观察性研究能虽然能发现“某些现象经常结伴出现”，但这并不意味着一个导致另一个。这里的关系可以有很多种情况，可以是 A 引起 B 或 B 引起 A；又或者 A 和 B 都是由 C 引起的等情况。就像在小区门口蹲点，发现“拎垃圾袋的人更容易穿拖鞋”，真正的原因是“家里垃圾满 / 要去倒垃圾”，而不是垃圾袋让人换了鞋。
2011 年，加州大学圣地哥分校的教授 Jonathan D.Leavitt 和 Nicholas J.S.Christenfeld 查阅前人研究发现，阅读一个预知其结果的故事可能类似于感知流畅，所感知的对象能被轻松处理，而这一体验与审美愉悦和积极情绪相关联[1]。同时，图式差异理论也表明，可预测性的提高可能会导致情绪反应的增强[2]。
[1]Reber, R., Schwarz, N., & Winkielman, P. (2004). Processing fluency and aesthetic pleasure: Is beauty in the perceiver’s processing experience? Personality and Social Psychology Review, 8, 364–382. [2]MacDowell, K., & Mandler, G. (1989). Constructions of emotion: Discrepancy, arousal, and mood. Motivation and Emotion, 13, 105–124 [3]Leavitt, J. D., & Christenfeld, N. J. (2011). Story spoilers don't spoil stories. Psychological science, 22(9), 1152–1154. [4]翟岩. (2020). 网络化时代社会权力结构的变迁与重构. 福建师范大学学报(哲学社会科学版), (03), 111-116. [5]Levine, W. H., Betzner, M., & Autry, K. S. (2016). The Effect of Spoilers on the Enjoyment of Short Stories. Discourse Processes, 53(7), 513–531. [6]Guevarra, D.A., Moser, J.S., Wager, T.D. ,& Kross, E.(2020) . Placebos without deception reduce self-report and neural measures of emotional distress. Nat Commun ,11, 3785. [7]严建援, 李扬, 冯淼 & 李凯. (2020). 网络口碑中的剧透效应——来自电影市场的证据. 南开管理评论, 23 (04), 37-48.
2011 年，加州大学圣地哥分校的教授 Jonathan D.Leavitt 和 Nicholas J.S.Christenfeld 查阅前人研究发现，阅读一个预知其结果的故事可能类似于感知流畅，所感知的对象能被轻松处理，而这一体验与审美愉悦和积极情绪相关联[1]。同时，图式差异理论也表明，可预测性的提高可能会导致情绪反应的增强[2]。
[1]Reber, R., Schwarz, N., & Winkielman, P. (2004). Processing fluency and aesthetic pleasure: Is beauty in the perceiver’s processing experience? Personality and Social Psychology Review, 8, 364–382. [2]MacDowell, K., & Mandler, G. (1989). Constructions of emotion: Discrepancy, arousal, and mood. Motivation and Emotion, 13, 105–124 [3]Leavitt, J. D., & Christenfeld, N. J. (2011). Story spoilers don't spoil stories. Psychological science, 22(9), 1152–1154. [4]翟岩. (2020). 网络化时代社会权力结构的变迁与重构. 福建师范大学学报(哲学社会科学版), (03), 111-116. [5]Levine, W. H., Betzner, M., & Autry, K. S. (2016). The Effect of Spoilers on the Enjoyment of Short Stories. Discourse Processes, 53(7), 513–531. [6]Guevarra, D.A., Moser, J.S., Wager, T.D. ,& Kross, E.(2020) . Placebos without deception reduce self-report and neural measures of emotional distress. Nat Commun ,11, 3785. [7]严建援, 李扬, 冯淼 & 李凯. (2020). 网络口碑中的剧透效应——来自电影市场的证据. 南开管理评论, 23 (04), 37-48.
[1]MacLeod, C. M. (2020). Zeigarnik and von Restorff: The memory effects and the stories behind them. Memory & Cognition, 48(6), 1073–1088. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13421-020-01033-5 [2]Zeigarnik, B. (1938). On finished and unfinished tasks. In W. D. Ellis(Ed.), A source book of Gestalt psychology. (300–314). Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Company. https://doi.org/10.1037/11496-025 [3]Marrow, A. J. (1969). The practical theorist: The life and work of Kurt Lewin. New York : Basic Books . [4]Oyama, Y., Manalo, E., & Nakatani, Y. (2018). The Hemingway effect: How failing to finish a task can have a positive effect on motivation. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 30, 7–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2018.01.001 [5]Masicampo, E. J., & Baumeister, R. F. (2011). Consider it done! Plan making can eliminate the cognitive effects of unfulfilled goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 101(4), 667–683. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024192 [6]McGraw, K. O., & Fiala, J. (1982). Undermining the Zeigarnik effect: Another hidden cost of reward. Journal of Personality, 50(1), 58–66. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.1982.tb00745.x
Git 会把你对每个分支以及 HEAD 做过的操作都记在 .git/logs/ 目录里。针对 HEAD 的操作写在 .git/logs/HEAD，而像分支这样的引用会对应 .git/logs/refs/heads/main 这样的文件。每条日志就是一次“动作”：提交、从远端拉取、合并分支、切换分支（切换只会出现在 HEAD 的日志里，不会出现在具体分支的日志里）等等。
\n$ echo -e "Has spring come indeed?\\nOn that nameless mountain lie\\nThin layers of mist.\\n\\n - Matsuo Bashō" > haiku.txt\n$ git status\nOn branch main\n\nNo commits yet\n\nUntracked files:\n (use "git add <file>..." to include in what will be committed)\n haiku.txt\n\nnothing added to commit but untracked files present (use "git add" to track)\n
当你执行 git fetch 时，Git 会查看服务器上的引用是否和你放在 .git/refs/remotes 里的那些匹配，然后据此更新本地。Git 告诉你 “Your branch is up to date with ‘origin/main’.”，意思就是本地分支指向的哈希和远端分支一样，也就是 .git/refs/heads/main 与 .git/refs/remotes/origin/main 完全相同。
\n\n\n\n
引用文件里到底有什么？答案只有一个提交哈希！我们已经知道自己的提交哈希了，来手工创建 main 分支，让它指向刚刚那份匠心提交：
\n$ git status\nOn branch main\nnothing to commit, working tree clean\n\n$ git branch\n* main\n\n$ git log --show-signature\ncommit d62016426c1b7b4125d47bad267aeaaa78bb817c (HEAD -> main)\ngpg: Signature made Wed 16 Jul 10:51:29 2025 BST\ngpg: using RSA key 699C28CD9E5DFBE06992A666B445BCFA63263720\ngpg: Good signature from "Drew Silcock <redacted>" [unknown]\ngpg: WARNING: This key is not certified with a trusted signature!\ngpg: There is no indication that the signature belongs to the owner.\nPrimary key fingerprint: 699C 28CD 9E5D FBE0 6992 A666 B445 BCFA 6326 3720\nAuthor: Drew Silcock <redacted>\nDate: Wed Jul 16 10:45:27 2025 +0100\n\n Initial artisanal commit.\n
\n\n\n
搞定啦！
\n\n\n\n
故障排查
\n\n\n\n
如果过程中卡壳，或者遇到 error: bad tree object HEAD 这样的报错，试试运行 git fsck --full，通常它会告诉你是哪一步出了岔子。
Windows 10 是微软在 2015年7月29日正式发布的操作系统，作为 Windows 8.x 的后继版本，改进了磁贴开始菜单，在2018年12月超越 Windows 7，成为最流行的操作系统。而在后续操作系统 Windows 11 发布当天，微软也宣布了 Windows 10 的终点：将在 2025 年 10 月 14 日结束。
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.
Source: Xinhua
",
@@ -4907,6 +5083,28 @@
"image": null,
"description": "知乎日报全文RSS。获取更多全文RSS：https://feedx.net",
"items": [
+ {
+ "title": "China urges U.S. to abandon excessive use of national security concept",
+ "description": "
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.
Source: Xinhua
",
+ "content": "
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.
A resident uses an umbrella to block the sun during the first high-temperature day of the year in Beijing, June 5, 2025. The Beijing Meteorological Observatory issued an orange heat alert at 6 p.m. on June 4. (China News Service/Chen Fangting)
A resident uses an umbrella to block the sun during the first high-temperature day of the year in Beijing, June 5, 2025. The Beijing Meteorological Observatory issued an orange heat alert at 6 p.m. on June 4. (China News Service/Chen Fangting)
People take sun protection measures during the first high-temperature day of the year in Beijing, June 5, 2025. The Beijing Meteorological Observatory issued an orange heat alert at 6 p.m. on June 4. (China News Service/Chen Fangting)
People take sun protection measures during the first high-temperature day of the year in Beijing, June 5, 2025. The Beijing Meteorological Observatory issued an orange heat alert at 6 p.m. on June 4. (China News Service/Chen Fangting)
A citizen shops for watermelons to cool off during the first high-temperature day of the year in Beijing, June 5, 2025. The Beijing Meteorological Observatory issued an orange heat alert at 6 p.m. on June 4. (China News Service/Chen Fangting)
A boy is pictured with a sheep at a sheep market before the upcoming Eid al-Adha on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt, on June 4, 2025. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
A rescuer moves relief supplies at Baicao Village of Eryuan County in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 5, 2025.
A 5.0-magnitude earthquake struck Eryuan County at 4:31 a.m. Thursday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).
The epicenter was monitored at 26.26 degrees north latitude and 100.03 degrees east longitude. The quake struck at a depth of 10 km, said a report issued by the CENC.
The quake was strongly felt in Eryuan County, Dali City and Heqing County, waking some residents. Local authorities in Eryuan County have promptly initiated an emergency response, with townships assessing the impact. (Photo by Luo Xincai/Xinhua)
An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2025 shows tourists visiting the Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River on the border between north China's Shanxi Province and northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)
Representatives vote on a draft resolution during a UN Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 4, 2025.
The United States on Wednesday vetoed a Security Council draft resolution that would have demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian aid. (Xinhua/Xie E)
A conference officer collects ballots during a UN General Assembly meeting to elect members of the UN Economic and Social Council at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 4, 2025.
Eighteen states, including China, were elected on Wednesday into the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the coordinating body for the economic and social work of UN agencies and funds, for a three-year term. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)
An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2025 shows a black-necked crane at Qinghai Longbao National Nature Reserve, Yushu City of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province.
With lush water and pastures, Qinghai Longbao National Nature Reserve is a key station and breeding ground for migratory birds.
According to monitoring data of May this year, 37 species of birds including bar-headed geese and black necked cranes inhabited here. (Photo by Du Xiaowei/Xinhua)
Dong Yuhan (C) and Wu Mengjie (R) of China celebrate after winning the pool 3 match between China and Belgium at the Women's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 at the National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, June 4, 2025.
Host China kicked off its Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Beijing leg in style with a straight-set victory over Belgium on Wednesday, winning 25-18, 27-25, 25-13 at the National Indoor Stadium. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2025 shows primary school students painting during an environmental protection-themed event in Xinghua City, east China's Jiangsu Province.
Various events are held to raise people's awareness of environmental protection in China ahead of World Environment Day, which falls on June 5. (Photo by Zhou Shegen/Xinhua)
Lee Jae-myung takes the oath of office in the National Assembly building in Seoul, South Korea, June 4, 2025.
Lee Jae-myung was sworn in as South Korea's new president on Wednesday after formally beginning his single five-year term earlier in the day. (Xinhua)
Zheng Qinwen reacts during the women's singles quarterfinal between Zheng Qinwen of China and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, France, June 3, 2025.
China's tennis sensation Zheng Qinwen lost to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 7-6 (3), 6-3 in the French Open women's singles quarterfinals here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
A Palestinian woman mourns a victim killed in an Israeli airstrike, at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, on June 4, 2025.
At least 54,510 people have been killed and 124,901 wounded in Gaza during the Israeli military campaign, according to health authorities in the territory. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua)
Source: Xinhua
",
+ "content": "
A boy is pictured with a sheep at a sheep market before the upcoming Eid al-Adha on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt, on June 4, 2025. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
A rescuer moves relief supplies at Baicao Village of Eryuan County in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, June 5, 2025.
A 5.0-magnitude earthquake struck Eryuan County at 4:31 a.m. Thursday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).
The epicenter was monitored at 26.26 degrees north latitude and 100.03 degrees east longitude. The quake struck at a depth of 10 km, said a report issued by the CENC.
The quake was strongly felt in Eryuan County, Dali City and Heqing County, waking some residents. Local authorities in Eryuan County have promptly initiated an emergency response, with townships assessing the impact. (Photo by Luo Xincai/Xinhua)
An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2025 shows tourists visiting the Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River on the border between north China's Shanxi Province and northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)
Representatives vote on a draft resolution during a UN Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 4, 2025.
The United States on Wednesday vetoed a Security Council draft resolution that would have demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian aid. (Xinhua/Xie E)
A conference officer collects ballots during a UN General Assembly meeting to elect members of the UN Economic and Social Council at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 4, 2025.
Eighteen states, including China, were elected on Wednesday into the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the coordinating body for the economic and social work of UN agencies and funds, for a three-year term. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)
An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2025 shows a black-necked crane at Qinghai Longbao National Nature Reserve, Yushu City of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province.
With lush water and pastures, Qinghai Longbao National Nature Reserve is a key station and breeding ground for migratory birds.
According to monitoring data of May this year, 37 species of birds including bar-headed geese and black necked cranes inhabited here. (Photo by Du Xiaowei/Xinhua)
Dong Yuhan (C) and Wu Mengjie (R) of China celebrate after winning the pool 3 match between China and Belgium at the Women's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) 2025 at the National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, June 4, 2025.
Host China kicked off its Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Beijing leg in style with a straight-set victory over Belgium on Wednesday, winning 25-18, 27-25, 25-13 at the National Indoor Stadium. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)
An aerial drone photo taken on June 4, 2025 shows primary school students painting during an environmental protection-themed event in Xinghua City, east China's Jiangsu Province.
Various events are held to raise people's awareness of environmental protection in China ahead of World Environment Day, which falls on June 5. (Photo by Zhou Shegen/Xinhua)
Lee Jae-myung takes the oath of office in the National Assembly building in Seoul, South Korea, June 4, 2025.
Lee Jae-myung was sworn in as South Korea's new president on Wednesday after formally beginning his single five-year term earlier in the day. (Xinhua)
Zheng Qinwen reacts during the women's singles quarterfinal between Zheng Qinwen of China and Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros, Paris, France, June 3, 2025.
China's tennis sensation Zheng Qinwen lost to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus 7-6 (3), 6-3 in the French Open women's singles quarterfinals here on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Gao Jing)
A Palestinian woman mourns a victim killed in an Israeli airstrike, at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, on June 4, 2025.
At least 54,510 people have been killed and 124,901 wounded in Gaza during the Israeli military campaign, according to health authorities in the territory. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua)
BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng will attend the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France and visit Spain upon invitation from June 7 to 13, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Thursday.
BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Building on a positive start in the first quarter of 2025, China's economy is continuing to make steady progress, said Ding Lin, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission.
Speaking on the latest episode of China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency, Ding noted that despite a complex external environment, China's economy has remained resilient. Notably, key indicators like industrial production, the service sector, domestic demand and exports have shown robust growth.
Ding emphasized China's innovative dynamism, citing 10-percent growth in the high-tech manufacturing sector in April, nearly 4 percentage points higher than the country's overall industrial growth rate.
Ding also highlighted the accelerated development of industries such as drones, new energy vehicles, artificial intelligence and humanoid robots.
\"In general, as pro-growth measures are swiftly implemented, their effects will continue to emerge, further promoting the country's high-quality economic development,\" Ding added.
China's GDP grew by 5.4 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2025.
Source: Xinhua
",
+ "content": "
BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Building on a positive start in the first quarter of 2025, China's economy is continuing to make steady progress, said Ding Lin, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission.
Speaking on the latest episode of China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency, Ding noted that despite a complex external environment, China's economy has remained resilient. Notably, key indicators like industrial production, the service sector, domestic demand and exports have shown robust growth.
Ding emphasized China's innovative dynamism, citing 10-percent growth in the high-tech manufacturing sector in April, nearly 4 percentage points higher than the country's overall industrial growth rate.
Ding also highlighted the accelerated development of industries such as drones, new energy vehicles, artificial intelligence and humanoid robots.
\"In general, as pro-growth measures are swiftly implemented, their effects will continue to emerge, further promoting the country's high-quality economic development,\" Ding added.
China's GDP grew by 5.4 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2025.
观察性研究能虽然能发现“某些现象经常结伴出现”，但这并不意味着一个导致另一个。这里的关系可以有很多种情况，可以是 A 引起 B 或 B 引起 A；又或者 A 和 B 都是由 C 引起的等情况。就像在小区门口蹲点，发现“拎垃圾袋的人更容易穿拖鞋”，真正的原因是“家里垃圾满 / 要去倒垃圾”，而不是垃圾袋让人换了鞋。
2011 年，加州大学圣地哥分校的教授 Jonathan D.Leavitt 和 Nicholas J.S.Christenfeld 查阅前人研究发现，阅读一个预知其结果的故事可能类似于感知流畅，所感知的对象能被轻松处理，而这一体验与审美愉悦和积极情绪相关联[1]。同时，图式差异理论也表明，可预测性的提高可能会导致情绪反应的增强[2]。
[1]Reber, R., Schwarz, N., & Winkielman, P. (2004). Processing fluency and aesthetic pleasure: Is beauty in the perceiver’s processing experience? Personality and Social Psychology Review, 8, 364–382. [2]MacDowell, K., & Mandler, G. (1989). Constructions of emotion: Discrepancy, arousal, and mood. Motivation and Emotion, 13, 105–124 [3]Leavitt, J. D., & Christenfeld, N. J. (2011). Story spoilers don't spoil stories. Psychological science, 22(9), 1152–1154. [4]翟岩. (2020). 网络化时代社会权力结构的变迁与重构. 福建师范大学学报(哲学社会科学版), (03), 111-116. [5]Levine, W. H., Betzner, M., & Autry, K. S. (2016). The Effect of Spoilers on the Enjoyment of Short Stories. Discourse Processes, 53(7), 513–531. [6]Guevarra, D.A., Moser, J.S., Wager, T.D. ,& Kross, E.(2020) . Placebos without deception reduce self-report and neural measures of emotional distress. Nat Commun ,11, 3785. [7]严建援, 李扬, 冯淼 & 李凯. (2020). 网络口碑中的剧透效应——来自电影市场的证据. 南开管理评论, 23 (04), 37-48.
2011 年，加州大学圣地哥分校的教授 Jonathan D.Leavitt 和 Nicholas J.S.Christenfeld 查阅前人研究发现，阅读一个预知其结果的故事可能类似于感知流畅，所感知的对象能被轻松处理，而这一体验与审美愉悦和积极情绪相关联[1]。同时，图式差异理论也表明，可预测性的提高可能会导致情绪反应的增强[2]。
[1]Reber, R., Schwarz, N., & Winkielman, P. (2004). Processing fluency and aesthetic pleasure: Is beauty in the perceiver’s processing experience? Personality and Social Psychology Review, 8, 364–382. [2]MacDowell, K., & Mandler, G. (1989). Constructions of emotion: Discrepancy, arousal, and mood. Motivation and Emotion, 13, 105–124 [3]Leavitt, J. D., & Christenfeld, N. J. (2011). Story spoilers don't spoil stories. Psychological science, 22(9), 1152–1154. [4]翟岩. (2020). 网络化时代社会权力结构的变迁与重构. 福建师范大学学报(哲学社会科学版), (03), 111-116. [5]Levine, W. H., Betzner, M., & Autry, K. S. (2016). The Effect of Spoilers on the Enjoyment of Short Stories. Discourse Processes, 53(7), 513–531. [6]Guevarra, D.A., Moser, J.S., Wager, T.D. ,& Kross, E.(2020) . Placebos without deception reduce self-report and neural measures of emotional distress. Nat Commun ,11, 3785. [7]严建援, 李扬, 冯淼 & 李凯. (2020). 网络口碑中的剧透效应——来自电影市场的证据. 南开管理评论, 23 (04), 37-48.
[1]MacLeod, C. M. (2020). Zeigarnik and von Restorff: The memory effects and the stories behind them. Memory & Cognition, 48(6), 1073–1088. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13421-020-01033-5 [2]Zeigarnik, B. (1938). On finished and unfinished tasks. In W. D. Ellis(Ed.), A source book of Gestalt psychology. (300–314). Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Company. https://doi.org/10.1037/11496-025 [3]Marrow, A. J. (1969). The practical theorist: The life and work of Kurt Lewin. New York : Basic Books . [4]Oyama, Y., Manalo, E., & Nakatani, Y. (2018). The Hemingway effect: How failing to finish a task can have a positive effect on motivation. Thinking Skills and Creativity, 30, 7–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2018.01.001 [5]Masicampo, E. J., & Baumeister, R. F. (2011). Consider it done! Plan making can eliminate the cognitive effects of unfulfilled goals. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 101(4), 667–683. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024192 [6]McGraw, K. O., & Fiala, J. (1982). Undermining the Zeigarnik effect: Another hidden cost of reward. Journal of Personality, 50(1), 58–66. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.1982.tb00745.x
Jin Xiangjun, former governor of Shanxi province, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China and dismissed from public office for serious violations, according to a decision made by China's top anti-corruption watchdogs. The decision was disclosed online by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision on Friday after their investigation. The commissions pointed out that Jin had seriously violated the Party's disciplines and was suspected of duty-related crimes, leading to the decision to expel him from the Party, remove him from public office and confiscate his illicit gains. His case will be referred to prosecutors for further review and prosecution, they added.
\n
Former securities official under probe
\n
Guo Xudong, a former senior official of China Securities Regulatory Commission, is being investigated for suspected serious misconduct in office, the country's anti-corruption watchdogs announced on Friday. Guo voluntarily turned herself in and is currently under the investigation by the team from the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision stationed at the China Securities Regulatory Commission, as well as the supervisory body in Taizhou, Zhejiang province. Public information shows that Guo graduated from Nankai University in Tianjin and joined the China Securities Regulatory Commission in 1998. She previously worked on the commission's issuance examination committee and served as deputy head of the issuance supervision department.
\n
Court grants divorce to cliff push survivor
\n
A Chinese woman, who miraculously survived a 2019 attempt on her life when her husband pushed her from a 34-meter-high cliff in Thailand while she was pregnant, has been granted a divorce from her imprisoned attacker. A Nanjing court on Friday ruled in her favor, dissolving the marriage and ordering her former husband to pay substantial damages of 500,000 yuan ($69,000) in divorce damages. The Qinhuai district people's court in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, announced the verdict, concluding the long-running divorce dispute between Wang Nuannuan and her former husband, surnamed Yu. He was convicted of attempted murder in Thailand and sentenced to 33 years and four months in prison.
\n",
- "content": "
Shanxi ex-governor expelled from CPC
\n
Jin Xiangjun, former governor of Shanxi province, has been expelled from the Communist Party of China and dismissed from public office for serious violations, according to a decision made by China's top anti-corruption watchdogs. The decision was disclosed online by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision on Friday after their investigation. The commissions pointed out that Jin had seriously violated the Party's disciplines and was suspected of duty-related crimes, leading to the decision to expel him from the Party, remove him from public office and confiscate his illicit gains. His case will be referred to prosecutors for further review and prosecution, they added.
\n
Former securities official under probe
\n
Guo Xudong, a former senior official of China Securities Regulatory Commission, is being investigated for suspected serious misconduct in office, the country's anti-corruption watchdogs announced on Friday. Guo voluntarily turned herself in and is currently under the investigation by the team from the Communist Party of China Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Commission of Supervision stationed at the China Securities Regulatory Commission, as well as the supervisory body in Taizhou, Zhejiang province. Public information shows that Guo graduated from Nankai University in Tianjin and joined the China Securities Regulatory Commission in 1998. She previously worked on the commission's issuance examination committee and served as deputy head of the issuance supervision department.
\n
Court grants divorce to cliff push survivor
\n
A Chinese woman, who miraculously survived a 2019 attempt on her life when her husband pushed her from a 34-meter-high cliff in Thailand while she was pregnant, has been granted a divorce from her imprisoned attacker. A Nanjing court on Friday ruled in her favor, dissolving the marriage and ordering her former husband to pay substantial damages of 500,000 yuan ($69,000) in divorce damages. The Qinhuai district people's court in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, announced the verdict, concluding the long-running divorce dispute between Wang Nuannuan and her former husband, surnamed Yu. He was convicted of attempted murder in Thailand and sentenced to 33 years and four months in prison.
In his "Oct 10" speech on Friday, Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te reiterated the fallacious cliches of "Taiwan democracy" and the flawed "two states" theory. For the first time, he also announced plans to build a "T-Dome" air defense system aimed at providing multi-layered and effective interception against "enemy threats". By escalating the rhetoric on the so-called threat to the island, Lai and his Democratic Progressive Party risk pushing the island to the brink of military conflict, jeopardizing both the economy and the well-being of Taiwan residents.
\n
In his speech, Lai talked about developing the island's economy and creating more jobs. However, his policies will have the opposite effect. If the "T-Dome" plan is implemented, it will likely increase the tax burden on local residents and further darken the island's economic outlook, especially as it faces challenges from US tariffs.
\n
If he really cares about Taiwan's security, he should immediately stop playing with fire by seeking "Taiwan independence". Unfortunately, the DPP has been playing out one political farce after another. Disregarding public opinion and sacrificing the interests of Taiwan residents, the DPP has been currying favor with the United States for strategic support.
\n
Lai once again "pretended to draw lessons" from World War II history in his speech, stating that "Democratic Taiwan is a crucial link for the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific". He also emphasized that the "tragedies of history must never be repeated". Lai's statements merely exposed his attempt to distort history for political gains.
\n
Lai's and the DPP's "pursuit of independence" has become increasingly provocative, as they try to whitewash the colonial history of Taiwan, fabricate a so-called "400-year history of Taiwan", deny UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, and project the island as an "entity separate from the Chinese nation".
\n
Defying the mainstream opinion, the DPP has shattered the mutual trust and soured the harmonious relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, which were built over decades of cross-Strait exchanges. The DPP's actions reveal its ill intentions and sinister motives.
\n
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of Japanese occupation of Taiwan, a moment of profound historical significance. Yet the DPP authorities have refrained from commemorating the historic milestone and, instead, chosen to hold an event marking Victory in Europe Day, the day Nazi Germany unconditionally surrendered to the Allies in World War II. Provocatively, the island's authorities held the event at the Taipei Guest House, which served as the residence of Japanese governors during Taiwan's colonial rule.
\n
Even more egregiously, Lai claimed that Taiwan and Europe jointly face a new "threat" in his bid to portray the island as a victim of regional geopolitics, and to garner global sympathy and support for pursuing "Taiwan independence". Particularly reprehensible is the DPP's attempt to distort history and promote a defeatist historical narrative to advance its "Taiwan independence" agenda.
\n
The DPP distorts the island's real history with the aim of confusing Taiwan residents and promoting the concept of a "new Taiwan". And yet the "10 talks on unity" that Lai launched in June has no takers on the island because it goes against the public opinion in Taiwan.
\n
Since his election last year, Lai and the DPP have intensified their "pro-independence" maneuvers, especially in areas such as education and culture. In February 2024, the DPP authorities issued the "Tainan 400 commemorative" stamps, featuring iconic buildings from different periods in Tainan city to demonstrate the island's progress during what the DPP misleadingly calls periods of "Dutch, Ming, Qing and Japanese rule".
\n
Also, under the guise of strengthening Taiwan-related content and boosting Taiwan residents' "cultural confidence", the DPP's cultural authorities spent exorbitant amounts to produce 1624, a large-scale Gezai opera to mark "400 years" of Taiwan entering the global stage, and present its colonial history as the beginning of the "globalization" of Taiwan.
\n
The DPP authorities have been trying to systematically reduce true Chinese cultural elements in Taiwan textbooks, while promoting education in Minnan dialect in primary and secondary schools. They have been using the performative arts such as opera, films and TV programs, along with administrative measures, to reinforce so-called Taiwan history and culture, while suppressing advocates of Chinese cultural education, and creating obstacles to cross-Strait exchanges in their bid to erase true Chinese cultural elements from the island.
\n
In fact, they have been using evil means to erase the historical and cultural link between the two sides of the Strait, and more rigorously pursue "Taiwan independence" at the ideological level. By using the island's administrative power to strengthen its "Taiwan independence" narrative, the DPP is spreading poison among Taiwan residents, which could even sever the younger generation's bond with their roots.
\n
No power can change the fact that the mainland and Taiwan have a shared destiny. Eighty years ago, after an arduous and bitter struggle, the Chinese people achieved victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) with Taiwan seeing the end of 50 years of Japanese colonial rule. The Japanese occupation was the darkest period in the island's history, a period when Taiwan residents endured immense suffering under the brutal, oppressive Japanese colonization. By resisting the Japanese fascist forces, Taiwan residents maintained links with their roots.
\n
No country or region has ever regarded its colonization as the beginning of its history or social progress. The Dutch and Japanese colonizers were invaders, not builders of Taiwan. The Dutch colonizers, who arrived in Taiwan during the late Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), slaughtered the indigenous people on the island, built fortifications there and plundered its resources. They were global pirates during Europe's "age of expansion" and brutal invaders of Taiwan, not builders who developed the land.
\n
Japan's 50-year occupation of Taiwan was marked by bloodshed and exploitation. Even the little development that happened during Japanese colonial rule was intended to force Taiwan to serve Japan's imperialist goals. The DPP's glorification of colonial aggression is aimed at severing ties with the main lineage of Chinese culture and history. But facts show that regions that disown their history are, in turn, disowned by history.
\n
Lai should face up to the true history of the island during World War II and stop playing with fire. His tactics of spreading "green terrorism" are wreaking havoc on the island from within. No "T-Dome" can shield against such disasters.
Employees from Taiyuan North Railway Station in Shanxi province work on phase-II of the concentrated overhaul of the Shijiazhuang-Taiyuan Railway. China Railway Taiyuan Group launched the move in a bid to ensure safer rail transport.
Employees from Taiyuan North Railway Station in Shanxi province work on phase-II of the concentrated overhaul of the Shijiazhuang-Taiyuan Railway. China Railway Taiyuan Group launched the move in a bid to ensure safer rail transport.
Chinese online payment clearinghouse NetsUnion and card payment giant China UnionPay reported robust growth in online payments during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, central bank data show. During the eightday holiday that concluded on Wednesday, online payments via the two platforms hit 13.26 trillion yuan ($1.86 trillion), up 1.86 trillion yuan from last year's holiday.
\n
Light industry sees solid expansion
\n
During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), China's light industry expanded steadily, with output continuing to grow, according to the China National Light Industry Council. In 2024, China had 140,000 light-industry enterprises exceeding the designated size, which provided 17.92 million jobs. The sector's exports reached $925.4 billion, accounting for 25.9 percent of the country's total export value and ranking first among all industries for the fifth consecutive year.
US President Donald Trump suggested on Thursday that Spain be expelled from NATO for refusing to increase its defense spending. "They have no excuse not to do this," Trump told reporters at the White House during a meeting with visiting Finnish President Alexander Stubb. "Maybe you should throw them out of NATO frankly. You people are gonna have to start speaking to Spain," Trump said. "You have to call them and find why are they a laggard." Under pressure from Trump, NATO members in June agreed to raise their military spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product by 2035. Spain on Friday rejected Trump's suggestion it should be expelled from NATO for failing to meet his ramped-up defense spending target. "Spain is a committed and full member of NATO. And it meets its capacity targets as much as the United States," Spanish government sources said.
\n
EUROPE
\n
EU chief survives 2 no-confidence votes
\n
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen survived two motions of no-confidence in the European Parliament on Thursday, following accusations ranging from an alleged unfair trade deal with the United States to inaction over Israel. A total of 594 Members of the European Parliament took part in the vote, accounting for 82.5 percent of all 720 members. The first motion was rejected with 179 votes in favor, 378 against, and 37 abstentions. The second motion was also rejected with 133 votes in favor, 383 against, and 78 abstentions. According to the Parliament's rules, a motion of no confidence can only be adopted if supported by more than two-thirds of the voting members.
\n
THE PHILIPPINES
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7.4-magnitude quake kills at least 3
\n
A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern Philippines on Friday, killing at least three people and triggering regional tsunami warnings that were later lifted. The quake hit about 20 kilometers off Manay town in the Mindanao region at 9:43 am, according to the United States Geological Survey. One person was killed when a wall collapsed in Mati city, the largest population hub near the quake's epicenter, while a local man suffered a fatal heart attack, local officials said. Another person was killed in Davao city, more than 100 kilometers west of the epicenter, a city government statement said without giving details.
\n",
- "content": "
UNITED STATES
\n
Trump threatens to expel Spain from NATO
\n
US President Donald Trump suggested on Thursday that Spain be expelled from NATO for refusing to increase its defense spending. "They have no excuse not to do this," Trump told reporters at the White House during a meeting with visiting Finnish President Alexander Stubb. "Maybe you should throw them out of NATO frankly. You people are gonna have to start speaking to Spain," Trump said. "You have to call them and find why are they a laggard." Under pressure from Trump, NATO members in June agreed to raise their military spending to 5 percent of gross domestic product by 2035. Spain on Friday rejected Trump's suggestion it should be expelled from NATO for failing to meet his ramped-up defense spending target. "Spain is a committed and full member of NATO. And it meets its capacity targets as much as the United States," Spanish government sources said.
\n
EUROPE
\n
EU chief survives 2 no-confidence votes
\n
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen survived two motions of no-confidence in the European Parliament on Thursday, following accusations ranging from an alleged unfair trade deal with the United States to inaction over Israel. A total of 594 Members of the European Parliament took part in the vote, accounting for 82.5 percent of all 720 members. The first motion was rejected with 179 votes in favor, 378 against, and 37 abstentions. The second motion was also rejected with 133 votes in favor, 383 against, and 78 abstentions. According to the Parliament's rules, a motion of no confidence can only be adopted if supported by more than two-thirds of the voting members.
\n
THE PHILIPPINES
\n
7.4-magnitude quake kills at least 3
\n
A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern Philippines on Friday, killing at least three people and triggering regional tsunami warnings that were later lifted. The quake hit about 20 kilometers off Manay town in the Mindanao region at 9:43 am, according to the United States Geological Survey. One person was killed when a wall collapsed in Mati city, the largest population hub near the quake's epicenter, while a local man suffered a fatal heart attack, local officials said. Another person was killed in Davao city, more than 100 kilometers west of the epicenter, a city government statement said without giving details.
The quit of Japan's Komeito party from the ruling coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party deals a serious blow to the LDP and its new leader in the upcoming election for prime minister.
\n
Tetsuo Saito, chief representative of Komeito, informed the new LDP President Sanae Takaichi of the decision at a meeting on Friday, according to The Asahi Shimbun.
\n
"For the time being, the LDP-Komeito coalition is a blank slate," Saito was quoted as saying at a news conference after the meeting.
\n
Saito said the LDP failed to provide sufficient answers regarding the scandalous political funding and other issues.
\n
With efforts to tackle politics and money being Komeito's top priorities, the party will dissolve the coalition with the LDP and terminate further election cooperation with the party, he said, adding that its lawmakers will vote for Saito, not Takaichi, as prime minister.
\n
Komeito's exit will bring an end to a partnership that has lasted 26 years. It also came at a time when a vote for selecting a new prime minister is expected later this month in the Lower House of the National Diet, Japan's parliament.
\n
Takaichi, who is in a bid to become Japan's first female prime minister, said she was only unilaterally informed by Saito during the meeting of Komeito's withdrawal from the coalition government, according to Kyodo News.
\n
She said Komeito's withdrawal was "deeply regrettable" considering the two parties' past cooperation, including during their time in opposition under the Democratic Party of Japan administration.
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Local media reported that the LDP and the government are considering convening an extraordinary parliament session as early as Oct 20 to elect Japan's next prime minister.
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The decision by Komeito to end its alliance with the LDP deals a significant blow to the LDP and is set to have a profound impact on Japan's political future, said Hiroshi Shiratori, a professor of political science at Hosei University in Tokyo.
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"This move not only means Komeito will withhold support for Sanae Takaichi in the prime ministerial election but could also bring an end to cooperation between the two parties in both national and local elections," Shiratori said.
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Long-expected decision
\n
Shiratori said the decision was long expected, as Saito had warned that the excessive conservatism by the LDP made cooperation difficult, while years of cooperation had left Komeito with mounting losses.
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"Far from expanding its influence, the alliance has gradually eroded Komeito's power amid the LDP's political and financial controversies," said Shiratori.
\n
The LDP holds the largest number of seats in parliament's Lower House with 196 seats, but still short of a majority. Komeito holds 24 seats.
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The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan has 148 seats. The party has suggested it may support Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the Democratic Party for the People, as a prime minister candidate.
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CDP Secretary-General Jun Azumi told reporters that after the ruling coalition split, the possibility of a change in government is emerging, depending on the combination of parties formed for the prime minister election.
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Takahide Kiuchi, an economist at Nomura Research Institute, told Reuters that if the opposition parties formed a coalition with Komeito and selected Tamaki as their leader, it would result in a government led by an opposition alliance.
\n
Contact the writers at kelly@chinadailyapac.com
\n",
@@ -11225,28 +12171,6 @@
"hash": "49c43806067a80f9179a6f2c35e7dca4",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "009LIFE - The woman who dared to drum",
- "description": "
He Guiying and her granddaughter perform Jino folk songs from the concert The Ocean Etched in the Forest in a bar in Beijing on Sept 27.
\n
"Whatever your nationality, age, beliefs, or ethnicity, come watch our performance and dance with us."
\n
This invitation comes from He Guiying, the first woman ever to beat the sacred Jino drum in the deep rainforests of Southwest China. On Sunday, He, together with eight children from Jino Mountain, will present the music and dance of their culture on the stage of the Beijing International Music Festival.
\n
Born in 1967, during her teenage years, He Guiying broke the taboo forbidding women to touch the Jino drum. Today, she is the sole national-level inheritor of the Jino drum dance and has dedicated more than 40 years to this art. Filled with pride, she says: "We are a small ethnic group, and these are such small children standing on a grand stage — how could I not be proud?"
\n
The Jino people are China's last-recognized ethnic group, officially designated in 1979 as the country's 56th such group. With a population of fewer than 30,000, they have long lived in the Jino township of Jinghong city, Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture, Yunnan province.
\n
For the Jino, the drum is both a totem and a sacred ritual object. According to legend, a great flood once submerged Jino Mountain. The creator goddess Amo Yaobei placed twin siblings inside a giant drum. After drifting for seven days and nights, the waters receded and the sound of the drum thudding against the ground signaled their survival. The siblings then became the ancestors of the Jino people. To honor the goddess' blessing, the Jino strike the drum each year during their most important celebration, the Temaoke Festival, held from Feb 6-8 to welcome the New Year and pray for favorable weather and abundant harvests.
\n
Every ritual involving the drum is solemn and cautious. Since He's childhood, it has been said that the drum "cannot be struck casually". Each of the Jino's 40-plus villages keeps one drum, housed in the home of the zhuoba, the most respected village elder. Any improper contact with the drum, damage to it, or even a mouse entering its chamber, was seen as an ominous sign.
\n
Only during the Temaoke Festival would the drum be revealed. On the first day, the zhuoba would strike the drum three times to signal the arrival of the festival. After sacrifices, he would lead the villagers in the drum dance. Traditionally, the drum was placed on a high stand, beaten by two men — one on each side — while women danced beside it. On the following two days of the festival, the drumsticks could be passed to other male villagers to pray for their families' well-being. For women, however, touching the drum meant being cursed.
\n
Elders constantly warned the girls: beating the drum would bring disaster to their families. As a child, He shared this fear. But when she finally picked up the sticks and struck the drum, nothing happened.
\n
For her, drumming came naturally. She loved singing and dancing since childhood. After dropping out of junior high in 1983, He worked in the fields by day and studied traditional songs and dances with her village's elderly artists by night. With her bright, powerful voice and sharp memory, she quickly stood out: "My mouth is my best speaker. I can sing, dance, choreograph, and even teach students," she says.
\n
Her talent soon made her the star of the village troupe. Around that time, scholars studying ethnic culture visited and asked her: "Are there forms in the drum dance where men and women duel on the drum?" She answered, "No." This exchange sparked her reflection: Why couldn't women play the drum? Her curiosity grew.
\n
Around 1985, she began secretly teaching herself by observing others. "Nothing happened the first time I played, nor the second. I knew then — the drum belonged to me."
\n
But the drum was not made for her. About 1 meter in diameter and half a meter in width, standing nearly 2 meters high on its frame, it dwarfed the petite He. Her hands blistered from practice. With no electricity in the village, she trained by candlelight and firelight under the moon. By 1986, after relentless practice, she could play and dance at the same time, performing the drum dance in full.
\n
For her, the courage to drum came from her culture itself: "It's not just the drum, but also the dance and the songs." Yet preserving this culture did little to ease her hardships. In the lean 1980s and 1990s, she performed even when penniless — sometimes borrowing 10 yuan ($1.4) from her father, a factory worker earning 30 yuan a month, just for her bus fares. She often skipped meals, returning home hungry after shows.
\n
Meanwhile, she held many other roles: a village doctor for 28 years, running house-to-house for visits; the founder of a rural cooperative that helps women produce traditional "machete cloth"; manager of 3,000 rubber trees; and later, a rainforest tour guide. No matter how busy life became, she never gave up drumming.
\n
Her stamina is unmatched — able to drum nonstop for half an hour or more. Filmmaker Song Yi, who followed her for a documentary, noted: "Counting every man and woman in Jino villages who can play, she is still the one who drums the longest."
\n
In recent years, she has focused on teaching and choreographing the drum dance, especially encouraging women: "The drum isn't what you fear. It can bring you good fortune." In the third edition of the dance, she introduced a new segment — each member taking turns striking the drum, "to bring its blessings home".
\n
By the fifth edition, she integrated everyday life into the ancient dance. One controversial move — playing the drum with her back turned — was inspired by her experience as a mother: "Sometimes a child, while nursing, mischievously turns his back. I see the drum as my mother. I love her, so I can also face away while drumming."
\n
Her goal is not rebellion, but cultural preservation and awareness. As more people learn about the drum dance, her village troupe has gained opportunities to perform nationwide. Last year, composer Du Yun collaborated with her on a musical based on Jino mythology, performed by Jino children. Though unfamiliar with modern art, He embraced the project: "Times are changing. So must our culture. What matters is that it can express our life."
\n
Today, more Jino women than men are learning the drum dance.
\n
"As long as I am here," He says, "my drum will keep beating."
\n",
- "content": "
He Guiying and her granddaughter perform Jino folk songs from the concert The Ocean Etched in the Forest in a bar in Beijing on Sept 27.
\n
"Whatever your nationality, age, beliefs, or ethnicity, come watch our performance and dance with us."
\n
This invitation comes from He Guiying, the first woman ever to beat the sacred Jino drum in the deep rainforests of Southwest China. On Sunday, He, together with eight children from Jino Mountain, will present the music and dance of their culture on the stage of the Beijing International Music Festival.
\n
Born in 1967, during her teenage years, He Guiying broke the taboo forbidding women to touch the Jino drum. Today, she is the sole national-level inheritor of the Jino drum dance and has dedicated more than 40 years to this art. Filled with pride, she says: "We are a small ethnic group, and these are such small children standing on a grand stage — how could I not be proud?"
\n
The Jino people are China's last-recognized ethnic group, officially designated in 1979 as the country's 56th such group. With a population of fewer than 30,000, they have long lived in the Jino township of Jinghong city, Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture, Yunnan province.
\n
For the Jino, the drum is both a totem and a sacred ritual object. According to legend, a great flood once submerged Jino Mountain. The creator goddess Amo Yaobei placed twin siblings inside a giant drum. After drifting for seven days and nights, the waters receded and the sound of the drum thudding against the ground signaled their survival. The siblings then became the ancestors of the Jino people. To honor the goddess' blessing, the Jino strike the drum each year during their most important celebration, the Temaoke Festival, held from Feb 6-8 to welcome the New Year and pray for favorable weather and abundant harvests.
\n
Every ritual involving the drum is solemn and cautious. Since He's childhood, it has been said that the drum "cannot be struck casually". Each of the Jino's 40-plus villages keeps one drum, housed in the home of the zhuoba, the most respected village elder. Any improper contact with the drum, damage to it, or even a mouse entering its chamber, was seen as an ominous sign.
\n
Only during the Temaoke Festival would the drum be revealed. On the first day, the zhuoba would strike the drum three times to signal the arrival of the festival. After sacrifices, he would lead the villagers in the drum dance. Traditionally, the drum was placed on a high stand, beaten by two men — one on each side — while women danced beside it. On the following two days of the festival, the drumsticks could be passed to other male villagers to pray for their families' well-being. For women, however, touching the drum meant being cursed.
\n
Elders constantly warned the girls: beating the drum would bring disaster to their families. As a child, He shared this fear. But when she finally picked up the sticks and struck the drum, nothing happened.
\n
For her, drumming came naturally. She loved singing and dancing since childhood. After dropping out of junior high in 1983, He worked in the fields by day and studied traditional songs and dances with her village's elderly artists by night. With her bright, powerful voice and sharp memory, she quickly stood out: "My mouth is my best speaker. I can sing, dance, choreograph, and even teach students," she says.
\n
Her talent soon made her the star of the village troupe. Around that time, scholars studying ethnic culture visited and asked her: "Are there forms in the drum dance where men and women duel on the drum?" She answered, "No." This exchange sparked her reflection: Why couldn't women play the drum? Her curiosity grew.
\n
Around 1985, she began secretly teaching herself by observing others. "Nothing happened the first time I played, nor the second. I knew then — the drum belonged to me."
\n
But the drum was not made for her. About 1 meter in diameter and half a meter in width, standing nearly 2 meters high on its frame, it dwarfed the petite He. Her hands blistered from practice. With no electricity in the village, she trained by candlelight and firelight under the moon. By 1986, after relentless practice, she could play and dance at the same time, performing the drum dance in full.
\n
For her, the courage to drum came from her culture itself: "It's not just the drum, but also the dance and the songs." Yet preserving this culture did little to ease her hardships. In the lean 1980s and 1990s, she performed even when penniless — sometimes borrowing 10 yuan ($1.4) from her father, a factory worker earning 30 yuan a month, just for her bus fares. She often skipped meals, returning home hungry after shows.
\n
Meanwhile, she held many other roles: a village doctor for 28 years, running house-to-house for visits; the founder of a rural cooperative that helps women produce traditional "machete cloth"; manager of 3,000 rubber trees; and later, a rainforest tour guide. No matter how busy life became, she never gave up drumming.
\n
Her stamina is unmatched — able to drum nonstop for half an hour or more. Filmmaker Song Yi, who followed her for a documentary, noted: "Counting every man and woman in Jino villages who can play, she is still the one who drums the longest."
\n
In recent years, she has focused on teaching and choreographing the drum dance, especially encouraging women: "The drum isn't what you fear. It can bring you good fortune." In the third edition of the dance, she introduced a new segment — each member taking turns striking the drum, "to bring its blessings home".
\n
By the fifth edition, she integrated everyday life into the ancient dance. One controversial move — playing the drum with her back turned — was inspired by her experience as a mother: "Sometimes a child, while nursing, mischievously turns his back. I see the drum as my mother. I love her, so I can also face away while drumming."
\n
Her goal is not rebellion, but cultural preservation and awareness. As more people learn about the drum dance, her village troupe has gained opportunities to perform nationwide. Last year, composer Du Yun collaborated with her on a musical based on Jino mythology, performed by Jino children. Though unfamiliar with modern art, He embraced the project: "Times are changing. So must our culture. What matters is that it can express our life."
\n
Today, more Jino women than men are learning the drum dance.
\n
"As long as I am here," He says, "my drum will keep beating."
Two dishes created by Swiss chef Michaela Frank for her pop-up menu in Beijing, which she adapted to Chinese tastes while adding her own creative twists.
\n
Two dishes created by Swiss chef Michaela Frank for her pop-up menu in Beijing, which she adapted to Chinese tastes while adding her own creative twists.
\n
Restaurant DuLi in Beijing's Chaoyang district.
\n
Chef Frank.
\n
The aroma of rosti and red cabbage drifted through DuLi, Beijing's celebrated plant-based restaurant, where Swiss chef Michaela Frank spent two weeks reimagining alpine culinary traditions for a Chinese audience. From Sept 11 to 26, she led DuLi's kitchen with a Swiss-inspired menu that blended heritage, sustainability, creativity, and cross-cultural exchange.
\n
Her residency was the centerpiece of the Embassy of Switzerland's "Eat Swiss" campaign, an exclusive culinary collaboration pairing the acclaimed young chef with one of Beijing's most innovative dining venues. The initiative is part of a broader series of embassyled events marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and China.
\n
Born and raised in Switzerland to a mother from Shanghai, Frank draws on both cultures to craft dishes that feel simultaneously familiar and refreshingly inventive.
\n
Her culinary journey began early. "Already as a child I was fascinated with food and I soaked up my mother's skills, following her every step in the kitchen," she said.
\n
After working in several fine dining restaurants and being a part of the Swiss culinary juniors national team, she found more joy and purpose in cooking food for a wider audience and not only for those who can afford fine dining.
\n
At 29, Frank has already made a name for herself on the European culinary scene. She trained under renowned chefs, including Nenad Mlinarevic, and benefited from Uccelin Foundation scholarship program. Combining technical precision with ingredient-driven creativity, she has earned 14 Gault Millau points (out of 20), becoming Switzerland's youngest female chef to achieve this distinction.
\n
Frank also led the kitchen at Rank in Zurich, a restaurant recognized for its eco-conscious cuisine, and is celebrated for her inventive, sustainable approach to cooking.
\n
"Food is a universal language that connects cultures and people," said Jurg Burri, Ambassador of Switzerland to China.
\n
"We are delighted to bring chef Michaela Frank to Beijing to share her perspective — rooted in Swiss excellence, enriched by her Chinese heritage — with the people of this city."
\n
During her two-week residency at DuLi, Frank introduced a menu reflecting her philosophy of "less, but right", emphasizing high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients and mindful consumption.
\n
"Swiss food is, in one sense, so simple and in another, it holds so much history. Every dish includes an ingredient that tells a story of why it was created, and we are very specific about how it is made," she said.
\n
In Beijing, she modernized each dish, adapting them to Chinese tastes while adding her own creative twists.
\n
Signature dishes include Malakoff & Jurassic red cabbage, polenta Ticinesi, Berner rosti, Capuns, and Coupe Aargau, each presenting a modern take on Swiss culinary traditions.
\n
Frank was pleased that feedback emphasized surprise, with diners noting that nothing matched their expectations of Swiss cuisine.
\n
"They never imagined Swiss food could be so light and fresh," she said.
\n
"Many visitors came to see DuLi's decor, but I also felt they came out of curiosity to explore Swiss food."
\n
"I was very happy with the choice of DuLi. Although veganism is not widespread in China, they chose it for the good cause of raising awareness. Recreating the dishes in a plant-based version was challenging, but I saw it as the most sustainable decision."
\n
A special old Beijing-style Saint Bernard sour beer, brewed exclusively for the event with European fruits and Beijing's native sour jujube, complemented the menu. Through this collaboration, the Embassy of Switzerland highlighted how culinary creativity can celebrate both heritage and sustainability, and strengthen cultural exchange between Switzerland and China.
Palestinians celebrate in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on Thursday following news of a new Gaza ceasefire deal.
\n
Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, rejoices on Thursday at the "Hostages Square" in Tel Aviv, Israel, after US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed on the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire.
\n
The international community has expressed hope for peace and urged Israel and Hamas to fulfill their commitments after the two parties agreed to the "first phase" of a deal signaling a breakthrough in the two-year conflict in Gaza.
\n
The initial phase of the plan involves the release of all 20 living Israeli hostages remaining in Gaza in the coming days, the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and the retreat of Israeli troops from the majority of Gaza.
\n
It was yielded from indirect talks in Egypt, based on a 20-point framework offered by United States President Donald Trump.
\n
"This means that all of the hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their troops to an agreed-upon line as the first steps toward a strong, durable, and everlasting peace," Trump wrote on social media platform Truth Social on Wednesday, first announcing the deal.
\n
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would convene his government later on Thursday to approve the agreement, adding in a statement that it was "a great day for Israel".
\n
Hamas also confirmed the accord, but called on Trump and the guarantor states to ensure that Israel fully implements the ceasefire.
\n
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in a statement published by the Wafa news agency on Thursday, praised all mediators and stressed the need for all parties to commit to the immediate implementation of the agreement and reiterated that sovereignty over the Gaza Strip belongs to the State of Palestine.
\n
Abbas reiterated that the connection between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip must be achieved through unified Palestinian government institutions, including an administrative committee and Palestinian security forces, within the framework of a single system and law, and with Arab and international support.
\n
While the mediators had widely been praised, Mustafa Barghouti, founder of the Palestinian National Initiative, said that the primary credit for halting the war in Gaza and "ethnic cleansing of its people" goes to the heroism, steadfastness and bravery of the Palestinian people.
\n
Barghouti also said that caution must be maintained against the schemes of Netanyahu and his government, and that efforts should "focus on supporting the resilience of our people in the Gaza Strip", rebuilding what has been destroyed there, and confronting the colonial settlement onslaught in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
\n
A similar view was echoed by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The second-largest armed group in Gaza said that the ceasefire agreement and prisoner exchange are not a "gift from anyone" and cited the sacrifices of the Palestinian people, although the group noted international efforts in securing the deal.
\n
News of the deal prompted celebrations in Israel, Gaza, and beyond, with Israeli families of hostages letting off fireworks, while Palestinians clapped and cheered in hopes of an end to their sufferings, though many are in doubt of Israeli commitments.
\n
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commended the diplomatic efforts.
\n
"I urge all stakeholders to seize this momentous opportunity to establish a credible political path forward toward ending the occupation, recognizing the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people and achieving a two-state solution that enables Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security," Guterres said in a statement on Thursday.
\n
Qatar said the deal was the "first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which will lead to ending the war, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of aid".
\n
In a televised speech on Wednesday, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said that the talks in Sharm el-Sheikh were "progressing positively", Xinhua News Agency reported.
\n
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the agreement and said the agreement must now be implemented "in full, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on lifesaving humanitarian aid to Gaza".
\n
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said New Delhi welcomes the agreement on the first phase of President Trump's peace plan and hopes the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza "will bring respite to them and pave the way for lasting peace".
\n
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in an interview published on Wednesday, said Trump's plan may be general in approach, but remains the best proposal "on the table" for now.
\n
While the agreement is being described as a breakthrough, it was short on detail — including a timeline for Israeli withdrawal of all troops — and left many unresolved questions that could yet lead to its collapse, as has happened with previous peace efforts.
\n
Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council Jan Egeland said stopping the bombing alone "will not end survivors' suffering" and cautioned against repeating the mistakes of previous ceasefires.
\n
Contact the writers at cuihaipei@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Palestinians celebrate in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on Thursday following news of a new Gaza ceasefire deal.
\n
Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, rejoices on Thursday at the "Hostages Square" in Tel Aviv, Israel, after US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed on the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire.
\n
The international community has expressed hope for peace and urged Israel and Hamas to fulfill their commitments after the two parties agreed to the "first phase" of a deal signaling a breakthrough in the two-year conflict in Gaza.
\n
The initial phase of the plan involves the release of all 20 living Israeli hostages remaining in Gaza in the coming days, the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and the retreat of Israeli troops from the majority of Gaza.
\n
It was yielded from indirect talks in Egypt, based on a 20-point framework offered by United States President Donald Trump.
\n
"This means that all of the hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their troops to an agreed-upon line as the first steps toward a strong, durable, and everlasting peace," Trump wrote on social media platform Truth Social on Wednesday, first announcing the deal.
\n
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would convene his government later on Thursday to approve the agreement, adding in a statement that it was "a great day for Israel".
\n
Hamas also confirmed the accord, but called on Trump and the guarantor states to ensure that Israel fully implements the ceasefire.
\n
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, in a statement published by the Wafa news agency on Thursday, praised all mediators and stressed the need for all parties to commit to the immediate implementation of the agreement and reiterated that sovereignty over the Gaza Strip belongs to the State of Palestine.
\n
Abbas reiterated that the connection between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip must be achieved through unified Palestinian government institutions, including an administrative committee and Palestinian security forces, within the framework of a single system and law, and with Arab and international support.
\n
While the mediators had widely been praised, Mustafa Barghouti, founder of the Palestinian National Initiative, said that the primary credit for halting the war in Gaza and "ethnic cleansing of its people" goes to the heroism, steadfastness and bravery of the Palestinian people.
\n
Barghouti also said that caution must be maintained against the schemes of Netanyahu and his government, and that efforts should "focus on supporting the resilience of our people in the Gaza Strip", rebuilding what has been destroyed there, and confronting the colonial settlement onslaught in the West Bank and Jerusalem.
\n
A similar view was echoed by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The second-largest armed group in Gaza said that the ceasefire agreement and prisoner exchange are not a "gift from anyone" and cited the sacrifices of the Palestinian people, although the group noted international efforts in securing the deal.
\n
News of the deal prompted celebrations in Israel, Gaza, and beyond, with Israeli families of hostages letting off fireworks, while Palestinians clapped and cheered in hopes of an end to their sufferings, though many are in doubt of Israeli commitments.
\n
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commended the diplomatic efforts.
\n
"I urge all stakeholders to seize this momentous opportunity to establish a credible political path forward toward ending the occupation, recognizing the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people and achieving a two-state solution that enables Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace and security," Guterres said in a statement on Thursday.
\n
Qatar said the deal was the "first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which will lead to ending the war, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of aid".
\n
In a televised speech on Wednesday, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi said that the talks in Sharm el-Sheikh were "progressing positively", Xinhua News Agency reported.
\n
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the agreement and said the agreement must now be implemented "in full, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on lifesaving humanitarian aid to Gaza".
\n
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said New Delhi welcomes the agreement on the first phase of President Trump's peace plan and hopes the release of hostages and enhanced humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza "will bring respite to them and pave the way for lasting peace".
\n
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in an interview published on Wednesday, said Trump's plan may be general in approach, but remains the best proposal "on the table" for now.
\n
While the agreement is being described as a breakthrough, it was short on detail — including a timeline for Israeli withdrawal of all troops — and left many unresolved questions that could yet lead to its collapse, as has happened with previous peace efforts.
\n
Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council Jan Egeland said stopping the bombing alone "will not end survivors' suffering" and cautioned against repeating the mistakes of previous ceasefires.
\n
Contact the writers at cuihaipei@chinadaily.com.cn
Villagers from Gaowen Miao village grill fish over an open flame in Rongshui Miao autonomous county, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on Thursday. The village hosted the 20th annual traditional "Fish Grilling Festival", featuring activities such as grilling fish, performing the Miao dance, playing the traditional reed-pipe instrument lusheng, and tug-of-war, attracting local residents and tourists to celebrate the harvest.
As the number of skin blistering cases caused by the acidic venom of rove beetles increases in parts of China, experts are warning the public not to swat or crush the insects, and instead to gently brush them off with a napkin or blow them away to avoid skin irritation.
\n
In recent weeks, short videos showing swarms of the reddish, black-striped insects covering scaffolding and mesh nets at a construction site in Luoyang, Henan province, have circulated widely online.
\n
Since late September, medical and disease control experts in the provinces of Anhui, Shandong and Shaanxi have reported increasing numbers of patients developing painful red blisters after coming into contact with the insect.
\n
Peng Jun, a dermatologist at Dezhou Hospital under the Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, said late last month that his department has been receiving about eight to 10 rove beetle-related cases per day — a significant increase compared with last year.
\n
Disease control authorities in Suzhou, Anhui, said last week that after persistent rainy weather, many residents noticed an influx of small flying insects in their homes, later identified as rove beetles.
\n
Liu Qiyong, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a news conference that rove beetles are most active in moist environments with temperatures around 25 C and humidity near 80 percent. They tend to inhabit areas with tall grass, shrubs and stagnant water.
\n
If a rove beetle is crushed or swatted against the skin, it releases a highly acidic venom with a pH level comparable to that of concentrated sulfuric acid, which can cause rashes and blisters of varying severity.
\n
Experts advise that if a rove beetle lands on the skin, people should gently blow it away or brush it off with an object rather than slapping it to avoid contact with its venom.
\n
For those exposed to the venom, Liu recommends immediately rinsing the affected area with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Medical attention should be sought if symptoms such as darkening skin, persistent fever, spreading redness or rash develop, he added.
\n
wangxiaoyu@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
As the number of skin blistering cases caused by the acidic venom of rove beetles increases in parts of China, experts are warning the public not to swat or crush the insects, and instead to gently brush them off with a napkin or blow them away to avoid skin irritation.
\n
In recent weeks, short videos showing swarms of the reddish, black-striped insects covering scaffolding and mesh nets at a construction site in Luoyang, Henan province, have circulated widely online.
\n
Since late September, medical and disease control experts in the provinces of Anhui, Shandong and Shaanxi have reported increasing numbers of patients developing painful red blisters after coming into contact with the insect.
\n
Peng Jun, a dermatologist at Dezhou Hospital under the Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, said late last month that his department has been receiving about eight to 10 rove beetle-related cases per day — a significant increase compared with last year.
\n
Disease control authorities in Suzhou, Anhui, said last week that after persistent rainy weather, many residents noticed an influx of small flying insects in their homes, later identified as rove beetles.
\n
Liu Qiyong, a researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a news conference that rove beetles are most active in moist environments with temperatures around 25 C and humidity near 80 percent. They tend to inhabit areas with tall grass, shrubs and stagnant water.
\n
If a rove beetle is crushed or swatted against the skin, it releases a highly acidic venom with a pH level comparable to that of concentrated sulfuric acid, which can cause rashes and blisters of varying severity.
\n
Experts advise that if a rove beetle lands on the skin, people should gently blow it away or brush it off with an object rather than slapping it to avoid contact with its venom.
\n
For those exposed to the venom, Liu recommends immediately rinsing the affected area with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. Medical attention should be sought if symptoms such as darkening skin, persistent fever, spreading redness or rash develop, he added.
Visitors watch a performance at the Hetou Old Street scenic area in Tangshan, Hebei province, on Oct 4.
\n
The recent National Day holiday bolstered China's tourism market, with both the number of tourists and tourism spending reaching record highs.
\n
This year's holiday lasted eight days, from Oct 1 to Wednesday, as Mid-Autumn Festival — a traditional Chinese festival for appreciating the full moon — overlapped with the National Day holiday break.
\n
The latest figures from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism show that about 888 million domestic trips were made during the holiday, generating 809 billion yuan ($113 billion) in tourism spending.
\n
Family trips and long-distance travel — both within China and abroad — were the most popular choices for tourists during the break, according to travel agencies.
\n
Travel portal Tuniu reported on Wednesday that bookings on its platform recorded double-digit growth during the holiday compared with 2024. Major cities with abundant natural and cultural attractions and diverse culinary offerings — including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu in Sichuan province and Hangzhou in Zhejiang province — were among the top domestic destinations.
\n
"We took a five-day trip to Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou province, during the holiday," said 36-year-old Beijing resident, Zeng Jie. "My husband planned the trip because he has always wanted to try Guiyang's local specialties such as sour soup hotpot and siwawa — a type of vegetarian spring roll." She added that the province's natural scenery was another highlight of their trip.
\n
Chinese travelers also fueled a surge in outbound tourism. The Lofoten Islands in Norway — home to around 20,000 permanent residents — experienced heavy traffic congestion as crowds of Chinese tourists flocked there during the National Day holiday. A topic about the traffic jams trended on social media platform, Sina Weibo, with several netizens commenting that "the whole world knows Chinese people are on vacation!"
\n
According to travel platform Qunar, hotel bookings in Norway during the holiday were 1.2 times higher than during the same period in 2024. Egypt also saw a strong increase, with bookings roughly doubling year-on-year. Qunar said its users booked hotels in 4,588 cities worldwide during the holiday, with Japan, Thailand, South Korea and Malaysia ranking as the most popular overseas destinations.
\n
Online travel agency Trip.com Group said some European destinations also benefited from the surge in Chinese tourists. Bookings to Iceland and Norway on its platform doubled, while those to Spain, Italy and Germany rose by about 70 percent.
\n
Trip.com Group also noted a steady increase in international visitors to the Chinese mainland during the holiday, mainly from South Korea, the United States, Russia and Japan.
\n
According to the National Immigration Administration, immigration inspection offices across the country handled about 16.34 million inbound and outbound trips by Chinese and foreign travelers during the holiday, with a daily average of 2.04 million crossings.
A visitor experiences performing shadow puppets in Xiaoyi city, Shanxi province.
\n
Members of a shadow puppetry troupe prepare to start a show at a theater in Xiaoyi.
\n
Hou Jianchuan (center) and two of his colleagues perform a traditional production at the shadow puppetry theater in Xiaoyi.
\n
Hou checks his shadow puppets at his studio in Xiaoyi.
\n
Hou (right) and a colleague operate a shadow puppet together during a show.
\n
The audience watches a show at a shadow puppetry theater in Xiaoyi.
\n
Hou displays traditional Xiaoyi shadow puppets at his studio.
\n
Hou observes and carves the head of a shadow puppet.
\n
A painting of Huanglong Zhenren (center), a deity in Taoism who is believed to be the creator of shadow puppetry in China, decorates the wall of an artist's home in Xiaoyi.
\n
A shadow puppetry artist teaches children to play with puppets.
\n
As one of China's oldest theatrical forms, shadow puppetry boasts a history spanning over 2,200 years. In 2011, Chinese shadow puppetry was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, with Xiaoyi city in Shanxi province recognized as a vital birthplace.
\n
"The Xiaoyi shadow puppetry is one of the cultural treasures of the Chinese people," said Hou Jianchuan, a 64-year-old practitioner from Xiaoyi. "I am dedicated to preserving and innovating this ancient art form."
\n
Born into a farming family steeped in the local tradition, Hou is breathing new life into this ancient art. "Growing up immersed in the world of shadow puppetry, listening to the stories and watching the performances, the cultural heritage became deeply ingrained in my being," he said. "My first encounter with shadow puppetry at a temple fair as a child left me utterly captivated."
\n
Chinese shadow puppetry utilizes light to project silhouette figures onto a screen, creating a captivating theatrical experience. By the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), the art form had spread to West Asia and Europe, bringing joy and artistic appreciation to audiences worldwide.
\n
To elevate the visibility and impact of Xiaoyi shadow puppetry, Hou and his colleagues have undertaken multiple performance tours in the United States, the Netherlands, and elsewhere, showcasing the allure of Chinese shadow puppetry on the global stage.
\n
"During our performances in Europe and the US, we incorporated percussion and integrated melodies from (Chinese movie) Red Sorghum, and classical music from (musical) Romeo and Juliet into traditional productions like Pigsy Marries a Bride to bridge language barriers and enable Western audiences to connect with the essence of Chinese shadow puppetry through familiar music," Hou said. "This cultural fusion has been widely lauded and has emerged as a highlight of cross-cultural exchange."
\n
With the establishment of the Xiaoyi Shadow Puppetry Museum and the inclusion of this art form in local schools' extracurricular programs, shadow puppetry has been gaining popularity in the area.
\n
Contact the writers at zhuxingxin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
A visitor experiences performing shadow puppets in Xiaoyi city, Shanxi province.
\n
Members of a shadow puppetry troupe prepare to start a show at a theater in Xiaoyi.
\n
Hou Jianchuan (center) and two of his colleagues perform a traditional production at the shadow puppetry theater in Xiaoyi.
\n
Hou checks his shadow puppets at his studio in Xiaoyi.
\n
Hou (right) and a colleague operate a shadow puppet together during a show.
\n
The audience watches a show at a shadow puppetry theater in Xiaoyi.
\n
Hou displays traditional Xiaoyi shadow puppets at his studio.
\n
Hou observes and carves the head of a shadow puppet.
\n
A painting of Huanglong Zhenren (center), a deity in Taoism who is believed to be the creator of shadow puppetry in China, decorates the wall of an artist's home in Xiaoyi.
\n
A shadow puppetry artist teaches children to play with puppets.
\n
As one of China's oldest theatrical forms, shadow puppetry boasts a history spanning over 2,200 years. In 2011, Chinese shadow puppetry was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, with Xiaoyi city in Shanxi province recognized as a vital birthplace.
\n
"The Xiaoyi shadow puppetry is one of the cultural treasures of the Chinese people," said Hou Jianchuan, a 64-year-old practitioner from Xiaoyi. "I am dedicated to preserving and innovating this ancient art form."
\n
Born into a farming family steeped in the local tradition, Hou is breathing new life into this ancient art. "Growing up immersed in the world of shadow puppetry, listening to the stories and watching the performances, the cultural heritage became deeply ingrained in my being," he said. "My first encounter with shadow puppetry at a temple fair as a child left me utterly captivated."
\n
Chinese shadow puppetry utilizes light to project silhouette figures onto a screen, creating a captivating theatrical experience. By the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), the art form had spread to West Asia and Europe, bringing joy and artistic appreciation to audiences worldwide.
\n
To elevate the visibility and impact of Xiaoyi shadow puppetry, Hou and his colleagues have undertaken multiple performance tours in the United States, the Netherlands, and elsewhere, showcasing the allure of Chinese shadow puppetry on the global stage.
\n
"During our performances in Europe and the US, we incorporated percussion and integrated melodies from (Chinese movie) Red Sorghum, and classical music from (musical) Romeo and Juliet into traditional productions like Pigsy Marries a Bride to bridge language barriers and enable Western audiences to connect with the essence of Chinese shadow puppetry through familiar music," Hou said. "This cultural fusion has been widely lauded and has emerged as a highlight of cross-cultural exchange."
\n
With the establishment of the Xiaoyi Shadow Puppetry Museum and the inclusion of this art form in local schools' extracurricular programs, shadow puppetry has been gaining popularity in the area.
\n
Contact the writers at zhuxingxin@chinadaily.com.cn
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{
"title": "008COMMENT - Mutual respect is the right way for nations to get along with each other",
"description": "
In an international landscape fraught with uncertainty, the meeting between China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani in Rome on Wednesday offers a refreshing narrative of sustained partnership.
\n
The constructive and extensive dialogue they held was conducive to reinforcing the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations bound by a long history and a shared vision for a stable future.
\n
Wang's central message underscored a fundamental principle guiding Chinese diplomacy: the importance of strategic and long-term perspective in state-to-state relations. The China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership, initiated by forward-looking visionary leaders, has proven its value over time. This is because its foundation lies not in transient interests, but in the mutual respect between two ancient civilizations and their shared recognition of the immense benefits that sustained collaboration brings.
\n
Reaffirmation of the partnership can help prevent zero-sum thinking from infecting Sino-Italian ties. The economic dimension of this partnership provides tangible evidence of its success. For 13 consecutive years, the two sides have jointly held the Science, Technology and Innovation Week, providing sustained momentum for strengthening trade, investment and technological cooperation.
\n
As Italy's largest trading partner in Asia for many years, China's pursuit of high-quality development continually brings opportunities for the Italian economy. By taking advantage of their economic complementarity, China and Italy can work together to explore cooperation in sustainable infrastructure, clean energy and digital connectivity, promoting a win-win scenario and fostering high-quality development of related sectors.
\n
On the global stage, both China and Italy are cradles of civilization and major members of the modern multilateral system. Wang's call for the two nations to jointly champion the spirit of multilateralism is therefore a call to defend the very system that has ensured decades of peace and development.
\n
As Wang said, mutual respect is the right way for countries to get along with each other. Those who share similar ideals and values are friends, and those who seek common ground while reserving differences can also be friends. Cultural and institutional differences should not become obstacles to dialogue and cooperation. The key is to understand and support each other's core interests and legitimate concerns.
\n
In the face of resurgent unilateralism and the dangerous drift toward bloc confrontation, the call from China and Italy for mutual learning, communication and collaboration is therefore critical. Their shared opposition to "decoupling" and economic fragmentation is a defense of global supply chains, which serves the two countries' common interests.
\n
There should be no doubt about China's willingness to work with Italy to maintain world peace, stability, development and prosperity, promote international unity in addressing global challenges, build a more just and equitable global governance system, and jointly advance toward a community with a shared future for humanity.
\n
Together, the two countries should work to build international consensus, encourage de-escalation, and create the conditions for a lasting peace that respects the security concerns of all parties.
\n
The meeting between Wang and his Italian host has reaffirmed a strategic choice made years ago. It proves that mutually beneficial partnership, based on mutual respect and shared interests, can withstand the tests of a changing world.
\n
By deepening mutual trust, expanding practical cooperation across new frontiers and standing together in defense of a multilateral, peaceful global order, China and Italy are not only trying to explore a prosperous course for their own peoples but also helping inject stability into a turbulent world.
\n",
@@ -11401,28 +12259,6 @@
"hash": "a6a9ab8746a72ae6834c192c5ce0fc55",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "009VIEWS - Liquor drinking will not do any good to people's health",
- "description": "
Chen Weihua
\n\n
I have been meeting friends and relatives for dinner and drinks since I returned to China after 16 years of being a foreign correspondent. One pleasant surprise is that fewer people now drink alcohol, at least the people I know.
\n
I've had some nightmarish experiences traveling in China in the past. People wanted to show their hospitality by constantly raising their glass and saying ganbei (bottoms up).Some were so serious that they wouldn't let you go until you got drunk.
\n
Even in Shanghai, where heavy drinking is less a problem compared with other parts of the country, I've seen, on several occasions, grooms getting completely drunk at the wedding ceremony because too many friends raised a toast to their "good health".
\n
It's good to see that alcohol has become less important today. In fact, at a friend's wedding in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, three weeks ago, no one at my table drank alcohol despite French wine and Wuliangye, an expensive Chinese liquor brand, being served.
\n
However, on my way back to Shanghai, I saw a huge billboard promoting a Chinese liquor brand at the Shanghai Railway Station. The company from Sichuan province advertised its product as "dream liquor". Similar advertisements can be seen at Beijing South Railway Station, from where I took the high-speed train to Shanghai a month ago.
\n
More annoying are the baijiu (a traditional Chinese spirit) commercials on national and local TV during prime news, with some telecast under the logo "Chinese time-honored brands".I am quite sure that baijiu won't make China strong despite the big profits made by the distilleries. Drinking alcohol will only weaken a nation by harming the health of its citizens.
\n
In its 2023 report, the World Health Organization said that no amount of alcohol consumption is safe for human health. It described alcohol as a toxic, psychoactive and dependence-producing substance, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified it as a "Group 1" carcinogen decades ago. "Group 1" is the highest risk group which also includes asbestos, radiation and tobacco.
\n
The WHO also says there are no studies that prove the potential beneficiary effect of light and moderate drinking on cardiovascular health, with the risks of type 2 diabetes and cancer outweighing any potential cardiovascular benefits.
\n
I heard many saying that moderate drinking is good for health when I toured a dozen or so vineyards in Napa Valley in California 20 years ago. That today has turned out to be not true.
\n
Mayo Clinic and Harvard Medical School have warned against alcohol consumption, because it increases the risk of cancer, liver disease, high blood pressure, heart failure and dementia, and lapses in judgment, and could even lead to depression, anxiety and many other medical conditions.
\n
China's advertisement law, revised in 2021, forbids inducements or temptations to drink alcohol, or promote immoderate drinking. It also forbids companies from indicating or implying that drinking alcohol could ease nervousness and anxiety, or increase physical strength.
\n
Yet those TV commercials, and billboards at railway stations hardly meet such criteria.
\n
Such baijiu ads will not only encourage heavy and binge drinkers to indulge themselves, but also send a dangerous message to the young generation.
\n
According to the 2025 China Liquor Market Midterm Research Report, issued by the China Alcoholic Drinks Association and KPMG in June, the profits of the 989 Chinese liquor companies above designated size increased by 7.8 percent in 2024 despite a 1.8 percent drop in production and government rules restricting official spending on hard liquor. The report said that the young generation, including many who prefer low-alcohol content drinks, will become a key target in liquor companies' bid to expand their market.
\n
True, baijiu producers have become major contributors to some local governments' coffers and may be contributing to government efforts to boost overall consumption. But the harm alcohol inflicts on people's health, especially the young generation, will be hard to calculate.
\n
chenweihua@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Chen Weihua
\n\n
I have been meeting friends and relatives for dinner and drinks since I returned to China after 16 years of being a foreign correspondent. One pleasant surprise is that fewer people now drink alcohol, at least the people I know.
\n
I've had some nightmarish experiences traveling in China in the past. People wanted to show their hospitality by constantly raising their glass and saying ganbei (bottoms up).Some were so serious that they wouldn't let you go until you got drunk.
\n
Even in Shanghai, where heavy drinking is less a problem compared with other parts of the country, I've seen, on several occasions, grooms getting completely drunk at the wedding ceremony because too many friends raised a toast to their "good health".
\n
It's good to see that alcohol has become less important today. In fact, at a friend's wedding in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, three weeks ago, no one at my table drank alcohol despite French wine and Wuliangye, an expensive Chinese liquor brand, being served.
\n
However, on my way back to Shanghai, I saw a huge billboard promoting a Chinese liquor brand at the Shanghai Railway Station. The company from Sichuan province advertised its product as "dream liquor". Similar advertisements can be seen at Beijing South Railway Station, from where I took the high-speed train to Shanghai a month ago.
\n
More annoying are the baijiu (a traditional Chinese spirit) commercials on national and local TV during prime news, with some telecast under the logo "Chinese time-honored brands".I am quite sure that baijiu won't make China strong despite the big profits made by the distilleries. Drinking alcohol will only weaken a nation by harming the health of its citizens.
\n
In its 2023 report, the World Health Organization said that no amount of alcohol consumption is safe for human health. It described alcohol as a toxic, psychoactive and dependence-producing substance, and the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified it as a "Group 1" carcinogen decades ago. "Group 1" is the highest risk group which also includes asbestos, radiation and tobacco.
\n
The WHO also says there are no studies that prove the potential beneficiary effect of light and moderate drinking on cardiovascular health, with the risks of type 2 diabetes and cancer outweighing any potential cardiovascular benefits.
\n
I heard many saying that moderate drinking is good for health when I toured a dozen or so vineyards in Napa Valley in California 20 years ago. That today has turned out to be not true.
\n
Mayo Clinic and Harvard Medical School have warned against alcohol consumption, because it increases the risk of cancer, liver disease, high blood pressure, heart failure and dementia, and lapses in judgment, and could even lead to depression, anxiety and many other medical conditions.
\n
China's advertisement law, revised in 2021, forbids inducements or temptations to drink alcohol, or promote immoderate drinking. It also forbids companies from indicating or implying that drinking alcohol could ease nervousness and anxiety, or increase physical strength.
\n
Yet those TV commercials, and billboards at railway stations hardly meet such criteria.
\n
Such baijiu ads will not only encourage heavy and binge drinkers to indulge themselves, but also send a dangerous message to the young generation.
\n
According to the 2025 China Liquor Market Midterm Research Report, issued by the China Alcoholic Drinks Association and KPMG in June, the profits of the 989 Chinese liquor companies above designated size increased by 7.8 percent in 2024 despite a 1.8 percent drop in production and government rules restricting official spending on hard liquor. The report said that the young generation, including many who prefer low-alcohol content drinks, will become a key target in liquor companies' bid to expand their market.
\n
True, baijiu producers have become major contributors to some local governments' coffers and may be contributing to government efforts to boost overall consumption. But the harm alcohol inflicts on people's health, especially the young generation, will be hard to calculate.
A steelworker operates at the Thyssenkrupp steel plant in Duisburg, Germany, on March 20.
\n
The European Commission on Tuesday proposed a plan to protect the European Union's steel industry by tightening controls on imports of steel and related products.
\n
Under the proposal, tariff-free import volumes would be capped at 18.3 million metric tons a year — a 47 percent reduction from last year's quota. The out-of-quota tariff would be doubled to 50 percent, while new Melt and Pour rules would be introduced to strengthen traceability and curb circumvention in steel markets.
\n
"Although China's steel exports to the EU account for only a modest share of its total global exports, this move nevertheless signals a worrying rise in trade protectionism within the EU market," the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU said on its WeChat account.
\n
Its reference to China's "only a modest share" of EU-bound steel exports is echoed by Eurostat data.
\n
A March report on the EU's statistics website showed that India was the bloc's top steel supplier last year, with exports worth 3.9 billion euros ($4.53 billion), followed by South Korea at 3.6 billion euros and China at 3.5 billion euros. The United Kingdom also ranked among the top five, exporting 3.2 billion euros' worth of steel to the EU.
\n
The same report noted that China was by far the leading source of articles of iron and steel, with imports totaling 12.5 billion euros — or 37.3 percent of the EU's total. Turkiye followed with 4.6 billion euros. It added that imports from Turkiye, India and China have surged since 2019, rising by 82.4 percent, 40.5 percent and 37 percent, respectively.
\n
Commenting on the proposal, Jian Junbo, director of the Center for China-Europe Relations at Fudan University in Shanghai, said it should not be misunderstood — as some media outlets have hyped up — as a measure "targeting China".
\n
"Rather, it's a move targeting all iron and steel trade partners, which is more alarming because of the protectionist tendency it implies behind," Jian said.
\n
While the EU has long been a proponent of free trade, the latest proposal suggests it is resorting to protectionist measures to address its trade deficits, he said. "At a time when the world economy faces turbulence, such a move by such an influential economy might pressure others to follow."
\n
Contradictory trend
\n
The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU said, "Such a trend runs counter to the EU's long-standing commitment to open, rules-based and predictable trade."
\n
Zhao Yongsheng, director of the French Economic Studies Center at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, expressed concern that the EU's move risks mirroring the protectionist approach of the United States — a "bad scenario" for the global economy, given the combined influence of the two economies.
\n
Shi Shiwei, director of the Research Center for Europe at the same university, said that if the plan were legislated and implemented, it could even deal a blow to the US, which ranked as the EU's fourth-largest source of iron and steel articles last year.
\n
Jian said, "Therefore, it would do both the world and the EU good if the proposal fails to pass legislation in (the European Parliament)." There is still hope considering the varying interests of different economies within the EU, he added.
\n
In its statement, the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU also "respectfully urges the EU to conduct a comprehensive impact assessment of the proposed measures, taking into account the positive role Chinese enterprises play in supporting Europe's manufacturing competitiveness and green transition".
\n
It also calls on the EU to uphold multilateral trade principles and to refrain from taking further steps that could escalate trade restrictions.
The world economy is "better than feared", slowing only slightly this year and next, while global trade appeared more resilient than expected, although it may still deteriorate as the full impact of higher US tariffs kicks in, major international organizations have said.
\n
"How is the world economy coping? Short answer: better than feared, but worse than we need," IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said at a curtain-raiser event on Wednesday ahead of the annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank next week in Washington.
\n
In her speech, Georgieva seemed to frame next week's agenda around one unifying challenge: steering a global economy undergoing historic transformations — technological, demographic, geopolitical and environmental — through an era where uncertainty is "the new normal and it is here to stay".
\n
"As our World Economic Outlook will explain next week, we see global growth slowing only slightly this year and next. All signs point to a world economy that has generally withstood acute strains from multiple shocks," she said.
\n
Global growth is forecast at roughly 3 percent over the medium term — down from 3.7 percent pre-pandemic, Georgieva said.
\n
That resilience is a result of improved policy fundamentals, private sector adaptability and supportive financial conditions, as well as less severe tariff outcomes than initially feared — for now, according to the IMF chief.
\n
"The US trade-weighted tariff rate has fallen from 23 percent in April to 17.5 percent now — still much higher than before. The US effective rate is now far above the rest of the world's," she said.
\n
The world has avoided a tit-for-tat slide into a trade war so far — but openness has nonetheless "taken a big hit", she added.
\n
The IMF chief proposed three medium-term policy goals: to durably lift growth, repair governments' finances and address excessive imbalances, both domestic and external.
\n
"Durably lifting growth requires higher private sector productivity," she said. "Governments must provide and protect the basic building blocks of free markets, including property rights, rule of law, good data, effective bankruptcy codes, strong financial sector oversight and independent yet accountable institutions."
\n
Resilient trade
\n
In another development, the World Trade Organization released its latest forecast, indicating that global trade has proven more resilient than anticipated so far this year, though the outlook for 2026 has worsened as the full impact of higher US tariffs becomes apparent.
\n
Global merchandise trade exceeded expectations in the first half of 2025 due to increased spending on AI products, a surge in North American imports before tariff hikes, and strong international trade, the WTO said in an update of "Global Trade Outlook and Statistics" released on Tuesday.
\n
As a result, economists at the Geneva-based organization raised the 2025 merchandise trade growth forecast to 2.4 percent, up from the previous 0.9 percent forecast in August.
\n
But they noted that with higher tariffs, elevated policy uncertainty and cooling growth, momentum is expected to ebb in 2026 — the projection for next year's growth is lowered to just 0.5 percent from a previous estimate of 1.8 percent, according to the WTO report.
\n
The organization also forecast slower growth in the trade of services, saying that global services export growth is now expected to slow to 4.6 percent in 2025 and to 4.4 percent next year. In 2024, the growth rate was 6.8 percent.
\n
Regionally, Asia is expected to make the largest positive contribution to world trade growth in 2025, but that impulse fades next year as the global economy cools and the full-year effect of higher tariffs materializes.
\n
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the WTO's director-general, said trade resilience in 2025 is thanks "in no small part" to the stability provided by the rules-based multilateral trading system.
\n
"Yet complacency is not an option. Today's disruptions to the global trade system are a call to action for nations to reimagine trade and together lay a stronger foundation that delivers greater prosperity for people everywhere," Okonjo-Iweala said.
The world economy is "better than feared", slowing only slightly this year and next, while global trade appeared more resilient than expected, although it may still deteriorate as the full impact of higher US tariffs kicks in, major international organizations have said.
\n
"How is the world economy coping? Short answer: better than feared, but worse than we need," IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said at a curtain-raiser event on Wednesday ahead of the annual meetings of the IMF and the World Bank next week in Washington.
\n
In her speech, Georgieva seemed to frame next week's agenda around one unifying challenge: steering a global economy undergoing historic transformations — technological, demographic, geopolitical and environmental — through an era where uncertainty is "the new normal and it is here to stay".
\n
"As our World Economic Outlook will explain next week, we see global growth slowing only slightly this year and next. All signs point to a world economy that has generally withstood acute strains from multiple shocks," she said.
\n
Global growth is forecast at roughly 3 percent over the medium term — down from 3.7 percent pre-pandemic, Georgieva said.
\n
That resilience is a result of improved policy fundamentals, private sector adaptability and supportive financial conditions, as well as less severe tariff outcomes than initially feared — for now, according to the IMF chief.
\n
"The US trade-weighted tariff rate has fallen from 23 percent in April to 17.5 percent now — still much higher than before. The US effective rate is now far above the rest of the world's," she said.
\n
The world has avoided a tit-for-tat slide into a trade war so far — but openness has nonetheless "taken a big hit", she added.
\n
The IMF chief proposed three medium-term policy goals: to durably lift growth, repair governments' finances and address excessive imbalances, both domestic and external.
\n
"Durably lifting growth requires higher private sector productivity," she said. "Governments must provide and protect the basic building blocks of free markets, including property rights, rule of law, good data, effective bankruptcy codes, strong financial sector oversight and independent yet accountable institutions."
\n
Resilient trade
\n
In another development, the World Trade Organization released its latest forecast, indicating that global trade has proven more resilient than anticipated so far this year, though the outlook for 2026 has worsened as the full impact of higher US tariffs becomes apparent.
\n
Global merchandise trade exceeded expectations in the first half of 2025 due to increased spending on AI products, a surge in North American imports before tariff hikes, and strong international trade, the WTO said in an update of "Global Trade Outlook and Statistics" released on Tuesday.
\n
As a result, economists at the Geneva-based organization raised the 2025 merchandise trade growth forecast to 2.4 percent, up from the previous 0.9 percent forecast in August.
\n
But they noted that with higher tariffs, elevated policy uncertainty and cooling growth, momentum is expected to ebb in 2026 — the projection for next year's growth is lowered to just 0.5 percent from a previous estimate of 1.8 percent, according to the WTO report.
\n
The organization also forecast slower growth in the trade of services, saying that global services export growth is now expected to slow to 4.6 percent in 2025 and to 4.4 percent next year. In 2024, the growth rate was 6.8 percent.
\n
Regionally, Asia is expected to make the largest positive contribution to world trade growth in 2025, but that impulse fades next year as the global economy cools and the full-year effect of higher tariffs materializes.
\n
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the WTO's director-general, said trade resilience in 2025 is thanks "in no small part" to the stability provided by the rules-based multilateral trading system.
\n
"Yet complacency is not an option. Today's disruptions to the global trade system are a call to action for nations to reimagine trade and together lay a stronger foundation that delivers greater prosperity for people everywhere," Okonjo-Iweala said.
A cemetery of a French communist leader, located near The Communards' Wall.
\n
Unlike the somber, desolate image often associated with burial grounds, many European cemeteries are serene and picturesque, set amid natural beauty. They feature elaborate sculptures and small commemorative buildings at the head of the graves.
\n
Among them, the Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris stands out not only as the resting place of countless luminaries but also as a profound site of history.
\n
Tucked within its grounds lies the Mur des Federes — the Wall of the Federates — revered by communists all over the world. It marks the site where the last defenders of the Paris Commune — the world's first proletarian government — were executed after the movement was crushed in 1871, just 72 days after its birth. These fighters were buried at the foot of the wall, and the site remains a solemn symbol of their legacy.
\n
Located at the cemetery's southeastern corner, the wall is far from the main entrance on the west side. The distance invites visitors on a contemplative walk past the graves of numerous historical figures — a journey through Europe's intellectual and artistic memory.
\n
For instance, a direct path eastward passes the grave of Georges Cuvier, the pioneering naturalist regarded as the father of paleontology in Europe. His name appears in science textbooks worldwide, and his work laid the foundation for modern understanding of fossils and extinction.
\n
Those who take a northern route before turning east will encounter the final resting place of Oscar Wilde. Known for his biting wit and literary brilliance, Wilde's works remain beloved classics, with even children familiar with The Happy Prince.
\n
So many notable figures lie within Pere Lachaise that the cemetery administration has published a guidebook listing 500 of its most famous residents, with plans to expand the entries over time. With each grave passed, the sense of walking through European history deepens, culminating at the Mur des Federes — the sacred wall where flowers continue to bloom.
\n
Veronique, a caretaker at the cemetery, greets visitors with the pride of someone deeply connected to her place of work. Although only in her 40s, she has served at Pere Lachaise for 26 years and knows every corner and detail of the grounds intimately. When asked about the Wall of the Federates, she is unsurprised.
\n
"A lot of people come to leave flowers," she says. She pulls out a well-worn map of the cemetery and marks out several routes to reach the wall, which are the very same paths described earlier.
\n
Nans Barroso, a 21-year-old who was visiting with his mother, is an example of the younger generation encountering this history. While aware of the Paris Commune, he admits his knowledge of its details is limited. "In school, we learned more about the two World Wars and postwar Europe," his mother adds.
\n
It reflects a common sentiment in France: the commune is remembered, but not deeply emphasized in public education.
\n
Yet, the significance of the Paris Commune should not be underestimated. Although short-lived and geographically confined, it marked the first attempt to realize communist ideals in practice.
\n
The commune also advanced democratic ideals. While universal suffrage for men was implemented, which today may seem limited, it was a radical departure from the high property qualifications still required in other parts of Europe at the time.
\n
It is perhaps for these reasons that even those who do not support the commune ideologically still respect it historically. Although the commune receives only a modest section in history textbooks, the ever-present flowers at the Wall of the Federates speak volumes about France's attitude.
\n
And the pilgrimage does not end there. Directly opposite the wall lie the graves of several former leaders of the French Communist Party. Nearby, monuments honor those who died in World War II, complete with sculptures featuring skulls — a tradition in French art symbolizing death and the transience of life. One visitor explained that these are not meant to frighten, but to help people accept death as part of the human journey.
\n
Placing the communards and the World War II resistance fighters side by side shows a kind of reconciliation in French historical memory. Each group, though very different, is given space to be honored.
\n
However, the story of the commune stretches beyond the cemetery walls. The final stand of the Paris Commune took place on Montmartre, the highest point in the city. It was here that the National Guard made its last defense, guarding the remaining cannons. Although the battle was lost, the spirit endured.
\n
In 2004, the square in front of Montmartre was renamed Square Louise Michel in honor of one of the commune's most remarkable female leaders. A fierce combatant and eloquent speaker, Louise Michel was captured and tried after the fall of the Paris Commune.
\n
Today, the Square Louise Michel bustles with visitors. Adjacent to the iconic Sacre-Coeur Basilica, it offers not only stunning views of Paris but also a chance to reflect on the sacrifices of those who came before. The juxtaposition of sacred church and revolutionary square encapsulates the French approach to history: honoring all facets without erasing their contradictions.
\n
If the communards could see Montmartre now — alive with laughter, leisure and memory — they might feel that their fight was not in vain. History does not sleep in Paris; it walks alongside the living, inscribed in stone, flowers and the quiet dignity of remembrance.
\n
Contact the writer at zhangzhouxiang@chinadaily.com.cn.
An employee works on the assembly line of Yadea Technology Group Co in Wuxi, Jiangsu province.
\n
Chinese electric bicycle and vehicle manufacturers are rapidly expanding their global presence by establishing production bases and transit warehouse systems overseas.
\n
Yadea Technology Group Co, an electric scooter industry leader which also manufactures electric motorcycles, electric tricycles and light commercial vehicles, has maintained its position as the top global seller for eight consecutive years, exporting to over 100 countries.
\n
The company has built 10 major production and research centers globally, holds over 2,000 patents, and has streamlined its operations from research and development to production, supply, sales and service.
\n
Wang Jiazhong, senior vice-president of Yadea, reported a 40-50 percent year-on-year growth in exports from January to July.
\n
Yadea's Wuxi, Jiangsu province base currently operates 14 production lines, churning out over 3 million units annually.
\n
Known as the "hometown of electric vehicles in China", Xishan district in Wuxi hosts an industry cluster that accounts for about one-third of the national market. Six of the top 10 domestic EV companies have factories in the area.
\n
Established in 2021, Wuxi (Xishan) Electric Vehicle Industrial Park has become one of the largest and most comprehensive EV industrial parks in China.
\n
With extensive development experience, advanced research and technology, strict quality control and mature production processes, Wuxi enterprises have quickly expanded into overseas markets.
\n
In the first half, the district's two-wheeled EV exports reached $350 million, a 31.9 percent increase year-on-year, with exports to India particularly notable at $94.33 million, up 102.2 percent.
\n
In March, Xishan district launched its first batch of six global public overseas warehouses for EVs. Currently, seven companies have established 14 overseas warehouses across nine countries.
\n
"We encourage companies to expand internationally and support them in adapting their mature supply chains to local conditions," said Gu Shuhao, director of the Foreign Trade Section of the Xishan district's commerce bureau.
\n
EV companies from the district have built over 20 production bases in countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam and have established more than 1,800 overseas marketing outlets.
\n
A differentiated product strategy has been key to the global success of Chinese EVs. Yadea tailors its R&D efforts to different markets.
\n
Wang said: "We adjust seating and ergonomics for European consumers based on height characteristics. For regions with poor road conditions, we increase wheel diameter and enhance power systems. We also design product appearances and colors to match each country's aesthetic preferences."
\n
For instance, in the Indonesian market, the local food delivery industry demands electric vehicles with a range of 150 kilometers, exceeding domestic standards. "We conduct in-depth research on road conditions and range to ensure vehicles can handle complex roads while meeting the daily mileage needs of delivery riders," Wang said.
\n
In October 2023, Yangtze River Delta (Wuxi) Electric Vehicle Cross-border E-commerce Industrial Park opened, with its second phase launched in March this year, aiding EV firms in entering foreign markets.
\n
In March, the Xishan District Electric Vehicle Foreign Trade Association signed a global public overseas warehouse agreement with several cross-border e-commerce companies, initiating the first batch of six global public overseas warehouses in Xishan district.
\n
Through the association, the district's commerce bureau will continue to lead suitable cross-border e-commerce companies in the district to explore overseas markets collaboratively.
\n
cangwei@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
An employee works on the assembly line of Yadea Technology Group Co in Wuxi, Jiangsu province.
\n
Chinese electric bicycle and vehicle manufacturers are rapidly expanding their global presence by establishing production bases and transit warehouse systems overseas.
\n
Yadea Technology Group Co, an electric scooter industry leader which also manufactures electric motorcycles, electric tricycles and light commercial vehicles, has maintained its position as the top global seller for eight consecutive years, exporting to over 100 countries.
\n
The company has built 10 major production and research centers globally, holds over 2,000 patents, and has streamlined its operations from research and development to production, supply, sales and service.
\n
Wang Jiazhong, senior vice-president of Yadea, reported a 40-50 percent year-on-year growth in exports from January to July.
\n
Yadea's Wuxi, Jiangsu province base currently operates 14 production lines, churning out over 3 million units annually.
\n
Known as the "hometown of electric vehicles in China", Xishan district in Wuxi hosts an industry cluster that accounts for about one-third of the national market. Six of the top 10 domestic EV companies have factories in the area.
\n
Established in 2021, Wuxi (Xishan) Electric Vehicle Industrial Park has become one of the largest and most comprehensive EV industrial parks in China.
\n
With extensive development experience, advanced research and technology, strict quality control and mature production processes, Wuxi enterprises have quickly expanded into overseas markets.
\n
In the first half, the district's two-wheeled EV exports reached $350 million, a 31.9 percent increase year-on-year, with exports to India particularly notable at $94.33 million, up 102.2 percent.
\n
In March, Xishan district launched its first batch of six global public overseas warehouses for EVs. Currently, seven companies have established 14 overseas warehouses across nine countries.
\n
"We encourage companies to expand internationally and support them in adapting their mature supply chains to local conditions," said Gu Shuhao, director of the Foreign Trade Section of the Xishan district's commerce bureau.
\n
EV companies from the district have built over 20 production bases in countries such as Indonesia and Vietnam and have established more than 1,800 overseas marketing outlets.
\n
A differentiated product strategy has been key to the global success of Chinese EVs. Yadea tailors its R&D efforts to different markets.
\n
Wang said: "We adjust seating and ergonomics for European consumers based on height characteristics. For regions with poor road conditions, we increase wheel diameter and enhance power systems. We also design product appearances and colors to match each country's aesthetic preferences."
\n
For instance, in the Indonesian market, the local food delivery industry demands electric vehicles with a range of 150 kilometers, exceeding domestic standards. "We conduct in-depth research on road conditions and range to ensure vehicles can handle complex roads while meeting the daily mileage needs of delivery riders," Wang said.
\n
In October 2023, Yangtze River Delta (Wuxi) Electric Vehicle Cross-border E-commerce Industrial Park opened, with its second phase launched in March this year, aiding EV firms in entering foreign markets.
\n
In March, the Xishan District Electric Vehicle Foreign Trade Association signed a global public overseas warehouse agreement with several cross-border e-commerce companies, initiating the first batch of six global public overseas warehouses in Xishan district.
\n
Through the association, the district's commerce bureau will continue to lead suitable cross-border e-commerce companies in the district to explore overseas markets collaboratively.
\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
\n
\n \n \n \n
\n
\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 在线下购买皮蛋的消费者\n \n
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\n \n 除了华人之外\n \n
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\n \n 也可以看到当地人的身影\n \n
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\n \n 在TikTok上\n \n
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\n \n 皮蛋还收获了不少“回头客”\n \n
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\n \n 他们不少都是初尝“拒绝”\n \n
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\n \n 不知不觉就对皮蛋“上瘾”了\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
The 80th anniversary celebration of the Workers' Party of Korea is held in Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, on Thursday.
\n
Premier Li Qiang visits the China-DPRK Friendship Tower in Pyongyang, the capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, on Friday. Li, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, is on a three-day visit to the DPRK, which began on Thursday, to attend the 80th anniversary celebrations of the Workers' Party of Korea, the country's ruling party, and make an official goodwill visit.
\n
President Xi Jinping on Friday extended congratulations on the 80th founding anniversary of the Workers' Party of Korea, saying that Beijing stands ready to work with Pyongyang to strengthen strategic communication, deepen practical cooperation and enhance close coordination to promote the steady development of bilateral ties.
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Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in a congratulatory message sent to Kim Jong-un, general secretary of the WPK.
\n
On behalf of the CPC Central Committee and in his own name, Xi extended warm congratulations and best wishes to Kim, the WPK Central Committee, all members of the WPK, and the people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on the occasion of the anniversary.
\n
Over the past eight decades, the WPK has united and led the DPRK people in forging ahead and overcoming difficulties, achieving remarkable progress in advancing the socialist cause of the DPRK, Xi said.
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In recent years, Kim has led the Party and the people of the DPRK in strengthening Party building, developing the economy, and improving people's livelihoods, Xi said, expressing his wish that the DPRK's socialist cause will continue to make new achievements and that the WPK's 9th Congress will be a success.
\n
As neighboring countries connected by mountains and rivers, China and the DPRK are both socialist countries led by communist parties.
\n
Xi said that in recent years, he has held several meetings with Kim to guide and steer the development of relations between the two parties and the two countries, opening a new chapter in the China-DPRK friendship.
\n
Their most recent meeting took place in September, when Kim visited China to attend the commemorations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War.
\n
The two leaders held in-depth discussions and charted the course for further developing the friendly and cooperative relations.
\n
Xi reaffirmed in his congratulatory message that, regardless of changes in the international situation, it remains the unwavering policy of the CPC and the Chinese government to maintain, consolidate and develop China-DPRK relations.
\n
He pledged to further advance bilateral ties to better serve the socialist causes of both countries and contribute to regional and global peace, stability and prosperity.
\n
On Thursday, Premier Li Qiang arrived in Pyongyang, leading a Party and government delegation to attend the 80th anniversary celebrations of the WPK and pay an official goodwill visit to the DPRK.
\n
His three-day visit marks the first trip to the DPRK by a Chinese premier in 16 years.
\n
When meeting with Kim, who is also president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, on Thursday, Li said that the CPC and the Chinese government have always viewed ties with the DPRK from a strategic and long-term perspective.
\n
Li called on the two sides to strengthen multilateral collaboration, firmly safeguard and practice multilateralism and promote the development of the international order in a more just and equitable direction.
\n
The DPRK, Kim said, firmly supports the one-China principle, resolutely opposes separatist acts of "Taiwan independence" and any external interference, and supports China's position on issues related to Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Xizang.
\n
Pyongyang is willing to maintain close high-level exchanges with Beijing, promote cooperation in various fields, strengthen multilateral collaboration, advance the development of their respective socialist causes, and bring more benefits to the people of the two countries, he added.
\n
On Friday, Li paid homage to the martyrs of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army at a cemetery in Anju, 65 kilometers away from the DPRK capital.
\n
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the CPV's participation in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53).
\n
The premier said that 75 years ago, the CPV soldiers, carrying the great trust of the Chinese people, crossed the Yalu River and fought alongside the army and civilians of the DPRK to defend peace and justice.
\n
After two years and nine months of bloody battles, they finally won a great victory, he added.
\n
"With deep reverence, we pay tribute to the CPV martyrs who sacrificed their lives heroically, and express our profound remembrance," Li said, adding that the motherland and the people will never forget the immortal feats they have forged with their flesh and blood.
\n
Seventy-five years have passed, and China has undergone earthshaking and historic changes, Li noted, saying that the Chinese nation has made a great leap from standing up to becoming prosperous and strong.
\n
He also called for efforts to continue carrying forward the will of the martyrs, better promote the great spirit of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, and constantly advance the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.
\n
The Chinese side, Li said, stands ready to work with its DPRK comrades to further carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries, strengthen practical cooperation and move forward hand in hand on the path of common development.
\n
Jong Myong-su, vice-premier of the DPRK Cabinet, accompanied Li for the mourning. Some 100 people, including all members of the Chinese delegation and staff at the Chinese embassy in the DPRK, participated in the memorial service.
\n
On Friday, Li also visited the China-DPRK Friendship Tower.
Foreign delegates attending the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, which was held in Beijing on Monday and Tuesday, take photos of a humanoid robot on Tuesday during their visit to the Robot World — a comprehensive robot exhibition center in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as Beijing E-Town. The delegates also visited a women and children's service center in Beijing's Shunyi district. See more, page 4
\n
President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women has drawn widespread acclaim from foreign participants and overseas experts, who welcomed his proposals as a pivotal step toward accelerating gender equality and women's empowerment worldwide.
\n
They said the convening of the meeting holds milestone significance, demonstrating China's global leadership in promoting and protecting human rights and development, and advancing women's status.
\n
"Women play an important role in creating, promoting and carrying forward human civilization. And the international community has a shared responsibility to advance the cause of women," Xi emphasized in his address, calling for tangible actions.
\n
He made four proposals, calling for collective efforts to foster an enabling environment for women's growth, propel high-quality development for women, strengthen governance frameworks to protect women's rights and enhance global cooperation on gender equality.
\n
Recalling the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing 30 years ago, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Amina J.Mohammed underscored the pioneering role of the Beijing conference, noting that it lit "a fire of possibility" for women worldwide. She said she is very glad to see China and other states "who have kept this flame alive".
\n
Hosting a second historic conference in Beijing is a reminder of the shared responsibility to deliver on women's rights, she added.
\n
The senior UN official commended Xi for "leading this Global Leaders' Meeting on Women and demonstrating his genuine commitment to the women's rights agenda".
\n
Anita Amorim, head of the International Labour Organization's Emerging and Special Partnerships Unit, said that in the context of South-South cooperation, women's empowerment offers a strategic lever for resilience and shared growth, while noting that the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women has served as both a celebration of progress and a critical point of reflection on the persistent gaps in women's rights and empowerment worldwide.
\n
Amorim said that as challenges including conflict, debt distress and a cost-of-living crisis have deepened inequalities, the meeting came at an essential time, focusing on women's advancement in the economy and advocating opportunities for both women and men.
\n
She said that over the years, the ILO has cooperated with China through South-South cooperation, bringing tangible benefits to countries in the Global South, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, in promoting employment, skills development and social protection, while promoting women's entrepreneurship and gender equality.
\n
Nahla Haidar El Addal, head of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, highly praised Xi's advocacy of supporting women in shouldering more responsibilities, engaging deeply in global governance and sharing the fruits of governance.
\n
She pointed out that the key challenge in the current global governance system lies in the lack of coordinated, unified, clear and well-defined rules and a procedural framework, which makes it difficult for countries to form synergy in their actions. Therefore, she stressed that building international consensus and improving governance rules are of critical importance.
\n
Russel Harland, deputy branch secretary and international relations officer of the Surrey County branch of UNISON, one of the largest trade unions in the United Kingdom, said he believes that China is giving vital impetus to the fight against gender inequality by embedding the shared responsibility to advance women's development, such as urging tangible and accessible policies to channel more quality health and educational resources to all women.
\n
He noted that Xi's invigorating words are in line with China's Global Development Initiative, which calls for staying committed to development as a priority.
\n
President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence said, "China's commitment of $10 million to UN Women is highly significant for African nations, many of which are already partnering with the international organization to empower women.
\n
"We look forward to this partnership and hope that small countries, in particular, will benefit from it," she added.
\n
Marija Petrovic, a journalist from Serbia who covered the event, voiced her strong support for Xi's emphasis on improving girls' and women's rights in education.
\n
She said it is essential for girls to have education and their own money, as independence grants them the freedom to make their own choices.
\n
Contact the writers at jihaisheng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Foreign delegates attending the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, which was held in Beijing on Monday and Tuesday, take photos of a humanoid robot on Tuesday during their visit to the Robot World — a comprehensive robot exhibition center in the Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area, also known as Beijing E-Town. The delegates also visited a women and children's service center in Beijing's Shunyi district. See more, page 4
\n
President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women has drawn widespread acclaim from foreign participants and overseas experts, who welcomed his proposals as a pivotal step toward accelerating gender equality and women's empowerment worldwide.
\n
They said the convening of the meeting holds milestone significance, demonstrating China's global leadership in promoting and protecting human rights and development, and advancing women's status.
\n
"Women play an important role in creating, promoting and carrying forward human civilization. And the international community has a shared responsibility to advance the cause of women," Xi emphasized in his address, calling for tangible actions.
\n
He made four proposals, calling for collective efforts to foster an enabling environment for women's growth, propel high-quality development for women, strengthen governance frameworks to protect women's rights and enhance global cooperation on gender equality.
\n
Recalling the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing 30 years ago, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Amina J.Mohammed underscored the pioneering role of the Beijing conference, noting that it lit "a fire of possibility" for women worldwide. She said she is very glad to see China and other states "who have kept this flame alive".
\n
Hosting a second historic conference in Beijing is a reminder of the shared responsibility to deliver on women's rights, she added.
\n
The senior UN official commended Xi for "leading this Global Leaders' Meeting on Women and demonstrating his genuine commitment to the women's rights agenda".
\n
Anita Amorim, head of the International Labour Organization's Emerging and Special Partnerships Unit, said that in the context of South-South cooperation, women's empowerment offers a strategic lever for resilience and shared growth, while noting that the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women has served as both a celebration of progress and a critical point of reflection on the persistent gaps in women's rights and empowerment worldwide.
\n
Amorim said that as challenges including conflict, debt distress and a cost-of-living crisis have deepened inequalities, the meeting came at an essential time, focusing on women's advancement in the economy and advocating opportunities for both women and men.
\n
She said that over the years, the ILO has cooperated with China through South-South cooperation, bringing tangible benefits to countries in the Global South, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, in promoting employment, skills development and social protection, while promoting women's entrepreneurship and gender equality.
\n
Nahla Haidar El Addal, head of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, highly praised Xi's advocacy of supporting women in shouldering more responsibilities, engaging deeply in global governance and sharing the fruits of governance.
\n
She pointed out that the key challenge in the current global governance system lies in the lack of coordinated, unified, clear and well-defined rules and a procedural framework, which makes it difficult for countries to form synergy in their actions. Therefore, she stressed that building international consensus and improving governance rules are of critical importance.
\n
Russel Harland, deputy branch secretary and international relations officer of the Surrey County branch of UNISON, one of the largest trade unions in the United Kingdom, said he believes that China is giving vital impetus to the fight against gender inequality by embedding the shared responsibility to advance women's development, such as urging tangible and accessible policies to channel more quality health and educational resources to all women.
\n
He noted that Xi's invigorating words are in line with China's Global Development Initiative, which calls for staying committed to development as a priority.
\n
President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence said, "China's commitment of $10 million to UN Women is highly significant for African nations, many of which are already partnering with the international organization to empower women.
\n
"We look forward to this partnership and hope that small countries, in particular, will benefit from it," she added.
\n
Marija Petrovic, a journalist from Serbia who covered the event, voiced her strong support for Xi's emphasis on improving girls' and women's rights in education.
\n
She said it is essential for girls to have education and their own money, as independence grants them the freedom to make their own choices.
\n
Contact the writers at jihaisheng@chinadaily.com.cn
Editor's note: President Xi Jinping on Tuesday held a series of meetings with foreign leaders attending the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing. The following are the highlights of their talks:
\n
President Xi Jinping has expressed China's readiness to work with Ghana to upgrade cooperation in various fields and make greater contributions to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.
\n
He made the remarks on Tuesday in a meeting with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama in Beijing.
\n
Xi called on the two countries to jointly implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2024, explore diversified cooperation models, expand cooperation in various fields, including mining, energy, infrastructure construction, agriculture and fisheries, and help Ghana turn its resource advantages into development momentum.
\n
He expressed hope that Ghana will benefit at an early date from China's zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines for African countries with which it has diplomatic relations.
\n
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of China-Ghana diplomatic ties.
\n
Mahama expressed gratitude for China's support and help for Ghana through cooperation under the framework of FOCAC and the Belt and Road Initiative, saying that it is committed to deepening its ties with China.
\n
He expressed hope that Ghana will strengthen cooperation with China in trade, the digital economy, infrastructure construction, energy, mining, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
Editor's note: President Xi Jinping on Tuesday held a series of meetings with foreign leaders attending the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing. The following are the highlights of their talks:
\n
President Xi Jinping has expressed China's readiness to work with Ghana to upgrade cooperation in various fields and make greater contributions to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.
\n
He made the remarks on Tuesday in a meeting with Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama in Beijing.
\n
Xi called on the two countries to jointly implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2024, explore diversified cooperation models, expand cooperation in various fields, including mining, energy, infrastructure construction, agriculture and fisheries, and help Ghana turn its resource advantages into development momentum.
\n
He expressed hope that Ghana will benefit at an early date from China's zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines for African countries with which it has diplomatic relations.
\n
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of China-Ghana diplomatic ties.
\n
Mahama expressed gratitude for China's support and help for Ghana through cooperation under the framework of FOCAC and the Belt and Road Initiative, saying that it is committed to deepening its ties with China.
\n
He expressed hope that Ghana will strengthen cooperation with China in trade, the digital economy, infrastructure construction, energy, mining, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
President Xi Jinping has called on China and Dominica to consolidate political mutual trust, strengthen exchanges and deepen pragmatic cooperation, in order to elevate bilateral relations to a higher level.
\n
He made the remarks on Tuesday when meeting with President of Dominica Sylvanie Burton in Beijing.
\n
Xi noted that China and Dominica have set a good example of friendly cooperation between countries of different sizes and with different social systems. The two nations should strengthen exchanges on governance experience and enhance interactions between governments, legislatures and political parties, he said.
\n
China stands ready to continue supporting the Caribbean country in improving its capacity to address climate change, and in preventing and mitigating disasters, Xi said.
\n
He also called for deepening cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, clean energy, healthcare, agriculture and women's empowerment, as well as promoting closer people-to-people exchanges in culture, education and tourism.
\n
Noting that Dominica and China share common values and aspirations, Burton said that deepening bilateral relations will deliver a bright future for the people of her country.
\n
Dominica is willing to work closely with China to oppose unilateralism and hegemony, and to safeguard the common interests of developing countries, she added.
\n",
+ "content": "
Sylvanie Burton
\n
President Xi Jinping has called on China and Dominica to consolidate political mutual trust, strengthen exchanges and deepen pragmatic cooperation, in order to elevate bilateral relations to a higher level.
\n
He made the remarks on Tuesday when meeting with President of Dominica Sylvanie Burton in Beijing.
\n
Xi noted that China and Dominica have set a good example of friendly cooperation between countries of different sizes and with different social systems. The two nations should strengthen exchanges on governance experience and enhance interactions between governments, legislatures and political parties, he said.
\n
China stands ready to continue supporting the Caribbean country in improving its capacity to address climate change, and in preventing and mitigating disasters, Xi said.
\n
He also called for deepening cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, clean energy, healthcare, agriculture and women's empowerment, as well as promoting closer people-to-people exchanges in culture, education and tourism.
\n
Noting that Dominica and China share common values and aspirations, Burton said that deepening bilateral relations will deliver a bright future for the people of her country.
\n
Dominica is willing to work closely with China to oppose unilateralism and hegemony, and to safeguard the common interests of developing countries, she added.
China and Iceland issued on Tuesday a joint statement on further strengthening cooperation on geothermal energy and green transition, as President Xi Jinping met in Beijing with Icelandic President Halla Tomasdottir.
\n
Xi said that over the past 54 years since diplomatic ties between China and Iceland were established, fruitful outcomes of the bilateral ties have proved that countries with different national conditions can transcend differences in social systems and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.
\n
China values its relations with Iceland and stands ready to enhance exchanges and deepen cooperation to bring greater benefits to the two peoples, Xi said.
\n
He called for mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, and deeper practical cooperation in trade, geothermal energy, healthcare and green transition, while jointly addressing climate change.
\n
Xi also encouraged closer people-to-people exchanges in tourism and education to enhance understanding and friendship, and urged both countries to make joint efforts to promote a fairer and more equitable global governance system.
\n
Tomasdottir said that Iceland is willing to further expand cooperation and strengthen people-to-people exchanges with China to bring the bilateral relationship to a higher level.
\n
Amid global turbulence, Iceland stands ready to work with China to enhance coordination and jointly tackle global challenges, she added.
\n",
+ "content": "
Halla Tomasdottir
\n
China and Iceland issued on Tuesday a joint statement on further strengthening cooperation on geothermal energy and green transition, as President Xi Jinping met in Beijing with Icelandic President Halla Tomasdottir.
\n
Xi said that over the past 54 years since diplomatic ties between China and Iceland were established, fruitful outcomes of the bilateral ties have proved that countries with different national conditions can transcend differences in social systems and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.
\n
China values its relations with Iceland and stands ready to enhance exchanges and deepen cooperation to bring greater benefits to the two peoples, Xi said.
\n
He called for mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, and deeper practical cooperation in trade, geothermal energy, healthcare and green transition, while jointly addressing climate change.
\n
Xi also encouraged closer people-to-people exchanges in tourism and education to enhance understanding and friendship, and urged both countries to make joint efforts to promote a fairer and more equitable global governance system.
\n
Tomasdottir said that Iceland is willing to further expand cooperation and strengthen people-to-people exchanges with China to bring the bilateral relationship to a higher level.
\n
Amid global turbulence, Iceland stands ready to work with China to enhance coordination and jointly tackle global challenges, she added.
President Xi Jinping said China is ready to continue firm mutual support, enhance strategic coordination, and expand mutually beneficial cooperation with Mozambique to deepen their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, when meeting with Mozambican Prime Minister Maria Benvinda Delfina Levi in Beijing on Tuesday.
\n
Xi said the traditional friendship between China and Mozambique has been as solid as a rock since the two countries established diplomatic relations 50 years ago.
\n
He emphasized that China supports Mozambique in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions.
\n
Xi called for the two sides to deepen practical cooperation, explore new models for the integrated and coordinated development of energy and mineral resources as well as infrastructure construction.
\n
China stands ready to work with Mozambique to implement the Global Governance Initiative, oppose unilateralism and hegemonism, and safeguard the common interests of both countries and the Global South, he added.
\n
Levi reaffirmed Mozambique's firm adherence to the one-China principle, and said her country is willing to enhance cooperation with China in areas such as energy, mining, science and technology and education.
\n
Mozambique is ready to strengthen multilateral cooperation with China to help promote a fairer and more equitable global governance system, she added.
\n",
+ "content": "
Maria Benvinda Delfina Levi
\n
President Xi Jinping said China is ready to continue firm mutual support, enhance strategic coordination, and expand mutually beneficial cooperation with Mozambique to deepen their comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, when meeting with Mozambican Prime Minister Maria Benvinda Delfina Levi in Beijing on Tuesday.
\n
Xi said the traditional friendship between China and Mozambique has been as solid as a rock since the two countries established diplomatic relations 50 years ago.
\n
He emphasized that China supports Mozambique in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions.
\n
Xi called for the two sides to deepen practical cooperation, explore new models for the integrated and coordinated development of energy and mineral resources as well as infrastructure construction.
\n
China stands ready to work with Mozambique to implement the Global Governance Initiative, oppose unilateralism and hegemonism, and safeguard the common interests of both countries and the Global South, he added.
\n
Levi reaffirmed Mozambique's firm adherence to the one-China principle, and said her country is willing to enhance cooperation with China in areas such as energy, mining, science and technology and education.
\n
Mozambique is ready to strengthen multilateral cooperation with China to help promote a fairer and more equitable global governance system, she added.
China has always regarded Sri Lanka as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, and stands ready to work with Sri Lanka to carry forward their traditional friendship and expand mutually beneficial cooperation, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday when meeting with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya in Beijing.
\n
China is willing to jointly promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with Sri Lanka, and advance cooperation in fields such as the port economy, modern agriculture, the digital economy, the green economy and tourism, Xi said.
\n
He called on the two countries to enhance cooperation in law enforcement and security, and resolutely crack down on criminal activities such as cross-border gambling and fraud.
\n
China and Sri Lanka should enhance coordination and cooperation within multilateral frameworks, such as the United Nations, and firmly safeguard the common interests of the Global South, he added.
\n
Amarasuriya said Sri Lanka attaches great importance to its relations with China, firmly adheres to the one-China principle and actively supports and participates in the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road.
\n
She thanked China for its precious support for Sri Lanka's economic and social development, and voiced her hopes for further strengthening cooperation with China.
\n",
+ "content": "
Harini Amarasuriya
\n
China has always regarded Sri Lanka as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, and stands ready to work with Sri Lanka to carry forward their traditional friendship and expand mutually beneficial cooperation, President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday when meeting with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya in Beijing.
\n
China is willing to jointly promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with Sri Lanka, and advance cooperation in fields such as the port economy, modern agriculture, the digital economy, the green economy and tourism, Xi said.
\n
He called on the two countries to enhance cooperation in law enforcement and security, and resolutely crack down on criminal activities such as cross-border gambling and fraud.
\n
China and Sri Lanka should enhance coordination and cooperation within multilateral frameworks, such as the United Nations, and firmly safeguard the common interests of the Global South, he added.
\n
Amarasuriya said Sri Lanka attaches great importance to its relations with China, firmly adheres to the one-China principle and actively supports and participates in the high-quality joint construction of the Belt and Road.
\n
She thanked China for its precious support for Sri Lanka's economic and social development, and voiced her hopes for further strengthening cooperation with China.
Over the past five years, China has implemented a series of measures to streamline its anti-corruption fight, refine the legal framework and optimize its institutional structures.
\n
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), the country amended the Criminal Law while cracking down on people who accept bribes and also increasing penalties for offenders who offer them.
\n
Under the revised law, which took effect in March 2024, those offering bribes repeatedly to multiple people, or parties involved in major construction projects related to the environment, finance, social insurance, security, food, drug, disaster relief, education or healthcare sectors face severe punishment.
\n
Shen Chunyao, an official from the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, emphasized that amending the law was intended to meet anti-corruption demands, and added that "the soft punishment" for bribe-givers was not useful for breaking the chain of bribery.
\n
Shen added that amending the law was also a strict implementation of the central leadership's anticorruption requirement on strongly cracking down on bribery through legal measures.
\n
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, the central leadership has stressed the significance of rigorous Party governance, with unprecedented efforts made to carry out the guiding principles of the eight-point code and other measures taken to combat corruption.
\n
The Party's eight-point code refers to the improvement of Party and government conduct while strengthening ties with the people. Its goal is to promote thorough and stringent self-governance within the Party, thereby effectively combating corruption from the beginning.
\n
Warned, educated
\n
While imposing timely disciplinary punishments on those who violate the guiding principles of the code, serious cases where individuals are suspected of duty-related crimes — including bribery and embezzlement — have also been exposed online to warn and educate Party members and government officials.
\n
Data released by the National Commission of Supervision, the country's top anti-corruption watchdog, showed about 26,000 people were investigated for offering bribes to others in 2024. Of those, 4,271 were deemed to be serious cases, with suspects handed over to prosecutors for further review.
\n
From January to June of this year, 16,000 suspected bribe-givers were placed under investigation, and 1,990 referred to prosecuting authorities, according to the data.
\n
"Both receivers and givers of bribes seriously undermine social fairness and justice," said Ruan Qilin, a law professor at the China University of Political Science and Law, while stressing the need to combat bribe-givers by revising the law.
\n
"They also harm public interests and order, and damage the credibility of government departments," he said.
\n
Ruan said if the penalties are not severe enough, they fail to serve as a deterrent, which makes it difficult to curb bribery.
\n
The amended law has sent a clear message that bribe-givers must pay a higher price for their wrongdoings, he said, adding that all individuals and organizations should enhance awareness of the rule of law and compliance in their business operations.
\n
"They must not seek improper benefits through bribery or undermine a fair and competitive market environment," he said. "Engaging in bribery will ultimately be counterproductive, leading to disgrace and strict legal penalties."
\n
The amended law also highlights the fight against corruption within private enterprises, which represent about 93 percent of businesses across China.
\n
A few charges only applied to State-owned employees should be expanded to employees of private companies, the NPC Standing Committee said, adding this will ensure equal treatment of all business entities by the rule of law.
\n
Employees of private businesses who intentionally harm their employers' interests and cause huge financial losses — such as illegally making profits for friends, discounting stocks, and selling company assets — can now be held criminally liable under the amended law.
\n
Harsher penalties
\n
Since the law was optimized, Chinese judicial authorities have intensified the crackdown on corruption by harshly penalizing bribe-givers and those harming the interests of private employers.
\n
In November, for example, a businessman surnamed Li in Leibo county, Sichuan province, was sentenced to three years in prison, with a four-year reprieve, for offering bribes to the then head of the local transport bureau.
\n
The people's court in Yuexi county found that from 2021 to 2023, Li bribed a bureau official surnamed Zhang with more than 3.79 million yuan ($531,278) in three local construction projects. The bribes were made through cash payments, covering parking space purchase costs, and gambling activities. Zhang's case was handled separately.
\n
Also, after the amended law came into force, the Supreme People's Court, China's top court, released details of eight notable cases involving bribe-givers to reaffirm the firm stance against corruption.
\n
In one case, a defendant surnamed Yang from Sichuan province, was sentenced to five years and six months in prison and fined 200,000 yuan for offering bribes to officials in local public security and government departments multiple times from 2004 to 2018.
\n
Yang organized gangster activities and wanted the officials to help cover up his offenses, the top court said, adding that the sum of bribes he offered was more than 1 million yuan.
\n
He also pleaded guilty to organized crime charges, and ultimately received a 25-year prison term with confiscation of all of his personal assets, the court said.
\n
While noting it was a typical case where the defendant repeatedly offered bribes to a number of people, the top court also highlighted the importance of eradicating breeding grounds for corruption and mafia-like activities.
\n
Supervisory procedures
\n
In addition to boosting the fight against bribery, since June the amended Supervision Law has helped standardize supervisory procedures.
\n
Before the law was modified, people suspected of corrupt actions underwent supervisory investigation, with a three-month detention limit. The detention could be doubled in some special circumstances, but the extension period could not exceed three months.
\n
To address time constraints in handling major and complicated cases, the amended law added a new provision. For suspects in serious situations, such as those facing a possible sentence of 10 or more years in prison, an additional extension of two months was permitted.
\n
However, this only applies if the supervisory body is unable to complete the investigation. The additional extension needs to be approved by the National Commission of Supervision.
\n
"It was necessary and timely to revise the law. The new version is conducive to improving the supervisory framework and regulating the behavior of supervisors," said Tong Dehua, a professor from the Zhongnan University of Economics and Law in Hubei province.
\n
He emphasized the need to integrate the concept of the rule of law into supervisory procedures and throughout all anti-corruption efforts.
\n
"The rule of law is an important achievement of human political civilization, a lofty ideal long pursued by the public, and a crucial safeguard for promoting Chinese modernization," he said.
\n
While calling on supervisory departments to uphold the belief in the rule of law, strengthen their sense of responsibility and faithfully fulfill their duties to investigate all types of new and hidden forms of corruption, he also urged them to exercise their power in accordance with the law, impartially, and with integrity.
\n
Fugitives returned
\n
Thanks to years of development of the legal system, China has accelerated progress in the return of fugitives who have fled abroad as well as the recovery of illicit assets, according to the National Commission of Supervision.
\n
In July, Zhou Jinghua, a former businesswoman on China's list of 100 most-wanted fugitives, was extradited to China from Thailand. Previously, a large number of fugitives were repatriated to China or had voluntarily surrendered. Zhou was the first fugitive on the list to be extradited to China.
\n
"The methods for returning fugitives have gradually shifted from relying primarily on persuasion to comprehensively employing various approaches such as arrest, deportation and extradition. This indicates China's international anticorruption efforts are becoming increasingly standardized," the commission said.
\n
While ordering supervisory authorities nationwide to enhance the awareness of the rule of law, and comply with procedural and evidence standards in pursuing fugitives and recovering illegal proceeds, the commission also urged them to improve the law enforcement capabilities by fully respecting the judicial sovereignty of other countries and international rules, as well as strictly implementing the revised Supervision Law.
\n
"Anti-corruption international cooperation is inseparable from both domestic rule of law and foreign-related legal engagement, so adhering to the rule of law mindset and approach is imperative," it added.
Over the past five years, China has implemented a series of measures to streamline its anti-corruption fight, refine the legal framework and optimize its institutional structures.
\n
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), the country amended the Criminal Law while cracking down on people who accept bribes and also increasing penalties for offenders who offer them.
\n
Under the revised law, which took effect in March 2024, those offering bribes repeatedly to multiple people, or parties involved in major construction projects related to the environment, finance, social insurance, security, food, drug, disaster relief, education or healthcare sectors face severe punishment.
\n
Shen Chunyao, an official from the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, emphasized that amending the law was intended to meet anti-corruption demands, and added that "the soft punishment" for bribe-givers was not useful for breaking the chain of bribery.
\n
Shen added that amending the law was also a strict implementation of the central leadership's anticorruption requirement on strongly cracking down on bribery through legal measures.
\n
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, the central leadership has stressed the significance of rigorous Party governance, with unprecedented efforts made to carry out the guiding principles of the eight-point code and other measures taken to combat corruption.
\n
The Party's eight-point code refers to the improvement of Party and government conduct while strengthening ties with the people. Its goal is to promote thorough and stringent self-governance within the Party, thereby effectively combating corruption from the beginning.
\n
Warned, educated
\n
While imposing timely disciplinary punishments on those who violate the guiding principles of the code, serious cases where individuals are suspected of duty-related crimes — including bribery and embezzlement — have also been exposed online to warn and educate Party members and government officials.
\n
Data released by the National Commission of Supervision, the country's top anti-corruption watchdog, showed about 26,000 people were investigated for offering bribes to others in 2024. Of those, 4,271 were deemed to be serious cases, with suspects handed over to prosecutors for further review.
\n
From January to June of this year, 16,000 suspected bribe-givers were placed under investigation, and 1,990 referred to prosecuting authorities, according to the data.
\n
"Both receivers and givers of bribes seriously undermine social fairness and justice," said Ruan Qilin, a law professor at the China University of Political Science and Law, while stressing the need to combat bribe-givers by revising the law.
\n
"They also harm public interests and order, and damage the credibility of government departments," he said.
\n
Ruan said if the penalties are not severe enough, they fail to serve as a deterrent, which makes it difficult to curb bribery.
\n
The amended law has sent a clear message that bribe-givers must pay a higher price for their wrongdoings, he said, adding that all individuals and organizations should enhance awareness of the rule of law and compliance in their business operations.
\n
"They must not seek improper benefits through bribery or undermine a fair and competitive market environment," he said. "Engaging in bribery will ultimately be counterproductive, leading to disgrace and strict legal penalties."
\n
The amended law also highlights the fight against corruption within private enterprises, which represent about 93 percent of businesses across China.
\n
A few charges only applied to State-owned employees should be expanded to employees of private companies, the NPC Standing Committee said, adding this will ensure equal treatment of all business entities by the rule of law.
\n
Employees of private businesses who intentionally harm their employers' interests and cause huge financial losses — such as illegally making profits for friends, discounting stocks, and selling company assets — can now be held criminally liable under the amended law.
\n
Harsher penalties
\n
Since the law was optimized, Chinese judicial authorities have intensified the crackdown on corruption by harshly penalizing bribe-givers and those harming the interests of private employers.
\n
In November, for example, a businessman surnamed Li in Leibo county, Sichuan province, was sentenced to three years in prison, with a four-year reprieve, for offering bribes to the then head of the local transport bureau.
\n
The people's court in Yuexi county found that from 2021 to 2023, Li bribed a bureau official surnamed Zhang with more than 3.79 million yuan ($531,278) in three local construction projects. The bribes were made through cash payments, covering parking space purchase costs, and gambling activities. Zhang's case was handled separately.
\n
Also, after the amended law came into force, the Supreme People's Court, China's top court, released details of eight notable cases involving bribe-givers to reaffirm the firm stance against corruption.
\n
In one case, a defendant surnamed Yang from Sichuan province, was sentenced to five years and six months in prison and fined 200,000 yuan for offering bribes to officials in local public security and government departments multiple times from 2004 to 2018.
\n
Yang organized gangster activities and wanted the officials to help cover up his offenses, the top court said, adding that the sum of bribes he offered was more than 1 million yuan.
\n
He also pleaded guilty to organized crime charges, and ultimately received a 25-year prison term with confiscation of all of his personal assets, the court said.
\n
While noting it was a typical case where the defendant repeatedly offered bribes to a number of people, the top court also highlighted the importance of eradicating breeding grounds for corruption and mafia-like activities.
\n
Supervisory procedures
\n
In addition to boosting the fight against bribery, since June the amended Supervision Law has helped standardize supervisory procedures.
\n
Before the law was modified, people suspected of corrupt actions underwent supervisory investigation, with a three-month detention limit. The detention could be doubled in some special circumstances, but the extension period could not exceed three months.
\n
To address time constraints in handling major and complicated cases, the amended law added a new provision. For suspects in serious situations, such as those facing a possible sentence of 10 or more years in prison, an additional extension of two months was permitted.
\n
However, this only applies if the supervisory body is unable to complete the investigation. The additional extension needs to be approved by the National Commission of Supervision.
\n
"It was necessary and timely to revise the law. The new version is conducive to improving the supervisory framework and regulating the behavior of supervisors," said Tong Dehua, a professor from the Zhongnan University of Economics and Law in Hubei province.
\n
He emphasized the need to integrate the concept of the rule of law into supervisory procedures and throughout all anti-corruption efforts.
\n
"The rule of law is an important achievement of human political civilization, a lofty ideal long pursued by the public, and a crucial safeguard for promoting Chinese modernization," he said.
\n
While calling on supervisory departments to uphold the belief in the rule of law, strengthen their sense of responsibility and faithfully fulfill their duties to investigate all types of new and hidden forms of corruption, he also urged them to exercise their power in accordance with the law, impartially, and with integrity.
\n
Fugitives returned
\n
Thanks to years of development of the legal system, China has accelerated progress in the return of fugitives who have fled abroad as well as the recovery of illicit assets, according to the National Commission of Supervision.
\n
In July, Zhou Jinghua, a former businesswoman on China's list of 100 most-wanted fugitives, was extradited to China from Thailand. Previously, a large number of fugitives were repatriated to China or had voluntarily surrendered. Zhou was the first fugitive on the list to be extradited to China.
\n
"The methods for returning fugitives have gradually shifted from relying primarily on persuasion to comprehensively employing various approaches such as arrest, deportation and extradition. This indicates China's international anticorruption efforts are becoming increasingly standardized," the commission said.
\n
While ordering supervisory authorities nationwide to enhance the awareness of the rule of law, and comply with procedural and evidence standards in pursuing fugitives and recovering illegal proceeds, the commission also urged them to improve the law enforcement capabilities by fully respecting the judicial sovereignty of other countries and international rules, as well as strictly implementing the revised Supervision Law.
\n
"Anti-corruption international cooperation is inseparable from both domestic rule of law and foreign-related legal engagement, so adhering to the rule of law mindset and approach is imperative," it added.
China's rapid development and strong protection of intellectual property have been praised by Daren Tang, director-general of the World Intellectual Property Organization, as a significant achievement not only for the country but also for the world.
\n
"The Chinese IP ecosystem cannot just be said to be one of huge quantity, but increasingly of high quality as well," Tang said at the opening ceremony of the 14th China International Patent Fair in Dalian, Liaoning province, on Monday.
\n
Tang highlighted China's innovative progress, noting that the country entered the top 10 in WIPO's Global Innovation Index in 2025, making it the highest-ranked among upper-middle-income economies. He said 24 of China's innovation clusters are among the world's top 100, with the Hong Kong-Guangzhou-Shenzhen cluster ranked first.
\n
He also commended China's strong momentum in its green transition, citing rapid growth in the electric vehicle industry, which has surged by 36 percent, the battery industry (53 percent) and the solar industry (18 percent). These advancements, he said, are helping drive green technology and artificial intelligence-enabled industries, which now make up nearly one-fifth of China's economy.
\n
In response to challenges brought by emerging digital technologies, especially AI, Tang called for adjustments to better support the integration of digital and industrial innovation. He stressed that intellectual property should be made more accessible, benefiting not only large enterprises but also startups and small and medium-sized companies.
\n
"IP must accompany the aspirations of researchers and scientists so that laboratory results can have a real impact on society and the economy," he said.
\n
Tang also called for a more comprehensive approach to intellectual property management — integrating patents, trademarks and designs into cohesive business strategies — and suggested policymakers align IP policies across industrial, digital and creative sectors to encourage innovation synergies.
\n
The 14th China International Patent Fair, which concludes on Wednesday, aims to promote patent transformation and utilization to empower innovative development. The event, considered China's premier national exhibition in the IP field, has become an important platform for exchanging innovations and fostering trade cooperation across industries both domestically and internationally.
\n
During the opening ceremony, Antonio Campinos, president of the European Patent Office, delivered a speech via video link. He said that in 2024, the office received 200,000 patent applications, with more than 10 percent coming from China, making the country the fourth-largest source of applications.
\n
Campinos said the office has launched services to help innovators gain easier and faster access to the European market and expressed his eagerness to continue working with China to build a high-quality intellectual property system.
\n
Shen Changyu, head of the China National Intellectual Property Administration, likened the use of patents to a "bridge" that transforms innovative achievements into productive forces. He emphasized its importance for driving innovation-led development.
\n
Shen encouraged more intellectual property exchanges during the event, describing it as a platform to promote high-level opening-up and support high-quality growth.
\n
caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
China's rapid development and strong protection of intellectual property have been praised by Daren Tang, director-general of the World Intellectual Property Organization, as a significant achievement not only for the country but also for the world.
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"The Chinese IP ecosystem cannot just be said to be one of huge quantity, but increasingly of high quality as well," Tang said at the opening ceremony of the 14th China International Patent Fair in Dalian, Liaoning province, on Monday.
\n
Tang highlighted China's innovative progress, noting that the country entered the top 10 in WIPO's Global Innovation Index in 2025, making it the highest-ranked among upper-middle-income economies. He said 24 of China's innovation clusters are among the world's top 100, with the Hong Kong-Guangzhou-Shenzhen cluster ranked first.
\n
He also commended China's strong momentum in its green transition, citing rapid growth in the electric vehicle industry, which has surged by 36 percent, the battery industry (53 percent) and the solar industry (18 percent). These advancements, he said, are helping drive green technology and artificial intelligence-enabled industries, which now make up nearly one-fifth of China's economy.
\n
In response to challenges brought by emerging digital technologies, especially AI, Tang called for adjustments to better support the integration of digital and industrial innovation. He stressed that intellectual property should be made more accessible, benefiting not only large enterprises but also startups and small and medium-sized companies.
\n
"IP must accompany the aspirations of researchers and scientists so that laboratory results can have a real impact on society and the economy," he said.
\n
Tang also called for a more comprehensive approach to intellectual property management — integrating patents, trademarks and designs into cohesive business strategies — and suggested policymakers align IP policies across industrial, digital and creative sectors to encourage innovation synergies.
\n
The 14th China International Patent Fair, which concludes on Wednesday, aims to promote patent transformation and utilization to empower innovative development. The event, considered China's premier national exhibition in the IP field, has become an important platform for exchanging innovations and fostering trade cooperation across industries both domestically and internationally.
\n
During the opening ceremony, Antonio Campinos, president of the European Patent Office, delivered a speech via video link. He said that in 2024, the office received 200,000 patent applications, with more than 10 percent coming from China, making the country the fourth-largest source of applications.
\n
Campinos said the office has launched services to help innovators gain easier and faster access to the European market and expressed his eagerness to continue working with China to build a high-quality intellectual property system.
\n
Shen Changyu, head of the China National Intellectual Property Administration, likened the use of patents to a "bridge" that transforms innovative achievements into productive forces. He emphasized its importance for driving innovation-led development.
\n
Shen encouraged more intellectual property exchanges during the event, describing it as a platform to promote high-level opening-up and support high-quality growth.
Authorities in Hunan province are ramping up efforts to attract talent nationwide by organizing a series of job fairs in major cities, offering more than 300,000 positions for university graduates.
\n
A special recruitment fair was held on Sunday at Peking University, where nearly 500 employers from Hunan presented about 15,000 job opportunities. More than 10,000 students from universities in Beijing attended the event, according to the provincial publicity department.
\n
At the fair, Hunan Governor Mao Weiming extended an open invitation to young people across the country.
\n
"If you come to Hunan, you will find a stage to shine; if you are a seed, you will take root, break through the soil and grow strong," he said.
\n
The Beijing event marked the third stop in Hunan's seven-city recruitment campaign, following events held in the provincial capital Changsha and Shanghai in late September. By the end of the month, the province plans to host additional job fairs in the capitals of Shaanxi, Hubei, Sichuan and Jiangsu provinces, the publicity department said.
\n
The campaign will offer more than 300,000 positions at State-owned enterprises, universities, hospitals and technology firms, matching job seekers' skills with Hunan's industrial strengths.
\n
High-tech industries were prominently represented at the Beijing fair, with over 120 Hunan-based technology firms offering more than 3,200 positions in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, algorithms and new materials.
\n
Jiang Zhengwen, a recruiter from the National Supercomputing Center in Changsha, said the center is seeking young professionals in artificial intelligence, big data and computing algorithms.
\n
He told People's Daily that his company received a large number of resumes at the Beijing fair.
\n
"Quite a few students from Hunan who studied computer science or information technology in Beijing hope to return home to contribute to scientific research and digital governance," he said.
\n
For many graduates, including those from outside Hunan, the province's growing economy and livable environment are major draws.
\n
Wang Jiayi, a Capital Normal University student from Henan province who will graduate next year, said she has applied for a teaching position at a public high school in Changsha.
\n
"I want to settle down there," she said. "Changsha has a balanced pace of life, a lively atmosphere and housing that's still affordable for young people starting their careers."
\n
Contact the writers at jiangchenglong@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Authorities in Hunan province are ramping up efforts to attract talent nationwide by organizing a series of job fairs in major cities, offering more than 300,000 positions for university graduates.
\n
A special recruitment fair was held on Sunday at Peking University, where nearly 500 employers from Hunan presented about 15,000 job opportunities. More than 10,000 students from universities in Beijing attended the event, according to the provincial publicity department.
\n
At the fair, Hunan Governor Mao Weiming extended an open invitation to young people across the country.
\n
"If you come to Hunan, you will find a stage to shine; if you are a seed, you will take root, break through the soil and grow strong," he said.
\n
The Beijing event marked the third stop in Hunan's seven-city recruitment campaign, following events held in the provincial capital Changsha and Shanghai in late September. By the end of the month, the province plans to host additional job fairs in the capitals of Shaanxi, Hubei, Sichuan and Jiangsu provinces, the publicity department said.
\n
The campaign will offer more than 300,000 positions at State-owned enterprises, universities, hospitals and technology firms, matching job seekers' skills with Hunan's industrial strengths.
\n
High-tech industries were prominently represented at the Beijing fair, with over 120 Hunan-based technology firms offering more than 3,200 positions in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, algorithms and new materials.
\n
Jiang Zhengwen, a recruiter from the National Supercomputing Center in Changsha, said the center is seeking young professionals in artificial intelligence, big data and computing algorithms.
\n
He told People's Daily that his company received a large number of resumes at the Beijing fair.
\n
"Quite a few students from Hunan who studied computer science or information technology in Beijing hope to return home to contribute to scientific research and digital governance," he said.
\n
For many graduates, including those from outside Hunan, the province's growing economy and livable environment are major draws.
\n
Wang Jiayi, a Capital Normal University student from Henan province who will graduate next year, said she has applied for a teaching position at a public high school in Changsha.
\n
"I want to settle down there," she said. "Changsha has a balanced pace of life, a lively atmosphere and housing that's still affordable for young people starting their careers."
\n
Contact the writers at jiangchenglong@chinadaily.com.cn
A camel caravan traverses the stunning Danxia landforms in Zhangye, Gansu province, on Tuesday. This caravan has been retracing the ancient Silk Road since August from Barkol Kazakh autonomous county, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
A camel caravan traverses the stunning Danxia landforms in Zhangye, Gansu province, on Tuesday. This caravan has been retracing the ancient Silk Road since August from Barkol Kazakh autonomous county, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
China has deepened its collaboration with the international community in meteorological governance during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), using artificial intelligence and early warning technologies to help developing countries improve disaster preparedness and climate resilience, officials said on Saturday.
\n
Chen Zhenlin, director of the China Meteorological Administration, said the country's self-developed early warning system has provided technical support and training to nations vulnerable to climate disasters.
\n
The system has already been adopted in Pakistan, Ethiopia, the Solomon Islands, Mongolia, and Djibouti.
\n
"It can provide comprehensive early warning solutions and help bridge the technology divide faced by developing nations," Chen said during a State Council Information Office news conference.
\n
In July, the administration launched MAZU, an AI-powered integrated meteorological system designed to provide early warnings for all users. The system combines elements of traditional Chinese culture with modern science and aligns with the United Nations' Early Warnings for All initiative.
\n
Chen said the system represents China's transformation "from an active participant in global meteorological governance to a key contributor and provider of global public goods".
\n
Over the next three years, China will help developing countries enhance their meteorological capabilities by offering 2,000 training opportunities, 100 scholarships and 50 visiting scholar positions, he added.
\n
China has also achieved major breakthroughs in meteorological science, including weather predictions, during the plan period, said Jin Ronghua, director of the National Meteorological Center.
\n
"We have made significant progress in numerical weather prediction — the 'chip' of modern forecasting," Jin said. "Our independently developed global and regional systems have reached near top international levels."
\n
China is working with Tsinghua University, Fudan University and the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory to develop AI-based forecasting models, keeping pace with leading meteorological centers in Europe and the United States.
\n
During the same period, forecast accuracy reached its highest level on record, with the accuracy rate for heavy rainfall forecasts improving by 10 percent compared with the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20), Jin said.
\n
According to the administration, China has strengthened its capacity to monitor and forecast extreme weather, with the detection rate of severe weather events rising to 83 percent.
\n
Chen said the country's meteorological modernization has advanced rapidly, supported by an integrated observation network consisting of nine Fengyun meteorological satellites, 842 weather radar systems and more than 90,000 ground observation stations.
\n
"With a seamless and intelligent digital forecasting system, we can now predict regional rainstorms, heat waves and cold spells three to seven days in advance," Chen said.
\n
Bi Baogui, deputy director of the administration, said China launched five Fengyun satellites during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, several of which feature world-first technologies.
\n
The Fengyun satellites now provide data services to 133 countries and regions, including many involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. The number of international users on the Fengyun service platform has more than doubled since 2021, and 37 countries have registered for the satellite emergency observation mechanism to receive targeted support during disasters, Bi said.
\n
Meanwhile, China's domestically developed Beidou sounding system has reached a world-leading level, ending GPS' monopoly in meteorological sounding, he said.
\n
"The country now operates the world's largest ground-based remote sensing network, capable of real-time vertical profiling of temperature, humidity, wind and aerosols up to 10,000 meters," Bi said.
China has deepened its collaboration with the international community in meteorological governance during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), using artificial intelligence and early warning technologies to help developing countries improve disaster preparedness and climate resilience, officials said on Saturday.
\n
Chen Zhenlin, director of the China Meteorological Administration, said the country's self-developed early warning system has provided technical support and training to nations vulnerable to climate disasters.
\n
The system has already been adopted in Pakistan, Ethiopia, the Solomon Islands, Mongolia, and Djibouti.
\n
"It can provide comprehensive early warning solutions and help bridge the technology divide faced by developing nations," Chen said during a State Council Information Office news conference.
\n
In July, the administration launched MAZU, an AI-powered integrated meteorological system designed to provide early warnings for all users. The system combines elements of traditional Chinese culture with modern science and aligns with the United Nations' Early Warnings for All initiative.
\n
Chen said the system represents China's transformation "from an active participant in global meteorological governance to a key contributor and provider of global public goods".
\n
Over the next three years, China will help developing countries enhance their meteorological capabilities by offering 2,000 training opportunities, 100 scholarships and 50 visiting scholar positions, he added.
\n
China has also achieved major breakthroughs in meteorological science, including weather predictions, during the plan period, said Jin Ronghua, director of the National Meteorological Center.
\n
"We have made significant progress in numerical weather prediction — the 'chip' of modern forecasting," Jin said. "Our independently developed global and regional systems have reached near top international levels."
\n
China is working with Tsinghua University, Fudan University and the Shanghai Artificial Intelligence Laboratory to develop AI-based forecasting models, keeping pace with leading meteorological centers in Europe and the United States.
\n
During the same period, forecast accuracy reached its highest level on record, with the accuracy rate for heavy rainfall forecasts improving by 10 percent compared with the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20), Jin said.
\n
According to the administration, China has strengthened its capacity to monitor and forecast extreme weather, with the detection rate of severe weather events rising to 83 percent.
\n
Chen said the country's meteorological modernization has advanced rapidly, supported by an integrated observation network consisting of nine Fengyun meteorological satellites, 842 weather radar systems and more than 90,000 ground observation stations.
\n
"With a seamless and intelligent digital forecasting system, we can now predict regional rainstorms, heat waves and cold spells three to seven days in advance," Chen said.
\n
Bi Baogui, deputy director of the administration, said China launched five Fengyun satellites during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, several of which feature world-first technologies.
\n
The Fengyun satellites now provide data services to 133 countries and regions, including many involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. The number of international users on the Fengyun service platform has more than doubled since 2021, and 37 countries have registered for the satellite emergency observation mechanism to receive targeted support during disasters, Bi said.
\n
Meanwhile, China's domestically developed Beidou sounding system has reached a world-leading level, ending GPS' monopoly in meteorological sounding, he said.
\n
"The country now operates the world's largest ground-based remote sensing network, capable of real-time vertical profiling of temperature, humidity, wind and aerosols up to 10,000 meters," Bi said.
Wang Bo, former vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for accepting bribes exceeding 449 million yuan ($62 million), a court in Hubei province announced on Tuesday.
\n
Wang was also deprived of his political rights for life, and all of his personal assets were confiscated, according to a ruling made by the Yichang Intermediate People's Court.
\n
In China, a suspended death sentence is typically commuted to life in prison if the criminal commits no new offenses during the two-year probation period. The sentence can be further reduced for good behavior.
\n
However, in Wang's case, the court said that there would be no possibility of a sentence reduction or parole, even if he behaves well. This means Wang will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
\n
Additionally, his illicit gains and relevant interests were ordered to be turned over to the State treasury, it added.
\n
According to the court, from the first half of 2003 to May 2024, Wang, 67, used the positions he held in Inner Mongolia to seek benefits for other individuals and departments in various matters, including business operations, project contracting and job adjustments. In return, he accepted bribes worth more than 449 million yuan.
\n
The court noted that Wang's activities constituted the crime of bribery, "and he should be sentenced to death, as the amount of his bribes was extremely large and the circumstances of his offense were extremely severe, bringing huge losses to the interests of the country and the people," it said.
\n
"Considering that he confessed to the crime, voluntarily shared many bribery facts unknown to investigators and returned his illicit proceeds, we leniently punished him with a suspended death (sentence), but without further commutation or parole after being reduced to life imprisonment," it added.
\n
A native of Inner Mongolia, Wang started his career in 1977 and joined the Communist Party of China in 1986. For decades he served in various positions in the region, including as mayor of Hohhot, the regional capital, and as deputy mayor of Baotou. He became vice-chairman of the standing committee of the regional people's congress, the local top legislature, in early 2018.
Wang Bo, former vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, was sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve for accepting bribes exceeding 449 million yuan ($62 million), a court in Hubei province announced on Tuesday.
\n
Wang was also deprived of his political rights for life, and all of his personal assets were confiscated, according to a ruling made by the Yichang Intermediate People's Court.
\n
In China, a suspended death sentence is typically commuted to life in prison if the criminal commits no new offenses during the two-year probation period. The sentence can be further reduced for good behavior.
\n
However, in Wang's case, the court said that there would be no possibility of a sentence reduction or parole, even if he behaves well. This means Wang will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
\n
Additionally, his illicit gains and relevant interests were ordered to be turned over to the State treasury, it added.
\n
According to the court, from the first half of 2003 to May 2024, Wang, 67, used the positions he held in Inner Mongolia to seek benefits for other individuals and departments in various matters, including business operations, project contracting and job adjustments. In return, he accepted bribes worth more than 449 million yuan.
\n
The court noted that Wang's activities constituted the crime of bribery, "and he should be sentenced to death, as the amount of his bribes was extremely large and the circumstances of his offense were extremely severe, bringing huge losses to the interests of the country and the people," it said.
\n
"Considering that he confessed to the crime, voluntarily shared many bribery facts unknown to investigators and returned his illicit proceeds, we leniently punished him with a suspended death (sentence), but without further commutation or parole after being reduced to life imprisonment," it added.
\n
A native of Inner Mongolia, Wang started his career in 1977 and joined the Communist Party of China in 1986. For decades he served in various positions in the region, including as mayor of Hohhot, the regional capital, and as deputy mayor of Baotou. He became vice-chairman of the standing committee of the regional people's congress, the local top legislature, in early 2018.
A robot capable of accurately identifying and picking ripe strawberries attracts attendees at the 2025 World AgriFood Innovation Conference in Pinggu district, Beijing, on Monday.
\n
China Agricultural University on Monday launched the Shennong Large Model 3.0, described as the country's most comprehensive and data-rich artificial intelligence model for agriculture, marking a significant step toward the intelligent transformation of farming and research worldwide.
\n
The model, together with the newly introduced Shennong AI Agent Platform, was unveiled at the opening ceremony of the 2025 World AgriFood Innovation Conference in Beijing, signaling a new stage in agricultural AI that is both efficient and accessible.
\n
Sun Qixin, president of China Agricultural University, said the third-generation Shennong model is China's first large-scale AI system trained with the country's largest agricultural dataset to date, covering 90 percent of agricultural disciplines and 80 percent of agricultural scenarios.
\n
Named after Shennong, a legendary figure in ancient China known for teaching farming, the model was developed by a team led by Wang Yaojun, an associate professor at the university's College of Information and Electrical Engineering. The Shennong Large Model series has evolved rapidly since its first version in 2023.
\n
Specifically designed for agricultural applications, the model covers areas that include crop breeding, planting and livestock production.
\n
"Compared with general-purpose models, Shennong is far more specialized in answering agricultural questions," Wang said, adding that it ranks among the world's leading models in the agricultural sector.
\n
The first version focused on agricultural question-and-answer functions, while version 2.0 introduced multimodal capabilities and real-world applications.
\n
"The new 3.0 version features 36 intelligent agents, emphasizing small size, high intelligence and low cost to make agricultural AI more practical and widely available for farmers and production entities," Wang said.
\n
"Through a mobile app or mini program, farmers can access AI-powered guidance for crop management and pest control within seconds," he added.
\n
The pest and disease identification agent can recognize 70 categories and more than 600 types of crop pests and diseases, offering instant advice comparable to consulting multiple plant protection experts.
\n
The model is already being tested in Beijing, the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, and Shanxi and Heilongjiang provinces, with more than 100,000 active users. In Heilongjiang, for example, farmers can quickly identify the disease corn leaf spot and receive immediate recommendations on fertilizers, pesticides and treatment methods, Wang said.
\n
He added that the model can also accelerate scientific discovery for agricultural researchers and assist in data-driven breeding decisions. Among the 36 intelligent agents, the Wheat Breeding AI Assistant integrates national-level germplasm data and expert knowledge to support precision breeding, helping move the process from traditional trial-and-error to data-based innovation.
\n
The 2025 World AgriFood Innovation Conference ran from Sunday to Tuesday in Beijing's Pinggu district, with nearly 800 participants from dozens of countries in attendance to discuss resilient food supply and agrifood system transformation.
\n
At the opening ceremony, several other achievements were also unveiled, including the inauguration of the China Agricultural University-Dong-E-E-Jiao Joint Industry Innovation Institute and the release of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research 2025 Innovation Report.
\n
zhaoyimeng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
A robot capable of accurately identifying and picking ripe strawberries attracts attendees at the 2025 World AgriFood Innovation Conference in Pinggu district, Beijing, on Monday.
\n
China Agricultural University on Monday launched the Shennong Large Model 3.0, described as the country's most comprehensive and data-rich artificial intelligence model for agriculture, marking a significant step toward the intelligent transformation of farming and research worldwide.
\n
The model, together with the newly introduced Shennong AI Agent Platform, was unveiled at the opening ceremony of the 2025 World AgriFood Innovation Conference in Beijing, signaling a new stage in agricultural AI that is both efficient and accessible.
\n
Sun Qixin, president of China Agricultural University, said the third-generation Shennong model is China's first large-scale AI system trained with the country's largest agricultural dataset to date, covering 90 percent of agricultural disciplines and 80 percent of agricultural scenarios.
\n
Named after Shennong, a legendary figure in ancient China known for teaching farming, the model was developed by a team led by Wang Yaojun, an associate professor at the university's College of Information and Electrical Engineering. The Shennong Large Model series has evolved rapidly since its first version in 2023.
\n
Specifically designed for agricultural applications, the model covers areas that include crop breeding, planting and livestock production.
\n
"Compared with general-purpose models, Shennong is far more specialized in answering agricultural questions," Wang said, adding that it ranks among the world's leading models in the agricultural sector.
\n
The first version focused on agricultural question-and-answer functions, while version 2.0 introduced multimodal capabilities and real-world applications.
\n
"The new 3.0 version features 36 intelligent agents, emphasizing small size, high intelligence and low cost to make agricultural AI more practical and widely available for farmers and production entities," Wang said.
\n
"Through a mobile app or mini program, farmers can access AI-powered guidance for crop management and pest control within seconds," he added.
\n
The pest and disease identification agent can recognize 70 categories and more than 600 types of crop pests and diseases, offering instant advice comparable to consulting multiple plant protection experts.
\n
The model is already being tested in Beijing, the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, and Shanxi and Heilongjiang provinces, with more than 100,000 active users. In Heilongjiang, for example, farmers can quickly identify the disease corn leaf spot and receive immediate recommendations on fertilizers, pesticides and treatment methods, Wang said.
\n
He added that the model can also accelerate scientific discovery for agricultural researchers and assist in data-driven breeding decisions. Among the 36 intelligent agents, the Wheat Breeding AI Assistant integrates national-level germplasm data and expert knowledge to support precision breeding, helping move the process from traditional trial-and-error to data-based innovation.
\n
The 2025 World AgriFood Innovation Conference ran from Sunday to Tuesday in Beijing's Pinggu district, with nearly 800 participants from dozens of countries in attendance to discuss resilient food supply and agrifood system transformation.
\n
At the opening ceremony, several other achievements were also unveiled, including the inauguration of the China Agricultural University-Dong-E-E-Jiao Joint Industry Innovation Institute and the release of the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research 2025 Innovation Report.
Luo Hongyang, his wife Li Ying, and their son pose for a photo as they try to capture the moment a Long March 8A carrier rocket blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province on Feb 11.
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A time-lapse photo captures the trajectory of a Long March 7A rocket, witnessed by Luo and his family in Guangdong province in 2023.
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Luo poses for a photo with his wife and eldest son in Sanya, Hainan province, on June 1.
\n\n
Public displays of affection, or PDA for short, can raise smiles or eyebrows in China. But for 37-year-old Luo Hongyang, PDA has become the launchpad of both his career and fame. Jokingly called the "King of PDA" by his friends, Luo doesn't just share romantic snapshots with his wife Li Ying on social media, but frames them against splendid backdrops of rockets soaring into the sky.
\n
That unusual pairing of love and liftoffs has propelled Luo into the spotlight. Space buffs adore him, the media celebrates him and space program officials have even reposted his shots. His photographs aren't just tender moments, but fiery testaments to how passion, timing and a keen eye can take your work into a whole new orbit.
\n
Luo fell in love with photography in 2009, when his mother gifted him a camera. He used it extensively to take pictures of his girlfriend Li, then later turned it into a livelihood when he quit his internet job in 2019 to open a portrait studio in his hometown Nanning, the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.
\n
The venture proved profitable, allowing him to open a second studio. By then, Luo's interests had expanded to include astrophotography. Nights spent shooting star-streaked skies and distant galaxies honed his skills. Some of his photographs were picked up by Chinese photography and astronomy magazines. "At that time I didn't know much about rockets, satellites or our space programs," Luo recalled. His limited knowledge about spaceflight came from media reports and rockets were not on his radar.
\n
An extraordinary idea
\n
Then came a cosmic twist. Lou's world would change in March 2020, when a friend called to offer an extraordinary proposition. He had booked a hotel room in Wenchang, Hainan province, to watch a rocket launch at the Wenchang Space Launch Center but was unable to travel due to restrictions following the outbreak of COVID-19. He asked Luo if he would like to use the room instead.
\n
Luo, who was visiting his wife's parents in nearby Sanya at the time, seized the opportunity. "I thought, 'Why not? I've never seen a rocket in real life. It sounds interesting.'" Determined to make the most of this chance, Luo reached out to photography friends with experience in shooting rocket launches. One of them, Zhang Jingyi, invited him to an online chat group where enthusiasts traded tips about rocket photography. Luo absorbed everything he could. "I learned a lot from the online session," he said.
\n
Luo drove three hours with Li and her younger brother and reached the Gloria Longda Hotel near the Wenchang Space Launch Center two days before the scheduled launch on March 16, 2020.From the hotel balcony, they could see the towering Long March 7A rocket.
\n
Professional photographers and mediapersons had already crowded the hotel rooftop. "The view from the hotel balcony was good enough, so I decided to take pictures from there," he recalled.
\n
On the day of the launch, Lou could not contain his excitement. As dusk fell, Luo peered through his viewfinder, his heart racing. As the countdown ended and flames burst from the rocket's engines, he pressed the shutter relentlessly, the clicks blending with his wife's shrieks of excitement. "I had never cared about rockets," Li said. "But standing so close, watching the engines spit fire, I couldn't stop screaming."
\n
Though the Long March 7A mission ended in failure due to technical malfunctions, Luo was unfazed.
\n
He had captured a spectacle. "I took some nice pictures," he boasted, later posting them on WeChat and Weibo. That experience planted a seed of obsession.
\n
In love with rockets
\n
From then on, Luo followed every piece of spaceflight news he could find. He studied NASA images, compared them with the ones he took in Wenchang, and refined his techniques.
\n
His next chance came quickly. A few months later, Wenchang prepared to launch a Long March 5B, one of China's most powerful rockets. Luo booked the same hotel room. This time, he was more confident and determined to capture the enormity of the liftoff from the privacy of his balcony.
\n
The results were striking. When Luo shared the images, friends raved about how "cool" the rocket looked. But Luo had already begun thinking beyond close-ups.
\n
He wanted to make the experience more personal. What if the photographs didn't just show the rocket, but the couple themselves, sharing the moment? "I wanted to produce better photos (of rockets) and also put the soaring rocket, my wife and myself into one picture," he said.
\n
In July 2020, opportunity struck again. China was about to launch a Long March 5 carrying Tianwen 1, its first independent Martian mission. Luo staged something different: he positioned a camera on the beach, configured another inside the hotel room with a remote trigger, and stood with Li facing the rocket.
\n
When ignition started, the images captured them gazing skyward as flames tore into the heavens.
\n
"I had never seen selfies of couples with rockets before," Luo said. "Everyone focused on close-ups. We decided to do something new."
\n
Love under a rocket's glow
\n
Four months later, China prepared to launch the Chang'e 5 lunar mission. Scheduled before daybreak, it posed a creative challenge. Luo responded by crafting a transparent umbrella edged with tiny glowing bulbs, transforming a night shoot into a luminous tableau. "By that time, I had become a true space fan," Luo said. "I bought some spaceflight merchandise to try and make my pictures more interesting and unique."
\n
In June 2021, the couple traveled to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Inner Mongolia to witness the Shenzhou XII crewed mission. For the first time, Luo was photographing astronauts departing for China's new Tiangong space station.
\n
The journey from Nanning took a full day, but Lou said the effort was worth it. "Seeing off our astronauts flying toward our own space station is an unforgettable memory," he said.
\n
Since that first launch five years ago, Luo has photographed 37 rocket launches, which sent astronauts, deep-space probes, cargo ships and various kinds of satellites into orbit. His images, which feature him, his wife and their oldest son, have been shared widely online on social media. Media outlets have also used them extensively.
\n
Family matters
\n
Luo's enthusiasm for rockets has rubbed off on his family as well. "My oldest son is nearly 6 years old and has already seen 24 launches, including one from a ship. He is also a space fan and likes sharing what he knows about rockets and spaceflights with his friends and kindergarten teachers," said Luo. Luo intends to take him to the Xichang and Taiyuan launch centers once he's old enough to appreciate them.
\n
Recognition has followed Luo's interest in rockets. He has been invited to participate in an official documentary about China's lunar program. A filmmaker friend has also produced a short documentary on Luo and his family's "rocket stories". What began as a hobby has become not just a career, but a launchpad for fame.
\n
Luo's journey is a reminder of how chance encounters can change a life.
\n
A hotel room, a balcony, a single rocket — and suddenly, a career trajectory shifts. What began as a pastime photographing his girlfriend became a livelihood. What began as curiosity about rockets became a creative identity celebrated nationwide.
\n
zhaolei@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Luo Hongyang, his wife Li Ying, and their son pose for a photo as they try to capture the moment a Long March 8A carrier rocket blasts off from the Wenchang Space Launch Center in Hainan province on Feb 11.
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A time-lapse photo captures the trajectory of a Long March 7A rocket, witnessed by Luo and his family in Guangdong province in 2023.
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Luo poses for a photo with his wife and eldest son in Sanya, Hainan province, on June 1.
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Public displays of affection, or PDA for short, can raise smiles or eyebrows in China. But for 37-year-old Luo Hongyang, PDA has become the launchpad of both his career and fame. Jokingly called the "King of PDA" by his friends, Luo doesn't just share romantic snapshots with his wife Li Ying on social media, but frames them against splendid backdrops of rockets soaring into the sky.
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That unusual pairing of love and liftoffs has propelled Luo into the spotlight. Space buffs adore him, the media celebrates him and space program officials have even reposted his shots. His photographs aren't just tender moments, but fiery testaments to how passion, timing and a keen eye can take your work into a whole new orbit.
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Luo fell in love with photography in 2009, when his mother gifted him a camera. He used it extensively to take pictures of his girlfriend Li, then later turned it into a livelihood when he quit his internet job in 2019 to open a portrait studio in his hometown Nanning, the capital of the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.
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The venture proved profitable, allowing him to open a second studio. By then, Luo's interests had expanded to include astrophotography. Nights spent shooting star-streaked skies and distant galaxies honed his skills. Some of his photographs were picked up by Chinese photography and astronomy magazines. "At that time I didn't know much about rockets, satellites or our space programs," Luo recalled. His limited knowledge about spaceflight came from media reports and rockets were not on his radar.
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An extraordinary idea
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Then came a cosmic twist. Lou's world would change in March 2020, when a friend called to offer an extraordinary proposition. He had booked a hotel room in Wenchang, Hainan province, to watch a rocket launch at the Wenchang Space Launch Center but was unable to travel due to restrictions following the outbreak of COVID-19. He asked Luo if he would like to use the room instead.
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Luo, who was visiting his wife's parents in nearby Sanya at the time, seized the opportunity. "I thought, 'Why not? I've never seen a rocket in real life. It sounds interesting.'" Determined to make the most of this chance, Luo reached out to photography friends with experience in shooting rocket launches. One of them, Zhang Jingyi, invited him to an online chat group where enthusiasts traded tips about rocket photography. Luo absorbed everything he could. "I learned a lot from the online session," he said.
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Luo drove three hours with Li and her younger brother and reached the Gloria Longda Hotel near the Wenchang Space Launch Center two days before the scheduled launch on March 16, 2020.From the hotel balcony, they could see the towering Long March 7A rocket.
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Professional photographers and mediapersons had already crowded the hotel rooftop. "The view from the hotel balcony was good enough, so I decided to take pictures from there," he recalled.
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On the day of the launch, Lou could not contain his excitement. As dusk fell, Luo peered through his viewfinder, his heart racing. As the countdown ended and flames burst from the rocket's engines, he pressed the shutter relentlessly, the clicks blending with his wife's shrieks of excitement. "I had never cared about rockets," Li said. "But standing so close, watching the engines spit fire, I couldn't stop screaming."
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Though the Long March 7A mission ended in failure due to technical malfunctions, Luo was unfazed.
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He had captured a spectacle. "I took some nice pictures," he boasted, later posting them on WeChat and Weibo. That experience planted a seed of obsession.
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In love with rockets
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From then on, Luo followed every piece of spaceflight news he could find. He studied NASA images, compared them with the ones he took in Wenchang, and refined his techniques.
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His next chance came quickly. A few months later, Wenchang prepared to launch a Long March 5B, one of China's most powerful rockets. Luo booked the same hotel room. This time, he was more confident and determined to capture the enormity of the liftoff from the privacy of his balcony.
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The results were striking. When Luo shared the images, friends raved about how "cool" the rocket looked. But Luo had already begun thinking beyond close-ups.
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He wanted to make the experience more personal. What if the photographs didn't just show the rocket, but the couple themselves, sharing the moment? "I wanted to produce better photos (of rockets) and also put the soaring rocket, my wife and myself into one picture," he said.
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In July 2020, opportunity struck again. China was about to launch a Long March 5 carrying Tianwen 1, its first independent Martian mission. Luo staged something different: he positioned a camera on the beach, configured another inside the hotel room with a remote trigger, and stood with Li facing the rocket.
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When ignition started, the images captured them gazing skyward as flames tore into the heavens.
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"I had never seen selfies of couples with rockets before," Luo said. "Everyone focused on close-ups. We decided to do something new."
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Love under a rocket's glow
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Four months later, China prepared to launch the Chang'e 5 lunar mission. Scheduled before daybreak, it posed a creative challenge. Luo responded by crafting a transparent umbrella edged with tiny glowing bulbs, transforming a night shoot into a luminous tableau. "By that time, I had become a true space fan," Luo said. "I bought some spaceflight merchandise to try and make my pictures more interesting and unique."
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In June 2021, the couple traveled to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Inner Mongolia to witness the Shenzhou XII crewed mission. For the first time, Luo was photographing astronauts departing for China's new Tiangong space station.
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The journey from Nanning took a full day, but Lou said the effort was worth it. "Seeing off our astronauts flying toward our own space station is an unforgettable memory," he said.
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Since that first launch five years ago, Luo has photographed 37 rocket launches, which sent astronauts, deep-space probes, cargo ships and various kinds of satellites into orbit. His images, which feature him, his wife and their oldest son, have been shared widely online on social media. Media outlets have also used them extensively.
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Family matters
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Luo's enthusiasm for rockets has rubbed off on his family as well. "My oldest son is nearly 6 years old and has already seen 24 launches, including one from a ship. He is also a space fan and likes sharing what he knows about rockets and spaceflights with his friends and kindergarten teachers," said Luo. Luo intends to take him to the Xichang and Taiyuan launch centers once he's old enough to appreciate them.
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Recognition has followed Luo's interest in rockets. He has been invited to participate in an official documentary about China's lunar program. A filmmaker friend has also produced a short documentary on Luo and his family's "rocket stories". What began as a hobby has become not just a career, but a launchpad for fame.
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Luo's journey is a reminder of how chance encounters can change a life.
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A hotel room, a balcony, a single rocket — and suddenly, a career trajectory shifts. What began as a pastime photographing his girlfriend became a livelihood. What began as curiosity about rockets became a creative identity celebrated nationwide.
TAIYUAN — In a hearing aid store in Taiyuan city in North China's Shanxi province, 70-year-old Zhang Wei heard his granddaughter's voice clearly for the first time in years. Thanks to an artificial intelligence-powered hearing aid, the elderly man with age-related hearing loss has reentered a world of sound.
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"It's like someone suddenly turned up the volume knob," Zhang exclaimed while adjusting the device in his ear.
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Zhang is among a growing number of elderly Chinese benefiting from a new generation of AI-enabled hearing aids. Beyond amplifying sound, these devices use advanced algorithms to distinguish speech from background noise and offer personalized sound enhancement.
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China has about 27.8 million people with hearing disabilities, and the number is rising as the population ages. The hearing health of this community draws public attention. "Over 70 percent of our customers are aged 60 and above," said Cao Lijun, a hearing aid specialist in Taiyuan.
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With China's elderly population expected to exceed 400 million by around 2035, experts predict an enormous potential market for hearing aids.
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Technology companies are intensifying their efforts to innovate. According to Cui Rongtao, general manager of Xunfei Healthcare's intelligent hardware division, AI models are trained on vast amounts of real-world sound data. This training enables devices to amplify speech while minimizing background noise in real time, reducing feedback whistling, and providing a more natural sound quality.
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"Unlike traditional hearing aids that primarily focus on basic hearing needs, smart AI devices now incorporate entertainment and communication features, such as listening to music, making phone calls and soon, even supporting voice-activated virtual assistants," Cui said.
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Government support is also playing a crucial role. China's basic medical insurance covers a portion of the cost for certain models, helping to reduce the financial burden on elderly users.
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A national guideline on hearing health issued by the National Health Commission calls for strengthening hearing care for key groups, expanding family doctor services for seniors, promoting hearing screenings, and advancing AI applications in the field. Despite progress, challenges remain. Many people with hearing loss still do not use hearing aids due to limited awareness, service accessibility, or social stigma.
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To address this, companies and organizations are developing easier-to-use devices and expanding community-based hearing services.
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For example, Tencent and the China Association of Persons with Hearing Disabilities are collaborating on the "Tianlai Initiative", which offers free AI-based audio technology, screenings and hearing aids in several cities.
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Tencent has launched a remote hearing service platform that leverages the audio and video communication infrastructure of Tencent Meeting, along with the data management and analysis capabilities of Tencent Cloud. By partnering with professional hearing aid manufacturers and fitters, the initiative aims to enhance user convenience and streamline the fitting process.
\n
With technological innovation and policy support, AI-powered hearing aids are helping reconnect China's elderly with the world of sound. Industry insiders predict that as costs decline, hearing aids will become more like consumer electronics — widely available and easily self-fitted — much like eyeglasses are today.
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"Modern hearing aids are stylish, comfortable and user-friendly, reducing stigma and encouraging early use," Cui said.
TAIYUAN — In a hearing aid store in Taiyuan city in North China's Shanxi province, 70-year-old Zhang Wei heard his granddaughter's voice clearly for the first time in years. Thanks to an artificial intelligence-powered hearing aid, the elderly man with age-related hearing loss has reentered a world of sound.
\n
"It's like someone suddenly turned up the volume knob," Zhang exclaimed while adjusting the device in his ear.
\n
Zhang is among a growing number of elderly Chinese benefiting from a new generation of AI-enabled hearing aids. Beyond amplifying sound, these devices use advanced algorithms to distinguish speech from background noise and offer personalized sound enhancement.
\n
China has about 27.8 million people with hearing disabilities, and the number is rising as the population ages. The hearing health of this community draws public attention. "Over 70 percent of our customers are aged 60 and above," said Cao Lijun, a hearing aid specialist in Taiyuan.
\n
With China's elderly population expected to exceed 400 million by around 2035, experts predict an enormous potential market for hearing aids.
\n
Technology companies are intensifying their efforts to innovate. According to Cui Rongtao, general manager of Xunfei Healthcare's intelligent hardware division, AI models are trained on vast amounts of real-world sound data. This training enables devices to amplify speech while minimizing background noise in real time, reducing feedback whistling, and providing a more natural sound quality.
\n
"Unlike traditional hearing aids that primarily focus on basic hearing needs, smart AI devices now incorporate entertainment and communication features, such as listening to music, making phone calls and soon, even supporting voice-activated virtual assistants," Cui said.
\n
Government support is also playing a crucial role. China's basic medical insurance covers a portion of the cost for certain models, helping to reduce the financial burden on elderly users.
\n
A national guideline on hearing health issued by the National Health Commission calls for strengthening hearing care for key groups, expanding family doctor services for seniors, promoting hearing screenings, and advancing AI applications in the field. Despite progress, challenges remain. Many people with hearing loss still do not use hearing aids due to limited awareness, service accessibility, or social stigma.
\n
To address this, companies and organizations are developing easier-to-use devices and expanding community-based hearing services.
\n
For example, Tencent and the China Association of Persons with Hearing Disabilities are collaborating on the "Tianlai Initiative", which offers free AI-based audio technology, screenings and hearing aids in several cities.
\n
Tencent has launched a remote hearing service platform that leverages the audio and video communication infrastructure of Tencent Meeting, along with the data management and analysis capabilities of Tencent Cloud. By partnering with professional hearing aid manufacturers and fitters, the initiative aims to enhance user convenience and streamline the fitting process.
\n
With technological innovation and policy support, AI-powered hearing aids are helping reconnect China's elderly with the world of sound. Industry insiders predict that as costs decline, hearing aids will become more like consumer electronics — widely available and easily self-fitted — much like eyeglasses are today.
\n
"Modern hearing aids are stylish, comfortable and user-friendly, reducing stigma and encouraging early use," Cui said.
The United States' persistence with its aggressive trade stance, characterized by threats and intimidation, does nothing to resolve the frictions with China. Instead, it risks eroding the foundation of bilateral trade relations.
\n
Even though economic and trade teams from the two sides have engaged in four rounds of candid, in-depth negotiations in the past few months, the US still clings to the practice of saying one thing while doing another and continues to adopt coercive measures targeting China.
\n
Beijing has consistently communicated its stance, intentions and actions through established channels, such as the bilateral export control dialogue mechanism. However, the US administration has continued to overstretch the concept of national security, imposing a seemingly never-ending series of discriminatory measures against China, leaving Beijing with no choice but to take countermeasures.
\n
Despite saying the most recent economic and trade talks in Madrid in September "went well", the US has continued to introduce new restrictions intended to harm China's interests and the atmosphere of bilateral consultations. China was forced to respond when the US significantly expanded its export restrictions that month by placing the subsidiaries of already sanctioned companies from China and elsewhere under the same controls, increasing the number of Chinese companies facing the curbs from "around 3,000 to several thousand more", as CNN reported.
\n
In the latest tit-for-tat exchange, China has hit back with reciprocal countermeasures after the US put into effect additional port fees on China-linked ships in contravention of World Trade Organization rules and the principle of equality and mutual benefit outlined in the China-US Maritime Transport Agreement.
\n
In response, China will charge special port fees on US-linked vessels, effective on Tuesday, in accordance with the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on International Ocean Shipping and other laws and regulations.
\n
The Ministry of Transport also announced the launch of a probe into how the US Section 301 investigation affects the security and development interests of its shipping and shipbuilding sectors, as well as related industries and supply chains, on Tuesday.
\n
China's moves are fully justified and legitimate measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese industries and enterprises, as Lyu Daliang, a spokesperson for the General Administration of Customs of China, rightly pointed out at a news briefing on Monday.
\n
Yet, despite the frictions, the Ministry of Commerce confirmed the two sides have continued to maintain close communication under the framework of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism, with the latest working-level talks between Chinese and US officials held on Monday.
\n
It is high time Washington demonstrated sincerity in the negotiating process. Its current approach, characterized by negotiation on one hand and intimidation on the other, is not conducive to fostering healthy bilateral economic and trade ties.
\n
Guided by the consensus reached during the recent telephone conversation between the leaders of the two countries, the US administration should work with Beijing to safeguard the achievements of previous negotiations, and strive to utilize the Sino-US economic and trade consultation mechanism effectively.
\n
As Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian has said, the US intimidatory measures are not a productive way to engage with China. China's position remains consistent and clear: It is always open to dialogue, but it will resolutely defend its interests. The US side should reflect on the past economic and trade consultations, which have demonstrated that differences can be resolved through mutual respect and equal consultation.
\n
The global economy is interconnected, and the actions of the two largest economies will inevitably have far-reaching consequences. It is in the best interests not only of themselves but also the entire world, for China and the US to find a path forward that prioritizes cooperation over conflict.
\n
To promote the sustainable development of Sino-US trade relations, both sides should address the respective concerns of the other through dialogue. They should leverage the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism to resolve their differences and promote a stable, sound, and sustainable trajectory for bilateral ties. That requires the US side to demonstrate respect and sincerity. Only through such an approach can the two countries hope to resolve their trade frictions and contribute positively to global economic stability.
\n",
+ "content": "
The United States' persistence with its aggressive trade stance, characterized by threats and intimidation, does nothing to resolve the frictions with China. Instead, it risks eroding the foundation of bilateral trade relations.
\n
Even though economic and trade teams from the two sides have engaged in four rounds of candid, in-depth negotiations in the past few months, the US still clings to the practice of saying one thing while doing another and continues to adopt coercive measures targeting China.
\n
Beijing has consistently communicated its stance, intentions and actions through established channels, such as the bilateral export control dialogue mechanism. However, the US administration has continued to overstretch the concept of national security, imposing a seemingly never-ending series of discriminatory measures against China, leaving Beijing with no choice but to take countermeasures.
\n
Despite saying the most recent economic and trade talks in Madrid in September "went well", the US has continued to introduce new restrictions intended to harm China's interests and the atmosphere of bilateral consultations. China was forced to respond when the US significantly expanded its export restrictions that month by placing the subsidiaries of already sanctioned companies from China and elsewhere under the same controls, increasing the number of Chinese companies facing the curbs from "around 3,000 to several thousand more", as CNN reported.
\n
In the latest tit-for-tat exchange, China has hit back with reciprocal countermeasures after the US put into effect additional port fees on China-linked ships in contravention of World Trade Organization rules and the principle of equality and mutual benefit outlined in the China-US Maritime Transport Agreement.
\n
In response, China will charge special port fees on US-linked vessels, effective on Tuesday, in accordance with the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on International Ocean Shipping and other laws and regulations.
\n
The Ministry of Transport also announced the launch of a probe into how the US Section 301 investigation affects the security and development interests of its shipping and shipbuilding sectors, as well as related industries and supply chains, on Tuesday.
\n
China's moves are fully justified and legitimate measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese industries and enterprises, as Lyu Daliang, a spokesperson for the General Administration of Customs of China, rightly pointed out at a news briefing on Monday.
\n
Yet, despite the frictions, the Ministry of Commerce confirmed the two sides have continued to maintain close communication under the framework of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism, with the latest working-level talks between Chinese and US officials held on Monday.
\n
It is high time Washington demonstrated sincerity in the negotiating process. Its current approach, characterized by negotiation on one hand and intimidation on the other, is not conducive to fostering healthy bilateral economic and trade ties.
\n
Guided by the consensus reached during the recent telephone conversation between the leaders of the two countries, the US administration should work with Beijing to safeguard the achievements of previous negotiations, and strive to utilize the Sino-US economic and trade consultation mechanism effectively.
\n
As Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian has said, the US intimidatory measures are not a productive way to engage with China. China's position remains consistent and clear: It is always open to dialogue, but it will resolutely defend its interests. The US side should reflect on the past economic and trade consultations, which have demonstrated that differences can be resolved through mutual respect and equal consultation.
\n
The global economy is interconnected, and the actions of the two largest economies will inevitably have far-reaching consequences. It is in the best interests not only of themselves but also the entire world, for China and the US to find a path forward that prioritizes cooperation over conflict.
\n
To promote the sustainable development of Sino-US trade relations, both sides should address the respective concerns of the other through dialogue. They should leverage the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism to resolve their differences and promote a stable, sound, and sustainable trajectory for bilateral ties. That requires the US side to demonstrate respect and sincerity. Only through such an approach can the two countries hope to resolve their trade frictions and contribute positively to global economic stability.
The latest data from the General Administration of Customs of China serve as a testament to the enduring strength and dynamism of the Chinese economy. In the first three quarters of this year, China's total value of goods exported and imported expanded by 4 percent year-on-year, with exports posting a particularly robust increase of 7.1 percent. This strong performance is the result of strategic foresight, industrial upgrading and a steadfast commitment to high-quality development.
\n
Behind the steady growth lies the upgrading of China's trade composition. The strong performance of the "new three" industries — electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and solar panels — demonstrates that the strategic pivot toward high-tech, high-value-added manufacturing is bearing fruit.
\n
China's export basket reflects the forefront of the global green transition and digital transformations, positioning China at the vanguard of the industries of the future. This has enhanced the competitiveness and resilience of the country's foreign trade, insulating it from volatile commodity cycles.
\n
The 4 percent growth in trade tells an equally important story: the rise of domestic consumption. As China continues to develop its vast internal market, it is creating immense opportunities for trading partners worldwide. From agricultural produce to high-end consumer goods, China's growing appetite for imports is becoming a powerful engine of global demand — contributing to the prosperity of economies across Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
\n
At this time of profound global economic uncertainty, China's optimizing of its foreign trade structure is not merely a domestic success story, it is also a vital anchor for worldwide economic stability.
\n
This narrative of trade resilience is gaining increasing recognition internationally. The World Bank, in its recently released report on East Asia and Pacific's economic prospects, revised upward its forecast for China's economic growth this year — from 4 percent to 4.8 percent. The adjustment represents not only confidence in China's macroeconomic stability but also recognition that the country's high-quality transition is proceeding on a stable and sustainable path.
\n
Still, there is no denying that this is a critical juncture for China. Successfully meeting the challenge of transitioning away from its reliance on real estate and debt-intensive infrastructure investment is essential for the long-term vitality of the Chinese economy. The success of this transition is crucial not only for China's own stability but also for the entire East Asia and Pacific region, for which China remains the principal growth engine.
\n
Rebalancing an economy of China's size and complexity is no easy task. The external environment is also complicated by geopolitical tensions and protectionist headwinds. Yet these are transitional challenges, not structural flaws. The data from the first three quarters send a clear signal: China is navigating this economic transformation with confidence and resilience.
\n
The dual drivers of a modernized, high-tech export sector and an expanding, consumption-driven domestic market are steadily emerging as the new engines of growth. At the same time, the government's consistent emphasis on reform and opening-up, technological innovation, and sustainable development is ensuring that China's economic fundamentals remain sound.
\n
Nevertheless, stronger support should be given to enterprises shifting from exports to domestic sales, with a focus on financial support; and continued efforts should be made to secure more export markets so as to put the country's trade eggs in more baskets. With the full implementation of various support policies, downward pressure on China's exports in the fourth quarter will be manageable, and employment in the foreign trade sector is expected to remain stable.
\n
Looking ahead, China's policy priorities are clear: it must deepen its industrial upgrading, stimulate household demand, foster innovation, and expand international cooperation. By continuing to open its market and invest in the industries of tomorrow, China is creating conditions for both domestic stability and global recovery.
\n
The broader message is unmistakable. China's steady trade growth is not just a reflection of short-term momentum — it is evidence of a long-term structural shift toward quality and sustainability.
\n
The path of rebalancing is the path to a stronger, more balanced, and sustainable tomorrow — one in which China's success continues to generate confidence and opportunities for the world.
\n",
+ "content": "
The latest data from the General Administration of Customs of China serve as a testament to the enduring strength and dynamism of the Chinese economy. In the first three quarters of this year, China's total value of goods exported and imported expanded by 4 percent year-on-year, with exports posting a particularly robust increase of 7.1 percent. This strong performance is the result of strategic foresight, industrial upgrading and a steadfast commitment to high-quality development.
\n
Behind the steady growth lies the upgrading of China's trade composition. The strong performance of the "new three" industries — electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and solar panels — demonstrates that the strategic pivot toward high-tech, high-value-added manufacturing is bearing fruit.
\n
China's export basket reflects the forefront of the global green transition and digital transformations, positioning China at the vanguard of the industries of the future. This has enhanced the competitiveness and resilience of the country's foreign trade, insulating it from volatile commodity cycles.
\n
The 4 percent growth in trade tells an equally important story: the rise of domestic consumption. As China continues to develop its vast internal market, it is creating immense opportunities for trading partners worldwide. From agricultural produce to high-end consumer goods, China's growing appetite for imports is becoming a powerful engine of global demand — contributing to the prosperity of economies across Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
\n
At this time of profound global economic uncertainty, China's optimizing of its foreign trade structure is not merely a domestic success story, it is also a vital anchor for worldwide economic stability.
\n
This narrative of trade resilience is gaining increasing recognition internationally. The World Bank, in its recently released report on East Asia and Pacific's economic prospects, revised upward its forecast for China's economic growth this year — from 4 percent to 4.8 percent. The adjustment represents not only confidence in China's macroeconomic stability but also recognition that the country's high-quality transition is proceeding on a stable and sustainable path.
\n
Still, there is no denying that this is a critical juncture for China. Successfully meeting the challenge of transitioning away from its reliance on real estate and debt-intensive infrastructure investment is essential for the long-term vitality of the Chinese economy. The success of this transition is crucial not only for China's own stability but also for the entire East Asia and Pacific region, for which China remains the principal growth engine.
\n
Rebalancing an economy of China's size and complexity is no easy task. The external environment is also complicated by geopolitical tensions and protectionist headwinds. Yet these are transitional challenges, not structural flaws. The data from the first three quarters send a clear signal: China is navigating this economic transformation with confidence and resilience.
\n
The dual drivers of a modernized, high-tech export sector and an expanding, consumption-driven domestic market are steadily emerging as the new engines of growth. At the same time, the government's consistent emphasis on reform and opening-up, technological innovation, and sustainable development is ensuring that China's economic fundamentals remain sound.
\n
Nevertheless, stronger support should be given to enterprises shifting from exports to domestic sales, with a focus on financial support; and continued efforts should be made to secure more export markets so as to put the country's trade eggs in more baskets. With the full implementation of various support policies, downward pressure on China's exports in the fourth quarter will be manageable, and employment in the foreign trade sector is expected to remain stable.
\n
Looking ahead, China's policy priorities are clear: it must deepen its industrial upgrading, stimulate household demand, foster innovation, and expand international cooperation. By continuing to open its market and invest in the industries of tomorrow, China is creating conditions for both domestic stability and global recovery.
\n
The broader message is unmistakable. China's steady trade growth is not just a reflection of short-term momentum — it is evidence of a long-term structural shift toward quality and sustainability.
\n
The path of rebalancing is the path to a stronger, more balanced, and sustainable tomorrow — one in which China's success continues to generate confidence and opportunities for the world.
In 1764, the French Enlightenment thinker Voltaire wrote admiringly of Confucius, describing him as "a wise man... who taught men to live happily six hundred years before our vulgar era". For Voltaire, Confucian China — rational, meritocratic, and secular — stood as a mirror to expose the corruption of Europe's feudal society, governed by the church and aristocracy.
\n
But from the Jesuit missionaries of the 17th century who translated and compiled Confucius, the Chinese Philosopher (Confucius Sinarum Philosophus) under Louis XIV, to the 19th-century European Sinologists and the China Studies of the 20th century, much of what the world "knows "about China is filtered through foreign assumptions.
\n
This pattern persists today. The Harvard scholar John King Fairbank, for example, helped institutionalize "China Studies" in the United States through his famous "Impact-Response" framework: the idea that modern China developed mainly in reaction to Western influence. Fairbank's model placed China in a reactive role — defined by what the West did to it, rather than by what China did itself.
\n
This view is deeply misleading. As Li Bozhong, one of China's foremost economic historians, argues, late imperial China was far from stagnant. After decades of research on the Yangtze River Delta economy during the late Ming and Qing dynasties — from the 17th to the mid-19th century — he has shown that the region's flourishing domestic and international markets laid the groundwork for industrial transformation once Western technology began arriving after the First Opium War. In other words, while the "impact" of the West was real, China's "response" was not a passive reaction.
\n
The long-standing Eurocentric framework must be reexamined if China is to be truly understood. In contrast to the Western model of the nation-state, which emerged from revolution and nationalism and tied political sovereignty to ethnic or linguistic identity, China's unity has historically rested on a civilizational foundation. Since the Qin Dynasty unification in 221 BC, China has conceived of itself not as a nation defined by a single ethnicity but as a moral and cultural order centered on shared values, institutions and a written language.
\n
Whereas Europe's modernity fragmented empires into nations, China's capacity to absorb and transform differences within a common cultural framework has ensured continuity. This distinction remains vital for understanding China. The country should not be viewed through the prism of Western nationhood and identity, but through its own civilizational prism — that sees unity as cultural before it is political, and diversity as integral rather than divisive.
\n
Today, when China is a global actor helping shape the world's intellectual, economic, and moral landscape, to study China through the Western prism is to repeat the mistakes of the past.
\n
Voltaire's admiration for Confucius, Matteo Ricci's mastery of Chinese classics, and Joseph Needham's monumental Science and Civilization in China all remind us that true understanding thrives through dialogue, not monologue. When international scholars engage with Chinese peers — not as teacher and pupil, but as partners — the field of China Studies becomes richer and more profound. This is not an argument for isolation or intellectual nationalism.
\n
To study China today is not merely to recover its past, but to continue the conversation between the East and West, ancient and modern. For Chinese scholars, the mission is clear: to speak with confidence from their own cultural understanding, yet with the openness to also listen and learn. For their international counterparts, it is to engage with China on equal terms, free from preconceived frameworks. Only then can China Studies become a meeting of minds rather than a mirror of misunderstanding.
\n",
+ "content": "
In 1764, the French Enlightenment thinker Voltaire wrote admiringly of Confucius, describing him as "a wise man... who taught men to live happily six hundred years before our vulgar era". For Voltaire, Confucian China — rational, meritocratic, and secular — stood as a mirror to expose the corruption of Europe's feudal society, governed by the church and aristocracy.
\n
But from the Jesuit missionaries of the 17th century who translated and compiled Confucius, the Chinese Philosopher (Confucius Sinarum Philosophus) under Louis XIV, to the 19th-century European Sinologists and the China Studies of the 20th century, much of what the world "knows "about China is filtered through foreign assumptions.
\n
This pattern persists today. The Harvard scholar John King Fairbank, for example, helped institutionalize "China Studies" in the United States through his famous "Impact-Response" framework: the idea that modern China developed mainly in reaction to Western influence. Fairbank's model placed China in a reactive role — defined by what the West did to it, rather than by what China did itself.
\n
This view is deeply misleading. As Li Bozhong, one of China's foremost economic historians, argues, late imperial China was far from stagnant. After decades of research on the Yangtze River Delta economy during the late Ming and Qing dynasties — from the 17th to the mid-19th century — he has shown that the region's flourishing domestic and international markets laid the groundwork for industrial transformation once Western technology began arriving after the First Opium War. In other words, while the "impact" of the West was real, China's "response" was not a passive reaction.
\n
The long-standing Eurocentric framework must be reexamined if China is to be truly understood. In contrast to the Western model of the nation-state, which emerged from revolution and nationalism and tied political sovereignty to ethnic or linguistic identity, China's unity has historically rested on a civilizational foundation. Since the Qin Dynasty unification in 221 BC, China has conceived of itself not as a nation defined by a single ethnicity but as a moral and cultural order centered on shared values, institutions and a written language.
\n
Whereas Europe's modernity fragmented empires into nations, China's capacity to absorb and transform differences within a common cultural framework has ensured continuity. This distinction remains vital for understanding China. The country should not be viewed through the prism of Western nationhood and identity, but through its own civilizational prism — that sees unity as cultural before it is political, and diversity as integral rather than divisive.
\n
Today, when China is a global actor helping shape the world's intellectual, economic, and moral landscape, to study China through the Western prism is to repeat the mistakes of the past.
\n
Voltaire's admiration for Confucius, Matteo Ricci's mastery of Chinese classics, and Joseph Needham's monumental Science and Civilization in China all remind us that true understanding thrives through dialogue, not monologue. When international scholars engage with Chinese peers — not as teacher and pupil, but as partners — the field of China Studies becomes richer and more profound. This is not an argument for isolation or intellectual nationalism.
\n
To study China today is not merely to recover its past, but to continue the conversation between the East and West, ancient and modern. For Chinese scholars, the mission is clear: to speak with confidence from their own cultural understanding, yet with the openness to also listen and learn. For their international counterparts, it is to engage with China on equal terms, free from preconceived frameworks. Only then can China Studies become a meeting of minds rather than a mirror of misunderstanding.
Editor's note: Thursday is World Food Day. Sun Qixin, president of China Agricultural University, told The Beijing News that the intensification of global climate change threatens food security. He said it is crucial to build resilience to address the challenges posed to the agricultural food system by global climate change. Below are excerpts from the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n
Climate change has subjected the already fragile food supply system to severe challenges. This is why China is committed to building a more resilient agricultural food system, which requires innovations in technology, policies and institutions.
\n
Agriculture accounts for about 20 percent of the global increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions are not limited to carbon dioxide. Agriculture also produces methane and nitrous oxide. Methane primarily comes from livestock farming and paddy farming, while nitrous oxide is mainly the result of fertilizer use. Latest research shows that the greenhouse effect caused by methane is 30-40 times stronger than that of carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide is 80 times more potent.
\n
These emissions are inevitably generated to meet global food security needs. However, through technological innovation, China can reduce its emissions and achieve a green transformation. New technologies and farming methods not only ensure food security more comprehensively but also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly.
\n
The low-carbon green transformation of agriculture and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions are therefore vital for mitigating global climate change. Like forests, agriculture serves as a massive carbon sink, giving it dual significance.
\n
On the one hand, it is necessary to reduce emissions through technological innovations. On the other hand, it is important to increase carbon sequestration, which greatly helps to combat climate change. Smart agriculture is a key focus area in global agricultural development.
\n
Building an agricultural powerhouse is a major goal for China. There are roughly three models of agricultural powerhouses in the world. The first includes countries with abundant resources, such as the United States and Canada, where large-scale farming with abundant land per capita is supported by high technology. The second has countries with limited resources, such as many European countries, which have large-scale, highly intensive operations supported by technology. The third model includes countries that lead in specific fields, such as Israel and the Netherlands.
\n
China shares similarities with all three models but there are also some differences. The commonality lies in the need to continuously improve food production, while the difference is that China's farming scale is relatively small, with smallholder farming still the dominant model in the country. China's biggest challenge is the high production costs in agriculture.
\n
To become an agricultural powerhouse, China needs to strengthen agriculture and improve productivity. This can be achieved by expanding the scale of operations or increasing the added value of agricultural products to improve their competitiveness.
\n
Additionally, the country needs innovations in technology. It must foster agricultural enterprises, as they are key for innovation. The integration of artificial intelligence and agriculture is necessary for the transformation of agriculture. It is worth noting that becoming an agricultural powerhouse is not only an economic issue but also a social one. The income gap between urban and rural citizens must be reduced and the rural environment must be improved.
\n
After World War II, under the new international governance system, international aid received widespread attention as a political and institutional commitment from developed countries to developing nations. In the early years, China was a recipient of aid. However, as the country developed, it was able to provide support to other underdeveloped countries, including technical, intellectual and financial assistance.
\n
China should continue to maintain close cooperation with developed countries. As a responsible major power, it should also fulfill its commitment to aid other developing countries. Through cooperation in agricultural technology, China can help achieve food self-sufficiency in agriculture across the globe.
\n",
+ "content": "
Editor's note: Thursday is World Food Day. Sun Qixin, president of China Agricultural University, told The Beijing News that the intensification of global climate change threatens food security. He said it is crucial to build resilience to address the challenges posed to the agricultural food system by global climate change. Below are excerpts from the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n
Climate change has subjected the already fragile food supply system to severe challenges. This is why China is committed to building a more resilient agricultural food system, which requires innovations in technology, policies and institutions.
\n
Agriculture accounts for about 20 percent of the global increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions are not limited to carbon dioxide. Agriculture also produces methane and nitrous oxide. Methane primarily comes from livestock farming and paddy farming, while nitrous oxide is mainly the result of fertilizer use. Latest research shows that the greenhouse effect caused by methane is 30-40 times stronger than that of carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide is 80 times more potent.
\n
These emissions are inevitably generated to meet global food security needs. However, through technological innovation, China can reduce its emissions and achieve a green transformation. New technologies and farming methods not only ensure food security more comprehensively but also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly.
\n
The low-carbon green transformation of agriculture and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions are therefore vital for mitigating global climate change. Like forests, agriculture serves as a massive carbon sink, giving it dual significance.
\n
On the one hand, it is necessary to reduce emissions through technological innovations. On the other hand, it is important to increase carbon sequestration, which greatly helps to combat climate change. Smart agriculture is a key focus area in global agricultural development.
\n
Building an agricultural powerhouse is a major goal for China. There are roughly three models of agricultural powerhouses in the world. The first includes countries with abundant resources, such as the United States and Canada, where large-scale farming with abundant land per capita is supported by high technology. The second has countries with limited resources, such as many European countries, which have large-scale, highly intensive operations supported by technology. The third model includes countries that lead in specific fields, such as Israel and the Netherlands.
\n
China shares similarities with all three models but there are also some differences. The commonality lies in the need to continuously improve food production, while the difference is that China's farming scale is relatively small, with smallholder farming still the dominant model in the country. China's biggest challenge is the high production costs in agriculture.
\n
To become an agricultural powerhouse, China needs to strengthen agriculture and improve productivity. This can be achieved by expanding the scale of operations or increasing the added value of agricultural products to improve their competitiveness.
\n
Additionally, the country needs innovations in technology. It must foster agricultural enterprises, as they are key for innovation. The integration of artificial intelligence and agriculture is necessary for the transformation of agriculture. It is worth noting that becoming an agricultural powerhouse is not only an economic issue but also a social one. The income gap between urban and rural citizens must be reduced and the rural environment must be improved.
\n
After World War II, under the new international governance system, international aid received widespread attention as a political and institutional commitment from developed countries to developing nations. In the early years, China was a recipient of aid. However, as the country developed, it was able to provide support to other underdeveloped countries, including technical, intellectual and financial assistance.
\n
China should continue to maintain close cooperation with developed countries. As a responsible major power, it should also fulfill its commitment to aid other developing countries. Through cooperation in agricultural technology, China can help achieve food self-sufficiency in agriculture across the globe.
As the African Growth and Opportunity Act expired at the end of September without renewal from Washington, concern is mounting across Africa that the end of the 25-year-old duty-free trade arrangement will deepen the pain already inflicted by the United States' new tariff regime.
\n
Once hailed as the cornerstone of US-Africa economic engagement, AGOA had allowed more than 30 African nations to export thousands of products to the US market duty-free, supporting millions of jobs and encouraging industrial growth across the continent. Its expiry — coupled with Washington's sweeping tariffs on imports from its trading partners — has left many African economies exposed to a harsher trade environment, threatening to reverse years of progress in diversification and manufacturing.
\n
Goods from many of Africa's 54 countries face a baseline tariff of 10 percent, while those from 18 African countries have been subjected to 15 percent tariffs. For goods from South Africa, Algeria and Libya, punitive tariffs of 30 percent apply. This means the economic impacts of the US tariffs will, in many cases, be starkly different on different African countries.
\n
Behind the differential tariff structure lie multiple US goals, which illustrate the way the US has devised its tariff policy toward different African countries. The tariffs serve not just the US' economic interests but also its broader strategic objectives.
\n
The first major goal behind the differential tariff structure is to protect domestic manufacturing in the US by targeting Africa's labor-intensive industries, particularly textiles. African countries like Lesotho, which rely heavily on the garment sector, have been hit hard by the US tariffs. Under the US' African Growth and Opportunity Act, Lesotho exported textiles duty-free to the US, a key lifeline for the country's economy. However, the imposition of 15 percent tariffs on textiles and other goods has drastically undermined Lesotho's ability to compete in the US market.
\n
Since April, factories in Lesotho have been forced to lay off employees, increasing the unemployment rate, which now stands at 50 percent. The situation has become so dire that the Lesotho government had to declare a two-year state of disaster to manage the economic crisis.
\n
This tariff disparity also threatens the integrity of regional value chains across Africa. Countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia and Lesotho had been making efforts to integrate their textile sectors by developing different segments of the value chain. But the new US tariff policy now penalizes finished products, although the US has kept tariffs on raw materials like fabrics and yarn low. This has forced African nations to abandon their industrialization plans, and continue to supply raw materials, reinforcing the cycle of economic dependency that has long hindered the continent's development.
\n
The second objective of the tariffs is to control Africa's strategic resources, particularly minerals and oil. Key African exports like oil and minerals have been exempted or subjected to minimal tariffs. The US has deep interest in securing access to African resources such as oil, gold, platinum and cobalt. However, this "strategic exemption "comes with its own set of risks. By continuing to rely heavily on the export of precious natural resources, African countries risk reinforcing a resource-dependent economic structure, limiting their plans to diversify into other sectors, particularly manufacturing.
\n
The third objective of the tariffs is to exert geopolitical pressure. The US is using the tariffs as a diplomatic tool, punishing countries that do not align with American interests and rewarding those that cooperate with it. South Africa, for example, has been targeted for taking positions contrary to US foreign policy, such as condemning Israel's actions in Gaza and supporting Palestinian statehood. Despite being a key supplier of platinum to the US, South Africa faces the highest tariff on its goods — 30 percent, up from virtually zero under the AGOA. The US' punitive tariffs disproportionately affect South Africa's industries such as auto-manufacturing, which is a major part of its economy.
\n
The differential tariff strategy underscores a broader geopolitical shift in US-Africa relations. Tariffs are no longer just an economic policy tool but also a means to punish "disobedient countries" and reward compliant ones. The US' tariffs have triggered a new level of volatility in Africa-US trade relations, leaving African countries increasingly vulnerable to the whims of US foreign policy.
\n
In the short term, the tariffs will undermine Africa's economic growth. In fact, the International Monetary Fund has already revised its 2025 growth forecast for sub-Saharan Africa, lowering it from 4.2 percent to 4.0 percent, partly due to the uncertainty created by trade disruptions.
\n
While the immediate effects of the tariffs are dire, they also offer Africa a chance to build a more diversified and resilient economic future, one that does not rely solely on trade with the US. By fostering stronger trade ties with other global players, African countries can create a more balanced and sustainable economic development model, one that facilitates genuine industrialization and promotes resource diversification. But the question remains: Will Africa rise to the challenge, or will the legacy of colonial exploitation continue to shape its economic destiny?
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
As the African Growth and Opportunity Act expired at the end of September without renewal from Washington, concern is mounting across Africa that the end of the 25-year-old duty-free trade arrangement will deepen the pain already inflicted by the United States' new tariff regime.
\n
Once hailed as the cornerstone of US-Africa economic engagement, AGOA had allowed more than 30 African nations to export thousands of products to the US market duty-free, supporting millions of jobs and encouraging industrial growth across the continent. Its expiry — coupled with Washington's sweeping tariffs on imports from its trading partners — has left many African economies exposed to a harsher trade environment, threatening to reverse years of progress in diversification and manufacturing.
\n
Goods from many of Africa's 54 countries face a baseline tariff of 10 percent, while those from 18 African countries have been subjected to 15 percent tariffs. For goods from South Africa, Algeria and Libya, punitive tariffs of 30 percent apply. This means the economic impacts of the US tariffs will, in many cases, be starkly different on different African countries.
\n
Behind the differential tariff structure lie multiple US goals, which illustrate the way the US has devised its tariff policy toward different African countries. The tariffs serve not just the US' economic interests but also its broader strategic objectives.
\n
The first major goal behind the differential tariff structure is to protect domestic manufacturing in the US by targeting Africa's labor-intensive industries, particularly textiles. African countries like Lesotho, which rely heavily on the garment sector, have been hit hard by the US tariffs. Under the US' African Growth and Opportunity Act, Lesotho exported textiles duty-free to the US, a key lifeline for the country's economy. However, the imposition of 15 percent tariffs on textiles and other goods has drastically undermined Lesotho's ability to compete in the US market.
\n
Since April, factories in Lesotho have been forced to lay off employees, increasing the unemployment rate, which now stands at 50 percent. The situation has become so dire that the Lesotho government had to declare a two-year state of disaster to manage the economic crisis.
\n
This tariff disparity also threatens the integrity of regional value chains across Africa. Countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia and Lesotho had been making efforts to integrate their textile sectors by developing different segments of the value chain. But the new US tariff policy now penalizes finished products, although the US has kept tariffs on raw materials like fabrics and yarn low. This has forced African nations to abandon their industrialization plans, and continue to supply raw materials, reinforcing the cycle of economic dependency that has long hindered the continent's development.
\n
The second objective of the tariffs is to control Africa's strategic resources, particularly minerals and oil. Key African exports like oil and minerals have been exempted or subjected to minimal tariffs. The US has deep interest in securing access to African resources such as oil, gold, platinum and cobalt. However, this "strategic exemption "comes with its own set of risks. By continuing to rely heavily on the export of precious natural resources, African countries risk reinforcing a resource-dependent economic structure, limiting their plans to diversify into other sectors, particularly manufacturing.
\n
The third objective of the tariffs is to exert geopolitical pressure. The US is using the tariffs as a diplomatic tool, punishing countries that do not align with American interests and rewarding those that cooperate with it. South Africa, for example, has been targeted for taking positions contrary to US foreign policy, such as condemning Israel's actions in Gaza and supporting Palestinian statehood. Despite being a key supplier of platinum to the US, South Africa faces the highest tariff on its goods — 30 percent, up from virtually zero under the AGOA. The US' punitive tariffs disproportionately affect South Africa's industries such as auto-manufacturing, which is a major part of its economy.
\n
The differential tariff strategy underscores a broader geopolitical shift in US-Africa relations. Tariffs are no longer just an economic policy tool but also a means to punish "disobedient countries" and reward compliant ones. The US' tariffs have triggered a new level of volatility in Africa-US trade relations, leaving African countries increasingly vulnerable to the whims of US foreign policy.
\n
In the short term, the tariffs will undermine Africa's economic growth. In fact, the International Monetary Fund has already revised its 2025 growth forecast for sub-Saharan Africa, lowering it from 4.2 percent to 4.0 percent, partly due to the uncertainty created by trade disruptions.
\n
While the immediate effects of the tariffs are dire, they also offer Africa a chance to build a more diversified and resilient economic future, one that does not rely solely on trade with the US. By fostering stronger trade ties with other global players, African countries can create a more balanced and sustainable economic development model, one that facilitates genuine industrialization and promotes resource diversification. But the question remains: Will Africa rise to the challenge, or will the legacy of colonial exploitation continue to shape its economic destiny?
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
What was a central demand — the release of the Israeli hostages — has now been fulfilled, but the US peace plan still hinges on broader issues beyond a ceasefire. It encompasses the broader Middle East. Hence, the US' maximum pressure on Hamas and its embrace of the positions of major Arab states, led by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt.
\n
Nonetheless, the complex peace plan is ridden with caveats and the old US stance on the Middle East is crumbling.
\n
Since 1945, the US' hegemony in the Middle East has relied on oil purchases, weapons sales and regime change. In diplomacy, Washington has favored bilateral peace treaties between Israel and Egypt (1979), Israel and Jordan (1994), and the Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (1993-95).
\n
Since the incumbent president's first term, the US has been building on the Abraham Accords (2020-21) — a series of agreements to normalize relations signed in 2020 by Israel and several Arab states, comprising a general declaration along with bilateral agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco.
\n
But arms sales are the key to the US' hegemony. For its allies, the US provides 60-80 percent of their lethal imports (Israel, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia for example).For the rest, it supplies 50-60 percent of the total lethal imports (the UAE, Iraq and Qatar for instance).
\n
Additionally, the US' hegemony relies on aid dependency. Between 1946 and 2023, Washington provided a whopping $373 billion in foreign assistance for the Middle East. Before the Gaza catastrophe, the bulk of the aid was steered to just a few countries: Israel ($139 billion), Egypt ($83b), Iraq ($70b) and Jordan ($24b).
\n
Since the Middle East is the largest regional recipient of US aid, the impact should be reflected in increasing security and rising per capita income. Yet the net effect has been precisely the opposite. Worse, the military symbiosis between the US and Israel has triggered devastating spillovers into adjacent Arab states. This severe destabilization has been accompanied by lost years, even decades, with no increase in per capita income in the US aid-receiving Middle East states.
\n
Egypt had to cope with such stagnation from 1965 to 1975, and again in the early 2010s. Jordan lost a decade after the 1967 Six-Day War, during the first Palestinian uprising in the 1980s and again in the early 2010s. Even Israel has not been immune to stagnation periods, as evidenced by huge costs-of-living protests after the failure of the peace process.
\n
In Iran and Iraq, adversities have escalated since their 1980-88 war in which the US supplied arms to both sides. In Iraq, where the US had backed the 1963 coup, per capita income in 2010 was where it had been in 1978. In Iran, which experienced the first US-UK-led regime change in 1953, Washington's sanctions prevented any growth in per capita income for a quarter of a century after the Islamic Revolution and again in the 2010s.
\n
Following the 1949 US-led regime change, Syria's democratic path was undermined. As a result, Syria's per capita income before Oct 7, 2023, was the same as in 1981 — that is, 44 years ago. In Palestine, per capita income is now where it was in the early 1970s. In Yemen, per capita income is the same as it was 55 years ago.
\n
In the past decade, China has emerged as a credible and peaceful intermediary in the Middle East. In addition to investing significantly in countries burdened by decades of US-engineered regime change and US interference, Beijing has made several remarkable diplomatic achievements. Leading Middle East states such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye build on the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative in the region. Saudi Arabia remains one of China's largest oil suppliers, and it is selling oil in multiple currencies. For decades, the US fostered the divide between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Yet in March 2023, these two countries resumed diplomatic relations following a China-brokered deal. In July 2024, China played a vital role in fostering Palestinian national unity in the Beijing Declaration, signed by 14 different Palestinian factions. A month later, Beijing established a "second Silk Road" in the region. And in July 2025, China and Egypt expanded their bilateral cooperation across various economic sectors.
\n
Since 1945, Washington destabilized and triggered regime change in Middle East countries to maintain its hegemony in the region. The post-Sept 11, 2001, wars alone have cost more than $8 trillion and over 1 million lives. In the past, US military aid to Israel amounted to $3.8 billion per year; since Oct 7, 2023, it has soared to $23 billion. In Gaza and Yemen, it has made US complicit to attacks which have claimed tens of thousands of lives. From 2023 to 2025, a quarter of a million Palestinians — mainly women and children — have been killed or wounded in Gaza, and more than 5.3 million people in the region have been displaced because of Israel's post-Oct 7, 2023, wars.
\n
This catastrophe worsened by the US policies in the Middle East can be contrasted with China's initiatives focusing on de-escalation and stabilization, particularly through investment, development and modernization.
\n
The time for decisive economic development, led by China and the Global South, has arrived. Obliteration wars are no solution to 21st century challenges.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
What was a central demand — the release of the Israeli hostages — has now been fulfilled, but the US peace plan still hinges on broader issues beyond a ceasefire. It encompasses the broader Middle East. Hence, the US' maximum pressure on Hamas and its embrace of the positions of major Arab states, led by Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt.
\n
Nonetheless, the complex peace plan is ridden with caveats and the old US stance on the Middle East is crumbling.
\n
Since 1945, the US' hegemony in the Middle East has relied on oil purchases, weapons sales and regime change. In diplomacy, Washington has favored bilateral peace treaties between Israel and Egypt (1979), Israel and Jordan (1994), and the Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (1993-95).
\n
Since the incumbent president's first term, the US has been building on the Abraham Accords (2020-21) — a series of agreements to normalize relations signed in 2020 by Israel and several Arab states, comprising a general declaration along with bilateral agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco.
\n
But arms sales are the key to the US' hegemony. For its allies, the US provides 60-80 percent of their lethal imports (Israel, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia for example).For the rest, it supplies 50-60 percent of the total lethal imports (the UAE, Iraq and Qatar for instance).
\n
Additionally, the US' hegemony relies on aid dependency. Between 1946 and 2023, Washington provided a whopping $373 billion in foreign assistance for the Middle East. Before the Gaza catastrophe, the bulk of the aid was steered to just a few countries: Israel ($139 billion), Egypt ($83b), Iraq ($70b) and Jordan ($24b).
\n
Since the Middle East is the largest regional recipient of US aid, the impact should be reflected in increasing security and rising per capita income. Yet the net effect has been precisely the opposite. Worse, the military symbiosis between the US and Israel has triggered devastating spillovers into adjacent Arab states. This severe destabilization has been accompanied by lost years, even decades, with no increase in per capita income in the US aid-receiving Middle East states.
\n
Egypt had to cope with such stagnation from 1965 to 1975, and again in the early 2010s. Jordan lost a decade after the 1967 Six-Day War, during the first Palestinian uprising in the 1980s and again in the early 2010s. Even Israel has not been immune to stagnation periods, as evidenced by huge costs-of-living protests after the failure of the peace process.
\n
In Iran and Iraq, adversities have escalated since their 1980-88 war in which the US supplied arms to both sides. In Iraq, where the US had backed the 1963 coup, per capita income in 2010 was where it had been in 1978. In Iran, which experienced the first US-UK-led regime change in 1953, Washington's sanctions prevented any growth in per capita income for a quarter of a century after the Islamic Revolution and again in the 2010s.
\n
Following the 1949 US-led regime change, Syria's democratic path was undermined. As a result, Syria's per capita income before Oct 7, 2023, was the same as in 1981 — that is, 44 years ago. In Palestine, per capita income is now where it was in the early 1970s. In Yemen, per capita income is the same as it was 55 years ago.
\n
In the past decade, China has emerged as a credible and peaceful intermediary in the Middle East. In addition to investing significantly in countries burdened by decades of US-engineered regime change and US interference, Beijing has made several remarkable diplomatic achievements. Leading Middle East states such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye build on the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative in the region. Saudi Arabia remains one of China's largest oil suppliers, and it is selling oil in multiple currencies. For decades, the US fostered the divide between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Yet in March 2023, these two countries resumed diplomatic relations following a China-brokered deal. In July 2024, China played a vital role in fostering Palestinian national unity in the Beijing Declaration, signed by 14 different Palestinian factions. A month later, Beijing established a "second Silk Road" in the region. And in July 2025, China and Egypt expanded their bilateral cooperation across various economic sectors.
\n
Since 1945, Washington destabilized and triggered regime change in Middle East countries to maintain its hegemony in the region. The post-Sept 11, 2001, wars alone have cost more than $8 trillion and over 1 million lives. In the past, US military aid to Israel amounted to $3.8 billion per year; since Oct 7, 2023, it has soared to $23 billion. In Gaza and Yemen, it has made US complicit to attacks which have claimed tens of thousands of lives. From 2023 to 2025, a quarter of a million Palestinians — mainly women and children — have been killed or wounded in Gaza, and more than 5.3 million people in the region have been displaced because of Israel's post-Oct 7, 2023, wars.
\n
This catastrophe worsened by the US policies in the Middle East can be contrasted with China's initiatives focusing on de-escalation and stabilization, particularly through investment, development and modernization.
\n
The time for decisive economic development, led by China and the Global South, has arrived. Obliteration wars are no solution to 21st century challenges.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
The outcome of a catering company's PR mistake might bode well for China's pre-prepared or premade meal sector. The national food safety standards for premade dishes, for which consultations began at the height of a public opinion crisis, signal more stable growth prospects for the sunrise industry.
\n
Last month, a viral post by an internet influencer criticizing well-known restaurant chain Xibei for "using premade dishes and charging high prices" sparked an intense backlash. The company's own series of misguided defenses, now a classic case study in PR failure, compounded its predicament while dealing collateral damage to China's premade meal industry and the broader catering sector.
\n
Founded in the late 1990s, Xibei had long been regarded as a benchmark in China's catering industry. With nearly 400 outlets and an annual revenue of more than 6 billion yuan ($841.19 million), it has been seen as a pioneer in standardizing and scaling Chinese cuisine. That such a successful company mishandled what was considered a manageable issue, leading to an uncontrollable crisis, belies its reputation.
\n
Undoubtedly, the Xibei incident will leave a mark on the history of China's catering industry, particularly the premade meal sector. Had the company used a more prudent PR strategy, it might have contained the damage. However, with national standards not yet set, the high-stakes debate, though costly to Xibei's reputation, was effectively a large-scale opinion poll. And despite its immediate impact, it will benefit the industry's long-term development.
\n
The controversy surrounding Xibei centers on whether restaurants should serve premade dishes, how to define prepared dishes, how to ensure they are healthy and how to prevent such dishes from being passed off as freshly cooked. Yet such scrutiny shouldn't drive blanket rejection of premade dishes.
\n
The development of the premade dish sector constitutes a national strategy, integrating the primary, secondary and tertiary industries. China's premade meal market approached 500 billion yuan in 2024, with a year-on-year growth of more than 30 percent. It is projected to exceed 600 billion yuan this year. Notably, its 15 percent penetration rate remains far below the 60 percent in the United States and Japan, indicating its massive growth potential.
\n
However, as an originally foreign concept, pre-prepared dishes face adaptation challenges in China. Taking pride in the combination of color, aroma and taste, Chinese culinary culture emphasizes the complex artistry and aesthetic of freshly cooked dishes. Industrial preparation inevitably conflicts with values associated with naturalness, freshness, and handcrafted quality, creating cultural barriers to adoption.
\n
Broadly defined, modern premade meals are believed to have originated during World War II as portable rations for soldiers. In developed economies, postwar fast-paced lifestyles led working women to shorten cooking time, thereby spurring demand for fast food. The proliferation of convenience stores provided retail channels for premade dishes, accelerating consumer market maturation. Later, the stringent requirements of fast-food giants like McDonald's for ingredient standardization, efficiency, and stable supply created an ideal market for businesses.
\n
In China, however, premade meals took a different path, first emerging in the B2B market. The opening of KFC at Qianmen, Beijing, in 1987 was perhaps the starting point for the spread of Western fast food in the Chinese mainland. By the turn of the century, local chain restaurants began to increase, experimenting with standardized operations. As labor, rent and other costs increased — especially with the rise of food delivery — premade dishes became an important tool for catering businesses to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Only during the COVID-19 pandemic did they enter households, having long remained hidden in commercial kitchens.
\n
In earlier developed markets, retail packaging with ingredient and production information served as consumer education, teaching people how to select and prepare such meals. Chinese consumers largely encountered premade dishes passively and unknowingly, whether at restaurants or in delivery boxes. Worse, lacking clear standards and effective supervision, a small number of unscrupulous businesses sold low-quality premade meals while some restaurants marketed reheated premade meals as freshly cooked dishes, cementing the impression that premade dishes are inexpensive meal kits.
\n
That's why the imminent issuing of the national food safety standards for prepared dishes led by National Health Commission is very important. The standards will regulate categorization, ingredients, processing techniques, storage, transportation and inspection methods for premade meals, ensuring the healthy development of the industry while safeguarding consumer dietary rights.
\n
Crucially, premade dishes will receive standardized identification, with restaurant usage and application methods falling under mandatory disclosure requirements. This will help premade dishes shed their invisibility cloak and legitimately enter the Chinese lifestyle scene.
The outcome of a catering company's PR mistake might bode well for China's pre-prepared or premade meal sector. The national food safety standards for premade dishes, for which consultations began at the height of a public opinion crisis, signal more stable growth prospects for the sunrise industry.
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Last month, a viral post by an internet influencer criticizing well-known restaurant chain Xibei for "using premade dishes and charging high prices" sparked an intense backlash. The company's own series of misguided defenses, now a classic case study in PR failure, compounded its predicament while dealing collateral damage to China's premade meal industry and the broader catering sector.
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Founded in the late 1990s, Xibei had long been regarded as a benchmark in China's catering industry. With nearly 400 outlets and an annual revenue of more than 6 billion yuan ($841.19 million), it has been seen as a pioneer in standardizing and scaling Chinese cuisine. That such a successful company mishandled what was considered a manageable issue, leading to an uncontrollable crisis, belies its reputation.
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Undoubtedly, the Xibei incident will leave a mark on the history of China's catering industry, particularly the premade meal sector. Had the company used a more prudent PR strategy, it might have contained the damage. However, with national standards not yet set, the high-stakes debate, though costly to Xibei's reputation, was effectively a large-scale opinion poll. And despite its immediate impact, it will benefit the industry's long-term development.
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The controversy surrounding Xibei centers on whether restaurants should serve premade dishes, how to define prepared dishes, how to ensure they are healthy and how to prevent such dishes from being passed off as freshly cooked. Yet such scrutiny shouldn't drive blanket rejection of premade dishes.
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The development of the premade dish sector constitutes a national strategy, integrating the primary, secondary and tertiary industries. China's premade meal market approached 500 billion yuan in 2024, with a year-on-year growth of more than 30 percent. It is projected to exceed 600 billion yuan this year. Notably, its 15 percent penetration rate remains far below the 60 percent in the United States and Japan, indicating its massive growth potential.
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However, as an originally foreign concept, pre-prepared dishes face adaptation challenges in China. Taking pride in the combination of color, aroma and taste, Chinese culinary culture emphasizes the complex artistry and aesthetic of freshly cooked dishes. Industrial preparation inevitably conflicts with values associated with naturalness, freshness, and handcrafted quality, creating cultural barriers to adoption.
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Broadly defined, modern premade meals are believed to have originated during World War II as portable rations for soldiers. In developed economies, postwar fast-paced lifestyles led working women to shorten cooking time, thereby spurring demand for fast food. The proliferation of convenience stores provided retail channels for premade dishes, accelerating consumer market maturation. Later, the stringent requirements of fast-food giants like McDonald's for ingredient standardization, efficiency, and stable supply created an ideal market for businesses.
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In China, however, premade meals took a different path, first emerging in the B2B market. The opening of KFC at Qianmen, Beijing, in 1987 was perhaps the starting point for the spread of Western fast food in the Chinese mainland. By the turn of the century, local chain restaurants began to increase, experimenting with standardized operations. As labor, rent and other costs increased — especially with the rise of food delivery — premade dishes became an important tool for catering businesses to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Only during the COVID-19 pandemic did they enter households, having long remained hidden in commercial kitchens.
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In earlier developed markets, retail packaging with ingredient and production information served as consumer education, teaching people how to select and prepare such meals. Chinese consumers largely encountered premade dishes passively and unknowingly, whether at restaurants or in delivery boxes. Worse, lacking clear standards and effective supervision, a small number of unscrupulous businesses sold low-quality premade meals while some restaurants marketed reheated premade meals as freshly cooked dishes, cementing the impression that premade dishes are inexpensive meal kits.
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That's why the imminent issuing of the national food safety standards for prepared dishes led by National Health Commission is very important. The standards will regulate categorization, ingredients, processing techniques, storage, transportation and inspection methods for premade meals, ensuring the healthy development of the industry while safeguarding consumer dietary rights.
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Crucially, premade dishes will receive standardized identification, with restaurant usage and application methods falling under mandatory disclosure requirements. This will help premade dishes shed their invisibility cloak and legitimately enter the Chinese lifestyle scene.
The International Monetary Fund has predicted that China's economy will grow 4.8 percent this year, up 0.3 percentage points on what was forecast a year ago, saying it expects the world economy to slow further in the coming years.
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Global growth was projected at 3.2 percent this year and 3.1 percent next year, the IMF said in its October World Economic Outlook, published on Tuesday at the start of the annual IMF/World Bank autumn meetings.
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The IMF's projection for China, close to China's goal of about 5 percent growth for the year, has reflected the shifting effects of trade policy and domestic efforts.
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"A stronger-than-expected out-turn in recent quarters — reflecting front-loading in international trade and relatively robust domestic consumption supported by fiscal expansion in 2025 — more than offset the headwinds from higher uncertainty and tariffs," the IMF said of China's growth prospects.
\n
China's Premier Li Qiang, presiding over a symposium on Tuesday on China's current economic situation and the next steps for economic work, emphasized the need to understand the current economic situation with a broader perspective.
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It is essential to view the long-term trends in economic development from the implementation of the Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, assess the vitality of business entities through human resources, material, information and capital flows, and understand the resilience of China's economy in light of changes in the international landscape, he said.
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Li stressed the importance of enhancing the effectiveness of counter-cyclical adjustments, making the most of policy support, and using reform measures to clear obstacles hindering economic growth.
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He also called for sustained efforts to expand domestic demand, as well as measures to foster a world-class industrial ecosystem and address disorderly and irrational competition in some sectors.
\n
In April, when US President Donald Trump shook global trade norms by announcing sweeping tariffs, the IMF trimmed its forecast for China's growth by 0.6 percentage points in response to escalating US-China trade frictions.
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By July, following a pause on higher rates in May, it revised the figure upward by 0.8 percentage points. Now, half a year after the tariff war began, the IMF projects China's economy to maintain the growth rate it predicted in July, 4.8 percent, and that it will slow modestly next year.
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A week earlier the World Bank projected China's economy would grow 4.8 percent; in April it had forecast growth of 4 percent.
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China's gross domestic product grew 5.3 percent in the first half of this year, up 0.3 percentage points from the same period last year, according to official figures.
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"China is weathering higher tariffs with a weaker real exchange rate, redirected exports to Asia and Europe, and fiscal support," Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, the IMF's economic counselor and director of the research department, wrote in a blog on Tuesday.
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The US economy is expected to slow more sharply this year than was projected a year ago.
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Its growth, forecast at 2 percent this year, compares with the 2.2 percent projected in the October 2024 World Economic Outlook, mainly as a result of greater policy uncertainty, higher trade barriers, and lower growth in both the labor force and employment.
\n
Though the increase in tariffs and its effects have been smaller than expected so far, Gourinchas cautioned that it would be both premature and incorrect to conclude that the recent tariff surge has had no impact on global growth.
\n
While the immediate figures show limited visible fallout, the full economic effects are likely to unfold over time, he said.
\n
On the one hand, US tariffs remain elevated and trade tensions continue to flare, with no lasting agreements in sight and experience showing that trade shocks can take years to play out.
\n
Most of the burden seems to have fallen on US importers, because import prices excluding tariffs have stayed flat and retail prices have risen only modestly. However, consumers could still face higher costs, and trade rerouting could lead to lasting efficiency losses worldwide, Gourinchas said.
\n
On the other hand, other forces are simultaneously shaping the outlook. For example, tighter US immigration policies have reduced the supply of foreign-born workers, compounding the supply shock from tariffs.
\n
At the same time, loose financial conditions, a softer dollar and booming AI-driven investment are propping up demand and activity, though they may also be adding to inflationary pressures, Gourinchas said.
\n
In an analysis published a week ago, Oxford Economics predicted that a technology downturn would inflict a sharp global slowdown.
\n
"We constructed two scenarios for a tech sector downturn using Oxford Economics' Global Model," the researchers at the Oxford-based economic advisory firm said in a report on Oct 3.
\n
Despite risks, Gourinchas said, resolving policy uncertainty would provide a lift to the global economy, with clearer and more stable bilateral and multilateral trade agreements able to raise global output by 0.4 percent in the very near term.
\n
Contact the writers at huanxinzhao@chinadailyusa.com.
\n",
+ "content": "
The International Monetary Fund has predicted that China's economy will grow 4.8 percent this year, up 0.3 percentage points on what was forecast a year ago, saying it expects the world economy to slow further in the coming years.
\n
Global growth was projected at 3.2 percent this year and 3.1 percent next year, the IMF said in its October World Economic Outlook, published on Tuesday at the start of the annual IMF/World Bank autumn meetings.
\n
The IMF's projection for China, close to China's goal of about 5 percent growth for the year, has reflected the shifting effects of trade policy and domestic efforts.
\n
"A stronger-than-expected out-turn in recent quarters — reflecting front-loading in international trade and relatively robust domestic consumption supported by fiscal expansion in 2025 — more than offset the headwinds from higher uncertainty and tariffs," the IMF said of China's growth prospects.
\n
China's Premier Li Qiang, presiding over a symposium on Tuesday on China's current economic situation and the next steps for economic work, emphasized the need to understand the current economic situation with a broader perspective.
\n
It is essential to view the long-term trends in economic development from the implementation of the Five-Year Plan for National Economic and Social Development, assess the vitality of business entities through human resources, material, information and capital flows, and understand the resilience of China's economy in light of changes in the international landscape, he said.
\n
Li stressed the importance of enhancing the effectiveness of counter-cyclical adjustments, making the most of policy support, and using reform measures to clear obstacles hindering economic growth.
\n
He also called for sustained efforts to expand domestic demand, as well as measures to foster a world-class industrial ecosystem and address disorderly and irrational competition in some sectors.
\n
In April, when US President Donald Trump shook global trade norms by announcing sweeping tariffs, the IMF trimmed its forecast for China's growth by 0.6 percentage points in response to escalating US-China trade frictions.
\n
By July, following a pause on higher rates in May, it revised the figure upward by 0.8 percentage points. Now, half a year after the tariff war began, the IMF projects China's economy to maintain the growth rate it predicted in July, 4.8 percent, and that it will slow modestly next year.
\n
A week earlier the World Bank projected China's economy would grow 4.8 percent; in April it had forecast growth of 4 percent.
\n
China's gross domestic product grew 5.3 percent in the first half of this year, up 0.3 percentage points from the same period last year, according to official figures.
\n
"China is weathering higher tariffs with a weaker real exchange rate, redirected exports to Asia and Europe, and fiscal support," Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, the IMF's economic counselor and director of the research department, wrote in a blog on Tuesday.
\n
The US economy is expected to slow more sharply this year than was projected a year ago.
\n
Its growth, forecast at 2 percent this year, compares with the 2.2 percent projected in the October 2024 World Economic Outlook, mainly as a result of greater policy uncertainty, higher trade barriers, and lower growth in both the labor force and employment.
\n
Though the increase in tariffs and its effects have been smaller than expected so far, Gourinchas cautioned that it would be both premature and incorrect to conclude that the recent tariff surge has had no impact on global growth.
\n
While the immediate figures show limited visible fallout, the full economic effects are likely to unfold over time, he said.
\n
On the one hand, US tariffs remain elevated and trade tensions continue to flare, with no lasting agreements in sight and experience showing that trade shocks can take years to play out.
\n
Most of the burden seems to have fallen on US importers, because import prices excluding tariffs have stayed flat and retail prices have risen only modestly. However, consumers could still face higher costs, and trade rerouting could lead to lasting efficiency losses worldwide, Gourinchas said.
\n
On the other hand, other forces are simultaneously shaping the outlook. For example, tighter US immigration policies have reduced the supply of foreign-born workers, compounding the supply shock from tariffs.
\n
At the same time, loose financial conditions, a softer dollar and booming AI-driven investment are propping up demand and activity, though they may also be adding to inflationary pressures, Gourinchas said.
\n
In an analysis published a week ago, Oxford Economics predicted that a technology downturn would inflict a sharp global slowdown.
\n
"We constructed two scenarios for a tech sector downturn using Oxford Economics' Global Model," the researchers at the Oxford-based economic advisory firm said in a report on Oct 3.
\n
Despite risks, Gourinchas said, resolving policy uncertainty would provide a lift to the global economy, with clearer and more stable bilateral and multilateral trade agreements able to raise global output by 0.4 percent in the very near term.
\n
Contact the writers at huanxinzhao@chinadailyusa.com.
Heads of state and government take a group photo during the Gaza summit in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday.
\n
The Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit on Monday highlighted a joint declaration by the United States, Qatar, Turkiye, and the host Egypt, supporting enduring peace and prosperity for both Palestinians and Israelis, while Qatar announced the start of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.
\n
The declaration on what is being called US President Donald Trump's "peace agreement" said the four leaders are committed to resolving future disputes through diplomatic engagement rather than through force or protracted conflict, a stance backed by other participants.
\n
The signed declaration welcomed "the truly historic commitment and implementation by all parties", saying, "We understand that lasting peace will be one in which both Palestinians and Israelis can prosper with their fundamental human rights protected, their security guaranteed, and their dignity upheld."
\n
The summit witnessed the participation of leaders from more than 20 countries as well as regional and international organizations.
\n
The Egyptian presidency said the summit aimed to "end the war" in Gaza and "usher in a new page of peace and regional stability". "There was also a strong emphasis on the need to commence consultations on the means and mechanisms to implement the upcoming phases of President Trump's settlement plan, starting with issues related to governance and providing security, the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, and culminating in the political track for settlement," it added.
\n
Qatar expressed its hope that the positive results from the Peace Summit will meet the aspirations of the people in the Gaza Strip and contribute to a comprehensive and just solution for the Palestinian cause.
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Official Spokesperson of Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Majed Mohammed Al-Ansari, told Fox News that talks to begin the second phase of the agreement have already started in Sharm el-Sheikh.
\n
He said they postponed the examination of many issues until the second phase of ceasefire negotiations, so that the first phase could happen smoothly.
\n
"Currently … difficult negotiations have begun to examine the process of securing the Gaza Strip and its administration and ensuring that the war does not resume," Al-Ansari said.
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United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas were among those who attended the US-Egyptian-hosted summit on Monday.
\n
Lasting peace urged
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In a post on X, the UN chief called on all parties "to consolidate the ceasefire and transform it into lasting peace".
\n
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who returned to Indonesia from Egypt on Tuesday, told the media that he views the significant efforts as a promising start toward peace in Gaza, to which Indonesia is ready to contribute. Israeli Prime Minister's office confirmed that Benjamin Netanyahu had been invited by Trump to attend the Egypt summit but declined "due to time constraints ahead of the start of the holiday".
\n
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said in a post on X that it was time "to let in humanitarian aid at scale, including through UNRWA".
\n
Hamas announced on Monday that it had handed over all 20 remaining living hostages. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities have begun releasing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners as part of the exchange deal.
\n
While Israel and Hamas are struggling to release more dead hostages, several Palestinian civilians were reportedly killed by Israeli forces east of Gaza City amid a supposed truce agreement in effect for the fifth consecutive day.
\n
Five people were killed when Israeli drones fired at residents inspecting their homes in the eastern part of Gaza City, Al Jazeera reported.
\n
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed on X that the individuals were shot, claiming they were approaching its soldiers when targeted.
\n
Gokhan Batu, an analyst on Israel studies at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies in Turkiye, told China Daily that in theory, the return of hostages "could have made it easier for Netanyahu to resume the war, strengthening his domestic leverage and public confidence". However, he said, Trump's "firm stance" has limited that possibility and redirected momentum toward maintaining calm.
\n
"Israeli government statements also differ notably from previous phases — officials are now portraying the ceasefire as a form of victory," Batu said.
\n
Yet it is important to remain cautious. "In my view, this was not even close to a peace deal. There are structural and deep-rooted problems, thousands of technical issues to deal with. So, it was a ceremony of sealing the ceasefire, no more," he added.
\n
jan@chinadailyapac.com
\n",
+ "content": "
Heads of state and government take a group photo during the Gaza summit in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday.
\n
The Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit on Monday highlighted a joint declaration by the United States, Qatar, Turkiye, and the host Egypt, supporting enduring peace and prosperity for both Palestinians and Israelis, while Qatar announced the start of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement.
\n
The declaration on what is being called US President Donald Trump's "peace agreement" said the four leaders are committed to resolving future disputes through diplomatic engagement rather than through force or protracted conflict, a stance backed by other participants.
\n
The signed declaration welcomed "the truly historic commitment and implementation by all parties", saying, "We understand that lasting peace will be one in which both Palestinians and Israelis can prosper with their fundamental human rights protected, their security guaranteed, and their dignity upheld."
\n
The summit witnessed the participation of leaders from more than 20 countries as well as regional and international organizations.
\n
The Egyptian presidency said the summit aimed to "end the war" in Gaza and "usher in a new page of peace and regional stability". "There was also a strong emphasis on the need to commence consultations on the means and mechanisms to implement the upcoming phases of President Trump's settlement plan, starting with issues related to governance and providing security, the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, and culminating in the political track for settlement," it added.
\n
Qatar expressed its hope that the positive results from the Peace Summit will meet the aspirations of the people in the Gaza Strip and contribute to a comprehensive and just solution for the Palestinian cause.
\n
Official Spokesperson of Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Majed Mohammed Al-Ansari, told Fox News that talks to begin the second phase of the agreement have already started in Sharm el-Sheikh.
\n
He said they postponed the examination of many issues until the second phase of ceasefire negotiations, so that the first phase could happen smoothly.
\n
"Currently … difficult negotiations have begun to examine the process of securing the Gaza Strip and its administration and ensuring that the war does not resume," Al-Ansari said.
\n
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas were among those who attended the US-Egyptian-hosted summit on Monday.
\n
Lasting peace urged
\n
In a post on X, the UN chief called on all parties "to consolidate the ceasefire and transform it into lasting peace".
\n
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, who returned to Indonesia from Egypt on Tuesday, told the media that he views the significant efforts as a promising start toward peace in Gaza, to which Indonesia is ready to contribute. Israeli Prime Minister's office confirmed that Benjamin Netanyahu had been invited by Trump to attend the Egypt summit but declined "due to time constraints ahead of the start of the holiday".
\n
The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said in a post on X that it was time "to let in humanitarian aid at scale, including through UNRWA".
\n
Hamas announced on Monday that it had handed over all 20 remaining living hostages. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities have begun releasing nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners as part of the exchange deal.
\n
While Israel and Hamas are struggling to release more dead hostages, several Palestinian civilians were reportedly killed by Israeli forces east of Gaza City amid a supposed truce agreement in effect for the fifth consecutive day.
\n
Five people were killed when Israeli drones fired at residents inspecting their homes in the eastern part of Gaza City, Al Jazeera reported.
\n
The Israel Defense Forces confirmed on X that the individuals were shot, claiming they were approaching its soldiers when targeted.
\n
Gokhan Batu, an analyst on Israel studies at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies in Turkiye, told China Daily that in theory, the return of hostages "could have made it easier for Netanyahu to resume the war, strengthening his domestic leverage and public confidence". However, he said, Trump's "firm stance" has limited that possibility and redirected momentum toward maintaining calm.
\n
"Israeli government statements also differ notably from previous phases — officials are now portraying the ceasefire as a form of victory," Batu said.
\n
Yet it is important to remain cautious. "In my view, this was not even close to a peace deal. There are structural and deep-rooted problems, thousands of technical issues to deal with. So, it was a ceremony of sealing the ceasefire, no more," he added.
Campaigner Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah stands with protesters outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Monday, as the High Court decides in a trial whether systems installed in diesel vehicles were designed to cheat clean air laws.
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A major lawsuit against five of the world's biggest carmakers began at London's High Court on Monday, with lawyers accusing them of manipulating diesel emissions tests.
\n
The case is the latest chapter in the "dieselgate" saga, in which carmakers have been accused of using software to reduce harmful emissions under test conditions.
\n
It has been 10 years since the dieselgate scandal first emerged in the United States, when regulators revealed the Volkswagen Group had installed "defeat devices" in millions of diesel cars so they could pass laboratory emissions tests while emitting far higher emissions on the road.
\n
That discovery triggered global investigations, recalls, and settlements costing Volkswagen tens of billions of US dollars in fines and compensation.
\n
Given the scale of the new case, the court has selected five manufacturers — Mercedes, Ford, Peugeot Citroen, Renault, and Nissan — as the lead defendants and to be tried first. All of the companies deny the allegations.
\n
The outcome of the three-month trial could open the door to similar claims against nine other carmakers. Lawyers said the lawsuit could ultimately involve 1.6 million car owners, making it the largest group action case in English and Welsh legal history, the BBC reported.
\n
Unlawful defeat devices
\n
Lawyers representing owners of diesel vehicles allege that the companies used unlawful defeat devices to cheat clean air laws. The manufacturers deny the allegations.
\n
Martyn Day, of the legal firm Leigh Day, one of 22 entities representing drivers, said: "A decade after the dieselgate scandal first came to light, 1.6 million UK motorists now get their chance to establish at trial whether their vehicles contained technology designed to cheat emissions tests."
\n
He added that, if the allegations against the carmakers are upheld, they "would demonstrate one of the most egregious breaches of corporate trust in modern times".
\n
"It would also mean that people across the UK have been breathing in far more harmful emissions from these vehicles than they were told about, potentially putting the health of millions at risk."
\n
The trial will test a sample of diesel models from the five manufacturers, covering nearly 850,000 claimants, with damages to be decided next year.
\n
The ruling will also be binding for hundreds of thousands of similar claims against other carmakers, including BMW, Reuters reported.
\n
jonathan@mail.chinadailyuk.com
\n",
+ "content": "
Campaigner Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah stands with protesters outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Monday, as the High Court decides in a trial whether systems installed in diesel vehicles were designed to cheat clean air laws.
\n
A major lawsuit against five of the world's biggest carmakers began at London's High Court on Monday, with lawyers accusing them of manipulating diesel emissions tests.
\n
The case is the latest chapter in the "dieselgate" saga, in which carmakers have been accused of using software to reduce harmful emissions under test conditions.
\n
It has been 10 years since the dieselgate scandal first emerged in the United States, when regulators revealed the Volkswagen Group had installed "defeat devices" in millions of diesel cars so they could pass laboratory emissions tests while emitting far higher emissions on the road.
\n
That discovery triggered global investigations, recalls, and settlements costing Volkswagen tens of billions of US dollars in fines and compensation.
\n
Given the scale of the new case, the court has selected five manufacturers — Mercedes, Ford, Peugeot Citroen, Renault, and Nissan — as the lead defendants and to be tried first. All of the companies deny the allegations.
\n
The outcome of the three-month trial could open the door to similar claims against nine other carmakers. Lawyers said the lawsuit could ultimately involve 1.6 million car owners, making it the largest group action case in English and Welsh legal history, the BBC reported.
\n
Unlawful defeat devices
\n
Lawyers representing owners of diesel vehicles allege that the companies used unlawful defeat devices to cheat clean air laws. The manufacturers deny the allegations.
\n
Martyn Day, of the legal firm Leigh Day, one of 22 entities representing drivers, said: "A decade after the dieselgate scandal first came to light, 1.6 million UK motorists now get their chance to establish at trial whether their vehicles contained technology designed to cheat emissions tests."
\n
He added that, if the allegations against the carmakers are upheld, they "would demonstrate one of the most egregious breaches of corporate trust in modern times".
\n
"It would also mean that people across the UK have been breathing in far more harmful emissions from these vehicles than they were told about, potentially putting the health of millions at risk."
\n
The trial will test a sample of diesel models from the five manufacturers, covering nearly 850,000 claimants, with damages to be decided next year.
\n
The ruling will also be binding for hundreds of thousands of similar claims against other carmakers, including BMW, Reuters reported.
Visitors talk at the Riyadh International Book Fair on Oct 2, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
\n
RIYADH — This year's Riyadh International Book Fair, held from Oct 2 to 11, highlighted the growing cultural and literary exchanges between Chinese and Arab writers, translators and readers.
\n
More than 10 Chinese publishers joined the event, presenting over 1,000 titles that drew strong interest from local readers.
\n
A major highlight was the Arabic debut of Chinese novelist Mai Jia's Rensheng Haihai, which means "life is ocean-wide", translated by the Egyptian translator Yahya Mokhtar and published by Kuwait's Kalemat Publishing House.
\n
Speaking at a ceremony held at the China Pavilion of the fair, Mai said, "The protagonist of Rensheng Haihai, the Colonel, was born and raised in China. Yet I believe his story resonates equally well in the Arab world, because Chinese and Arabs share a spirit of resilience — an ability to smile in the face of hardship and confront life with courage and humor."
\n
Mai expressed his excitement at seeing his novel reach Arabic readers. He hopes that the Arabic edition will allow more readers across the Arab world to connect with Chinese literature, transcending language and geographic barriers, and fostering reflection on human destiny.
\n
A series of cultural exchange activities was also held, including the Saudi-China Dialogue and Exchange on Modernization and the Saudi-China Literary Salon.
\n
Guan Hong, deputy general manager of China Intercontinental Press, told Xinhua, "Through these diverse cultural displays and exchanges of ideas, we hope Arab readers can gain a deeper appreciation of China's cultural heritage and literary charm, and a more comprehensive understanding of the historical process and spiritual essence of Chinese modernization."
\n
Arab publishers are also actively bringing in Chinese books. From classical masterpieces to contemporary literature, from history and philosophy to children's books, publishing houses from Arab countries, including Lebanon, Egypt and Kuwait, have brought a wide range of Arabic editions of Chinese works to this year's Riyadh fair.
\n
Digital Future, a Lebanese publishing house, set up a special section dedicated to Chinese culture and literature in its exhibition area, showcasing the works it introduced from China and translated into Arabic.
\n
Mohamad El Khatib, CEO of Digital Future, said that the cooperation with Chinese publishers began in 2009. "We have introduced Chinese works covering a wide range of fields, including culture, children's literature, language learning, and academic research."
\n
El Khatib added that his publishing house participates every year in international book fairs held in Cairo, Abu Dhabi, Rabat and other cities, where it showcases and promotes Chinese books.
\n",
+ "content": "
Visitors talk at the Riyadh International Book Fair on Oct 2, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
\n
RIYADH — This year's Riyadh International Book Fair, held from Oct 2 to 11, highlighted the growing cultural and literary exchanges between Chinese and Arab writers, translators and readers.
\n
More than 10 Chinese publishers joined the event, presenting over 1,000 titles that drew strong interest from local readers.
\n
A major highlight was the Arabic debut of Chinese novelist Mai Jia's Rensheng Haihai, which means "life is ocean-wide", translated by the Egyptian translator Yahya Mokhtar and published by Kuwait's Kalemat Publishing House.
\n
Speaking at a ceremony held at the China Pavilion of the fair, Mai said, "The protagonist of Rensheng Haihai, the Colonel, was born and raised in China. Yet I believe his story resonates equally well in the Arab world, because Chinese and Arabs share a spirit of resilience — an ability to smile in the face of hardship and confront life with courage and humor."
\n
Mai expressed his excitement at seeing his novel reach Arabic readers. He hopes that the Arabic edition will allow more readers across the Arab world to connect with Chinese literature, transcending language and geographic barriers, and fostering reflection on human destiny.
\n
A series of cultural exchange activities was also held, including the Saudi-China Dialogue and Exchange on Modernization and the Saudi-China Literary Salon.
\n
Guan Hong, deputy general manager of China Intercontinental Press, told Xinhua, "Through these diverse cultural displays and exchanges of ideas, we hope Arab readers can gain a deeper appreciation of China's cultural heritage and literary charm, and a more comprehensive understanding of the historical process and spiritual essence of Chinese modernization."
\n
Arab publishers are also actively bringing in Chinese books. From classical masterpieces to contemporary literature, from history and philosophy to children's books, publishing houses from Arab countries, including Lebanon, Egypt and Kuwait, have brought a wide range of Arabic editions of Chinese works to this year's Riyadh fair.
\n
Digital Future, a Lebanese publishing house, set up a special section dedicated to Chinese culture and literature in its exhibition area, showcasing the works it introduced from China and translated into Arabic.
\n
Mohamad El Khatib, CEO of Digital Future, said that the cooperation with Chinese publishers began in 2009. "We have introduced Chinese works covering a wide range of fields, including culture, children's literature, language learning, and academic research."
\n
El Khatib added that his publishing house participates every year in international book fairs held in Cairo, Abu Dhabi, Rabat and other cities, where it showcases and promotes Chinese books.
The "Closed to all tours" signage is displayed near the rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington on Monday amid federal government shutdown.
\n
WASHINGTON — The Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson has predicted the federal government shutdown may become the longest in history, saying he "won't negotiate" with Democrats until they hit pause on their healthcare demands and reopen.
\n
Standing alone at the Capitol on the 13th day of the shutdown, the Republican speaker said he was unaware of the details of the thousands of federal workers being fired by the administration of President Donald Trump.
\n
It is a highly unusual mass layoff widely seen as a way to seize on the shutdown to reduce the scope of government. Vice-President JD Vance has warned of "painful" cuts ahead, even as employee unions sue.
\n
"We're barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns in American history," Johnson said on Monday.
\n
With no endgame in sight, the shutdown is expected to roll on for the foreseeable future. The closure has halted routine government operations, shuttered Smithsonian museums and other landmark cultural institutions, and left airports scrambling with flight disruptions — all injecting more uncertainty into an already precarious economy.
\n
The House is out of legislative session, with Johnson refusing to recall lawmakers back to Washington, while the Senate, closed on Monday for a federal holiday, was to return to work on Tuesday. However, senators are stuck in a cul-de-sac of failed votes as Democrats refuse to relent on their healthcare demands.
\n
Johnson thanked Trump for ensuring military personnel are paid this week, which removed one main pressure point that may have pushed the parties to the negotiating table.
\n
At its core, the shutdown is a debate over healthcare policy — particularly Affordable Care Act subsidies that are expiring for millions of people who rely on government aid to buy their own health insurance policies on the Obamacare exchanges. Democrats demand that the subsidies be extended, but Republicans argue that the issue can be dealt with later.
\n
The House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said that with Republicans having essentially shut down the chamber for a fourth week now, no real negotiations are underway. They are "nowhere to be found", he said.
\n
With Congress and the White House stalemated, some are eyeing the end of the month as the next potential deadline to reopen the government.
\n
Open enrollment begins on Nov 1 for the health program at issue, and US citizens will face the prospect of skyrocketing insurance premiums. The Kaiser Family Foundation has estimated that monthly costs would double if Congress fails to renew the subsidy payments that expire on Dec 31.
\n
At the end of this month, government workers on monthly pay schedules, including thousands of House aides, will not be paid.
\n
New disruption
\n
Meanwhile, a new round of layoffs at the Education Department is depleting an agency that was hit hard in the administration's previous mass firings, threatening new disruption to the nation's students and schools.
\n
The Trump administration started laying off 466 Education Department staffers on Friday amid mass firings across the government meant to pressure Democratic lawmakers over the federal shutdown. The layoffs would cut the agency's workforce by nearly one-fifth, reducing it to less than half its size when Trump took office on Jan 20.
\n
Department officials have not given details on the layoffs and did not immediately respond to a request for comment. AFGE Local 252, a union representing more than 2,700 department workers, said information from employees indicates cuts will decimate many offices within the agency.
\n
"We're talking about the people who worked on the beating heart of our federal public school programs," said Sasha Pudelski, director of advocacy for AASA, the association of school superintendents.
\n
The union president Rachel Gittleman said the new reductions, on top of previous layoffs, will "double down on the harm to K-12 students, students with disabilities, first-generation college students, low-income students, teachers and local education boards".
The "Closed to all tours" signage is displayed near the rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington on Monday amid federal government shutdown.
\n
WASHINGTON — The Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson has predicted the federal government shutdown may become the longest in history, saying he "won't negotiate" with Democrats until they hit pause on their healthcare demands and reopen.
\n
Standing alone at the Capitol on the 13th day of the shutdown, the Republican speaker said he was unaware of the details of the thousands of federal workers being fired by the administration of President Donald Trump.
\n
It is a highly unusual mass layoff widely seen as a way to seize on the shutdown to reduce the scope of government. Vice-President JD Vance has warned of "painful" cuts ahead, even as employee unions sue.
\n
"We're barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns in American history," Johnson said on Monday.
\n
With no endgame in sight, the shutdown is expected to roll on for the foreseeable future. The closure has halted routine government operations, shuttered Smithsonian museums and other landmark cultural institutions, and left airports scrambling with flight disruptions — all injecting more uncertainty into an already precarious economy.
\n
The House is out of legislative session, with Johnson refusing to recall lawmakers back to Washington, while the Senate, closed on Monday for a federal holiday, was to return to work on Tuesday. However, senators are stuck in a cul-de-sac of failed votes as Democrats refuse to relent on their healthcare demands.
\n
Johnson thanked Trump for ensuring military personnel are paid this week, which removed one main pressure point that may have pushed the parties to the negotiating table.
\n
At its core, the shutdown is a debate over healthcare policy — particularly Affordable Care Act subsidies that are expiring for millions of people who rely on government aid to buy their own health insurance policies on the Obamacare exchanges. Democrats demand that the subsidies be extended, but Republicans argue that the issue can be dealt with later.
\n
The House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said that with Republicans having essentially shut down the chamber for a fourth week now, no real negotiations are underway. They are "nowhere to be found", he said.
\n
With Congress and the White House stalemated, some are eyeing the end of the month as the next potential deadline to reopen the government.
\n
Open enrollment begins on Nov 1 for the health program at issue, and US citizens will face the prospect of skyrocketing insurance premiums. The Kaiser Family Foundation has estimated that monthly costs would double if Congress fails to renew the subsidy payments that expire on Dec 31.
\n
At the end of this month, government workers on monthly pay schedules, including thousands of House aides, will not be paid.
\n
New disruption
\n
Meanwhile, a new round of layoffs at the Education Department is depleting an agency that was hit hard in the administration's previous mass firings, threatening new disruption to the nation's students and schools.
\n
The Trump administration started laying off 466 Education Department staffers on Friday amid mass firings across the government meant to pressure Democratic lawmakers over the federal shutdown. The layoffs would cut the agency's workforce by nearly one-fifth, reducing it to less than half its size when Trump took office on Jan 20.
\n
Department officials have not given details on the layoffs and did not immediately respond to a request for comment. AFGE Local 252, a union representing more than 2,700 department workers, said information from employees indicates cuts will decimate many offices within the agency.
\n
"We're talking about the people who worked on the beating heart of our federal public school programs," said Sasha Pudelski, director of advocacy for AASA, the association of school superintendents.
\n
The union president Rachel Gittleman said the new reductions, on top of previous layoffs, will "double down on the harm to K-12 students, students with disabilities, first-generation college students, low-income students, teachers and local education boards".
A rescuer works near a car hanging over a fence by a damaged house in Poza Rica, Mexico, on Monday, following torrential rains.
\n
TENANGO DE DORIA, Mexico — Rescuers scrambled on Monday to reach people cut off by devastating floods that have claimed 64 lives in central and eastern Mexico, with another 65 reported missing.
\n
Torrential rains battered several of the country's states over several days last week, turning streets into rivers, triggering landslides and sweeping away roads and bridges.
\n
Dozens of small communities remained inaccessible by road on Monday, days after the deluge, and residents worked tirelessly to clear paths for the delivery of food and other supplies.
\n
President Claudia Sheinbaum said about 10,000 troops had been deployed with boats, planes and helicopters as part of rescue efforts and to deliver critical food and water for those trapped.
\n
Shelters have been opened for those displaced from their homes, and helicopters were flying to and fro to bring essentials to people cut off from the rest of the world.
\n
"Many flights are needed ... to deliver enough food and water," Sheinbaum said on Monday.
\n
Laura Velazquez, head of Mexico's civil defense authority, said the states of Veracruz, Hidalgo and Puebla were hardest hit by flooding brought on by days of heavy rains.
\n
In Hidalgo alone, 43 people were reported missing.
\n
She updated the death toll that had stood at 47 just 12 hours earlier, indicative of the fast-unfolding scale of the disaster.
\n
Mexico has been hit by particularly heavy rains this year, including a record for the capital, Mexico City.
\n
In the municipality of Tenango de Doria in Hidalgo state, Agence France-Presse reported that residents were walking kilometers in search of food and water, with flooded roads inaccessible for most vehicles.
\n
Some carried bundles of belongings with them in the hopes of finding a shelter for displaced people.
\n
"We walked two-and-a-half hours through the mud," AFP quoted Marco Mendoza, 35, a farmer, as saying of his unsuccessful search for food in stores in Tenango de Doria, the main urban center for kilometers around.
\n
"Everything is completely undone; we have no supplies, no food, nothing."
\n
Shops in the center had no electricity, and residents massed in the central plaza to inquire about road openings and the arrival of aid.
\n
Community trapped
\n
Francisco Hernandez, 63, a farmer from the neighboring town of El Texme, said a river that burst its banks left his community trapped.
\n
Heavy rains often occur during Mexico's wet season from May to October, but last week's downpours were made more dangerous by the combination of a tropical system from the Gulf of Mexico and a cold front from the north, meteorologists say.
\n
Dwellers of coastal cities and towns in the state of Veracruz, crisscrossed by many rivers, were told on Friday to evacuate because of rising waters.
\n
However, in several high-lying inhabited areas, the persistent rains washed away mountain sides that spilled downhill as landslides.
\n
On Monday, Sheinbaum batted away questions about possible failures in early warning and preparedness.
\n
"It would have been difficult to have information in advance about this situation, unlike what happens with hurricanes," she said, citing a combination of unpredictable meteorological factors.
\n
Skies cleared in many parts on Sunday, allowing work with heavy clearance machinery to begin.
\n",
+ "content": "
A rescuer works near a car hanging over a fence by a damaged house in Poza Rica, Mexico, on Monday, following torrential rains.
\n
TENANGO DE DORIA, Mexico — Rescuers scrambled on Monday to reach people cut off by devastating floods that have claimed 64 lives in central and eastern Mexico, with another 65 reported missing.
\n
Torrential rains battered several of the country's states over several days last week, turning streets into rivers, triggering landslides and sweeping away roads and bridges.
\n
Dozens of small communities remained inaccessible by road on Monday, days after the deluge, and residents worked tirelessly to clear paths for the delivery of food and other supplies.
\n
President Claudia Sheinbaum said about 10,000 troops had been deployed with boats, planes and helicopters as part of rescue efforts and to deliver critical food and water for those trapped.
\n
Shelters have been opened for those displaced from their homes, and helicopters were flying to and fro to bring essentials to people cut off from the rest of the world.
\n
"Many flights are needed ... to deliver enough food and water," Sheinbaum said on Monday.
\n
Laura Velazquez, head of Mexico's civil defense authority, said the states of Veracruz, Hidalgo and Puebla were hardest hit by flooding brought on by days of heavy rains.
\n
In Hidalgo alone, 43 people were reported missing.
\n
She updated the death toll that had stood at 47 just 12 hours earlier, indicative of the fast-unfolding scale of the disaster.
\n
Mexico has been hit by particularly heavy rains this year, including a record for the capital, Mexico City.
\n
In the municipality of Tenango de Doria in Hidalgo state, Agence France-Presse reported that residents were walking kilometers in search of food and water, with flooded roads inaccessible for most vehicles.
\n
Some carried bundles of belongings with them in the hopes of finding a shelter for displaced people.
\n
"We walked two-and-a-half hours through the mud," AFP quoted Marco Mendoza, 35, a farmer, as saying of his unsuccessful search for food in stores in Tenango de Doria, the main urban center for kilometers around.
\n
"Everything is completely undone; we have no supplies, no food, nothing."
\n
Shops in the center had no electricity, and residents massed in the central plaza to inquire about road openings and the arrival of aid.
\n
Community trapped
\n
Francisco Hernandez, 63, a farmer from the neighboring town of El Texme, said a river that burst its banks left his community trapped.
\n
Heavy rains often occur during Mexico's wet season from May to October, but last week's downpours were made more dangerous by the combination of a tropical system from the Gulf of Mexico and a cold front from the north, meteorologists say.
\n
Dwellers of coastal cities and towns in the state of Veracruz, crisscrossed by many rivers, were told on Friday to evacuate because of rising waters.
\n
However, in several high-lying inhabited areas, the persistent rains washed away mountain sides that spilled downhill as landslides.
\n
On Monday, Sheinbaum batted away questions about possible failures in early warning and preparedness.
\n
"It would have been difficult to have information in advance about this situation, unlike what happens with hurricanes," she said, citing a combination of unpredictable meteorological factors.
\n
Skies cleared in many parts on Sunday, allowing work with heavy clearance machinery to begin.
Fresh United States import tariffs are having unforeseen effects on many companies and industries, one of Europe's largest farm machinery companies says.
\n
The Guardian quoted Krone Agriculture, whose headquarters are in Lower Saxony, Germany, and which employs 10,000 people, as saying it has temporarily stopped exporting large pieces of farm machinery to the US because of little-known new tariffs on products that have steel components or steel derivatives.
\n
Bernard Krone, the company's chairman, was quoted as saying the new tariffs, not mentioned in a deal the US struck with the European Union in July, have stalled the company's exports to the US, which was its second-largest market, worth $130 million a year.
\n
The initial deal that calls for a blanket 15 percent tariff on EU exports was followed by the publication of a list of products deemed to include steel derivatives, Krone was quoted as saying.
\n
"That list was very alarming for us. Nobody could tell us what to do. Did the tariffs depend on weight, origin or the price of raw steel?"
\n
The steel derivatives list comprises 407 items, including knitting needles, combine harvesters, barbecues, fridges, dishwashers, elevators and wind turbines.
\n
Companies wanting to export any of those items to the US now need to provide detailed paperwork that sets out the origin, weight and value of their steel components. The US then uses the information to calculate how much in tariffs must be paid at the higher, 50 percent, rate.
\n
Oliver Richtberg, head of foreign trade at the German engineering federation VDMA in Frankfurt, said the form-filling is challenging, and many companies are unable to comply.
\n
"You have to get paperwork from the supplier to the supplier to the supplier," he said.
\n
"That is pretty much impossible… (European Commission President Ursula) von der Leyen speaks of stability, for our industry, (but) that is 100 percent not true. The bureaucratic hurdles are so high that some companies have just stopped exporting to the US."
\n
Companies that manage to negotiate the paperwork and ship products to the US will pass their extra costs on to customers, Krone was quoted as saying.
\n
"If the farmers' prices go up, then at the end of the day it is the US citizen who goes into (the store) who has to pay more for their daily goods."
\n
The US and the EU are preparing for a new round of negotiations on the next steps for their trade deal, with Washington eager to talk about the EU's new legislation around the digital and technology sectors, and its rules related to corporate compliance and climate-related regulations.
\n
The EU wants to ensure it retains regulatory autonomy and hopes to negotiate a lower tariff on steel and aluminum and their derivatives, insiders were said to have told Bloomberg News.
\n
earle@mail.chinadailyuk.com
\n",
+ "content": "\n
Fresh United States import tariffs are having unforeseen effects on many companies and industries, one of Europe's largest farm machinery companies says.
\n
The Guardian quoted Krone Agriculture, whose headquarters are in Lower Saxony, Germany, and which employs 10,000 people, as saying it has temporarily stopped exporting large pieces of farm machinery to the US because of little-known new tariffs on products that have steel components or steel derivatives.
\n
Bernard Krone, the company's chairman, was quoted as saying the new tariffs, not mentioned in a deal the US struck with the European Union in July, have stalled the company's exports to the US, which was its second-largest market, worth $130 million a year.
\n
The initial deal that calls for a blanket 15 percent tariff on EU exports was followed by the publication of a list of products deemed to include steel derivatives, Krone was quoted as saying.
\n
"That list was very alarming for us. Nobody could tell us what to do. Did the tariffs depend on weight, origin or the price of raw steel?"
\n
The steel derivatives list comprises 407 items, including knitting needles, combine harvesters, barbecues, fridges, dishwashers, elevators and wind turbines.
\n
Companies wanting to export any of those items to the US now need to provide detailed paperwork that sets out the origin, weight and value of their steel components. The US then uses the information to calculate how much in tariffs must be paid at the higher, 50 percent, rate.
\n
Oliver Richtberg, head of foreign trade at the German engineering federation VDMA in Frankfurt, said the form-filling is challenging, and many companies are unable to comply.
\n
"You have to get paperwork from the supplier to the supplier to the supplier," he said.
\n
"That is pretty much impossible… (European Commission President Ursula) von der Leyen speaks of stability, for our industry, (but) that is 100 percent not true. The bureaucratic hurdles are so high that some companies have just stopped exporting to the US."
\n
Companies that manage to negotiate the paperwork and ship products to the US will pass their extra costs on to customers, Krone was quoted as saying.
\n
"If the farmers' prices go up, then at the end of the day it is the US citizen who goes into (the store) who has to pay more for their daily goods."
\n
The US and the EU are preparing for a new round of negotiations on the next steps for their trade deal, with Washington eager to talk about the EU's new legislation around the digital and technology sectors, and its rules related to corporate compliance and climate-related regulations.
\n
The EU wants to ensure it retains regulatory autonomy and hopes to negotiate a lower tariff on steel and aluminum and their derivatives, insiders were said to have told Bloomberg News.
SpaceX's megarocket Starship begins its 11th test flight from Starbase, Texas, on Monday.
\n
WASHINGTON — SpaceX launched its 11th Starship rocket from Texas on Monday and landed it in the Indian Ocean, the last flight before the US company begins test-launching a new version of the giant rocket outfitted with more features for moon and Mars missions.
\n
Starship, which includes the Starship upper stage stacked atop its Super Heavy booster, launched at 6:23 pm from SpaceX's Starbase facilities. After sending the Starship stage to space, Super Heavy returned for a soft water landing in the Gulf of Mexico seven minutes after liftoff, testing a landing engine configuration before blowing itself up.
\n
Its last mission, in August, ended a streak of testing failures earlier this year. Monday's flight was similar to the previous one, again deploying a batch of mock Starlink satellites, briefly re-lighting its engines in space and testing new heat shield tiles during its blazing hot return from space before splashing down west of Australia.
\n
Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy said on X that the mission was "another major step toward landing Americans on the moon's south pole".
\n
SpaceX, in future tests, expects to launch a more advanced Starship prototype, tailored with upgrades essential for long-duration missions in space, the company said on Monday.
\n
That includes docking adapters and other hardware changes key to orbital refueling, a complex process involving two Starships docking in orbit to transfer hundreds of tons of super-cooled propellant.
\n
The upgraded prototype "is really the vehicle that could take humans to the moon and Mars", SpaceX's President Gwynne Shotwell said at a conference in Paris last month.
\n
"So that's really the one we want to get to."
\n
Shotwell said she expected that iteration of Starship to fly by year's end or early next year. SpaceX's chief executive Elon Musk has said he expects a refueling mission with two Starships to occur next year, a goal that NASA in 2024 expected to happen this year.
\n
Refueling is one of many remaining testing objectives required before the rocket carries humans to the lunar surface, which is scheduled for 2027.
\n
Many Starship tankers are needed to fill up one Starship with enough fuel for a moon landing under SpaceX's proposed moonshot plan.
\n",
+ "content": "
SpaceX's megarocket Starship begins its 11th test flight from Starbase, Texas, on Monday.
\n
WASHINGTON — SpaceX launched its 11th Starship rocket from Texas on Monday and landed it in the Indian Ocean, the last flight before the US company begins test-launching a new version of the giant rocket outfitted with more features for moon and Mars missions.
\n
Starship, which includes the Starship upper stage stacked atop its Super Heavy booster, launched at 6:23 pm from SpaceX's Starbase facilities. After sending the Starship stage to space, Super Heavy returned for a soft water landing in the Gulf of Mexico seven minutes after liftoff, testing a landing engine configuration before blowing itself up.
\n
Its last mission, in August, ended a streak of testing failures earlier this year. Monday's flight was similar to the previous one, again deploying a batch of mock Starlink satellites, briefly re-lighting its engines in space and testing new heat shield tiles during its blazing hot return from space before splashing down west of Australia.
\n
Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy said on X that the mission was "another major step toward landing Americans on the moon's south pole".
\n
SpaceX, in future tests, expects to launch a more advanced Starship prototype, tailored with upgrades essential for long-duration missions in space, the company said on Monday.
\n
That includes docking adapters and other hardware changes key to orbital refueling, a complex process involving two Starships docking in orbit to transfer hundreds of tons of super-cooled propellant.
\n
The upgraded prototype "is really the vehicle that could take humans to the moon and Mars", SpaceX's President Gwynne Shotwell said at a conference in Paris last month.
\n
"So that's really the one we want to get to."
\n
Shotwell said she expected that iteration of Starship to fly by year's end or early next year. SpaceX's chief executive Elon Musk has said he expects a refueling mission with two Starships to occur next year, a goal that NASA in 2024 expected to happen this year.
\n
Refueling is one of many remaining testing objectives required before the rocket carries humans to the lunar surface, which is scheduled for 2027.
\n
Many Starship tankers are needed to fill up one Starship with enough fuel for a moon landing under SpaceX's proposed moonshot plan.
Grass overtakes an abandoned vineyard in northern California during the 2025 harvest season. Grapevines with yellowed, withered leaves remain unpicked as wine growers face mounting pressures from oversupply, rising costs and tariffs.
\n\n
From the sprawling vineyards of the Central Valley to the prestigious hillsides of Napa Valley, California's wine growers are facing a troubling harvest season.
\n
Rows of unpicked grapes shrivel under the autumn sun, their leaves yellowed and curled. Once-neatly trimmed vines droop under the weight of fruit clusters. In some areas, bulldozers plow through what were productive vineyards just months ago, ripping decades-old rootstock from the soil.
\n
The abandoned vineyards reveal growing pressures on an industry that has helped shape California's agricultural economy and international reputation.
\n
"It is sad. A lot of people's identity is tied up in their family farm, and there's a real challenge right now that is making it difficult," Stuart Spencer, executive director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission, told China Daily.
\n
"Most of them are family farms. They're getting out of the business," Spencer said. "They're either putting the property up for sale or looking to lease the ground to somebody else." His organization represents winegrowers and winemakers in Lodi, a major wine-producing region in California's Central Valley.
\n
Growers are in the midst of a harvest that started in early September and runs through late October. Despite favorable crop conditions and a good growing season, this year's harvest will be the smallest in decades because many grapes have gone unsold and won't be picked.
\n
Spencer described the situation as "a crisis" that has gripped the Central Valley for two years, with this year the worst yet. "It's widespread across California," he said.
\n
Over the past two years, an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 tons of California wine grapes — enough to fill 500 million to 650 million bottles — were left rotting on the vine because growers couldn't find buyers, according to Spencer.
\n
The crisis has hit independent growers particularly hard. Nearly 80 percent of California wine grapes are grown by independent farmers, and in the Central Valley, more than 90 percent of growers operate independently, Spencer said.
\n
Many independent growers have abandoned their vineyards rather than face a difficult choice: walk away and lose their investment or farm all year only to lose money at harvest, said Jeff Bitter, president of Allied Grape Growers.
\n
"It's a losing situation all the way around," Bitter told China Daily.
\n
"It has happened before, but this is the worst I've ever seen it, and I've been doing this for almost 30 years," said Bitter, a fourth-generation grape grower in Madera County.
\n
Both Bitter and Spencer point to multiple factors driving the crisis, including oversupply of wine, weakening consumer demand, and rising costs from inflation and labor shortages. But tariffs and trade policies have compounded these challenges, putting California producers at a disadvantage against heavily subsidized competitors in Europe.
\n
Trade disadvantages
\n
"The trade issues have affected demand for California wine globally," Spencer said. "Part of it is an anti-American attitude. That's what's going on in Canada. On the supply chain side of things, there are a lot of pressures."
\n
Earlier this year, the Trump administration imposed tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum shipped to the United States. In response, the Canadian government announced a 25 percent tariff in March on US wine, beer and other alcoholic beverages, prompting most Canadian distributors to pull American wines from shelves and cancel orders.
\n
After nearly six months of negotiations, Canada lifted the retaliatory tariff effective Sept 1, but most Canadian provinces have not returned American wines to store shelves, keeping California producers shut out of their largest export market.
\n
"Exports are horrible because of the tariffs," said Scott Meadows, CEO of Maxville Winery in Napa Valley, who has more than 20 years of experience in winemaking and management. "No one's exporting the volumes that we used to."
\n
"Canada was the top export market for all Napa wines, and that's been shut off completely thanks to the tariffs," Meadows said. "So we're not sending it all to Canada, and it's really hurting us."
\n
For California wineries, the damage from retaliatory tariffs represents only part of the fallout. The tariffs have driven up costs for key imports needed for wine production, including glass bottles largely sourced from China and Mexico, corks and barrels from Europe, and labels and packaging materials from around the world.
\n
"Tariffs are a real problem," Meadows told China Daily. "If we buy some equipment, for example, a forklift, one of the most important pieces of equipment that a winery has, the parts are mostly made in foreign countries."
\n
"When a forklift breaks down and you need a part, it used to cost maybe $300 to fix it. Now it might cost $600 or $800 because the tariffs have bumped up all those prices. So we've definitely felt that," he said.
\n
Tariffs have also driven up expenses for everything from tractors to production equipment throughout their estate. "So long term, that's going to hurt us. Because as we start to go through the harvest and figure out what our costs are at the end of the year, that's certainly going to impact our wine," said Meadows.
\n
There is always interest in the Chinese market, but trade-related issues have made it more challenging to develop that market, said Spencer.
\n
He pointed to tariffs imposed on US wines entering China as countermeasures against US tariffs on Chinese goods in 2018 during Trump's first term. The trade disputes led to a combined tax rate exceeding 90 percent for US wines.
\n
"I think everyone on the business side wants consistency, like developing an export market in China," he said. "We have vendors in Asia now looking at doing business there. But I think the opportunities have been less in recent years because of the up-and-down trade relations."
\n
Bitter urged the Trump administration to carefully administer tariff and trade policies to avoid exposing the US wine industry to global discrimination.
\n
The constant policy shifts have created an environment of uncertainty that makes long-term planning difficult, Bitter said.
\n
liazhu@chinadailyusa.com
\n",
+ "content": "
Grass overtakes an abandoned vineyard in northern California during the 2025 harvest season. Grapevines with yellowed, withered leaves remain unpicked as wine growers face mounting pressures from oversupply, rising costs and tariffs.
\n\n
From the sprawling vineyards of the Central Valley to the prestigious hillsides of Napa Valley, California's wine growers are facing a troubling harvest season.
\n
Rows of unpicked grapes shrivel under the autumn sun, their leaves yellowed and curled. Once-neatly trimmed vines droop under the weight of fruit clusters. In some areas, bulldozers plow through what were productive vineyards just months ago, ripping decades-old rootstock from the soil.
\n
The abandoned vineyards reveal growing pressures on an industry that has helped shape California's agricultural economy and international reputation.
\n
"It is sad. A lot of people's identity is tied up in their family farm, and there's a real challenge right now that is making it difficult," Stuart Spencer, executive director of the Lodi Winegrape Commission, told China Daily.
\n
"Most of them are family farms. They're getting out of the business," Spencer said. "They're either putting the property up for sale or looking to lease the ground to somebody else." His organization represents winegrowers and winemakers in Lodi, a major wine-producing region in California's Central Valley.
\n
Growers are in the midst of a harvest that started in early September and runs through late October. Despite favorable crop conditions and a good growing season, this year's harvest will be the smallest in decades because many grapes have gone unsold and won't be picked.
\n
Spencer described the situation as "a crisis" that has gripped the Central Valley for two years, with this year the worst yet. "It's widespread across California," he said.
\n
Over the past two years, an estimated 600,000 to 800,000 tons of California wine grapes — enough to fill 500 million to 650 million bottles — were left rotting on the vine because growers couldn't find buyers, according to Spencer.
\n
The crisis has hit independent growers particularly hard. Nearly 80 percent of California wine grapes are grown by independent farmers, and in the Central Valley, more than 90 percent of growers operate independently, Spencer said.
\n
Many independent growers have abandoned their vineyards rather than face a difficult choice: walk away and lose their investment or farm all year only to lose money at harvest, said Jeff Bitter, president of Allied Grape Growers.
\n
"It's a losing situation all the way around," Bitter told China Daily.
\n
"It has happened before, but this is the worst I've ever seen it, and I've been doing this for almost 30 years," said Bitter, a fourth-generation grape grower in Madera County.
\n
Both Bitter and Spencer point to multiple factors driving the crisis, including oversupply of wine, weakening consumer demand, and rising costs from inflation and labor shortages. But tariffs and trade policies have compounded these challenges, putting California producers at a disadvantage against heavily subsidized competitors in Europe.
\n
Trade disadvantages
\n
"The trade issues have affected demand for California wine globally," Spencer said. "Part of it is an anti-American attitude. That's what's going on in Canada. On the supply chain side of things, there are a lot of pressures."
\n
Earlier this year, the Trump administration imposed tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum shipped to the United States. In response, the Canadian government announced a 25 percent tariff in March on US wine, beer and other alcoholic beverages, prompting most Canadian distributors to pull American wines from shelves and cancel orders.
\n
After nearly six months of negotiations, Canada lifted the retaliatory tariff effective Sept 1, but most Canadian provinces have not returned American wines to store shelves, keeping California producers shut out of their largest export market.
\n
"Exports are horrible because of the tariffs," said Scott Meadows, CEO of Maxville Winery in Napa Valley, who has more than 20 years of experience in winemaking and management. "No one's exporting the volumes that we used to."
\n
"Canada was the top export market for all Napa wines, and that's been shut off completely thanks to the tariffs," Meadows said. "So we're not sending it all to Canada, and it's really hurting us."
\n
For California wineries, the damage from retaliatory tariffs represents only part of the fallout. The tariffs have driven up costs for key imports needed for wine production, including glass bottles largely sourced from China and Mexico, corks and barrels from Europe, and labels and packaging materials from around the world.
\n
"Tariffs are a real problem," Meadows told China Daily. "If we buy some equipment, for example, a forklift, one of the most important pieces of equipment that a winery has, the parts are mostly made in foreign countries."
\n
"When a forklift breaks down and you need a part, it used to cost maybe $300 to fix it. Now it might cost $600 or $800 because the tariffs have bumped up all those prices. So we've definitely felt that," he said.
\n
Tariffs have also driven up expenses for everything from tractors to production equipment throughout their estate. "So long term, that's going to hurt us. Because as we start to go through the harvest and figure out what our costs are at the end of the year, that's certainly going to impact our wine," said Meadows.
\n
There is always interest in the Chinese market, but trade-related issues have made it more challenging to develop that market, said Spencer.
\n
He pointed to tariffs imposed on US wines entering China as countermeasures against US tariffs on Chinese goods in 2018 during Trump's first term. The trade disputes led to a combined tax rate exceeding 90 percent for US wines.
\n
"I think everyone on the business side wants consistency, like developing an export market in China," he said. "We have vendors in Asia now looking at doing business there. But I think the opportunities have been less in recent years because of the up-and-down trade relations."
\n
Bitter urged the Trump administration to carefully administer tariff and trade policies to avoid exposing the US wine industry to global discrimination.
\n
The constant policy shifts have created an environment of uncertainty that makes long-term planning difficult, Bitter said.
MOSCOW/KYIV — Russian forces attacked Ukraine's second-largest city Kharkiv with bombs on Monday, knocking out power to 30,000 customers in three districts, local officials said.
\n
The regional governor Oleh Syniehubov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said Russian forces used guided bombs to attack two districts in the southeast and another district in the north of the city.
\n
The Mayor, Ihor Terekhov, said the three bombs damaged a hospital and hit power transmission lines. Nearly 30,000 customers had been affected by power cuts.
\n
Four people had been injured, most by flying glass, with some patients being transferred to different wards, he said.
\n
"Unfortunately, the hospital was badly damaged, and there were patients inside. Four people were injured to various degrees, and about 200 windows were smashed."
\n
In recent weeks Russian forces have concentrated their attacks on targets associated with Ukraine's electricity grid and gas industry as winter approaches.
\n
A mass attack on Kyiv and other centers last week left more than a million households and businesses temporarily without power across the country. Water supplies were also disrupted.
\n
In the city of Kostiantynivka, in eastern Donetsk region, one of the prime targets of Russia's slow advance through the area, a Russian drone attack on Monday killed two people in a car, the head of the city's military administration said.
\n
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that he will travel to the United States this week for talks on the potential US provision of long-range weapons, a day after US President Donald Trump warned Russia that he may send Kyiv long-range Tomahawk missiles.
\n
A meeting between Zelensky and Trump could take place as early as Friday, the Ukrainian president said, adding that he would also meet defense and energy companies and members of Congress.
\n
"The main topics will be air defense and our long-range capabilities, to maintain pressure on Russia," Zelensky said.
\n
The US visit will follow what Zelensky described as a "very productive" phone call with Trump on Sunday. Trump later warned Russia that the US may send Ukraine long-range Tomahawk missiles if Moscow does not settle its fighting there soon.
\n
After that warning, Russia said there were no plans for a call between Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin.
\n
"There are no clear agreements on a phone conversation yet," the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
\n
Moscow has expressed "extreme concern" over the US potentially providing Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. Putin himself has previously suggested that the US supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine would seriously damage relations between Russia and the US.
\n",
+ "content": "
MOSCOW/KYIV — Russian forces attacked Ukraine's second-largest city Kharkiv with bombs on Monday, knocking out power to 30,000 customers in three districts, local officials said.
\n
The regional governor Oleh Syniehubov, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said Russian forces used guided bombs to attack two districts in the southeast and another district in the north of the city.
\n
The Mayor, Ihor Terekhov, said the three bombs damaged a hospital and hit power transmission lines. Nearly 30,000 customers had been affected by power cuts.
\n
Four people had been injured, most by flying glass, with some patients being transferred to different wards, he said.
\n
"Unfortunately, the hospital was badly damaged, and there were patients inside. Four people were injured to various degrees, and about 200 windows were smashed."
\n
In recent weeks Russian forces have concentrated their attacks on targets associated with Ukraine's electricity grid and gas industry as winter approaches.
\n
A mass attack on Kyiv and other centers last week left more than a million households and businesses temporarily without power across the country. Water supplies were also disrupted.
\n
In the city of Kostiantynivka, in eastern Donetsk region, one of the prime targets of Russia's slow advance through the area, a Russian drone attack on Monday killed two people in a car, the head of the city's military administration said.
\n
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that he will travel to the United States this week for talks on the potential US provision of long-range weapons, a day after US President Donald Trump warned Russia that he may send Kyiv long-range Tomahawk missiles.
\n
A meeting between Zelensky and Trump could take place as early as Friday, the Ukrainian president said, adding that he would also meet defense and energy companies and members of Congress.
\n
"The main topics will be air defense and our long-range capabilities, to maintain pressure on Russia," Zelensky said.
\n
The US visit will follow what Zelensky described as a "very productive" phone call with Trump on Sunday. Trump later warned Russia that the US may send Ukraine long-range Tomahawk missiles if Moscow does not settle its fighting there soon.
\n
After that warning, Russia said there were no plans for a call between Trump and Russia's President Vladimir Putin.
\n
"There are no clear agreements on a phone conversation yet," the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
\n
Moscow has expressed "extreme concern" over the US potentially providing Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. Putin himself has previously suggested that the US supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine would seriously damage relations between Russia and the US.
Foreign affairs officials to visit China this week
\n
High-level officials from France, Sweden and Canada will visit China this week, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian announced on Tuesday. According to Lin, Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to the French president, will be in China from Wednesday to Thursday for a new round of China-France Strategic Dialogue. From Thursday to Friday, Sweden's Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand will pay respective visits to China, the spokesman said.
\n
NAURU
\n
Incumbent president wins a second term
\n
Incumbent President David Adeang has been re-elected as president of Nauru for a second term following Saturday's national elections. The government of Nauru announced on social media that Adeang was elected unopposed as president during the inaugural sitting of the Micronesian nation's 25th parliament on Tuesday. Adeang has served as Nauru's president since October 2023 and as a member of parliament since 2001.
\n
FRANCE
\n
Ex-leader Sarkozy to go to prison on Oct 21
\n
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy will serve jail time at a Paris prison from Oct 21, informed sources told AFP on Monday, after a court last month sentenced him to five years behind bars for criminal conspiracy. Sarkozy, France's leader from 2007 to 2012, was convicted in late September over a scheme for late Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi to fund his 2007 presidential run. The 70-year-old will be the first French postwar leader and the first former head of a European Union country to go to jail.
\n
PAKISTAN
\n
Border closure with Afghanistan goes on
\n
The closure of border crossings for bilateral trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan entered a second day on Monday after deadly weekend clashes, officials said. The fighting began Saturday night, when Afghan forces struck multiple Pakistani military posts. Afghanistan officials claimed to have killed 58 Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan's military said it lost 23 soldiers and killed more than 200 "Taliban and affiliated terrorists". Foreign governments, including Saudi Arabia, urged restraint. A ceasefire appeared to be holding.
Foreign affairs officials to visit China this week
\n
High-level officials from France, Sweden and Canada will visit China this week, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian announced on Tuesday. According to Lin, Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to the French president, will be in China from Wednesday to Thursday for a new round of China-France Strategic Dialogue. From Thursday to Friday, Sweden's Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand will pay respective visits to China, the spokesman said.
\n
NAURU
\n
Incumbent president wins a second term
\n
Incumbent President David Adeang has been re-elected as president of Nauru for a second term following Saturday's national elections. The government of Nauru announced on social media that Adeang was elected unopposed as president during the inaugural sitting of the Micronesian nation's 25th parliament on Tuesday. Adeang has served as Nauru's president since October 2023 and as a member of parliament since 2001.
\n
FRANCE
\n
Ex-leader Sarkozy to go to prison on Oct 21
\n
Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy will serve jail time at a Paris prison from Oct 21, informed sources told AFP on Monday, after a court last month sentenced him to five years behind bars for criminal conspiracy. Sarkozy, France's leader from 2007 to 2012, was convicted in late September over a scheme for late Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi to fund his 2007 presidential run. The 70-year-old will be the first French postwar leader and the first former head of a European Union country to go to jail.
\n
PAKISTAN
\n
Border closure with Afghanistan goes on
\n
The closure of border crossings for bilateral trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan entered a second day on Monday after deadly weekend clashes, officials said. The fighting began Saturday night, when Afghan forces struck multiple Pakistani military posts. Afghanistan officials claimed to have killed 58 Pakistani soldiers. Pakistan's military said it lost 23 soldiers and killed more than 200 "Taliban and affiliated terrorists". Foreign governments, including Saudi Arabia, urged restraint. A ceasefire appeared to be holding.
A pupil tries out AI glasses at a primary school in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu province.
\n
The growing influence of artificial intelligence in China's educational system is creating significant opportunities for domestic education technology firms, including ed-tech giant Gaotu Group, to capitalize on demand for AI-powered learning solutions, a company executive said.
\n
The rapid integration of AI in Chinese higher education isn't just a technological evolution, it's creating a massive and clear business opportunities for domestic education technology firms, said Luo Bin, cofounder of Gaotu.
\n
"We see this burgeoning trend as a pivotal moment," he said.
\n
"As AI increasingly shapes China's education landscape, there's an urgent demand for companies like ours to provide innovative, AI-enhanced learning experiences and tools that meet the evolving needs of both institutions and students."
\n
Gaotu Group announced the establishment of the "Gaotu-Renmin University of China AI Smart Education Joint Laboratory" in collaboration with the Gaoling Artificial Intelligence Institute of Renmin University of China in September.
\n
The collaboration, eyeing to further integrate industrial practice and academic research advantages, will jointly explore a new paradigm of AI education focusing on deep reasoning and enhanced retrieval of large models and intelligent agents, it said.
\n
"The shift toward AI-integrated curriculum across Chinese universities is a strong signal for the ed-tech market. It tells us that our investment in AI capabilities and educational systems is not just future-proofing, but directly addressing a present and growing need that generates significant opportunities for growth," said Luo.
\n
The deep integration of AI in education is rapidly advancing the deployment and widespread adoption of various innovative educational scenarios, said Wang Xiaohu, deputy head of Renmin University.
\n
Industry experts believe AI models are being integrated into educational and tutoring services at an accelerated pace, driven by China's national ambition for technological leadership and the intense desire of parents to enhance their children's achievements.
\n
A recent survey conducted by the MyCos Institute, a Chinese higher-education research body, indicates that generative AI has achieved near-universal adoption on university campuses.
\n
Nearly 60 percent said they engaged with these tools frequently — either daily or several times a week, it said.
\n
Leading Chinese universities such as Renmin University have already introduced AI courses that are open to all students, which signifies an evolving national dedication to enhancing AI literacy across the educational spectrum, said Luo.
\n
A report by Stanford University's Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence on global AI attitudes revealed that China leads the world in its eagerness for AI, with around 80 percent of Chinese respondents expressing excitement about new AI services, significantly higher than the 35 percent in the United States and 38 percent in the United Kingdom.
\n
Most top Chinese universities have added interdisciplinary AI general education classes, AI-related degree programs and AI literacy modules in the past year.
\n
Tsinghua University is establishing a new undergraduate college focused on training students in AI alongside a traditional discipline, such as biology, healthcare, science or the humanities.
\n
These follow new national guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education in April, advocating extensive "AI+ education "reforms across all educational stages, with the goal of fostering critical thinking, digital literacy and practical skills.
\n
Further demonstrating this commitment, the Beijing municipal government mandated AI education in all its schools, from primary to university level, earlier this year.
\n
According to Luo, while some regions abroad lean more toward open-ended, project-based teaching, requiring students to conduct extensive research, China mostly follows a relatively structured educational model, which naturally impacts AI tool usage.
\n
This divergence, however, is rapidly diminishing, as project-based learning is gaining traction. Domestic basic education has also begun to explicitly integrate AI, computer and internet-related content, he said.
\n
Major Chinese tech players such as ByteDance, Alibaba, and Tencent are actively engaging with the education sector, mirroring global counterparts like OpenAI and Anthropic.
\n
Luo underscored their strategic interest in university students, a crucial future demographic for their products and services.
\n
"University students will soon graduate and enter society, becoming potential customers," Luo explained, noting tech companies aim to capture this group at the university stage to cultivate usage habits early for business and brand benefits, alongside a "public welfare" aspect.
\n
While AI tool usage among Chinese university students is high and diverse, Luo highlighted that the real challenge lies in cultivating varying levels of AI literacy in a systematic manner.
\n
"Currently, how to systematically cultivate students' abilities at these different levels within universities is not yet fully standardized," he said.
\n
"While universities would likely offer more courses on fundamental AI cognition, practical AI skills acquisition might be more market-driven due to the rapid iteration of tools. Conversely, universities, with their inherent strengths in research and innovation, are ideally positioned to lead the integration of AI into scientific inquiry and advanced problem-solving."
\n
zhengxin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
A pupil tries out AI glasses at a primary school in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu province.
\n
The growing influence of artificial intelligence in China's educational system is creating significant opportunities for domestic education technology firms, including ed-tech giant Gaotu Group, to capitalize on demand for AI-powered learning solutions, a company executive said.
\n
The rapid integration of AI in Chinese higher education isn't just a technological evolution, it's creating a massive and clear business opportunities for domestic education technology firms, said Luo Bin, cofounder of Gaotu.
\n
"We see this burgeoning trend as a pivotal moment," he said.
\n
"As AI increasingly shapes China's education landscape, there's an urgent demand for companies like ours to provide innovative, AI-enhanced learning experiences and tools that meet the evolving needs of both institutions and students."
\n
Gaotu Group announced the establishment of the "Gaotu-Renmin University of China AI Smart Education Joint Laboratory" in collaboration with the Gaoling Artificial Intelligence Institute of Renmin University of China in September.
\n
The collaboration, eyeing to further integrate industrial practice and academic research advantages, will jointly explore a new paradigm of AI education focusing on deep reasoning and enhanced retrieval of large models and intelligent agents, it said.
\n
"The shift toward AI-integrated curriculum across Chinese universities is a strong signal for the ed-tech market. It tells us that our investment in AI capabilities and educational systems is not just future-proofing, but directly addressing a present and growing need that generates significant opportunities for growth," said Luo.
\n
The deep integration of AI in education is rapidly advancing the deployment and widespread adoption of various innovative educational scenarios, said Wang Xiaohu, deputy head of Renmin University.
\n
Industry experts believe AI models are being integrated into educational and tutoring services at an accelerated pace, driven by China's national ambition for technological leadership and the intense desire of parents to enhance their children's achievements.
\n
A recent survey conducted by the MyCos Institute, a Chinese higher-education research body, indicates that generative AI has achieved near-universal adoption on university campuses.
\n
Nearly 60 percent said they engaged with these tools frequently — either daily or several times a week, it said.
\n
Leading Chinese universities such as Renmin University have already introduced AI courses that are open to all students, which signifies an evolving national dedication to enhancing AI literacy across the educational spectrum, said Luo.
\n
A report by Stanford University's Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence on global AI attitudes revealed that China leads the world in its eagerness for AI, with around 80 percent of Chinese respondents expressing excitement about new AI services, significantly higher than the 35 percent in the United States and 38 percent in the United Kingdom.
\n
Most top Chinese universities have added interdisciplinary AI general education classes, AI-related degree programs and AI literacy modules in the past year.
\n
Tsinghua University is establishing a new undergraduate college focused on training students in AI alongside a traditional discipline, such as biology, healthcare, science or the humanities.
\n
These follow new national guidelines issued by the Ministry of Education in April, advocating extensive "AI+ education "reforms across all educational stages, with the goal of fostering critical thinking, digital literacy and practical skills.
\n
Further demonstrating this commitment, the Beijing municipal government mandated AI education in all its schools, from primary to university level, earlier this year.
\n
According to Luo, while some regions abroad lean more toward open-ended, project-based teaching, requiring students to conduct extensive research, China mostly follows a relatively structured educational model, which naturally impacts AI tool usage.
\n
This divergence, however, is rapidly diminishing, as project-based learning is gaining traction. Domestic basic education has also begun to explicitly integrate AI, computer and internet-related content, he said.
\n
Major Chinese tech players such as ByteDance, Alibaba, and Tencent are actively engaging with the education sector, mirroring global counterparts like OpenAI and Anthropic.
\n
Luo underscored their strategic interest in university students, a crucial future demographic for their products and services.
\n
"University students will soon graduate and enter society, becoming potential customers," Luo explained, noting tech companies aim to capture this group at the university stage to cultivate usage habits early for business and brand benefits, alongside a "public welfare" aspect.
\n
While AI tool usage among Chinese university students is high and diverse, Luo highlighted that the real challenge lies in cultivating varying levels of AI literacy in a systematic manner.
\n
"Currently, how to systematically cultivate students' abilities at these different levels within universities is not yet fully standardized," he said.
\n
"While universities would likely offer more courses on fundamental AI cognition, practical AI skills acquisition might be more market-driven due to the rapid iteration of tools. Conversely, universities, with their inherent strengths in research and innovation, are ideally positioned to lead the integration of AI into scientific inquiry and advanced problem-solving."
China has made substantial improvements in ensuring reliable electricity supply in recent years, leading to a significant drop in power outages across both urban and rural regions, said officials and industry experts.
\n
For the past 40 years, China's electricity reliability has been among the best globally. Last year, the power supply reliability rate reached around 99.97 percent in urban areas and 99.91 percent in rural areas, demonstrating a world-leading level, said Lu Junling, chief economist of the National Energy Administration.
\n
As technology advances and information breakthroughs like AI develop, the intelligence level of power equipment and technical standards have been continuously increasing, said Lu, adding that this provides new perspectives and tools for managing electricity reliability.
\n
The China Electricity Council said significant investment and technological progress have positioned China as the operator of the world's most advanced power grid.
\n
Figures released by the council reveal that national power supply reliability rose to 99.924 percent last year, a dramatic increase compared to that of the early 1990s, when urban households experienced an average of 96.54 hours of power outages each year.
\n
Lu said that with new energy resources progressively dominating both installed power generation capacity and overall electricity supply in the future, the large-scale integration of renewable energy into the grid network is expected to lead to significant changes in both electricity supply and consumption patterns.
\n
Concurrently, the recent widespread deployment of new equipment and technologies, while boosting production efficiency, also introduces new challenges, imposing elevated requirements on electricity reliability management, he said.
\n
State grid operators across the country have been stepping up efforts and investment to enhance its capacity to absorb distributed renewable energy.
\n
China Southern Power Grid, for example, vowed to continue increasing investment in rural grid construction. It has invested over 170 billion yuan ($23.68 billion) in rural grid networks during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), with 31.2 billion yuan allocated for this year.
\n
Investments will be further increased during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30) to improve the situation, it said.
\n",
+ "content": "\n
China has made substantial improvements in ensuring reliable electricity supply in recent years, leading to a significant drop in power outages across both urban and rural regions, said officials and industry experts.
\n
For the past 40 years, China's electricity reliability has been among the best globally. Last year, the power supply reliability rate reached around 99.97 percent in urban areas and 99.91 percent in rural areas, demonstrating a world-leading level, said Lu Junling, chief economist of the National Energy Administration.
\n
As technology advances and information breakthroughs like AI develop, the intelligence level of power equipment and technical standards have been continuously increasing, said Lu, adding that this provides new perspectives and tools for managing electricity reliability.
\n
The China Electricity Council said significant investment and technological progress have positioned China as the operator of the world's most advanced power grid.
\n
Figures released by the council reveal that national power supply reliability rose to 99.924 percent last year, a dramatic increase compared to that of the early 1990s, when urban households experienced an average of 96.54 hours of power outages each year.
\n
Lu said that with new energy resources progressively dominating both installed power generation capacity and overall electricity supply in the future, the large-scale integration of renewable energy into the grid network is expected to lead to significant changes in both electricity supply and consumption patterns.
\n
Concurrently, the recent widespread deployment of new equipment and technologies, while boosting production efficiency, also introduces new challenges, imposing elevated requirements on electricity reliability management, he said.
\n
State grid operators across the country have been stepping up efforts and investment to enhance its capacity to absorb distributed renewable energy.
\n
China Southern Power Grid, for example, vowed to continue increasing investment in rural grid construction. It has invested over 170 billion yuan ($23.68 billion) in rural grid networks during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), with 31.2 billion yuan allocated for this year.
\n
Investments will be further increased during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30) to improve the situation, it said.
China's corporate sales revenue has maintained a steady upward trajectory this year, underscoring continued signs of resilience in the wider economy, according to the latest tax data.
\n
The State Taxation Administration said on Tuesday that year-on-year growth of quarterly corporate sales revenue had reached 2.1 percent, 3.1 percent and 4.4 percent in the first, second and third quarters of 2025, respectively, marking a consistent recovery in business performance nationwide.
\n
Economists believe these figures reflect the effectiveness of the government's countercyclical policy measures implemented since September last year.
\n
"The data confirmed that corporate profitability gradually improved, consumer vitality continued to expand, and the overall economy moved on a stable and positive path," said Chen Binkai, vice-president of Central University of Finance and Economics.
\n
Tuesday's data also revealed that the country's tax revenue, before export rebate deductions, has posted positive growth for eight consecutive months since February, with cumulative gains steadily widening. In the second and third quarters, tax revenues rose 2.6 percent and 6.9 percent year-on-year, respectively.
\n
The administration highlighted the strong tax collection achieved in the third quarter of 2025, particularly in September, and attributed this robust growth to improving economic conditions, a narrowing decline in producer prices, and a relatively low base in the same period last year.
\n
The manufacturing sector continued to play a pivotal role, accounting for 31 percent of total tax revenue and contributing 48 percent of the overall increase. In particular, high-end manufacturing grew at a faster pace, signaling progress in industrial upgrading.
\n
Among major tax categories, domestic value-added tax revenue rose 3.2 percent year-on-year, while corporate income tax revenue increased by 4.1 percent, suggesting improved business performances.
\n",
+ "content": "
China's corporate sales revenue has maintained a steady upward trajectory this year, underscoring continued signs of resilience in the wider economy, according to the latest tax data.
\n
The State Taxation Administration said on Tuesday that year-on-year growth of quarterly corporate sales revenue had reached 2.1 percent, 3.1 percent and 4.4 percent in the first, second and third quarters of 2025, respectively, marking a consistent recovery in business performance nationwide.
\n
Economists believe these figures reflect the effectiveness of the government's countercyclical policy measures implemented since September last year.
\n
"The data confirmed that corporate profitability gradually improved, consumer vitality continued to expand, and the overall economy moved on a stable and positive path," said Chen Binkai, vice-president of Central University of Finance and Economics.
\n
Tuesday's data also revealed that the country's tax revenue, before export rebate deductions, has posted positive growth for eight consecutive months since February, with cumulative gains steadily widening. In the second and third quarters, tax revenues rose 2.6 percent and 6.9 percent year-on-year, respectively.
\n
The administration highlighted the strong tax collection achieved in the third quarter of 2025, particularly in September, and attributed this robust growth to improving economic conditions, a narrowing decline in producer prices, and a relatively low base in the same period last year.
\n
The manufacturing sector continued to play a pivotal role, accounting for 31 percent of total tax revenue and contributing 48 percent of the overall increase. In particular, high-end manufacturing grew at a faster pace, signaling progress in industrial upgrading.
\n
Among major tax categories, domestic value-added tax revenue rose 3.2 percent year-on-year, while corporate income tax revenue increased by 4.1 percent, suggesting improved business performances.
Shanghai has set a goal of exporting 50,000 used cars annually by 2027, a move experts expect will boost the city's auto industry from both the supply and demand sides and further improve the integrity of the industrial chain.
\n
"Against the backdrop of a sluggish global economy, consumer demand for automobiles is becoming increasingly diverse. However, demand for used cars in overseas markets is growing, presenting opportunities for Chinese companies," said Sun Lijian, director of the Financial Research Center at Fudan University.
\n
"Better meeting the preferences of different income groups will support the healthier development of the auto sector," Sun said.
\n
On Sept 12, Shanghai unveiled a 13-point action plan to promote used car exports, setting a target of raising annual exports to 50,000 units by 2027, according to a notice issued by the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce on Sept 11.
\n
"Shanghai is moving to streamline used car circulation and boost exports by developing a full-chain international trade service platform," the notice said.
\n
The initiative aims to upgrade the city's auto sector and reinforce its role as a global trade hub. By 2027, Shanghai plans to foster three to five leading exporters, with annual exports estimated to reach 50,000 vehicles.
\n
The notice added that a comprehensive service platform for used car exports will be built, with greater support to expand export volume, new facilitation measures and enhanced export-related services.
\n
"China's used car exports are entering a golden period driven by both policy incentives and surging market demand," Luo Lei, vice-president of the China Automobile Dealers Association, was quoted as saying by Economic Daily during an industry conference.
\n
"With more than 400 million vehicles in operation, a mature supply chain and cost-effective models, China has a solid foundation for export growth," Luo said.
\n
Official figures show that China exported more than 400,000 used cars in 2024, reaching more than 160 countries and regions, with the business becoming a new force in driving auto consumption and industrial upgrading.
\n
At the same time, experts said the sector needs a coordinated development framework led by government, driven by enterprises and supported by industry associations. Building standardized, internationalized service systems is seen as key to overcoming barriers in overseas markets and shaping a more competitive global circulation network.
\n
"As China integrates into global production, the consolidation of homegrown technologies and domestic supply chains has created one of the world's most complete industrial systems," said Sun, adding that the sustained development of such a comprehensive chain depends on both new quality productive forces on the supply side and a unified national market on the demand side.
\n
"Shanghai's latest policy is an extension of nationwide efforts," Sun said.
\n
To further promote used car exports, in February 2024, the Ministry of Commerce and four ministerial departments jointly issued a notice to launch a used car export business infrastructure.
\n
While strictly ensuring quality and safety, the notice encourages the establishment of export bases offering functions such as display and trading, maintenance, inspection and certification, Customs clearance, logistics and financial services.
\n
The notice also supports automakers in strengthening international marketing networks and leveraging brand and channel advantages to improve after-sales services for Chinese vehicles abroad.
\n
Earlier, in 2019, the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Public Security and General Administration of Customs issued a notice supporting used car exports in regions with mature conditions, marking the start of pilot exports.
\n
As the world's largest country in terms of both vehicle ownership and consumption, China has made significant progress in used car exports over the past five years. Chinese used cars are now sold to more than 140 countries and regions, supporting both stable and high-quality foreign trade and domestic auto consumption upgrades, People's Daily reported.
\n
wang_ying@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Shanghai has set a goal of exporting 50,000 used cars annually by 2027, a move experts expect will boost the city's auto industry from both the supply and demand sides and further improve the integrity of the industrial chain.
\n
"Against the backdrop of a sluggish global economy, consumer demand for automobiles is becoming increasingly diverse. However, demand for used cars in overseas markets is growing, presenting opportunities for Chinese companies," said Sun Lijian, director of the Financial Research Center at Fudan University.
\n
"Better meeting the preferences of different income groups will support the healthier development of the auto sector," Sun said.
\n
On Sept 12, Shanghai unveiled a 13-point action plan to promote used car exports, setting a target of raising annual exports to 50,000 units by 2027, according to a notice issued by the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Commerce on Sept 11.
\n
"Shanghai is moving to streamline used car circulation and boost exports by developing a full-chain international trade service platform," the notice said.
\n
The initiative aims to upgrade the city's auto sector and reinforce its role as a global trade hub. By 2027, Shanghai plans to foster three to five leading exporters, with annual exports estimated to reach 50,000 vehicles.
\n
The notice added that a comprehensive service platform for used car exports will be built, with greater support to expand export volume, new facilitation measures and enhanced export-related services.
\n
"China's used car exports are entering a golden period driven by both policy incentives and surging market demand," Luo Lei, vice-president of the China Automobile Dealers Association, was quoted as saying by Economic Daily during an industry conference.
\n
"With more than 400 million vehicles in operation, a mature supply chain and cost-effective models, China has a solid foundation for export growth," Luo said.
\n
Official figures show that China exported more than 400,000 used cars in 2024, reaching more than 160 countries and regions, with the business becoming a new force in driving auto consumption and industrial upgrading.
\n
At the same time, experts said the sector needs a coordinated development framework led by government, driven by enterprises and supported by industry associations. Building standardized, internationalized service systems is seen as key to overcoming barriers in overseas markets and shaping a more competitive global circulation network.
\n
"As China integrates into global production, the consolidation of homegrown technologies and domestic supply chains has created one of the world's most complete industrial systems," said Sun, adding that the sustained development of such a comprehensive chain depends on both new quality productive forces on the supply side and a unified national market on the demand side.
\n
"Shanghai's latest policy is an extension of nationwide efforts," Sun said.
\n
To further promote used car exports, in February 2024, the Ministry of Commerce and four ministerial departments jointly issued a notice to launch a used car export business infrastructure.
\n
While strictly ensuring quality and safety, the notice encourages the establishment of export bases offering functions such as display and trading, maintenance, inspection and certification, Customs clearance, logistics and financial services.
\n
The notice also supports automakers in strengthening international marketing networks and leveraging brand and channel advantages to improve after-sales services for Chinese vehicles abroad.
\n
Earlier, in 2019, the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Public Security and General Administration of Customs issued a notice supporting used car exports in regions with mature conditions, marking the start of pilot exports.
\n
As the world's largest country in terms of both vehicle ownership and consumption, China has made significant progress in used car exports over the past five years. Chinese used cars are now sold to more than 140 countries and regions, supporting both stable and high-quality foreign trade and domestic auto consumption upgrades, People's Daily reported.
Staff members from Taiyuan North Railway Station in Shanxi province enhance on-site training aimed at sharpening the ability to spot hidden dangers in loading and securing cargo. Taking safety as the lifeline of rail freight, the station requires employees to tighten hands-on drills, cementing safety awareness to ensure every train's safe operation.
\n",
+ "content": "
Staff members from Taiyuan North Railway Station in Shanxi province enhance on-site training aimed at sharpening the ability to spot hidden dangers in loading and securing cargo. Taking safety as the lifeline of rail freight, the station requires employees to tighten hands-on drills, cementing safety awareness to ensure every train's safe operation.
Chinese power operators have put in place innovative measures to help new homeowners receive electricity on the day they move into their homes. At Zhongtian Shiming residential complex in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, the local power supplier teamed up with developers and property management firms to deliver online handbooks to accelerate the power connection process. To help new owners get electricity immediately, staff members of State Grid Xuzhou produced an easy-to-follow guide, allowing clients to submit the required documents via an online State Grid App, or a 24-hour hotline. Every new owner can flip the switch the moment they step into their new homes.
\n
China cuts retail prices of gasoline, diesel
\n
China reduced the retail prices of gasoline and diesel on Tuesday to reflect recent changes in international oil prices. Gasoline prices will be cut by 75 yuan ($10.56) per metric ton, while diesel prices will drop by 70 yuan per ton, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.
\n",
+ "content": "
Innovative steps for timely power supply
\n
Chinese power operators have put in place innovative measures to help new homeowners receive electricity on the day they move into their homes. At Zhongtian Shiming residential complex in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, the local power supplier teamed up with developers and property management firms to deliver online handbooks to accelerate the power connection process. To help new owners get electricity immediately, staff members of State Grid Xuzhou produced an easy-to-follow guide, allowing clients to submit the required documents via an online State Grid App, or a 24-hour hotline. Every new owner can flip the switch the moment they step into their new homes.
\n
China cuts retail prices of gasoline, diesel
\n
China reduced the retail prices of gasoline and diesel on Tuesday to reflect recent changes in international oil prices. Gasoline prices will be cut by 75 yuan ($10.56) per metric ton, while diesel prices will drop by 70 yuan per ton, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.
Chinese enterprises, guided by strategic imperatives for global deployment, are actively investing in partner economies involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, thereby providing more sustained and comprehensive momentum for regional development, experts said.
\n
According to Ernst & Young's "Overview of China Outbound Investment of H1 2025," China recorded $64.8 billion in completed turnover in other BRI economies in the first half of the year, up 7.5 percent year-on-year.
\n
From ports to power plants, and from railways to photovoltaic projects, China is accelerating the pace of overseas investment under the BRI.
\n
Experts say that as the BRI enters a new "golden decade", it is aligning closely with global development needs and is demonstrating strong momentum in areas such as trade and investment, green transition, and science and technology cooperation.
\n
Xie Laihui, executive director of the Division of Belt and Road Studies at the National Institute of International Strategy under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said China's investment in BRI partner countries has shown countercyclical growth, with standout features across project scale, technology and cooperation models.
\n
Xie highlighted a steady rise in total investment and returns, alongside a shift in the investor landscape from dominance by State-owned enterprises to parallel advances by both SOEs and private firms. He also noted that high-end manufacturing, the digital economy and telecommunications services — sectors tied to new quality productive forces — have emerged as bright spots in investment growth.
\n
"These highlights reflect Chinese enterprises' breakthroughs in taking technology global and innovating cooperation models," Xie said.
\n
According to the latest data released by the Ministry of Commerce, China's outbound direct investment stabilized with improving quality in the first half, with nonfinancial direct investment in BRI partner countries reaching $18.9 billion, up 20.7 percent year-on-year.
\n
Viewed over a longer horizon, from 2021 to the first half of this year, two-way investment between China and BRI partner countries exceeded $240 billion, including more than $160 billion in China's outbound investment and over $80 billion in investment from partner countries into China, reflecting deepening investment cooperation.
\n
Institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and the Asian Development Bank have taken close note of the robust performance of China and BRI investments.
\n
Xie said investment under the Belt and Road framework has maintained strong growth, supported not only by long-standing drivers such as policy, resources and markets, but also by new catalysts including the upgrading of corporate globalization strategies and the diversification of financial instruments. Overall, BRI investment shows steady progress, with tradition and innovation advancing in parallel, he added.
\n
Meanwhile, green energy cooperation has emerged as a standout feature of deepening BRI collaboration in recent years. Under the framework of building a Green Silk Road, Chinese new-energy enterprises are actively expanding overseas, using investment to drive the energy transition in BRI partner countries, advance the adoption of clean energy and emissions reduction, and, to a certain extent, enhance energy security, Xie said.
\n
Fudan University's Green Finance and Development Center recently released its China Belt and Road Investment Report (H1 2025), which shows that China's energy investment within BRI cooperation hit a record high this year.
\n
Green energy collaboration also set records, with wind, solar, and waste-to-energy projects totaling $9.7 billion and adding approximately 11.9 gigawatts of new installed capacity. The "new trio", represented by new energy vehicles, lithium batteries and photovoltaic products, is rapidly rising in BRI partner markets.
\n
Hu Ming, Party secretary of the China Electric Power Planning and Engineering Institute, said China has consistently embedded the concept of green, low-carbon development throughout the entire process of BRI green energy cooperation.
\n
During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, China's direct investment in Belt and Road partner countries exceeded $160 billion, with green energy investment surpassing traditional energy in scale, he said.
\n
China has established a green industrial chain with international competitive advantages, deepening green capacity cooperation with partner countries. It now supplies 80 percent of the world's photovoltaic modules and 70 percent of wind power equipment, providing solid support for the Belt and Road's green energy transition, Hu said.
\n
renqi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Chinese enterprises, guided by strategic imperatives for global deployment, are actively investing in partner economies involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, thereby providing more sustained and comprehensive momentum for regional development, experts said.
\n
According to Ernst & Young's "Overview of China Outbound Investment of H1 2025," China recorded $64.8 billion in completed turnover in other BRI economies in the first half of the year, up 7.5 percent year-on-year.
\n
From ports to power plants, and from railways to photovoltaic projects, China is accelerating the pace of overseas investment under the BRI.
\n
Experts say that as the BRI enters a new "golden decade", it is aligning closely with global development needs and is demonstrating strong momentum in areas such as trade and investment, green transition, and science and technology cooperation.
\n
Xie Laihui, executive director of the Division of Belt and Road Studies at the National Institute of International Strategy under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said China's investment in BRI partner countries has shown countercyclical growth, with standout features across project scale, technology and cooperation models.
\n
Xie highlighted a steady rise in total investment and returns, alongside a shift in the investor landscape from dominance by State-owned enterprises to parallel advances by both SOEs and private firms. He also noted that high-end manufacturing, the digital economy and telecommunications services — sectors tied to new quality productive forces — have emerged as bright spots in investment growth.
\n
"These highlights reflect Chinese enterprises' breakthroughs in taking technology global and innovating cooperation models," Xie said.
\n
According to the latest data released by the Ministry of Commerce, China's outbound direct investment stabilized with improving quality in the first half, with nonfinancial direct investment in BRI partner countries reaching $18.9 billion, up 20.7 percent year-on-year.
\n
Viewed over a longer horizon, from 2021 to the first half of this year, two-way investment between China and BRI partner countries exceeded $240 billion, including more than $160 billion in China's outbound investment and over $80 billion in investment from partner countries into China, reflecting deepening investment cooperation.
\n
Institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, and the Asian Development Bank have taken close note of the robust performance of China and BRI investments.
\n
Xie said investment under the Belt and Road framework has maintained strong growth, supported not only by long-standing drivers such as policy, resources and markets, but also by new catalysts including the upgrading of corporate globalization strategies and the diversification of financial instruments. Overall, BRI investment shows steady progress, with tradition and innovation advancing in parallel, he added.
\n
Meanwhile, green energy cooperation has emerged as a standout feature of deepening BRI collaboration in recent years. Under the framework of building a Green Silk Road, Chinese new-energy enterprises are actively expanding overseas, using investment to drive the energy transition in BRI partner countries, advance the adoption of clean energy and emissions reduction, and, to a certain extent, enhance energy security, Xie said.
\n
Fudan University's Green Finance and Development Center recently released its China Belt and Road Investment Report (H1 2025), which shows that China's energy investment within BRI cooperation hit a record high this year.
\n
Green energy collaboration also set records, with wind, solar, and waste-to-energy projects totaling $9.7 billion and adding approximately 11.9 gigawatts of new installed capacity. The "new trio", represented by new energy vehicles, lithium batteries and photovoltaic products, is rapidly rising in BRI partner markets.
\n
Hu Ming, Party secretary of the China Electric Power Planning and Engineering Institute, said China has consistently embedded the concept of green, low-carbon development throughout the entire process of BRI green energy cooperation.
\n
During the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, China's direct investment in Belt and Road partner countries exceeded $160 billion, with green energy investment surpassing traditional energy in scale, he said.
\n
China has established a green industrial chain with international competitive advantages, deepening green capacity cooperation with partner countries. It now supplies 80 percent of the world's photovoltaic modules and 70 percent of wind power equipment, providing solid support for the Belt and Road's green energy transition, Hu said.
A recent aerial image shows grass sod surrounding the Taklimakan Desert in Hotan prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Supported by major State-owned enterprises such as China Railway Construction Corp, the nation has established a desert control barrier around the perimeter as a defense against desertification in China's largest arid region. The project was listed among the "Top 10 global engineering achievements of 2025" at the World Federation of Engineering Organizations 2025 General Assembly in Shanghai on Monday.
\n",
+ "content": "
A recent aerial image shows grass sod surrounding the Taklimakan Desert in Hotan prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Supported by major State-owned enterprises such as China Railway Construction Corp, the nation has established a desert control barrier around the perimeter as a defense against desertification in China's largest arid region. The project was listed among the "Top 10 global engineering achievements of 2025" at the World Federation of Engineering Organizations 2025 General Assembly in Shanghai on Monday.
Despite ongoing global economic uncertainties, retail sales during the upcoming holiday season in North America are expected to maintain growth, unlocking fresh opportunities for Chinese brands expanding overseas, new research has found.
\n
The findings, released by The Trade Desk, a global advertising technology firm based in Ventura, California, revealed that emerging consumer trends for this year's holiday shopping season include earlier preparation efforts, heightened value consciousness, a more sophisticated decision-making process and more cross-platform shopping.
\n
In this context, how Chinese brands strike the right balance between short-term conversions and long-term brand building has become the core focus of this year's holiday marketing. Brands can invest in a premium internet omnichannel strategy centered on connected TV.
\n
"The holiday season has always been the most important growth window for Chinese brands going global. Amid global economic uncertainties and the increasing fragmentation of media consumption, this holiday season is accompanied by both challenges and significant opportunities," said Ashley Wu, senior director of business development at The Trade Desk in China.
\n
"The 2025 holiday season will continue to show an overall growth trend, which bodes well for Chinese brands expanding overseas. Chinese brands need to maintain visibility and adopt a premium internet omnichannel strategy centered on connected TV to capture holiday growth while building the brand power required for long-term success," Wu said.
\n
As the holiday season kicks off, brands' communication strategies need to incorporate more emotional resonance, highlighting festive emotional elements such as sharing, gifting and treating oneself, The Trade Desk said.
\n
Although Thanksgiving and Christmas are 28 days apart this year — slightly longer than last year's 26 days — consumers are starting their preparations earlier.
\n
In the United States, 50 percent of consumers plan to finish most of their holiday shopping before Black Friday, and this shift reflects a global increase in rational, value-driven consumer behavior, The Trade Desk found.
\n
"Given the short time span, we recommend that Chinese brands proactively capture consumers' minds in advance to gain the leverage needed to unleash their brand influence," Wu said.
\n
A survey that polled 500 consumers in the United Kingdom and 500 consumers in Germany earlier this year found that more than 80 percent of UK and German shoppers said price weighs more heavily in their decision-making.
\n
Among the surveyed respondents, 43 percent of shoppers in the UK and 56 percent in Germany are considering reducing their purchases from US companies — opening the door for more Chinese brands, The Trade Desk said.
\n
Meanwhile, US holiday retail sales this year are projected to grow by just 1.2 percent year-on-year, the slowest growth rate since 2009, intensifying competition to an unprecedented level. Brands with stronger equity are better positioned to stand out, and this year presents both a challenge and a pivotal opportunity for brands to build enduring brand power, said eMarketer, a market research company based in New York City.
\n
In addition, The Trade Desk found that during this holiday season, overseas consumers will interact with over 2,000 digital content sites and platforms daily. While online channels dominate their shopping journeys, 80 percent of consumers still intend to visit brick-and-mortar stores, and offline channels are gaining increasing importance for Chinese brands.
\n
Chinese brands — including charger maker Anker, headphone brand AfterShokz, and drone manufacturer DJI — have significantly expanded their overseas presence through brick-and-mortar stores. AfterShokz has established counters in airports worldwide, while Anker and DJI have also expanded their reach extensively in offline stores and supermarkets across Europe, the US and other regions.
\n
"In the face of uncertainties in the external environment, Chinese brands expanding overseas should focus on building a trustworthy brand with a long-term commitment. As brand equity strengthens, not only will the long-term sales driven by this equity continue to grow, but the short-term effectiveness of each of their marketing campaigns will also be amplified," Wu said.
\n
zhuwenqian@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "\n
Despite ongoing global economic uncertainties, retail sales during the upcoming holiday season in North America are expected to maintain growth, unlocking fresh opportunities for Chinese brands expanding overseas, new research has found.
\n
The findings, released by The Trade Desk, a global advertising technology firm based in Ventura, California, revealed that emerging consumer trends for this year's holiday shopping season include earlier preparation efforts, heightened value consciousness, a more sophisticated decision-making process and more cross-platform shopping.
\n
In this context, how Chinese brands strike the right balance between short-term conversions and long-term brand building has become the core focus of this year's holiday marketing. Brands can invest in a premium internet omnichannel strategy centered on connected TV.
\n
"The holiday season has always been the most important growth window for Chinese brands going global. Amid global economic uncertainties and the increasing fragmentation of media consumption, this holiday season is accompanied by both challenges and significant opportunities," said Ashley Wu, senior director of business development at The Trade Desk in China.
\n
"The 2025 holiday season will continue to show an overall growth trend, which bodes well for Chinese brands expanding overseas. Chinese brands need to maintain visibility and adopt a premium internet omnichannel strategy centered on connected TV to capture holiday growth while building the brand power required for long-term success," Wu said.
\n
As the holiday season kicks off, brands' communication strategies need to incorporate more emotional resonance, highlighting festive emotional elements such as sharing, gifting and treating oneself, The Trade Desk said.
\n
Although Thanksgiving and Christmas are 28 days apart this year — slightly longer than last year's 26 days — consumers are starting their preparations earlier.
\n
In the United States, 50 percent of consumers plan to finish most of their holiday shopping before Black Friday, and this shift reflects a global increase in rational, value-driven consumer behavior, The Trade Desk found.
\n
"Given the short time span, we recommend that Chinese brands proactively capture consumers' minds in advance to gain the leverage needed to unleash their brand influence," Wu said.
\n
A survey that polled 500 consumers in the United Kingdom and 500 consumers in Germany earlier this year found that more than 80 percent of UK and German shoppers said price weighs more heavily in their decision-making.
\n
Among the surveyed respondents, 43 percent of shoppers in the UK and 56 percent in Germany are considering reducing their purchases from US companies — opening the door for more Chinese brands, The Trade Desk said.
\n
Meanwhile, US holiday retail sales this year are projected to grow by just 1.2 percent year-on-year, the slowest growth rate since 2009, intensifying competition to an unprecedented level. Brands with stronger equity are better positioned to stand out, and this year presents both a challenge and a pivotal opportunity for brands to build enduring brand power, said eMarketer, a market research company based in New York City.
\n
In addition, The Trade Desk found that during this holiday season, overseas consumers will interact with over 2,000 digital content sites and platforms daily. While online channels dominate their shopping journeys, 80 percent of consumers still intend to visit brick-and-mortar stores, and offline channels are gaining increasing importance for Chinese brands.
\n
Chinese brands — including charger maker Anker, headphone brand AfterShokz, and drone manufacturer DJI — have significantly expanded their overseas presence through brick-and-mortar stores. AfterShokz has established counters in airports worldwide, while Anker and DJI have also expanded their reach extensively in offline stores and supermarkets across Europe, the US and other regions.
\n
"In the face of uncertainties in the external environment, Chinese brands expanding overseas should focus on building a trustworthy brand with a long-term commitment. As brand equity strengthens, not only will the long-term sales driven by this equity continue to grow, but the short-term effectiveness of each of their marketing campaigns will also be amplified," Wu said.
Pop Mart founder Wang Ning (right), artist Kasing Lung (left) and Apple CEO Tim Cook at a Pop Mart store in Shanghai on Monday.
\n
Apple CEO Tim Cook's unexpected appearance at Pop Mart's 10th anniversary showcase in China this week sparked both social media buzz and a stock rally.
\n
During his visit on Monday, Cook toured the "The Monsters" exhibition in Shanghai, met Pop Mart founder Wang Ning and artist Kasing Lung, and was gifted a custom Labubu figurine — a version of the brand's best-known character — clutching an iPhone. Videos and photos of Cook's meeting quickly went viral on social media, sending Pop Mart intraday shares up as much as 6 percent to HK$276.8 ($35.6) before paring gains to close at HK$263, with trading volume exceeding HK$4.4 billion.
\n
The company has reported record sales and a surge in demand for its collectibles across the globe. On Dewu App, a trendy online shopping platform, the Labubu third-generation series, released in April, has been purchased by 580,000 users, with more than 740,000 others listing it as "wanted". The hidden edition Labubu ID, initially priced at 99 yuan ($13.9), peaked at 4,523 yuan — a 45.7-fold increase — before falling back to around 664 yuan after restocks.
\n
Strong momentum was also seen in sales of its other intellectual properties such as Twinkle Twinkle and Skullpanda. Many figurines were sold out instantly upon release, driving robust resale premiums. Pop Mart's first-half 2025 financial report highlights its continued growth. Revenue from Labubu skyrocketed 6.7 times to 4.81 billion yuan, while Skullpanda brought in about 1.2 billion yuan, more than doubling from a year earlier.
\n
The rise of Pop Mart mirrors a wider wave of Chinese guochao (domestic trend) brands gaining global attention. In the first three quarters, China's exports of festive supplies, dolls and animal-shaped toys exceeded 50 billion yuan, reaching more than 200 economies, said Wang Jun, vice-minister of the General Administration of Customs.
\n
Travelers visiting China increasingly treat Labubu as must-buy souvenirs, and international fans have begun showcasing their collections online. China Open men's singles finalist Learner Tien from the United States, for instance, gave a public shoutout to friends who gifted him Labubu toys during a recent trip in China.
\n
Labubu has demonstrated strong resilience as an IP, said Tian Lan, analyst at Euromonitor International.
\n
"Its evolution from picture-book art to plush formats has been a major success, showing a brand that knows how to innovate without losing its core DNA."
\n
Pop Mart's IP strategy has evolved meaningfully in recent years. The company is transitioning from a blind-box seller to a vertically integrated IP incubator, where hits like Labubu and Twinkle Twinkle serve as both growth engines and proof of concept, according to Lan. Twinkle Twinkle, in particular, demonstrates that consistent IP investment can generate sustainable creative and financial returns.
\n
The company's growing ecosystem — spanning product, animation, retail experience, and licensing — suggests a scalable model, said Lan.
\n
"The key will be to maintain portfolio balance and cross-IP differentiation, ensuring that each property contributes to a coherent cultural universe rather than competing for short-term attention," Lan added.
\n
Speaking on fast-moving consumer taste in designer toys, Lan said it follows identifiable emotional and cultural patterns rather than pure randomness.
\n
"Brands that continuously listen, co-create with fans, and express evolving values can capture long-term loyalty even in short-term trend cycles," Lan said. "What matters is cultural sensitivity and agility, not just predictions. In that sense, the designer toy market remains less about chasing hype and more about building emotional equity over time."
\n
wangzhuoqiong@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Pop Mart founder Wang Ning (right), artist Kasing Lung (left) and Apple CEO Tim Cook at a Pop Mart store in Shanghai on Monday.
\n
Apple CEO Tim Cook's unexpected appearance at Pop Mart's 10th anniversary showcase in China this week sparked both social media buzz and a stock rally.
\n
During his visit on Monday, Cook toured the "The Monsters" exhibition in Shanghai, met Pop Mart founder Wang Ning and artist Kasing Lung, and was gifted a custom Labubu figurine — a version of the brand's best-known character — clutching an iPhone. Videos and photos of Cook's meeting quickly went viral on social media, sending Pop Mart intraday shares up as much as 6 percent to HK$276.8 ($35.6) before paring gains to close at HK$263, with trading volume exceeding HK$4.4 billion.
\n
The company has reported record sales and a surge in demand for its collectibles across the globe. On Dewu App, a trendy online shopping platform, the Labubu third-generation series, released in April, has been purchased by 580,000 users, with more than 740,000 others listing it as "wanted". The hidden edition Labubu ID, initially priced at 99 yuan ($13.9), peaked at 4,523 yuan — a 45.7-fold increase — before falling back to around 664 yuan after restocks.
\n
Strong momentum was also seen in sales of its other intellectual properties such as Twinkle Twinkle and Skullpanda. Many figurines were sold out instantly upon release, driving robust resale premiums. Pop Mart's first-half 2025 financial report highlights its continued growth. Revenue from Labubu skyrocketed 6.7 times to 4.81 billion yuan, while Skullpanda brought in about 1.2 billion yuan, more than doubling from a year earlier.
\n
The rise of Pop Mart mirrors a wider wave of Chinese guochao (domestic trend) brands gaining global attention. In the first three quarters, China's exports of festive supplies, dolls and animal-shaped toys exceeded 50 billion yuan, reaching more than 200 economies, said Wang Jun, vice-minister of the General Administration of Customs.
\n
Travelers visiting China increasingly treat Labubu as must-buy souvenirs, and international fans have begun showcasing their collections online. China Open men's singles finalist Learner Tien from the United States, for instance, gave a public shoutout to friends who gifted him Labubu toys during a recent trip in China.
\n
Labubu has demonstrated strong resilience as an IP, said Tian Lan, analyst at Euromonitor International.
\n
"Its evolution from picture-book art to plush formats has been a major success, showing a brand that knows how to innovate without losing its core DNA."
\n
Pop Mart's IP strategy has evolved meaningfully in recent years. The company is transitioning from a blind-box seller to a vertically integrated IP incubator, where hits like Labubu and Twinkle Twinkle serve as both growth engines and proof of concept, according to Lan. Twinkle Twinkle, in particular, demonstrates that consistent IP investment can generate sustainable creative and financial returns.
\n
The company's growing ecosystem — spanning product, animation, retail experience, and licensing — suggests a scalable model, said Lan.
\n
"The key will be to maintain portfolio balance and cross-IP differentiation, ensuring that each property contributes to a coherent cultural universe rather than competing for short-term attention," Lan added.
\n
Speaking on fast-moving consumer taste in designer toys, Lan said it follows identifiable emotional and cultural patterns rather than pure randomness.
\n
"Brands that continuously listen, co-create with fans, and express evolving values can capture long-term loyalty even in short-term trend cycles," Lan said. "What matters is cultural sensitivity and agility, not just predictions. In that sense, the designer toy market remains less about chasing hype and more about building emotional equity over time."
Fire trucks that can extinguish blazes as high as 159 meters and smart rescue robots that detect and fight conflagrations automatically are just some examples of China-made firefighting and protection equipment that demonstrate the prowess of domestic manufacturing.
\n
During the ongoing 2025 China International Fire Protection Equipment Technology Conference and Exposition in Beijing, a Guinness World Record-breaking five-axle 100-meter water tower fire truck JP100 attracts attention. Previously, fire protection equipment worldwide could only extinguish fires lower than heights of 120 meters. The JP100, launched by Chinese equipment manufacturer Sany Heavy Industry, has now raised the threshold height to 159 meters.
\n
A smart rescue robot is also attracting eyeballs. With an investment of 138 million yuan ($19.3 million), the robot can automatically detect flames, make decisions and carry out firefighting tasks. It is able to walk, cross obstacles over 30 centimeters tall and climb gradients of over 40 degrees.
\n
Moreover, the smart rescue robot can operate for more than two hours straight in environments with oxygen deficiency, high temperatures, and the presence of heavy smoke and toxic fumes. The remote command center adopts multimodal fusion communication, which can penetrate walls more than 3 meters thick and cover a range of over 1,000 meters. It is embedded with various intelligent algorithms such as resource scheduling, task grouping and multi-machine collaboration, raising rescue efficiency by 60 percent, the company said.
\n
Fang Jianxian, general manager of industry news outlet lmjx.net, said: "The level of fire protection equipment in China has made a quantum leap in development in the past 20 years, and is currently in a critical stage of moving from 'following' to 'running parallel', and moving toward 'leading' in some fields. Equipment made in China already meets the vast majority of domestic fire protection needs. We have a complete range of equipment, significant cost advantages and extremely high cost-effectiveness. The most complex application scenarios have also spawned a large number of product innovation achievements."
\n
In recent years, with the acceleration of urbanization and the rise of public awareness of the importance of fire protection, demand for firefighting products and services has been growing dramatically. Beijing-based research firm huaon.com showed that in 2015, China's fire protection market totaled 235.5 million yuan. In 2023, this had surged to 468.3 billion yuan, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 8.97 percent.
\n
Xiao Qiaowei, head of Sany's emergency equipment research institute, said: "Firefighting is a special field. Chinese companies are more active in technical innovation. As an industry leader, Sany will strive to make innovations, constantly improve reliability and safety, and bring out better firefighting equipment."
\n
Fang from lmjx.net said: "Improving the manufacturing level of firefighting equipment is a systematic project that requires joint efforts from the government, industry, enterprises and research institutions. The key is to continuously strengthen basic research and core technology breakthroughs, promote intelligent and digital transformation, improve the standards system, strengthen quality supervision and support enterprises going global."
\n
zhengyiran@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Fire trucks that can extinguish blazes as high as 159 meters and smart rescue robots that detect and fight conflagrations automatically are just some examples of China-made firefighting and protection equipment that demonstrate the prowess of domestic manufacturing.
\n
During the ongoing 2025 China International Fire Protection Equipment Technology Conference and Exposition in Beijing, a Guinness World Record-breaking five-axle 100-meter water tower fire truck JP100 attracts attention. Previously, fire protection equipment worldwide could only extinguish fires lower than heights of 120 meters. The JP100, launched by Chinese equipment manufacturer Sany Heavy Industry, has now raised the threshold height to 159 meters.
\n
A smart rescue robot is also attracting eyeballs. With an investment of 138 million yuan ($19.3 million), the robot can automatically detect flames, make decisions and carry out firefighting tasks. It is able to walk, cross obstacles over 30 centimeters tall and climb gradients of over 40 degrees.
\n
Moreover, the smart rescue robot can operate for more than two hours straight in environments with oxygen deficiency, high temperatures, and the presence of heavy smoke and toxic fumes. The remote command center adopts multimodal fusion communication, which can penetrate walls more than 3 meters thick and cover a range of over 1,000 meters. It is embedded with various intelligent algorithms such as resource scheduling, task grouping and multi-machine collaboration, raising rescue efficiency by 60 percent, the company said.
\n
Fang Jianxian, general manager of industry news outlet lmjx.net, said: "The level of fire protection equipment in China has made a quantum leap in development in the past 20 years, and is currently in a critical stage of moving from 'following' to 'running parallel', and moving toward 'leading' in some fields. Equipment made in China already meets the vast majority of domestic fire protection needs. We have a complete range of equipment, significant cost advantages and extremely high cost-effectiveness. The most complex application scenarios have also spawned a large number of product innovation achievements."
\n
In recent years, with the acceleration of urbanization and the rise of public awareness of the importance of fire protection, demand for firefighting products and services has been growing dramatically. Beijing-based research firm huaon.com showed that in 2015, China's fire protection market totaled 235.5 million yuan. In 2023, this had surged to 468.3 billion yuan, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 8.97 percent.
\n
Xiao Qiaowei, head of Sany's emergency equipment research institute, said: "Firefighting is a special field. Chinese companies are more active in technical innovation. As an industry leader, Sany will strive to make innovations, constantly improve reliability and safety, and bring out better firefighting equipment."
\n
Fang from lmjx.net said: "Improving the manufacturing level of firefighting equipment is a systematic project that requires joint efforts from the government, industry, enterprises and research institutions. The key is to continuously strengthen basic research and core technology breakthroughs, promote intelligent and digital transformation, improve the standards system, strengthen quality supervision and support enterprises going global."
People cycle through a forest of poplar trees at a park in Zhangye, Gansu province, on Sept 27.
\n
A view of the showroom at Dahon Technology (Shenzhen) Co Ltd in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on Sept 8.
\n\n
Tina Bian, 31, joined China's growing community of folding-bike riders this summer when she purchased a Dahon P10 for 4,700 yuan ($658).
\n
"Folding bikes can fit in the trunk of my car, which really expands my riding routes and makes it easier to go anywhere," she said. "Dahon has good brand awareness and is more affordable than Brompton, a high-end British foldable city bike brand."
\n
She added that Dahon's wide retail network of physical stores has made the buying experience convenient — "you can visit and ride away directly".
\n
Bian now rides to nearby parks after work and explores scenic routes on weekends. "I also play 'bike delivery', which has gone viral online — it's really fun," she said.
\n
While "Dahon's folding mechanism isn't as smooth as Brompton's," she said, "the lower price makes it a fair trade-off".
\n
As cycling surges in popularity across China's cities, domestic brand Dahon has emerged as the go-to "affordable alternative" to Britain's high-end Brompton bikes — and now it's taking that momentum to the capital markets.
\n
On Sept 9, Dahon Technology (Shenzhen) Co Ltd, the company behind the Dahon brand, debuted on the Hong Kong stock exchange, marking a key milestone for the folding bicycle maker.
\n
Founded in California in 1982 by physicist David Hon, Dahon pioneered the modern folding bicycle and has since evolved into a global name in urban mobility, said the company. The company restructured as Dahon Tech in 2016, and now sees the Chinese market as its main engine of growth.
\n
Dahon's revenue surged from 254 million yuan in 2022 to 451 million yuan in 2024, while net profit rose from 31 million yuan to 52 million yuan over the same period. Gross margins have remained stable at around 33 percent, and net margins at about 11.6 percent. In the first four months of 2025, revenue reached 185 million yuan, up 47 percent year-on-year, while net profit climbed 73 percent to 22 million yuan.
\n
The company credits this rapid growth to the expanding mid-to-high-end folding bike segment in China and rising consumer interest in sustainable, flexible commuting solutions.
\n
Its prospectus traces the recent turbulence in global cycling demand. The year 2020-21 triggered an outdoor sports boom that sent global bicycle sales soaring. But as inventories piled up, the market entered a correction phase in 2022-23, with folding bike shipments falling from 3.1 million to 2.65 million units. Demand rebounded strongly in 2024, with global folding bike sales recovering to 3.7 million units.
\n
According to China Insights Consultancy, although folding bikes remain a niche compared with road or mountain bikes, accounting for only about 5.3 percent of global bicycle sales in 2024, the segment is growing fast.
\n
Unlike road or mountain bikes, folding bicycles are designed for compactness and convenience — ideal for daily commuting and mixed transport systems. Dahon has rolled out more than 70 models spanning urban, sports, high-performance and electric folding bikes.
\n
The company also sees new potential beyond daily commuters.
\n
In July, Dahon launched its P18 Ultra racing-style model, priced at 5,798 yuan, featuring a drop-bar design and a cruising speed of 35 km/h. The company said the model "fits in the trunk, enabling seamless connection between urban and outdoor environments", signaling an effort to merge portability with performance and appeal to more advanced riders.
\n
Dahon's sales mix has shifted noticeably in recent years. Midrange models priced between 2,500 and 5,000 yuan now dominate, contributing 69.5 percent of revenue in 2024 — up from 50.6 percent in 2022. Entry-level models under 2,500 yuan have declined, while high-end models above 5,000 yuan continue to represent around 10 percent of sales.
\n
The company plans to open 50 directly operated stores, 80 in-store shops and 70 franchised outlets across the Chinese market this year. In addition to the expansion of offline stores, Dahon has aggressively upscaled online sales through platforms such as JD.com and Tmall. Its direct online sales jumped from just 14 million yuan in 2022 to nearly 100 million yuan in 2024 — a compound annual growth rate of over 160 percent. Online channels now account for more than 40 percent of total revenue.
\n
Still, challenges loom. Many bike retailers that rushed into the market during the 2020-21 cycling boom are now struggling with inventory overhang as the frenzy cools. Dahon warned that excessive dealer stock could pressure future sales and cash flow.
\n
CIC data show that Dahon commands a 26.3 percent share of China's folding bike retail volume and 36.5 percent of retail sales, alongside a 5.6 percent global market share. Its bestselling P8 model has long been among China's top folding bikes.
\n
The sector is among the rising segments of outdoor sports. According to Mintel China, outdoor cycling has a participation rate of 37 percent, and has been ranked No 6 among 22 sports surveyed overall.
\n
Outdoor sports entered a stable stage recently after explosive growth earlier, with riding and water sports seeing a slight surge last year, according to the report.
\n
China remains the world's largest bicycle manufacturer and exporter, though its domestic market is still dominated by international brands in the premium segment.
\n
wangzhuoqiong@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
People cycle through a forest of poplar trees at a park in Zhangye, Gansu province, on Sept 27.
\n
A view of the showroom at Dahon Technology (Shenzhen) Co Ltd in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on Sept 8.
\n\n
Tina Bian, 31, joined China's growing community of folding-bike riders this summer when she purchased a Dahon P10 for 4,700 yuan ($658).
\n
"Folding bikes can fit in the trunk of my car, which really expands my riding routes and makes it easier to go anywhere," she said. "Dahon has good brand awareness and is more affordable than Brompton, a high-end British foldable city bike brand."
\n
She added that Dahon's wide retail network of physical stores has made the buying experience convenient — "you can visit and ride away directly".
\n
Bian now rides to nearby parks after work and explores scenic routes on weekends. "I also play 'bike delivery', which has gone viral online — it's really fun," she said.
\n
While "Dahon's folding mechanism isn't as smooth as Brompton's," she said, "the lower price makes it a fair trade-off".
\n
As cycling surges in popularity across China's cities, domestic brand Dahon has emerged as the go-to "affordable alternative" to Britain's high-end Brompton bikes — and now it's taking that momentum to the capital markets.
\n
On Sept 9, Dahon Technology (Shenzhen) Co Ltd, the company behind the Dahon brand, debuted on the Hong Kong stock exchange, marking a key milestone for the folding bicycle maker.
\n
Founded in California in 1982 by physicist David Hon, Dahon pioneered the modern folding bicycle and has since evolved into a global name in urban mobility, said the company. The company restructured as Dahon Tech in 2016, and now sees the Chinese market as its main engine of growth.
\n
Dahon's revenue surged from 254 million yuan in 2022 to 451 million yuan in 2024, while net profit rose from 31 million yuan to 52 million yuan over the same period. Gross margins have remained stable at around 33 percent, and net margins at about 11.6 percent. In the first four months of 2025, revenue reached 185 million yuan, up 47 percent year-on-year, while net profit climbed 73 percent to 22 million yuan.
\n
The company credits this rapid growth to the expanding mid-to-high-end folding bike segment in China and rising consumer interest in sustainable, flexible commuting solutions.
\n
Its prospectus traces the recent turbulence in global cycling demand. The year 2020-21 triggered an outdoor sports boom that sent global bicycle sales soaring. But as inventories piled up, the market entered a correction phase in 2022-23, with folding bike shipments falling from 3.1 million to 2.65 million units. Demand rebounded strongly in 2024, with global folding bike sales recovering to 3.7 million units.
\n
According to China Insights Consultancy, although folding bikes remain a niche compared with road or mountain bikes, accounting for only about 5.3 percent of global bicycle sales in 2024, the segment is growing fast.
\n
Unlike road or mountain bikes, folding bicycles are designed for compactness and convenience — ideal for daily commuting and mixed transport systems. Dahon has rolled out more than 70 models spanning urban, sports, high-performance and electric folding bikes.
\n
The company also sees new potential beyond daily commuters.
\n
In July, Dahon launched its P18 Ultra racing-style model, priced at 5,798 yuan, featuring a drop-bar design and a cruising speed of 35 km/h. The company said the model "fits in the trunk, enabling seamless connection between urban and outdoor environments", signaling an effort to merge portability with performance and appeal to more advanced riders.
\n
Dahon's sales mix has shifted noticeably in recent years. Midrange models priced between 2,500 and 5,000 yuan now dominate, contributing 69.5 percent of revenue in 2024 — up from 50.6 percent in 2022. Entry-level models under 2,500 yuan have declined, while high-end models above 5,000 yuan continue to represent around 10 percent of sales.
\n
The company plans to open 50 directly operated stores, 80 in-store shops and 70 franchised outlets across the Chinese market this year. In addition to the expansion of offline stores, Dahon has aggressively upscaled online sales through platforms such as JD.com and Tmall. Its direct online sales jumped from just 14 million yuan in 2022 to nearly 100 million yuan in 2024 — a compound annual growth rate of over 160 percent. Online channels now account for more than 40 percent of total revenue.
\n
Still, challenges loom. Many bike retailers that rushed into the market during the 2020-21 cycling boom are now struggling with inventory overhang as the frenzy cools. Dahon warned that excessive dealer stock could pressure future sales and cash flow.
\n
CIC data show that Dahon commands a 26.3 percent share of China's folding bike retail volume and 36.5 percent of retail sales, alongside a 5.6 percent global market share. Its bestselling P8 model has long been among China's top folding bikes.
\n
The sector is among the rising segments of outdoor sports. According to Mintel China, outdoor cycling has a participation rate of 37 percent, and has been ranked No 6 among 22 sports surveyed overall.
\n
Outdoor sports entered a stable stage recently after explosive growth earlier, with riding and water sports seeing a slight surge last year, according to the report.
\n
China remains the world's largest bicycle manufacturer and exporter, though its domestic market is still dominated by international brands in the premium segment.
Yachts and motorboats shuttle near an island in Sanya, Hainan province, on Aug 3.
\n
Sanya's yacht tourism industry is riding a new wave of momentum as the South China resort city in Hainan province sharpens its ambitions to become the "Yachting Capital of the Asia-Pacific".
\n
From January to September this year, nearly 130,000 yacht trips set sail from Sanya, carrying more than 900,000 passengers, according to data from the Sanya Yacht Tourism Center.
\n
The surge in sea-bound leisure reflects both policy tailwinds from the Hainan Free Trade Port and Sanya's accelerated push to expand its maritime economy.
\n
"With its pleasant climate, high-quality waters and long coastline, Sanya is suitable for sailing more than 350 days a year," said Qian Xiaoming, deputy director of the Sanya Central Business District Administration.
\n
By the end of 2024, Sanya had registered 1,415 yachts, while more than 7,300 yacht-related enterprises had clustered in the city — accounting for 22.7 percent of the nation's total. By the end of September this year, the city had introduced 25 newly registered yacht-related enterprises, up 213 percent year-on-year.
\n
At the heart of this boom is the Sanya international yacht center, a project within the city's central business district. The complex serves as a multifunctional service platform integrating exhibitions, transactions, training and tourism.
\n
Built with an investment of 9.55 billion yuan ($1.3 billion), the facility includes two 16-meter-high exhibition halls — each about 9,000 square meters — and nearly 30,000 square meters of commercial space. It also offers training and study-tour programs, forming a complete ecosystem to support yacht-related industries.
\n
The project is aligned with Hainan FTP's long-term plan to transform the island into a world-class tourism and consumption destination. It has been designated a "yacht-industry reform, development, and innovation pilot zone".
\n
Policy innovation is also propelling the industry. A new rule approved by China's Ministry of Transport took effect on Oct 1, raising the maximum crew limit for FTP-registered yachts from 12 to 26.The move is expected to enhance operational efficiency, improve commercial value and attract more diversified charters.
\n
Further reforms have relaxed import restrictions, extending the permissible age of used yachts entering Hainan from one to five years, boosting entrances by second-hand yachts. The province is also piloting "Hainan-Hong Kong-Macao-Yacht Free-Flow" and "entry-yacht bond-waiver" campaigns, making it easier for overseas yachts to dock, charter and circulate.
\n
Infrastructure is keeping pace with the policy advances. Sanya Port, one of the FTP's key Customs projects, has begun operations, featuring Hainan's first dedicated yacht inspection berths and a smart Customs-clearance system that processes departures in as little as 30 seconds.
\n
The standardized "second-line "exit procedures enable genuine "leave-when-you-want" flexibility for yacht owners — an important milestone in the FTP's institutional reforms.
\n
Meanwhile, on the cruise side, construction of the Phase-I Sanya International Cruise Terminal is underway. The new 100,000-metric-ton berth will replace the existing 80,000-ton facility, strengthening the city's capacity to receive large international cruise ships. Once the island-wide special Customs operations take effect, the FTP's zero-tariff and low-tax regimes — combined with relaxed ship-supply and bunkering policies — are expected to significantly boost the attractiveness of Sanya to global cruise operators.
\n
"Sanya's maritime sector has entered a new development stage," Huang Xing, director of the Sanya bureau of tourism, culture, radio, television and sports, told Hainan Daily. "Today, the 'City of more than 1,000 Yachts' is setting sail again, striving to become the yachting capital of the Asia-Pacific."
\n
The bureau said Sanya has already built a nine-segment yacht-industrial chain covering training, Customs clearance, chartering and sales. The next step, Huang said, is to expand into yacht design, research and development, and manufacturing, while fostering auxiliary services such as digital management, maritime rescue and ecological protection to strengthen the value chain.
\n
Sanya has been named the best city for yacht-development and best yacht-tourism destination for several years running. Global yacht brands increasingly use Sanya as a platform for product debuts and trade talks.
\n
The Hainan provincial government has pledged continued policy and financial support to consolidate this growth. In its latest work report, it vowed to nurture new consumption and accelerate the development of Sanya's yacht industry pilot zone.
\n",
+ "content": "
Yachts and motorboats shuttle near an island in Sanya, Hainan province, on Aug 3.
\n
Sanya's yacht tourism industry is riding a new wave of momentum as the South China resort city in Hainan province sharpens its ambitions to become the "Yachting Capital of the Asia-Pacific".
\n
From January to September this year, nearly 130,000 yacht trips set sail from Sanya, carrying more than 900,000 passengers, according to data from the Sanya Yacht Tourism Center.
\n
The surge in sea-bound leisure reflects both policy tailwinds from the Hainan Free Trade Port and Sanya's accelerated push to expand its maritime economy.
\n
"With its pleasant climate, high-quality waters and long coastline, Sanya is suitable for sailing more than 350 days a year," said Qian Xiaoming, deputy director of the Sanya Central Business District Administration.
\n
By the end of 2024, Sanya had registered 1,415 yachts, while more than 7,300 yacht-related enterprises had clustered in the city — accounting for 22.7 percent of the nation's total. By the end of September this year, the city had introduced 25 newly registered yacht-related enterprises, up 213 percent year-on-year.
\n
At the heart of this boom is the Sanya international yacht center, a project within the city's central business district. The complex serves as a multifunctional service platform integrating exhibitions, transactions, training and tourism.
\n
Built with an investment of 9.55 billion yuan ($1.3 billion), the facility includes two 16-meter-high exhibition halls — each about 9,000 square meters — and nearly 30,000 square meters of commercial space. It also offers training and study-tour programs, forming a complete ecosystem to support yacht-related industries.
\n
The project is aligned with Hainan FTP's long-term plan to transform the island into a world-class tourism and consumption destination. It has been designated a "yacht-industry reform, development, and innovation pilot zone".
\n
Policy innovation is also propelling the industry. A new rule approved by China's Ministry of Transport took effect on Oct 1, raising the maximum crew limit for FTP-registered yachts from 12 to 26.The move is expected to enhance operational efficiency, improve commercial value and attract more diversified charters.
\n
Further reforms have relaxed import restrictions, extending the permissible age of used yachts entering Hainan from one to five years, boosting entrances by second-hand yachts. The province is also piloting "Hainan-Hong Kong-Macao-Yacht Free-Flow" and "entry-yacht bond-waiver" campaigns, making it easier for overseas yachts to dock, charter and circulate.
\n
Infrastructure is keeping pace with the policy advances. Sanya Port, one of the FTP's key Customs projects, has begun operations, featuring Hainan's first dedicated yacht inspection berths and a smart Customs-clearance system that processes departures in as little as 30 seconds.
\n
The standardized "second-line "exit procedures enable genuine "leave-when-you-want" flexibility for yacht owners — an important milestone in the FTP's institutional reforms.
\n
Meanwhile, on the cruise side, construction of the Phase-I Sanya International Cruise Terminal is underway. The new 100,000-metric-ton berth will replace the existing 80,000-ton facility, strengthening the city's capacity to receive large international cruise ships. Once the island-wide special Customs operations take effect, the FTP's zero-tariff and low-tax regimes — combined with relaxed ship-supply and bunkering policies — are expected to significantly boost the attractiveness of Sanya to global cruise operators.
\n
"Sanya's maritime sector has entered a new development stage," Huang Xing, director of the Sanya bureau of tourism, culture, radio, television and sports, told Hainan Daily. "Today, the 'City of more than 1,000 Yachts' is setting sail again, striving to become the yachting capital of the Asia-Pacific."
\n
The bureau said Sanya has already built a nine-segment yacht-industrial chain covering training, Customs clearance, chartering and sales. The next step, Huang said, is to expand into yacht design, research and development, and manufacturing, while fostering auxiliary services such as digital management, maritime rescue and ecological protection to strengthen the value chain.
\n
Sanya has been named the best city for yacht-development and best yacht-tourism destination for several years running. Global yacht brands increasingly use Sanya as a platform for product debuts and trade talks.
\n
The Hainan provincial government has pledged continued policy and financial support to consolidate this growth. In its latest work report, it vowed to nurture new consumption and accelerate the development of Sanya's yacht industry pilot zone.
Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam attempts to defend as Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs rebounds the ball during an NBA preseason game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Monday.
\n\n
Imagine this lineup: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama, all on the floor at the same time as teammates.
\n
MVPs. Scoring champions. NBA champions. Triple-double machines. Defensive wizards. International players, all together in one highly decorated, incredibly accomplished, flat-out-scary lineup, the likes of which probably has not been seen too many times in basketball history.
\n
The NBA seems on the brink of making it possible.
\n
Changes to the All-Star format are most certainly coming, once again, and the plan that the NBA has settled on is one that has players from the United States going up against players from the rest of the world in a tournament setting. Think Ryder Cup golf or 4 Nations Face-Off hockey, and it just so happens that this season's All-Star weekend at Inglewood, California, is smack in the middle of another national-pride sporting event — the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics.
\n
"I talk to a lot of fans, and All-Star Games for whatever reason take on particular interest around basketball," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. "I think we should be able to create something that's fun, exciting, engaging. Not expecting guys to play the way they would in the finals necessarily, or even in a playoff game, but yet to go out, play hard, put on a good show for the fans."
\n
The plan, which isn't yet finalized, calls for a three-team tournament: two American teams and one international team, all with eight-man rosters. The reason: Roughly two-thirds of NBA players are from the US and one-third are not, which is why the NBA thinks it would be fair to give the US two-thirds of the roster spots.
\n
"Hopefully, it's going to be better," said Jokic, the Denver star.
\n
It has become almost an annual exercise for the NBA: fixing the All-Star Game. Silver and other league officials — and to be fair, some players as well — desperately want the product to be better and more competitive. They tried having captains like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Antetokounmpo pick the teams for a few years, and not much changed. They tried going back to the standard Eastern Conference vs Western Conference format, and it wasn't great either. Having a final score of 211-186 in Indianapolis in 2024 was the last straw in many respects, so the NBA last year tried a mini-tournament on for size, and few people cared for it.
\n
Golden State's Stephen Curry was MVP of that All-Star event, a four-teams-of-eight competition that had a 41-25 final score in the title match-up and saw the final game stopped for about 20 minutes for a tribute to TNT and its run as a league broadcaster.
\n
"I honestly thought last year went great until it dragged on for a long time," Curry said. "We all know that All-Star has changed over the years, but there has to be some type of solution for keeping the players fresh and loose, and keeping the action going. Last year it came to a screeching halt. But whatever the format is, I know we're going to keep taking swings at the plate to figure it out, and that's what the league is supposed to do."
\n
International players have said they love the idea of a US vs The World concept. Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee star, has talked about it previously, and playfully said that the league should give him credit for the idea.
\n
"The NBA's going to take all the credit. But I love it, man," Antetokounmpo said.
\n
"I think it's going to be exciting for people to watch. I'm going to play hard. I've always been playing hard, but I think it's going to put a little bit more juice to the game. All players have ego. Nobody wants to be embarrassed. Guys will play harder because they don't want to become — I don't know how you say this — they don't want to become viral. I'm excited for this format."
\n
The league has been working on the plan for a few months, and Silver has said he hopes that it can be formally announced by the start of the season, which begins Oct 21.
\n
"The World vs US? We'll see how it goes. I think it's interesting," said Detroit's Cade Cunningham, who was a first-time All-Star last season. "Me, personally, I wanted to play in the East vs West game, but I think I will have my opportunity to do that one day. Playing for the US, I know we're going to be playing hard. I think it will be good."
\n
Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP and scoring champion at NBA title holder Oklahoma City Thunder, knows the league wants a more competitive All-Star event. He isn't sure if the format is a reason why someone would play hard or not.
\n
Like everyone else, he's interested to see how it plays out.
\n
"Guys that make it are grown men, and they're going to compete if they want to, or not compete if they don't want to. And I think that's what it's going to come down to," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "So, the change in the format, it's good, it's fun. It keeps the fans engaged. It could be interesting. It's what the league is supposed to do. They do a great job of that. But, I think it's just going to come down to if the players want to play or not."
\n",
+ "content": "
Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam attempts to defend as Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs rebounds the ball during an NBA preseason game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Monday.
\n\n
Imagine this lineup: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama, all on the floor at the same time as teammates.
\n
MVPs. Scoring champions. NBA champions. Triple-double machines. Defensive wizards. International players, all together in one highly decorated, incredibly accomplished, flat-out-scary lineup, the likes of which probably has not been seen too many times in basketball history.
\n
The NBA seems on the brink of making it possible.
\n
Changes to the All-Star format are most certainly coming, once again, and the plan that the NBA has settled on is one that has players from the United States going up against players from the rest of the world in a tournament setting. Think Ryder Cup golf or 4 Nations Face-Off hockey, and it just so happens that this season's All-Star weekend at Inglewood, California, is smack in the middle of another national-pride sporting event — the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics.
\n
"I talk to a lot of fans, and All-Star Games for whatever reason take on particular interest around basketball," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. "I think we should be able to create something that's fun, exciting, engaging. Not expecting guys to play the way they would in the finals necessarily, or even in a playoff game, but yet to go out, play hard, put on a good show for the fans."
\n
The plan, which isn't yet finalized, calls for a three-team tournament: two American teams and one international team, all with eight-man rosters. The reason: Roughly two-thirds of NBA players are from the US and one-third are not, which is why the NBA thinks it would be fair to give the US two-thirds of the roster spots.
\n
"Hopefully, it's going to be better," said Jokic, the Denver star.
\n
It has become almost an annual exercise for the NBA: fixing the All-Star Game. Silver and other league officials — and to be fair, some players as well — desperately want the product to be better and more competitive. They tried having captains like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Antetokounmpo pick the teams for a few years, and not much changed. They tried going back to the standard Eastern Conference vs Western Conference format, and it wasn't great either. Having a final score of 211-186 in Indianapolis in 2024 was the last straw in many respects, so the NBA last year tried a mini-tournament on for size, and few people cared for it.
\n
Golden State's Stephen Curry was MVP of that All-Star event, a four-teams-of-eight competition that had a 41-25 final score in the title match-up and saw the final game stopped for about 20 minutes for a tribute to TNT and its run as a league broadcaster.
\n
"I honestly thought last year went great until it dragged on for a long time," Curry said. "We all know that All-Star has changed over the years, but there has to be some type of solution for keeping the players fresh and loose, and keeping the action going. Last year it came to a screeching halt. But whatever the format is, I know we're going to keep taking swings at the plate to figure it out, and that's what the league is supposed to do."
\n
International players have said they love the idea of a US vs The World concept. Antetokounmpo, the Milwaukee star, has talked about it previously, and playfully said that the league should give him credit for the idea.
\n
"The NBA's going to take all the credit. But I love it, man," Antetokounmpo said.
\n
"I think it's going to be exciting for people to watch. I'm going to play hard. I've always been playing hard, but I think it's going to put a little bit more juice to the game. All players have ego. Nobody wants to be embarrassed. Guys will play harder because they don't want to become — I don't know how you say this — they don't want to become viral. I'm excited for this format."
\n
The league has been working on the plan for a few months, and Silver has said he hopes that it can be formally announced by the start of the season, which begins Oct 21.
\n
"The World vs US? We'll see how it goes. I think it's interesting," said Detroit's Cade Cunningham, who was a first-time All-Star last season. "Me, personally, I wanted to play in the East vs West game, but I think I will have my opportunity to do that one day. Playing for the US, I know we're going to be playing hard. I think it will be good."
\n
Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP and scoring champion at NBA title holder Oklahoma City Thunder, knows the league wants a more competitive All-Star event. He isn't sure if the format is a reason why someone would play hard or not.
\n
Like everyone else, he's interested to see how it plays out.
\n
"Guys that make it are grown men, and they're going to compete if they want to, or not compete if they don't want to. And I think that's what it's going to come down to," Gilgeous-Alexander said. "So, the change in the format, it's good, it's fun. It keeps the fans engaged. It could be interesting. It's what the league is supposed to do. They do a great job of that. But, I think it's just going to come down to if the players want to play or not."
Draymond Green (23) of the Golden State Warriors tussles with Deandre Ayton of the Los Angeles Lakers for a rebound during an NBA preseason game in Los Angeles on Sunday.
\n
For all the focus on what adding a center could do for Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves looks as though he will be just as big a beneficiary of the Lakers' improved pick-and-roll game powered by new Los Angeles big man Deandre Ayton.
\n
Reaves has developed a strong rapport with Ayton through two preseason games, turning in an efficient 21-point outing against Golden State on Sunday.
\n
"I think that those things just grow through reps, and that's kind of what we're trying to do in preseason, is get those reps," Reaves said. "I'm not really sitting there thinking about it in the moment.
\n
"If I go by my guy, I'm gonna go by them. If I need a screen, then I'll have him come screen. It's been fun getting to play alongside him in that pick-and-roll."
\n
Ayton, who signed a two-year contract with the Lakers in July as they sought more consistent offensive production from the center position, agreed the live exhibition work alongside Reaves has been helpful in allowing him to understand the 6-foot-5 Oklahoma product's free-flowing approach to offense with the ball in his hands.
\n
"He's super crafty," Ayton said. "I like to get lost in his little freedom' cause he has a lot of wiggle to his game, and I don't want to be in his way at all, so I let him do his thing."
\n
Coach J.J. Redick used the same word, "crafty," to describe Reaves, who enters his fifth season in the NBA in better shape after the Lakers revamped their sports medicine staff. Those improvements are allowing Reaves to draw more free throws, which led Redick to an interesting player comparison.
\n
"The ability to draw fouls, you put your hand there, and he's able to rise up. I played with a guy, Jamal Crawford, who was so good at that," Redick said. "So he's just picking up little tricks here and there to get to the free throw line. He's always been good at that, but you see that continue to develop."
\n
Reaves enjoyed the association with Crawford, a three-time Sixth Man of the Year award winner.
\n
"I like that one, too. Jamal Crawford was cold," Reaves said. "I think where he's coming from is kind of the creativity offensively. I don't want to speak for him, but I'm not someone that sits there and plans what I'm about to do. Everything just kind of happens naturally, happens in the flow of the game. So I haven't heard that one, but I like J.J.a little more now."
\n
The Lakers will need Reaves at his best when the regular season starts next week with LeBron James out because of sciatica, which will be re-evaluated in three to four weeks. Reaves, who averaged 20.2 points, 5.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds last season, cautioned it will take a team effort to replace James' production.
\n
"I can't go LeBron, I wish I could, but I think you got to do it as a collective group, and that's what we'll do," Reaves said.
\n
Ayton will play a key part in that assignment, in the two-man offensive game, be it with Reaves or Doncic. The 27-year-old Ayton has never averaged more than 1.9 assists in his seven seasons with Phoenix and Portland, but the Lakers believe they can unlock more of his play-making on and off the ball.
\n
Redick said Ayton is already adapting well in his ability to create space for Reaves.
\n
"I think DA is really good in terms of reading what the ball-handler's defender is doing," Redick said. "Him in the pocket has been really good, but he's made a concerted effort to get Austin open, like create advantages for Austin using his screening, which I think is only gonna benefit everyone down the line."
\n
The first look at how Ayton meshes with Doncic should come at the Suns on Tuesday, which will likely be the first of two preseason games for the superstar guard following his summer run with Slovenia at the EuroBasket tournament.
\n
If Ayton can show an on-court partnership with Doncic comparable to the early showings with Reaves, it will bode well for the Lakers' chances of starting strong, even without James.
\n
"He's going to have a lot of responsibility this year for things that we want to do if we want to be as good as we think can be," Reaves said of Ayton.
\n
"We need him to be his best self and whatever that looks like."
\n",
+ "content": "
Draymond Green (23) of the Golden State Warriors tussles with Deandre Ayton of the Los Angeles Lakers for a rebound during an NBA preseason game in Los Angeles on Sunday.
\n
For all the focus on what adding a center could do for Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves looks as though he will be just as big a beneficiary of the Lakers' improved pick-and-roll game powered by new Los Angeles big man Deandre Ayton.
\n
Reaves has developed a strong rapport with Ayton through two preseason games, turning in an efficient 21-point outing against Golden State on Sunday.
\n
"I think that those things just grow through reps, and that's kind of what we're trying to do in preseason, is get those reps," Reaves said. "I'm not really sitting there thinking about it in the moment.
\n
"If I go by my guy, I'm gonna go by them. If I need a screen, then I'll have him come screen. It's been fun getting to play alongside him in that pick-and-roll."
\n
Ayton, who signed a two-year contract with the Lakers in July as they sought more consistent offensive production from the center position, agreed the live exhibition work alongside Reaves has been helpful in allowing him to understand the 6-foot-5 Oklahoma product's free-flowing approach to offense with the ball in his hands.
\n
"He's super crafty," Ayton said. "I like to get lost in his little freedom' cause he has a lot of wiggle to his game, and I don't want to be in his way at all, so I let him do his thing."
\n
Coach J.J. Redick used the same word, "crafty," to describe Reaves, who enters his fifth season in the NBA in better shape after the Lakers revamped their sports medicine staff. Those improvements are allowing Reaves to draw more free throws, which led Redick to an interesting player comparison.
\n
"The ability to draw fouls, you put your hand there, and he's able to rise up. I played with a guy, Jamal Crawford, who was so good at that," Redick said. "So he's just picking up little tricks here and there to get to the free throw line. He's always been good at that, but you see that continue to develop."
\n
Reaves enjoyed the association with Crawford, a three-time Sixth Man of the Year award winner.
\n
"I like that one, too. Jamal Crawford was cold," Reaves said. "I think where he's coming from is kind of the creativity offensively. I don't want to speak for him, but I'm not someone that sits there and plans what I'm about to do. Everything just kind of happens naturally, happens in the flow of the game. So I haven't heard that one, but I like J.J.a little more now."
\n
The Lakers will need Reaves at his best when the regular season starts next week with LeBron James out because of sciatica, which will be re-evaluated in three to four weeks. Reaves, who averaged 20.2 points, 5.8 assists and 4.5 rebounds last season, cautioned it will take a team effort to replace James' production.
\n
"I can't go LeBron, I wish I could, but I think you got to do it as a collective group, and that's what we'll do," Reaves said.
\n
Ayton will play a key part in that assignment, in the two-man offensive game, be it with Reaves or Doncic. The 27-year-old Ayton has never averaged more than 1.9 assists in his seven seasons with Phoenix and Portland, but the Lakers believe they can unlock more of his play-making on and off the ball.
\n
Redick said Ayton is already adapting well in his ability to create space for Reaves.
\n
"I think DA is really good in terms of reading what the ball-handler's defender is doing," Redick said. "Him in the pocket has been really good, but he's made a concerted effort to get Austin open, like create advantages for Austin using his screening, which I think is only gonna benefit everyone down the line."
\n
The first look at how Ayton meshes with Doncic should come at the Suns on Tuesday, which will likely be the first of two preseason games for the superstar guard following his summer run with Slovenia at the EuroBasket tournament.
\n
If Ayton can show an on-court partnership with Doncic comparable to the early showings with Reaves, it will bode well for the Lakers' chances of starting strong, even without James.
\n
"He's going to have a lot of responsibility this year for things that we want to do if we want to be as good as we think can be," Reaves said of Ayton.
\n
"We need him to be his best self and whatever that looks like."
Seattle Mariners Jorge Polanco connects for a three-run homer off Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Louis Varland during the fifth inning in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series on Monday. The Mariners took a 2-0 series lead by routing the Blue Jays 10-3.
\n
TORONTO — Julio Rodriguez and Jorge Polanco hit three-run homers, Josh Naylor added a two-run drive and the Seattle Mariners took a 2-0 AL Championship Series lead by routing the Toronto Blue Jays 10-3 on Monday.
\n
Seattle, the only big league team never to host a World Series game, headed home for Wednesday's Game 3 needing two more wins in the best-of-seven series to end that drought.
\n
"I expect a lot of noise from the fans," Polanco said. "They will bring a lot of energy for us. We'll just keep competing."
\n
Toronto had just six hits, only one after the second inning, and had eight hits in the first two games. Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr was zero for three with a walk and is hitless in the series.
\n
Rodriguez homered for a 3-0 lead three batters in against rookie Trey Yesavage, a 22-year-old making just his fifth big league start.
\n
Nathan Lukes and Alejandro Kirk had RBI singles in the bottom half off Logan Gilbert, and Lukes' run-scoring single tied the score in the second.
\n
Polanco's three-run homer off Louis Varland put Seattle back ahead 6-3 in the fifth. J.P. Crawford added an RBI single in the sixth and Naylor had a two-run homer in the seventh against Braydon Fisher.
\n
Six of Polanco's first seven hits this postseason drove in runs. He had the game-ending single in the 15th inning of Friday's Division Series clincher against Detroit and went two for four with two RBIs in Seattle's 3-1 opening ALCS win, Polanco's two previous home runs this October both came off Detroit's Tarik Skubal, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner.
\n
The roof was open on a breezy, 16 C day on the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday, but locals in the sellout crowd of 44,814 had little to celebrate.
\n
Seattle's bullpen has combined for nine scoreless innings in the series, allowing just one hit. Winner Eduard Bazardo, Carlos Vargas and Emerson Hancock each pitched two innings.
\n
Naylor, born in Mississauga, Ontario, fouled a ball off his right foot in the first inning, and looked uncomfortable in the batter's box in the fifth, prompting manager Dan Wilson to come out and check on him. With Miles Mastrobuoni getting ready to come into the game if needed, Naylor convinced Wilson to leave him in and homered in the seventh.
\n
Yesavage, who took the loss, gave up three runs and four hits in four-plus innings.
\n
He set a Blue Jays postseason record by striking out 11 Yankees in five-and-one-third hitless innings in ALDS Game 2, but had two swings and misses on his splitter, down from 11 against New York.
\n
Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander was scratched from the lineup because of a sore lower back. Davis Schneider replaced him and went zero for three with a walk.
\n",
+ "content": "
Seattle Mariners Jorge Polanco connects for a three-run homer off Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Louis Varland during the fifth inning in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series on Monday. The Mariners took a 2-0 series lead by routing the Blue Jays 10-3.
\n
TORONTO — Julio Rodriguez and Jorge Polanco hit three-run homers, Josh Naylor added a two-run drive and the Seattle Mariners took a 2-0 AL Championship Series lead by routing the Toronto Blue Jays 10-3 on Monday.
\n
Seattle, the only big league team never to host a World Series game, headed home for Wednesday's Game 3 needing two more wins in the best-of-seven series to end that drought.
\n
"I expect a lot of noise from the fans," Polanco said. "They will bring a lot of energy for us. We'll just keep competing."
\n
Toronto had just six hits, only one after the second inning, and had eight hits in the first two games. Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr was zero for three with a walk and is hitless in the series.
\n
Rodriguez homered for a 3-0 lead three batters in against rookie Trey Yesavage, a 22-year-old making just his fifth big league start.
\n
Nathan Lukes and Alejandro Kirk had RBI singles in the bottom half off Logan Gilbert, and Lukes' run-scoring single tied the score in the second.
\n
Polanco's three-run homer off Louis Varland put Seattle back ahead 6-3 in the fifth. J.P. Crawford added an RBI single in the sixth and Naylor had a two-run homer in the seventh against Braydon Fisher.
\n
Six of Polanco's first seven hits this postseason drove in runs. He had the game-ending single in the 15th inning of Friday's Division Series clincher against Detroit and went two for four with two RBIs in Seattle's 3-1 opening ALCS win, Polanco's two previous home runs this October both came off Detroit's Tarik Skubal, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner.
\n
The roof was open on a breezy, 16 C day on the Canadian Thanksgiving holiday, but locals in the sellout crowd of 44,814 had little to celebrate.
\n
Seattle's bullpen has combined for nine scoreless innings in the series, allowing just one hit. Winner Eduard Bazardo, Carlos Vargas and Emerson Hancock each pitched two innings.
\n
Naylor, born in Mississauga, Ontario, fouled a ball off his right foot in the first inning, and looked uncomfortable in the batter's box in the fifth, prompting manager Dan Wilson to come out and check on him. With Miles Mastrobuoni getting ready to come into the game if needed, Naylor convinced Wilson to leave him in and homered in the seventh.
\n
Yesavage, who took the loss, gave up three runs and four hits in four-plus innings.
\n
He set a Blue Jays postseason record by striking out 11 Yankees in five-and-one-third hitless innings in ALDS Game 2, but had two swings and misses on his splitter, down from 11 against New York.
\n
Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander was scratched from the lineup because of a sore lower back. Davis Schneider replaced him and went zero for three with a walk.
Cape Verde goalscorer Stopira (bottom) and a teammate celebrate after defeating Eswatini at Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde in Praia, Cape Verde, on Monday.
\n
Cape Verde players stand for the national anthem before its World Cup African qualifier against Libya in Tripoli on Oct 8.
\n
Supporters celebrate Cape Verde's historic 2026 World Cup qualification at a fan zone in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, on Monday.
\n
Cape Verde beat Eswatini 3-0 on Monday to secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup, booking its place in soccer's global showpiece for the very first time.
\n
The team from an archipelago off the coast of Senegal with about 550,000 inhabitants becomes the second-least populous nation to reach the World Cup, after Iceland, with just over 350,000 people, qualified for Russia 2018.
\n
"What a historic moment," FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a video message. "Congratulations to everyone in Cape Verde for making the FIFA World Cup for the first time. Your flag will fly and your anthem will be heard at the greatest FIFA World Cup ever.
\n
"Your work on football development in recent years has been incredible, and this is a moment where your stars will become global and power a new generation of football lovers across Cape Verde."
\n
Cape Verde won Group D with 23 points, four more than Cameroon, which holds the African record for World Cup appearances with eight. Cameroon was held 0-0 by Angola in Yaounde.
\n
"Giving this happiness to these people is enormous ... it's a victory for all the Cape Verdean people and, above all, a victory for those who fought for our independence," coach Pedro Brito told reporters.
\n
"It's a special moment in this celebration of the 50th anniversary of our independence."
\n
An emotional Vozinha, the 39-year-old goalkeeper, admitted: "I have been dreaming of this moment since I was a child.
\n
"We knew we could do better (in the second half), and that's it ... it's time to celebrate."
\n
After dominating the first half of the final-round qualifier, but seldom threatening to score, the Blue Sharks struck twice through Dailon Livramento and Willy Semedo in the first nine minutes after halftime, in front of a 15,000-strong, flag-waving crowd in Praia.
\n
Livramento claimed his fourth goal of the 10-round qualifying campaign on 48 minutes and Semedo struck six minutes later. Both goals came from close-range tap-ins.
\n
Cape Verde added a third goal in added time when Stopira, a substitute for Joao Paulo, pounced on a loose ball to score.
\n
Cape Verde relies heavily on players born outside the nation to Cape Verdean parents or grandparents. Livramento was born in Rotterdam and Semedo near Paris.
\n
Eswatini had come to the 10-island archipelago with little attacking ambition, adopting a 5-4-1 formation in front of goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala.
\n
'Too emotional'
\n
But, after conceding twice, there was no way back for the team from southern Africa, which lost seven qualifiers and drew the other three.
\n
"It's too emotional. I embrace all the Cape Verdean people, at home and in our great diaspora," said scorer Stopira.
\n
Cape Verde captain and striker Ryan Mendes addedd: "Honestly, I don't have the words to describe this moment. I'm very, very happy."
\n
Cape Verde spread the national team net wide, with three starters based in Portugal and one each from the United States, the Republic of Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, Romania, Russia, the Netherlands, Turkiye and Cyprus.
\n
The remarkable qualification of Cape Verde came after it made a disappointing start to the campaign, drawing 0-0 at home with Angola and slumping to a 4-1 loss away to Cameroon.
\n
Those results left the Blue Sharks with four points from a possible nine, having won away to Eswatini in between.
\n
But, after the match-day three loss in Yaounde, Cape Verde won five consecutive qualifiers, including crucial one-goal victories away to Angola and at home to Cameroon.
\n
That left the islanders needing three points from their final two qualifiers this month, and a drama-filled 3-3 draw in Libya secured one before hosting Eswatini.
\n
Last year, in the midst of the World Cup campaign, Cape Verde fared poorly in 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, winning only one match of six and failing to secure a place at the tournament.
\n
Despite flopping in a group from which Egypt and Botswana advanced, Cape Verdean officials retained faith in long-serving Brito.
\n
After two stints as assistant coach of the national team and spells with five local clubs, the coach widely known as Bubista took charge of Cape Verde in 2020.
\n
The 55-year-old former centerback, who represented his country 21 times, guided Cape Verde to successive AFCON tournaments, in Cameroon three years ago and Cote d'Ivoire last year.
\n
It reached the knockout phase each time, making a last-16 exit in Cameroon, then, last year, losing a quarterfinal against South Africa on penalties, seeing four of its spotkicks saved.
\n
Cameroon still alive
\n
The nine group winners automatically qualify for the World Cup. The four best runners-up play in a mini-tournament of two semifinals and a final in November. Cameroon can still advance as a runner-up.
\n
The repechage winner advances to FIFA's playoff tournament against opponents from Asia, CONCACAF, South America and Oceania.
\n
Tickets for the Cape Verde match were sold in record time, according to FIFA, and the government declared a half-day holiday across the country so people could watch the game.
\n
The 2026 World Cup will feature an expanded field of 48 teams, up from 32.
\n
In the other Group D match, Mauritius and Libya drew 0-0.
\n
In Group C, Lesotho defeated Zimbabwe 1-0 at home.
\n
With its spot in the World Cup already secured, Tunisia closed its African qualifying run with a comfortable 3-0 home win over Namibia.
\n
Ali Abdi converted a 28th-minute penalty kick and Hannibal Mejbri and Ferjani Sassi added second-half goals to secure Tunisia the best record in African qualifying.
\n
Tunisia won Group H with 28 points from 10 matches, outscoring opponents 22-0. It dropped two points and finished 13 points ahead of second-placed Namibia.
\n
Also in Group H, Equatorial Guinea drew with Liberia 1-1 at home, while last-placed Sao Tome and Principe beat Malawi 1-0 for its first win in the group — and first victory in the World Cup preliminaries in 10 years.
\n
In Group B, South Sudan drew with visiting Togo 0-0.
\n",
+ "content": "
Cape Verde goalscorer Stopira (bottom) and a teammate celebrate after defeating Eswatini at Estadio Nacional de Cabo Verde in Praia, Cape Verde, on Monday.
\n
Cape Verde players stand for the national anthem before its World Cup African qualifier against Libya in Tripoli on Oct 8.
\n
Supporters celebrate Cape Verde's historic 2026 World Cup qualification at a fan zone in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, on Monday.
\n
Cape Verde beat Eswatini 3-0 on Monday to secure a spot at the 2026 World Cup, booking its place in soccer's global showpiece for the very first time.
\n
The team from an archipelago off the coast of Senegal with about 550,000 inhabitants becomes the second-least populous nation to reach the World Cup, after Iceland, with just over 350,000 people, qualified for Russia 2018.
\n
"What a historic moment," FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a video message. "Congratulations to everyone in Cape Verde for making the FIFA World Cup for the first time. Your flag will fly and your anthem will be heard at the greatest FIFA World Cup ever.
\n
"Your work on football development in recent years has been incredible, and this is a moment where your stars will become global and power a new generation of football lovers across Cape Verde."
\n
Cape Verde won Group D with 23 points, four more than Cameroon, which holds the African record for World Cup appearances with eight. Cameroon was held 0-0 by Angola in Yaounde.
\n
"Giving this happiness to these people is enormous ... it's a victory for all the Cape Verdean people and, above all, a victory for those who fought for our independence," coach Pedro Brito told reporters.
\n
"It's a special moment in this celebration of the 50th anniversary of our independence."
\n
An emotional Vozinha, the 39-year-old goalkeeper, admitted: "I have been dreaming of this moment since I was a child.
\n
"We knew we could do better (in the second half), and that's it ... it's time to celebrate."
\n
After dominating the first half of the final-round qualifier, but seldom threatening to score, the Blue Sharks struck twice through Dailon Livramento and Willy Semedo in the first nine minutes after halftime, in front of a 15,000-strong, flag-waving crowd in Praia.
\n
Livramento claimed his fourth goal of the 10-round qualifying campaign on 48 minutes and Semedo struck six minutes later. Both goals came from close-range tap-ins.
\n
Cape Verde added a third goal in added time when Stopira, a substitute for Joao Paulo, pounced on a loose ball to score.
\n
Cape Verde relies heavily on players born outside the nation to Cape Verdean parents or grandparents. Livramento was born in Rotterdam and Semedo near Paris.
\n
Eswatini had come to the 10-island archipelago with little attacking ambition, adopting a 5-4-1 formation in front of goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala.
\n
'Too emotional'
\n
But, after conceding twice, there was no way back for the team from southern Africa, which lost seven qualifiers and drew the other three.
\n
"It's too emotional. I embrace all the Cape Verdean people, at home and in our great diaspora," said scorer Stopira.
\n
Cape Verde captain and striker Ryan Mendes addedd: "Honestly, I don't have the words to describe this moment. I'm very, very happy."
\n
Cape Verde spread the national team net wide, with three starters based in Portugal and one each from the United States, the Republic of Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, Romania, Russia, the Netherlands, Turkiye and Cyprus.
\n
The remarkable qualification of Cape Verde came after it made a disappointing start to the campaign, drawing 0-0 at home with Angola and slumping to a 4-1 loss away to Cameroon.
\n
Those results left the Blue Sharks with four points from a possible nine, having won away to Eswatini in between.
\n
But, after the match-day three loss in Yaounde, Cape Verde won five consecutive qualifiers, including crucial one-goal victories away to Angola and at home to Cameroon.
\n
That left the islanders needing three points from their final two qualifiers this month, and a drama-filled 3-3 draw in Libya secured one before hosting Eswatini.
\n
Last year, in the midst of the World Cup campaign, Cape Verde fared poorly in 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, winning only one match of six and failing to secure a place at the tournament.
\n
Despite flopping in a group from which Egypt and Botswana advanced, Cape Verdean officials retained faith in long-serving Brito.
\n
After two stints as assistant coach of the national team and spells with five local clubs, the coach widely known as Bubista took charge of Cape Verde in 2020.
\n
The 55-year-old former centerback, who represented his country 21 times, guided Cape Verde to successive AFCON tournaments, in Cameroon three years ago and Cote d'Ivoire last year.
\n
It reached the knockout phase each time, making a last-16 exit in Cameroon, then, last year, losing a quarterfinal against South Africa on penalties, seeing four of its spotkicks saved.
\n
Cameroon still alive
\n
The nine group winners automatically qualify for the World Cup. The four best runners-up play in a mini-tournament of two semifinals and a final in November. Cameroon can still advance as a runner-up.
\n
The repechage winner advances to FIFA's playoff tournament against opponents from Asia, CONCACAF, South America and Oceania.
\n
Tickets for the Cape Verde match were sold in record time, according to FIFA, and the government declared a half-day holiday across the country so people could watch the game.
\n
The 2026 World Cup will feature an expanded field of 48 teams, up from 32.
\n
In the other Group D match, Mauritius and Libya drew 0-0.
\n
In Group C, Lesotho defeated Zimbabwe 1-0 at home.
\n
With its spot in the World Cup already secured, Tunisia closed its African qualifying run with a comfortable 3-0 home win over Namibia.
\n
Ali Abdi converted a 28th-minute penalty kick and Hannibal Mejbri and Ferjani Sassi added second-half goals to secure Tunisia the best record in African qualifying.
\n
Tunisia won Group H with 28 points from 10 matches, outscoring opponents 22-0. It dropped two points and finished 13 points ahead of second-placed Namibia.
\n
Also in Group H, Equatorial Guinea drew with Liberia 1-1 at home, while last-placed Sao Tome and Principe beat Malawi 1-0 for its first win in the group — and first victory in the World Cup preliminaries in 10 years.
\n
In Group B, South Sudan drew with visiting Togo 0-0.
The tiny African island nation of Cape Verde qualified for the World Cup for the first time on Monday after beating Eswatini 3-0.
\n
Cape Verde is the second smallest country to make it to the men's World Cup since the first tournament in 1930.
\n
Here's a look at the tiniest countries in World Cup history, based on their population:
\n
Iceland
\n
With a population of just over 350,000, Iceland became the smallest country to reach the World Cup when it qualified for the tournament in Russia in 2018.
\n
That was two years after the team famously eliminated England to reach the quarterfinals of the 2016 European Championship.
\n
In Russia, Iceland managed a draw against Argentina, but losses to Croatia and Nigeria placed it last in its World Cup group.
\n
Cape Verde
\n
The island nation off the coast of West Africa has about 525,000 inhabitants and is ranked 70th in the FIFA men's world rankings.
\n
Cape Verde earned a spot at the 2026 World Cup by finishing first in its African qualifying group.
\n
The country which won independence from Portugal 50 years ago has appeared at the Africa Cup of Nations four times, and reached the quarterfinals in 2013 and 2023.
\n
Of the countries that have qualified so far for next year's World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, it is by far the smallest.
\n
Paraguay
\n
The South American country had an estimated population of just under one million when it appeared at the inaugural World Cup in 1930.
\n
Paraguay was eliminated in the first round after losing to the United States and defeating Belgium.
\n
The Paraguayans will make their ninth World Cup appearance next year after grabbing the last of South America's six direct qualifying spots.
\n
Trinidad and Tobago
\n
The Caribbean country of Trinidad and Tobago won an international playoff to earn its first and only World Cup appearance at Germany 2006.
\n
With a population of 1.3 million, it was the smallest country in that tournament by some margin.
\n
Trinidad and Tobago salvaged a draw with Sweden, but lost against England and Paraguay to finish last in its group.
\n
It has not been back to the World Cup since.
\n
Northern Ireland
\n
Northern Ireland had an estimated 1.4 million inhabitants when it reached the 1958 World Cup.
\n
The team defeated what was then Czechoslovakia, lost to Argentina and drew with West Germany in the group stage. It was eliminated by France in the next round.
\n
Northern Ireland also played in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.
\n",
+ "content": "
The tiny African island nation of Cape Verde qualified for the World Cup for the first time on Monday after beating Eswatini 3-0.
\n
Cape Verde is the second smallest country to make it to the men's World Cup since the first tournament in 1930.
\n
Here's a look at the tiniest countries in World Cup history, based on their population:
\n
Iceland
\n
With a population of just over 350,000, Iceland became the smallest country to reach the World Cup when it qualified for the tournament in Russia in 2018.
\n
That was two years after the team famously eliminated England to reach the quarterfinals of the 2016 European Championship.
\n
In Russia, Iceland managed a draw against Argentina, but losses to Croatia and Nigeria placed it last in its World Cup group.
\n
Cape Verde
\n
The island nation off the coast of West Africa has about 525,000 inhabitants and is ranked 70th in the FIFA men's world rankings.
\n
Cape Verde earned a spot at the 2026 World Cup by finishing first in its African qualifying group.
\n
The country which won independence from Portugal 50 years ago has appeared at the Africa Cup of Nations four times, and reached the quarterfinals in 2013 and 2023.
\n
Of the countries that have qualified so far for next year's World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, it is by far the smallest.
\n
Paraguay
\n
The South American country had an estimated population of just under one million when it appeared at the inaugural World Cup in 1930.
\n
Paraguay was eliminated in the first round after losing to the United States and defeating Belgium.
\n
The Paraguayans will make their ninth World Cup appearance next year after grabbing the last of South America's six direct qualifying spots.
\n
Trinidad and Tobago
\n
The Caribbean country of Trinidad and Tobago won an international playoff to earn its first and only World Cup appearance at Germany 2006.
\n
With a population of 1.3 million, it was the smallest country in that tournament by some margin.
\n
Trinidad and Tobago salvaged a draw with Sweden, but lost against England and Paraguay to finish last in its group.
\n
It has not been back to the World Cup since.
\n
Northern Ireland
\n
Northern Ireland had an estimated 1.4 million inhabitants when it reached the 1958 World Cup.
\n
The team defeated what was then Czechoslovakia, lost to Argentina and drew with West Germany in the group stage. It was eliminated by France in the next round.
\n
Northern Ireland also played in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.
\n",
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+ "title": "020SPORTS - Germany and Belgium look set for finals, while France still has work to do",
+ "description": "
A rat evades the clutches of Belgium's Thibaut Courtois after running onto the pitch during a UEFA World Cup qualifying match in Cardiff, Wales, on Monday.
\n
Injury-hit France was held to a 2-2 draw by Iceland in 2026 World Cup qualifying on Monday, while Germany won in Northern Ireland thanks to a Nick Woltemade goal and Belgium beat Wales to stand on the brink of qualifying for next year's finals.
\n
France, World Cup winner in 2018 and runner-up in 2022, was without a host of players in Reykjavik, including captain Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, both out injured.
\n
It fell behind to a Victor Palsson goal late in the first half, but Christopher Nkunku equalized just after the hour mark.
\n
Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta then gave Les Bleus the lead midway through the second half, getting his first senior international goal on his first start.
\n
However, Iceland was back level almost from the restart as Kristian Hlynsson of FC Twente ran through unchallenged to make it 2-2.
\n
France could have clinched qualification for next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico with a win in Reykjavik combined with Ukraine failing to beat Azerbaijan at the same time.
\n
But, while it was dropping points, Ukraine was beating Azerbaijan 2-1 in the Polish city of Krakow — Oleksiy Hutsulyak and Ruslan Malinovskyi scored for Ukraine either side of a Vitaliy Mykolenko own goal.
\n
France is, nevertheless, three points clear at the top of Group D with two games remaining next month, and a win at home to second-placed Ukraine in Paris will wrap up top spot.
\n
"We totally controlled the game. Iceland had two shots on target and scored two goals," France coach Didier Deschamps told TFI. "But, we have another point on the board and next month will be decisive."
\n
Germany has now recorded three consecutive victories in Group A after beginning its campaign with a defeat in Slovakia last month.
\n
Newcastle United forward Woltemade headed in the only goal of the game as Germany beat Northern Ireland 1-0 in Belfast, and Julian Nagelsmann's team is top of the group with nine points.
\n
"It was a very important three points for us," Woltemade told Germany's RTL, adding that "in this atmosphere, and in a bit of an ugly game, you have to win, and we did well".
\n
Switzerland forced to wait
\n
Slovakia sits second only on goal difference as it defeated Luxembourg 2-0 at home, Adam Obert and Ivan Schranz scoring the goals in the second half.
\n
The 12 group winners in European qualifying will go to the World Cup, with runners-up continuing on to playoffs set for next March — the meeting between Germany and Slovakia in Leipzig next month will therefore be decisive.
\n
Belgium has almost qualified from Group J after Kevin De Bruyne converted two penalties in a 4-2 win over Wales in Cardiff.
\n
Joe Rodon had given Wales an early lead, but De Bruyne's spotkick double came either side of a Thomas Meunier goal.
\n
Nathan Broadhead pulled it back to 3-2, only for Leandro Trossard of Arsenal to seal Belgium's victory at the death.
\n
Rudi Garcia's Red Devils — who beat Wales 4-3 at home in June — know that one win from their two games next month away to Kazakhstan and at home to Liechtenstein will clinch top spot.
\n
Meanwhile, Wales must try to catch second-placed North Macedonia, which was held 1-1 at home by Kazakhstan on Monday with Enis Bardhi replying for the host after Dinmukhamed Karaman's opener.
\n
Switzerland could have qualified from Group B with the right combination of results, but will have to wait until next month after a 0-0 draw in Slovenia.
\n
The Swiss are now only three points clear of Kosovo, who beat Sweden 1-0 in Gothenburg thanks to a solitary strike by Fisnik Asllani of Hoffenheim.
\n
Sweden's campaign has proven to be a disaster as it sits bottom of its group with just one point.
\n
Despite having Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak starting together up front, it has failed to score in its last three matches.
\n",
+ "content": "
A rat evades the clutches of Belgium's Thibaut Courtois after running onto the pitch during a UEFA World Cup qualifying match in Cardiff, Wales, on Monday.
\n
Injury-hit France was held to a 2-2 draw by Iceland in 2026 World Cup qualifying on Monday, while Germany won in Northern Ireland thanks to a Nick Woltemade goal and Belgium beat Wales to stand on the brink of qualifying for next year's finals.
\n
France, World Cup winner in 2018 and runner-up in 2022, was without a host of players in Reykjavik, including captain Kylian Mbappe and Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, both out injured.
\n
It fell behind to a Victor Palsson goal late in the first half, but Christopher Nkunku equalized just after the hour mark.
\n
Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta then gave Les Bleus the lead midway through the second half, getting his first senior international goal on his first start.
\n
However, Iceland was back level almost from the restart as Kristian Hlynsson of FC Twente ran through unchallenged to make it 2-2.
\n
France could have clinched qualification for next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico with a win in Reykjavik combined with Ukraine failing to beat Azerbaijan at the same time.
\n
But, while it was dropping points, Ukraine was beating Azerbaijan 2-1 in the Polish city of Krakow — Oleksiy Hutsulyak and Ruslan Malinovskyi scored for Ukraine either side of a Vitaliy Mykolenko own goal.
\n
France is, nevertheless, three points clear at the top of Group D with two games remaining next month, and a win at home to second-placed Ukraine in Paris will wrap up top spot.
\n
"We totally controlled the game. Iceland had two shots on target and scored two goals," France coach Didier Deschamps told TFI. "But, we have another point on the board and next month will be decisive."
\n
Germany has now recorded three consecutive victories in Group A after beginning its campaign with a defeat in Slovakia last month.
\n
Newcastle United forward Woltemade headed in the only goal of the game as Germany beat Northern Ireland 1-0 in Belfast, and Julian Nagelsmann's team is top of the group with nine points.
\n
"It was a very important three points for us," Woltemade told Germany's RTL, adding that "in this atmosphere, and in a bit of an ugly game, you have to win, and we did well".
\n
Switzerland forced to wait
\n
Slovakia sits second only on goal difference as it defeated Luxembourg 2-0 at home, Adam Obert and Ivan Schranz scoring the goals in the second half.
\n
The 12 group winners in European qualifying will go to the World Cup, with runners-up continuing on to playoffs set for next March — the meeting between Germany and Slovakia in Leipzig next month will therefore be decisive.
\n
Belgium has almost qualified from Group J after Kevin De Bruyne converted two penalties in a 4-2 win over Wales in Cardiff.
\n
Joe Rodon had given Wales an early lead, but De Bruyne's spotkick double came either side of a Thomas Meunier goal.
\n
Nathan Broadhead pulled it back to 3-2, only for Leandro Trossard of Arsenal to seal Belgium's victory at the death.
\n
Rudi Garcia's Red Devils — who beat Wales 4-3 at home in June — know that one win from their two games next month away to Kazakhstan and at home to Liechtenstein will clinch top spot.
\n
Meanwhile, Wales must try to catch second-placed North Macedonia, which was held 1-1 at home by Kazakhstan on Monday with Enis Bardhi replying for the host after Dinmukhamed Karaman's opener.
\n
Switzerland could have qualified from Group B with the right combination of results, but will have to wait until next month after a 0-0 draw in Slovenia.
\n
The Swiss are now only three points clear of Kosovo, who beat Sweden 1-0 in Gothenburg thanks to a solitary strike by Fisnik Asllani of Hoffenheim.
\n
Sweden's campaign has proven to be a disaster as it sits bottom of its group with just one point.
\n
Despite having Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak starting together up front, it has failed to score in its last three matches.
President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing on Monday.
\n
President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, pose for a group photo with the heads of foreign delegations and their spouses attending the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing on Monday.
\n
President Xi Jinping (center), his wife Peng Liyuan (left), President of Iceland Halla Tomasdottir (right) and others walk into the China National Convention Center in Beijing on Monday for the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women.
\n
Participants have a chat on Monday before the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women at the China National Convention Center in Beijing.
\n
President Xi Jinping announced on Monday a slew of measures, including China's donation of an additional $10 million to UN Women over the next five years, to support the global women's cause, as leaders and representatives from across the world gathered in Beijing to renew their collective pledge to promote women's development.
\n
Addressing the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, Xi said that China will earmark a quota of $100 million in China's Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund for implementing development cooperation projects for women and girls in collaboration with international organizations.
\n
In addition, China will launch 1,000 "small and beautiful" livelihood programs with Chinese assistance that take women and girls as priority beneficiaries, he said.
\n
The two-day meeting is being held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, which adopted the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a milestone document in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment.
\n
Over the past three decades, guided by the spirit of the Beijing World Conference on Women, the cause of women has been thriving around the world, with equality between men and women now a universal consensus of the international community.
\n
However, women's all-round development still faces complex challenges such as war and conflict and extreme poverty, as well as violence and discrimination.
\n
"Looking ahead, we should rededicate ourselves to the purpose of the Beijing World Conference on Women," Xi said, as he outlined a four-point proposal aimed at building greater consensus, broadening the paths forward, and taking more concrete actions to accelerate women's all-round development.
\n
He called for joint efforts to foster an enabling environment for women's growth, stressing that such development can only be achieved under the prerequisite of peace and tranquility.
\n
Citing statistics, Xi said that more than 600 million women and girls worldwide are still mired in war and conflict, while around 10 percent live in extreme poverty. "We need to enhance the protection of women and girls in regions struck by war, conflict, poverty or natural disaster, and support the vital role of women in preventing conflict and rebuilding their homes," he said.
\n
Xi also called for efforts to address global imbalances in women's development so that all women can share the benefits of economic globalization.
\n
"Modernization of the world should involve and benefit women," he said, highlighting the importance of promoting high-quality development for women through scientific and technological innovation.
\n
He further proposed jointly establishing a governance pattern to protect women's rights and interests and writing a new chapter in promoting global women's cooperation.
\n
China will set up a center dedicated to promoting global women's capacity-building, through which it will work with relevant countries and international organizations to cultivate more outstanding female professionals, Xi announced.
\n
Participants from various countries and international organizations welcomed the measures and proposals put forward by China, saying that the meeting comes at a pivotal moment and is expected to serve as a new turning point for advancing gender equality and women's empowerment worldwide.
\n
Icelandic President Halla Tomasdottir lauded China's achievements in lifting millions out of poverty and advancing gender equality and green energy, saying they demonstrate that "change is possible".
\n
In a world marked by uncertainty, conflict and accelerating climate breakdown, Tomasdottir said it is necessary to draw strength from the legacy of the Beijing World Conference on Women. "Gender balance is not a luxury, but the foundation for peace, the driver of innovation and the key to a livable world," she said.
\n
Monica Mutsvangwa, Zimbabwe's minister of women affairs, community, small and medium enterprises development, said Xi's participation in the meeting underscored his firm commitment to promoting gender equality and women's empowerment.
\n
"I come to China every year. China is not leaving anyone or any place behind in its development, and that is something we all admire," she said, adding that Zimbabwe hopes to learn from China's experience in supporting women in small and medium-sized enterprises.
\n
Roland Reiland, Luxembourg's ambassador to China, described the measures announced by Xi as "very important" and expressed hope that other countries would follow suit.
\n
"We still have a long way to go in advancing the cause of women and ensuring their fulfillment of rights," Reiland said, emphasizing the need to step up efforts to achieve one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.
\n
mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing on Monday.
\n
President Xi Jinping and his wife, Peng Liyuan, pose for a group photo with the heads of foreign delegations and their spouses attending the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing on Monday.
\n
President Xi Jinping (center), his wife Peng Liyuan (left), President of Iceland Halla Tomasdottir (right) and others walk into the China National Convention Center in Beijing on Monday for the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women.
\n
Participants have a chat on Monday before the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women at the China National Convention Center in Beijing.
\n
President Xi Jinping announced on Monday a slew of measures, including China's donation of an additional $10 million to UN Women over the next five years, to support the global women's cause, as leaders and representatives from across the world gathered in Beijing to renew their collective pledge to promote women's development.
\n
Addressing the opening ceremony of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women, Xi said that China will earmark a quota of $100 million in China's Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund for implementing development cooperation projects for women and girls in collaboration with international organizations.
\n
In addition, China will launch 1,000 "small and beautiful" livelihood programs with Chinese assistance that take women and girls as priority beneficiaries, he said.
\n
The two-day meeting is being held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, which adopted the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a milestone document in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment.
\n
Over the past three decades, guided by the spirit of the Beijing World Conference on Women, the cause of women has been thriving around the world, with equality between men and women now a universal consensus of the international community.
\n
However, women's all-round development still faces complex challenges such as war and conflict and extreme poverty, as well as violence and discrimination.
\n
"Looking ahead, we should rededicate ourselves to the purpose of the Beijing World Conference on Women," Xi said, as he outlined a four-point proposal aimed at building greater consensus, broadening the paths forward, and taking more concrete actions to accelerate women's all-round development.
\n
He called for joint efforts to foster an enabling environment for women's growth, stressing that such development can only be achieved under the prerequisite of peace and tranquility.
\n
Citing statistics, Xi said that more than 600 million women and girls worldwide are still mired in war and conflict, while around 10 percent live in extreme poverty. "We need to enhance the protection of women and girls in regions struck by war, conflict, poverty or natural disaster, and support the vital role of women in preventing conflict and rebuilding their homes," he said.
\n
Xi also called for efforts to address global imbalances in women's development so that all women can share the benefits of economic globalization.
\n
"Modernization of the world should involve and benefit women," he said, highlighting the importance of promoting high-quality development for women through scientific and technological innovation.
\n
He further proposed jointly establishing a governance pattern to protect women's rights and interests and writing a new chapter in promoting global women's cooperation.
\n
China will set up a center dedicated to promoting global women's capacity-building, through which it will work with relevant countries and international organizations to cultivate more outstanding female professionals, Xi announced.
\n
Participants from various countries and international organizations welcomed the measures and proposals put forward by China, saying that the meeting comes at a pivotal moment and is expected to serve as a new turning point for advancing gender equality and women's empowerment worldwide.
\n
Icelandic President Halla Tomasdottir lauded China's achievements in lifting millions out of poverty and advancing gender equality and green energy, saying they demonstrate that "change is possible".
\n
In a world marked by uncertainty, conflict and accelerating climate breakdown, Tomasdottir said it is necessary to draw strength from the legacy of the Beijing World Conference on Women. "Gender balance is not a luxury, but the foundation for peace, the driver of innovation and the key to a livable world," she said.
\n
Monica Mutsvangwa, Zimbabwe's minister of women affairs, community, small and medium enterprises development, said Xi's participation in the meeting underscored his firm commitment to promoting gender equality and women's empowerment.
\n
"I come to China every year. China is not leaving anyone or any place behind in its development, and that is something we all admire," she said, adding that Zimbabwe hopes to learn from China's experience in supporting women in small and medium-sized enterprises.
\n
Roland Reiland, Luxembourg's ambassador to China, described the measures announced by Xi as "very important" and expressed hope that other countries would follow suit.
\n
"We still have a long way to go in advancing the cause of women and ensuring their fulfillment of rights," Reiland said, emphasizing the need to step up efforts to achieve one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.
Editor's note: The World Conference on China Studies opens on Tuesday, with about 230 guests from home and 200 from abroad attending the event. As scholars gather to share insights, this article delves into the rich tapestry of Sino-Western intellectual exchanges that have unfolded over centuries.
\n
"By what fatality, shameful maybe for the Western people, is it necessary to go to the far Orient to find a wise man who is simple, unostentatious, free from imposture, who taught men to live happily six hundred years before our vulgar era, at a time when the whole of the North was ignorant of the usage of letters, and when the Greeks were barely beginning to distinguish themselves by their wisdom? This man is Confucius …"
\n
This passage comes from Dictionnaire philosophique (Philosophical Dictionary), written by the French Enlightenment thinker Voltaire and published in 1764. What lay behind these words was the stark reality of his own age, against which he had long wielded his pen: a corrupt and oppressive Catholic Church allied with an absolutist monarchy, sustained by superstition and persecution, while the masses endured poverty, ignorance and injustice.
\n
According to Zhang Xiping, a leading Chinese scholar on Sino-European exchanges from the 16th century to the 19th century, Voltaire contrasted Confucian China — where a merit-based bureaucracy allowed avenues of social advancement — with his own France, where the church and nobility monopolized power, leaving ordinary people with little opportunity for upward mobility.
\n
"More importantly, he saw in Confucianism a rational, secular morality — ethics grounded in reason rather than divine revelation — offering men and rulers a path toward personal virtue and national prosperity without reliance on Christian dogma," said Zhang, noting that the French philosopher had referred to his personal study as the "Temple of Confucius" and himself, "a student of Confucius".
\n
Zhang, former director of the Center for Overseas China Studies of Beijing Foreign Studies University, is currently in Shanghai for the World Conference on China Studies, a gathering of scholars of both ancient and modern China sharing ideas and insights.
\n
"The word 'Sinology' comes from Latin and Greek roots. 'Sino' derives from the Latin 'Sinae', meaning 'China' or the 'Chinese', which in turn comes from the Greek 'Sinai' or 'Sinae', the term used by ancient Europeans for China — likely originating with the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) or the region known via the Silk Road. Thus, Sinology literally means the study of China," said Zhang.
\n
"Today, Sinology largely denotes the philological, text-focused study of historical China, whereas 'China Studies' embraces a broader, multidisciplinary examination of China, ancient and modern, although the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably."
\n
Journey to understanding
\n
Between Sinology and China Studies, the world has been striving to understand China for more than four centuries, beginning in the late 16th century when Jesuit missionaries — some of whom corresponded with Voltaire — first arrived.
\n
"Collectively, the Jesuit missionaries produced extensive works in classical Chinese, bringing Western mathematics, astronomy, and cartography to China, while their letters, travel accounts, and translations introduced Chinese language, culture, history, and art to the West, creating a remarkable two-way exchange of knowledge we are still seeking to revive today," Zhang said.
\n
Prominent among these works is Confucius Sinarum Philosophus (Confucius, the Chinese Philosopher), a 1687 Latin translation of Confucian texts compiled by four French Jesuit missionaries under the patronage of Louis XIV.
\n
In 1814, Jean-Pierre Abel-Remusat, a pioneering French Sinologist who studied Chinese texts and reports brought to Europe by Jesuit missionaries and other travelers, was appointed professor of Chinese at the College de France, becoming the first European to hold an academic chair dedicated entirely to China Studies.
\n
"Academic Sinologists increasingly took the lead from their missionary forebears, but one point remains: many missionaries, exemplified by the Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci, while seeking to spread the Catholic faith, showed profound respect for Chinese culture," said Zhang.
\n
Arriving in China in 1582, Ricci mastered classical Chinese, adopted Confucian dress and customs, and befriended scholars and officials through cultural sensitivity and mutual intellectual engagement.
\n
"These exchanges must be viewed in the context of the Age of Discovery," Zhang noted. "While European powers conquered and plundered across Africa, the Americas, and parts of Asia, China remained a rare exception — meeting the West through dialogue and cultural exchange. That contrast is deeply significant."
\n
Eurocentric approach
\n
But things were to change in the 19th century, when China came under the full weight of Western imperialism. Britain's victory in the First Opium War (1839-42) forced the Treaty of Nanjing, ceding Hong Kong and opening treaty ports — marking the start of the "Century of Humiliation".
\n
As the study of China in the West — and its scholars' perspectives — was greatly colored by China's decline during this time, admiration gave way to portrayals of the country as stagnant, despotic, and resistant to progress — a colonial framework known as "Orientalism", which, though later widely criticized, continues to exert subtle influence.
\n
One example is the German philosopher Friedrich Hegel, who, viewing Confucianism through his own Eurocentric and dialectical framework, concluded that it was not a true philosophy rooted in abstract, metaphysical thought, but merely a collection of moral maxims for creating a stable state and orderly social relationships.
\n
According to He Peizhong, honorary director and research fellow at the International China Studies Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, this Eurocentric approach has shaped China Studies for an extended period.
\n
"The term 'China Studies' was first used by American scholars, with figures like John King Fairbank institutionalizing it in US universities through a multidisciplinary approach that linked Chinese societal change to broader patterns of modernization and global interaction," said He, referring to the man Harvard University's Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies was named after.
\n
"Although Fairbank rejected the old view of China as an unchanging civilization, he advanced the 'Impact-Response Theory', which explained modern Chinese history primarily through the pressures and interventions of Western powers. Under this paradigm, contemporary China appears as a largely reactive civilization, with its reforms, institutions, and modernization efforts emerging in response to foreign challenges."
\n
For He and other critics, the theory underestimated Chinese agency, internal reforms and social dynamics.
\n
"Over the past half millennium, the world has continually studied China, driven by cultural curiosity, economic interests, political ambitions, and ideological conflicts. Yet in every instance, external agendas shaped and distorted its image, leaving no portrayal truly comprehensive or accurate," he observed.
\n
"For this reason, China must not only allow itself to be studied but also preserve and strengthen its own capacity to study itself. We must articulate our narrative while fostering genuine dialogue with international scholars through forums such as the present gathering."
\n
Reflecting on China's historical resilience, He said: "Reinvention is not a rupture, but a tradition itself. To remain relevant, China Studies must engage with this dynamic continuity."
\n
New way of thinking
\n
The New Confucianism that arose in the first half of the 20th century embodies this continuity, according to Zhang. Confronting modernization and cultural identity, Chinese intellectuals reinterpreted Confucian philosophy in dialogue with Western thought, portraying history as a continuous cultural logic and Confucian humanism, or "ren", as a universal principle that unites ethics with reason and aligns human action with the cosmic order.
\n
Some of them argue that the universe has a moral dimension, and by realizing our innate moral nature, we live in harmony with the ultimate reality of the world.
\n
In 1954, Joseph Needham, a British historian and Sinologist, published his monumental work Science and Civilization in China, challenging Eurocentric assumptions by tracing China's contributions to world science and technology, and helping Western audiences appreciate Chinese intellectual history on its own terms.
\n
In April 1778, the 83-year-old Voltaire met with Benjamin Franklin, one of the United States' Founding Fathers, during Franklin's visit to Paris. Two months later Voltaire passed away, while five years later the US would see its independence formally recognized under the 1783 Treaty of Paris.
\n
"Although the meeting was largely symbolic, representing the union of French Enlightenment thought with the American Revolution, Franklin, who saw himself as part of the Enlightenment tradition, likely had encountered Confucian ideas — particularly ethics without theology and rule by merit — through his reading of Voltaire and his engagement with the same intellectual circles," said Zhang.
\n
"Today, with China's rise as the world's second-largest economy and a global power, China Studies has long become a necessity rather than a matter of curiosity. Yet for those of us grounded in history, China — ancient or modern — should always be treated as a central subject of world study, for all the right reasons."
Editor's note: The World Conference on China Studies opens on Tuesday, with about 230 guests from home and 200 from abroad attending the event. As scholars gather to share insights, this article delves into the rich tapestry of Sino-Western intellectual exchanges that have unfolded over centuries.
\n
"By what fatality, shameful maybe for the Western people, is it necessary to go to the far Orient to find a wise man who is simple, unostentatious, free from imposture, who taught men to live happily six hundred years before our vulgar era, at a time when the whole of the North was ignorant of the usage of letters, and when the Greeks were barely beginning to distinguish themselves by their wisdom? This man is Confucius …"
\n
This passage comes from Dictionnaire philosophique (Philosophical Dictionary), written by the French Enlightenment thinker Voltaire and published in 1764. What lay behind these words was the stark reality of his own age, against which he had long wielded his pen: a corrupt and oppressive Catholic Church allied with an absolutist monarchy, sustained by superstition and persecution, while the masses endured poverty, ignorance and injustice.
\n
According to Zhang Xiping, a leading Chinese scholar on Sino-European exchanges from the 16th century to the 19th century, Voltaire contrasted Confucian China — where a merit-based bureaucracy allowed avenues of social advancement — with his own France, where the church and nobility monopolized power, leaving ordinary people with little opportunity for upward mobility.
\n
"More importantly, he saw in Confucianism a rational, secular morality — ethics grounded in reason rather than divine revelation — offering men and rulers a path toward personal virtue and national prosperity without reliance on Christian dogma," said Zhang, noting that the French philosopher had referred to his personal study as the "Temple of Confucius" and himself, "a student of Confucius".
\n
Zhang, former director of the Center for Overseas China Studies of Beijing Foreign Studies University, is currently in Shanghai for the World Conference on China Studies, a gathering of scholars of both ancient and modern China sharing ideas and insights.
\n
"The word 'Sinology' comes from Latin and Greek roots. 'Sino' derives from the Latin 'Sinae', meaning 'China' or the 'Chinese', which in turn comes from the Greek 'Sinai' or 'Sinae', the term used by ancient Europeans for China — likely originating with the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) or the region known via the Silk Road. Thus, Sinology literally means the study of China," said Zhang.
\n
"Today, Sinology largely denotes the philological, text-focused study of historical China, whereas 'China Studies' embraces a broader, multidisciplinary examination of China, ancient and modern, although the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably."
\n
Journey to understanding
\n
Between Sinology and China Studies, the world has been striving to understand China for more than four centuries, beginning in the late 16th century when Jesuit missionaries — some of whom corresponded with Voltaire — first arrived.
\n
"Collectively, the Jesuit missionaries produced extensive works in classical Chinese, bringing Western mathematics, astronomy, and cartography to China, while their letters, travel accounts, and translations introduced Chinese language, culture, history, and art to the West, creating a remarkable two-way exchange of knowledge we are still seeking to revive today," Zhang said.
\n
Prominent among these works is Confucius Sinarum Philosophus (Confucius, the Chinese Philosopher), a 1687 Latin translation of Confucian texts compiled by four French Jesuit missionaries under the patronage of Louis XIV.
\n
In 1814, Jean-Pierre Abel-Remusat, a pioneering French Sinologist who studied Chinese texts and reports brought to Europe by Jesuit missionaries and other travelers, was appointed professor of Chinese at the College de France, becoming the first European to hold an academic chair dedicated entirely to China Studies.
\n
"Academic Sinologists increasingly took the lead from their missionary forebears, but one point remains: many missionaries, exemplified by the Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci, while seeking to spread the Catholic faith, showed profound respect for Chinese culture," said Zhang.
\n
Arriving in China in 1582, Ricci mastered classical Chinese, adopted Confucian dress and customs, and befriended scholars and officials through cultural sensitivity and mutual intellectual engagement.
\n
"These exchanges must be viewed in the context of the Age of Discovery," Zhang noted. "While European powers conquered and plundered across Africa, the Americas, and parts of Asia, China remained a rare exception — meeting the West through dialogue and cultural exchange. That contrast is deeply significant."
\n
Eurocentric approach
\n
But things were to change in the 19th century, when China came under the full weight of Western imperialism. Britain's victory in the First Opium War (1839-42) forced the Treaty of Nanjing, ceding Hong Kong and opening treaty ports — marking the start of the "Century of Humiliation".
\n
As the study of China in the West — and its scholars' perspectives — was greatly colored by China's decline during this time, admiration gave way to portrayals of the country as stagnant, despotic, and resistant to progress — a colonial framework known as "Orientalism", which, though later widely criticized, continues to exert subtle influence.
\n
One example is the German philosopher Friedrich Hegel, who, viewing Confucianism through his own Eurocentric and dialectical framework, concluded that it was not a true philosophy rooted in abstract, metaphysical thought, but merely a collection of moral maxims for creating a stable state and orderly social relationships.
\n
According to He Peizhong, honorary director and research fellow at the International China Studies Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, this Eurocentric approach has shaped China Studies for an extended period.
\n
"The term 'China Studies' was first used by American scholars, with figures like John King Fairbank institutionalizing it in US universities through a multidisciplinary approach that linked Chinese societal change to broader patterns of modernization and global interaction," said He, referring to the man Harvard University's Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies was named after.
\n
"Although Fairbank rejected the old view of China as an unchanging civilization, he advanced the 'Impact-Response Theory', which explained modern Chinese history primarily through the pressures and interventions of Western powers. Under this paradigm, contemporary China appears as a largely reactive civilization, with its reforms, institutions, and modernization efforts emerging in response to foreign challenges."
\n
For He and other critics, the theory underestimated Chinese agency, internal reforms and social dynamics.
\n
"Over the past half millennium, the world has continually studied China, driven by cultural curiosity, economic interests, political ambitions, and ideological conflicts. Yet in every instance, external agendas shaped and distorted its image, leaving no portrayal truly comprehensive or accurate," he observed.
\n
"For this reason, China must not only allow itself to be studied but also preserve and strengthen its own capacity to study itself. We must articulate our narrative while fostering genuine dialogue with international scholars through forums such as the present gathering."
\n
Reflecting on China's historical resilience, He said: "Reinvention is not a rupture, but a tradition itself. To remain relevant, China Studies must engage with this dynamic continuity."
\n
New way of thinking
\n
The New Confucianism that arose in the first half of the 20th century embodies this continuity, according to Zhang. Confronting modernization and cultural identity, Chinese intellectuals reinterpreted Confucian philosophy in dialogue with Western thought, portraying history as a continuous cultural logic and Confucian humanism, or "ren", as a universal principle that unites ethics with reason and aligns human action with the cosmic order.
\n
Some of them argue that the universe has a moral dimension, and by realizing our innate moral nature, we live in harmony with the ultimate reality of the world.
\n
In 1954, Joseph Needham, a British historian and Sinologist, published his monumental work Science and Civilization in China, challenging Eurocentric assumptions by tracing China's contributions to world science and technology, and helping Western audiences appreciate Chinese intellectual history on its own terms.
\n
In April 1778, the 83-year-old Voltaire met with Benjamin Franklin, one of the United States' Founding Fathers, during Franklin's visit to Paris. Two months later Voltaire passed away, while five years later the US would see its independence formally recognized under the 1783 Treaty of Paris.
\n
"Although the meeting was largely symbolic, representing the union of French Enlightenment thought with the American Revolution, Franklin, who saw himself as part of the Enlightenment tradition, likely had encountered Confucian ideas — particularly ethics without theology and rule by merit — through his reading of Voltaire and his engagement with the same intellectual circles," said Zhang.
\n
"Today, with China's rise as the world's second-largest economy and a global power, China Studies has long become a necessity rather than a matter of curiosity. Yet for those of us grounded in history, China — ancient or modern — should always be treated as a central subject of world study, for all the right reasons."
Attendees exchange ideas during the event on Monday.
\n
Dunhuang, Gansu province, was once a hub where Eastern and Western civilizations met on the ancient Silk Road — with the Mogao Grottoes as a living witness, boasting vibrant murals and sculptures.
\n
Today, it still uses its cultural heritage to help cities of diverse cultural backgrounds understand and collaborate with one another, as participants at a dialogue agreed on Monday.
\n
The 2025 "Global Mayors Dialogue . Dunhuang" was held in Dunhuang from Saturday to Monday, with guests participating in cultural experiences in the city during the first two days. The official opening ceremony kicked off on Monday, under the theme "A Symphony of Civilizations, Resonance in Harmony", aiming to implement the Global Civilization Initiative and build a more effective international communication system.
\n
The event welcomed 200 attendees, both from China and abroad, including 23 international representatives from government delegations and cultural institutions across nine countries.
\n
"Over the years, we have developed a set of core conservation technologies to protect ancient murals, sculptures and grotto temples. These practices can not only be applied to the conservation of the Mogao Grottoes, but also provide valuable experiences for other countries," said Su Bomin, director of the Dunhuang Academy.
\n
The academy's cultural heritage conservation pattern has been promoted and applied in many key cultural heritage sites across China. He added that the next plan is to expand such efforts to the protection of cultural relics in Belt and Road countries, including Kyrgyzstan.
\n
During the ceremony, Dunhuang Mayor Zhu Jianjun signed letters of intent on establishing sister-city relations with Garni, Kotayk province, Armenia, as well as friendly exchange city relations with Manisa city, Turkiye.
\n
"Both cities share a commitment to protecting cultural heritage. I'm impressed how Dunhuang promotes its deep culture via cultural and creative products and intangible cultural heritage," said Burak Deste, general secretary of Manisa Metropolitan Municipality.
\n
He shared the city's experiences and vision on the preservation of cultural heritage and expressed hope that more people from both nations will visit each other's countries to explore magnificent historical sites and gain a deeper understanding of one another's culture and history.
\n
Dunhuang also signed a memorandum on further enhancing friendly relations with Venice, Italy.
\n
"The two cities will cooperate in various fields, including cultural heritage conservation, commerce, and education," said Massimo Andreoli, chairman of the Venice Carnival and artistic director of the carnival's opening ceremony.
\n
He believed that for cities like Dunhuang and Venice, both boasting rich cultural heritage, the challenge lies in striking a proper balance between tradition and innovation.
\n
Tradition refers to the preservation and inheritance of traditional craftsmanship and culture, while innovation means making good use of advanced technologies including artificial intelligence.
\n
"Cities across the globe share common challenges such as environmental protection. It's important to have such a dialogue for participants from different countries to share our views," he said.
\n
He noted that Dunhuang was a symbolic place to host the event, just as it once served as a strategic gateway for cross-cultural exchange along the ancient Silk Road.
\n
Contact the writers at xulin@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Attendees exchange ideas during the event on Monday.
\n
Dunhuang, Gansu province, was once a hub where Eastern and Western civilizations met on the ancient Silk Road — with the Mogao Grottoes as a living witness, boasting vibrant murals and sculptures.
\n
Today, it still uses its cultural heritage to help cities of diverse cultural backgrounds understand and collaborate with one another, as participants at a dialogue agreed on Monday.
\n
The 2025 "Global Mayors Dialogue . Dunhuang" was held in Dunhuang from Saturday to Monday, with guests participating in cultural experiences in the city during the first two days. The official opening ceremony kicked off on Monday, under the theme "A Symphony of Civilizations, Resonance in Harmony", aiming to implement the Global Civilization Initiative and build a more effective international communication system.
\n
The event welcomed 200 attendees, both from China and abroad, including 23 international representatives from government delegations and cultural institutions across nine countries.
\n
"Over the years, we have developed a set of core conservation technologies to protect ancient murals, sculptures and grotto temples. These practices can not only be applied to the conservation of the Mogao Grottoes, but also provide valuable experiences for other countries," said Su Bomin, director of the Dunhuang Academy.
\n
The academy's cultural heritage conservation pattern has been promoted and applied in many key cultural heritage sites across China. He added that the next plan is to expand such efforts to the protection of cultural relics in Belt and Road countries, including Kyrgyzstan.
\n
During the ceremony, Dunhuang Mayor Zhu Jianjun signed letters of intent on establishing sister-city relations with Garni, Kotayk province, Armenia, as well as friendly exchange city relations with Manisa city, Turkiye.
\n
"Both cities share a commitment to protecting cultural heritage. I'm impressed how Dunhuang promotes its deep culture via cultural and creative products and intangible cultural heritage," said Burak Deste, general secretary of Manisa Metropolitan Municipality.
\n
He shared the city's experiences and vision on the preservation of cultural heritage and expressed hope that more people from both nations will visit each other's countries to explore magnificent historical sites and gain a deeper understanding of one another's culture and history.
\n
Dunhuang also signed a memorandum on further enhancing friendly relations with Venice, Italy.
\n
"The two cities will cooperate in various fields, including cultural heritage conservation, commerce, and education," said Massimo Andreoli, chairman of the Venice Carnival and artistic director of the carnival's opening ceremony.
\n
He believed that for cities like Dunhuang and Venice, both boasting rich cultural heritage, the challenge lies in striking a proper balance between tradition and innovation.
\n
Tradition refers to the preservation and inheritance of traditional craftsmanship and culture, while innovation means making good use of advanced technologies including artificial intelligence.
\n
"Cities across the globe share common challenges such as environmental protection. It's important to have such a dialogue for participants from different countries to share our views," he said.
\n
He noted that Dunhuang was a symbolic place to host the event, just as it once served as a strategic gateway for cross-cultural exchange along the ancient Silk Road.
Media workers photograph the Zidanku Silk Manuscripts during a handover ceremony at the Hunan Museum in Changsha, Hunan province, on Monday. The manuscripts, dating back to the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), returned to China 79 years after they were smuggled out of the country, with their return resulting from cooperation between Chinese and the United States cultural institutions. The manuscripts will be permanently archived in the Hunan Museum.
Media workers photograph the Zidanku Silk Manuscripts during a handover ceremony at the Hunan Museum in Changsha, Hunan province, on Monday. The manuscripts, dating back to the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), returned to China 79 years after they were smuggled out of the country, with their return resulting from cooperation between Chinese and the United States cultural institutions. The manuscripts will be permanently archived in the Hunan Museum.
Further facilitating smoother flows of capital, data and talent can help Shanghai pursue innovation-driven economic growth and strengthen its role as an international gateway characterized by openness, innovation and inclusiveness, officials and multinational executives said on Sunday.
\n
They made the remarks at the 37th International Business Leaders' Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai, or IBLAC.
\n
Chen Jining, Shanghai Party secretary, said in his opening remarks that the city will deepen basic research that carries higher risks but promises greater value. He added that Shanghai will enhance its efforts in frontier and disruptive technologies to fully leverage its strength as a technology innovation pioneer.
\n
Miguel Lopez, CEO of German industrial conglomerate Thyssenkrupp, suggested that Shanghai work to ensure "smooth and boundless" data flow, which could further enhance multinational companies' research and development activities in the city.
\n
Data also lies at the heart of robust investor protection, said Shriti Vadera, chair of Prudential plc, noting that such protection is especially crucial amid the rise of artificial intelligence. She proposed that Shanghai pilot shared testing protocols and requirements for explainability, invite global participation in testing sandboxes, and establish trusted, auditable data corridors to safeguard privacy.
\n
Dick Richelle, CEO of infrastructure provider Royal Vopak, envisioned setting up a digital free trade zone in Shanghai, which he said could further boost the city's productivity and growth.
\n
Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng said in his keynote speech that the city will press ahead with pioneering reforms across all fronts and introduce internationally competitive policies and mechanisms at a faster pace, he said.
\n
Amid a complex international landscape and pressure on foreign capital inflows resulting from trade tensions between China and the United States, Gong said Shanghai will do its utmost to provide greater certainty to support multinational companies' development.
\n
While foreign enterprises have long brought advanced expertise into China, they are now also benefiting from innovation generated within the Chinese ecosystem, said Severin Schwan, chairman of the board of Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche Group. With interdisciplinary resources in biology, chemistry and artificial intelligence, Shanghai has become an increasingly attractive innovation hub, he said.
\n
Chey Tae-won, chairman of South Korea's SK Group, suggested Shanghai establish evaluation mechanisms and supportive measures — such as favorable tax policies and incentives — to help the city become a benchmark for demonstrating the social value of AI. Doing so, he said, would attract more innovative ideas, capital and talent.
\n
Jacob Wallenberg, chair of the board of Investor AB, recommended that Shanghai create zones with simplified licensing and clear incentives to further open sectors such as green technology, healthcare and digital services — steps that could draw expertise and long-term investment.
\n
Mark Greeven, dean of Asia for IMD Business School in Switzerland, proposed establishing a special corridor for R&D experts to help Shanghai retain top talent and spur innovation.
\n
John Elkann, chairman of European automaker Stellantis Group, said there remains room to simplify visa, work permit and residency procedures through digital tools and dedicated channels for professionals entering the city.
\n
shijing@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Further facilitating smoother flows of capital, data and talent can help Shanghai pursue innovation-driven economic growth and strengthen its role as an international gateway characterized by openness, innovation and inclusiveness, officials and multinational executives said on Sunday.
\n
They made the remarks at the 37th International Business Leaders' Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai, or IBLAC.
\n
Chen Jining, Shanghai Party secretary, said in his opening remarks that the city will deepen basic research that carries higher risks but promises greater value. He added that Shanghai will enhance its efforts in frontier and disruptive technologies to fully leverage its strength as a technology innovation pioneer.
\n
Miguel Lopez, CEO of German industrial conglomerate Thyssenkrupp, suggested that Shanghai work to ensure "smooth and boundless" data flow, which could further enhance multinational companies' research and development activities in the city.
\n
Data also lies at the heart of robust investor protection, said Shriti Vadera, chair of Prudential plc, noting that such protection is especially crucial amid the rise of artificial intelligence. She proposed that Shanghai pilot shared testing protocols and requirements for explainability, invite global participation in testing sandboxes, and establish trusted, auditable data corridors to safeguard privacy.
\n
Dick Richelle, CEO of infrastructure provider Royal Vopak, envisioned setting up a digital free trade zone in Shanghai, which he said could further boost the city's productivity and growth.
\n
Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng said in his keynote speech that the city will press ahead with pioneering reforms across all fronts and introduce internationally competitive policies and mechanisms at a faster pace, he said.
\n
Amid a complex international landscape and pressure on foreign capital inflows resulting from trade tensions between China and the United States, Gong said Shanghai will do its utmost to provide greater certainty to support multinational companies' development.
\n
While foreign enterprises have long brought advanced expertise into China, they are now also benefiting from innovation generated within the Chinese ecosystem, said Severin Schwan, chairman of the board of Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche Group. With interdisciplinary resources in biology, chemistry and artificial intelligence, Shanghai has become an increasingly attractive innovation hub, he said.
\n
Chey Tae-won, chairman of South Korea's SK Group, suggested Shanghai establish evaluation mechanisms and supportive measures — such as favorable tax policies and incentives — to help the city become a benchmark for demonstrating the social value of AI. Doing so, he said, would attract more innovative ideas, capital and talent.
\n
Jacob Wallenberg, chair of the board of Investor AB, recommended that Shanghai create zones with simplified licensing and clear incentives to further open sectors such as green technology, healthcare and digital services — steps that could draw expertise and long-term investment.
\n
Mark Greeven, dean of Asia for IMD Business School in Switzerland, proposed establishing a special corridor for R&D experts to help Shanghai retain top talent and spur innovation.
\n
John Elkann, chairman of European automaker Stellantis Group, said there remains room to simplify visa, work permit and residency procedures through digital tools and dedicated channels for professionals entering the city.
Family members of foreign envoys to China try their hand at painting clay figures of Tu'er Ye, a unique deity depicted as a half-man, half-rabbit clay figure native to Beijing, in Beijing's Dongcheng district on Sunday. Over 300 attendees, including diplomats and representatives from international organizations, participated in the event.
\n
Beijing is committed to achieving high-level opening-up as it seeks to build itself into a top-tier, harmonious, and welcoming global city over the next five years, according to the city's Party chief, Yin Li.
\n
"The city will optimize its investment environment and services for foreign businesses, offering greater opportunities for collaboration," said Yin Li, the city's Party chief, emphasizing that diplomats are "witnesses and contributors" to Beijing's development. He made the remarks at a recent event for foreign diplomatic missions in China.
\n
Yin noted that in the first nine months of 2025, about 8,000 new foreign companies were established in the capital. To date, Beijing has hosted the regional headquarters of 260 multinational corporations.
\n
The city's GDP is projected to exceed 5 trillion yuan ($700 billion) for 2025, driven by high-quality productive forces, innovation, and continued openness to the world, Yin said.
\n
Echoing his remarks, Hussam Al Husseini, Jordan's ambassador to China, expressed appreciation for Beijing's ongoing efforts to enhance services and facilities that support diplomatic exchanges and activities.
\n
"We have observed continuous and progressive development across various sectors in Beijing — from infrastructure and services to the high-quality events it hosts, including trade fairs, political and cultural gatherings, forums, and international conferences," he said.
\n
The comments came after a city-organized visit for more than 300 foreign diplomats and representatives of international organizations from 110 countries. The group toured the Beijing Central Axis by bus and visited the renovated Longfu Temple.
\n
The Beijing Central Axis, a historic and cultural landmark spanning 7.8 kilometers through the city's heart, includes sites such as the Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven. In 2024, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, symbolizing the essence of ancient Chinese urban planning and symmetry.
\n
The Longfu Temple, originally built in 1452 and later rebuilt, reflects Beijing's commitment to cultural preservation and urban renewal. The site offered diplomats a glimpse of both the city's historical depth and modern vitality.
\n
The reception took place in a replica of the temple, where diplomats took photos and participated in traditional cultural activities such as cloisonne-making and painting clay figurines.
\n
Ambassador Al Husseini also praised the capital's vibrant mix of social, commercial, economic, and cultural events, adding that they "foster mutual relations and deepen understanding of Chinese history and culture — they help us appreciate the nation's past, present, and future."
\n
During the event, Yin also highlighted Beijing's advancements in artificial intelligence, humanoid robotics, and the rapid growth of its digital economy powered by cutting-edge technologies.
\n
Olexander Nechytaylo, the Ukrainian ambassador to China, described Beijing as a "cashless city", citing the widespread use of digital payment systems.
\n
He recalled his first dining experience in Beijing, where the restaurant manager had to "borrow cash" from a neighboring eatery in order to give him change after he paid in cash.
\n
yangcheng@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "\n
Family members of foreign envoys to China try their hand at painting clay figures of Tu'er Ye, a unique deity depicted as a half-man, half-rabbit clay figure native to Beijing, in Beijing's Dongcheng district on Sunday. Over 300 attendees, including diplomats and representatives from international organizations, participated in the event.
\n
Beijing is committed to achieving high-level opening-up as it seeks to build itself into a top-tier, harmonious, and welcoming global city over the next five years, according to the city's Party chief, Yin Li.
\n
"The city will optimize its investment environment and services for foreign businesses, offering greater opportunities for collaboration," said Yin Li, the city's Party chief, emphasizing that diplomats are "witnesses and contributors" to Beijing's development. He made the remarks at a recent event for foreign diplomatic missions in China.
\n
Yin noted that in the first nine months of 2025, about 8,000 new foreign companies were established in the capital. To date, Beijing has hosted the regional headquarters of 260 multinational corporations.
\n
The city's GDP is projected to exceed 5 trillion yuan ($700 billion) for 2025, driven by high-quality productive forces, innovation, and continued openness to the world, Yin said.
\n
Echoing his remarks, Hussam Al Husseini, Jordan's ambassador to China, expressed appreciation for Beijing's ongoing efforts to enhance services and facilities that support diplomatic exchanges and activities.
\n
"We have observed continuous and progressive development across various sectors in Beijing — from infrastructure and services to the high-quality events it hosts, including trade fairs, political and cultural gatherings, forums, and international conferences," he said.
\n
The comments came after a city-organized visit for more than 300 foreign diplomats and representatives of international organizations from 110 countries. The group toured the Beijing Central Axis by bus and visited the renovated Longfu Temple.
\n
The Beijing Central Axis, a historic and cultural landmark spanning 7.8 kilometers through the city's heart, includes sites such as the Forbidden City, Tian'anmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven. In 2024, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, symbolizing the essence of ancient Chinese urban planning and symmetry.
\n
The Longfu Temple, originally built in 1452 and later rebuilt, reflects Beijing's commitment to cultural preservation and urban renewal. The site offered diplomats a glimpse of both the city's historical depth and modern vitality.
\n
The reception took place in a replica of the temple, where diplomats took photos and participated in traditional cultural activities such as cloisonne-making and painting clay figurines.
\n
Ambassador Al Husseini also praised the capital's vibrant mix of social, commercial, economic, and cultural events, adding that they "foster mutual relations and deepen understanding of Chinese history and culture — they help us appreciate the nation's past, present, and future."
\n
During the event, Yin also highlighted Beijing's advancements in artificial intelligence, humanoid robotics, and the rapid growth of its digital economy powered by cutting-edge technologies.
\n
Olexander Nechytaylo, the Ukrainian ambassador to China, described Beijing as a "cashless city", citing the widespread use of digital payment systems.
\n
He recalled his first dining experience in Beijing, where the restaurant manager had to "borrow cash" from a neighboring eatery in order to give him change after he paid in cash.
Construction of a new double-deck bridge across the Pearl River estuary is progressing at full speed in Guangdong province, with workers accelerating key milestones — demonstrating China's commitment to advancing infrastructure development.
\n
Zhang Taike, chief engineer of the project, said more than 35 percent of the Shiziyang Link has been completed, and the 342-meter-high main tower is expected to be completed in March.
\n
The project, with a main span of 2,180 meters, is estimated to be completed in 2028 with traffic flowing soon after. Shiziyang Link, whose construction began in 2023, is another mega infrastructure project running across the Pearl River estuary, following the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, which officially started operation last year. Both HZMB, which opened to traffic in 2018, and Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link are mega structures that consist of bridges, tunnels, and artificial islands.
\n
As a vital transportation artery for the southward and westward expansion of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Shiziyang Link will be able to play a pivotal role in enhancing comprehensive connectivity between the eastern and western city clusters on both banks of the Pearl River estuary, Zhang said.
\n
It will also help accelerate the integrated development among the three regions of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.
\n
"Upon completion of the project, travel time between Guangzhou's Nansha and Dongguan will be significantly reduced. And this will not only foster closer integration among core cities in the Pearl River delta, but also enable more efficient cross-river circulation of industrial chains, talent flow, and logistics in the region," Zhang said.
\n
Shiziyang Link connects the cities in the Greater Bay Area to major cities across the country through the region's advanced expressway network.
\n
Previously, the projections for economic development tended to be on the conservative side, said Zhang, adding that all the across-sea links in the regions, including Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, Nansha, Humen, and Huangpu bridges, operated in red (all witnessed heavy traffic congestion) during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday in the first eight days of October.
\n
Shiziyang Link, which connects Guangzhou's Nansha district and Dongguan city, is sandwiched by Nansha Bridge, 3.8 kilometers to the north, and Humen Bridge, 7.7 kilometers to the south.
\n
Cui Bing, a national engineering survey and design master, said the state-of-the-art project is a global leader in diameter of the anchor foundation (130 meters), height of steel plate composite tower (342 meters), span of double-layer suspension bridge (2,180 meters), scale of main Cable (1.5 meter-diameter) and number of lanes (double-deck two-way 8 lanes).
\n
"The true value of bridge engineering design and construction lies not in repeatedly setting new records, but in genuinely realizing structural philosophies of safety and durability, along with breakthroughs in corresponding structural theories, construction technologies, and techniques," Cui said. He added that a bridge structural system should be established where all components, except key supporting elements (such as pylons and main cables) are easily replaceable, ensuring the bridge maintains its "prime-state functionality" throughout its entire life cycle. "This philosophy has been put into practice in the Shiziyang Link," he said.
\n
While the bridge's advancements may be surpassed in the coming 10 to 20 years, its design, technology, philosophy, methods, and structure will influence the design and construction of bridges worldwide in the future, said Cui, who is a chief engineer at China Communications Construction Company Highway Consultants.
\n
"And the design of the project adheres to the principles of economy, applicability, greenness, durability, and resistance to multiple disasters," he added.
\n
Meanwhile, Lianhuashan Link, which connects Guangzhou's Panyu district to Dongguan city has also been planned and is expected to start construction during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), said Xu Jun, deputy chief engineer of CCCC Highway Consultants. Relevant departments will soon decide whether it is a bridge or a tunnel that operates across the Pearl River estuary.
\n
And the Lingdingyang Link, which connects Shenzhen and Zhuhai, has also been planned to further advance ties between the two Chinese special economic zones. Lingdingyang Link will be a railway and highway dual-purpose link.
\n
zhengcaixiong@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Construction of a new double-deck bridge across the Pearl River estuary is progressing at full speed in Guangdong province, with workers accelerating key milestones — demonstrating China's commitment to advancing infrastructure development.
\n
Zhang Taike, chief engineer of the project, said more than 35 percent of the Shiziyang Link has been completed, and the 342-meter-high main tower is expected to be completed in March.
\n
The project, with a main span of 2,180 meters, is estimated to be completed in 2028 with traffic flowing soon after. Shiziyang Link, whose construction began in 2023, is another mega infrastructure project running across the Pearl River estuary, following the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, which officially started operation last year. Both HZMB, which opened to traffic in 2018, and Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link are mega structures that consist of bridges, tunnels, and artificial islands.
\n
As a vital transportation artery for the southward and westward expansion of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Shiziyang Link will be able to play a pivotal role in enhancing comprehensive connectivity between the eastern and western city clusters on both banks of the Pearl River estuary, Zhang said.
\n
It will also help accelerate the integrated development among the three regions of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions.
\n
"Upon completion of the project, travel time between Guangzhou's Nansha and Dongguan will be significantly reduced. And this will not only foster closer integration among core cities in the Pearl River delta, but also enable more efficient cross-river circulation of industrial chains, talent flow, and logistics in the region," Zhang said.
\n
Shiziyang Link connects the cities in the Greater Bay Area to major cities across the country through the region's advanced expressway network.
\n
Previously, the projections for economic development tended to be on the conservative side, said Zhang, adding that all the across-sea links in the regions, including Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, Nansha, Humen, and Huangpu bridges, operated in red (all witnessed heavy traffic congestion) during the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday in the first eight days of October.
\n
Shiziyang Link, which connects Guangzhou's Nansha district and Dongguan city, is sandwiched by Nansha Bridge, 3.8 kilometers to the north, and Humen Bridge, 7.7 kilometers to the south.
\n
Cui Bing, a national engineering survey and design master, said the state-of-the-art project is a global leader in diameter of the anchor foundation (130 meters), height of steel plate composite tower (342 meters), span of double-layer suspension bridge (2,180 meters), scale of main Cable (1.5 meter-diameter) and number of lanes (double-deck two-way 8 lanes).
\n
"The true value of bridge engineering design and construction lies not in repeatedly setting new records, but in genuinely realizing structural philosophies of safety and durability, along with breakthroughs in corresponding structural theories, construction technologies, and techniques," Cui said. He added that a bridge structural system should be established where all components, except key supporting elements (such as pylons and main cables) are easily replaceable, ensuring the bridge maintains its "prime-state functionality" throughout its entire life cycle. "This philosophy has been put into practice in the Shiziyang Link," he said.
\n
While the bridge's advancements may be surpassed in the coming 10 to 20 years, its design, technology, philosophy, methods, and structure will influence the design and construction of bridges worldwide in the future, said Cui, who is a chief engineer at China Communications Construction Company Highway Consultants.
\n
"And the design of the project adheres to the principles of economy, applicability, greenness, durability, and resistance to multiple disasters," he added.
\n
Meanwhile, Lianhuashan Link, which connects Guangzhou's Panyu district to Dongguan city has also been planned and is expected to start construction during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), said Xu Jun, deputy chief engineer of CCCC Highway Consultants. Relevant departments will soon decide whether it is a bridge or a tunnel that operates across the Pearl River estuary.
\n
And the Lingdingyang Link, which connects Shenzhen and Zhuhai, has also been planned to further advance ties between the two Chinese special economic zones. Lingdingyang Link will be a railway and highway dual-purpose link.
Three transformative events in 1978 left an enduring mark on the nation, according to He Peizhong, a leading China Studies scholar.
\n
The first was the launch of the reform and opening-up drive; the second, Deng Xiaoping's articulation of the "practice is the sole criterion for testing truth" principle, he said.
\n
"But there was a third event — equally remarkable and profoundly influential — though far less known," he added. "That was the founding of the International China Studies Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences," said the 73-year-old, who serves as the center's honorary director.
\n
"The center marked our first systematic effort, since the founding of the People's Republic of China, to examine how the country-has been studied abroad — a tradition dating back to the 16th century and reaching a height during the Cold War, when geopolitics preoccupied global decision-makers," he continued.
\n
But why 1978? The Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), which had gravely disrupted the nation, had ended less than two years earlier, he pointed out
\n
"China stood at the edge of renewal — brimming with potential yet shadowed by historical skepticism and self-doubt, especially among its intellectuals. By turning our gaze outward to see how others had sought to understand us, we, in turn, became more self-aware and gained a clearer understanding of ourselves."
\n
A few months later, in February 1979, eight students from the United States arrived in Beijing via Tokyo — the first group allowed to study in China since 1949. Among them was Thomas Gold, now a retired sociology professor from the University of California, Berkeley.
\n
Studying modern Chinese literature at Fudan University in Shanghai, Gold stepped into his familiar territory of social studies when he started talking to people who congregated in the People's Square, not far from the city's famous Bund.
\n
"They were zhi qing," Gold said, citing a term for educated youths sent to the countryside for "re-education" during the Cultural Revolution. Thousands of them had returned to the cities, having endured years of hardship. Yet they remained "hopeful and ready to do whatever circumstances allowed, to contribute to their country", he said.
\n
Gold, who's in Shanghai for the World Conference on China Studies on Tuesday and Wednesday, said the most effective way to understand contemporary China is "to learn the language well enough to converse directly with Chinese people, to live in China for an extended period, to travel widely, and to experience a Chinese workplace — basically what we did back then".
\n
Those who started in the 1950s and 60s, including his mentor, the distinguished US sociologist and East Asian scholar Ezra Vogel, often had to conduct field research with Chinese people outside the mainland, mostly in Hong Kong, due to Cold War tensions.
\n
"When my father was able to go to the mainland in 1973, on an academic exchange following president Richard Nixon's historic visit to China, it was like finally meeting someone with whom you had been on the phone for years, someone you really want a relationship with," said David Vogel, son of Ezra Vogel, who was the director of the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard University in the 1970s and 90s. In 2011, aged 81, Ezra Vogel published his definitive book Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China.
\n
"Chinese students and scholars should be familiar with how Westerners conduct research on contemporary China," said Gold. "Not everyone sees the world the same way, and even if we disagree, it is important to understand the world view of others and how it was shaped and maintained over time," he said.
\n
He Peizhong explained that it was precisely this realization that led many Chinese institutions of higher learning — most notably Beijing Foreign Studies University and East China Normal University — to establish research centers dedicated to China Studies beginning in the mid-1990s.
\n
"It's like holding up a mirror to oneself. Yet we gradually saw that this mirror — or the lens through which China was filtered by external assumptions and frameworks — could bend the image like a convex or concave, often resulting in a distorted portrayal of the country," said He.
\n
"That was when Chinese scholars became acutely aware of their own role in defining Sinology, or China Studies, a field long dominated by outsiders, from Jesuit missionaries to Western academics."
\n
However, that doesn't mean China Studies should be Sinocentric, added He, who sees "mutual learning" as the foundation of the field — the only way for the knowledge it generates to truly contribute to global development.
\n
"It's not a binary but a continuum — a process of mutual enrichment. While foreign research can reveal sources we might have overlooked and broaden our perspective, their direct engagement with China and its scholars helps bridge gaps that might otherwise solidify into stereotypes," He said.
\n",
+ "content": "
Three transformative events in 1978 left an enduring mark on the nation, according to He Peizhong, a leading China Studies scholar.
\n
The first was the launch of the reform and opening-up drive; the second, Deng Xiaoping's articulation of the "practice is the sole criterion for testing truth" principle, he said.
\n
"But there was a third event — equally remarkable and profoundly influential — though far less known," he added. "That was the founding of the International China Studies Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences," said the 73-year-old, who serves as the center's honorary director.
\n
"The center marked our first systematic effort, since the founding of the People's Republic of China, to examine how the country-has been studied abroad — a tradition dating back to the 16th century and reaching a height during the Cold War, when geopolitics preoccupied global decision-makers," he continued.
\n
But why 1978? The Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), which had gravely disrupted the nation, had ended less than two years earlier, he pointed out
\n
"China stood at the edge of renewal — brimming with potential yet shadowed by historical skepticism and self-doubt, especially among its intellectuals. By turning our gaze outward to see how others had sought to understand us, we, in turn, became more self-aware and gained a clearer understanding of ourselves."
\n
A few months later, in February 1979, eight students from the United States arrived in Beijing via Tokyo — the first group allowed to study in China since 1949. Among them was Thomas Gold, now a retired sociology professor from the University of California, Berkeley.
\n
Studying modern Chinese literature at Fudan University in Shanghai, Gold stepped into his familiar territory of social studies when he started talking to people who congregated in the People's Square, not far from the city's famous Bund.
\n
"They were zhi qing," Gold said, citing a term for educated youths sent to the countryside for "re-education" during the Cultural Revolution. Thousands of them had returned to the cities, having endured years of hardship. Yet they remained "hopeful and ready to do whatever circumstances allowed, to contribute to their country", he said.
\n
Gold, who's in Shanghai for the World Conference on China Studies on Tuesday and Wednesday, said the most effective way to understand contemporary China is "to learn the language well enough to converse directly with Chinese people, to live in China for an extended period, to travel widely, and to experience a Chinese workplace — basically what we did back then".
\n
Those who started in the 1950s and 60s, including his mentor, the distinguished US sociologist and East Asian scholar Ezra Vogel, often had to conduct field research with Chinese people outside the mainland, mostly in Hong Kong, due to Cold War tensions.
\n
"When my father was able to go to the mainland in 1973, on an academic exchange following president Richard Nixon's historic visit to China, it was like finally meeting someone with whom you had been on the phone for years, someone you really want a relationship with," said David Vogel, son of Ezra Vogel, who was the director of the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard University in the 1970s and 90s. In 2011, aged 81, Ezra Vogel published his definitive book Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China.
\n
"Chinese students and scholars should be familiar with how Westerners conduct research on contemporary China," said Gold. "Not everyone sees the world the same way, and even if we disagree, it is important to understand the world view of others and how it was shaped and maintained over time," he said.
\n
He Peizhong explained that it was precisely this realization that led many Chinese institutions of higher learning — most notably Beijing Foreign Studies University and East China Normal University — to establish research centers dedicated to China Studies beginning in the mid-1990s.
\n
"It's like holding up a mirror to oneself. Yet we gradually saw that this mirror — or the lens through which China was filtered by external assumptions and frameworks — could bend the image like a convex or concave, often resulting in a distorted portrayal of the country," said He.
\n
"That was when Chinese scholars became acutely aware of their own role in defining Sinology, or China Studies, a field long dominated by outsiders, from Jesuit missionaries to Western academics."
\n
However, that doesn't mean China Studies should be Sinocentric, added He, who sees "mutual learning" as the foundation of the field — the only way for the knowledge it generates to truly contribute to global development.
\n
"It's not a binary but a continuum — a process of mutual enrichment. While foreign research can reveal sources we might have overlooked and broaden our perspective, their direct engagement with China and its scholars helps bridge gaps that might otherwise solidify into stereotypes," He said.
Editor's note: The World Conference on China Studies opens on Tuesday, with about 230 guests from home and 200 from abroad attending the event. As scholars gather to share insights, this article delves into the rich tapestry of Sino-Western intellectual exchanges that have unfolded over centuries.
\n
"By what fatality, shameful maybe for the Western people, is it necessary to go to the far Orient to find a wise man who is simple, unostentatious, free from imposture, who taught men to live happily six hundred years before our vulgar era, at a time when the whole of the North was ignorant of the usage of letters, and when the Greeks were barely beginning to distinguish themselves by their wisdom? This man is Confucius …"
\n
This passage comes from Dictionnaire philosophique (Philosophical Dictionary), written by the French Enlightenment thinker Voltaire and published in 1764. What lay behind these words was the stark reality of his own age, against which he had long wielded his pen: a corrupt and oppressive Catholic Church allied with an absolutist monarchy, sustained by superstition and persecution, while the masses endured poverty, ignorance and injustice.
\n
According to Zhang Xiping, a leading Chinese scholar on Sino-European exchanges from the 16th century to the 19th century, Voltaire contrasted Confucian China — where a merit-based bureaucracy allowed avenues of social advancement — with his own France, where the church and nobility monopolized power, leaving ordinary people with little opportunity for upward mobility.
\n
"More importantly, he saw in Confucianism a rational, secular morality — ethics grounded in reason rather than divine revelation — offering men and rulers a path toward personal virtue and national prosperity without reliance on Christian dogma," said Zhang, noting that the French philosopher had referred to his personal study as the "Temple of Confucius" and himself, "a student of Confucius".
\n
Zhang, former director of the Center for Overseas China Studies of Beijing Foreign Studies University, is currently in Shanghai for the World Conference on China Studies, a gathering of scholars of both ancient and modern China sharing ideas and insights.
\n
"The word 'Sinology' comes from Latin and Greek roots. 'Sino' derives from the Latin 'Sinae', meaning 'China' or the 'Chinese', which in turn comes from the Greek 'Sinai' or 'Sinae', the term used by ancient Europeans for China — likely originating with the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) or the region known via the Silk Road. Thus, Sinology literally means the study of China," said Zhang.
\n
"Today, Sinology largely denotes the philological, text-focused study of historical China, whereas 'China Studies' embraces a broader, multidisciplinary examination of China, ancient and modern, although the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably."
\n
Journey to understanding
\n
Between Sinology and China Studies, the world has been striving to understand China for more than four centuries, beginning in the late 16th century when Jesuit missionaries — some of whom corresponded with Voltaire — first arrived.
\n
"Collectively, the Jesuit missionaries produced extensive works in classical Chinese, bringing Western mathematics, astronomy, and cartography to China, while their letters, travel accounts, and translations introduced Chinese language, culture, history, and art to the West, creating a remarkable two-way exchange of knowledge we are still seeking to revive today," Zhang said.
\n
Prominent among these works is Confucius Sinarum Philosophus (Confucius, the Chinese Philosopher), a 1687 Latin translation of Confucian texts compiled by four French Jesuit missionaries under the patronage of Louis XIV.
\n
In 1814, Jean-Pierre Abel-Remusat, a pioneering French Sinologist who studied Chinese texts and reports brought to Europe by Jesuit missionaries and other travelers, was appointed professor of Chinese at the College de France, becoming the first European to hold an academic chair dedicated entirely to China Studies.
\n
"Academic Sinologists increasingly took the lead from their missionary forebears, but one point remains: many missionaries, exemplified by the Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci, while seeking to spread the Catholic faith, showed profound respect for Chinese culture," said Zhang.
\n
Arriving in China in 1582, Ricci mastered classical Chinese, adopted Confucian dress and customs, and befriended scholars and officials through cultural sensitivity and mutual intellectual engagement.
\n
"These exchanges must be viewed in the context of the Age of Discovery," Zhang noted. "While European powers conquered and plundered across Africa, the Americas, and parts of Asia, China remained a rare exception — meeting the West through dialogue and cultural exchange. That contrast is deeply significant."
\n
Eurocentric approach
\n
But things were to change in the 19th century, when China came under the full weight of Western imperialism. Britain's victory in the First Opium War (1839-42) forced the Treaty of Nanjing, ceding Hong Kong and opening treaty ports — marking the start of the "Century of Humiliation".
\n
As the study of China in the West — and its scholars' perspectives — was greatly colored by China's decline during this time, admiration gave way to portrayals of the country as stagnant, despotic, and resistant to progress — a colonial framework known as "Orientalism", which, though later widely criticized, continues to exert subtle influence.
\n
One example is the German philosopher Friedrich Hegel, who, viewing Confucianism through his own Eurocentric and dialectical framework, concluded that it was not a true philosophy rooted in abstract, metaphysical thought, but merely a collection of moral maxims for creating a stable state and orderly social relationships.
\n
According to He Peizhong, honorary director and research fellow at the International China Studies Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, this Eurocentric approach has shaped China Studies for an extended period.
\n
"The term 'China Studies' was first used by American scholars, with figures like John King Fairbank institutionalizing it in US universities through a multidisciplinary approach that linked Chinese societal change to broader patterns of modernization and global interaction," said He, referring to the man Harvard University's Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies was named after.
\n
"Although Fairbank rejected the old view of China as an unchanging civilization, he advanced the 'Impact-Response Theory', which explained modern Chinese history primarily through the pressures and interventions of Western powers. Under this paradigm, contemporary China appears as a largely reactive civilization, with its reforms, institutions, and modernization efforts emerging in response to foreign challenges."
\n
For He and other critics, the theory underestimated Chinese agency, internal reforms and social dynamics.
\n
"Over the past half millennium, the world has continually studied China, driven by cultural curiosity, economic interests, political ambitions, and ideological conflicts. Yet in every instance, external agendas shaped and distorted its image, leaving no portrayal truly comprehensive or accurate," he observed.
\n
"For this reason, China must not only allow itself to be studied but also preserve and strengthen its own capacity to study itself. We must articulate our narrative while fostering genuine dialogue with international scholars through forums such as the present gathering."
\n
Reflecting on China's historical resilience, He said: "Reinvention is not a rupture, but a tradition itself. To remain relevant, China Studies must engage with this dynamic continuity."
\n
New way of thinking
\n
The New Confucianism that arose in the first half of the 20th century embodies this continuity, according to Zhang. Confronting modernization and cultural identity, Chinese intellectuals reinterpreted Confucian philosophy in dialogue with Western thought, portraying history as a continuous cultural logic and Confucian humanism, or "ren", as a universal principle that unites ethics with reason and aligns human action with the cosmic order.
\n
Some of them argue that the universe has a moral dimension, and by realizing our innate moral nature, we live in harmony with the ultimate reality of the world.
\n
In 1954, Joseph Needham, a British historian and Sinologist, published his monumental work Science and Civilization in China, challenging Eurocentric assumptions by tracing China's contributions to world science and technology, and helping Western audiences appreciate Chinese intellectual history on its own terms.
\n
In April 1778, the 83-year-old Voltaire met with Benjamin Franklin, one of the United States' Founding Fathers, during Franklin's visit to Paris. Two months later Voltaire passed away, while five years later the US would see its independence formally recognized under the 1783 Treaty of Paris.
\n
"Although the meeting was largely symbolic, representing the union of French Enlightenment thought with the American Revolution, Franklin, who saw himself as part of the Enlightenment tradition, likely had encountered Confucian ideas — particularly ethics without theology and rule by merit — through his reading of Voltaire and his engagement with the same intellectual circles," said Zhang.
\n
"Today, with China's rise as the world's second-largest economy and a global power, China Studies has long become a necessity rather than a matter of curiosity. Yet for those of us grounded in history, China — ancient or modern — should always be treated as a central subject of world study, for all the right reasons."
\n
zhaoxu@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "\n\n
Editor's note: The World Conference on China Studies opens on Tuesday, with about 230 guests from home and 200 from abroad attending the event. As scholars gather to share insights, this article delves into the rich tapestry of Sino-Western intellectual exchanges that have unfolded over centuries.
\n
"By what fatality, shameful maybe for the Western people, is it necessary to go to the far Orient to find a wise man who is simple, unostentatious, free from imposture, who taught men to live happily six hundred years before our vulgar era, at a time when the whole of the North was ignorant of the usage of letters, and when the Greeks were barely beginning to distinguish themselves by their wisdom? This man is Confucius …"
\n
This passage comes from Dictionnaire philosophique (Philosophical Dictionary), written by the French Enlightenment thinker Voltaire and published in 1764. What lay behind these words was the stark reality of his own age, against which he had long wielded his pen: a corrupt and oppressive Catholic Church allied with an absolutist monarchy, sustained by superstition and persecution, while the masses endured poverty, ignorance and injustice.
\n
According to Zhang Xiping, a leading Chinese scholar on Sino-European exchanges from the 16th century to the 19th century, Voltaire contrasted Confucian China — where a merit-based bureaucracy allowed avenues of social advancement — with his own France, where the church and nobility monopolized power, leaving ordinary people with little opportunity for upward mobility.
\n
"More importantly, he saw in Confucianism a rational, secular morality — ethics grounded in reason rather than divine revelation — offering men and rulers a path toward personal virtue and national prosperity without reliance on Christian dogma," said Zhang, noting that the French philosopher had referred to his personal study as the "Temple of Confucius" and himself, "a student of Confucius".
\n
Zhang, former director of the Center for Overseas China Studies of Beijing Foreign Studies University, is currently in Shanghai for the World Conference on China Studies, a gathering of scholars of both ancient and modern China sharing ideas and insights.
\n
"The word 'Sinology' comes from Latin and Greek roots. 'Sino' derives from the Latin 'Sinae', meaning 'China' or the 'Chinese', which in turn comes from the Greek 'Sinai' or 'Sinae', the term used by ancient Europeans for China — likely originating with the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) or the region known via the Silk Road. Thus, Sinology literally means the study of China," said Zhang.
\n
"Today, Sinology largely denotes the philological, text-focused study of historical China, whereas 'China Studies' embraces a broader, multidisciplinary examination of China, ancient and modern, although the two terms are sometimes used interchangeably."
\n
Journey to understanding
\n
Between Sinology and China Studies, the world has been striving to understand China for more than four centuries, beginning in the late 16th century when Jesuit missionaries — some of whom corresponded with Voltaire — first arrived.
\n
"Collectively, the Jesuit missionaries produced extensive works in classical Chinese, bringing Western mathematics, astronomy, and cartography to China, while their letters, travel accounts, and translations introduced Chinese language, culture, history, and art to the West, creating a remarkable two-way exchange of knowledge we are still seeking to revive today," Zhang said.
\n
Prominent among these works is Confucius Sinarum Philosophus (Confucius, the Chinese Philosopher), a 1687 Latin translation of Confucian texts compiled by four French Jesuit missionaries under the patronage of Louis XIV.
\n
In 1814, Jean-Pierre Abel-Remusat, a pioneering French Sinologist who studied Chinese texts and reports brought to Europe by Jesuit missionaries and other travelers, was appointed professor of Chinese at the College de France, becoming the first European to hold an academic chair dedicated entirely to China Studies.
\n
"Academic Sinologists increasingly took the lead from their missionary forebears, but one point remains: many missionaries, exemplified by the Italian Jesuit Matteo Ricci, while seeking to spread the Catholic faith, showed profound respect for Chinese culture," said Zhang.
\n
Arriving in China in 1582, Ricci mastered classical Chinese, adopted Confucian dress and customs, and befriended scholars and officials through cultural sensitivity and mutual intellectual engagement.
\n
"These exchanges must be viewed in the context of the Age of Discovery," Zhang noted. "While European powers conquered and plundered across Africa, the Americas, and parts of Asia, China remained a rare exception — meeting the West through dialogue and cultural exchange. That contrast is deeply significant."
\n
Eurocentric approach
\n
But things were to change in the 19th century, when China came under the full weight of Western imperialism. Britain's victory in the First Opium War (1839-42) forced the Treaty of Nanjing, ceding Hong Kong and opening treaty ports — marking the start of the "Century of Humiliation".
\n
As the study of China in the West — and its scholars' perspectives — was greatly colored by China's decline during this time, admiration gave way to portrayals of the country as stagnant, despotic, and resistant to progress — a colonial framework known as "Orientalism", which, though later widely criticized, continues to exert subtle influence.
\n
One example is the German philosopher Friedrich Hegel, who, viewing Confucianism through his own Eurocentric and dialectical framework, concluded that it was not a true philosophy rooted in abstract, metaphysical thought, but merely a collection of moral maxims for creating a stable state and orderly social relationships.
\n
According to He Peizhong, honorary director and research fellow at the International China Studies Research Center of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, this Eurocentric approach has shaped China Studies for an extended period.
\n
"The term 'China Studies' was first used by American scholars, with figures like John King Fairbank institutionalizing it in US universities through a multidisciplinary approach that linked Chinese societal change to broader patterns of modernization and global interaction," said He, referring to the man Harvard University's Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies was named after.
\n
"Although Fairbank rejected the old view of China as an unchanging civilization, he advanced the 'Impact-Response Theory', which explained modern Chinese history primarily through the pressures and interventions of Western powers. Under this paradigm, contemporary China appears as a largely reactive civilization, with its reforms, institutions, and modernization efforts emerging in response to foreign challenges."
\n
For He and other critics, the theory underestimated Chinese agency, internal reforms and social dynamics.
\n
"Over the past half millennium, the world has continually studied China, driven by cultural curiosity, economic interests, political ambitions, and ideological conflicts. Yet in every instance, external agendas shaped and distorted its image, leaving no portrayal truly comprehensive or accurate," he observed.
\n
"For this reason, China must not only allow itself to be studied but also preserve and strengthen its own capacity to study itself. We must articulate our narrative while fostering genuine dialogue with international scholars through forums such as the present gathering."
\n
Reflecting on China's historical resilience, He said: "Reinvention is not a rupture, but a tradition itself. To remain relevant, China Studies must engage with this dynamic continuity."
\n
New way of thinking
\n
The New Confucianism that arose in the first half of the 20th century embodies this continuity, according to Zhang. Confronting modernization and cultural identity, Chinese intellectuals reinterpreted Confucian philosophy in dialogue with Western thought, portraying history as a continuous cultural logic and Confucian humanism, or "ren", as a universal principle that unites ethics with reason and aligns human action with the cosmic order.
\n
Some of them argue that the universe has a moral dimension, and by realizing our innate moral nature, we live in harmony with the ultimate reality of the world.
\n
In 1954, Joseph Needham, a British historian and Sinologist, published his monumental work Science and Civilization in China, challenging Eurocentric assumptions by tracing China's contributions to world science and technology, and helping Western audiences appreciate Chinese intellectual history on its own terms.
\n
In April 1778, the 83-year-old Voltaire met with Benjamin Franklin, one of the United States' Founding Fathers, during Franklin's visit to Paris. Two months later Voltaire passed away, while five years later the US would see its independence formally recognized under the 1783 Treaty of Paris.
\n
"Although the meeting was largely symbolic, representing the union of French Enlightenment thought with the American Revolution, Franklin, who saw himself as part of the Enlightenment tradition, likely had encountered Confucian ideas — particularly ethics without theology and rule by merit — through his reading of Voltaire and his engagement with the same intellectual circles," said Zhang.
\n
"Today, with China's rise as the world's second-largest economy and a global power, China Studies has long become a necessity rather than a matter of curiosity. Yet for those of us grounded in history, China — ancient or modern — should always be treated as a central subject of world study, for all the right reasons."
Containers for the China-Europe Railway Express service are hoisted in Tongjiang, Heilongjiang province, on July 25. The station, near the China-Russia border, serves as a transfer hub for trains of different gauges in China and Russia.
\n
The 110,000th train of the China-Europe Railway Express service departs from Qingdao, Shandong province, in June.
\n
Trains carrying automobiles await departure in Chongqing in September.
\n
A forklift operator moves a container on the China-Europe Railway Express service in Ganzhou, Jiangxi province, in August.
\n
The multiple shock waves that hit global shipping in 2021 forced Shandong Linglong Tire, one of China's largest tire manufacturers and exporters, to reexamine its logistics.
\n
A solution was quickly found in the China-Europe freight train network, a vital trade artery connecting manufacturing centers in China with markets in Central Asia and Europe.
\n
"Sea transportation was so unstable," said Pan Wenfeng, head of Linglong's inland logistics department. "Prices skyrocketed and space was difficult to book. That gave us an opportunity to cooperate with the China-Europe Railway Express."
\n
What began as a stopgap measure has since matured into a long-term and stable partnership.
\n
"For overseas market expansion, sea transport is slow, with long delivery cycles that cannot ensure supply chain stability for our overseas production bases," Pan said.
\n
"For critical raw materials and equipment where time efficiency matters, we now choose the China-Europe freight train. The train offers speed, lower costs and customized services. By using the rail service, our key raw materials and machinery arrive swiftly at overseas plants. Transit times are 50 percent faster than sea transport, greatly improving cash flow, reducing logistics costs and enhancing our global competitiveness."
\n
Headquartered in Zhaoyuan in East China's Shandong province, Linglong has invested heavily abroad, with plants in Thailand and Serbia — the latter marking China's first tire factory in Europe.
\n
Around 10 percent of Linglong's exports move via China-Europe freight trains.
\n
Though sea freight still dominates its logistics, rail transport has become a strategic supplement, supporting the Belt and Road Initiative, boosting China's opening-up, and helping secure stable supply chains in an uncertain global environment.
\n
Decade of expansion
\n
From making just a handful of trips in 2011, the year of the network's launch, the China-Europe Railway Express has grown to handling 19,000 round trips in 2024, 10 percent up on the year prior, transporting over 2 million twenty-foot equivalent units, according to Xinhua News Agency.
\n
In total, as of July, it's estimated that the service had completed more than 110,000 round trips, carrying goods worth over $450 billion.
\n
The network has grown to cover nearly the entire Eurasian landmass. Inside China, three main routes — the western, central and eastern — attract cargo from different regions.
\n
Beyond China's borders, three corresponding corridors stretch into Europe. Recent years have seen successful trial operations of the southern corridor, opening new gateways to the continent. Close coordination with foreign railway companies has expanded and diversified these international routes, creating a transcontinental network that is efficient, extends in multiple directions, and connects land and sea transport.
\n
A total of 128 Chinese cities run freight trains to 229 cities in 26 European countries, and over 100 cities in 11 Asian countries. Customs procedures have also been streamlined. With the rollout of the "95306 System" digital platform, customs clearance that once took half a day now takes less than 30 minutes on average.
\n
There are 14 regional consolidation hubs inside China that channel goods into outbound trains, ensuring smoother distribution. Cargo from different regions is gathered at these hubs and organized before being shipped to Europe. Nearly nine out of 10 China-Europe freight trains are assembled and dispatched through these hubs nationwide.
\n
In the early years, there was a significant trade imbalance flowing east to west, with many empty containers on the return journey.
\n
To address this, China Railway Container Transport, a State-owned logistics operator, established subsidiaries in Kazakhstan, Germany and Russia to forge closer partnerships with local railways, ports and logistics companies.
\n
This deeper integration has gradually created a more balanced two-way flow, reducing empty runs and boosting overall efficiency.
\n
A growing number of European exports, ranging from machinery and pharmaceuticals to luxury goods, are now heading east on trains that once returned half-empty.
\n
This has contributed to lower costs for Chinese exporters and more reliable schedules, as the network no longer bears the inefficiencies of empty backhauls.
\n
Transportation hubs, such as Xiamen in Fujian province, have felt this transformation.
\n
"The China-Europe trains from Xiamen not only carry Chinese products abroad but bring back foreign goods into China," said Wu Wei, marketing manager at Xiamen International Logistics Port.
\n
In recent years, the logistics port has received Belgian chocolates, Belarusian beef jerky, Polish yogurt, and cosmetics such as face masks and eye creams.
\n
China and beyond
\n
In Shandong, the first cold-chain train departed from Jiaozhou in May 2021. Since, the specialized service for perishable goods has expanded, with regular trains running from Qingdao, Jinan and Zibo, carrying fresh vegetables, seafood and frozen products to European markets.
\n
"The growth has been transformative in the past decade," said Shang Mingzhu, a manager at the Jinan branch of China Railway Container Transport. "Cold-chain trains, designed to match Shandong's strengths in fresh produce and seafood, support Shandong products going global."
\n
Across inland hubs, from Xi'an in Shaanxi province to Chengdu in Sichuan province, local governments and logistics providers are leveraging the railway to connect their industries to global supply chains.
\n
For exporters of high-value goods, from electronics to auto parts, the railway has become a reliable bridge to European markets.
\n
European partners are equally enthusiastic. "The China-Europe Railway Express provides customers with stable and fast transportation services," said Alona Toprak, managing director of DB Cargo Eurasia, a subsidiary of Germany's Deutsche Bahn, specializing in cross-border rail logistics for China, Central Asia and Europe.
\n
"Many high-quality products are transported between Europe and China via the service. Now, with more frequent departures, our cooperation has expanded from traditional manufacturing to green energy, new energy vehicles and cross-border e-commerce, further facilitating consumer markets," she said.
\n
Chinese goods, including consumer electronics, home appliances and daily-use products, can reach Europe faster and at better prices. At the same time, specialty products from Europe and other parts of Asia, such as Spanish wine, Dutch cheese, Polish apples, Thai durian and Laotian bananas, are increasingly available to Chinese consumers. This has created bigger markets and improved people's daily lives along the route.
\n
The railway's rapid growth has also boosted industry, trade and investment. Railways, freight companies and logistics providers along the route are earning more stable income, while local people have gained jobs. Major cities served by the trains, including Lodz in Poland, Duisburg in Germany, and Madrid in Spain, have modernized their infrastructure, helping related industries grow quickly.
\n
In June, the 110,000th train departed from Qingdao, Shandong province, carrying 55 containers of LCD displays and refrigerators worth 20 million yuan ($2.75 million) on a three-week journey to Moscow.
\n
For Gao Yitian, head of the Jiaozhou branch of Jinan Railway Logistics Center, the milestone was another ticked off on his 25-year career in the railway industry. Gao began handling international trains in 2016, when services were still in their infancy.
\n
"At the start, we were unfamiliar with the processes. Customs checks and documentation were slow. Sometimes we couldn't even gather enough cargo for one train in two weeks," Gao said.
\n
"Now, the systems are optimized, efficiency has soared and trains depart daily.
\n
"In 2016, cargo mainly consisted of clothing and footwear. Today, shipments range from home appliances to high-end manufacturing equipment. The trains now run at 120 kilometers per hour, up from 80 km/h a decade ago," he said.
\n
Innovation and growth
\n
A recent development has been the introduction of set-scheduled China-Europe freight trains. A total of 17 set-scheduled trains run a week, with transit times cut by more than 30 percent compared with regular China-Europe freight train services. Unlike regular cargo carriers, the trains adhere to a set schedule along the entire route, further reducing transport time and also allowing customers to accurately calculate journey times between cities.
\n
Beyond bulk goods and consumer staples, specialized services cater to cross-border e-commerce, cold-chain food, postal shipments and automobiles. The range of goods has broadened to over 50 categories and 50,000 products, with three types of goods in particular — auto parts, machinery and electronics — making up more than 60 percent of exports last year.
\n
New industries are also benefiting from the China-Europe Railway Express. Rail operators have addressed safety challenges in transporting new energy vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and solar panels, allowing these high-value exports to reach global markets more efficiently and reliably.
\n
A China-Europe service center and a dedicated online portal offer one-stop platforms for contracts, customs, insurance, cargo tracking and smart containers with real-time monitoring. Overseas, 131 container depots in 17 countries provide convenient pickup and return options across most rail-linked cities.
\n
luowangshu@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
Containers for the China-Europe Railway Express service are hoisted in Tongjiang, Heilongjiang province, on July 25. The station, near the China-Russia border, serves as a transfer hub for trains of different gauges in China and Russia.
\n
The 110,000th train of the China-Europe Railway Express service departs from Qingdao, Shandong province, in June.
\n
Trains carrying automobiles await departure in Chongqing in September.
\n
A forklift operator moves a container on the China-Europe Railway Express service in Ganzhou, Jiangxi province, in August.
\n
The multiple shock waves that hit global shipping in 2021 forced Shandong Linglong Tire, one of China's largest tire manufacturers and exporters, to reexamine its logistics.
\n
A solution was quickly found in the China-Europe freight train network, a vital trade artery connecting manufacturing centers in China with markets in Central Asia and Europe.
\n
"Sea transportation was so unstable," said Pan Wenfeng, head of Linglong's inland logistics department. "Prices skyrocketed and space was difficult to book. That gave us an opportunity to cooperate with the China-Europe Railway Express."
\n
What began as a stopgap measure has since matured into a long-term and stable partnership.
\n
"For overseas market expansion, sea transport is slow, with long delivery cycles that cannot ensure supply chain stability for our overseas production bases," Pan said.
\n
"For critical raw materials and equipment where time efficiency matters, we now choose the China-Europe freight train. The train offers speed, lower costs and customized services. By using the rail service, our key raw materials and machinery arrive swiftly at overseas plants. Transit times are 50 percent faster than sea transport, greatly improving cash flow, reducing logistics costs and enhancing our global competitiveness."
\n
Headquartered in Zhaoyuan in East China's Shandong province, Linglong has invested heavily abroad, with plants in Thailand and Serbia — the latter marking China's first tire factory in Europe.
\n
Around 10 percent of Linglong's exports move via China-Europe freight trains.
\n
Though sea freight still dominates its logistics, rail transport has become a strategic supplement, supporting the Belt and Road Initiative, boosting China's opening-up, and helping secure stable supply chains in an uncertain global environment.
\n
Decade of expansion
\n
From making just a handful of trips in 2011, the year of the network's launch, the China-Europe Railway Express has grown to handling 19,000 round trips in 2024, 10 percent up on the year prior, transporting over 2 million twenty-foot equivalent units, according to Xinhua News Agency.
\n
In total, as of July, it's estimated that the service had completed more than 110,000 round trips, carrying goods worth over $450 billion.
\n
The network has grown to cover nearly the entire Eurasian landmass. Inside China, three main routes — the western, central and eastern — attract cargo from different regions.
\n
Beyond China's borders, three corresponding corridors stretch into Europe. Recent years have seen successful trial operations of the southern corridor, opening new gateways to the continent. Close coordination with foreign railway companies has expanded and diversified these international routes, creating a transcontinental network that is efficient, extends in multiple directions, and connects land and sea transport.
\n
A total of 128 Chinese cities run freight trains to 229 cities in 26 European countries, and over 100 cities in 11 Asian countries. Customs procedures have also been streamlined. With the rollout of the "95306 System" digital platform, customs clearance that once took half a day now takes less than 30 minutes on average.
\n
There are 14 regional consolidation hubs inside China that channel goods into outbound trains, ensuring smoother distribution. Cargo from different regions is gathered at these hubs and organized before being shipped to Europe. Nearly nine out of 10 China-Europe freight trains are assembled and dispatched through these hubs nationwide.
\n
In the early years, there was a significant trade imbalance flowing east to west, with many empty containers on the return journey.
\n
To address this, China Railway Container Transport, a State-owned logistics operator, established subsidiaries in Kazakhstan, Germany and Russia to forge closer partnerships with local railways, ports and logistics companies.
\n
This deeper integration has gradually created a more balanced two-way flow, reducing empty runs and boosting overall efficiency.
\n
A growing number of European exports, ranging from machinery and pharmaceuticals to luxury goods, are now heading east on trains that once returned half-empty.
\n
This has contributed to lower costs for Chinese exporters and more reliable schedules, as the network no longer bears the inefficiencies of empty backhauls.
\n
Transportation hubs, such as Xiamen in Fujian province, have felt this transformation.
\n
"The China-Europe trains from Xiamen not only carry Chinese products abroad but bring back foreign goods into China," said Wu Wei, marketing manager at Xiamen International Logistics Port.
\n
In recent years, the logistics port has received Belgian chocolates, Belarusian beef jerky, Polish yogurt, and cosmetics such as face masks and eye creams.
\n
China and beyond
\n
In Shandong, the first cold-chain train departed from Jiaozhou in May 2021. Since, the specialized service for perishable goods has expanded, with regular trains running from Qingdao, Jinan and Zibo, carrying fresh vegetables, seafood and frozen products to European markets.
\n
"The growth has been transformative in the past decade," said Shang Mingzhu, a manager at the Jinan branch of China Railway Container Transport. "Cold-chain trains, designed to match Shandong's strengths in fresh produce and seafood, support Shandong products going global."
\n
Across inland hubs, from Xi'an in Shaanxi province to Chengdu in Sichuan province, local governments and logistics providers are leveraging the railway to connect their industries to global supply chains.
\n
For exporters of high-value goods, from electronics to auto parts, the railway has become a reliable bridge to European markets.
\n
European partners are equally enthusiastic. "The China-Europe Railway Express provides customers with stable and fast transportation services," said Alona Toprak, managing director of DB Cargo Eurasia, a subsidiary of Germany's Deutsche Bahn, specializing in cross-border rail logistics for China, Central Asia and Europe.
\n
"Many high-quality products are transported between Europe and China via the service. Now, with more frequent departures, our cooperation has expanded from traditional manufacturing to green energy, new energy vehicles and cross-border e-commerce, further facilitating consumer markets," she said.
\n
Chinese goods, including consumer electronics, home appliances and daily-use products, can reach Europe faster and at better prices. At the same time, specialty products from Europe and other parts of Asia, such as Spanish wine, Dutch cheese, Polish apples, Thai durian and Laotian bananas, are increasingly available to Chinese consumers. This has created bigger markets and improved people's daily lives along the route.
\n
The railway's rapid growth has also boosted industry, trade and investment. Railways, freight companies and logistics providers along the route are earning more stable income, while local people have gained jobs. Major cities served by the trains, including Lodz in Poland, Duisburg in Germany, and Madrid in Spain, have modernized their infrastructure, helping related industries grow quickly.
\n
In June, the 110,000th train departed from Qingdao, Shandong province, carrying 55 containers of LCD displays and refrigerators worth 20 million yuan ($2.75 million) on a three-week journey to Moscow.
\n
For Gao Yitian, head of the Jiaozhou branch of Jinan Railway Logistics Center, the milestone was another ticked off on his 25-year career in the railway industry. Gao began handling international trains in 2016, when services were still in their infancy.
\n
"At the start, we were unfamiliar with the processes. Customs checks and documentation were slow. Sometimes we couldn't even gather enough cargo for one train in two weeks," Gao said.
\n
"Now, the systems are optimized, efficiency has soared and trains depart daily.
\n
"In 2016, cargo mainly consisted of clothing and footwear. Today, shipments range from home appliances to high-end manufacturing equipment. The trains now run at 120 kilometers per hour, up from 80 km/h a decade ago," he said.
\n
Innovation and growth
\n
A recent development has been the introduction of set-scheduled China-Europe freight trains. A total of 17 set-scheduled trains run a week, with transit times cut by more than 30 percent compared with regular China-Europe freight train services. Unlike regular cargo carriers, the trains adhere to a set schedule along the entire route, further reducing transport time and also allowing customers to accurately calculate journey times between cities.
\n
Beyond bulk goods and consumer staples, specialized services cater to cross-border e-commerce, cold-chain food, postal shipments and automobiles. The range of goods has broadened to over 50 categories and 50,000 products, with three types of goods in particular — auto parts, machinery and electronics — making up more than 60 percent of exports last year.
\n
New industries are also benefiting from the China-Europe Railway Express. Rail operators have addressed safety challenges in transporting new energy vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and solar panels, allowing these high-value exports to reach global markets more efficiently and reliably.
\n
A China-Europe service center and a dedicated online portal offer one-stop platforms for contracts, customs, insurance, cargo tracking and smart containers with real-time monitoring. Overseas, 131 container depots in 17 countries provide convenient pickup and return options across most rail-linked cities.
Each successful departure of a China-Europe freight train reflects not just a cross-border shipment, but the culmination of meticulous coordination and firm determination. Behind the scenes are professionals like Huang Jiaxuan and Yu Chenhuan, whose stories reveal the human engine powering this transcontinental corridor.
\n
As the lead locomotive driver at China Railway Jinan Group, Huang Jiaxuan, 25, plays a pivotal role in operating China-Europe freight trains from Jiaozhou Station. His daily work includes navigating one of the most dangerous segments of the Jiaozhou-Jinan Railway — a mountainous stretch.
\n
"Driving here is like walking a tightrope while holding a bowl of water," Huang said, referring to the steep incline and sharp turns on the line.
\n
Over the past few years, Huang has driven on rail more than 165,000 kilometers — a testament to skill and focus beyond his age. In June, he was entrusted to operate the milestone 110,000th China-Europe freight train.
\n
As the first locomotive driver of the 110,000th China-Europe freight train, he was responsible for the segment from Jiaozhou to Jinan West — a 326-km route that crosses more than 400 bridges.
\n
"Near Weifang, the train must climb a slope nearly seven stories high within just 3 km, and navigate five sharp turns. During the journey, I will double-check every key parameter and operation, continuously optimizing procedures in real time to ensure safe, punctual and smooth operation," Huang said. The train left China via the Ereenhot border in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region and arrived in Moscow via Mongolia.
\n
"My biggest mission is to deliver this 'steel camel caravan' to the next driver, safely and on time," Huang said.
\n
Each China-Europe freight train journey typically involves a team of more than a dozen locomotive drivers, working in coordinated shifts to ensure the train reaches its destination safely and on schedule.
\n
On the commercial side, Yu Chenhuan, assistant general manager at Shandong Hi-Speed Qilu Eurasia Railway Logistics, ensures that every train has the right cargo, and that it gets where it needs to go.
\n
Since joining the company in 2019, Yu has led efforts to serve over 22 major manufacturers, including Haier and Linglong Tire, and has helped launch more than 500 trains customized to their supply chain needs. "Each China-Europe train is a 'super-link' involving multiple stages across borders and modes of transport," Yu said.
\n
Yu and his team provide highly personalized logistics planning. "We offer a one-on-one service model to ensure customized and high-quality logistics for each client," he said.
\n
Managing a China-Europe train involves much more than booking a container. It requires mapping the client's supply chain, coordinating domestic rail schedules, reserving containers and railcars abroad, and integrating road, sea, air and rail segments — all while monitoring progress and troubleshooting exceptions.
\n
"We need to understand each client's supply chain and design tailored solutions, while ensuring real-time tracking and issue resolution. Every successfully delivered container is backed by teamwork and professionalism."
\n
From Huang's precision on the tracks to Yu's orchestration of global cargo flows, both men exemplify the expertise and dedication powering China-Europe freight trains.
\n
"We're not just running trains," Huang said. "We're connecting countries and people."
\n",
+ "content": "
Each successful departure of a China-Europe freight train reflects not just a cross-border shipment, but the culmination of meticulous coordination and firm determination. Behind the scenes are professionals like Huang Jiaxuan and Yu Chenhuan, whose stories reveal the human engine powering this transcontinental corridor.
\n
As the lead locomotive driver at China Railway Jinan Group, Huang Jiaxuan, 25, plays a pivotal role in operating China-Europe freight trains from Jiaozhou Station. His daily work includes navigating one of the most dangerous segments of the Jiaozhou-Jinan Railway — a mountainous stretch.
\n
"Driving here is like walking a tightrope while holding a bowl of water," Huang said, referring to the steep incline and sharp turns on the line.
\n
Over the past few years, Huang has driven on rail more than 165,000 kilometers — a testament to skill and focus beyond his age. In June, he was entrusted to operate the milestone 110,000th China-Europe freight train.
\n
As the first locomotive driver of the 110,000th China-Europe freight train, he was responsible for the segment from Jiaozhou to Jinan West — a 326-km route that crosses more than 400 bridges.
\n
"Near Weifang, the train must climb a slope nearly seven stories high within just 3 km, and navigate five sharp turns. During the journey, I will double-check every key parameter and operation, continuously optimizing procedures in real time to ensure safe, punctual and smooth operation," Huang said. The train left China via the Ereenhot border in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region and arrived in Moscow via Mongolia.
\n
"My biggest mission is to deliver this 'steel camel caravan' to the next driver, safely and on time," Huang said.
\n
Each China-Europe freight train journey typically involves a team of more than a dozen locomotive drivers, working in coordinated shifts to ensure the train reaches its destination safely and on schedule.
\n
On the commercial side, Yu Chenhuan, assistant general manager at Shandong Hi-Speed Qilu Eurasia Railway Logistics, ensures that every train has the right cargo, and that it gets where it needs to go.
\n
Since joining the company in 2019, Yu has led efforts to serve over 22 major manufacturers, including Haier and Linglong Tire, and has helped launch more than 500 trains customized to their supply chain needs. "Each China-Europe train is a 'super-link' involving multiple stages across borders and modes of transport," Yu said.
\n
Yu and his team provide highly personalized logistics planning. "We offer a one-on-one service model to ensure customized and high-quality logistics for each client," he said.
\n
Managing a China-Europe train involves much more than booking a container. It requires mapping the client's supply chain, coordinating domestic rail schedules, reserving containers and railcars abroad, and integrating road, sea, air and rail segments — all while monitoring progress and troubleshooting exceptions.
\n
"We need to understand each client's supply chain and design tailored solutions, while ensuring real-time tracking and issue resolution. Every successfully delivered container is backed by teamwork and professionalism."
\n
From Huang's precision on the tracks to Yu's orchestration of global cargo flows, both men exemplify the expertise and dedication powering China-Europe freight trains.
\n
"We're not just running trains," Huang said. "We're connecting countries and people."
At the opening of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing on Monday, President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China's firm commitment to promoting gender equality and women's empowerment — not only within its own borders but across the world, especially among developing nations. As Xi noted, women play an important role in creating, promoting and carrying forward human civilization, and the international community has a shared responsibility to advance the cause of women.
\n
Thirty years after the landmark 1995 Beijing World Conference on Women, Xi's speech offered both a review of the global progress of the women's cause and a blueprint for the next stage. It reflected how far China has come since that historic meeting — and how much further it is prepared to go in partnership with the world to accelerate the comprehensive development of women.
\n
Indeed, China is not only a sayer but, more importantly, a doer. The white paper titled "China's Achievements in Women's Well-Rounded Development in the New Era", released by the State Council Information Office ahead of the meeting, details the remarkable progress the nation has made.
\n
Over the past decade, the sense of fulfillment, happiness and security among Chinese women has reached an unprecedented level. China has built an institutional system of laws, regulations and policies to help combat gender-related violence and discrimination, ensure equal access to education and health services, and promote women's participation in all sectors of life.
\n
Riding the wave of the digital economy, "she power" has become a vibrant new force: more than half of China's internet entrepreneurs are women, one-third of the digital trade and livestreaming workforce are female, and in 2024 alone, over 14,000 women were certified as AI trainers.
\n
China's experience demonstrates that promoting gender equality must be integrated into socioeconomic development. True fairness lies not only in outcomes but also in procedures — in creating an enabling environment where women have equal opportunities to pursue their dreams and shape their own futures. That is also an important attribute of China's people-centered development.
\n
At the global level, China has proved to be a steadfast partner. Over the past years, working closely with UN agencies, it has expanded its cooperation network to more than 140 countries and 420 women's organizations and institutions. China has also invested over $40 million in women's empowerment projects across 20-plus countries, trained more than 200,000 women from over 180 countries and regions, and provided employment support to women in more than 100 countries. It has advanced women's participation in peacekeeping, disaster relief and global governance, while incorporating gender cooperation into the Belt and Road Initiative and South-South cooperation frameworks.
\n
China's new commitments at the Beijing meeting take these efforts to an even higher level. In the next five years, China will donate another $10 million to UN Women; earmark a quota of $100 million in China's Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund for implementing development cooperation projects for women and girls in collaboration with international organizations; launch 1,000 "small and beautiful" livelihood programs with Chinese assistance that take women and girls as priority beneficiaries; invite 50,000 women to China for exchange and training programs; and establish a Global Center for Women's Capacity Building, which is aimed at conducting capacity building and other development cooperation with relevant countries and international organizations to train more female talent.
\n
Equally important are Xi's four proposals to advance women's development worldwide, namely: Countries should jointly foster an enabling environment for women's growth and development; cultivate powerful momentum for the high-quality development of the women's cause; develop governance frameworks to protect women's rights and interests; and write a new chapter in promoting global cooperation on women.
\n
These are not only a summary of past experience but a road map for the future — one that calls for action tailored to national conditions. Promoting women's development is a collective endeavor that requires all stakeholders to move from vision to implementation.
\n
China's practice has shown that the socialist path with Chinese characteristics toward women's empowerment is full of vitality and unique strengths. It offers valuable reference for the world: Development must be inclusive, opportunity must be equal, and fairness in process is the foundation for fairness in results. In the new era, China stands ready to work hand in hand with the international community to create a better world for all women — and through them, for all humanity.
At the opening of the Global Leaders' Meeting on Women in Beijing on Monday, President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China's firm commitment to promoting gender equality and women's empowerment — not only within its own borders but across the world, especially among developing nations. As Xi noted, women play an important role in creating, promoting and carrying forward human civilization, and the international community has a shared responsibility to advance the cause of women.
\n
Thirty years after the landmark 1995 Beijing World Conference on Women, Xi's speech offered both a review of the global progress of the women's cause and a blueprint for the next stage. It reflected how far China has come since that historic meeting — and how much further it is prepared to go in partnership with the world to accelerate the comprehensive development of women.
\n
Indeed, China is not only a sayer but, more importantly, a doer. The white paper titled "China's Achievements in Women's Well-Rounded Development in the New Era", released by the State Council Information Office ahead of the meeting, details the remarkable progress the nation has made.
\n
Over the past decade, the sense of fulfillment, happiness and security among Chinese women has reached an unprecedented level. China has built an institutional system of laws, regulations and policies to help combat gender-related violence and discrimination, ensure equal access to education and health services, and promote women's participation in all sectors of life.
\n
Riding the wave of the digital economy, "she power" has become a vibrant new force: more than half of China's internet entrepreneurs are women, one-third of the digital trade and livestreaming workforce are female, and in 2024 alone, over 14,000 women were certified as AI trainers.
\n
China's experience demonstrates that promoting gender equality must be integrated into socioeconomic development. True fairness lies not only in outcomes but also in procedures — in creating an enabling environment where women have equal opportunities to pursue their dreams and shape their own futures. That is also an important attribute of China's people-centered development.
\n
At the global level, China has proved to be a steadfast partner. Over the past years, working closely with UN agencies, it has expanded its cooperation network to more than 140 countries and 420 women's organizations and institutions. China has also invested over $40 million in women's empowerment projects across 20-plus countries, trained more than 200,000 women from over 180 countries and regions, and provided employment support to women in more than 100 countries. It has advanced women's participation in peacekeeping, disaster relief and global governance, while incorporating gender cooperation into the Belt and Road Initiative and South-South cooperation frameworks.
\n
China's new commitments at the Beijing meeting take these efforts to an even higher level. In the next five years, China will donate another $10 million to UN Women; earmark a quota of $100 million in China's Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund for implementing development cooperation projects for women and girls in collaboration with international organizations; launch 1,000 "small and beautiful" livelihood programs with Chinese assistance that take women and girls as priority beneficiaries; invite 50,000 women to China for exchange and training programs; and establish a Global Center for Women's Capacity Building, which is aimed at conducting capacity building and other development cooperation with relevant countries and international organizations to train more female talent.
\n
Equally important are Xi's four proposals to advance women's development worldwide, namely: Countries should jointly foster an enabling environment for women's growth and development; cultivate powerful momentum for the high-quality development of the women's cause; develop governance frameworks to protect women's rights and interests; and write a new chapter in promoting global cooperation on women.
\n
These are not only a summary of past experience but a road map for the future — one that calls for action tailored to national conditions. Promoting women's development is a collective endeavor that requires all stakeholders to move from vision to implementation.
\n
China's practice has shown that the socialist path with Chinese characteristics toward women's empowerment is full of vitality and unique strengths. It offers valuable reference for the world: Development must be inclusive, opportunity must be equal, and fairness in process is the foundation for fairness in results. In the new era, China stands ready to work hand in hand with the international community to create a better world for all women — and through them, for all humanity.
It has become routine for the Philippines to play the trick of a thief crying "stop thief" in its repeated attempts to infringe upon China's maritime interests and territorial sovereignty in the South China Sea. Its aim is to stir up trouble and create a fait accompli to maximize its territorial claims in the region.
\n
In yet another provocative move, Manila sent two government vessels to illegally intrude into the waters off China's Tiexian Reef on Sunday, prompting China Coast Guard ships to take legal and reasonable enforcement "control measures" against the trespassing vessels and expel them from China's jurisdictional waters.
\n
Yet distorting the facts, a Philippine Coast Guard spokesman on Monday accused the CCG of using "bullying tactics and aggressive actions" against the Philippine ships resulting in a collision. The logic is akin to a thief who has broken into someone's house accusing the confronting homeowner of resisting and preventing the intended robbery. To justify its actions, Manila, echoing Washington's words, seeks to portray China in a negative light, using selective and distorted information and hyperbolic rhetoric to support accusations of Chinese expansionism and non-compliance with international law.
\n
The full responsibility for the collision lies with the Philippine side. As a CCG spokesperson pointed out, it was because the Philippine vessel ignored multiple warnings from the Chinese side and dangerously approached the CCG vessel that the collision occurred.
\n
Manila's brazenness in confusing right with wrong and its reckless actions to stir up trouble in the South China Sea can be attributed to the support it receives from the United States, which is still pursuing a strategy to contain China in the "Indo-Pacific" region.
\n
Immediately after the incident on Sunday, US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson shamelessly praised the Philippine personnel involved in the incident for their "tremendous valor and skill in the face of China's dangerous ramming and use of water cannons". Such duplicitous remarks reveal the US' intention to push the Philippines to the forefront in its bid to destabilize the South China Sea.
\n
China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including Tiexian Reef and its adjacent waters. Yet the Philippines has long coveted the Chinese reef and persistently attempted to occupy it. The provision of military equipment and funding by the US, such as the significant aid packages for the Philippine Coast Guard and armed forces has emboldened Manila, not only heightening the risk of conflict but also diverting attention from the pressing need for cooperative solutions to shared challenges in the region.
\n
China has no other choice but to take all measures necessary to safeguard its sovereignty, security and maritime interests in the South China Sea. It also needs to protect the ecosystem in the waters around the Nansha Islands and other places in the South China Sea as the Philippines' illegal actions not only violate China's territorial sovereignty, breach the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and undermine peace and stability in the region, but are also causing severe damage to the fragile coral reef ecosystems in the waters, according to a report released by the Ministry of Natural Resources in April.
\n
The Philippine government's intensified efforts to challenge China's sovereignty in the South China Sea might be a strategy to divert domestic public attention, as growing discontent over increasing corruption becomes more prevalent. Mass protests swept across the country recently over the alleged plunder of funds from flood control projects meant to shield communities from disasters. Lawmakers have uncovered over $9.5 billion in contracts since 2022 — the start of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's presidency — tied to substandard, undocumented or entirely unbuilt projects.
\n
The Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, signed by China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2002, is a testament to regional countries' collective commitment to peace and stability. The Philippines as a party to the DOC should uphold that commitment and cease its provocations.
\n
The question is for how long will Manila continue to cast reason to the wind at the cost of regional peace and stability.
\n",
+ "content": "
It has become routine for the Philippines to play the trick of a thief crying "stop thief" in its repeated attempts to infringe upon China's maritime interests and territorial sovereignty in the South China Sea. Its aim is to stir up trouble and create a fait accompli to maximize its territorial claims in the region.
\n
In yet another provocative move, Manila sent two government vessels to illegally intrude into the waters off China's Tiexian Reef on Sunday, prompting China Coast Guard ships to take legal and reasonable enforcement "control measures" against the trespassing vessels and expel them from China's jurisdictional waters.
\n
Yet distorting the facts, a Philippine Coast Guard spokesman on Monday accused the CCG of using "bullying tactics and aggressive actions" against the Philippine ships resulting in a collision. The logic is akin to a thief who has broken into someone's house accusing the confronting homeowner of resisting and preventing the intended robbery. To justify its actions, Manila, echoing Washington's words, seeks to portray China in a negative light, using selective and distorted information and hyperbolic rhetoric to support accusations of Chinese expansionism and non-compliance with international law.
\n
The full responsibility for the collision lies with the Philippine side. As a CCG spokesperson pointed out, it was because the Philippine vessel ignored multiple warnings from the Chinese side and dangerously approached the CCG vessel that the collision occurred.
\n
Manila's brazenness in confusing right with wrong and its reckless actions to stir up trouble in the South China Sea can be attributed to the support it receives from the United States, which is still pursuing a strategy to contain China in the "Indo-Pacific" region.
\n
Immediately after the incident on Sunday, US Ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson shamelessly praised the Philippine personnel involved in the incident for their "tremendous valor and skill in the face of China's dangerous ramming and use of water cannons". Such duplicitous remarks reveal the US' intention to push the Philippines to the forefront in its bid to destabilize the South China Sea.
\n
China has indisputable sovereignty over the Nansha Islands, including Tiexian Reef and its adjacent waters. Yet the Philippines has long coveted the Chinese reef and persistently attempted to occupy it. The provision of military equipment and funding by the US, such as the significant aid packages for the Philippine Coast Guard and armed forces has emboldened Manila, not only heightening the risk of conflict but also diverting attention from the pressing need for cooperative solutions to shared challenges in the region.
\n
China has no other choice but to take all measures necessary to safeguard its sovereignty, security and maritime interests in the South China Sea. It also needs to protect the ecosystem in the waters around the Nansha Islands and other places in the South China Sea as the Philippines' illegal actions not only violate China's territorial sovereignty, breach the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, and undermine peace and stability in the region, but are also causing severe damage to the fragile coral reef ecosystems in the waters, according to a report released by the Ministry of Natural Resources in April.
\n
The Philippine government's intensified efforts to challenge China's sovereignty in the South China Sea might be a strategy to divert domestic public attention, as growing discontent over increasing corruption becomes more prevalent. Mass protests swept across the country recently over the alleged plunder of funds from flood control projects meant to shield communities from disasters. Lawmakers have uncovered over $9.5 billion in contracts since 2022 — the start of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's presidency — tied to substandard, undocumented or entirely unbuilt projects.
\n
The Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, signed by China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2002, is a testament to regional countries' collective commitment to peace and stability. The Philippines as a party to the DOC should uphold that commitment and cease its provocations.
\n
The question is for how long will Manila continue to cast reason to the wind at the cost of regional peace and stability.
At the general debate of the Third Committee of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Sun Lei exercised China's right of reply and rebutted claims made by representatives from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Ireland, the Netherlands, Japan and the European Union. This was a necessary response to correct yet another politicized spectacle where human rights are weaponized against developing nations.
\n
Sun strongly criticized the delegations from these countries for repeatedly abusing the UN platform to smear China under the pretext of issues related to Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Xizang. He expressed China's firm opposition to this deliberate disruption of constructive international dialogue, noting that such actions represent a profound misunderstanding of human rights and a regression to a Cold War mentality. China consistently opposes the politicization and weaponization of human rights issues and rejects using them as a pretext to interfere in other countries' internal affairs.
\n
Sun's remarks were not merely a rebuttal of the claims but an exposition of the truth. While certain countries selectively point fingers, China has been making historic, comprehensive progress in human rights. The most fundamental human right is the right to survival and development — a principle China has upheld by lifting nearly 800 million people out of poverty, accounting for over 70 percent of global poverty reduction. This monumental achievement, secured through decades of sustained effort, has guaranteed basic living standards and dignity for hundreds of millions of people, and involved the creation of the world's largest education, social security and healthcare systems.
\n
The hypocrisy of the accusing nations was laid bare when Sun listed their human rights violations.
\n
The UK was urged to address its worsening racism and confront the historical legacies of colonialism.
\n
Australia was asked to end discrimination against its Indigenous people and provide compensation for war crimes committed by its soldiers in Afghanistan.
\n
Canada was called on to confront its history of cultural genocide against Indigenous communities and combat white supremacy.
\n
The EU, acting as a self-appointed "lecturer on human rights", was advised to solve its own severe violations against refugees and migrants.
\n
The allegations against China — that Sun rightly termed "microphone diplomacy" — expose the double standards and colonial mentality that still pervade international relations. The finger-pointing countries assume the right to judge others while being unwilling to scrutinize their own behavior. Their actions undermine the very principles of international human rights and the spirit of the UN Charter, which emphasizes cooperation based on equality and mutual respect.
\n
The Chinese path to human rights protection is rooted in its national conditions. As the world's largest developing country, China has always prioritized the rights to subsistence and development as primary, foundational human rights.
\n
This people-centered philosophy, embedded in the governance of the Communist Party of China, has transformed the nation and empowered its citizens. It represents a development model that resonates with many developing countries, demonstrating that human rights are not a one-size-fits-all concept but must be pursued in a manner consistent with a country's history, culture and social system.
\n
China urges these accusatory countries to engage in serious self-reflection and focus on solving their own problems. The international human rights cause is a shared endeavor that requires constructive dialogue and mutual learning, not confrontation and blame games. Fairness and justice lie in people's hearts, and the truth is evident to the world. It is time to replace such accusations with a genuine constructive dialogue so as to collectively build a community with a shared future for humanity where universal human rights can truly flourish through cooperation.
\n",
+ "content": "
At the general debate of the Third Committee of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Sun Lei exercised China's right of reply and rebutted claims made by representatives from the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Ireland, the Netherlands, Japan and the European Union. This was a necessary response to correct yet another politicized spectacle where human rights are weaponized against developing nations.
\n
Sun strongly criticized the delegations from these countries for repeatedly abusing the UN platform to smear China under the pretext of issues related to Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Xizang. He expressed China's firm opposition to this deliberate disruption of constructive international dialogue, noting that such actions represent a profound misunderstanding of human rights and a regression to a Cold War mentality. China consistently opposes the politicization and weaponization of human rights issues and rejects using them as a pretext to interfere in other countries' internal affairs.
\n
Sun's remarks were not merely a rebuttal of the claims but an exposition of the truth. While certain countries selectively point fingers, China has been making historic, comprehensive progress in human rights. The most fundamental human right is the right to survival and development — a principle China has upheld by lifting nearly 800 million people out of poverty, accounting for over 70 percent of global poverty reduction. This monumental achievement, secured through decades of sustained effort, has guaranteed basic living standards and dignity for hundreds of millions of people, and involved the creation of the world's largest education, social security and healthcare systems.
\n
The hypocrisy of the accusing nations was laid bare when Sun listed their human rights violations.
\n
The UK was urged to address its worsening racism and confront the historical legacies of colonialism.
\n
Australia was asked to end discrimination against its Indigenous people and provide compensation for war crimes committed by its soldiers in Afghanistan.
\n
Canada was called on to confront its history of cultural genocide against Indigenous communities and combat white supremacy.
\n
The EU, acting as a self-appointed "lecturer on human rights", was advised to solve its own severe violations against refugees and migrants.
\n
The allegations against China — that Sun rightly termed "microphone diplomacy" — expose the double standards and colonial mentality that still pervade international relations. The finger-pointing countries assume the right to judge others while being unwilling to scrutinize their own behavior. Their actions undermine the very principles of international human rights and the spirit of the UN Charter, which emphasizes cooperation based on equality and mutual respect.
\n
The Chinese path to human rights protection is rooted in its national conditions. As the world's largest developing country, China has always prioritized the rights to subsistence and development as primary, foundational human rights.
\n
This people-centered philosophy, embedded in the governance of the Communist Party of China, has transformed the nation and empowered its citizens. It represents a development model that resonates with many developing countries, demonstrating that human rights are not a one-size-fits-all concept but must be pursued in a manner consistent with a country's history, culture and social system.
\n
China urges these accusatory countries to engage in serious self-reflection and focus on solving their own problems. The international human rights cause is a shared endeavor that requires constructive dialogue and mutual learning, not confrontation and blame games. Fairness and justice lie in people's hearts, and the truth is evident to the world. It is time to replace such accusations with a genuine constructive dialogue so as to collectively build a community with a shared future for humanity where universal human rights can truly flourish through cooperation.
Editor's note: The second World Conference on China Studies convenes in Shanghai from Monday to Wednesday. Zhang Xiping, professor of Beijing Foreign Studies University, told China News Service that it is necessary to explain the global significance of China studies. Below are excerpts from the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n
Sinology is essentially part of Oriental studies, which also includes the study of other ancient civilizations such as Egypt and India. Sinology has helped enhance the global understanding of China, while also making the country aware of its indigenous knowledge.
\n
There are three different types of scholars involved in China studies. There are foreign scholars of China, Chinese scholars who study the country's history and contemporary issues and scholars specifically focused on overseas China studies.
\n
Foreign Sinologists have certain advantages. Many foreign scholars possess multilingual abilities, which give them an edge while studying China's relationships with its neighboring countries. These scholars provide diverse perspectives on China's regional relations, offering valuable insights for domestic research in China.
\n
However, Sinology also has inherent limitations. Researchers in this field often cannot completely detach themselves from their own cultural perspectives, leading to interpretations of Chinese civilization that, while often in agreement with the native Chinese understanding, also have differing explanations. This necessitates a dialogue rather than a confrontation between the different perspectives.
\n
Their communication is crucial because it provides a global perspective for understanding how other civilizations perceive China and contributes to building China's independent knowledge system.
\n
However, this interaction needs to be further enhanced. Chinese scholars need to strengthen their understanding of Western traditions and the evolution of Sinology to better grasp the logic behind China studies in Western countries. They should engage with Western Sinologists and increase their interaction with scholars from countries of the Global South, paying attention to their civilization traits and unique perspectives on China.
\n
It is also important for domestic and overseas scholars to review China's history. The interaction between China and the West from the 16th to the 18th century was one of the rare times in history when two major civilizations engaged in mutual learning, which greatly advanced the development of the economies and learning of both societies. This shows that civilizational exchange can transcend conflict, which in turn can help ease Western anxieties over China's rise and reopen equal dialogues today.
\n
For a long time, narratives of Sino-Western relations have primarily focused on the unequal relationships after 1840. If we restore the complete historical context, it will allow the West to acknowledge the times when it learned from China and enable China to objectively view its own contributions and challenges.
\n
China's rise signifies global institutional changes. Therefore, moving beyond a century of Western admiration and rebuilding China's independent knowledge system becomes all the more crucial. Looking back at history can help Chinese and foreign scholars understand the trajectory of Chinese civilization.
\n
The connection between world China studies and Sinology is not a matter of simple integration. Rather, it is built on the premise of respecting the historical traditions of Sinology and ensuring equal dialogue. This approach absorbs the achievements and strengths of Sinology to create a research system that covers both ancient and modern China and global perspectives.
\n
World China studies not only enable the world to better understand China, but also allow China to refine itself through the examination of other civilizations, promoting deeper global research and civilizational exchange.
Editor's note: The second World Conference on China Studies convenes in Shanghai from Monday to Wednesday. Zhang Xiping, professor of Beijing Foreign Studies University, told China News Service that it is necessary to explain the global significance of China studies. Below are excerpts from the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n
Sinology is essentially part of Oriental studies, which also includes the study of other ancient civilizations such as Egypt and India. Sinology has helped enhance the global understanding of China, while also making the country aware of its indigenous knowledge.
\n
There are three different types of scholars involved in China studies. There are foreign scholars of China, Chinese scholars who study the country's history and contemporary issues and scholars specifically focused on overseas China studies.
\n
Foreign Sinologists have certain advantages. Many foreign scholars possess multilingual abilities, which give them an edge while studying China's relationships with its neighboring countries. These scholars provide diverse perspectives on China's regional relations, offering valuable insights for domestic research in China.
\n
However, Sinology also has inherent limitations. Researchers in this field often cannot completely detach themselves from their own cultural perspectives, leading to interpretations of Chinese civilization that, while often in agreement with the native Chinese understanding, also have differing explanations. This necessitates a dialogue rather than a confrontation between the different perspectives.
\n
Their communication is crucial because it provides a global perspective for understanding how other civilizations perceive China and contributes to building China's independent knowledge system.
\n
However, this interaction needs to be further enhanced. Chinese scholars need to strengthen their understanding of Western traditions and the evolution of Sinology to better grasp the logic behind China studies in Western countries. They should engage with Western Sinologists and increase their interaction with scholars from countries of the Global South, paying attention to their civilization traits and unique perspectives on China.
\n
It is also important for domestic and overseas scholars to review China's history. The interaction between China and the West from the 16th to the 18th century was one of the rare times in history when two major civilizations engaged in mutual learning, which greatly advanced the development of the economies and learning of both societies. This shows that civilizational exchange can transcend conflict, which in turn can help ease Western anxieties over China's rise and reopen equal dialogues today.
\n
For a long time, narratives of Sino-Western relations have primarily focused on the unequal relationships after 1840. If we restore the complete historical context, it will allow the West to acknowledge the times when it learned from China and enable China to objectively view its own contributions and challenges.
\n
China's rise signifies global institutional changes. Therefore, moving beyond a century of Western admiration and rebuilding China's independent knowledge system becomes all the more crucial. Looking back at history can help Chinese and foreign scholars understand the trajectory of Chinese civilization.
\n
The connection between world China studies and Sinology is not a matter of simple integration. Rather, it is built on the premise of respecting the historical traditions of Sinology and ensuring equal dialogue. This approach absorbs the achievements and strengths of Sinology to create a research system that covers both ancient and modern China and global perspectives.
\n
World China studies not only enable the world to better understand China, but also allow China to refine itself through the examination of other civilizations, promoting deeper global research and civilizational exchange.
There was a time, not long ago, when the United States promoted free trade and offered national treatment to its foreign investors. Free trade is a self-explanatory concept, while national treatment refers to the requirement that foreign investors be treated the same way as domestic investors.
\n
Such advocacy was not gentle. In the case of small Global South countries, it was imposed as a prerequisite for guaranteeing some access to their exports and for receiving economic aid and credit, not only from the US Treasury but also from the global financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and regional multilateral banks such as the Inter-American Development Bank, in which the US has a domineering role.
\n
Countries had no choice but to obey, given the widespread use of cross-conditionality, which takes place when all sources of economic assistance impose the same conditions and share information about compliance. Even the OECD, when negotiating the membership of a small country such as Costa Rica, requested that it open up its agricultural markets according to the free trade agreement signed with the US (in which, by the way, the US maintained all of the subsidies and trade protections to its agricultural sector).
\n
US policymakers would not relate the pushing of those strategies to "trade deficits", "overcapacity" or "reciprocity". Rather, any hint of mercantilism or zero-sum games was considered outdated and counterproductive. The core arguments underlying the propaganda favoring free trade and national treatment were presented as "quasi scientific". Yet they were very selective for that matter. For instance, for free trade the classical theory of comparative advantage and other "Economics 101 Concepts" were called for as support, turning a blind eye to all the welfare economics theorizing on market failure.
\n
This theorizing, developed by neoclassical Western mainstream economists, showed that if there were, for instance, economics of scale, public goods, externalities, asymmetric information and unemployment, among other things, free markets would not maximize society's welfare. In such cases, industrial policies might be required to mend the suboptimal outcomes endured when supply and demand were set free to run the economy.
\n
There is abundant empirical evidence of market failure, and every successful economy has implemented policies aimed at offsetting its negative effects. Therefore, the pompous and self-righteous narrative with which free trade and national treatment were imposed on poor countries by the US has been at odds with its own common practice.
\n
Enter China. By allowing wider space for market forces and the private economy in its socialism with Chinese characteristics model, China has achieved unprecedented success in terms of economic growth, trade competitiveness and poverty reduction.
\n
So much so that the US, instead of eliminating any traces of interference in the market to face China's highly competitive and productive economy, as might have been expected from its grandiose propaganda about the wonders of free markets, has chosen to strengthen its industrial policy and build trade barriers.
\n
From neoliberalism, as all but God's truth, the US has redeployed itself into neo-mercantilism.
\n
However, as China tries to negotiate down the neo-mercantilist tariffs, the US has brought to the table issues that go far beyond trade. Foreign investment is one of them. In spite of the national treatment concept fervently promoted by the US (and other Western economies), the US administration tends to view any successful Chinese business as a "national security threat". Huawei and TikTok are two cases in point. "Money laundering" and illicit fentanyl trade are also woven into the negotiations by the US.
\n
All this beyond-trade issues might just be a smoke screen for protectionism in the face of China's competitiveness. Money laundering and illicit fentanyl trade are crimes. If they are included in trade negotiation agendas, the path toward results becomes all the more complex. If such activities are undertaken by private individuals, the issue ought to be addressed not by trade negotiators but by the crime-fighting bodies of the two countries.
\n
There is a need for China to take more measures to demonstrate that the US' frequent claims that China is promoting fentanyl trade are false.
\n
Clearing the field of these issues would allow the world to understand that introducing non-trade issues is just an excuse for the US to impose protectionist tariffs on Chinese goods in the face of China's highly competitive economy. Then even if the US continues to impose high tariffs on Chinese goods, at least the moral and public relations argument would have been won by China. Not a small price in this era of fake news and official lies emanating from an immoral White House.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n",
+ "content": "
There was a time, not long ago, when the United States promoted free trade and offered national treatment to its foreign investors. Free trade is a self-explanatory concept, while national treatment refers to the requirement that foreign investors be treated the same way as domestic investors.
\n
Such advocacy was not gentle. In the case of small Global South countries, it was imposed as a prerequisite for guaranteeing some access to their exports and for receiving economic aid and credit, not only from the US Treasury but also from the global financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and regional multilateral banks such as the Inter-American Development Bank, in which the US has a domineering role.
\n
Countries had no choice but to obey, given the widespread use of cross-conditionality, which takes place when all sources of economic assistance impose the same conditions and share information about compliance. Even the OECD, when negotiating the membership of a small country such as Costa Rica, requested that it open up its agricultural markets according to the free trade agreement signed with the US (in which, by the way, the US maintained all of the subsidies and trade protections to its agricultural sector).
\n
US policymakers would not relate the pushing of those strategies to "trade deficits", "overcapacity" or "reciprocity". Rather, any hint of mercantilism or zero-sum games was considered outdated and counterproductive. The core arguments underlying the propaganda favoring free trade and national treatment were presented as "quasi scientific". Yet they were very selective for that matter. For instance, for free trade the classical theory of comparative advantage and other "Economics 101 Concepts" were called for as support, turning a blind eye to all the welfare economics theorizing on market failure.
\n
This theorizing, developed by neoclassical Western mainstream economists, showed that if there were, for instance, economics of scale, public goods, externalities, asymmetric information and unemployment, among other things, free markets would not maximize society's welfare. In such cases, industrial policies might be required to mend the suboptimal outcomes endured when supply and demand were set free to run the economy.
\n
There is abundant empirical evidence of market failure, and every successful economy has implemented policies aimed at offsetting its negative effects. Therefore, the pompous and self-righteous narrative with which free trade and national treatment were imposed on poor countries by the US has been at odds with its own common practice.
\n
Enter China. By allowing wider space for market forces and the private economy in its socialism with Chinese characteristics model, China has achieved unprecedented success in terms of economic growth, trade competitiveness and poverty reduction.
\n
So much so that the US, instead of eliminating any traces of interference in the market to face China's highly competitive and productive economy, as might have been expected from its grandiose propaganda about the wonders of free markets, has chosen to strengthen its industrial policy and build trade barriers.
\n
From neoliberalism, as all but God's truth, the US has redeployed itself into neo-mercantilism.
\n
However, as China tries to negotiate down the neo-mercantilist tariffs, the US has brought to the table issues that go far beyond trade. Foreign investment is one of them. In spite of the national treatment concept fervently promoted by the US (and other Western economies), the US administration tends to view any successful Chinese business as a "national security threat". Huawei and TikTok are two cases in point. "Money laundering" and illicit fentanyl trade are also woven into the negotiations by the US.
\n
All this beyond-trade issues might just be a smoke screen for protectionism in the face of China's competitiveness. Money laundering and illicit fentanyl trade are crimes. If they are included in trade negotiation agendas, the path toward results becomes all the more complex. If such activities are undertaken by private individuals, the issue ought to be addressed not by trade negotiators but by the crime-fighting bodies of the two countries.
\n
There is a need for China to take more measures to demonstrate that the US' frequent claims that China is promoting fentanyl trade are false.
\n
Clearing the field of these issues would allow the world to understand that introducing non-trade issues is just an excuse for the US to impose protectionist tariffs on Chinese goods in the face of China's highly competitive economy. Then even if the US continues to impose high tariffs on Chinese goods, at least the moral and public relations argument would have been won by China. Not a small price in this era of fake news and official lies emanating from an immoral White House.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
When I first walked into offices in Beijing more than a decade ago, I noticed something quite unique. Meetings concluded in half the expected time, and the receptions were much more basic than the lavish banquets I had heard of.
\n
Initially, I thought these were just small modifications in etiquette or work culture. But the more time I spent in China, the more I realized that these seemingly small changes indicated something much deeper. They were the tangible effects of the eight-point decision on improving Party and government conduct, which the Communist Party of China Central Committee unveiled in 2012.
\n
The eight-point decision was put forward to eradicate extravagance, formalism, corruption and bureaucratism in the Party ranks. In the more than 10 years since the implementation of the decision, the results are more than evident. This shows the eight-point decision is not just a set of new rules; it is a cultural shift in governance. Officials today are more easily accessible and pragmatic, and public funds are being used with much more care.
\n
During my visit, I noticed that the atmosphere had changed, with less formalism, fewer empty speeches, and simpler ceremonies than before. What I saw was a new sense of discipline and responsibility. My interactions with local authorities and institution officials focused entirely on work, not on appearances.
\n
There is a deep logic behind these measures to improve governance. The CPC has repeatedly stressed the need for "self-correction", acknowledging that a ruling party cannot depend solely on external checks and balances. The eight-point decision is a part of this continuous self-correction, closely associated with the broader anti-corruption campaigns and institutional reforms. Together, they ensure power is exercised for the right causes and the Party remains responsive to society.
\n
I also saw the wider impact of the decision on Chinese society. People were quick to notice the difference. Less expensive banquets meant more resources available to meet the people's needs, and a simpler, more practical approach to governance has boosted the trust between the people and their representatives. I often heard locals talk about how these changes made the government appear more trustworthy, serious and attentive to people's problems. What impressed me most was that people agreed that their leaders were focusing on real problems.
\n
In contrast to my experience elsewhere, I saw China turning a new leaf in people-centered governance. In some political systems, anti-corruption measures often fade away after a short campaign or become a mere show in the public's eyes.
\n
While in other countries, formalism and bureaucratism are accepted as normal but lead to a serious waste of resources and weaken people's trust in the government, in China the eight-point decision signalled the Party's firm resolve to reform the governance system and discipline the officials. For a party like the CPC which has been governing a country with a huge population for 76 years, eradicating these problems is critical because they are not just peripheral issues but existential concerns. If officials spend too much time on formalism, the government would lose efficacy and the people's trust. By taking measures to eradicate these problems, the Party will only strengthen its ability to govern the country.
\n
What during my first visit to China appeared to be small things, such as shorter meetings and modest receptions, have now become more significant. They demonstrate the Party's ability to evolve, to improve itself, and to stay close to the people it serves.
\n
As China progresses through the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) and prepares to implement the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), the governance challenges will become more complicated. To address those changes, China will need to advance Chinese modernization with more social equity, overcome global uncertainties, and expedite domestic reforms.
\n
While witnessing these changes, I was reminded of the fact that true governance is not about appearances but about adaptability, discipline and credibility. The eight-point decision is a classic example of how reform, when pursued with determination, can improve governance and benefit society.
\n
The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
\n",
+ "content": "\n\n
When I first walked into offices in Beijing more than a decade ago, I noticed something quite unique. Meetings concluded in half the expected time, and the receptions were much more basic than the lavish banquets I had heard of.
\n
Initially, I thought these were just small modifications in etiquette or work culture. But the more time I spent in China, the more I realized that these seemingly small changes indicated something much deeper. They were the tangible effects of the eight-point decision on improving Party and government conduct, which the Communist Party of China Central Committee unveiled in 2012.
\n
The eight-point decision was put forward to eradicate extravagance, formalism, corruption and bureaucratism in the Party ranks. In the more than 10 years since the implementation of the decision, the results are more than evident. This shows the eight-point decision is not just a set of new rules; it is a cultural shift in governance. Officials today are more easily accessible and pragmatic, and public funds are being used with much more care.
\n
During my visit, I noticed that the atmosphere had changed, with less formalism, fewer empty speeches, and simpler ceremonies than before. What I saw was a new sense of discipline and responsibility. My interactions with local authorities and institution officials focused entirely on work, not on appearances.
\n
There is a deep logic behind these measures to improve governance. The CPC has repeatedly stressed the need for "self-correction", acknowledging that a ruling party cannot depend solely on external checks and balances. The eight-point decision is a part of this continuous self-correction, closely associated with the broader anti-corruption campaigns and institutional reforms. Together, they ensure power is exercised for the right causes and the Party remains responsive to society.
\n
I also saw the wider impact of the decision on Chinese society. People were quick to notice the difference. Less expensive banquets meant more resources available to meet the people's needs, and a simpler, more practical approach to governance has boosted the trust between the people and their representatives. I often heard locals talk about how these changes made the government appear more trustworthy, serious and attentive to people's problems. What impressed me most was that people agreed that their leaders were focusing on real problems.
\n
In contrast to my experience elsewhere, I saw China turning a new leaf in people-centered governance. In some political systems, anti-corruption measures often fade away after a short campaign or become a mere show in the public's eyes.
\n
While in other countries, formalism and bureaucratism are accepted as normal but lead to a serious waste of resources and weaken people's trust in the government, in China the eight-point decision signalled the Party's firm resolve to reform the governance system and discipline the officials. For a party like the CPC which has been governing a country with a huge population for 76 years, eradicating these problems is critical because they are not just peripheral issues but existential concerns. If officials spend too much time on formalism, the government would lose efficacy and the people's trust. By taking measures to eradicate these problems, the Party will only strengthen its ability to govern the country.
\n
What during my first visit to China appeared to be small things, such as shorter meetings and modest receptions, have now become more significant. They demonstrate the Party's ability to evolve, to improve itself, and to stay close to the people it serves.
\n
As China progresses through the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) and prepares to implement the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), the governance challenges will become more complicated. To address those changes, China will need to advance Chinese modernization with more social equity, overcome global uncertainties, and expedite domestic reforms.
\n
While witnessing these changes, I was reminded of the fact that true governance is not about appearances but about adaptability, discipline and credibility. The eight-point decision is a classic example of how reform, when pursued with determination, can improve governance and benefit society.
\n
The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.
Almost every other day, there are reports about elderly people misbehaving in public. Such reports say that elderly people compel youngsters to offer their subway/bus seats to them, and, in some cases, become violent if the youngsters do not comply with their demand. Some reports say elderly people walk in big groups on the road, refusing to make way for even fire engines and ambulances.
\n
Reports about elderly people practicing dancing in public places accompanied by loud music till late into the night and disturbing others are common. A few media outlets have also highlighted how elderly people climb up trees to take "beautiful photos" with flowers or to pick fruits, and how they "invade and occupy" supermarkets, not for shopping but for enjoying air-conditioning in the summer.
\n
There have also been reports on the elderly faking being hit by vehicles on the street to get compensation, and stressing that when a car driver or bike rider tries to help them up on their feet, he/she runs the risk of being accused of having knocked them down. There have been so many staged accidents in recent years, according to reports, that a new Chinese term pengci (porcelain scam) has found its way into the dictionary.
\n
The damage pengci could cause to Chinese society can be very destructive. When we see someone falling down in the street and struggling in pain, our immediate reaction is to help the person. But given the rising number of pengci cases, according to reports, people now hesitate to help even genuine accident victims.
\n
There have been so many reports on elderly people's disgraceful behavior that people can't help but ask: "Whether the elderly have become tricksters or whether tricksters have all grown old?"
\n
I have not come across any data on the increase in cases of elderly people's misbehavior. But I believe there have always been some people who misbehave in public both in and outside the country. We read about such cases more frequently because the media — especially social media — have been highlighting more and more such incidents, and even exaggerating conflicts between different age groups to draw more readers.
\n
We are overwhelmed by reports on elderly people misbehaving in public not because there has been a drastic increase in the number of such cases but because we have much easier access to such reports. Hence, we should not get carried away by such reports and start believing that ill-mannered, ill-behaved elderly people are damaging social harmony.
\n
Elderly people who regularly venture out, including those going to parks or those just taking a walk on pavements to get some exercise, are usually aged between 60 and 80. They largely belong to the generation that has experienced the horror of hunger during childhood. As youngsters, they were taught to fight against their so-called fate to build a better life. They deserve our respect as the drivers of China's fast-paced socioeconomic development. They belong to a group of people who are diligent, hardworking, proud and, sometimes, aggressive.
\n
When they use some of these traits inappropriately, it leads to arguments and even physical violence. When such conflicts are reported, the concerned elderly people become the target of criticism, but at the same time well-behaved elderly people like us also suffer, because we can feel that young people nowadays maintain a safe distance from us to avoid trouble.
\n
There have been online discussions among youngsters on how to deal with ill-behaved elderly people. Suggestions include staying away and avoiding any argument with them. My impression about such discussions is that the youngsters, who've been taught to respect the elderly, are largely helpless when facing ill-behaved elderly people.
\n
Online discussions by elderly people on this issue are rare — perhaps because most of the elderly either stay away from social media or are not that tech savvy. As a senior citizen, I criticize anybody who misbehaves with others, be they elderly or young. I believe that elderly people should behave properly if they want to be respected. They should become role models for their children and grandchildren by following social norms, being courteous, patient and caring, and by helping maintain social harmony.
\n
<span class="epaper-status">The author is former deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily.</span>
\n
kangbing@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "\n
Kang Bing
\n
Almost every other day, there are reports about elderly people misbehaving in public. Such reports say that elderly people compel youngsters to offer their subway/bus seats to them, and, in some cases, become violent if the youngsters do not comply with their demand. Some reports say elderly people walk in big groups on the road, refusing to make way for even fire engines and ambulances.
\n
Reports about elderly people practicing dancing in public places accompanied by loud music till late into the night and disturbing others are common. A few media outlets have also highlighted how elderly people climb up trees to take "beautiful photos" with flowers or to pick fruits, and how they "invade and occupy" supermarkets, not for shopping but for enjoying air-conditioning in the summer.
\n
There have also been reports on the elderly faking being hit by vehicles on the street to get compensation, and stressing that when a car driver or bike rider tries to help them up on their feet, he/she runs the risk of being accused of having knocked them down. There have been so many staged accidents in recent years, according to reports, that a new Chinese term pengci (porcelain scam) has found its way into the dictionary.
\n
The damage pengci could cause to Chinese society can be very destructive. When we see someone falling down in the street and struggling in pain, our immediate reaction is to help the person. But given the rising number of pengci cases, according to reports, people now hesitate to help even genuine accident victims.
\n
There have been so many reports on elderly people's disgraceful behavior that people can't help but ask: "Whether the elderly have become tricksters or whether tricksters have all grown old?"
\n
I have not come across any data on the increase in cases of elderly people's misbehavior. But I believe there have always been some people who misbehave in public both in and outside the country. We read about such cases more frequently because the media — especially social media — have been highlighting more and more such incidents, and even exaggerating conflicts between different age groups to draw more readers.
\n
We are overwhelmed by reports on elderly people misbehaving in public not because there has been a drastic increase in the number of such cases but because we have much easier access to such reports. Hence, we should not get carried away by such reports and start believing that ill-mannered, ill-behaved elderly people are damaging social harmony.
\n
Elderly people who regularly venture out, including those going to parks or those just taking a walk on pavements to get some exercise, are usually aged between 60 and 80. They largely belong to the generation that has experienced the horror of hunger during childhood. As youngsters, they were taught to fight against their so-called fate to build a better life. They deserve our respect as the drivers of China's fast-paced socioeconomic development. They belong to a group of people who are diligent, hardworking, proud and, sometimes, aggressive.
\n
When they use some of these traits inappropriately, it leads to arguments and even physical violence. When such conflicts are reported, the concerned elderly people become the target of criticism, but at the same time well-behaved elderly people like us also suffer, because we can feel that young people nowadays maintain a safe distance from us to avoid trouble.
\n
There have been online discussions among youngsters on how to deal with ill-behaved elderly people. Suggestions include staying away and avoiding any argument with them. My impression about such discussions is that the youngsters, who've been taught to respect the elderly, are largely helpless when facing ill-behaved elderly people.
\n
Online discussions by elderly people on this issue are rare — perhaps because most of the elderly either stay away from social media or are not that tech savvy. As a senior citizen, I criticize anybody who misbehaves with others, be they elderly or young. I believe that elderly people should behave properly if they want to be respected. They should become role models for their children and grandchildren by following social norms, being courteous, patient and caring, and by helping maintain social harmony.
\n
<span class="epaper-status">The author is former deputy editor-in-chief of China Daily.</span>
Charlene Fontaine, executive director of the Flying Tigers 69th Depot Repair Squadron Association, holds a 1945 photograph of her father, Stewart Fontaine, in the cockpit of a B-29 bomber.
\n
Inside a wooden box that Stewart Fontaine brought home from China 80 years ago lay treasures that shaped not just his life but his daughter's mission decades later.
\n
Among them were two silk scarves hand-embroidered with the Flying Tigers emblem. One now rests with him in his grave, while the other adorns his daughter's shoulders at every memorial service for veterans' reunions.
\n
For Charlene Fontaine, preserving her father's legacy has become a life's mission.
\n
Now executive director of the Flying Tigers 69th Depot Repair Squadron Association, Charlene Fontaine hopes the bond forged between American and Chinese people during those difficult times could continue to inspire new generations.
\n
Stewart Fontaine arrived in China in 1943 as part of the ground crew supporting the legendary Flying Tigers operations. Before the war, he had worked for the company Curtiss-Wright as an engineer.
\n
"My dad had a Chinese coworker whom he greatly admired," Charlene Fontaine recalled. "This young man was incredibly smart, and the two of them bonded over their shared talent for fixing things.
\n
"What one didn't know, the other would teach, and they learned from each other constantly. They also exchanged stories about their cultures. The young man shared food from his family and welcomed my dad into that part of his life."
\n
For a young man who came from a family of eight and knew what it meant to go without, this connection provided a sense of home in a foreign land.
\n
"Dad truly appreciated that. It reminded him of home," Charlene Fontaine told China Daily. "That sense of continuity and connection meant a lot to him during his time in China, especially while working closely with the Chinese people."
\n
Stewart Fontaine understood poverty. His family back in the United States was not wealthy, and he knew what hardship looked like. But nothing prepared him for what he would witness in wartime China.
\n
The Chinese people's sufferings caused by the constant bombings struck him deeply. "They lost everything: their homes, their loved ones. Yet they persevered," Charlene Fontaine said.
\n
"They worked on the Burma Road, in the factories, on the airstrips. They did everything that was asked of them. Dad said their resilience and tenacity were phenomenal. That's what he admired most."
\n
Even as war raged around them, Stewart Fontaine found himself captivated by China's natural splendor. Traveling along the Yangtze River to service planes at different air bases, he would speak years later about the breathtaking landscape — the rivers, rolling mountains and lakes that reminded him of home yet were unlike anything he had ever seen.
\n
When the monsoon rain came, the dry, dusty roads transformed into thick mud, creating major problems for vehicles and aircraft alike. The ground crews had to improvise constantly. They called the experience "mud, sweat and gears".
\n
But amid the hardship, Stewart Fontaine witnessed something that would stay with him for the rest of his life: the extraordinary determination of ordinary people.
\n
"He saw mothers with babies on their hips working to help build runways, doing whatever they could to make sure things were safe and operational," Charlene Fontaine said.
\n
"He said it taught them all deep respect and compassion."
\n
After the war, Stewart Fontaine returned home in 1945. He resumed his work at Curtiss-Wright, then moved to other companies, and eventually joined Ford Motor Company.
\n
While at Ford, he completed his college degree in engineering, worked his way up through the ranks, and ultimately became a plant manager, a position he held until his retirement.
\n
But the lessons he learned in China never left him. They shaped how he raised his children and what values he passed down.
\n
Value of peace
\n
"Dad used to say that we went to war because people were dying, people were hungry and starving, and they were being mistreated," Charlene Fontaine said. "Their freedoms had been taken away, and we wanted to help restore their lives and bring peace.
\n
"He often told me, 'I went there so that none of my children or future grandchildren would ever have to go to war.' He felt very strongly about that. He didn't want any of us to join the military. Instead, he wanted us to serve in other ways."
\n
When Charlene Fontaine was 15, her father encouraged her to volunteer at a veterans hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, to understand the true cost of war.
\n
"I continued every summer for four years until I graduated from high school. I wanted to help, and I wanted to learn.
\n
"Dad had told me, 'If you're going to be involved, you need to understand what war is really about from the other side.' Beyond the battlefield, he wanted me to see the lasting suffering: men who had lost limbs, veterans who couldn't concentrate or speak because of psychological trauma. In that hospital, I saw everything from A to Z."
\n
Those experiences at a young age gave her a profound understanding that would guide her life's work. "That's why, now more than ever, I believe in maintaining our friendships and honoring the connections forged 80 years ago," she said.
\n
Years later, as an international business consultant in the early 2000s, Charlene Fontaine found herself in China on a business trip with an unexpected day off. Wearing a polo shirt with the Flying Tigers logo, she joined a tour arranged by her client that took her to several villages.
\n
What happened next would set the course for the next 20 years of her life.
\n
"I truly enjoyed the experience, but I kept hearing people say, 'Xie Xie, baba,'" she recalled.
\n
"I didn't understand what they meant, so I asked the tour guide. He looked at my shirt and asked, 'Was your father a Flying Tiger?' I said, 'Yes, he was part of the ground crew.' The guide replied, 'That's what they're saying. They want you to thank your father.'"
\n
The moment was overwhelming. Village after village, people approached her with gratitude for what her father and his fellow servicemen had done.
\n
That night, back at her hotel, Charlene Fontaine sat down and wrote an email to about 30 Flying Tigers veterans who were still in touch at the time. Their concern, she knew, had always been whether their service would be remembered.
\n
"So I wrote in bold letters: 'You will never be forgotten.'"
\n
Mission of education
\n
From that moment, Charlene Fontaine understood her mission. She began organizing trips and sharing her experiences with other Flying Tigers families.
\n
"I kept telling our board members and everyone traveling with us: You will be humbled. You will cry. You won't know what to do with the depth of emotion you'll feel, because the Chinese people honor us. They support us. They want us to know how deeply grateful they are for what our fathers did," she said.
\n
That experience inspired her to establish the 69th Depot Repair Squadron Association, an organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of all Flying Tigers, including the American Volunteer Group, the 14th Air Force and legacy squadrons.
\n
"The Chinese people are committed to carrying forward the legacy of our fathers," she said.
\n
"Meanwhile, in America, we need to wake people up. This history isn't being taught in our schools. That's why one of our organization's missions is education. We're available to speak anywhere because we want the younger generation to understand. It's so important."
\n
Charlene Fontaine also serves on the board of the General Chennault Foundation and works with various organizations to preserve and promote the Flying Tigers legacy.
\n
This year the foundation announced that the Chennault 69th DRS Scholarship is now accepting applications. It is designed to support individuals committed to carrying forward the legacy of General Claire Chennault and the Flying Tigers.
\n
"Our fathers dreamed of peace. They wanted future generations to have education, meaningful careers, the ability to support their families and to live good lives," Charlene Fontaine said. "Today we stand on the foundation of those dreams."
\n
liazhu@chinadailyusa.com
\n",
+ "content": "\n
Charlene Fontaine, executive director of the Flying Tigers 69th Depot Repair Squadron Association, holds a 1945 photograph of her father, Stewart Fontaine, in the cockpit of a B-29 bomber.
\n
Inside a wooden box that Stewart Fontaine brought home from China 80 years ago lay treasures that shaped not just his life but his daughter's mission decades later.
\n
Among them were two silk scarves hand-embroidered with the Flying Tigers emblem. One now rests with him in his grave, while the other adorns his daughter's shoulders at every memorial service for veterans' reunions.
\n
For Charlene Fontaine, preserving her father's legacy has become a life's mission.
\n
Now executive director of the Flying Tigers 69th Depot Repair Squadron Association, Charlene Fontaine hopes the bond forged between American and Chinese people during those difficult times could continue to inspire new generations.
\n
Stewart Fontaine arrived in China in 1943 as part of the ground crew supporting the legendary Flying Tigers operations. Before the war, he had worked for the company Curtiss-Wright as an engineer.
\n
"My dad had a Chinese coworker whom he greatly admired," Charlene Fontaine recalled. "This young man was incredibly smart, and the two of them bonded over their shared talent for fixing things.
\n
"What one didn't know, the other would teach, and they learned from each other constantly. They also exchanged stories about their cultures. The young man shared food from his family and welcomed my dad into that part of his life."
\n
For a young man who came from a family of eight and knew what it meant to go without, this connection provided a sense of home in a foreign land.
\n
"Dad truly appreciated that. It reminded him of home," Charlene Fontaine told China Daily. "That sense of continuity and connection meant a lot to him during his time in China, especially while working closely with the Chinese people."
\n
Stewart Fontaine understood poverty. His family back in the United States was not wealthy, and he knew what hardship looked like. But nothing prepared him for what he would witness in wartime China.
\n
The Chinese people's sufferings caused by the constant bombings struck him deeply. "They lost everything: their homes, their loved ones. Yet they persevered," Charlene Fontaine said.
\n
"They worked on the Burma Road, in the factories, on the airstrips. They did everything that was asked of them. Dad said their resilience and tenacity were phenomenal. That's what he admired most."
\n
Even as war raged around them, Stewart Fontaine found himself captivated by China's natural splendor. Traveling along the Yangtze River to service planes at different air bases, he would speak years later about the breathtaking landscape — the rivers, rolling mountains and lakes that reminded him of home yet were unlike anything he had ever seen.
\n
When the monsoon rain came, the dry, dusty roads transformed into thick mud, creating major problems for vehicles and aircraft alike. The ground crews had to improvise constantly. They called the experience "mud, sweat and gears".
\n
But amid the hardship, Stewart Fontaine witnessed something that would stay with him for the rest of his life: the extraordinary determination of ordinary people.
\n
"He saw mothers with babies on their hips working to help build runways, doing whatever they could to make sure things were safe and operational," Charlene Fontaine said.
\n
"He said it taught them all deep respect and compassion."
\n
After the war, Stewart Fontaine returned home in 1945. He resumed his work at Curtiss-Wright, then moved to other companies, and eventually joined Ford Motor Company.
\n
While at Ford, he completed his college degree in engineering, worked his way up through the ranks, and ultimately became a plant manager, a position he held until his retirement.
\n
But the lessons he learned in China never left him. They shaped how he raised his children and what values he passed down.
\n
Value of peace
\n
"Dad used to say that we went to war because people were dying, people were hungry and starving, and they were being mistreated," Charlene Fontaine said. "Their freedoms had been taken away, and we wanted to help restore their lives and bring peace.
\n
"He often told me, 'I went there so that none of my children or future grandchildren would ever have to go to war.' He felt very strongly about that. He didn't want any of us to join the military. Instead, he wanted us to serve in other ways."
\n
When Charlene Fontaine was 15, her father encouraged her to volunteer at a veterans hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, to understand the true cost of war.
\n
"I continued every summer for four years until I graduated from high school. I wanted to help, and I wanted to learn.
\n
"Dad had told me, 'If you're going to be involved, you need to understand what war is really about from the other side.' Beyond the battlefield, he wanted me to see the lasting suffering: men who had lost limbs, veterans who couldn't concentrate or speak because of psychological trauma. In that hospital, I saw everything from A to Z."
\n
Those experiences at a young age gave her a profound understanding that would guide her life's work. "That's why, now more than ever, I believe in maintaining our friendships and honoring the connections forged 80 years ago," she said.
\n
Years later, as an international business consultant in the early 2000s, Charlene Fontaine found herself in China on a business trip with an unexpected day off. Wearing a polo shirt with the Flying Tigers logo, she joined a tour arranged by her client that took her to several villages.
\n
What happened next would set the course for the next 20 years of her life.
\n
"I truly enjoyed the experience, but I kept hearing people say, 'Xie Xie, baba,'" she recalled.
\n
"I didn't understand what they meant, so I asked the tour guide. He looked at my shirt and asked, 'Was your father a Flying Tiger?' I said, 'Yes, he was part of the ground crew.' The guide replied, 'That's what they're saying. They want you to thank your father.'"
\n
The moment was overwhelming. Village after village, people approached her with gratitude for what her father and his fellow servicemen had done.
\n
That night, back at her hotel, Charlene Fontaine sat down and wrote an email to about 30 Flying Tigers veterans who were still in touch at the time. Their concern, she knew, had always been whether their service would be remembered.
\n
"So I wrote in bold letters: 'You will never be forgotten.'"
\n
Mission of education
\n
From that moment, Charlene Fontaine understood her mission. She began organizing trips and sharing her experiences with other Flying Tigers families.
\n
"I kept telling our board members and everyone traveling with us: You will be humbled. You will cry. You won't know what to do with the depth of emotion you'll feel, because the Chinese people honor us. They support us. They want us to know how deeply grateful they are for what our fathers did," she said.
\n
That experience inspired her to establish the 69th Depot Repair Squadron Association, an organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of all Flying Tigers, including the American Volunteer Group, the 14th Air Force and legacy squadrons.
\n
"The Chinese people are committed to carrying forward the legacy of our fathers," she said.
\n
"Meanwhile, in America, we need to wake people up. This history isn't being taught in our schools. That's why one of our organization's missions is education. We're available to speak anywhere because we want the younger generation to understand. It's so important."
\n
Charlene Fontaine also serves on the board of the General Chennault Foundation and works with various organizations to preserve and promote the Flying Tigers legacy.
\n
This year the foundation announced that the Chennault 69th DRS Scholarship is now accepting applications. It is designed to support individuals committed to carrying forward the legacy of General Claire Chennault and the Flying Tigers.
\n
"Our fathers dreamed of peace. They wanted future generations to have education, meaningful careers, the ability to support their families and to live good lives," Charlene Fontaine said. "Today we stand on the foundation of those dreams."
Afghan refugees sit next to their belongings loaded onto vehicles as they wait for the opening of the border crossing point, that closed after Afghan and Pakistani security forces exchanged firing, at a camp in Chaman, Pakistan, on Sunday.
Afghan refugees sit next to their belongings loaded onto vehicles as they wait for the opening of the border crossing point, that closed after Afghan and Pakistani security forces exchanged firing, at a camp in Chaman, Pakistan, on Sunday.
Italy's governing party the Brothers of Italy has tabled legislation to ban the burqa and niqab in public areas, part of a bill targeting what it calls Islam-linked "cultural separatism".
\n
The measure, presented to parliament by lawmakers from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's party, would bar face-covering garments in all public places, including schools, universities, shops and offices nationwide, newspaper Politico reported.
\n
The burqa is a head-to-toe covering with a mesh panel over the eyes. The niqab is a face veil that leaves the eye area visible. Breaches of the new rules would carry fines of 300 euros ($350) to 3,000 euros.
\n
The bill is aimed at combating "religious radicalization and religiously motivated hatred", its introductory text says.
\n
The proposal also aims to add criminal penalties for virginity testing, and toughen opposition to forced marriages by making religious coercion prosecutable. It also requires members of religious groups without formal agreements with the state to disclose all funding, with donations barred from entities deemed security threats.
\n
France became the first European state to enact a blanket public ban on the burqa in 2011. Since then, the roster has grown markedly, with more than 20 countries worldwide, including Austria, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tunisia and Turkiye, adopting some version of a public ban on the burqa and other full-face veils.
\n
The European Court of Human Rights has repeatedly upheld such measures, including in 2017 when it backed Belgium's ban, saying states may restrict these garments to safeguard "living together" in society.
\n
Parts of Italy already enforce curbs, with Lombardy in the north barring people in late 2015 from entering public buildings and hospitals wearing face coverings.
\n
"Religious freedom is sacred, but it must be exercised in the open, in full respect of our constitution and the principles of the Italian state," the lawmaker Andrea Delmastro, one of the bill's initiators, said. "We have taken inspiration for this law from staunchly secular France, with the deep conviction that no foreign funding should ever undermine our sovereignty or our civilization."
\n
Sara Kelany, head of immigration for Brothers of Italy, said: "It is a bill that will essentially deal with regulating the funding of mosques, and with preventing and banning the use of the full-face veil. It also emphasizes the legislation against forced marriages. In Italy we apply our laws which are based on a specific set of values."
\n
In June, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer dismissed calls from the party Reform UK for a burqa ban in Britain.
\n
The Reform UK leader Nigel Farage says the burqa is "anti-British", and he has called for a nationwide debate on the issue.
\n
jonathan@mail.chinadailyuk.com
\n",
+ "content": "
Italy's governing party the Brothers of Italy has tabled legislation to ban the burqa and niqab in public areas, part of a bill targeting what it calls Islam-linked "cultural separatism".
\n
The measure, presented to parliament by lawmakers from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's party, would bar face-covering garments in all public places, including schools, universities, shops and offices nationwide, newspaper Politico reported.
\n
The burqa is a head-to-toe covering with a mesh panel over the eyes. The niqab is a face veil that leaves the eye area visible. Breaches of the new rules would carry fines of 300 euros ($350) to 3,000 euros.
\n
The bill is aimed at combating "religious radicalization and religiously motivated hatred", its introductory text says.
\n
The proposal also aims to add criminal penalties for virginity testing, and toughen opposition to forced marriages by making religious coercion prosecutable. It also requires members of religious groups without formal agreements with the state to disclose all funding, with donations barred from entities deemed security threats.
\n
France became the first European state to enact a blanket public ban on the burqa in 2011. Since then, the roster has grown markedly, with more than 20 countries worldwide, including Austria, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tunisia and Turkiye, adopting some version of a public ban on the burqa and other full-face veils.
\n
The European Court of Human Rights has repeatedly upheld such measures, including in 2017 when it backed Belgium's ban, saying states may restrict these garments to safeguard "living together" in society.
\n
Parts of Italy already enforce curbs, with Lombardy in the north barring people in late 2015 from entering public buildings and hospitals wearing face coverings.
\n
"Religious freedom is sacred, but it must be exercised in the open, in full respect of our constitution and the principles of the Italian state," the lawmaker Andrea Delmastro, one of the bill's initiators, said. "We have taken inspiration for this law from staunchly secular France, with the deep conviction that no foreign funding should ever undermine our sovereignty or our civilization."
\n
Sara Kelany, head of immigration for Brothers of Italy, said: "It is a bill that will essentially deal with regulating the funding of mosques, and with preventing and banning the use of the full-face veil. It also emphasizes the legislation against forced marriages. In Italy we apply our laws which are based on a specific set of values."
\n
In June, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer dismissed calls from the party Reform UK for a burqa ban in Britain.
\n
The Reform UK leader Nigel Farage says the burqa is "anti-British", and he has called for a nationwide debate on the issue.
A marine biologist snorkels to inspect and record bleached and dead coral on April 5 around Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef, located 270 kilometers north Cairns in Australia.
\n
A new report including contributions from 87 institutions in 23 countries has highlighted coral reef damage as proof that the world has reached its first catastrophic tipping point, attributable to greenhouse gases.
\n
"Sadly, we're now almost certain that we crossed one of those tipping points for warm water or tropical coral reefs," report lead Tim Lenton, a climate and Earth system scientist at the University of Exeter, said.
\n
Tipping points are stages reached when it is generally agreed by experts that an ecosystem has reached a point of inevitable major degradation.
\n
The study, called The Global Tipping Points report, is led by the University of Exeter in England, and says warm sea temperatures have put the long-term survival of the reefs in doubt, with huge consequences for millions of people.
\n
Around one-quarter of marine life lives in coral reefs, which are themselves living things, and are particularly susceptible to the effects of rising sea temperatures, with a major environmental event known as bleaching, which is discoloration caused by the reef's ill health, having been observed over the last two years.
\n
Rather than disappear completely, scientists say reefs will evolve into less diverse ecosystems as they are overtaken by algae, sponges and other simpler organisms better able to withstand hotter oceans.
\n
Such a shift would be disastrous for the hundreds of millions of people whose livelihoods are tied to coral reefs, and the estimated one million species that depend on them.
\n
"We can no longer talk about tipping points as a future risk," said Lenton. "The first tipping of widespread dieback of warm water coral reefs is already underway."
\n
For coral reefs, profound and lasting changes are already in motion.
\n
"Already at 1.4 degrees of global warming, warm water coral reefs are crossing their thermal tipping point and experiencing unprecedented dieback," said the report by 160 scientists from dozens of global research institutions.
\n
Exceeding 1.5 degrees "puts the world in a greater danger zone of escalating risk of further damaging tipping points", Lenton said, including the collapse of vital ocean currents that could have "catastrophic" knock-on impacts.
\n
The report's co-author, Mike Barrett, chief scientific advisor with the World Wide Fund for Nature-UK, added that the report showed "the game has changed and the response has to be really urgent … we have to make sure we have the seeds of recovery for a future world where we have managed to stabilize the climate".
\n
However, the response from Australia, home to the world's most famous coral, the Great Barrier Reef, has been somewhat guarded, with a warning about how global data about temperature changes should be interpreted, and also cautioning against claims of the death of coral reefs becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.
\n
The Australian Institute of Marine Science said global data "should be taken with care", because of regional variability making generalized conclusions inadvisable.
\n
'Aggressive' action needed
\n
The lack of stability shown in the temperature readings, it noted, suggested "there remains a narrow window of opportunity to act", and Peter Mumby, from the University of Queensland, said that although reefs are in decline and would need "aggressive" action for help, he was concerned that people would interpret the report as meaning decline was inevitable and "give up" on helping them, when evolution and adaptation suggested otherwise.
\n
Mumby was one of the authors of an article published on The Conversation website at the end of last year which said "our work … shows that adaptation via natural selection may be able to keep pace with ocean warming, but only if global warming is limited to a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius.
\n
"Unfortunately, we are currently more likely to experience around 3 degrees Celsius of warming above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century."
\n
julian@mail.chinadailyuk.com
\n",
+ "content": "
A marine biologist snorkels to inspect and record bleached and dead coral on April 5 around Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef, located 270 kilometers north Cairns in Australia.
\n
A new report including contributions from 87 institutions in 23 countries has highlighted coral reef damage as proof that the world has reached its first catastrophic tipping point, attributable to greenhouse gases.
\n
"Sadly, we're now almost certain that we crossed one of those tipping points for warm water or tropical coral reefs," report lead Tim Lenton, a climate and Earth system scientist at the University of Exeter, said.
\n
Tipping points are stages reached when it is generally agreed by experts that an ecosystem has reached a point of inevitable major degradation.
\n
The study, called The Global Tipping Points report, is led by the University of Exeter in England, and says warm sea temperatures have put the long-term survival of the reefs in doubt, with huge consequences for millions of people.
\n
Around one-quarter of marine life lives in coral reefs, which are themselves living things, and are particularly susceptible to the effects of rising sea temperatures, with a major environmental event known as bleaching, which is discoloration caused by the reef's ill health, having been observed over the last two years.
\n
Rather than disappear completely, scientists say reefs will evolve into less diverse ecosystems as they are overtaken by algae, sponges and other simpler organisms better able to withstand hotter oceans.
\n
Such a shift would be disastrous for the hundreds of millions of people whose livelihoods are tied to coral reefs, and the estimated one million species that depend on them.
\n
"We can no longer talk about tipping points as a future risk," said Lenton. "The first tipping of widespread dieback of warm water coral reefs is already underway."
\n
For coral reefs, profound and lasting changes are already in motion.
\n
"Already at 1.4 degrees of global warming, warm water coral reefs are crossing their thermal tipping point and experiencing unprecedented dieback," said the report by 160 scientists from dozens of global research institutions.
\n
Exceeding 1.5 degrees "puts the world in a greater danger zone of escalating risk of further damaging tipping points", Lenton said, including the collapse of vital ocean currents that could have "catastrophic" knock-on impacts.
\n
The report's co-author, Mike Barrett, chief scientific advisor with the World Wide Fund for Nature-UK, added that the report showed "the game has changed and the response has to be really urgent … we have to make sure we have the seeds of recovery for a future world where we have managed to stabilize the climate".
\n
However, the response from Australia, home to the world's most famous coral, the Great Barrier Reef, has been somewhat guarded, with a warning about how global data about temperature changes should be interpreted, and also cautioning against claims of the death of coral reefs becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy.
\n
The Australian Institute of Marine Science said global data "should be taken with care", because of regional variability making generalized conclusions inadvisable.
\n
'Aggressive' action needed
\n
The lack of stability shown in the temperature readings, it noted, suggested "there remains a narrow window of opportunity to act", and Peter Mumby, from the University of Queensland, said that although reefs are in decline and would need "aggressive" action for help, he was concerned that people would interpret the report as meaning decline was inevitable and "give up" on helping them, when evolution and adaptation suggested otherwise.
\n
Mumby was one of the authors of an article published on The Conversation website at the end of last year which said "our work … shows that adaptation via natural selection may be able to keep pace with ocean warming, but only if global warming is limited to a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius.
\n
"Unfortunately, we are currently more likely to experience around 3 degrees Celsius of warming above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century."
The long-standing issue of political funding has weakened grassroots support for Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, forced its coalition partner Komeito to quit, and undermined the party's traditional mechanisms for holding power, analysts say.
\n
The Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito cited the LDP's "insufficient" response to the political funding scandal when he announced on Friday that his party would end its 26-year alliance with the LDP. The breakup deals a major blow to LDP President Sanae Takaichi and could leave Japanese politics shrouded in uncertainty, analysts said.
\n
Shigeaki Koga, a policy analyst and former official at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, said the LDP has long relied on corporate donations, making real changes difficult.
\n
Pursuing reforms would weaken the party's ability to mobilize voters and secure funding, which is why no one has dared to tackle the issue at its root for many years, Koga said.
\n
In the past, even with a limited number of supporters, the LDP managed to maintain its position as the country's largest party and its parliamentary majority by effectively consolidating those votes, he said.
\n
"But that model is now becoming unsustainable," he said, adding that the party's support base has significantly weakened in recent years, with its traditional voter groups gradually eroding.
\n
Following Takaichi's election on Oct 4, her decision to appoint lawmakers implicated in the scandal — including Koichi Hagiuda as LDP acting secretary-general — has further deepened mistrust within Komeito.
\n
Komeito's exit from the ruling coalition has made the appointment of Japan's next prime minister more uncertain, with the vote originally scheduled for Wednesday now postponed to at least Oct 20.
\n
"This development will have a major impact on the selection of Japan's next prime minister," said Hiroshi Shiratori, a political science professor at Hosei University in Tokyo.
\n
It is "almost impossible" for the LDP to secure a new coalition partner before Oct 20, Shiratori said. "Currently, the party is in direct competition with most opposition parties across nearly all constituencies."
\n
Even if Takaichi managed to narrowly win, she would probably lead only a minority coalition cabinet with an unstable governing base, leaving the policy agenda vulnerable to opposition influence, he said.
\n
"This could result in a lack of clear direction, policy drift and a state of political aimlessness in Japan."
\n
The way out of this predicament, Shiratori said, would be for opposition parties to unite behind a single candidate who can control policymaking and ensure more coherent, strategically focused governance.
\n
Parliamentary system
\n
Under Japan's parliamentary system, both houses of the Diet vote to choose the prime minister. If the two chambers select different candidates, the decision of the lower house prevails.
\n
A candidate who obtains a majority in the first round is immediately appointed prime minister. If no one secures a majority, a runoff is held between the top two contenders, and the one with the higher vote count is appointed, even without a majority.
\n
The LDP now has 196 of the 465 seats in the House of Representatives, and Komeito has 24. In the upper house, the LDP has 100 of 248 seats, and Komeito has 21.
\n
The opposition camp, comprising the center-left Constitutional Democratic Party, the center-right Democratic Party for the People, and the right-leaning Japan Innovation Party, together control 210 seats in the lower house, exceeding the LDP's total.
\n
Japanese media reported that the leader of the Democratic Party for the People, Yuichiro Tamaki, is ready to lead the government and is assessing the situation. The largest opposition force, the Constitutional Democratic Party, is trying to rally opposition forces behind Tamaki, and if the Japan Innovation Party joins the coalition, it could open the door to a government change.
\n
However, The Japan News said the motives of the three parties remain complex, and how the negotiations unfold remains uncertain.
\n
houjunjie@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
+ "content": "
The long-standing issue of political funding has weakened grassroots support for Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, forced its coalition partner Komeito to quit, and undermined the party's traditional mechanisms for holding power, analysts say.
\n
The Komeito leader Tetsuo Saito cited the LDP's "insufficient" response to the political funding scandal when he announced on Friday that his party would end its 26-year alliance with the LDP. The breakup deals a major blow to LDP President Sanae Takaichi and could leave Japanese politics shrouded in uncertainty, analysts said.
\n
Shigeaki Koga, a policy analyst and former official at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, said the LDP has long relied on corporate donations, making real changes difficult.
\n
Pursuing reforms would weaken the party's ability to mobilize voters and secure funding, which is why no one has dared to tackle the issue at its root for many years, Koga said.
\n
In the past, even with a limited number of supporters, the LDP managed to maintain its position as the country's largest party and its parliamentary majority by effectively consolidating those votes, he said.
\n
"But that model is now becoming unsustainable," he said, adding that the party's support base has significantly weakened in recent years, with its traditional voter groups gradually eroding.
\n
Following Takaichi's election on Oct 4, her decision to appoint lawmakers implicated in the scandal — including Koichi Hagiuda as LDP acting secretary-general — has further deepened mistrust within Komeito.
\n
Komeito's exit from the ruling coalition has made the appointment of Japan's next prime minister more uncertain, with the vote originally scheduled for Wednesday now postponed to at least Oct 20.
\n
"This development will have a major impact on the selection of Japan's next prime minister," said Hiroshi Shiratori, a political science professor at Hosei University in Tokyo.
\n
It is "almost impossible" for the LDP to secure a new coalition partner before Oct 20, Shiratori said. "Currently, the party is in direct competition with most opposition parties across nearly all constituencies."
\n
Even if Takaichi managed to narrowly win, she would probably lead only a minority coalition cabinet with an unstable governing base, leaving the policy agenda vulnerable to opposition influence, he said.
\n
"This could result in a lack of clear direction, policy drift and a state of political aimlessness in Japan."
\n
The way out of this predicament, Shiratori said, would be for opposition parties to unite behind a single candidate who can control policymaking and ensure more coherent, strategically focused governance.
\n
Parliamentary system
\n
Under Japan's parliamentary system, both houses of the Diet vote to choose the prime minister. If the two chambers select different candidates, the decision of the lower house prevails.
\n
A candidate who obtains a majority in the first round is immediately appointed prime minister. If no one secures a majority, a runoff is held between the top two contenders, and the one with the higher vote count is appointed, even without a majority.
\n
The LDP now has 196 of the 465 seats in the House of Representatives, and Komeito has 24. In the upper house, the LDP has 100 of 248 seats, and Komeito has 21.
\n
The opposition camp, comprising the center-left Constitutional Democratic Party, the center-right Democratic Party for the People, and the right-leaning Japan Innovation Party, together control 210 seats in the lower house, exceeding the LDP's total.
\n
Japanese media reported that the leader of the Democratic Party for the People, Yuichiro Tamaki, is ready to lead the government and is assessing the situation. The largest opposition force, the Constitutional Democratic Party, is trying to rally opposition forces behind Tamaki, and if the Japan Innovation Party joins the coalition, it could open the door to a government change.
\n
However, The Japan News said the motives of the three parties remain complex, and how the negotiations unfold remains uncertain.
Visitors have photos taken with the mascot at the Expo 2025 Osaka venue in Osaka, Japan, on Sunday, the day before the World Exposition closed. The six-month event drew more than 25 million visitors and involved about 160 countries and regions showcasing their technology, culture and food. It is likely to turn a profit of at least 23 billion yen ($151 million), thanks in part to strong ticket sales, organizers said.
\n",
+ "content": "
Visitors have photos taken with the mascot at the Expo 2025 Osaka venue in Osaka, Japan, on Sunday, the day before the World Exposition closed. The six-month event drew more than 25 million visitors and involved about 160 countries and regions showcasing their technology, culture and food. It is likely to turn a profit of at least 23 billion yen ($151 million), thanks in part to strong ticket sales, organizers said.
A claim by United States President Donald Trump that the US and Canada have a "natural conflict" in trade may overstate competition and overlook the economic integration between the two countries, experts say.
\n
During a meeting with Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House on Oct 7, Trump said there is a natural conflict in the bilateral trade relationship.
\n
Mesbah Sharaf, an economics professor at the University of Alberta, said Trump was probably referring to the fact that the two economies produce and export many of the same goods.
\n
"This overlap creates competition rather than full complementarity," Sharaf said.
\n
The most visible areas of competition, he said, include energy, automobiles, steel and aluminum, and softwood.
\n
"Both countries seek to protect jobs and industries that serve similar markets, which naturally creates conflict, even though the overall relationship remains strong and deeply integrated."
\n
Trump's protectionist trade agenda, which "relies heavily on tariffs", puts long-term pressure on Canadian industries that compete directly with US producers, such as auto parts, lumber and metals, he said.
\n
"Even without new tariffs, the uncertainty around US trade policy would discourage Canadian investment and push companies to diversify away from the US market."
\n
On the prospects for a new trade pact, Sharaf was cautious.
\n
"Reaching a new trade agreement between the US and Canada is unlikely in the near future. The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement already sets the trade framework, and the US doesn't seem eager to reopen big trade talks.
\n
"What's more realistic are smaller updates — focused on electric vehicles, clean energy or digital trade — rather than a brand-new broad agreement."
\n
Ron Stagg, a history professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, said the notion of a natural conflict between the US and Canada in trade is "an overly simplistic belief" that overlooks the depth of economic integration between the two countries.
\n
'Tough situation'
\n
During his meeting with Carney, Trump cited the auto industry as an example, saying: "It's a tough situation because we want to make our cars here. At the same time, we want Canada to do well making cars. So we're working on formulas, and I think we'll get there."
\n
The following day, at the US-Canada Summit in Toronto, the US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the US could continue buying auto parts from Canada, "but that's about it". Canada should "come second" to the US in the auto sector, and there was no possibility of any auto deal between the two countries, he said.
\n
However, Stagg said the auto industry is far more interlinked than Trump and Lutnick suggest.
\n
"Canada produces some models not made in the US, vehicles are partially assembled in all three US-Mexico-Canada Agreement countries, and the auto parts suppliers are in all three countries.
\n
"Canada also produces some specialty steel products that the US either does not produce or cannot produce in sufficient quantities."
\n
Similarly, while the US forestry industry lobbies hard against its Canadian counterpart, Stagg said, the reality is that the US cannot supply enough of the specific types of wood that the construction industry needs.
\n
"So to say that there is competition is true only to a certain extent, but that is how the Trump administration sees the situation."
\n
The industries in question "will continue to face tariffs", he said, adding that "the hope is to negotiate lower ones than now exist".
\n
gaoyang@chinadailyusa.com
\n",
+ "content": "
A claim by United States President Donald Trump that the US and Canada have a "natural conflict" in trade may overstate competition and overlook the economic integration between the two countries, experts say.
\n
During a meeting with Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House on Oct 7, Trump said there is a natural conflict in the bilateral trade relationship.
\n
Mesbah Sharaf, an economics professor at the University of Alberta, said Trump was probably referring to the fact that the two economies produce and export many of the same goods.
\n
"This overlap creates competition rather than full complementarity," Sharaf said.
\n
The most visible areas of competition, he said, include energy, automobiles, steel and aluminum, and softwood.
\n
"Both countries seek to protect jobs and industries that serve similar markets, which naturally creates conflict, even though the overall relationship remains strong and deeply integrated."
\n
Trump's protectionist trade agenda, which "relies heavily on tariffs", puts long-term pressure on Canadian industries that compete directly with US producers, such as auto parts, lumber and metals, he said.
\n
"Even without new tariffs, the uncertainty around US trade policy would discourage Canadian investment and push companies to diversify away from the US market."
\n
On the prospects for a new trade pact, Sharaf was cautious.
\n
"Reaching a new trade agreement between the US and Canada is unlikely in the near future. The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement already sets the trade framework, and the US doesn't seem eager to reopen big trade talks.
\n
"What's more realistic are smaller updates — focused on electric vehicles, clean energy or digital trade — rather than a brand-new broad agreement."
\n
Ron Stagg, a history professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, said the notion of a natural conflict between the US and Canada in trade is "an overly simplistic belief" that overlooks the depth of economic integration between the two countries.
\n
'Tough situation'
\n
During his meeting with Carney, Trump cited the auto industry as an example, saying: "It's a tough situation because we want to make our cars here. At the same time, we want Canada to do well making cars. So we're working on formulas, and I think we'll get there."
\n
The following day, at the US-Canada Summit in Toronto, the US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the US could continue buying auto parts from Canada, "but that's about it". Canada should "come second" to the US in the auto sector, and there was no possibility of any auto deal between the two countries, he said.
\n
However, Stagg said the auto industry is far more interlinked than Trump and Lutnick suggest.
\n
"Canada produces some models not made in the US, vehicles are partially assembled in all three US-Mexico-Canada Agreement countries, and the auto parts suppliers are in all three countries.
\n
"Canada also produces some specialty steel products that the US either does not produce or cannot produce in sufficient quantities."
\n
Similarly, while the US forestry industry lobbies hard against its Canadian counterpart, Stagg said, the reality is that the US cannot supply enough of the specific types of wood that the construction industry needs.
\n
"So to say that there is competition is true only to a certain extent, but that is how the Trump administration sees the situation."
\n
The industries in question "will continue to face tariffs", he said, adding that "the hope is to negotiate lower ones than now exist".
Foreign officials have commended China's eight-point decision, recognizing it not only as a code of conduct that promotes integrity and focuses on serving the people, but has also reshaped international perceptions of the Communist Party of China and set an example for clean governance worldwide.
\n
The eight-point decision was adopted by the Party leadership in December 2012, days after Xi Jinping was elected as general secretary of the CPC Central Committee. It is a set of rules designed to address four deep-rooted, chronic bureaucratic issues, including official privileges and extravagant banquets.
\n
Spelled out in just over 600 words, the eight-point decision established rules for Party leaders governing research tours, meetings, documentation and other official duties. It later expanded into a Party-wide initiative for all members to adopt its principles to improve governance conduct.
\n
Over the past 13 years, Xi has on many occasions emphasized the need to fully implement the spirit of the eight-point decision on improving conduct and redouble efforts to strengthen Party building, stressing that the Party's conduct defines its image and shapes public support, and is vital to its survival.
\n
According to official data, more than 225,000 cases of violations of rules were investigated nationwide in 2024 alone, and the eight-point decision has been hailed as a "game changer" in China's governance.
\n
Houmed M'Saidie, political adviser to the president of Comoros, said the eight-point decision has helped to change how the CPC is perceived globally, as China's zero-tolerance stance on corruption offers lessons that many countries urgently need to learn. He described such governance practice as an encouraging model for other governments, including his own.
\n
He added that anti-corruption measures and reforms have reinforced the CPC's bond with the people and strengthened its leadership and organizational capacity. "Under the leadership of President Xi, the Party is the engine of government and State structure. If we look at the results across many fields, we can see that the CPC is a great party," he said.
\n
Abraao Vicente, a member of the National Assembly of Cabo Verde, former minister of the sea and former minister of culture and creative industries, highlighted the importance of transparency.
\n
"Clean governance is essential to transparency and credibility," Vicente said, adding that China's experience shows that the fight against corruption can deliver tangible results.
\n
Statistics have underlined China's determination in the fight against corruption. In 2024, disciplinary inspection and supervision agencies nationwide handled 2.175 million clues regarding problems, filed 877,000 cases and punished 889,000 people.
\n
The African official noted that while corruption is a global challenge, Africa is often unfairly labeled as "corrupt". The key, he said, is for governments to constantly ask how they can better serve their people. The anti-corruption campaign led by President Xi, Vicente added, can be "more than an example" — it can also provide a model for tackling corruption across Africa.
\n
"China's achievements over the past decade show that if we are committed to development, we have to respect the principles of open markets, government transparency, innovation, investment in education and youth development," Vicente said.
\n
He added that, like China, Africa has a young and growing population, making education and skills training vital. "If Africa and China can build consensus on governance, they will become strong partners. We must learn more about China."
\n
Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal, Pakistan's minister of state for climate change and environmental coordination, called the eight-point decision "an important and profound" initiative.
\n
"In most developing countries, we have found that corruption brings progress to a standstill. No real progress can be made because everything is undermined by corruption," she said.
\n
"President Xi Jinping is strongly committed to reform and takes responsibility for its implementation. The CPC has undertaken major reforms under his leadership, and we can now see China's progress — poverty reduction, social reforms and economic advancement," she added.
\n
Kharal was one of the participants in the Peking University Dongfang Scholarships Program in September, attending courses and visiting several provinces to observe China's reforms.
\n
Recalling her trip, Kharal said that the changes have delivered tangible progress in areas ranging from agriculture, industry and technology to education, healthcare and social services.
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![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-a0e723148ae894b24a50e8d5e7b55a1d_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
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![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6K71UYicRHJ87CpJk5ghGQHoe6O7DM9ZXjoKFMRMDVNyDn4Tvy9tf133dA5WxiaCUfVl3bcg3EQnMw/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
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![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6K71UYicRHJ87CpJk5ghGQHju2eDrvOuUInWoGibLibRu4XW9zYBYQGAVOAy2icYtfh87LRSADTzRACQ/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK4Km2thmmDo0dvjuOxXxGxvRLpKTSUyf0T0zoQ9JHFk4JcgsqBSfy8ZJtczEcxpoyFJ0IaNe1GJiaA/640?wx_fmt=png\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6K71UYicRHJ87CpJk5ghGQHer8icVhMGaGuia5breqtziayWib6TZODkmqiaQicxMynv0J6Z8UyTmX9bctA/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK4Km2thmmDo0dvjuOxXxGxvPtYBnKpIu8NesdjiaIcVFm2gXVhR867wGZItxoI7wAicR7IqbsILZNNQ/640?wx_fmt=png\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6K71UYicRHJ87CpJk5ghGQH7UgiaicibREiarUHI6fzVxfgAkS2fsSVFGKfFsRlJHibGfSmoqibvlcStdYQ/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK4Km2thmmDo0dvjuOxXxGxv1KScNB7myXyw2J0cXF2h6kucoiamQehibYJYcIAXtz7UmgQMzygPwruQ/640?wx_fmt=png\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6K71UYicRHJ87CpJk5ghGQHAkKIVS6ZPXKrerCOwm9fic0QEuoibcfd0osEIbt4lo9q8jAZOffw4STg/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK4Km2thmmDo0dvjuOxXxGxvMDPqsRYIc8MhNFAric6fD0hygfm9fiaMuRKWIdk2wgeQ9icicSVmSkvDEQ/640?wx_fmt=png\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6K71UYicRHJ87CpJk5ghGQHGshqmmsF1Cg4KwShMiascmicJzQGGd0pZsUSmchqVOic1VSF2Krjm0DvQ/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_jpg/laADTC8BCK6K71UYicRHJ87CpJk5ghGQHFXvr4LnTmnymAQeBHDiafWU2lDdOMqokxwL08LTsS9GoGSJf2BNKf3A/640?wx_fmt=jpeg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6K71UYicRHJ87CpJk5ghGQHIGVcic6GBAYKF8ic8pSQIkCtLS2yybUqfuSyU7D5933yCyOCTVgrDqZg/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
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![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK4Km2thmmDo0dvjuOxXxGxvgzHM0o4TGNb93KDDEm5M78jEWyeiazTepUWEWPHa3ZYyNX4wgYgeCFw/640?wx_fmt=png\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6K71UYicRHJ87CpJk5ghGQHBVsB4Ynq7ghzvQMHWhlZJVtTI4qlOpG50y9xfrSIPGmvyAkxZnzuVA/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK4Km2thmmDo0dvjuOxXxGxvZlLP1I0FBBK6dTmjoaPeib4ku4PF5BfkcQwpibwltteRpmXjfWw6NgSg/640?wx_fmt=png\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6K71UYicRHJ87CpJk5ghGQHlVehzShbS3zFNEaBcrXWkIO5ogLUicuP6q5jslsK3USMK09icdSPyZgg/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6JpWY2TkpVbPewB4UDicra8yy5sU48l1HbpdBWC7PK62xllxAoxaLuF2OTkJNH7GXX3mFU5M9QrHA/640?wx_fmt=png\")
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![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_jpg/laADTC8BCK6K71UYicRHJ87CpJk5ghGQHSxEW4L6raVBH2QdPhXKX0TuHSnl7URic6sHPCsAyzReeNkMsezv9wRg/640?wx_fmt=jpeg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6K71UYicRHJ87CpJk5ghGQHnGeMIrp2HrMX20nEQaFV1iaiaib0DBLtCus9KKvb3MI9sMo1kqW0ibibJPw/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK4Km2thmmDo0dvjuOxXxGxv4dj1KMHGPc6FVGPRv5eKgrYSThE4Mq9uErDMdqKfBEwuQn27bgqLgg/640?wx_fmt=png\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6K71UYicRHJ87CpJk5ghGQHlM3B735Svwt9RRKic9nQrdmnnLNibiborzXUX5tibZNqNQRHZ7mGH7n8Xw/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_jpg/laADTC8BCK6JpWY2TkpVbPewB4UDicra8ibj9X0jFMUuCvSTDem02XNssTmqWUcYzOrEviaBVQYezbg3X4alGS5Yw/640?wx_fmt=jpeg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6K71UYicRHJ87CpJk5ghGQHicFsWXL2ueuju6yP4rXTbXOh4iasH81AA66wGRh2cM5q1EcJT4q54zbQ/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK4Km2thmmDo0dvjuOxXxGxvN75tgdY4wHdWibtDFFiaYSt9mcdLOv46qhwgSOmQYrYDwiaDFtiahvDuhA/640?wx_fmt=png\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6K71UYicRHJ87CpJk5ghGQH92bHDChfxv4icvjRJGfIhVPHwp70yJ069XZfzicFRXvNL1hbRQpx56iag/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK4Km2thmmDo0dvjuOxXxGxvro0l31LPoSeA2mco2mdqeKibjicBcpSvgFkOXTCNg8InJjSIrqCFsbQg/640?wx_fmt=png\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6K71UYicRHJ87CpJk5ghGQHuMcrQ0gWOdu4Ar00ibnyb4EaFblSsUqudH4Z8Zn4NE2bAaFXDAZ4FEQ/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_gif/laADTC8BCK6K71UYicRHJ87CpJk5ghGQH23IJ1cPWTRxVqXXtFJic13f3HiaM48Wrqz8umOVicuqC2kY5T3ibMcrdiaw/640?wx_fmt=gif&from=appmsg\")
![](\"http://img2.jintiankansha.me/get?src=http://mmbiz.qpic.cn/mmbiz_png/laADTC8BCK6K71UYicRHJ87CpJk5ghGQHKk8QrUvicic2brn6IEVyq4w9RlHb0tfDljFgvGOpHANUjxe4gwia10P2g/640?wx_fmt=png&from=appmsg\")
![\"wttr](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Copy-of-appinn-homework-2025-10-15T132943.893.jpg\" "\\"wttr")
![\"🙋\"](\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f64b.png\")
为什么要在终端中查询天气？![\"⛅\"](\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/26c5.png\")
查看天气的正确方法![\"😂\"](\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f602.png\")
![\"✌\"](\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/270c.png\")
![\"wttr](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screen-20251015133840@2x.avif\" "\\"wttr")
![\"wttr](\"https://wttr.in/chengdu.png?2&Q&p&background=007a9c&lang=zh\" "\\"wttr")
![\"↩\"](\"https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/21a9.png\")
︎![\"29.99](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Copy-of-appinn-homework-2025-10-15T103255.703.jpg\" "\\"29.99")
![\"29.99](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screen-20251007122400@2x.avif\" "\\"29.99")
![\"从零开始理解](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Copy-of-appinn-homework-2025-10-15T094114.954.jpg\" "\\"从零开始理解")
![\"从零开始理解](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/generated-image-1.avif\" "\\"从零开始理解")
![\"Windows](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Copy-of-appinn-homework-2025-10-14T115420.284.jpg\" "\\"Windows")
![\"Windows](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ChatGPT-Image-Oct-14-2025-12_07_21-PM.avif\" "\\"Windows")
![\"Tiny](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Copy-of-appinn-homework-2025-10-14T110201.408.jpg\" "\\"Tiny")
![\"Tiny](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screen-20251014110536@2x.avif\" "\\"Tiny")
![\"苹果本周即将发布新](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Copy-of-appinn-homework-2025-10-13T171917.337.jpg\" "\\"苹果本周即将发布新")
![\"苹果本周即将发布新](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Screen-20250929193344@2x.avif\" "\\"苹果本周即将发布新")
![\"苹果本周即将发布新](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Copy-of-appinn-homework-2025-09-15T165148.849.jpg\" "\\"苹果本周即将发布新")
![\"苹果关闭可立拍，一款没什么人听过的](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Copy-of-appinn-homework-2025-10-13T164632.896.jpg\" "\\"苹果关闭可立拍，一款没什么人听过的")
![\"苹果关闭可立拍，一款没什么人听过的](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screen-20251013135555@2x.avif\" "\\"苹果关闭可立拍，一款没什么人听过的")
![\"Fooyin](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Copy-of-appinn-homework-2025-10-13T111130.299.jpg\" "\\"Fooyin")
![\"Fooyin](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screen-20251013104959@2x.avif\" "\\"Fooyin")
![\"Fooyin](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screen-20251013105341@2x.avif\" "\\"Fooyin")
![\"Fooyin](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screen-20251013105414@2x-1.avif\" "\\"Fooyin")
![\"Fooyin](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screen-20251011165718@2x.avif\" "\\"Fooyin")
![\"Fooyin](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/foobarlogo.avif\" "\\"Fooyin")
![\"图片\"](\"https://h1.appinn.me/file/1759939195732_SunnyCapturer2025-10-08_23-33-54.png\" "\\"null\\"/")
![\"Fooyin](\"https://fooyin.org/assets/images/browser.webp\" "\\"Fooyin")
![\"图片\"](\"https://fooyin.org/assets/images/viewer.webp\" "\\"null\\"/")
![\"Fooyin](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/478727765-6bbb1b72-2381-4d74-bb70-5aff6c396568.avif\" "\\"Fooyin")
![\"图片\"](\"https://fooyin.org/assets/images/obsidian.webp\" "\\"null\\"/")
![\"Nuxt](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Copy-of-appinn-homework-2025-10-12T155217.946.jpg\" "\\"Nuxt")
![\"Sora](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Copy-of-appinn-homework-2025-10-12T144843.306.jpg\" "\\"Sora")
![\"Peersuite](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Copy-of-appinn-homework-2025-10-10T112848.063.jpg\" "\\"Peersuite")
![\"Peersuite](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screen-20251010113216@2x-scaled.avif\" "\\"Peersuite")
![\"Windows](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Copy-of-appinn-homework-2025-10-07T162048.630.jpg\" "\\"Windows")
![\"Windows](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screen-20251007161219@2x.avif\" "\\"Windows")
![\"Windows](\"https://www.appinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Screen-20251007161253@2x.avif\" "\\"Windows")
![\"\"](\"/mediafile/pic/BIG/20250605/20/16687656342828036452.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"/mediafile/pic/BIG/20250605/40/3548850143781232288.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"/mediafile/pic/BIG/20250605/98/10966517081528407278.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"/mediafile/pic/BIG/20250605/56/8542467418897210708.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"/mediafile/pic/BIG/20250605/75/3400017695653677443.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"/mediafile/pic/BIG/20250605/36/15532252592006820164.png\")
![\"\"](\"/mediafile/pic/BIG/20250605/26/4197724846303572618.png\")
![\"\"](\"/mediafile/pic/BIG/20250605/18/12757973035960720726.png\")
![\"\"](\"/mediafile/pic/BIG/20250605/25/13323151036844477201.png\")
![\"\"](\"/mediafile/pic/BIG/20250605/40/749979489563323812.png\")
![\"\"](\"/mediafile/pic/BIG/20250605/3/10711517432514812111.png\")
![\"\"](\"/mediafile/pic/BIG/20250605/42/18111523340796336298.png\")
![\"\"](\"/mediafile/pic/BIG/20250605/39/3297836269223706375.png\")
![\"\"](\"/mediafile/pic/BIG/20250605/86/8458596473353029342.png\")
![\"\"](\"/mediafile/pic/BIG/20250605/69/10660659308161455197.png\")
![\"\"](\"/mediafile/pic/BIG/20250605/3/15308365212823420503.png\")
![\"头图\"/](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-d59c0743f6d2d0310c5124f24404c65f_fhd.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-93db56e754514355f9c233f177929579_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-f74c695565d33f506183cd18489a33c9_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-71c92810aba8d25e7d54f58a40498a49_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-8cfc5e8e68349622905ca39c15f0fa78_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-0df2ffd2a82bb33be8519c7b1b2364b5_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-12c03485ad629356d5d0149e452c0eed_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-feb8c267a215aa58cfe8b6391fe5b755_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://picx.zhimg.com/v2-226898795cc744384fcd9ddbcc0c0c43_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-64d1f27c537dc4519575926ef82aafb0_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![\"\"](\"http://pic1.zhimg.com/v2-7e421d290e2e4b662afff07a1107f48b_720w.jpg?source=8673f162\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-10-11/004/20251011_004_01_23.png\")
\n![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-10-11/005/20251011_005_02_28.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-10-11/009/20251011_009_02_49.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-10-11/011/20251011_011_02_39.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-10-11/011/20251011_011_02_25.png\")
![](\"https://mobile.chinadaily.com.cn/cn/resfile/2025-10-11/011/20251011_011_02_18.png\")
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