BEIJING, June 5 (Xinhua) -- China has urged the United States to abandon its generalized and excessive use of the national security concept, and to collaborate with all parties in maintaining a rules-based multilateral trading system, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.
At a regular press conference, He Yongqian, spokesperson for the ministry, made the remarks when asked to comment on the U.S. decision to raise tariffs on imported steel, aluminium and their derivative products from 25 percent to 50 percent.
He said that such U.S. moves not only harm others and itself, but also will severely disrupt the stability of global industrial and supply chains.
The United States should abandon the zero-sum mentality, address respective concerns through equal dialogue, and jointly maintain the stability of global industrial and supply chains, He said.
\n \n \n A primary school in Shanghai has drawn widespread attention after reports revealed it has just 22 students across five classes, but 23 full-time teachers.\n \n \n
\n \n \n According to a local official bulletin published in April, Sanqiao Primary School in Pudong New Area is listed as having five classes with 22 students, giving it a teacher–student ratio of nearly one-to-one. A notice on the school's official WeChat account also stated that only one new first-grade class will be admitted in 2025.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n The figures quickly went viral, with some netizens describing the setup as a \"luxurious one-on-one tutoring arrangement\n \n \n \n \n \"\n \n \n \n \n , while others criticized it as a waste of educational resources.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n A staff member from the Pudong district government's student enrolment and examination center confirmed that the data about the school was accurate. Every school can only recruit students from their designated catchment areas, and for Sanqiao \"the number of age-appropriate children in the actual catchment area is just this many\", the staff member said.\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n The decline in student numbers has been particularly dramatic in Sanqiao's case because several residential communities in the school's catchment area were recently demolished and relocated, the staff member explained.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Education expert Xiong Bingqi, director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, said Sanqiao's case is mainly the result of several residential communities in the school's catchment area recently undergoing relocation, which does not represent the overall situation in Shanghai.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Xiong rejected the idea that \"having more teachers than students\" means wasting resources. With primary education now expected to balance moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor education, it is unrealistic to expect one or two teachers to cover all subjects, he noted.\n \n \n
\n \n \n Looking ahead, Xiong predicted that more small-scale schools with only a few dozen or around 100 students will emerge in both cities and rural areas. Improving school standards and promoting small-class teaching, he added, should be the way forward.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n On Tuesday, the United States announced a decision to withdraw from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) by the end of December 2026. This marks the third time Washington has exited UNESCO.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n According to a statement by the US State Department, the withdrawal was prompted by what Washington perceived as UNESCO's tendency to \"advance divisive social and cultural causes,\" particularly regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict.\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n The US exit will take effect at the end of December 2026.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n Audrey Azoulay, director-general of UNESCO expressed regret over the US decision, calling it inconsistent with the fundamental principles of multilateralism.\n \n \n
\n \n \n UNESCO said the US exit was regrettable but came as no surprise. \"However regrettable, this announcement was expected, and UNESCO has prepared for it,\" Azoulay said in a statement.\n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n
\n
\n \n \n \n \"We have implemented major structural reforms and diversified our funding sources. Thanks to the efforts made by the Organization since 2018, the decline in US financial contributions has been effectively offset,\" she stated.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n Earlier Tuesday afternoon, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed on his X account France's \"unwavering support\" for UNESCO. He called UNESCO a \"universal guardian of science, the ocean, education, culture, and world heritage.\"\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n France, as the host country and a founding member of UNESCO, regrets the US decision to quit UNESCO, the spokesperson of the country's foreign ministry said on Tuesday.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n S\n \n \n \n ince Donald Trump's second term in office started early this year, the Trump administration had announced its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations Human Rights Council.\n \n \n
\n \n \n \n Recently, an influencer launched a creative writing challenge where participants were randomly assigned past national college entrance exam essay prompts. A construction worker was assigned\n \n \n \n \n \"My Mother\"—the 1957 gaokao composition topic.\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n He wrote:\n \n \n \n \n \"The grass on my mother's grave turns green\n \n \n \n \n ,\n \n \n \n \n then yellow\n \n \n \n \n ;\n \n \n \n \n yellow\n \n \n \n \n ,\n \n \n \n \n then green—just like my longing. Year after year, it never fades. I'\n \n \n \n \n ve become a father and then a grandfather, yet it's been over thirty years since I last called out '\n \n \n \n \n Mom'.\n \n \n \n \n I keep thinking, when the day comes that I can no longer haul cement, I'\n \n \n \n \n ll return to the village and lie down beside that mound of earth. Maybe then, if I call for my mother again, she'll hear me.\"\n \n \n \n
\n \n \n \n When asked about the essay, the worker\n \n \n \n \n ,\n \n \n \n \n surnamed An,\n \n \n \n \n said: \"\n \n \n \n \n This composition reflects\n \n \n \n \n my family's truth—it'\n \n \n \n \n s my own\n \n \n \n \n lived experience.\"\n \n \n \n \n He recalled how his mother cared for him and his seven siblings. \"\n \n \n \n \n The prompt '\n \n \n \n \n My Mother'\n \n \n \n \n felt deeply moving,\"\n \n \n \n \n he explained. \"\n \n \n \n \n That's what compelled me to pour my heart into this writing.\"\n \n \n \n
The competition at the aircraft maintenance venue is in full swing at the Third Vocational Skills Competition of China in Zhengzhou, He-nan province, on Sunday. Over 50 percent of the events focus on smart manufacturing, industrial internet and artificial intelligence, while 17 new professional categories highlight the latest trends in technological and skills development. See story, page 2
\n",
- "content": "
The competition at the aircraft maintenance venue is in full swing at the Third Vocational Skills Competition of China in Zhengzhou, He-nan province, on Sunday. Over 50 percent of the events focus on smart manufacturing, industrial internet and artificial intelligence, while 17 new professional categories highlight the latest trends in technological and skills development. See story, page 2
Helicopter rescue personnel deploy lifting equipment to rescue a "drowning person" during a joint maritime emergency drill in the Bohai Bay waters between Hebei province and Tianjin on Friday. The drill, jointly organized by the maritime departments of Tianjin and Hebei, simulated a collision between an offshore oilfield transport ship and a passenger ship, involving 15 vessels, one helicopter and two drones.
\n",
@@ -25009,28 +24195,6 @@
"hash": "37604b82d93320732372200501346178",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "002CHINA - Shenzhou XX crew members make fourth spacewalk",
- "description": "
Crew members of the Shenzhou XX mission have conducted their fourth spacewalk outside the Tiangong space station, completing several tasks, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
\n
The agency said in a news release on Friday that crew members Colonel Chen Zhongrui, 40, and Colonel Wang Jie, 36, returned to the Wentian science module at 1:35 am after floating for nearly six hours outside the colossal orbital station.
\n
The mission commander, Senior Colonel Chen Dong, stayed inside Tiangong to provide support, it said.
\n
With support from ground controllers and the use of a robotic arm, the team completed all their assigned operations, including installing space debris shields, checking the condition of extravehicular equipment and fixing broken parts, the agency said.
\n
The spacewalk was the 24th carried out by the Chinese astronauts, and also the first conducted by both third-generation astronauts.
\n
The Shenzhou XX crew is conducting China's 15th manned spaceflight and has become the ninth group of residents aboard the Tiangong, which is currently the only operational space station independently run by a single nation.
\n
By now, Chen Dong and his teammates have spent more than five months in orbit, carrying out a series of science and technology assignments. They are scheduled to return to Earth next month.
\n
Their predecessors in the Shenzhou XIX flight made three spacewalks during their six-month mission.
\n
Orbiting Earth at distance of about 400 kilometers, the Tiangong space station has three permanent parts — a core module and two science capsules — and is regularly connected to several visiting crew and cargo spaceships. It weighs about 100 metric tons and is expected to operate for at least 10 years.
\n",
- "content": "
Crew members of the Shenzhou XX mission have conducted their fourth spacewalk outside the Tiangong space station, completing several tasks, according to the China Manned Space Agency.
\n
The agency said in a news release on Friday that crew members Colonel Chen Zhongrui, 40, and Colonel Wang Jie, 36, returned to the Wentian science module at 1:35 am after floating for nearly six hours outside the colossal orbital station.
\n
The mission commander, Senior Colonel Chen Dong, stayed inside Tiangong to provide support, it said.
\n
With support from ground controllers and the use of a robotic arm, the team completed all their assigned operations, including installing space debris shields, checking the condition of extravehicular equipment and fixing broken parts, the agency said.
\n
The spacewalk was the 24th carried out by the Chinese astronauts, and also the first conducted by both third-generation astronauts.
\n
The Shenzhou XX crew is conducting China's 15th manned spaceflight and has become the ninth group of residents aboard the Tiangong, which is currently the only operational space station independently run by a single nation.
\n
By now, Chen Dong and his teammates have spent more than five months in orbit, carrying out a series of science and technology assignments. They are scheduled to return to Earth next month.
\n
Their predecessors in the Shenzhou XIX flight made three spacewalks during their six-month mission.
\n
Orbiting Earth at distance of about 400 kilometers, the Tiangong space station has three permanent parts — a core module and two science capsules — and is regularly connected to several visiting crew and cargo spaceships. It weighs about 100 metric tons and is expected to operate for at least 10 years.
China has initiated an anti-dumping probe into pecans imported from the United States and Mexico, and has also launched a separate investigation into Mexico's restrictive measures against the nation.
\n
These moves signal Beijing's determination to safeguard its national interests and global trading system, analysts said.
\n
This follows a proposal by Mexico to increase tariffs on Chinese textiles, steel and automotive goods, and comes at a time when China and the United States are eyeing further talks to resolve their trade dispute.
\n
The anti-dumping probe, announced on Thursday, is scheduled to conclude by Sept 25, 2026, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement, noting that it could be prolonged by six months if needed.
\n
There is evidence that pecans from these two countries "are being sold in China at artificially low prices", inflicting substantial harm on the domestic industry, the ministry said.
\n
The ministry also announced on Thursday that it is initiating a separate investigation into Mexico's restrictive measures that constitute trade and investment barriers against China.
\n
"In the current context of the US' abuse of tariff hikes, all countries should jointly oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, and must not sacrifice the interests of third parties under the coercion of others," a spokesperson for the ministry said.
\n
Earlier this month, the Mexican government proposed significant tariff increases on over 1,400 products, including Chinese textiles, steel, and automotive goods, as part of its 2026 budget package.
\n
Analysts view Mexico's recent restrictive measures as a move to protect domestic industries, and more importantly, appease Washington amid trade tensions and a review of the United States — Mexico-Canada Agreement trade pact.
\n
"If Mexico's unilateral tariff hike measures are implemented, even within the framework of the WTO, it will harm the interests of related trading partners, including China, and seriously impact the certainty of the business environment in Mexico, undermining the confidence of enterprises in investing in the country," the spokesperson added.
\n
China is Mexico's second largest trading partner globally, after the United States, while Mexico is China's second largest trading partner in Latin America. In 2024, the total trade value between China and Mexico reached $109.4 billion, data from the ministry showed.
\n
"What we are seeing is not a trade policy rooted in Mexico's market conditions, but a geopolitical one driven by Washington's agenda," said Cui Fan, a professor of international trade at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing.
\n
The move risks drawing Mexico deeper into a confrontational approach that could destabilize regional supply chains and undermine the stability of the global trading system. It also raises questions about the sustainability of Mexico's trade environment where economic decisions are increasingly made under coercion rather than through rules-based mechanisms, Cui added.
\n
Earlier on Thursday, the ministry also placed six US firms on its export control and unreliable entity lists.
\n
"The biggest obstacle currently affecting the normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the US is the unilateral restrictive measures taken by the US," He Yadong, spokesman for the ministry, said at a news conference on Thursday.
\n
Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said despite progress made in the four rounds of China-US trade talks, there are still significant differences between the two countries on major economic and trade issues such as tariffs and technology restrictions.
\n
This will require the United States to abandon its erroneous practices of resorting to unilateral sanctions and coercion through long-arm jurisdiction, Zhou said.
Investor confidence in China strengthened in the third quarter, driven by a rebound in A shares and steady growth of Chinese technology firms, a survey by Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business showed.
\n
The poll launched in July, which surveyed around 1,300 investors and 800 financial professionals, found investor sentiment had improved, with 63.1 percent of respondents expecting A-share gains. This proportion is 1.6 percentage points higher than the investor sentiment survey in April and 15.6 percentage points higher than the one in July 2024.
\n
Over a one-year period until August, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index had climbed 35.7 percent, and the Shenzhen Composite Index surged 58.2 percent.
\n
The survey, led by Liu Jing, professor of accounting and finance at CKGSB, found that the current rally in A shares has been driven primarily by valuation expansion rather than improved fundamentals of listed companies.
\n
"The year-long A-share rally shows at least partial recovery of investor confidence. The survey reflects both optimism and caution; while investor confidence is rebounding, sustainable growth will require deeper structural reforms," Liu said.
\n
Valuation recovery has been mainly driven by three factors, including policy support rolled out since late last year and technological breakthroughs achieved by several Chinese technology companies. The breakthroughs have spurred gains in A-share sectors such as semiconductors, automation and industrial metals.
\n
Besides, China's forward-looking, systematic and targeted response strategies adopted amid this round of Sino-US trade frictions have significantly boosted market confidence in the nation's economic resilience and independent technological development capabilities.
\n
"A sustained bull market hinges on robust fundamentals. Critical to shoring up these fundamentals are structural re-balancing from investment to consumption, technological innovation, industrial upgrading, and dynamic private-sector activity," Liu said.
\n
He added that the proportion of service consumption in China is poised to keep expanding, and this segment calls for further stimulation, given its substantial growth potential.
\n
China unveiled a new policy package recently to further boost the growth of service consumption. The guideline, jointly issued by the Ministry of Commerce and eight other entities earlier this month, listed 19 measures to propel the expansion of service consumption.
Investor confidence in China strengthened in the third quarter, driven by a rebound in A shares and steady growth of Chinese technology firms, a survey by Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business showed.
\n
The poll launched in July, which surveyed around 1,300 investors and 800 financial professionals, found investor sentiment had improved, with 63.1 percent of respondents expecting A-share gains. This proportion is 1.6 percentage points higher than the investor sentiment survey in April and 15.6 percentage points higher than the one in July 2024.
\n
Over a one-year period until August, the benchmark Shanghai Composite Index had climbed 35.7 percent, and the Shenzhen Composite Index surged 58.2 percent.
\n
The survey, led by Liu Jing, professor of accounting and finance at CKGSB, found that the current rally in A shares has been driven primarily by valuation expansion rather than improved fundamentals of listed companies.
\n
"The year-long A-share rally shows at least partial recovery of investor confidence. The survey reflects both optimism and caution; while investor confidence is rebounding, sustainable growth will require deeper structural reforms," Liu said.
\n
Valuation recovery has been mainly driven by three factors, including policy support rolled out since late last year and technological breakthroughs achieved by several Chinese technology companies. The breakthroughs have spurred gains in A-share sectors such as semiconductors, automation and industrial metals.
\n
Besides, China's forward-looking, systematic and targeted response strategies adopted amid this round of Sino-US trade frictions have significantly boosted market confidence in the nation's economic resilience and independent technological development capabilities.
\n
"A sustained bull market hinges on robust fundamentals. Critical to shoring up these fundamentals are structural re-balancing from investment to consumption, technological innovation, industrial upgrading, and dynamic private-sector activity," Liu said.
\n
He added that the proportion of service consumption in China is poised to keep expanding, and this segment calls for further stimulation, given its substantial growth potential.
\n
China unveiled a new policy package recently to further boost the growth of service consumption. The guideline, jointly issued by the Ministry of Commerce and eight other entities earlier this month, listed 19 measures to propel the expansion of service consumption.
Cosplayers dressed as Deadpool perform with a visitor for a picture during the San Diego Comic-Con in Malaga, in southern Spain, on Thursday. Comic-Con began holding events in San Diego in 1970, initially as a low-key and rather niche huddle, but it has now grown to be one of the world's biggest celebrations of pop culture.
Beijing has reiterated its support for efforts to reach a lawful and balanced solution over TikTok, calling on Washington to provide an open and fair environment for Chinese companies. The Chinese government respects the wishes of the company in question and would be happy to see commercial negotiations being carried out according to market rules and leading to a solution that complies with China's laws and regulations and takes into account both sides' interests, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun reiterated. Guo made the remarks after United States President Donald Trump signed an executive order enabling TikTok's continued operations in the US.
\n
CANADA
\n
Post union launches nationwide strike
\n
Canada Post workers went on a nationwide strike on Thursday after the Canadian government called for the postal company to undergo a widespread transformation to bolster its finances and modernize operations, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers said. Canada Post said that its operations will be shut down following the strike, and that its customers can expect delays.
\n",
- "content": "
CHINA
\n
Lawful, balanced TikTok solution stressed
\n
Beijing has reiterated its support for efforts to reach a lawful and balanced solution over TikTok, calling on Washington to provide an open and fair environment for Chinese companies. The Chinese government respects the wishes of the company in question and would be happy to see commercial negotiations being carried out according to market rules and leading to a solution that complies with China's laws and regulations and takes into account both sides' interests, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun reiterated. Guo made the remarks after United States President Donald Trump signed an executive order enabling TikTok's continued operations in the US.
\n
CANADA
\n
Post union launches nationwide strike
\n
Canada Post workers went on a nationwide strike on Thursday after the Canadian government called for the postal company to undergo a widespread transformation to bolster its finances and modernize operations, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers said. Canada Post said that its operations will be shut down following the strike, and that its customers can expect delays.
A doctor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy hospital ship "Silk Road Ark" conducts traditional Chinese medicine technique cupping therapy for a local in the island country Nauru on Wednesday.
He Xiangning (1878-1972) is one of the most influential figures in shaping the revolutionary and cultural scene of 20th-century China. Born into a well-connected family, she grew up to be a revolutionary, devoted patriot and social activist who championed women's rights. She was also a noted artist who expressed her social ideals and deep concerns for the nation and its people through her own paintings and collaborative works with other leading cultural figures of her time. Witnessing a Thriving Nation, now underway at the east exhibition hall of the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, surveys He's life and career as a reflection of the dramatic social changes of 20th-century China. The exhibition, running until Nov 9, is a collaboration with the He Xiangning Art Museum in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, which houses a long-term display of He's works. 9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays. 2 West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng district, Beijing. 010-6655-0000.
\n
Picturesque Xinjiang
\n
A Place Worth Visiting, an exhibition ongoing at Xinjiang Art Museum, in Urumqi, shows oil landscapes painted by Fan Di'an in recent years, which celebrate both the natural beauty and social developments in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Fan now chairs the China Artists Association, while his devotion to promoting art and creations themed on Xinjiang, its history and culture has spanned years including those when he headed the National Art Museum of China and later the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. Recently, he has spent more time traveling and painting across the country, including in Xinjiang. Fan has also donated the 70 paintings on show to Xinjiang Art Museum and Xinjiang Academy of Painting in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the autonomous region. The exhibition runs until Oct 11. 11 am-6:30 pm, closed on Mondays. 167 Youhao Bei Lu, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. 0991-551-5752.
\n
Sparks of fusion
\n
A newly opened exhibition at the Art Museum of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, in Beijing, brings the complex subject of "controlled nuclear fusion", to life in a way that is both vivid and accessible. Artists and scientists have worked together to demonstrate how the process has played a role in social advancements, at Energy and Civilization — Science and Art Fusion Future. The exhibition through to Oct 12 is a collaboration between the Central Academy of Fine Arts, and the Institute of Energy at Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center in Hefei, Anhui province, as well as the city government of Hefei, aiming to bring the public closer to the frontiers of energy technology. 9:30 am-5:30 pm, closed on Mondays. 8 Huajiadi Nan Jie, Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-6477-1575.
\n",
- "content": "\n\n\n
Witness to history
\n
He Xiangning (1878-1972) is one of the most influential figures in shaping the revolutionary and cultural scene of 20th-century China. Born into a well-connected family, she grew up to be a revolutionary, devoted patriot and social activist who championed women's rights. She was also a noted artist who expressed her social ideals and deep concerns for the nation and its people through her own paintings and collaborative works with other leading cultural figures of her time. Witnessing a Thriving Nation, now underway at the east exhibition hall of the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing, surveys He's life and career as a reflection of the dramatic social changes of 20th-century China. The exhibition, running until Nov 9, is a collaboration with the He Xiangning Art Museum in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, which houses a long-term display of He's works. 9 am-5 pm, closed on Mondays. 2 West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng district, Beijing. 010-6655-0000.
\n
Picturesque Xinjiang
\n
A Place Worth Visiting, an exhibition ongoing at Xinjiang Art Museum, in Urumqi, shows oil landscapes painted by Fan Di'an in recent years, which celebrate both the natural beauty and social developments in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Fan now chairs the China Artists Association, while his devotion to promoting art and creations themed on Xinjiang, its history and culture has spanned years including those when he headed the National Art Museum of China and later the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. Recently, he has spent more time traveling and painting across the country, including in Xinjiang. Fan has also donated the 70 paintings on show to Xinjiang Art Museum and Xinjiang Academy of Painting in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the autonomous region. The exhibition runs until Oct 11. 11 am-6:30 pm, closed on Mondays. 167 Youhao Bei Lu, Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. 0991-551-5752.
\n
Sparks of fusion
\n
A newly opened exhibition at the Art Museum of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, in Beijing, brings the complex subject of "controlled nuclear fusion", to life in a way that is both vivid and accessible. Artists and scientists have worked together to demonstrate how the process has played a role in social advancements, at Energy and Civilization — Science and Art Fusion Future. The exhibition through to Oct 12 is a collaboration between the Central Academy of Fine Arts, and the Institute of Energy at Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center in Hefei, Anhui province, as well as the city government of Hefei, aiming to bring the public closer to the frontiers of energy technology. 9:30 am-5:30 pm, closed on Mondays. 8 Huajiadi Nan Jie, Chaoyang district, Beijing. 010-6477-1575.
Growing up as a Han girl in Central China, I rarely met anyone from Xinjiang in my hometown. To me, as a child, it was a distant place where everyone seemed to know how to sing and dance.
\n
This week, that distant place became real as I came to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, to cover events marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
\n
Since my arrival on Monday, I have been surrounded by a strong festive atmosphere in the city, which reached its climax on Thursday with a grand gathering.
\n
From early morning, when the sky was still dark, I found myself immersed in the local spirit — an Uygur song softly hummed by a taxi driver and a cheerful whistle from a pedestrian set the tone for the day.
\n
By the time I reached the venue, the light of dawn was already breaking through the wispy clouds, shining on the people gathering for the celebration.
\n
Among them, a group of men and women wearing round hats and splendid costumes — distinctly Kazakh and Uygur in style — instantly caught my eye.
\n
They turned out to be villagers from Gejiagou in Urumqi's Shuimogou district — the eldest 64 and the youngest 23. They told me that dressing in their finest clothes was their way of expressing joy and pride at being part of such a historic occasion.
\n
One of them, Sharmuha Satihaz, said that to celebrate the anniversary, the entire village had been decorated with lanterns and little red flags.
\n
"The clothes we wear today were prepared as if we were grooms and brides, to show our gratitude for the happy life we now enjoy," she said, her eyes gleaming. "And, I believe, our future will only get better if we continue to contribute in our own way."
\n
According to Sharmuha, the lives of the villagers have greatly improved over the years. They now earn more, thanks to the courtyard economy, which encourages rural families to carry out small-scale agricultural production at home, and thanks to specialty industries, such as camel milk processing plants, as well as the integration of agriculture, culture and tourism.
\n
Her words echoed a sentiment I've heard repeatedly this week, that is, over the past 70 years, people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang have, with unyielding spirit, turned deserts into farmland and borderlands into cherished homes.
\n
That spirit also reflected in the voice of 14-year-old Ekda Adil, a ninth-grade student at Urumqi No 66 Middle School, who told me her story.
\n
Ekda said she left her hometown in Shache county in Xinjiang's Kashgar prefecture in 2023 to study in Urumqi under a preferential policy, and goes home once every six months. "Each time I go back, I notice new changes," she said.
\n
During her most recent visit in July, she said she witnessed fewer dust storms and saw better infrastructure in her hometown. Located near the Taklimakan Desert, Kashgar is an area prone to sand and dust storms, especially during spring and summer.
\n
Shache, often known as the "home of Chinese almonds", had once primarily depended on agriculture. Today, specialty industries are helping its residents find jobs closer to home and earn higher incomes.
\n
Ekda said her older brother, who graduated from university this year, also plans to stay in their hometown. He is now studying e-commerce, with the hope of bringing Xinjiang's local products to consumers across the country and beyond, she added.
\n
When speaking of her own future, her voice was steady and firm. "I want to use what I've learned to help build a better Xinjiang," she told me, adding, "And I also hope that more people will come to visit, enjoy our beautiful scenery, and learn about our culture and traditions."
\n
As I listened to the teenager, I had a brief flashback of my childhood idea of Xinjiang being a magical place where people always sang and danced.
\n
This week, I saw that image come alive, but along with so much more. Behind the singing, dancing and colorful costumes lie pride, hope and determination. Today, Xinjiang for me is no longer that distant place in my imagination, but a living, changing land, full of happy voices that tell its beautiful story.
\n
mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
@@ -25185,28 +24283,6 @@
"hash": "702756a44edf18b43c290a811e9428af",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "001FRONT - Discovering a land of hope, happiness",
- "description": "
Growing up as a Han girl in Central China, I rarely met anyone from Xinjiang in my hometown. To me, as a child, it was a distant place where everyone seemed to know how to sing and dance.
\n
This week, that distant place became real as I came to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, to cover events marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
\n
Since my arrival on Monday, I have been surrounded by a strong festive atmosphere in the city, which reached its climax on Thursday with a grand gathering.
\n
From early morning, when the sky was still dark, I found myself immersed in the local spirit — an Uygur song softly hummed by a taxi driver and a cheerful whistle from a pedestrian set the tone for the day.
\n
By the time I reached the venue, the light of dawn was already breaking through the wispy clouds, shining on the people gathering for the celebration.
\n
Among them, a group of men and women wearing round hats and splendid costumes — distinctly Kazakh and Uygur in style — instantly caught my eye.
\n
They turned out to be villagers from Gejiagou in Urumqi's Shuimogou district — the eldest 64 and the youngest 23. They told me that dressing in their finest clothes was their way of expressing joy and pride at being part of such a historic occasion.
\n
One of them, Sharmuha Satihaz, said that to celebrate the anniversary, the entire village had been decorated with lanterns and little red flags.
\n
"The clothes we wear today were prepared as if we were grooms and brides, to show our gratitude for the happy life we now enjoy," she said, her eyes gleaming. "And, I believe, our future will only get better if we continue to contribute in our own way."
\n
According to Sharmuha, the lives of the villagers have greatly improved over the years. They now earn more, thanks to the courtyard economy, which encourages rural families to carry out small-scale agricultural production at home, and thanks to specialty industries, such as camel milk processing plants, as well as the integration of agriculture, culture and tourism.
\n
Her words echoed a sentiment I've heard repeatedly this week, that is, over the past 70 years, people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang have, with unyielding spirit, turned deserts into farmland and borderlands into cherished homes.
\n
That spirit also reflected in the voice of 14-year-old Ekda Adil, a ninth-grade student at Urumqi No 66 Middle School, who told me her story.
\n
Ekda said she left her hometown in Shache county in Xinjiang's Kashgar prefecture in 2023 to study in Urumqi under a preferential policy, and goes home once every six months. "Each time I go back, I notice new changes," she said.
\n
During her most recent visit in July, she said she witnessed fewer dust storms and saw better infrastructure in her hometown. Located near the Taklimakan Desert, Kashgar is an area prone to sand and dust storms, especially during spring and summer.
\n
Shache, often known as the "home of Chinese almonds", had once primarily depended on agriculture. Today, specialty industries are helping its residents find jobs closer to home and earn higher incomes.
\n
Ekda said her older brother, who graduated from university this year, also plans to stay in their hometown. He is now studying e-commerce, with the hope of bringing Xinjiang's local products to consumers across the country and beyond, she added.
\n
When speaking of her own future, her voice was steady and firm. "I want to use what I've learned to help build a better Xinjiang," she told me, adding, "And I also hope that more people will come to visit, enjoy our beautiful scenery, and learn about our culture and traditions."
\n
As I listened to the teenager, I had a brief flashback of my childhood idea of Xinjiang being a magical place where people always sang and danced.
\n
This week, I saw that image come alive, but along with so much more. Behind the singing, dancing and colorful costumes lie pride, hope and determination. Today, Xinjiang for me is no longer that distant place in my imagination, but a living, changing land, full of happy voices that tell its beautiful story.
\n
mojingxi@chinadaily.com.cn
\n",
- "content": "
Growing up as a Han girl in Central China, I rarely met anyone from Xinjiang in my hometown. To me, as a child, it was a distant place where everyone seemed to know how to sing and dance.
\n
This week, that distant place became real as I came to Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, to cover events marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
\n
Since my arrival on Monday, I have been surrounded by a strong festive atmosphere in the city, which reached its climax on Thursday with a grand gathering.
\n
From early morning, when the sky was still dark, I found myself immersed in the local spirit — an Uygur song softly hummed by a taxi driver and a cheerful whistle from a pedestrian set the tone for the day.
\n
By the time I reached the venue, the light of dawn was already breaking through the wispy clouds, shining on the people gathering for the celebration.
\n
Among them, a group of men and women wearing round hats and splendid costumes — distinctly Kazakh and Uygur in style — instantly caught my eye.
\n
They turned out to be villagers from Gejiagou in Urumqi's Shuimogou district — the eldest 64 and the youngest 23. They told me that dressing in their finest clothes was their way of expressing joy and pride at being part of such a historic occasion.
\n
One of them, Sharmuha Satihaz, said that to celebrate the anniversary, the entire village had been decorated with lanterns and little red flags.
\n
"The clothes we wear today were prepared as if we were grooms and brides, to show our gratitude for the happy life we now enjoy," she said, her eyes gleaming. "And, I believe, our future will only get better if we continue to contribute in our own way."
\n
According to Sharmuha, the lives of the villagers have greatly improved over the years. They now earn more, thanks to the courtyard economy, which encourages rural families to carry out small-scale agricultural production at home, and thanks to specialty industries, such as camel milk processing plants, as well as the integration of agriculture, culture and tourism.
\n
Her words echoed a sentiment I've heard repeatedly this week, that is, over the past 70 years, people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang have, with unyielding spirit, turned deserts into farmland and borderlands into cherished homes.
\n
That spirit also reflected in the voice of 14-year-old Ekda Adil, a ninth-grade student at Urumqi No 66 Middle School, who told me her story.
\n
Ekda said she left her hometown in Shache county in Xinjiang's Kashgar prefecture in 2023 to study in Urumqi under a preferential policy, and goes home once every six months. "Each time I go back, I notice new changes," she said.
\n
During her most recent visit in July, she said she witnessed fewer dust storms and saw better infrastructure in her hometown. Located near the Taklimakan Desert, Kashgar is an area prone to sand and dust storms, especially during spring and summer.
\n
Shache, often known as the "home of Chinese almonds", had once primarily depended on agriculture. Today, specialty industries are helping its residents find jobs closer to home and earn higher incomes.
\n
Ekda said her older brother, who graduated from university this year, also plans to stay in their hometown. He is now studying e-commerce, with the hope of bringing Xinjiang's local products to consumers across the country and beyond, she added.
\n
When speaking of her own future, her voice was steady and firm. "I want to use what I've learned to help build a better Xinjiang," she told me, adding, "And I also hope that more people will come to visit, enjoy our beautiful scenery, and learn about our culture and traditions."
\n
As I listened to the teenager, I had a brief flashback of my childhood idea of Xinjiang being a magical place where people always sang and danced.
\n
This week, I saw that image come alive, but along with so much more. Behind the singing, dancing and colorful costumes lie pride, hope and determination. Today, Xinjiang for me is no longer that distant place in my imagination, but a living, changing land, full of happy voices that tell its beautiful story.
Two warships of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, the missile destroyer Xining and the missile frigate Wuhu, are open to the public at the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center in Qingdao, Shandong province, on Wednesday. The exhibition is part of an open-house event organized by the naval forces of the PLA Northern Theater Command, where a total of nine active and retired vessels are accessible to visitors.
\n
A retired veteran in a wheelchair experiences the grandeur of modern warships up close.
\n",
@@ -25229,28 +24305,6 @@
"hash": "e2fba16acfd847ca2914a78df1bd2b4a",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "006CHINA - Attempts to rewrite history will never tear cultural roots",
- "description": "\n
Editor's note: The Taiwan question is a key focus for China and the international community. China Daily is publishing a series of reports to track hot Taiwan-related topics and address disinformation from the Democratic Progressive Party administration.
\n
The history of Taiwan's recovery and return to the motherland shows that compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one community with a shared future. The Chinese mainland and Chinese culture have always been the roots of Taiwan compatriots. Only with deep roots can the branches of a tree flourish.
\n
After coming to power, Lai Ching-te has made no mention of Taiwan's recovery. He brazenly denies the victorious accomplishments in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), including those made by Taiwan compatriots. He has falsified the notions that "The two sides of the Taiwan Strait are not subordinate to each other" and that "The People's Republic of China has no authority to represent Taiwan" by garbling and grafting history.
\n
These fabrications aim to uproot the historical bonds between the two sides of the Strait, and promote a "Taiwan independence" narrative to the harm of the people in Taiwan. This is not only a betrayal of history, but also an insult to the painful memories of the people in Taiwan with regard to colonial rule. It fully exposes the pro-"independence" nature of Lai and the DPP authorities, yet it cannot alter the historical fact that Taiwan is part of China.
\n
Taiwan was ceded to Japan in 1895 as a result of the Qing Dynasty's (1644-1911) defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-95), and its forced signing of the humiliating Treaty of Shimonoseki under Japanese coercion.
\n
After the outbreak of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Communist Party of China explicitly put forward the proposition of recovering Taiwan, and supported and promoted the Taiwan recovery movement.
\n
Taiwan compatriots have a fine tradition of loving their country and hometowns, and a lofty national spirit. In the struggle against aggression, people on both sides of the Strait further strengthened their shared national spirit and national sentiments, and formed a community sharing weal and woe.
\n
The declaration issued by the Taiwan Revolutionary Alliance upon its establishment in September 1941 stated: "The fate of the motherland is the fate of Taiwan. If the motherland survives, Taiwan survives; if the motherland triumphs, Taiwan is recovered; otherwise, Taiwan is lost."
\n
On Dec 9, 1941, the Chinese government formally declared war on Japan, proclaiming the abrogation of all treaties between China and Japan, including the Treaty of Shimonoseki.
\n
As the main Eastern Theater of the World Anti-Fascist War, China contained and wore out the vast majority of Japan's military, economic and strategic resources, shaping a favorable strategic situation for final victory in the war and for Taiwan's recovery and return to the motherland.
\n
Throughout this process, Taiwan compatriots shared the same destiny with the motherland, and their fight against Japan was an integral part of the whole nation's war of resistance. During the 50 years of Japanese colonial rule, Taiwan compatriots, determined to defend the dignity of the Chinese nation, never ceased resisting, and engaged in both armed and unarmed struggles against Japanese occupation. Their courageous resistance was an indispensable force in achieving Taiwan's recovery and return to the motherland.
\n
Taiwan compatriots further supported the motherland's war of resistance in other ways. More than 50,000 young people from Taiwan returned to the mainland against all odds and joined counter-Japanese aggression groups. Under the banner of the national united front against Japanese aggression advocated by the CPC, compatriots on both sides of the Strait fought side by side, and made important contributions to victory in the war of resistance against Japanese aggression and to Taiwan's recovery.
\n
As victory in the anti-fascist war approached, the leaders of China, the United States and the United Kingdom issued the Cairo Declaration on Dec 1, 1943, which explicitly stated that territories stolen from China by Japan, such as Northeast China, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, must be restored to China. Under the Cairo Declaration, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands were recognized as "territories Japan has stolen from the Chinese".
\n
On July 26, 1945, China, the US and the UK issued the Potsdam Proclamation, urging Japan to surrender unconditionally. Article 8 of the proclamation explicitly stipulated, "The terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out". On Sept 2 of the same year, Japan signed the instrument of unconditional surrender, accepting all provisions of the Potsdam Proclamation.
\n
From the perspective of international law, the instrument of surrender carried indisputable legal force. These historical documents had great legal significance, as they confirmed the post-war principle that Taiwan's sovereignty belongs to China, provided a solid legal basis for Taiwan's recovery and return to the motherland, and made Taiwan's return an unshakable part of the post-war international order.
\n
Taiwan's recovery and return to the motherland wiped out the historical humiliation the Chinese nation suffered.
\n
Since ancient times, Taiwan has been an indispensable part of China's territory. Lai's claims that "Taiwan has had an independent ecosystem since ancient times", and that Taiwan "is the birthplace of Austronesian culture" have no historical basis and run completely counter to the historical facts of exchanges and interaction between people across the Strait. As early as the Song Dynasty (960-1279) in the mid-12th century, troops had been stationed on the Penghu Islands and the area was under the administration of Jinjiang county, Quanzhou, Fujian province.
\n
Whether during the period of Japanese colonial rule or after Taiwan's recovery and return to the motherland, the cultural ties and shared values rooted in the same origin, language and ethnicity between compatriots on both sides have never changed.
\n
The Japanese colonial authorities' policy of "Japanization" failed to shake the firm commitment of Taiwan compatriots to the Chinese language and culture. They tenaciously upheld the traditions and celebrations of festivals such as Spring Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and Dragon Boat Festival. This deep sense of identification with Chinese culture is an important reflection of the fact that both sides of the Strait belong to one China, and was a major reason why the people of Taiwan quickly returned to the embrace of Chinese culture after recovery.
\n
As Taiwan's recovery and return to the motherland prove that Taiwan being part of China is an irrefutable fact, the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and the DPP authorities have seen Taiwan's recovery as a "thorn in the side" and have been keen to tamper with and try to erase this historical fact.
\n
The DPP authorities and the separatist forces on the island have been deliberately downplaying and maliciously distorting the historical facts surrounding Taiwan's recovery. They have extensively deleted content related to Taiwan's recovery from history textbooks or offered distorted interpretations of this part of history, erased the heroic deeds of the people of Taiwan in resisting colonial rule, denied the historical significance of Taiwan's recovery, and attempted to sever the historical ties between Taiwan and the mainland. The DPP authorities have canceled events commemorating anniversaries of Taiwan's recovery, and instead glorified Japan's colonial rule, even going so far as to honor the aggressors who exercised colonial rule over Taiwan.
\n
Likewise, the culture that Japanese colonialists failed to change in 50 years cannot possibly be altered today by the DPP authorities by promoting "cultural Taiwan independence". Compatriots on both sides of the Strait share the same roots, origin, language and ethnicity. No matter how the DPP authorities distort the facts, they cannot change the Chinese cultural genes flowing in the veins of Taiwan compatriots, nor can they alter the deep Chinese cultural roots embedded in Taiwan society.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n",
- "content": "\n
Editor's note: The Taiwan question is a key focus for China and the international community. China Daily is publishing a series of reports to track hot Taiwan-related topics and address disinformation from the Democratic Progressive Party administration.
\n
The history of Taiwan's recovery and return to the motherland shows that compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one community with a shared future. The Chinese mainland and Chinese culture have always been the roots of Taiwan compatriots. Only with deep roots can the branches of a tree flourish.
\n
After coming to power, Lai Ching-te has made no mention of Taiwan's recovery. He brazenly denies the victorious accomplishments in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), including those made by Taiwan compatriots. He has falsified the notions that "The two sides of the Taiwan Strait are not subordinate to each other" and that "The People's Republic of China has no authority to represent Taiwan" by garbling and grafting history.
\n
These fabrications aim to uproot the historical bonds between the two sides of the Strait, and promote a "Taiwan independence" narrative to the harm of the people in Taiwan. This is not only a betrayal of history, but also an insult to the painful memories of the people in Taiwan with regard to colonial rule. It fully exposes the pro-"independence" nature of Lai and the DPP authorities, yet it cannot alter the historical fact that Taiwan is part of China.
\n
Taiwan was ceded to Japan in 1895 as a result of the Qing Dynasty's (1644-1911) defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War (1894-95), and its forced signing of the humiliating Treaty of Shimonoseki under Japanese coercion.
\n
After the outbreak of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Communist Party of China explicitly put forward the proposition of recovering Taiwan, and supported and promoted the Taiwan recovery movement.
\n
Taiwan compatriots have a fine tradition of loving their country and hometowns, and a lofty national spirit. In the struggle against aggression, people on both sides of the Strait further strengthened their shared national spirit and national sentiments, and formed a community sharing weal and woe.
\n
The declaration issued by the Taiwan Revolutionary Alliance upon its establishment in September 1941 stated: "The fate of the motherland is the fate of Taiwan. If the motherland survives, Taiwan survives; if the motherland triumphs, Taiwan is recovered; otherwise, Taiwan is lost."
\n
On Dec 9, 1941, the Chinese government formally declared war on Japan, proclaiming the abrogation of all treaties between China and Japan, including the Treaty of Shimonoseki.
\n
As the main Eastern Theater of the World Anti-Fascist War, China contained and wore out the vast majority of Japan's military, economic and strategic resources, shaping a favorable strategic situation for final victory in the war and for Taiwan's recovery and return to the motherland.
\n
Throughout this process, Taiwan compatriots shared the same destiny with the motherland, and their fight against Japan was an integral part of the whole nation's war of resistance. During the 50 years of Japanese colonial rule, Taiwan compatriots, determined to defend the dignity of the Chinese nation, never ceased resisting, and engaged in both armed and unarmed struggles against Japanese occupation. Their courageous resistance was an indispensable force in achieving Taiwan's recovery and return to the motherland.
\n
Taiwan compatriots further supported the motherland's war of resistance in other ways. More than 50,000 young people from Taiwan returned to the mainland against all odds and joined counter-Japanese aggression groups. Under the banner of the national united front against Japanese aggression advocated by the CPC, compatriots on both sides of the Strait fought side by side, and made important contributions to victory in the war of resistance against Japanese aggression and to Taiwan's recovery.
\n
As victory in the anti-fascist war approached, the leaders of China, the United States and the United Kingdom issued the Cairo Declaration on Dec 1, 1943, which explicitly stated that territories stolen from China by Japan, such as Northeast China, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, must be restored to China. Under the Cairo Declaration, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands were recognized as "territories Japan has stolen from the Chinese".
\n
On July 26, 1945, China, the US and the UK issued the Potsdam Proclamation, urging Japan to surrender unconditionally. Article 8 of the proclamation explicitly stipulated, "The terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out". On Sept 2 of the same year, Japan signed the instrument of unconditional surrender, accepting all provisions of the Potsdam Proclamation.
\n
From the perspective of international law, the instrument of surrender carried indisputable legal force. These historical documents had great legal significance, as they confirmed the post-war principle that Taiwan's sovereignty belongs to China, provided a solid legal basis for Taiwan's recovery and return to the motherland, and made Taiwan's return an unshakable part of the post-war international order.
\n
Taiwan's recovery and return to the motherland wiped out the historical humiliation the Chinese nation suffered.
\n
Since ancient times, Taiwan has been an indispensable part of China's territory. Lai's claims that "Taiwan has had an independent ecosystem since ancient times", and that Taiwan "is the birthplace of Austronesian culture" have no historical basis and run completely counter to the historical facts of exchanges and interaction between people across the Strait. As early as the Song Dynasty (960-1279) in the mid-12th century, troops had been stationed on the Penghu Islands and the area was under the administration of Jinjiang county, Quanzhou, Fujian province.
\n
Whether during the period of Japanese colonial rule or after Taiwan's recovery and return to the motherland, the cultural ties and shared values rooted in the same origin, language and ethnicity between compatriots on both sides have never changed.
\n
The Japanese colonial authorities' policy of "Japanization" failed to shake the firm commitment of Taiwan compatriots to the Chinese language and culture. They tenaciously upheld the traditions and celebrations of festivals such as Spring Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and Dragon Boat Festival. This deep sense of identification with Chinese culture is an important reflection of the fact that both sides of the Strait belong to one China, and was a major reason why the people of Taiwan quickly returned to the embrace of Chinese culture after recovery.
\n
As Taiwan's recovery and return to the motherland prove that Taiwan being part of China is an irrefutable fact, the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and the DPP authorities have seen Taiwan's recovery as a "thorn in the side" and have been keen to tamper with and try to erase this historical fact.
\n
The DPP authorities and the separatist forces on the island have been deliberately downplaying and maliciously distorting the historical facts surrounding Taiwan's recovery. They have extensively deleted content related to Taiwan's recovery from history textbooks or offered distorted interpretations of this part of history, erased the heroic deeds of the people of Taiwan in resisting colonial rule, denied the historical significance of Taiwan's recovery, and attempted to sever the historical ties between Taiwan and the mainland. The DPP authorities have canceled events commemorating anniversaries of Taiwan's recovery, and instead glorified Japan's colonial rule, even going so far as to honor the aggressors who exercised colonial rule over Taiwan.
\n
Likewise, the culture that Japanese colonialists failed to change in 50 years cannot possibly be altered today by the DPP authorities by promoting "cultural Taiwan independence". Compatriots on both sides of the Strait share the same roots, origin, language and ethnicity. No matter how the DPP authorities distort the facts, they cannot change the Chinese cultural genes flowing in the veins of Taiwan compatriots, nor can they alter the deep Chinese cultural roots embedded in Taiwan society.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
In an address to the United Nations Climate Summit in New York on Wednesday, President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China's unwavering commitment to climate action.
\n
Delivered via video, Xi's speech comes at a critical moment. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement — a crucial year for nations to update their Nationally Determined Contributions as global climate governance enters a decisive phase.
\n
Announcing China's ambitious new NDCs, Xi said that these targets represent China's best efforts based on the requirements of the Paris Agreement, and meeting these targets will require painstaking efforts by the country itself as well as a supportive and open international environment.
\n
Saying that the green and low carbon transition is "the trend of our time", he urged the international community to "stay focused in the right direction" despite some countries "acting against it".
\n
China has consistently prioritized and actively participated in global climate governance. The country has previously pledged to peak its carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. But the 2035 goals announced by Xi mark a new stage in China's climate policy. The goals include reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by 7 to 10 percent from peak levels; increasing the share of nonfossil fuels in energy consumption to over 30 percent; and expanding the installed capacity of wind and solar power to over six times the 2020 levels. They represent a shift from controlling incremental increases to decreasing the existing levels of green house gas emissions. This shift is backed by other commitments such as drastically expanding forests, making new energy vehicles the mainstream in the sales of new cars, and basically establishing a climate adaptive society.
\n
As President Xi said, China has the resolve and confidence to deliver on these commitments and it will be "striving to do better".
\n
The Paris Agreement of 2015 aims to limit global warming to "well below" 2 C above preindustrial levels by the end of the century, and "pursue efforts" to keep warming within the safer limit of 1.5 C for the world to avoid the worst climate catastrophes. Under the pact, countries must update their NDCs every five years as they seek to reduce emissions.
\n
By presenting its emissions reduction target well ahead of the 30th UN climate conference, or COP30, to be held in Belem, Brazil, in November, China, as a responsible major country, has signaled its firm commitment to the international climate change control process while sending a positive message to the world about its transition to green and low-carbon development.
\n
China's stepping up its climate efforts is both timely and inspiring for the global fight against climate change, especially given the United States is in the process of withdrawing from the Paris accord for a second time. The US president went so far as to call climate change a "con job" at a recent UN meeting.
\n
Thanks largely to China's persistent efforts to promote a low-carbon economy, along with those of others, progress has been made in limiting the global temperature increase. "In the last 10 years, the projected global temperature rise has dropped from four degrees Celsius to less than three," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said.
\n
China has been accelerating its comprehensive green transformation and, as a result, only half of the country's electricity mix comes from coal, as compared to three-quarters a decade ago. China has also established preliminary advantages in several key green sectors, with more than 80 percent of the world's solar panels and 70 percent of wind power equipment coming from the country. Its booming exports of solar panels, batteries and electric cars are helping cut emissions in many other countries as well.
\n
Climate response is an urgent yet long-term task that all countries, both developing and developed, are facing. But the clock is relentlessly counting down the days in which meaningful action can prevent temperatures crossing critical warming limits. All members of the international community must honor the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities to fulfill their emissions reduction obligations. Only by doing so can the beautiful vision of harmony between humanity and nature be realized, and can we avoid an existential climate catastrophe.
\n
China's resolve to meet the targets it has set is clear, as is its call for global solidarity in tackling the challenge of climate change. Despite some nations acting contrary to this imperative, the international community must remain resolute, focused and committed to the climate cause, as only by acting with collective determination, as Xi said, will the world preserve our shared home and ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for generations to come.
When the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was launched in 2013 as the flagship of the Belt and Road Initiative, it was little more than a bold vision on paper. Pakistan was facing crippling energy shortages, inadequate infrastructure and stagnant growth. Few could imagine how profoundly the CPEC would transform the country's economic landscape within just a decade. Yet today, that vision has become a living reality, reshaping Pakistan's connectivity, energy security and development outlook while deepening our strategic partnership with China.
\n
The first phase of the CPEC has delivered what once seemed unimaginable. In energy, 17 major projects with a combined capacity of 8,904 megawatts were completed, supported by two coal mines and the country's first 660 kV HVDC transmission line, representing nearly $18 billion of investment. These projects helped end the crippling power shortages that had darkened homes and stifled industries. The long-overlooked coal reserves of Thar are now producing electricity, powering factories and households, and providing Pakistan with much-needed energy security. For millions of citizens, the CPEC today means light in their homes, jobs in their communities, and renewed hope in their future.
\n
Beyond energy, the CPEC's transport infrastructure has connected the country like never before. Eight major projects worth $6.7 billion have already added 888 kilometers of modern highways and motorways, while another 853 km are under construction. Among them, the Havelian — Thakot section of the Karakoram Highway stands out as a flagship, internationally recognized for its excellence and strategic significance. These highways are more than stretches of asphalt — they are arteries of commerce that reduce travel times, open new markets, and bring previously isolated regions into the fold of national development. Alongside roads, the 820-km optical fiber cable from Khunjerab Pass to Rawalpindi has given Pakistan its first land-based digital connectivity with China, while the Orange Line Metro Train has introduced modern and efficient public transport in Lahore. Step by step, the CPEC has transformed the way Pakistanis travel, trade and connect.
\n
Nowhere is this transformation more visible than in Gwadar. Once a quiet fishing town, it is steadily evolving into Pakistan's maritime gateway. The port and its surrounding infrastructure, supported by grant-based Chinese projects, are reshaping the socio-economic landscape of Balochistan. A state-of-the-art hospital, a vocational training institute, a water desalination plant, solar home systems and the new Gwadar International Airport are not just facilities — they are instruments of inclusion, improving the lives of local communities while positioning Gwadar as a hub of regional trade and connectivity. What was once a distant dream on the map is becoming a tangible reality on the ground.
\n
These achievements of the CPEC Phase-I, however, are not an end in themselves. Foundations alone do not build a house; they only prepare the ground. The next decade of the CPEC must go beyond laying infrastructure to driving industrialization, creating jobs, boosting exports and empowering people. The promise of Phase-II of the CPEC is to transform connectivity into commerce, infrastructure into opportunity, and partnership into shared prosperity.
\n
The road map for this transformation is being framed at the 14th Joint Cooperation Committee meeting of the CPEC.Pakistan and China will align the next phase with Pakistan's National Economic Transformation Plan, built on the framework of the 5Es: Exports, E-Pakistan, Energy/Environment and Equity &Empowerment. To deliver on these priorities, the CPEC Phase-II will advance through five new corridors of cooperation: growth, innovation, green, livelihood and regional connectivity. Each of these represents not just a project stream, but a vision of how Pakistan and China can shape a sustainable and inclusive future together.
\n
Already, progress is visible. Special economic zones (SEZs) are being developed, offering tax incentives, customs exemptions and modern infrastructure to attract investment. With affordable labor, a strategic location and improving energy and logistics, Pakistan is emerging as a competitive investment destination at the crossroad of South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. These SEZs will not only bring in investment but also integrate Pakistani businesses into global value chains, create thousands of jobs, and expand exports.
\n
Agriculture, too, is beginning a new chapter. Pakistan has begun exporting red chillies, sesame, beef and animal skins to China, marking the rise of agriexports under the CPEC. But the real opportunity lies in modernization. By introducing advanced technologies, improving research, and applying modern farming practices, we can significantly increase yields, reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmer incomes. Collaboration with China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, where agricultural technology is highly developed, offers great promise for accelerating this transformation. A modernized agriculture sector will not only ensure food security but also open new export markets, creating opportunities for rural communities and strengthening the national economy.
\n
Technology and innovation will serve as another pillar of the next phase. Dedicated joint working groups on science and technology and information technology have been formed to drive collaboration in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and digital connectivity. Investments in fiberoptic networks, digital skills training, and e-governance will build the foundations of a knowledge-based economy. For Pakistan's youth, this means not only competing globally in the industries of the future but also ensuring that the benefits of digital transformation reach every citizen.
\n
The shift from government-to-government projects to business-to-business partnerships will define the CPEC Phase-II. Private capital, entrepreneurial energy and technological innovation must now become central drivers of the corridor. This transformation is already taking shape. In the recent Pak-China B2B Investment Conference in Beijing, nearly 800 firms from both countries participated, resulting in joint ventures and MoUs worth $8.5 billion. Such partnerships demonstrate the vast opportunities for collaboration and innovation beyond traditional state-led projects.
\n
To succeed, however, inclusivity and sustainability must be at the heart of the CPEC's next phase. The benefits of this partnership must reach not just the major cities, but every province, district and household. Equity and empowerment will ensure that prosperity is shared widely, while environmental safeguards will guarantee that growth is climate-resilient and sustainable. Pakistan has also taken strong measures to ensure the security of CPEC projects and personnel, recognizing that peace and stability are the essential foundations for progress. Our commitment to providing a safe, enabling environment for investment and development remains unwavering.
\n
The first decade of the CPEC gave Pakistan new roads, new power plants and a new port. The next decade will give us new industries, new technologies, new markets, and above all, create new opportunities for our people. It will create jobs, expand exports, strengthen sustainability and deepen regional integration. As Pakistan and China enter this next chapter, the challenge is not just to build more infrastructure, but to turn infrastructure into opportunity, and opportunity into prosperity.
\n
The first decade of the CPEC changed Pakistan's landscape. The next decade can change its destiny. Together, Pakistan and China must ensure that the CPEC is not just remembered as a corridor of concrete, but celebrated as a corridor of hope, progress, and shared prosperity for our two nations and for the wider region.
\n
The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
\n",
- "content": "
When the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was launched in 2013 as the flagship of the Belt and Road Initiative, it was little more than a bold vision on paper. Pakistan was facing crippling energy shortages, inadequate infrastructure and stagnant growth. Few could imagine how profoundly the CPEC would transform the country's economic landscape within just a decade. Yet today, that vision has become a living reality, reshaping Pakistan's connectivity, energy security and development outlook while deepening our strategic partnership with China.
\n
The first phase of the CPEC has delivered what once seemed unimaginable. In energy, 17 major projects with a combined capacity of 8,904 megawatts were completed, supported by two coal mines and the country's first 660 kV HVDC transmission line, representing nearly $18 billion of investment. These projects helped end the crippling power shortages that had darkened homes and stifled industries. The long-overlooked coal reserves of Thar are now producing electricity, powering factories and households, and providing Pakistan with much-needed energy security. For millions of citizens, the CPEC today means light in their homes, jobs in their communities, and renewed hope in their future.
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Beyond energy, the CPEC's transport infrastructure has connected the country like never before. Eight major projects worth $6.7 billion have already added 888 kilometers of modern highways and motorways, while another 853 km are under construction. Among them, the Havelian — Thakot section of the Karakoram Highway stands out as a flagship, internationally recognized for its excellence and strategic significance. These highways are more than stretches of asphalt — they are arteries of commerce that reduce travel times, open new markets, and bring previously isolated regions into the fold of national development. Alongside roads, the 820-km optical fiber cable from Khunjerab Pass to Rawalpindi has given Pakistan its first land-based digital connectivity with China, while the Orange Line Metro Train has introduced modern and efficient public transport in Lahore. Step by step, the CPEC has transformed the way Pakistanis travel, trade and connect.
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Nowhere is this transformation more visible than in Gwadar. Once a quiet fishing town, it is steadily evolving into Pakistan's maritime gateway. The port and its surrounding infrastructure, supported by grant-based Chinese projects, are reshaping the socio-economic landscape of Balochistan. A state-of-the-art hospital, a vocational training institute, a water desalination plant, solar home systems and the new Gwadar International Airport are not just facilities — they are instruments of inclusion, improving the lives of local communities while positioning Gwadar as a hub of regional trade and connectivity. What was once a distant dream on the map is becoming a tangible reality on the ground.
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These achievements of the CPEC Phase-I, however, are not an end in themselves. Foundations alone do not build a house; they only prepare the ground. The next decade of the CPEC must go beyond laying infrastructure to driving industrialization, creating jobs, boosting exports and empowering people. The promise of Phase-II of the CPEC is to transform connectivity into commerce, infrastructure into opportunity, and partnership into shared prosperity.
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The road map for this transformation is being framed at the 14th Joint Cooperation Committee meeting of the CPEC.Pakistan and China will align the next phase with Pakistan's National Economic Transformation Plan, built on the framework of the 5Es: Exports, E-Pakistan, Energy/Environment and Equity &Empowerment. To deliver on these priorities, the CPEC Phase-II will advance through five new corridors of cooperation: growth, innovation, green, livelihood and regional connectivity. Each of these represents not just a project stream, but a vision of how Pakistan and China can shape a sustainable and inclusive future together.
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Already, progress is visible. Special economic zones (SEZs) are being developed, offering tax incentives, customs exemptions and modern infrastructure to attract investment. With affordable labor, a strategic location and improving energy and logistics, Pakistan is emerging as a competitive investment destination at the crossroad of South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. These SEZs will not only bring in investment but also integrate Pakistani businesses into global value chains, create thousands of jobs, and expand exports.
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Agriculture, too, is beginning a new chapter. Pakistan has begun exporting red chillies, sesame, beef and animal skins to China, marking the rise of agriexports under the CPEC. But the real opportunity lies in modernization. By introducing advanced technologies, improving research, and applying modern farming practices, we can significantly increase yields, reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmer incomes. Collaboration with China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, where agricultural technology is highly developed, offers great promise for accelerating this transformation. A modernized agriculture sector will not only ensure food security but also open new export markets, creating opportunities for rural communities and strengthening the national economy.
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Technology and innovation will serve as another pillar of the next phase. Dedicated joint working groups on science and technology and information technology have been formed to drive collaboration in cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and digital connectivity. Investments in fiberoptic networks, digital skills training, and e-governance will build the foundations of a knowledge-based economy. For Pakistan's youth, this means not only competing globally in the industries of the future but also ensuring that the benefits of digital transformation reach every citizen.
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The shift from government-to-government projects to business-to-business partnerships will define the CPEC Phase-II. Private capital, entrepreneurial energy and technological innovation must now become central drivers of the corridor. This transformation is already taking shape. In the recent Pak-China B2B Investment Conference in Beijing, nearly 800 firms from both countries participated, resulting in joint ventures and MoUs worth $8.5 billion. Such partnerships demonstrate the vast opportunities for collaboration and innovation beyond traditional state-led projects.
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To succeed, however, inclusivity and sustainability must be at the heart of the CPEC's next phase. The benefits of this partnership must reach not just the major cities, but every province, district and household. Equity and empowerment will ensure that prosperity is shared widely, while environmental safeguards will guarantee that growth is climate-resilient and sustainable. Pakistan has also taken strong measures to ensure the security of CPEC projects and personnel, recognizing that peace and stability are the essential foundations for progress. Our commitment to providing a safe, enabling environment for investment and development remains unwavering.
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The first decade of the CPEC gave Pakistan new roads, new power plants and a new port. The next decade will give us new industries, new technologies, new markets, and above all, create new opportunities for our people. It will create jobs, expand exports, strengthen sustainability and deepen regional integration. As Pakistan and China enter this next chapter, the challenge is not just to build more infrastructure, but to turn infrastructure into opportunity, and opportunity into prosperity.
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The first decade of the CPEC changed Pakistan's landscape. The next decade can change its destiny. Together, Pakistan and China must ensure that the CPEC is not just remembered as a corridor of concrete, but celebrated as a corridor of hope, progress, and shared prosperity for our two nations and for the wider region.
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The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.
Participants in Barcelona build human towers known as castells during the traditional Diada Castellera, part of the city's annual festivities and recognized by UNESCO, on Wednesday. It is one of the most significant events in Barcelona's annual calendar, bringing together people from across the city.
The Foreign Minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Choe Son-hui will pay a four-day visit to China starting on Saturday. China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun announced Choe's visit on Thursday. The visit comes less than a month after DPRK's top leader Kim Jong-un 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.
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MALAWI
\n
Peter Mutharika wins presidential election
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Malawi's former President Peter Mutharika has won the presidential election with 56.8 percent of the vote, securing a decisive lead over incumbent Lazarus Chakwera, the country's electoral commission announced Wednesday. The president-elect, contesting on the Democratic Progressive Party ticket, secured nearly 3.04 million votes in the 17-candidate race on Sept 16, while Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party garnered around 1.77 million votes, Malawi Electoral Commission Chairwoman Annabel Mtalimanja announced at a news briefing in Lilongwe, the capital. The 85-year-old Mutharika obtained 56.8 percent of the valid votes cast, surpassing the 50-percent-plus-one threshold required for an outright victory, while Chakwera, 70, trailed with 33 percent of ballots, according to the MEC.
\n
UNITED NATIONS
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Kyiv restores ties with Damascus
\n
Ukraine and Syria formally restored diplomatic relations on Wednesday as their leaders met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. Ukraine broke off relations with Syria in June 2022. "We are pleased with this important step and are ready to support the Syrian people on their path to stability," Zelensky wrote on Telegram after announcing the restoration of diplomatic relations. The Syrian leadership said it was hoping for close relations with Kyiv. On Wednesday, Zelensky told the UN General Assembly in his speech that Syria deserved stronger international support.
\n",
- "content": "
CHINA
\n
DPRK's foreign minister to pay visit
\n
The Foreign Minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Choe Son-hui will pay a four-day visit to China starting on Saturday. China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun announced Choe's visit on Thursday. The visit comes less than a month after DPRK's top leader Kim Jong-un 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
MALAWI
\n
Peter Mutharika wins presidential election
\n
Malawi's former President Peter Mutharika has won the presidential election with 56.8 percent of the vote, securing a decisive lead over incumbent Lazarus Chakwera, the country's electoral commission announced Wednesday. The president-elect, contesting on the Democratic Progressive Party ticket, secured nearly 3.04 million votes in the 17-candidate race on Sept 16, while Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party garnered around 1.77 million votes, Malawi Electoral Commission Chairwoman Annabel Mtalimanja announced at a news briefing in Lilongwe, the capital. The 85-year-old Mutharika obtained 56.8 percent of the valid votes cast, surpassing the 50-percent-plus-one threshold required for an outright victory, while Chakwera, 70, trailed with 33 percent of ballots, according to the MEC.
\n
UNITED NATIONS
\n
Kyiv restores ties with Damascus
\n
Ukraine and Syria formally restored diplomatic relations on Wednesday as their leaders met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. Ukraine broke off relations with Syria in June 2022. "We are pleased with this important step and are ready to support the Syrian people on their path to stability," Zelensky wrote on Telegram after announcing the restoration of diplomatic relations. The Syrian leadership said it was hoping for close relations with Kyiv. On Wednesday, Zelensky told the UN General Assembly in his speech that Syria deserved stronger international support.
The long-running dispute between the European Union and major tech companies has taken another twist after Apple demanded that the bloc scrap its Digital Markets Act.
\n
The DMA was introduced in 2022 with the specific aim of curbing the market dominance of major tech firms — many of which are from the United States — to ensure more competition for consumer benefit.
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It contains provision for fines of up to 10 percent of global revenue for companies that do not comply with its terms. However, several US tech firms, and also President Donald Trump, have said the act discriminates against US companies.
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The latest trans-Atlantic flare-up occurs in the aftermath of the tariff dispute, which has dominated world trade for most of the year and has resulted in many EU exports to the US now being subject to 15 percent tariffs.
\n
"The DMA should be repealed while a more appropriate fit for purpose legislative instrument is put in place," Apple said in a statement. Some new features on the company's products were being held up because of the need to comply with the DMA's obligation that products should be interoperable, meaning they can also work with those made by rival manufacturers, it said.
\n
"Despite our concerns with the DMA, teams across Apple are spending thousands of hours to bring new features to the European Union while meeting the law's requirements. But it's become clear that we can't solve every problem the DMA creates," it added.
\n
Heavy fines
\n
In April, Apple was fined 500 million euros ($587 million) by the EU after an inquiry into whether its rules stopped application developers from offering consumers cheaper products outside the App Store.
\n
The company later changed its rules to avoid further sanctions, while also protesting that the regulations gave consumers a worse experience, which is the opposite of the legislation's intended goal, and made doing business harder.
\n
Facebook's parent company, Meta, was also heavily fined over its data collection policy, with European Commissioner Teresa Ribera saying both companies had "fallen short of compliance with the DMA by implementing measures that reinforce the dependence of business users and consumers on their platforms".
\n
"As a result, we have taken firm but balanced enforcement action against both companies, based on clear and predictable rules," she said.
\n
Trump has already accused the EU of targeting US companies, a claim that EU tech spokesman Thomas Regnier said he could "firmly rebut".
\n
julian@mail.chinadailyuk.com
\n",
@@ -25361,28 +24371,6 @@
"hash": "391430e19a2856941d416452e4dd4b09",
"highlights": []
},
- {
- "title": "012ADVERTORIAL - Salon examines digital innovations across AI",
- "description": "
Visitors try their hand at a virtual reality experience in the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing.
\n
As a key component of the 2025 Beijing Culture Forum, a salon specializing in artificial intelligence took place in the city's Haidian district earlier in September.
\n
Themed "Cultural Intelligence: AI Reshaping Digital Content Production", the event featured in-depth discussions on topics within the sector, such as innovative models, transformation pathways, challenges and opportunities.
\n
Experts in the AI field, alongside representatives from technology enterprises like the video-sharing platform Kuaishou Technology and leading content creators, gathered to share their insights.
\n
Guo Yanmin, a professor at the Communication University of China, for example, explored the efficiency gains and job restructuring that AI is driving in the audiovisual industry. He emphasized the importance of maintaining authenticity in news communication, originality in artistic creation, and avoiding homogenization in commercial entertainment.
\n
Additionally, Qin Jingyan, a professor at the University of Science and Technology Beijing, examined the role of AI technology in fostering high-level aesthetics and cultural expression, aligning with national strategies such as the dual-carbon reduction goals, sustainable development and building a beacon of cultural prowess.
\n
Cai Xiongshan, vice-president of Kuaishou, highlighted that AI-generated content is driving a new wave of technological transformation in the film and television industry, injecting vitality into its development.
\n
Notably, the China-BRICS Artificial Intelligence Development and Cooperation Center established its first global achievement transformation center at Kuaishou's Brazilian branch in May, indicating broader applications of AI technology in countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, Cai said.
\n
In recent years, the global AI technology revolution has continued to advance, with Haidian at the forefront of AI development. The district currently hosts 105 registered large models, accounting for two-thirds of Beijing's total and one-fifth of China's total.
\n
Among these is Keling AI, a video-generating model developed by Kuaishou. Since its launch in June 2024, it has completed over 30 iterations, served more than 45 million global users, and generated over 200 million videos and 400 million images.
\n
It has been integrated into fields such as film and television production, advertising creativity, e-commerce marketing, and cultural tourism, with the potential to empower more industries in the future.
\n
Moreover, Haidian has nurtured leading general-purpose large models like Doubao, Ernie Bot, and ChatGLM, and has incubated significant world-class achievements.
\n
Beijing has been promoting the application of new technologies, products and scenarios to achieve digital empowerment in the cultural field these past few years.
\n
In January, several sci-tech and cultural departments in the city issued a three-year action plan for innovation and development of technology empowering culture, aiming to advance the construction of a national cultural center and an international sci-tech innovation hub.
\n
According to the plan, Beijing will focus on meeting the technological needs of the cultural sector by strengthening research on AI, internet 3.0, and high-end processing chips, enhancing the capabilities of cultural digital content generation.
\n
Technologies like AI and virtual reality will be employed to upgrade cultural infrastructure and create benchmark projects in cultural tourism, film, and cultural heritage sectors.
\n
Furthermore, the city will promote the implementation of pilot policies, establish key laboratories for the integration of culture and technology, build a sci-tech and cultural industry cluster, and explore the application of AI in the governance of cultural digital content.
\n
In August, Beijing released this year's list of technology-empowered cultural projects, including AI large model-based museum guidance and interactive theater experience systems, AI digital museums of industrial heritage, and AI-assisted music program score analysis and intelligent shooting systems.
\n
Guided by the action plan and supported by the project list, Beijing will continue to integrate science and technology with the cultural industry, and build an innovation system poised for the future.
Visitors try their hand at a virtual reality experience in the Grand Canal Museum of Beijing.
\n
As a key component of the 2025 Beijing Culture Forum, a salon specializing in artificial intelligence took place in the city's Haidian district earlier in September.
\n
Themed "Cultural Intelligence: AI Reshaping Digital Content Production", the event featured in-depth discussions on topics within the sector, such as innovative models, transformation pathways, challenges and opportunities.
\n
Experts in the AI field, alongside representatives from technology enterprises like the video-sharing platform Kuaishou Technology and leading content creators, gathered to share their insights.
\n
Guo Yanmin, a professor at the Communication University of China, for example, explored the efficiency gains and job restructuring that AI is driving in the audiovisual industry. He emphasized the importance of maintaining authenticity in news communication, originality in artistic creation, and avoiding homogenization in commercial entertainment.
\n
Additionally, Qin Jingyan, a professor at the University of Science and Technology Beijing, examined the role of AI technology in fostering high-level aesthetics and cultural expression, aligning with national strategies such as the dual-carbon reduction goals, sustainable development and building a beacon of cultural prowess.
\n
Cai Xiongshan, vice-president of Kuaishou, highlighted that AI-generated content is driving a new wave of technological transformation in the film and television industry, injecting vitality into its development.
\n
Notably, the China-BRICS Artificial Intelligence Development and Cooperation Center established its first global achievement transformation center at Kuaishou's Brazilian branch in May, indicating broader applications of AI technology in countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, Cai said.
\n
In recent years, the global AI technology revolution has continued to advance, with Haidian at the forefront of AI development. The district currently hosts 105 registered large models, accounting for two-thirds of Beijing's total and one-fifth of China's total.
\n
Among these is Keling AI, a video-generating model developed by Kuaishou. Since its launch in June 2024, it has completed over 30 iterations, served more than 45 million global users, and generated over 200 million videos and 400 million images.
\n
It has been integrated into fields such as film and television production, advertising creativity, e-commerce marketing, and cultural tourism, with the potential to empower more industries in the future.
\n
Moreover, Haidian has nurtured leading general-purpose large models like Doubao, Ernie Bot, and ChatGLM, and has incubated significant world-class achievements.
\n
Beijing has been promoting the application of new technologies, products and scenarios to achieve digital empowerment in the cultural field these past few years.
\n
In January, several sci-tech and cultural departments in the city issued a three-year action plan for innovation and development of technology empowering culture, aiming to advance the construction of a national cultural center and an international sci-tech innovation hub.
\n
According to the plan, Beijing will focus on meeting the technological needs of the cultural sector by strengthening research on AI, internet 3.0, and high-end processing chips, enhancing the capabilities of cultural digital content generation.
\n
Technologies like AI and virtual reality will be employed to upgrade cultural infrastructure and create benchmark projects in cultural tourism, film, and cultural heritage sectors.
\n
Furthermore, the city will promote the implementation of pilot policies, establish key laboratories for the integration of culture and technology, build a sci-tech and cultural industry cluster, and explore the application of AI in the governance of cultural digital content.
\n
In August, Beijing released this year's list of technology-empowered cultural projects, including AI large model-based museum guidance and interactive theater experience systems, AI digital museums of industrial heritage, and AI-assisted music program score analysis and intelligent shooting systems.
\n
Guided by the action plan and supported by the project list, Beijing will continue to integrate science and technology with the cultural industry, and build an innovation system poised for the future.
The number of 5G base stations in China reached nearly 4.65 million by the end of August, official data showed. The figure accounted for 36.3 percent of the total number of mobile base stations nationwide, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Meanwhile, an increasing number of Chinese mobile users are adopting 5G services. As of the end of August, the number of mobile phone users of the country's three major telecommunication enterprises and China Broadnet had reached about 1.82 billion, the data showed.
\n
Track replacement to enhance safety
\n
Chinese railway operators have intensified efforts to bolster transport safety. The Taiyuan-Zhongwei railway, a quick rail corridor carrying passengers and freight, serves as a lifeline for the people of Lyuliang area in Shanxi province for transport out of the mountains. To boost rail safety, China Railway Taiyuan Group has asked Taiyuan High-speed Railway Engineering Section to replace a part of its ballast-less tracks running for 1.6 kilometers. The section dispatched 15 master staff members to replace the tracks inside the Lyuliang Mountain Tunnel, and they completed the job in three days when the trains were not operating.
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