A reception was held to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the 5th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Solomon Islands in Beijing on September 13.
Shen Xin, secretary general of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, KS Vincent Sivas, Ambassador of Micronesia to China, and Barrett Salato, Ambassador of Solomon Islands to China, attended the reception and delivered speeches.
Shen said that the friendly exchanges between China and the people of Pacific Island countries have a longstanding history.
In recent years, the two sides have actively expanded cooperation in various fields, which has not only enhanced the well-being of the people on both sides, but also made important contributions to regional peace, stability, and development.
Looking into the future, China is willing to work together with countries in the Pacific region to continue to deepen friendly exchanges and practical cooperation between the two sides and promote continuous new progress in China-Pacific friendly cooperative relations, he said.
Ambassador Sivas said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the FSM and China, the exchanges and cooperation in various fields such as politics, economy, and culture have been continuously deepened, while mutual understanding and trust have been continuously strengthened. Under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), cooperation between the two sides has greatly benefited the people of the two countries, he affirmed.
It is expected that the two sides will continue to expand friendship and cooperation in the future, the ambassador noted.
Ambassador Salato said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the two sides have carried out a number of development cooperation projects, which have provided a solid foundation for the development of bilateral relations.
The Solomon Islands is willing to work with China in the future to push bilateral relations to a new level, he said.
Students from the Minzu University of China and their counterparts from the Solomon Islands, who are studying in China, performed folk songs and dances at the reception.
The opening ceremony of the "ACE! Australian Comics Exhibition" hosted by the Australian Consulate-General in Shanghai, IllustrateYourLife studio, and Sinan Mansions, was held in downtown Shanghai on August 23. The Australian Consul-General in Shanghai John Williams mentioned the comic traditions of both Australia and Shanghai, saying the purpose of this exhibition is to promote cultural exchanges and cooperation between China and Australia.
"The role of this exhibition goes beyond just the artistic; it also connects Australian art with the younger generation in China," hoping that the event would create opportunities for educational cooperation, he added.
"Through this opportunity, I have gained a deeper understanding of Chinese comics and also made friends with Chinese artists," said Australian cartoonist Ben Mitchell, the designer of the exhibition's mascot, Casey, in his speech.
Open until September 16, the exhibition features the works of 20 outstanding Australian cartoonists, drawing the attention of numerous comic enthusiasts and professionals.
Cartooning had a long tradition in Australia, dating well back into the 19th century. The Australian Cartoonists Association is one of the world's oldest cartoon organizations.
Shanghai, as the birthplace of modern comics in China, has also nurtured outstanding cartoonists like Feng Zikai, and important publications in the history of modern Chinese comics like the Shanghai Sketch.
"The ACE! exhibition series showcases the outstanding and original comic art from Australia. Australia's comic industry is booming, with the continuous rise of the global interest in 'graphic novels', and diverse comic themes and creators," said Williams, the consul general of Australia in Shanghai, at the opening ceremony.
Cheng Zhiqiang, chief cooperation officer at Global Energy Interconnection Development and Cooperation Organization (GEIDCO), a Beijing-based organization for promoting sustainable energy development worldwide, held talks with the Ambassador of Malawi to China, Allan Chintedza, in Beijing on August 29.
The two sides had in-depth exchanges on the construction of Malawi's power infrastructure and the development of energy interconnection in southern Africa.
Cheng said that since the establishment of the GEIDCO, the organization has achieved remarkable results in global system architecture, participation in international mechanisms, and academic research via think tanks.
The organization looks forward to future technical exchanges and experience sharing between the two sides through Malawi's energy development and power grid upgrading, and deepened practical cooperation, Cheng noted.
He said that the GEIDCO expects to jointly promote the construction of the African Energy Interconnection project.
Ambassador Chintedza affirmed the achievements of the GEIDCO in recent years. He said that Malawi still has a large number of people living without electricity. He said that it is expected that the cooperation organization will play a role of the platform to provide technical solutions for Malawi's power and energy development.
With 94 gold, 76 silver, and 50 bronze, China once again topped both the gold medal tally and the overall medal table at the 17th Paralympic Games that concluded on Sunday, marking the sixth consecutive time to do so since the 2004 Athens Paralympics.
On top of that, Chinese athletes have broken 20 world records. Swimming, athletics, table tennis, and wheelchair fencing contributed the largest number of medals to Team China's tally.
The State Council - China's cabinet - on Sunday sent a congratulatory letter to the Chinese Paralympic team following these achievements to encourage them to continue embodying the spirit of perseverance and excellence.
"Generations of Chinese athletes have consistently delivered exceptional performances on the Paralympic stage, and this has become a tradition. This confidence is not only the athletes' personal belief but also a reflection of our nation's self-assurance as a global sports power," Luo Le, a Beijing-based sports scholar, told the Global Times.
Luo noted that Paralympic athletes' greatness lies in their extraordinary determination and perseverance despite physical challenges. Their stories inspire the world and demonstrate the boundless potential of humanity. Therefore, Paralympians deserve more support and encouragement, and Paralympic sports should receive greater attention. Continued legacy
In Paris, the Chinese sports delegation participated in 19 major events and 302 minor events at the 2024 Paralympics, claiming a total of 220 medals - 94 gold, 76 silver, and 50 bronze.
The Chinese wheelchair fencing team competed in all categories, securing 10 gold medals in 16 events. The badminton team participated in 14 events, increasing their gold medal count from five at the previous Paralympics to nine this time. Team sports such as sitting volleyball, wheelchair basketball and goalball all advanced to the semifinals and won medals.
In the swimming events, Chinese swimmers won two golds, three silvers, and two bronzes in a single day. In the mixed 4x50m relay, Chinese swimmers won the final with a time of 2:24.83, breaking the world record. This marked the 600th gold medal for the Chinese delegation in the history of the Summer Paralympics.
In athletics, Chinese players won four golds, three silvers, and four bronzes. Wen Xiaoyan broke the Paralympic record in the women's 100m T37 to win gold; Jin Hua set a new Paralympic record in the men's 800m T54 to claim the top spot; and Wu Qing broke the Paralympic record in the women's shot put F33 to take gold.
Li Yujie, who won China's first Paralympic gold in taekwondo, told the media that she hopes more people will take the time to understand Paralympic sports and realize that people with disabilities are not a burden to the society, as they are striving for excellence like anyone else.
"I treat every match at the Paralympics as if it were my last, trying hard to achieve the results I desire," Li said. Her lifelong passion for sports and rigorous training has led to her impressive achievements in both domestic and international competitions.
"China has consistently dominated top spot on the Paralympic podium, now regularly surpassing 200 medals. I believe that the brilliant performances of Chinese Paralympic athletes reflect the enduring sports spirit of China," Deng Bowen, a frequent spectator of the Paralympics, told the Global Times. An indispensable role
"China has consistently supported the training and competition of Paralympic athletes, whose achievements serve as important role models, inspiring people with disabilities nationwide in their rehabilitation and pursuit of an active life," Luo Chaofan, a rehabilitation therapist from the National Health Commission, told the Global Times.
According to reports, China has integrated Paralympic sports into its national sports strategies. As sports services for people with disabilities are increasingly accessible in communities and homes, more people with disabilities are engaging in sports for rehabilitation and fitness purposes.
Since the third National Games for Persons with Disabilities in 1992, this event has become part of the national sporting calendar. This has marked a transition toward the institutionalized and standardized development of Paralympic sports.
Luo Chaofan said the Paralympics has become a crucial part of promoting public health and social inclusivity in China.
According to Qiushi Journal, over 10,600 fitness demonstration sites for people with disabilities have been established across China, with 125,000 social sports instructors for people with disabilities graduating from training programs over recent years. Fitness programs for people with severe disabilities have provided services to 434,000 households.
Luo Chaofan noted that the country is increasingly investing in rehabilitation technologies and assistive devices for the disabled.
"Today, high-tech prosthetics, smart wheelchairs, and other advanced equipment are helping athletes with disabilities enhance their performance and improve their daily rehabilitation training," he said.
US Vice President Kamala Harris and former US president Donald Trump faced off in Philadelphia on Tuesday night local time in their first presidential debate ahead of the November election, clashing over a wide range of issues including abortion, immigration, the economy and foreign policy in a showdown that lasted one hour and 45 minutes.
Describing the event as "one of the highest-stakes national debates in a generation," CNN said the fundamental question is whether -and how-one of them can deliver a compelling message to swing voters while bolstering the confidence of their respective bases.
For the first question, Harris was asked on the US domestic economy. She outlined her plan to increase child tax credit and offer tax deductions for small business startups. She said Trump left the Biden-Harris administration with the worst unemployment level since the Great Depression and the worst attack on the US' democracy since the Civil War, a reference to the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
Trump said he's in favor of imposing tariffs, in some cases, "substantial tariffs," and went on to say undocumented immigrants are taking jobs from Black and Hispanic Americans.
In terms of tariffs, Harris said that Trump "invited trade wars," while also attacking Trump's plans to impose broad tariffs on foreign importers as a "sales tax" on everyday goods that the American people will ultimately pay.
Responding to an inquiry that both candidates mentioned the US imposing tariffs on China, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday that US presidential elections are the US' own affairs, and she has no comment on that. However, China is opposed to making China an issue in US elections, Mao added.
The two candidates also trade barbs on foreign policy, including Russia-Ukraine conflict and Gaza War.
When asked about the Ukraine crisis, Trump said he wanted the war to stop without directly answering whether he wanted Ukraine to win its war with Russia. Harris accused Trump of being willing to abandon US support for Ukraine to "curry favor with Russian President Vladimir Putin," media reported.
When debating the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Trump said Harris "hates Israel," while also claimed Harris "hates the Arab population," because the whole region is going to be "blown up," to which Harris said it's "absolutely not true" that she hates Israel, while calling Trump "weak and wrong" on foreign policy.
Shortly after the debate, Trump told Fox News Digital that he thought it was his "best debate ever," while a New York Times analysis claimed that "throughout the night, Trump found himself in a defensive crouch."
According a post-debate poll from The Washington Post, a group of uncommitted, swing-state voters interviewed thought Harris performed better, regardless of how they plan to vote in November. In another CNN poll of debate watchers conducted by SSRS, registered voters who watched Tuesday debate broadly agree that Harris outperformed Trump.
As having been much anticipated among Democrats, Taylor Swift, one of America's most celebrated pop-culture icons and has an enormous following across the world, endorsed Harris late Tuesday after Harris's debate against Trump.
At the end of July, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrived in China for her first China visit since taking office. During her visit, she met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee. In an exclusive interview with the Global Times (GT), Chinese Ambassador to Italy Jia Guide (Jia) said that the visit further enhanced the mutual political trust in China-Italy relations, successfully pushing the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership to a new stage.
Jia noted that China has placed significant emphasis on Italy's position and influence within the EU. China hopes that Italy will play a constructive role in promoting dialogue and cooperation between China and Europe, as well as in advancing the positive and stable development of China-Europe relations. GT: During her visit to China, Meloni said Italy is committed to developing a long-term, stable and sound relationship with China, and that Italy and China should promote further development of the comprehensive strategic partnership. What is your comment on her visit?
Jia: This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy, as well as the 700th anniversary of the death of Marco Polo, a messenger of cultural exchange between East and West. Prior to the visit, the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China concluded its third plenary session, which sent a positive signal that China will continue to promote high-level opening up to the outside world. Meloni's first visit to China is very "timely."
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Meloni during the visit, which drew up a blueprint for the future development of China-Italy relations. Xi said that China and Italy should uphold and promote the Silk Road spirit, view and develop bilateral relations from a historical dimension, strategic height, and long-term perspective, and push their relations to go steady and far.
Premier Li Qiang and Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, also met and held talks with Meloni separately during her visit.
China and Italy also issued a 2024-2027 action plan to strengthen their comprehensive strategic partnership. Li and Meloni witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation documents covering areas including industry, education, and environmental protection.
Meloni's visit further solidified the political mutual trust foundation of the development of China-Italy relations, fully demonstrating the strong willingness of both sides to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the spirit of openness, inclusiveness, mutual learning, and mutual benefit.
Both sides agreed that this visit was a complete success, not only continuing and promoting the traditional friendship, but also deepening and expanding practical cooperation, while successfully advancing the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership to a new stage.
GT: How do you view the three-year action plan to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries? How will it help to promote the development of China-Italy relations?
Jia: The three-year action plan is a landmark document and key action guide for the deepening of China-Italy relations amid the new situation, providing institutional guarantees and directional guidance for the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations in the coming years.
The action plan clearly outlines the future prospects of the China-Italy relationship, emphasizing that both sides are willing to uphold the ancient Silk Road spirit, maintain the momentum of bilateral relations, promote the development of bilateral relations to a higher level, and promote peace and cooperation. The action plan outlines the next practical cooperation steps between China and Italy, with plans to create more cooperation highlights in the fields of economic and trade investment, finance, technological innovation, education, green and sustainable development, healthcare, and cultural exchanges.
It also demonstrates the willingness of both countries to coordinate on China-Europe relations and multilateral issues. Both sides will promote high-level dialogue between China and Europe in strategic, economic and trade, green, digital, and cultural fields, and work together to address global challenges such as climate change, energy transition, public health, security, international peace and stability.
China and Italy are willing to further enhance communication and coordination on multilateral issues, and to encourage the international community to unite and respond to global challenges on appropriate multilateral platforms.
I believe that with the joint efforts of all sectors, the action plan will not only bring tangible benefits to the people in both countries, but also inject more stability into the development of China-Italy and China-Europe relations, as well as the current turbulent world. GT: When meeting with Meloni, Xi noted that China and Italy have complementary industrial advantages and represent opportunities for each other. Xi said both sides should adhere to mutual openness and cooperation. In addition, Li and Meloni witnessed the signing of six new agreements, involving areas such as electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy. What do you think of the potential for cooperation between China and Italy in emerging fields? Will these cooperation areas replace traditional cooperation areas between China and Italy?
Jia: China and Italy are both industrial powerhouses and innovation leaders, and their cooperation can achieve a synergistic effect.
Italian companies have been involved in cooperation projects such as China's domestically produced large cruise ships, domestically produced large aircraft, offshore wind power projects, and electromagnetic testing and verification satellites. The two countries are now exploring and cultivating new areas of cooperation in high-end manufacturing, clean energy, aerospace, and other emerging fields and formats.
After this visit, Chinese and Italian companies in the photovoltaic and wind power sectors signed new cooperation agreements, and the two countries will also hold the 13th China-Italy Innovation Cooperation Week in November to further discuss innovation cooperation.
It can be said that there is vast potential for cooperation in emerging fields between the two countries. China-Italy cooperation is an ongoing process with no end in sight. China is willing to work together with Italy to promote the optimization and upgrading of traditional cooperation in trade, investment, industrial manufacturing, and technological innovation, as well as to explore cooperation in emerging fields such as smart manufacturing, new energy, electric vehicles, and artificial intelligence, to help both countries optimize their economic structures and promote industrial upgrading.
GT: Meloni has hailed China as an "important interlocutor" in managing global tensions, and said, "Italy can have an important role in EU relations and creating balanced relations." How do you evaluate such remarks?
Jia: China highly appreciates Meloni's statements. China and Europe are two major forces promoting multipolarity, two major markets supporting globalization, and two major civilizations advocating diversity.
The essence of China-Europe cooperation is complementary advantages and mutual benefit. Italy is an important founding member of the European Union, and China attaches great importance to Italy's position and influence within the EU. China hopes that Italy will play a constructive role in promoting dialogue and cooperation between China and Europe, and in promoting the positive and stable development of China-Europe relations.
In the era of economic globalization, countries should communicate and unite to move forward together, as isolation and division will only lead to setbacks.
Recently, some European countries have been considering imposing temporary extra tariffs on EVs imported from China. This move is not only unfair to Chinese companies, but also unfair to European consumers, including those in Italy.
It will also disrupt the EU's own green transition and global cooperation in addressing climate change. The volume of economic and trade cooperation between China and Europe is large, so it is inevitable that there will be some bumps along the way. Both sides should adhere to the spirit of free trade, fair competition, and open cooperation, and, based on the rules of the World Trade Organization, resolve trade frictions through dialogue and negotiation.
China is willing to work together with Italy to continue to provide a fair, safe, and non-discriminatory business environment for investments and operations in each other's countries, and jointly promote the development of China-Europe economic and trade relations toward a more certain, predictable, balanced, and mutually beneficial direction.
GT: You accompanied Meloni during her visit to China. Were there any interactions, details, or exciting moments that left a deep impression on you?
Jia: Meloni's visit to China was truly full of highlights. During an exhibition themed around Marco Polo and the Silk Road, Meloni left a message emphasizing the need to further smooth the exchanges between civilizations in the East and West, and to jointly promote China-Italy economic, technological, and cultural cooperation on this basis.
She also highlighted the importance of strengthening the ties between the two nations that have spanned centuries, vividly reflecting her deep thought on promoting pragmatic cooperation through mutual learning between civilizations.
Bringing her young daughter to China, tasting and praising traditional Chinese cuisine, and trying on a traditional Chinese "Mamianqun" skirt - these actions were praised by many Chinese netizens as "showing the empathetic side of a female leader as a mother." These moments demonstrated the shared value placed on traditional family concepts by both China and Italy and the beautiful expectation of passing down this friendship from generation to generation.
The Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on September 17 this year, has been the subject of many legends and poems in Chinese culture, making it one of the most romantic and poetic of holidays for Chinese people, and a driving force for tourism.
This year, night tours with moon viewing have become a hot item, with night flights and night cruises gaining more popularity among tourists, further boosting the "night economy."
Searches for domestic trips related to night tours in ancient towns and gardens in the past week increased by 77 percent month-on-month, while searches for night cruises increased by 42 percent month-on-month, data from Tongcheng Travel showed on Friday.
As of September 5, the search volume for moon viewing flights has more than doubled month-on-month.
Chinese traditional culture has also attracted the interest of many foreigners. Serge Mitrofanov, a Russian student at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said that he plans to visit the classical gardens in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province with his roommate to experience the romance of Chinese culture.
"Moon-viewing tours and temple fairs are very new things to me. I will experience the city's culture while city walking," he said.
The combination of night tours and Chinese culture is creating a rich atmosphere, as night tours can be deeply integrated with local characteristics, which will help boost vitality and the "night economy," Song Ding, a research fellow from the China Development Institute, told the Global Times on Friday.
The booming "night economy" is also prompting more investment enthusiasm from enterprises. Chen Xi, vice president of Rokid, a Hangzhou-based tech startup, said at the ongoing China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing that the company is making efforts to build a "night economy" with augmented reality technology.
The Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) 2024, organized by the Roscongress Foundation, took place in Vladivostok from September 3 to 6. The event, held on the campus of Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU), gathered CEOs of leading Russian and foreign companies, representatives of government agencies, leading economists, and experts. This year's main theme was "Far East 2030. Combining Strengths to Create New Potential."
"The Forum didn't simply take place; it was a success. This is evidenced by the number of agreements signed, their amount, and most importantly, the number of decisions taken by the president. Almost immediately after the completion of the EEF, a strategic session on the socioeconomic development of the Far East chaired by Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin will be held in Moscow.The proposals that were voiced at the Forum and received the president's support will be studied there. I would like to reemphasize: For us, the EEF is not some big, beautiful event. For us, the Forum is a purely working tool that creates opportunities for further effective work to develop the Far East," said Yury Trutnev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Far Eastern Federal District.
This year, the EEF reaffirmed its status as an authoritative platform for discussions on political and economic processes in Asia by consolidating the positive momentum of Russia strengthening its trade positions in the Asia-Pacific region and intensifying multilateral and bilateral relations with the countries of the region.
"Over the past nine years, the Eastern Economic Forum has turned into a powerful institution for national development. The program included more than 120 sessions and roundtables that were attended by over 700 speakers. More than 300 agreements worth a total of RUBLE 5.5 trillion were signed at the venue. In the current realities, in addition to its main goals, the EEF is taking on another, subtler, and equally important, meaning. It has become a platform that demonstrates to everyone worldwide what the results of cooperation between countries look like if such cooperation is based on the principles of equality, mutual consideration of interests, and a sincere desire for joint creation," said Anton Kobyakov, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation and Executive Secretary of the EEF Organizing Committee.
Business program
The Forum program was divided into seven thematic pillars: "New Contours of International Cooperation," "Technologies to Ensure Independence," "Financial Value System," "The Russian Far East," "People, Education, and Patriotism," "Transport and Logistics: New Routes," "Master Plans: From Architecture to Economy."
The EEF also included meetings among representatives of business circles of Russia and the Asia-Pacific region. Participants in the business dialogues "Russia-ASEAN," "Russia-India," and "Russia-China" discussed ways to strengthen cooperation and the implementation of joint projects and initiatives.
Plenary session
The keynote event of the Forum was the plenary session, which was attended by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, as well as other international dignitaries. In his speech, Putin spoke about ways to further develop the Far East and strengthen cooperation with partner countries, and also provided an assessment of the current state of affairs in the global economy.
"As you know, we have identified the development of the Far East as a national priority for the entire 21st century. The importance and correctness of this decision have been confirmed by life itself, the challenges that we have faced recently, and most importantly, the objective trends that are gaining momentum in the global economy, where the main business ties, trade routes, and the entire development trajectory overall are being increasingly reoriented toward the East and the Global South. Our Far Eastern regions provide direct access to these growing and promising markets, thereby enabling us to overcome the barriers that some Western elites are trying to impose on the entire world. And most importantly, as I have already stated, our Far East region is a huge space for the spearheading of business initiatives, the launch of complex projects, and the establishment of entire new industries," Putin said, according to forumvostok.ru.
Participants
The Forum participants included more than 7,100 people, with over 1,500 media representatives from 75 countries and regions, including Russia. The largest delegations came from China, Malaysia, Bulgaria, Vietnam, and Myanmar.
The Forum was attended by seven heads of federal services and agencies, and 18 heads of the Russian regions.
In addition, the participants included more than 2,500 representatives of Russian and foreign businesses from more than 1,100 companies (including more than 125 foreign companies and roughly 975 Russian companies).
Recently, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) announced the results of the 2024 fund assessments, and the State Grid Henan Electric Power Company received the approval for the NSFC (National Natural Science Foundation of China) with the youth project titled "Synergistic/Competitive Modification Mechanisms of Multi-Element Trace Additions on Mg2Si Phase in Aluminum Alloy Melts". This is the third consecutive year since 2022 that State Grid Henan Electric Power Company has secured NSFC funding.
Marking a significant contribution to China's ability of independent innovation, the NSFC funding has been emphasizing frontier fundamental and applied basic research. In 2024, the number of project applications skyrocketed by 24.63 percent, and the funding rate nationwide plummeted to a historic low of merely 13 percent. In this ultra-competitive environment, the State Grid Henan Electric Power Company's acquisition of an NSFC project underscores its exceptional research capabilities in the field of applied basic research.
In recent years, the State Grid Henan Electric Power Company has always adhered to the integration of production and scientific research, accelerating the intelligent empowerment of new technologies.
On the one hand, by establishing framework projects and guideline projects, the company strategically aligns its research priorities and optimizes the direction of scientific research, ultimately achieving a continuous enhancement in the efficiency of resource allocation for technological innovation and continually overcoming significant challenges in the development of power grids. Moreover, the company engages in the continuous formulation and submission of national-level projects such as Major National Science and Technology Projects, National Key Research and Development Programs, and National Natural Science Foundation of China, with a focus on exploring foundational research applications within power quality sensing and coordinated control, distributed intelligent energy systems, novel electrical materials and advanced sensing, and cybersecurity in the power grid. This ultimately leads to the continuous tackling of common challenges within the industry.
Subsequently, the State Grid Henan Electric Power Company will leverage the technological prowess of research institutions to delve deeper into scientific endeavors, consistently achieving groundbreaking, original innovations, thereby providing robust technological support for the high-quality development of the power grid.
Spain does not view China as "a threat or an adversary," and as the fourth largest EU country, Spain values a positive relationship with China and aims to work constructively together to tackle global challenges, an expert from a Spanish think tank told the Global Times in an exclusive interview on Monday.
Amid rising uncertainties in the world, European countries have adopted varied approaches to their relationship with China, said Miguel Otero-Iglesias, a senior analyst at the Madrid-based Elcano Royal Institute and Professor at IE School of Global and Public Affairs.
Unlike some countries that are becoming more "protectionist," Spain has focused on maintaining and deepening ties with China, he said.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is currently on a four-day visit in China. Economic and trade ties are among the most anticipated highlights of the bilateral talks.
Otero underscored the close relationship between China and Spain. Over the years, Huawei has established a notable presence in Spain, and the influx of Chinese tourists has surged. Recent agreements have helped propel Spanish exports to China, such as enabling the sale of Spanish ham.
"The PM's visit will primarily center on economic issues, particularly trade and investment," Otero said.
Spain aims to boost exports to China, including food and services like digital and financial services, and discuss the potential to engage in more infrastructure cooperation, while also being interested in attracting Chinese investors to establish manufacturing plants in Spain.
China continues to push for wider opening-up, so immense opportunities may arise for Spanish and European companies in various sectors, such as in medical equipment, food products, digital services, financial services, and more, Otero said.
China-Spain Business Forum was held on Tuesday, attracting over 700 Chinese and Spanish entrepreneurs, who are from industries including energy, logistics, finance, trade, machinery, and aerospace, China Media Group reported.
Speaking of the closely watched new energy sector, Otero pointed to China's substantial progress in green technology. "China has become highly competitive in green industries such as EVs, solar panels, and wind turbines," he said.
Despite recent tariff friction between the EU and China over importing Chinese electric vehicles to Europe, there remains vast potential for bilateral cooperation, he said.
"It's crucial to recognize that Europe's green transition will need Chinese products, technology and investment to progress effectively. Chinese green investments could support the EU's sustainable development, create local jobs, which benefit European consumers," Otero said.
Otero said that both Europe and China need each other in the current context, and their mutual interests will drive their cooperation. He called on both sides to manage risks, engage in dialogue, and foster mutual market openness, rather than resorting to protectionist measures.
China has recognized the need to further open its market to overseas investors, and Europeans want to avoid a trade war with China and distance themselves from the US' confrontational approach, Otero noted.
Spain is playing a crucial role in promoting Europe-China relations. Over the past 50 years, it has embraced foreign investment and free trade. "Unlike some other nations that are becoming more protectionist, Spain views China as a partner rather than a systemic rival," said Otero.
According to data from China's Ministry of Commerce, China is Spain's largest trading partner outside the euro zone. Their trade reached $48.6 billion last year.
Otero noted that the high-level visit by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez will help deepen cooperation, not only on resolving economic issues but also on handling global concerns.
"Spain believes in working constructively with China and sees this partnership as essential for addressing global challenges," Otero said.
