阿拉爱上海

China Satellite Navigation Office (CSNO) on Thursday released major plans for the next stage of BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), featuring cutting-edge technologies and enhanced services. The plan includes the launch of three pilot test satellites around 2027 and the completion of the system by 2035.

The BDS Development Plan for 2035 was announced on Thursday at a symposium in Beijing to mark the 30th anniversary of the BeiDou project. More than 100 participants attended the event, including representatives from national authorities, as well as key personnel from the project's engineering leadership and design teams.

The new plan outlines the future of China's satellite navigation network. "Building on the stable operation of the BDS-3, China aims to establish a next-generation BDS that is more advanced, robust, and user-focused," the Global Times learned from the event. 

The timeline specifies that breakthroughs in key technologies are expected by 2025. By 2027, three pilot satellites will be launched to test new technologies, and by 2029, the deployment of the system's network satellites will begin. The full completion of the next-generation BDS is expected by 2035, according to the plan.

The new system will feature characteristics like accuracy, flexibility, intelligence, and adaptability, offering global users real-time, high-precision, and highly reliable navigation, positioning, and timing services across Earth and near-Earth spaces, with accuracy ranging from meter-level to decimeter-level.

The system will cater to a variety of user terminals spanning from Earth's surface to deep space, and seamlessly integrate with other non-satellite-based navigation and timing technologies. 

The CSNO noted that the next-generation BDS will optimize the constellation architecture, forming a hybrid configuration of high-, medium- and low-orbit to enhance the accuracy of time-space benchmarks and the system's autonomous operation capabilities.

An integrated and efficient ground system will also be established to ensure resource flexibility, data sharing, and continuous operations, according to the office.      

"Currently, we have initiated a series of research projects focusing on key technologies, particularly emerging technologies such as low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites," Xie Jun, a deputy chief designer of the BDS project and researcher at the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp, told the Global Times on Wednesday. 

He explained that the BDS has innovatively adopted a combination of medium Earth orbit (MEO) and high Earth orbit (HEO) satellites. In the next-generation system, LEO satellites will be integrated into the constellation, with the current MEO and HEO configuration of BDS serving as the core. 

The LEO satellites can offer faster positioning speeds and better accuracy from the 10-meter to the 1-meter level, or even decimeter- and centimeter-level precision. "At that point, users will clearly notice that even in environments with interference or obstructions, the BDS will maintain high reliability, with excellent accuracy in positioning and timing," Xie noted.

As a core global supplier recognized by the United Nations, China has continued to expand its international "circle of friends" by signing BDS cooperation agreements with countries such as Russia, Pakistan, Belarus and Arab nations, the Global Times learned at the event. 

BDS products are now exported to more than 140 countries and regions, and the system has been integrated into the standards of 13 international organizations, including those for civil aviation, maritime, and mobile communications. This makes it a striking example of China's efforts to promote the construction of a global community of shared future.

As one of the four major global satellite navigation service providers, China's BDS stands out for its extensive range of services. "Most other satellite navigation systems primarily focus on positioning, navigation, and timing. In addition to providing high-precision timing services, BDS offers satellite-based augmentation and its unique feature - short message communication services. In regional services, our large-capacity short message communication can now transmit messages containing up to 1,000 Chinese characters," Xie told the Global Times.

He added that BDS currently ranks among the top satellite navigation systems in terms of positioning accuracy. Regular evaluations by global monitoring stations show that BDS' navigation precision is among the best. "In terms of safety and reliability, the BDS system is comparable to the US GPS. Overall, I believe that BDS' comprehensive performance is leading the field," Xie concluded. 

Currently, BDS applications are rapidly expanding across key sectors of China's national economy, with coverage rates surpassing 90 percent in areas such as transportation, energy, natural resources and emergency response, said Xiang Libin, a deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission and academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, at the third International Summit on BDS Applications late October. 

Industry insiders hailed the vast potential of BDS application as being "limited only by human imagination," while anticipating its future integration with other advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence.

The motion fabricated by a handful of British MPs deliberately distorts United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, tramples on international law, and blatantly challenges the post-war international order and universally recognized norms of international relations, and China firmly opposes and strongly condemns this motion, the spokesperson of Chinese Embassy in the UK said in a statement on Friday after some backbenchers of the UK House of Commons concocted a non-legally binding Taiwan-related motion on Thursday.

The spokesperson noted that Taiwan has been an inalienable part of China's territory since ancient times. This is a basic fact recognized by the world. In 1971, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 with an overwhelming majority, deciding to restore all the rights of the People's Republic of China at the UN, to recognize the representatives of the Government of the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate representatives of China to the UN, and to expel forthwith the representatives of the Taiwan region from the UN and all the organizations related to it. 

Once and for all, the resolution resolved the issue of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, in the UN. It made clear that there is no such thing as "two Chinas," or "one China, one Taiwan." As an inalienable part of China's territory, Taiwan does not have any ground, reason, or right to join the UN, or any other international organization whose membership is confined to sovereign states. On this matter of principle, there is no gray zone or room for ambiguity, the spokesperson stated.

The spokesperson further pointed out that in the 1972 joint communiqué between China and the UK on the exchange of ambassadors, the UK government clearly recognized?the Chinese government's position that Taiwan is a province of China, and decided to revoke its official representative office in Taiwan with immediate effect, and recognized the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legal government of China.

He emphasized that the motion cooked up by a handful of anti-China MPs cannot alter the basic fact and the international consensus that Taiwan is part of China, and cannot stop the overriding trend of history that China must and will realize reunification. What these MPs are trying to do is to make trouble and seek attention for themselves. The motion they concocted is nonsense.

"We urge these politicians to cease their clumsy political farce and stop challenging the one-China principle, which is a fundamental norm of international relations. The UK government must honor the clear commitment it made in the 1972 joint communiqué and put an end to the provocative actions of anti-China politicians," the spokesperson said.

Leaders from multiple countries are scheduled to visit China on Monday, including Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, Cambodian People's Party (CPP) President and Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. 

At the invitation of Premier of the State Council Li Qiang, Prime Minister of Nepal KP Sharma Oli will pay an official visit to China from December 2 to 5, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced.

According to The Rising Nepal, a Nepalese government-owned daily newspaper, prior to the visit, senior leaders of the ruling parties - CPN (UML) and Nepali Congress and the two-party mechanism are intensively engaging in discussions on various agendas, including discussions on the Belt and Road Initiative. 

The Prime Minister instructed delegates to play an active role to deepen bilateral relations. "Our visit to China will be successful. We will strive our best to make it remarkable," Oli said, adding that will be on "strengthening the friendly relations persisting between the two countries."

According to the newspaper, Oli will make an address at Peking University as well as at the Nepal-China Business Forum.       

The India Express reported that after assuming the post of prime minister for the fourth time in July this year, Oli has chosen to visit China for his maiden foreign visit, breaking the tradition of visiting India as the first destination.

It can be said that Oli's choice to visit China first rather than India is "not unexpected, but rather a reflection of the increasing policy choices of South Asian countries," Lin Minwang, a deputy director of the Center for South Asian Studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times on Sunday. For example, after coming to power, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu also chose to visit China first instead of India, and other South Asian countries are actively developing relations with China. "This reflects changes in Nepal's domestic politics and its policy toward China," Lin said.

Meanwhile, Cambodian People's Party (CPP) President and Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen will pay an official goodwill visit to China from December 2 to 4.

This will be Hun Sen's first visit to China as President of the Senate and since he stepped down as Cambodia's prime minister in July 2023.

"As Cambodia-China People-to-People Exchange Year comes closer, the first visit to China by [Hun Sen], as President of the Senate, will add a new momentum in strengthening the ironclad friendship, promoting cooperation and partnerships. This visit will enhance cooperation and new partnerships, uplifting Cambodia-China relations and people-to-people connection," according to a press release by the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is also scheduled to visit China from December 2 to 3 at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Friday.

During the visit, Wang and Baerbock will co-chair the seventh round of the China-Germany Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy and Security, the ministry said in a notice. 

Chinese experts believe issues on Baerbock's agenda are likely to include electric vehicles and related manufacturing issues. 

"With the uncertainties in the US, countries like Germany are trying to find a balance between China and the US," said Wang Yiwei, a professor at the Renmin University of China in Beijing. "By rekindling cooperation during her visit, Baerbock aims to solidify Germany's traditional trade advantages and counteract the US' potential economic bullying," Wang told the Global Times on Sunday.

In multilateral international organizations such as the World Health Organization and the World Trade Organization, Germany needs support and collaboration from China to address new global challenges in health and trade, Wang said. The visit to China is a way to "lay the groundwork" in advance, aiming to gain China's support for future multilateral agendas and jointly promote innovations in global governance, he noted.

The Forestry and Grassland Bureau in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Monday held an emergency meeting and decided to send a working group to assist the local government after a tiger bit a local villager in Boli County, Heilongjiang.

The team included staff from relevant departments, as well as experts and technicians from the feline research center under the National Forestry and Grassland Bureau and the Hengdaohezi Feline Breeding Center, according to a statement released by the bureau.

The meeting emphasized that the recent incident in Boli County, where a tiger entered a village and injured people, requires special attention so as to enhance conflict prevention and ensure the safety of both humans and the tiger.

A video clip published by the CCTV shows the tiger attempted to charge at the large iron gate of a villager's house. The elderly villager met the tiger and narrowly escaped the attack by running away.

The 2024 World Internet Conference (WIC) Wuzhen Summit kicked off on Tuesday in Wuzhen, East China's Zhejiang Province, with representatives from high-tech companies and participants from China's digital sector praising the WIC as a critical platform to showcase China's technological outcomes, digital market prospects and openness.

This year's WIC Wuzhen Summit highlights the technological and industrial advances in AI, along with its effects on human society and the world economy, according to the event organizers. Representatives from over 30 countries and regions gathered at the four-day summit, which is themed "Embracing a People-Centered and AI-for-Good Digital Future - Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace."

"As the global competition in AI technology intensifies, Chinese AI companies are ramping up their efforts in independent innovation and we are already seeing positive outcomes," Wang Shijin, executive dean of the iFlytek AI research institute told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Wang stated that the company is committed to contributing to the development of the global internet through developing advanced AI-related products and vows to collaborate with various partners to create a more intelligent, open, and inclusive cyberspace. 

At the Light of Internet Expo, a side event of the 2024 WIC, Chinese companies such as Huawei, Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent and iFlytek, as well as applications for AI algorithms, AI generated-content products, the low-altitude economy, intelligent connected vehicles and cybersecurity are in the limelight. Foreign participants include US tech company Microsoft, IBM, Russia's leading cybersecurity company Kaspersky and Indian software company Infosys. The expo has attracted 665 domestic and foreign enterprises and institutions from 53 countries and regions. 

The exhibition hall features key milestones in the Chinese internet sector and notable technological innovations, highlighting China's remarkable advancement in the wave of global digitalization and the crucial contribution of the sector to driving global economic growth, analysts said. Attendees are invited to jointly explore the development trends of cutting-edge digital technology, such as humanoid robots, digital cultural and creative products and hydrogen-powered drones. More than 40 large language models and over 10 embodied AI robots were presented.

Unitree, a Hangzhou-based robotics startup, showcased its latest humanoid robot, Unitree G1, which can move at 2 meters per second. The robot can jump, walk at a top speed of over 7 kilometers per hour, and even climb stairs littered with construction debris. This kind of humanoid robot can be used in applications in daily life scenarios and will continue to lead industrial development in the future. 

"We have sold more than 100 such robots, priced from $16,000-90,000 each, offering an insight into the huge market potential for the full commercialization of humanoid robots," said Chen Xiyun, a marketing manager at Unitree.

Chen said that the swift advances in AI technology have led to major breakthroughs in the core technologies of humanoid robots. Notably, over 95 percent of the company's industrial chain integration is based on their own research and development.

China's digital industry has seen robust growth in recent years as it embarks on a tech-driven development path, promoting high-quality development in emerging sectors such as AI, AI-driven robots and smart driving, Pan Helin, a member of the Expert Committee for the Information and Communication Economy under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Over the past decade, China has undoubtedly been at the forefront of the global digitalization process. These efforts have not only significantly contributed to the development of the world's second-largest economy, but also fueled development dividends across the world. And these achievements hold considerable importance against the backdrop of ongoing uncertainties and a global economic slowdown, Pan said.

From 2012 to 2023, the scale of China's digital economy jumped from 11 trillion yuan ($1.51 trillion) to nearly 54 trillion yuan, with internet applications, the number of netizens and AI development leading the world, official data showed.

China and Brazil on Wednesday elevated their ties to a China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet.

The remains of 43 Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea will be returned to China from South Korea in late November, according to China's Ministry of Veterans Affairs.

This will mark the 11th repatriation of CPV martyrs' remains since the signing of a handover agreement between the two countries.

From 2014 to 2023, China and South Korea, in accordance with international laws and humanitarian principles, successfully completed 10 consecutive handovers involving the remains of 938 CPV martyrs in South Korea, along with related artifacts. Both sides have agreed to continue their cooperation in these efforts, according to Xinhua News Agency. 

The repatriation of CPV soldiers' remains from Korea has become a notable friendly event between China and South Korea, which even has significance for international peace, Lü Chao, an expert on the Korean Peninsula affairs at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Friday.

From China's perspective, the Chinese people have never forgotten the immortal achievements and great spirit of sacrifice of the CPV soldiers. Their spirit of fighting for the defense of world peace will be forever etched in our hearts, and it is the common wish of all ethnic groups in China to have them back, Lü said.

Some 70 years ago, the CPV crossed the Yalu River to fight the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea in 1953. 

A total of 2.9 million CPV soldiers entered the battlefield, and 197,653 of them sacrificed their lives in the war. The names of the martyrs can be found on a memorial wall at the CPV martyrs' cemetery in Shenyang. 

At the beginning of this year, China's Ministry of Veterans Affairs released the latest results of the search for relatives of the CPV soldiers in South Korea, and the relatives of 10 martyrs were successfully found through DNA comparisons of the remains, People's Daily reported. 

In recent years, the Martyrs' Remains Search and Identification Center of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs has been engaged in the organization, identification, and analysis of relics. They have gradually released leads for locating the relatives of martyrs and mobilized various sectors of society to jointly search for the families of the martyrs.

Relying on the National Martyrs' Remains DNA Identification Laboratory, a national DNA database for martyrs' remains and a DNA database for martyrs' relatives have been established. This has helped to solve the challenges of DNA recognition for remains and developed key technologies related to complex kinship identification, successfully confirming the identities of 20 martyrs, as of January 2024, the People's Daily reported. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived here Thursday for a state visit to Peru and the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima and pay a state visit to Peru from November 13 to 17 at the invitation of President of the Republic of Peru Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra, foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on November 8. 

Recently, Global Times reporters Zhao Yusha and Bai Yunyi conducted an exclusive interview with the Peruvian Ambassador to China, Marco V. Balarezo, regarding China-Peru relations and APEC cooperation. 

In the interview, Balarezo highly praised China's important role and influence in the Latin American region, believing that Peru can serve as a "gateway" for China's cooperation with Latin America. In view of this, the Peruvian diplomat believes that the close cooperation between China and Peru in areas such as trade, investment and infrastructure, as well as the significant potential for collaboration in new energy and digital communication, can not only enhance connectivity between China and Peru but also provide valuable experience for the overall development of the region.

GT: How do you evaluate the current level of development in China-Peru relations? What significance does China-Peru cooperation hold for the Latin American region?

Balarezo: The current level of development in Peru-China relations is robust and multifaceted, reflecting a mature partnership grounded in frequent high-level exchanges, strong political dialogue and deep economic, commercial and cooperative initiatives. China has been Peru's largest trading partner for 10 consecutive years and, after Brazil, Peru is the largest destination of Chinese outbound investments in LAC, accounting for more than $30 billion in sectors such as mining, infrastructure and energy. 

This partnership not only boosts bilateral trade but also positions Peru as a strategic gateway for Chinese engagement across Latin America.

Peru-China cooperation carries significant implications for the entire Latin American region. It provides a model for how collaboration with China can help address key development challenges.

GT: There has been much discussion about China's presence in Latin America in recent years. How do you view China's expanding influence in the region in recent years? What does this mean for the region?

Balarezo: Chinese investments in infrastructure, mining, energy and manufacture, along with technology initiatives and the transfer of technical know-how, are addressing critical development needs across the region.

Furthermore, China's huge market allows LAC to increase their exports and with that job creation and the integration of SMEs in global supply chains.

GT: The Chancay Port, held and invested by Chinese companies, is expected to have an inauguration ceremony. How do you evaluate the impact the Chancay Port will have on Peru? There are voices suggesting that China may use the Chancay Port for military purposes or exert "economic coercion" on Peru. What is your response to this?

Balarezo: The Chancay Port is expected to officially open in November, following the inauguration ceremony to be attended by the presidents of both Peru and China. This collaboration, involving Cosco Shipping and Peruvian enterprise Volcán, marks an important milestone for bilateral relations between the two countries. 

As one of the largest infrastructure investments in South America, the Chancay Port will transform Peru's maritime routes and logistics by establishing direct connectivity with China and Asian markets, reducing transportation costs and enhancing the efficiency of trade flows across the Pacific. 

The port is expected to receive Triple-E vessels, making it the only one in South America capable of handling such large-scale cargo ships, which will significantly reduce the maritime journey time between Chancay and Shanghai by 10 to 12 days. 

Regarding concerns about potential military use or economic coercion, it is essential to emphasize that the Chancay Port is a private commercial project that must comply with Peruvian national law. It is impossible for the port to have dual-use purposes.

GT: What are your expectations for the deepening of China-Peru cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative? In high-tech fields such as new energy vehicles and communication technology, what potential is there for cooperation between the two countries?

Balarezo: China's expertise and resources provide Peru with opportunities to enhance its transportation networks, such as railways and port facilities, invest in renewable green energy projects like solar and wind farms, and advance technological innovation through collaboration in telecommunications and digital technological infrastructure, among other areas. These initiatives align with Peru's long-term goals for sustainable development and modernization. In high-tech fields, such as new energy vehicles (NEVs) and communication technology, there is substantial room for collaboration. 

China, being a global leader in NEV technology, offers Peru valuable opportunities for technology transfer and investments, such as establishing electric vehicle assembly facilities and charging infrastructure, which could help Peru promote sustainable and cleaner transportation systems and reduce its carbon footprint. 

Additionally, cooperation in communication technology could help bridge Peru's digital divide, particularly in rural areas, enabling better access to digital services and advancing Peru's digital transformation.

GT: In the context of multiple challenges facing the global economy, how can APEC economies better leverage collective strength to promote global economic recovery and sustainable development?

Balarezo: As the host of APEC 2024, with the support of China and other economies, Peru has been able to already approve by consensus 10 Ministerial Declarations and 5 political-technical Declarations on different important key issues, covering various fields such as food safety, the development of clean and low-carbon hydrogen roadmaps, just energy transition, and sustainable finance initiatives. 

Through all of these and other agreements that we expect to be approved, APEC economies can help lead the world toward a more inclusive and resilient recovery.

GT: How do you view the role of Global South countries in APEC? What significance does cooperation among emerging countries hold for the stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region?

Balarezo: The participation of developing countries in APEC ensures that diverse perspectives and unique challenges of emerging economies are addressed, particularly in areas like economic formalization, access to digital technologies and increasing participation in global value chains. 

The involvement of developing countries ensures that the APEC agenda is inclusive and reflects the needs of countries striving for economic inclusion and equitable growth. Working together, they can promote initiatives aimed to attend to their particular needs and domestic realities.

A recent scam in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, involving a company that lured job applicants with promises of high-paying positions and free plastic surgeries as part of the recruitment process has been exposed.

A woman, surnamed Liu, discovered a job listing on a recruitment website in May offering a salary of 50,000 ($6,913) to 80,000 yuan per month, according to China Central Television (CCTV) on Saturday. Enticed by the appealing offer, she submitted her resume and attended the interview, but the interviewer ignored her resume and work experience, focusing exclusively on her appearance.

Liu said that the interviewer told her facial features were not attractive enough and suggested she make some adjustments, arguing that the role heavily relied on physical appearance. 

The person then referred Liu to a medical institution for plastic surgery, listing five procedures deemed necessary. The company also promised to cover the costs of the surgeries upfront and reimburse her afterward.

The five procedures cost 35,000 yuan, but the company claimed it would advance 10,000 yuan, requiring Liu to cover the remaining 25,000 yuan, which would also be reimbursed after she worked, Liu said, as reported by CCTV.

Upon entering the clinic, Liu said that the doctor did not inquire about her decision to undergo surgery. Instead, a loan of 25,000 yuan was processed without her consent. Despite her hesitation, she was rushed to the operating table without further consultation.

Liu was informed by the recruiter that she had to undergo pre-service training and could only complete the entry procedures upon passing. However, she found the training program inappropriate, as it involved informal services. When she decided to quit, the company refused to take responsibility for the financial arrangements.

A few days after the plastic surgery, Liu recognized the severity of her situation when she experienced pain, noticed her mouth had become slightly crooked, and her face remained swollen. When she sought help from the hospital, the staff dismissed her concerns, prompting her to report the incident to the police.

The Kunming police actually received four similar reports from May to mid-June. After investigation, the police discovered that all the complainants were female job seekers who had been referred to a medical institution for plastic surgery by the "recruiters." The police concluded that these incidents were likely not coincidental.

The police found out that the "recruiter" and the medical institutions are not a simple partnership, but a conspiracy in advance, to execute a coordinated fraud scheme. 

The police have escalated five medical dispute cases to criminal investigations. As the inquiry progressed, they uncovered the scam group's tactics, which centered on luring job seekers with promises of high salaries.

They also chose upscale hotels for interviews, creating a formal and high-end atmosphere that puts job seekers at ease. During this so-called training phase, they impose various harsh entry conditions, leading job seekers to believe that any decision to withdraw is their own fault, rather than recognizing they have been deceived, reducing the likelihood of victims reporting the scam to the police.

The police said that an agreement existed between the recruitment company and the medical institution, whereby the funds from the loan are effectively divided between the two entities.

Following further investigation, the police revealed the organizational structure of the criminal gang, which comprises 15 members. This includes a sales team, an interviewer, and personnel from the medical team. The group operated with a clear division of labor and effective collaboration, creating a comprehensive fraud operation.