conducive to speeding up the establishment of a modern industrial system, enhancing the stability and resilience of industrial and supply chains, and strengthening the capacity to buffer against external shocks and challenges.
\n
He underscored the importance of giving full play to the role of enterprises, especially small and medium-sized ones, in bolstering sci-tech innovation, accelerating the industrial application of innovation achievements, and strengthening the training of high-level talent.
\n
"The key to developing new quality productive forces lies in achieving high-level self-reliance and strength in sci-tech, reinforcing original and disruptive technology innovations, and giving birth to new industries and new growth momentum," said Deng Zhonghan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
\n
Noting that China is now in a critical period of innovation-driven development, Deng said it is of vital significance to support growth of tech startups through financial technology tools and step up R&D in emerging industries and future-oriented industries.
\n
In the face of increasingly fierce international competition, technological innovation and self-reliance in sci-tech are crucial for realizing Chinese modernization, said Qi Xiangdong, chairman of Chinese cybersecurity company Qi-Anxin Technology Group, adding that his company will pour more resources into pioneering sci-tech innovation.
\n
"China is not only a manufacturing powerhouse, but also a global innovation powerhouse driving trends in digitalization, sustainability and high-tech industries," said Denis Depoux, global managing director of market consultancy Roland Berger. "We have seen China leapfrogging in some new areas such as electric vehicles, energy storage, aerospace, solar photovoltaics and wind energy."
\n
China has emerged as a strong player in the global R&D landscape, and has made rapid progress in the development of AI technology, becoming one of the global leaders, and the pace will further accelerate, Depoux added.
\n
fanfeifei@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "\n\n\n
China intensified efforts to bolster the integration of sci-tech innovation and industrial innovation, with notable strides made in key and core technologies, as part of its broader push to drive the development of new quality productive forces during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25).
\n
Experts said the country has sent a clear signal that it is dedicated to implementing the innovation-driven development strategy to achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, boosting its core competitiveness globally and injecting strong momentum into high-quality economic growth amid external uncertainties.
\n
Over the past five years, China's innovation capacity has steadily improved, and its foundation for becoming a technological powerhouse has been continuously strengthened.
\n
The country's investment in sci-tech has continued to rise, with its research and development expenditure exceeding 3.6 trillion yuan ($505 billion) in an increase of 48 percent compared with 2020, said Minister of Science and Technology Yin Hejun.
\n
R&D intensity reached 2.68 percent, surpassing the average level of European Union countries, while the total number of people engaged in R&D ranked first in the world, Yin said, adding that China's spending on basic research stood at 250.09 billion yuan last year, a rise of more than 70 percent compared with 2020.
\n
Rise in rankings
\n
China has achieved significant breakthroughs in innovation, including in quantum science, life sciences, material science, and space science, he said. It has topped the world in the number of high-level international journal papers and the volume of global patent applications for five consecutive years.
\n
The ranking of the country's comprehensive innovation capability rose from 14th in 2020 to 10th in 2024, Yin noted. China has established the strategic goal of building a strong country in science and technology by 2035, and accelerated the realization of high-level self-reliance in science and technology.
\n
The integration of China's sci-tech innovation with industrial innovation gathered pace during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25). Data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed that the value-added output of high-tech manufacturing enterprises — each with an annual main business revenue of at least 20 million yuan — is up 42 percent compared with the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20).
\n
The added value of new industries, new business formats and new business models, dubbed the "three new" economy, accounted for 18 percent of the country's GDP last year. Tech frontiers such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology are emerging as new drivers for economic growth.
\n
The innovation capabilities of Chinese enterprises have been significantly elevated over the past five years. In 2024, a total of 524 Chinese mainland enterprises ranked among the world's top 2,000 industrial enterprises in terms of R&D investment, accounting for 26.2 percent of the total, which represented an increase of 4.8 percentage points from 2020.
\n
The number of high-tech enterprises exceeded 500,000 last year, an 83 percent increase from 2020.
\n
China has accelerated steps to achieve breakthroughs in key technologies in areas including high-end equipment and advanced manufacturing, and promoted the transformation of traditional industries to higher-end, smarter, and greener ones to build a modern industrial system and nurture new quality productive forces.
\n
It has also made great efforts to boost the development of emerging industries and future-oriented industries, such as new-generation information technology, new energy, artificial intelligence and brain-computer interface technology to gain a competitive edge and build up new growth drivers amid fierce international competition.
\n
For instance, in the rapidly advancing AI domain, China has developed a number of general large language models that have reached an advanced international level, creating more than 100 exemplary application scenarios, Yin said.
\n
He added that technological breakthroughs in humanoid robots have sped up their applications in automobile manufacturing, logistics and power inspection, laying a solid foundation for the development of a trillion-yuan industry.
\n
Li Lecheng, minister of industry and information technology, said China has quickened the pace of the industrial upgrade, with the added value of equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing sectors rising at an average annual rate of 7.9 percent and 8.7 percent, respectively, from 2020 to 2024.
\n
Last year, the country's production of new energy vehicles exceeded 13 million units. China has maintained its position as the world's largest manufacturer and seller of NEVs for 10 consecutive years, Li said, highlighting that the production of photovoltaic and wind power equipment also ranked among the top in the world.
\n
Building strengths
\n
China has also achieved significant progress in the major technical equipment sector.
\n
The domestically developed C919 aircraft has entered commercial service. China's first domestically built cruise ship is now in operation, and the CR450 high-speed train has rolled off the production line.
\n
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), the real economy accelerated integration with the digital economy. Li said China has built the world's largest and most extensive network infrastructure, with 4.598 million 5G base stations in operation.
\n
The 5G technology has been deployed across various fields such as mining, ports, and factories, while the number of connected devices on major industrial internet platforms exceeds 100 million units, Li said. The country has established more than 60 national advanced manufacturing clusters in emerging industries and 23 national innovation demonstration zones.
\n
It is noteworthy that the number of AI enterprises and the scale of the AI industry in China have continued to grow over the past five years. Domestic large models such as DeepSeek and Alibaba's Qwen take the lead in the global open-source innovation ecosystem.
\n
AI-powered devices such as AI smartphones and AI glasses are rapidly gaining popularity, while industry-specific large models are being applied in various scenarios, according to the MIIT.
\n
Li also emphasized that enterprises' dominant position in technological innovation has been reinforced. "Enterprises' spending on R&D now accounts for more than three quarters of the country's total R&D expenditure. The number of invention patent applications filed by industrial enterprises increased from 907,000 at the end of the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20) to 1.244 million last year."
\n
Critical period
\n
Huang Hanquan, head of the Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research, said China's emphasis on nurturing new quality productive forces and its significant achievements in sci-tech innovation are conducive to speeding up the establishment of a modern industrial system, enhancing the stability and resilience of industrial and supply chains, and strengthening the capacity to buffer against external shocks and challenges.
\n
He underscored the importance of giving full play to the role of enterprises, especially small and medium-sized ones, in bolstering sci-tech innovation, accelerating the industrial application of innovation achievements, and strengthening the training of high-level talent.
\n
"The key to developing new quality productive forces lies in achieving high-level self-reliance and strength in sci-tech, reinforcing original and disruptive technology innovations, and giving birth to new industries and new growth momentum," said Deng Zhonghan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.
\n
Noting that China is now in a critical period of innovation-driven development, Deng said it is of vital significance to support growth of tech startups through financial technology tools and step up R&D in emerging industries and future-oriented industries.
\n
In the face of increasingly fierce international competition, technological innovation and self-reliance in sci-tech are crucial for realizing Chinese modernization, said Qi Xiangdong, chairman of Chinese cybersecurity company Qi-Anxin Technology Group, adding that his company will pour more resources into pioneering sci-tech innovation.
\n
"China is not only a manufacturing powerhouse, but also a global innovation powerhouse driving trends in digitalization, sustainability and high-tech industries," said Denis Depoux, global managing director of market consultancy Roland Berger. "We have seen China leapfrogging in some new areas such as electric vehicles, energy storage, aerospace, solar photovoltaics and wind energy."
\n
China has emerged as a strong player in the global R&D landscape, and has made rapid progress in the development of AI technology, becoming one of the global leaders, and the pace will further accelerate, Depoux added.
While attending a conference in East China over the weekend, experts from around the world praised influential Chinese philosopher Zhu Xi, emphasizing his ideas on moral cultivation, ethical leadership and people-oriented governance as vital for global coexistence and harmony amid competition and uncertainty.
\n
Nearly 200 scholars from 51 countries and regions attended the Conference on Zhu Xi's Philosophy and Dialogue of Global Civilization to explore the contemporary relevance of the 12th-century Neo-Confucian scholar's thought.
\n
The event, also known as the Fourth Kaoting Forum, was co-hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the International Confucian Association and the Fujian provincial government. It took place in Nanping, Fujian province, where Zhu taught in his later years.
\n
Zhu (1130-1200) was a prominent scholar known for his major contributions to Confucianism during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). He compiled and wrote influential commentaries on the Four Books, which became the core texts for China's imperial civil service examinations for centuries.
\n
In 1171, Zhu established the Wufu Granary, pioneering community-based relief programs to ease the impact of famine on farmers, which influenced China's ancient social security system.
\n
Former vice-premier Sun Chunlan, who is now president of the International Confucian Association, said Zhu's philosophy offers valuable insights into human society and global civilization. She called on scholars to further explore the contemporary value of traditional cultures like Zhu's to foster a harmonious world of diverse civilizations.
\n
Vincent Meriton, former vice-president of the Seychelles, said he found Zhu's thought inspiring, especially in a world marked by intense competition, mistrust and rivalry, where power has often been exercised with a sense of superiority and disregard for the dignity of others.
\n
"Against this backdrop, Zhu Xi's insistence on moral cultivation, ethical leadership and the principle that human nature is essentially good offers a vital corrective — a reminder that governance, diplomacy and global coexistence must be rooted in virtue, respect and a willingness to understand and compromise," he said.
\n
William Brown, a professor from the United States working at Xiamen University, said Zhu's concept of "unity while respecting differences" offers powerful guidance for understanding and coexistence, especially for Western countries that have relied on "hard power" in business competition for years.
\n
Mohammad Saiyedul Islam, a senior lecturer at Sanming University, said Zhu, who established himself as an educator, philosopher and thinker, is inspiring for him as a teacher, and that Zhu's people-oriented philosophy should be shared with the rest of the world.
Elderly attendees engage with a humanoid robot at the inaugural Shanghai Exhibition of Courses for the Senior on Saturday. The three-day event, which began Saturday, is themed "Boundless Learning, Ageless Living", with over 120 organizations gathered to provide courses tailored for the silver-haired community.
\n",
- "content": "
Elderly attendees engage with a humanoid robot at the inaugural Shanghai Exhibition of Courses for the Senior on Saturday. The three-day event, which began Saturday, is themed "Boundless Learning, Ageless Living", with over 120 organizations gathered to provide courses tailored for the silver-haired community.
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{
"title": "008COMMENT - Ball in US court to prove it is not just talking for the sake of talk",
"description": "
China and the United States have held trade talks in Geneva, London, Stockholm and Madrid since May. Each round of talks has served to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state that the world's two largest economies must manage their differences through dialogue and cooperation, not confrontation and coercion.
\n
The Geneva talks helped reopen stalled working channels; the London and Stockholm discussions saw both sides exchange lists of practical cooperation areas; and the Madrid meeting, despite tensions, helped preserve communication at a critical juncture, producing a tariff truce that brought duties down from triple-digit levels for each country. However, the Madrid agreement expires on Nov 10.
\n
To maintain the momentum, Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng had a video call on Saturday with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in which the two sides agreed to hold a new round of consultations "as soon as possible".
\n
It is widely presumed that these forthcoming talks will focus on core differences such as export controls as well as tariff measures. The meeting is also being widely interpreted as a buffer against the recent escalation of trade frictions and aimed at creating conditions conducive to higher-level talks.
\n
Unfortunately, the US administration's recent actions risk fouling the nest for talks. In the short span of weeks since the Madrid consultations, the US has rolled out a string of new restrictive measures targeting China — from adding Chinese entities to its Entity List and threatening to impose 100 percent tariffs on Chinese goods, to introducing unilateral port fees on Chinese vessels. These actions have not only undermined the good-faith foundation for dialogue but also violated basic principles of the World Trade Organization and bilateral agreements.
\n
China's counteractions, such as its newly refined export control measures on rare earths and related items, are a legitimate response. It is disingenuous for some in Washington to describe China's actions as "China versus the world". What truly goes against the global good is the US' abuse of export controls and tariffs, as well as its scrapping of the "de minimis" rules that extend its unilateral jurisdiction far beyond its borders. The US Commerce Control List covers more than 3,000 items, over three times that of China's. Such measures not only distort markets but also destabilize the global supply chains that all countries rely on.
\n
China remains ready and willing to manage the trade and economic differences that have come to the fore through equal-footed consultations. The US, however, must abandon its wishful thinking that China will yield to its trade bullying. Constructive engagement will only be possible when Washington respects China's right to development and treats bilateral trade as a two-way street rather than a geopolitical tool of coercion.
\n
That requires the US to meet China halfway. Bilateral economic ties over the past months indicate whenever the US side reverts to threats, sanctions, or tariff blackmail, the atmosphere for dialogue quickly deteriorates, even jeopardizing previously achieved results.
\n
The planned talks will take place at an important moment. The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, to be held in Beijing from Monday to Thursday, will draft the framework of China's next five-year plan — a road map that will further enhance the country's high-quality development and governance capacity.
\n
That China's total goods imports and exports in the first nine months of 2025 are up 4 percent year-on-year, with goods exports leading the overall expansion during the period, surging 7.1 percent year-on-year, demonstrates the vitality of the Chinese economy.
\n
The resilience of the economy means China has both the capacity and the confidence to engage in calm and principled dialogue. If the US is able and willing to do the same and genuinely work with China to address the differences between the two sides — refraining from imposing unilateral pressure — real progress can be expected. If not, even the process of dialogue itself will meet obstacles, and the fruits of past progress may easily be undone.
\n
Cooperation serves both sides' interests and global stability. Only when the US walks its talk in the same direction as China can the two largest economies in the world truly turn dialogue into durable progress, preventing their otherwise cooperative economic ties being downgraded to a who-blinks-first game.
As China's decade-long property market boom cools, policymakers are steering the world's second-largest economy toward a more sustainable alternative — revitalizing aging cities.
\n
By positioning urban renewal as a key strategy to stimulate domestic demand, Beijing is calibrating growth drivers while addressing deep-seated social needs, experts and executives said.
\n
Investment aimed at breathing new life into dilapidated residential areas, obsolete industrial sites, and underutilized public spaces will translate into substantial demand for various industries, increased values for existing assets and a notable upgrade for the urban environment, they added.
\n
Their comments came after the country's top leadership has elevated urban renewal to a systematic growth pillar during high-level tone-setting meetings, prioritizing maximizing the use of existing facilities over large-scale expansion.
\n
President Xi Jinping highlighted that China's urbanization is evolving from rapid growth to stable development, and urban development is shifting from a stage of large-scale expansion to one focused on improving the quality and efficiency of existing urban areas, during the Central Urban Work Conference in mid-July.
\n
Over the past few decades, China has experienced the largest and fastest urbanization process in human history. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, its urbanization rate, which measures the ratio of permanent urban residents relative to the total population, reached 67 percent last year.
\n
Two weeks later, Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, reiterated the need to promote urban renewal in a high-quality manner at a meeting held by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee when mapping out priorities for economic work in the second half of the year.
\n
The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development pledged in December to try to complete the renovation of aging urban residential communities built before the end of 2000 by the year 2025.
\n
"By 2030, over 10 billion square meters of residential buildings will be more than 30 years old, and even if we only renovate 10 percent of that each year, that's still 1 billion square meters," said Zhao Yanjing, a professor specialized in urban economics at Xiamen University.
\n
To put this into perspective, the total new construction area nationwide last year, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, was less than 740 million square meters, and even at the peak in 2019, it stood at some 1.67 billion square meters.
\n
Even at such a pace, the aging residential buildings would require at least a decade to address, by which time even more properties will come to the stage where reconditioning work is needed, Zhao said.
\n
"This means that as the real estate market shifts from a focus on constructing new houses to enhancing existing ones, the overall market size will likely be fairly large," Zhao said. "These renewal projects will generate substantial economic activity, helping to offset the slowdown in the real estate market, while also improving the living conditions of our citizens."
\n
From 2019 to 2024, China renovated 280,000 aging residential communities, benefiting more than 120 million people, data from the ministry showed.
\n
China's urban renewal initiatives have moved beyond the mere renovation of old residential communities. Abandoned factories become innovation hubs; dormant warehouses are transformed into cultural venues; and urban villages are retrofitted into affordable housing zones.
\n
"As the country moves away from a growth model centered on new construction, the ability to extract value from our existing facilities will become increasingly important," said Yang Baojun, president of the Urban Planning Society of China and former chief economist of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.
\n
In Wuxi, Jiangsu province, an urban renewal initiative, which began in 2019, has transformed a patchwork of industrial remnants, including a textile factory and an ironworks, into a multifunctional hub blending tech industry, digital culture and community spaces.
\n
The industrial park has so far attracted over 100 enterprises, generating annual tax contributions exceeding 15 million yuan ($2.1 million), according to local authorities.
\n
"Urban renewal is no longer about demolition," Yang said. It's about reprogramming urban DNA economically, socially and functionally."
\n
Chinese cities are sitting on a gold mine of undervalued assets. The key is to find innovative ways to activate and repurpose these existing resources, rather than constantly pursue new development, Yang added.
\n
In April, the Ministry of Finance pledged fiscal support for urban renewal projects in up to 20 cities this year, prioritizing megacities, superlarge cities and key urban centers along the Yellow and Pearl rivers.
\n
Centrally administered municipalities and cities in the country's western regions qualify for subsidies of up to 1.2 billion yuan each. Cities in central regions may receive up to 1 billion yuan, while those in eastern regions are eligible for up to 800 million yuan.
\n
However, experts cautioned that the scale and complexity of these urban renewal projects are such that government funding alone is simply not enough. Attracting private investment will be crucial to the long-term sustainability of such initiatives.
\n
Dong Yu, executive vice-president of Tsinghua University's China Institute for Development Planning, said: "These projects require substantial up-front investments and can take years to complete. For private enterprises to get involved, there needs to be a viable business model offering reasonable and stable returns."
\n
China issued a guideline in mid-May to increase policy and financial support for urban renewal projects, vowing to establish a sustainable urban renewal model that is government-led, market-driven and publicly engaged.
\n
Localities can explore the "public-private partnership plus concession" approach, in which the government grants private enterprises long-term operating rights over ancillary facilities, such as parking lots and charging stations, in the vicinity of the urban renewal sites, Dong said.
\n
In the Fuli residential community in Pingxiang, Jiangxi province, property management fees and parking fees now serve as a reliable source of income for renewal project developers.
\n
The project has focused on core infrastructure upgrades, such as road paving and utility network renovations, as well as the expansion and enhancement of parking facilities, said Yang Qian, general manager of Boyue Construction and Development Co.
\n
The Jiangxi provincial branch of China Development Bank has been involved from the beginning, providing 10 million yuan in long-term loans to support the project. More importantly, its financing model incorporates user fees as potential revenue sources, Yang said.
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