The Chinese Foreign Ministry, the Chinese Embassy in the UK and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government have firmly refuted the UK's recent so-called six-monthly report on Hong Kong, which disregarded the facts and grossly interfered in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs.
On Monday, the UK government published its 54th six-monthly report on Hong Kong, continuing to use the Sino-British Joint Declaration as an excuse to defame One Country, Two Systems, the Hong Kong national security law, and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.
In response to the so-called six-monthly report, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at Tuesday's regular press briefing that it violates the principles of international law and the basic norms of international relations. China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposes the report, Lin said.
Hong Kong affairs are purely China's internal affairs. We urge the UK to respect the basic fact that Hong Kong returned to its motherland nearly 27 years ago, and the UK should stop interfering in China's internal affairs, and stop sheltering and condoning criminals and anti-Hong Kong destabilizers who undermine China's national security, Lin said.
On Monday, a spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy in the UK said the Sino-British Joint Declaration does not give the UK any right to intervene in Hong Kong affairs. The Chinese government remains firmly resolved to safeguarding China's sovereignty, security and development interests, in implementing One Country, Two Systems, and in opposing any external interference in Hong Kong's affairs.
Any negative voices trying to undermine HKSAR and spread pessimism will not shake the firm steps of One Country, Two Systems from moving steadily forward. The train of "Hong Kong" in the new era will advance unhindered, said a spokesperson from the Commissioner's Office of China's Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR on Monday.
The UK is playing the same old trick again, but it should be well aware that it no longer has the right or strength to intervene in Hong Kong affairs, Gao Jian, director of the Center for British Studies at Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Tuesday.
Stirring up the Hong Kong-related issue is one of the few ways the UK can create relevant public opinion and trouble for China in the overall development of the bilateral relationship. Moreover, stirring up the issue also caters to or satisfies a kind of pitiful vanity within the British domestic political circle, Gao said. "Overall, the UK's comprehensive ability to intervene in the Asia-Pacific region is gradually declining," said Gao.
In terms of the current overall national development trend and comprehensive national strength of the UK, "the weakening of its international status is an inevitable trend in the future." Furthermore, in terms of specific measures, the UK's policy toward HKSAR does not have real strong support, Gao said.
The Global Times has found that cognitive warfare tricks are used by external forces and anti-China elements to disrupt Hong Kong. These tactics involve attacking the management of the central government and the HKSAR government under the guise of "human rights, religious freedom violation" and badmouthing Hong Kong's economy.
According to our research, the basic tricks of UK's cognitive warfare include utilizing the international media outlets controlled by Western countries, which still have international media dominance, to hype up the National Security Law and related laws in the HKSAR, Gao noted. "The UK is trying to continue to salvage their remaining social influence in HKSAR," said Gao.
The HKSAR government also strongly condemned and rejected the wanton slander and political attacks which make up the UK's so-called six-monthly report. The UK's attempt to undermine the stability and prosperity of HKSAR is doomed to fail, the HKSAR government spokesman noted.
China's top legislator Zhao Leji, who led a Party and government delegation on an official goodwill visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), met with the DPRK's top leader Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang on Saturday.
Zhao, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, first conveyed kind regards and good wishes from Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, to Kim, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK.
Zhao stated that, entrusted by Xi and the CPC Central Committee, he led a Party and government delegation to the DPRK for an official goodwill visit and attended the opening ceremony of the China-DPRK Friendship Year, receiving a warm reception from the DPRK.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the DPRK. China and the DPRK have been good neighbors for 75 years, fighting side by side, sharing a common future and promoting common development.
Under the new situation, China is ready to work with the DPRK to promote greater development of bilateral relations in accordance with the lofty will of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries and the common aspirations of the two peoples, Zhao said.
Zhao pointed out that the friendship between China and the DPRK was built and nurtured by the older generations of revolutionaries of the two parties and two countries, enduring tests amid a volatile international situation, and is a precious treasure shared by both sides.
The CPC and the Chinese government have always viewed China-DPRK relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, he said. "It is our unswerving policy to maintain, consolidate and develop the traditional friendly cooperative relations between China and the DPRK."
China is willing to work with the DPRK to achieve new results in bilateral practical and mutually beneficial cooperation under the strategic guidance of the top leaders of the two parties and two countries, continue to effectively support each other, and safeguard the common interests of both sides. China is willing to closely coordinate with the DPRK to jointly organize various activities of the China-DPRK Friendship Year, Zhao said.
Zhao emphasized that China is striving to build the country into a strong nation and realize national rejuvenation through a Chinese path to modernization in accordance with the strategic arrangements made at the 20th National Congress of the CPC. China is willing to strengthen development alignment and deepen bilateral cooperation with the DPRK, continuously enriching the depth of China-DPRK relations.
Kim asked Zhao to convey sincere greetings and good wishes to Xi.
It is the unswerving policy of the WPK and the DPRK government to consolidate and develop the traditional friendly cooperative relations between China and the DPRK, Kim said.
The relations between the two countries are constantly developing to a higher stage in accordance with the requirements of the new era, he said.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the DPRK and China and the China-DPRK Friendship Year. The DPRK is willing to strengthen cooperation in various fields and exchange experiences in governance with China, deepen traditional friendship, and write a new chapter in DPRK-China relations, Kim added.
The recent provocations made by the US, Japan, and the Philippines against China in the South China Sea reached a climax this week. The first "maritime cooperation activity" jointly performed with Australia and the first trilateral US-Japan-Philippines leaders' summit are widely seen as attempts to exert coercive pressure on China with the intent to ignite a powder keg of conflict in the South China Sea.
How do the people of the Philippines view their government's reliance on the US to stir up troubles in South China Sea? What will the Philippines' unilateral and dangerous moves bring to other ASEAN member states? With these questions, Global Times reporters went to the Philippines to speak with former senior officials, think tanks, and ordinary citizens.
"The Philippines should not adopt a one-sided foreign policy," "We fear the current government will lead the Philippines down a more dangerous path," and "Over-reliance on the US does not align with the ASEAN's principles of independence and neutrality" were the most common responses that reporters received during the visit.
This is the second installment in the series. The US Embassy in the Philippines is located in a coastal area in Manila, which boasts the most beautiful beaches and waterfront promenades. A local tour guide told the Global Times that the US Embassy in the Philippines is one of the largest embassies among US missions abroad. It is closely connected to the Philippine Navy located in South Harbor in Manila and the Philippine Coast Guard Headquarters.
"The proximity means if there is any emergency, Americans can quickly escape under the protection of the Philippine military," said the guide.
Under the current Philippine government, the US' influence, which was once thought to be drifting away from the Philippines, is quickly coming back. Some Philippine analysts believe that the current Philippine government is creating friction in the South China Sea with the aim of boosting the presence of the US military in the Philippines. They believe that only by creating panic among the people can the US' military return to the Philippines "naturally."
However, the rapid transition from peace to turmoil in the Philippines has aroused strong dissatisfaction among Philippine politicians.
'We oppose increasing US military presence'
Former president Rodrigo Duterte has expressed concerns about US military presence in the Philippines on multiple occasions, believing that it will put the country in a dangerous position. He has stated that it would be pretty naive of or stupid for Filipinos to think that the Americans would only bring conventional warheads. But unfortunately, the Philippines granted the US wider access to military bases amid tensions with China in February.
The two countries not only plan to return the presence to Subic Bay Naval Base and Clark Air Force Base, but also push an expansion reaching nine bases in total.
Ira Pozon, a Philippine lawyer, also the Legal Counsel to the former Philippine vice president, told the Global Times that the US' influence in the Philippines is deeply rooted, from the education system to the political system, with the Philippine parliament's bicameral system being modeled after that of the US. The names of many streets in the Philippines show the influence of the US and most Filipinos' understanding of China also comes from Western reports and narratives.
Pozon candidly said that the influence of the US on the Philippines has been strong since its founding. However, Filipinos have no intention of becoming enemies with China. On the contrary, they hope to become good, mutually understanding neighbors.
Rommel C. Banlaoi, president of Philippine Society for International Security Studies and the chairman of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence, and Terrorism Research, told the Global Times that he believes it is one of the US' pieces of advice to the current Philippine government to pursue such kinds of confrontational action, especially in the context of what they call the "offensive transparency strategy" in the South China Sea.
"They have a way to give such kind of support to the Philippines. For example, as a result of President Marcos' decision to be closer with the US, the US decided to provide more military assistance funding to the Philippines, and the Philippine military can use this funding to train anybody to protect our interests in the South China Sea," he said.
Rommel C. Banlaoi is a renowned analyst on the South China Sea row, and was assigned to help advise the president on security matters in 2022. His experience has seen the Philippine government shift from neutrality to a clear bias toward the US.
"There are people opposing those decisions of increasing US military presence in the Philippines and I am one of them. The US wants to have a greater role in the area. We don't want to take sides with the US or China, but to take the side of our interests. Because of the decision of the current president to be closer to the US, we are becoming isolated from the ASEAN. Many ASEAN member states do not like what we are doing because it is running counter to the principle of the ASEAN of promoting the region as a zone of peace, freedom, and neutrality. The Philippines is no longer neutral because the Philippines has decided to become part of US strategy in the Pacific," said Banlaoi.
"The Philippines cannot be a truly proud, independent nation if we continue to rely on the US," Banlaoi stressed. "Our current government is heavily reliant on the US to advance our position in the South China Sea and that kind of reliance is truly hurting Philippines-China relations and is making it difficult to settle our disputes in the South China Sea."
Similar concerns are shared among current senior government officials as well.
On March 25, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 57. It's reported that the Executive Order was signed two days after the water cannon warning by the China Coast Guard against Philippine vessels near Renai Jiao, section 7 of which authorizes the National Maritime Center to "accept donations, contributions, grants, bequests, or gifts from domestic or foreign sources."
Philippine Senator Imee Marcos warned her brother, President Marcos Jr, against the Executive Order, which she said would welcome a "Trojan horse of foreign interference." "Emotion rather than reason has prevailed in our maritime conflict with China and is leading us down a dangerous path that will cost us more than just Filipino pride," she said in a statement on April 1, the Daily Tribune reported.
Imee Marcos reiterated that putting the lives of Filipinos in danger is a "gross irresponsibility and must be avoided at all costs." She also advocated for a proper dialogue with China.
Former Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo also said during the Boao Forum for Asia 2024 on March 27 that the Philippine government and people do not want war, and China is very important to Philippines. 'Confronting with China would be very bad for us'
During the visit, Global Times reporters noticed that symbols of China-Philippines friendship are still visible everywhere in Manila.
When asked about the must-visit places for Chinese tourists in Manila, locals recommended the St. Augustine Church, the oldest Catholic church in Manila. On either side of the church's entrance are several Chinese-style stone lions, clear proof that Chinese workers participated in the construction of the church. They are considered by many Filipinos to be symbols of China-Philippines friendship.
In addition, the "China-Philippines Friendship Gate" archway at the entrance of Manila Chinatown with distinct Chinese characteristics and the Manila Bridge built by China for the Philippines still hold a place in the hearts of locals.
However, Global Times reporters could also clearly feel that under the guidance of the current Philippine government, the Philippine media establishment has dissolved the friendly atmosphere between China and the Philippines. This has increased public sentiment for the two sides to engage in dialogue, rather than introducing risks from external sources.
Philippine college student Yuan Ross Rama told the Global Times that he feels the growing confrontation between the two governments and hopes that the two governments will peacefully resolve the dispute through dialogue. Ordinary people do not want to take sides between the two major powers, as ultimately it is the interests of the people and fishermen that will be harmed.Local tourism industry practitioners are also worried about the deterioration of China-Philippines relations. A local tour guide named Ryan told the Global Times that "the deterioration of bilateral relations has had a direct impact on me. In the first three months of this year, I received fewer Chinese tour groups than in a typical month."
He said that if there were no Chinese people doing business in the Philippines, the Philippine economy would incur huge losses. "Chinese people are very good at trade, which is exactly the ability that the Filipino people lack."
According to Ryan, during former president Duterte's tenure, there were relatively fewer people begging on the streets of Manila or making a living by wiping cars in the dense traffic. But now these people can be seen frequently. "I can't say that the wealth gap in the Philippines was much wider now, but at least at that time the government would set up some relief agencies to help them. Now, the Philippine government chooses to confront rather than cooperate with China, which is very bad for us." 'Manila's role as US pawn receives no regional support'
The Philippine government's unilateral actions have not just sparked concern among its own people. Scholars from many ASEAN countries have also told the Global Times that they are worried that their own countries will be forced to take sides, or that current tensions will affect their bilateral cooperation with China.
"We are concerned that the worsening China-Philippines relations will have a negative impact on the projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Malaysia and the cooperation mechanism proposed by China in Southeast Asia," Ong Tee Keat, former Malaysian minister of transport, told the Global Times.
Any military posture and provocative remarks made by any party under the instigation of external forces should not be allowed to undermine the overall mutually beneficial partnership between China and the ASEAN, said Ong Tee Keat.
There's no necessity for the ASEAN to appoint a spokesperson that represents an external power, including the US, Dato' Abdul Majit bin Ahmad Khan, president of the Malaysia-China Friendship Association, and also former Malaysian ambassador to China, told the Global Times in a recent interview.
"There has always been the intention of the ASEAN, China, and also other countries to ensure that the South China Sea remains a region of peace and stability. It's in our interest that things should not get toxic, because then it will affect our development efforts and the harmonious relationship that we have built over the past years. I believe all ASEAN member countries and China want to see peace in the region so that we can pursue development for our people," said Majit.
Malaysia's Prime Minister, on March 4, spoke up in defense of ties with China and rebuffed alleged pressure by the US and its allies on regional nations to take sides in the West's strategic rivalries with Beijing, the South China Morning Post reported. Anwar Ibrahim also said the risk of conflict in the South China Sea had been exaggerated.
Peng Nian, director of the Hong Kong Research Center for Asian Studies (RCAS), told the Global Times that except for the Philippines, other ASEAN countries are unwilling to "take sides" in this geopolitical competition. He said that what worries ASEAN countries is that the maritime dispute between China and the Philippines may escalate into a local military confrontation, threatening the peace and prosperity of the region.
Peng noted that countries like Vietnam have not followed the Philippines in provoking the South China Sea issue in the last two years. Obviously, the Philippines is acting as a "pawn" for the US, but not receiving support from regional countries.
In a recent survey in Southeast Asia - the State of Southeast Asia 2024 Survey Report - China became the respondents' "top choice" for an alliance if the ASEAN were forced to align with one of its strategic rivals (such as the US or China) for the first time since 2020.
The majority of respondents believe that Southeast Asian countries' relationship with China is improving, while confidence in the US as a strategic partner and provider of regional security has declined significantly.
A recent wave of visits by state leader and senior foreign affair officials to China has been witnessed among ASEAN member states, which is believed to be a true reflection of China-ASEAN relations growing closer, as well as a vivid practice of regional countries yearning for peace and seeking development.
"If you look at the trend in the region, all ASEAN countries except the Philippines are seeking balanced relations between these two great powers, but the Philippines is becoming more and more pro-American. The interests of the Philippines are the interests of the Filipino people, and the interests of the Filipino people are tied in with the interests of the ASEAN," said Banlaoi.
There are no winners in war and no losers in peace. Future generations must bear in mind that mistakes in history must never be repeated, former chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang party (KMT) Ma Ying-jeou said on Monday, as he and members of a Taiwan youth delegation arrived in Beijing, the final stop of their mainland visit.
Ma made the remarks during a visit to the Memorial Hall of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the adjacent Lugou Bridge. The Lugou Bridge Incident,also known as the July 7 Incident, taking place on July 7, 1937, is recognized as the start of Japan's full-scale invasion of China.
Recalling history, Ma said that on both sides of the Taiwan Straits - on the Chinese mainland and in Taiwan island - people were bullied and persecuted by Japanese invaders and suffered heavy casualties, according to Taiwan media reports on Monday.
Ma said that the purpose of commemorating the Victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression is to remember the sacrifices made by the martyrs. He said future generations should learn from the lessons of history, be self-reliant, and revitalize the Chinese nation.
People on both sides of the Straits are descendants of the same ancestors, and we must learn to peacefully resolve disputes and seek happiness and peace for mankind, Ma noted.
Zheng Fulai, 93-year-old, also spoke with Ma on Monday at the Lugou Bridge. Zheng is a survivor of the July 7 Incident, which took place when he was six. He told Ma that history itself is the best textbook, and he asked Ma to tell the Taiwan compatriots to come back home [to the motherland] more often.
Wang Jianmin, a senior cross-Straits expert at Minnan Normal University in Fujian, told the Global Times on Monday that Ma chosethe Lugou Bridge and the memorial hall as the first stop of his incumbent visit in Beijing, as both the bridge and the memorial hall are of great historical significance to the whole Chinese nation.
This is the embodiment of Ma's profound affections for the Chinese nation, but also his proper view of history, values and peace, Wang said.
The Lugou Bridge Incident is a landmark event in the Chinese nation's resistance against Japanese aggression. Ma's visit shows that he hopes people on both sides of the Straits will remember the strong and unyielding spirit of the Chinese nation while understanding the sufferings, Wang remarked.
Wang said Ma's visit on Monday afternoon to the Palace Museum, the representative of the thousand-year civilization of the Chinese nation, plays an important role in promoting cultural exchanges between the two sides of Taiwan Straits.
Ma came to Beijing from Xi'an on Sunday afternoon, accompanied by vice director of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office Qiu Kaiming via a high-speed train journey. Pan Xianzhang, another vice director of Taiwan Affairs Office, greeted Ma at a train station in Beijing.
Analysts said that when Ma first came to the mainland in 2023, he did not choose Beijing as his destination in order to lower political sensitivity and avoid obstruction by the Democratic Progressive Party, which was in full power at the time. While Ma's ongoing mainland trip came at the time of the handover of political power in the island of Taiwan, cross-Straits tensions continue. Picking Beijing as a destination, to some extent, also represents the expectations for peace and stability in cross-Straits relations from Taiwan compatriots.
"Beijing is the political and cultural center of China, and visiting Beijing itself carries great political significance for Ma," Wang said. "It means the possibility of meeting with mainland leaders to talk about the past and future of cross-Strait relations, the revitalization of the Chinese nation, and the inheritance and development of Chinese culture."
Upon mutual agreement between China and the US, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will visit China from April 4-9, according to the Ministry of Finance.
In the latest move by Washington in its strategy of "using Taiwan to contain the Chinese mainland," Laura Rosenberger, chair of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) met with Taiwan regional leader Tsai Ing-wen and vice leader Lai Ching-te during a week-long visit to the island.
As Lai is set to assume office as the next regional leader in the island in May, the ongoing trip, which is Rosenberger's fifth visit to the region since becoming AIT chair in March 2023, is expected to set some ground rules with the new leader and tighten Washington's control over the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) during the transition of power. Maintaining the status quo in the Taiwan Straits will be most beneficial for American interests, according to mainland analysts.
Taiwan's local media reported that Lai met with Rosenberger on Monday and invited her to attend the inauguration ceremony on May 20. Rosenberger expressed her hope that Lai will continue to work to maintain the status quo across the Straits, according to Taiwan based-media.
Also, Rosenberger claimed that the US' commitment to the island is rock-solid, principled, and bipartisan.
During talks with Tsai and Lai, the American politician noted that it is hoped that Taiwan authorities can maintain sufficient self-defense capability.
Chinese analysts pointed out that for the US, while it tolerates some "Taiwan independence" forces in the island within certain limits, it does not want Taiwan separatists to seriously provoke the mainland, as that would jeopardize American interests.
Recently, the US has been promoting the idea of "a mainland attack on Taiwan," escalating tensions across the Straits. This theme was continued in Rosenberger's emphasis on Taiwan's efforts to enhance its defense resilience, analysts said.
It shows the US' desire for the island to purchase weapons, equipment, and technology, through which the US can not only make money but also promote its strategy of "using Taiwan to counter the Chinese mainland," Wang Jianmin, a senior cross-Straits expert at Minnan Normal University in Fujian, told the Global Times on Monday.
Wang said that the purpose of Rosenberger's Taiwan trip is obvious as Washington aims to tighten its control over Taiwan, while building influence over Taiwan's political landscape.
Following the recent regional election, the opposition Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party has once again become the largest party in in the island's "legislature," according to media reports.
However, although Washington stressed its commitment to the island is rock-solid, a stalled US bill on military aid to Ukraine has raised concerns among DPP authorities. Chinese mainland analysts revealed that DPP authorities are worried about potentially being "abandoned" by the US in the future.
Under the guise of supporting Taiwan's "democracy," the US is actually wary of potential major incidents under Lai, and hopes to ensure that Taiwan does not stray beyond the boundaries set by the US or create further serious trouble in the Straits, Wang said.
In the event of a major crisis or conflict that is not in the interests of the US, maintaining the status quo across the Straits would be most beneficial to American interests, Wang explained.
The timing of Rosenberger's Taiwan visit coincided with former Taiwan regional leader Ma Ying-jeou's visit to the Chinese mainland but the two trips are expected to have the opposite effect, analysts noted.
Ma on Monday departed with a student delegation on an 11-day trip to the mainland, which he said will be used to deliver a message of friendship and peace, Taiwan's local media reported.
Ma's visit to the mainland is expected to help improve relations across the Straits, which is welcomed by people on both sides. Conversely, American politicians' visits to Taiwan violate the one-China principle, disrupt cross-Straits exchanges, hinder peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, and exacerbate tensions in the Straits, according to Wang.
The expert warned that it is likely that the frequency of mutual visits between US politicians and those from Taiwan will increase.
The trend toward closer and stronger illegal relations between the US and the island is unlikely to change in the short term, with cooperation in economy, technology, and security and military fields likely to increase, posing one of the biggest risks for the future of the Taiwan Straits, Wang said.
In recent days, the China Meteorological Administration issued a warning for a geomagnetic storm, sparking attention from the public. Many netizens jokingly blamed their insomnia, bad luck, and nightmares on the geomagnetic storm, claiming it was the cause of all their misfortunes.
But is this really the case? Expert answers may disappoint many.
In fact, geomagnetic storms do not have a significant impact on human health. "The Earth's magnetic field acts as a protective layer, preventing direct solar activity from affecting the Earth's surface. Many forms of energy and substances are blocked by the magnetic field," said Rong Zhaojin, researcher at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, using the analogy of the Earth's magnetic field being like the immune system, with geomagnetic storms being a form of "immune response" to solar substances, Chinese media reported.
For example, regarding patients with implanted cardiovascular diseases and pacemakers, Yan Lai Xing, deputy chief physician of the cardiovascular department at Shulan Hospital in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province, stated that there is currently no research indicating that geomagnetic storms would affect the normal functioning of pacemakers.
"Furthermore, in the case of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the MRI machine itself has shielding devices to prevent electromagnetic interference," said Chu Yonghua, director of the clinical medical engineering department at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University.
During peak years of solar activity, the frequency of solar eruptions also increases. This year, the number of sunspots is expected to peak, leading to a higher frequency of geomagnetic storms.
Despite detailed explanations from experts, many netizens still claim that their recent physical discomfort and bad luck are due to the geomagnetic storm.
A netizen said, "I feel dizzy and sleepy, this must be the reason for the storm. I used to be a healthy girl." Another even joked, "I got a pay cut recently, and it must be due to the effects of the geomagnetic storm."
Experts suggest that the online discussion sparked by the geomagnetic storm reflects the public's curiosity and attention to natural phenomena, but also exposes some netizens' tendency to seek external factors to blame when facing life's challenges.
They advise netizens not to blindly follow trends or overinterpret such news. Instead, they should pay attention to information released through official channels to obtain more accurate and comprehensive scientific knowledge of the natural phenomenon.
Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed economic globalization may encounter headwinds, but the historical trend will not change, during his Wednesday meeting with visiting Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte, and reiterated China's commitment to mutual benefits and win-win approach.
Observers believe the high-level meeting and Rutte's two-day working visit from Tuesday can inject positive impetus into bilateral relations and stabilize the big picture amid challenges from the Dutch export ban on chip machines to China.
Against the backdrop of mounting pressure from the US and ASML's dilemma to run its business, the Dutch government should carefully balance the interests of different parties and remain pragmatic, analysts said, noting a country that flourished through free trade should not abandon such tradition.
Noting the Netherlands has become a veritable "gateway" for China-EU cooperation, Xi said China is ready to maintain exchanges at various levels with the Netherlands, adhere to communications and dialogue, and pursue mutual benefits and win-win results, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
There is no way out for "decoupling and de-risking," and open cooperation is the only choice, Xi said.
The Chinese people also have legitimate development rights, and no force can stop the pace of China's scientific and technological progress, said Xi, adding China will continue to pursue a win-win approach, open wider to the outside world at a high level, and share development dividends with all parties.
Rutte said that "decoupling" is not the policy option of Dutch government, as actions harming China's development interests will ultimately hurt the Netherlands.
Xi and Rutte last met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Bali in November 2022.
Dutch Trade and Development Minister Geoffrey van Leeuwen who is in the delegation said on Tuesday that defending the interests of ASML is his "number one" priority.
The high-level interaction between the two countries at this crucial juncture helps tackle kinks in the bilateral ties, stabilizing and injecting impetus into further development of the relationship, analysts said.
Zhao Junjie, a research fellow at the Institute of European Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the Dutch government is walking a tightrope, as pressure from the US is mounting while ASML is demanding more support for its business.
The chip machine giant has threatened to leave the Netherlands, citing anti-migration policies. Observers believe export bans imposed under US pressure will also cast a shadow over the company's performance and add to the push.
Zhao pointed out that the bans not only harm the semiconductor giant and jeopardize China-Netherlands trade cooperation and economic ties, but also put a question mark on the country's business climate.
Despite the skirmish over chip machines, the two countries maintain pragmatic cooperation in many fields, including green and low-carbon economy, silver economy, and climate change response, analysts said.
China has granted Dutch citizens visa-free status for short trips since December 1, 2023 to facilitate personnel exchanges. Rutte on Wednesday also visited the prestigious Peking University and communicated with students.
During the Wednesday meeting, Xi urged the two sides to promote traditional cooperation in such fields as agriculture, water conservancy and energy, and tap the potential of cooperation in artificial intelligence, green transformation and silver economy, among others.
He also expressed the hope that the two countries will continue to take more measures to facilitate personnel exchanges and encourage educational, cultural and sub-national exchanges.
Nauru's political decision to adhere to the one-China principle and restore diplomatic ties with China in January is a move that conforms to the trend of history and the times, Chinese President Xi Jinping told visiting Nauruan President David Adeang on Monday in Beijing
Xi said China-Nauru relations have opened a new chapter in history, and China is ready to work with Nauru to create a better future of China-Nauru relations and bring more benefits to the two peoples. Friendship, whenever it is started, will have a bright future. Cooperation, whatever its size, will be productive as long as it is sincere, Xi said, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Experts said that China's relationship with Nauru, which is based on mutual respect and support, is likely to serve as a model for the Pacific Island Countries (PICs). Moreover, the reason why the PICs have preferred deepening their relationship with China is that, unlike the West, China's approach is characterized by long-term commitment, equality, and genuine support for their development, rather than driven by geopolitical competition.
Xi said China welcomes Nauru as another country to sign the Belt and Road cooperation document with China.
He said China is ready to expand practical cooperation with Nauru in trade, investment and infrastructure construction, and provide assistance to Nauru for its independent and sustainable development without political strings attached.
Adeang said that Nauru highly appreciates China's consistent adherence to the principle of equality among all countries, and is willing to abide by the one-China principle, continuously deepen cooperation with China, take the resumption of diplomatic relations between Nauru and China as an important opportunity, observe mutual respect with China, enhance understanding, strengthen personnel exchanges and cooperation in various fields, learn from China's experience, and develop a fruitful and mutually beneficial partnership.
The two sides signed various documents on cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, Global Development Initiative and in the fields of economy and agriculture.
This is the first visit by a Nauruan president after the two countries resumed diplomatic ties in January 2024.
"China's support and attention to these countries has been long-standing and unwavering," Ning Tuanhui, an assistant research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Monday. "In contrast, countries like the US have only recently begun to prioritize their engagement with the PICs, primarily as part of their geopolitical scheme to counter China," Ning said.
In addition, China has adhered to the principle of equality among nations, regardless of their size. The majority of these island countries are small in terms of landmass and population, making them easily overlooked in the international arena. But China has always treated them with respect and equality, which has earned wide recognition from the PICs, Ning noted.
Chen Hong, director of the Australian Studies Center of East China Normal University, said that the biggest difference is that China fully respects their sovereignty and historical traditions.
"It means not imposing our own political, economic, or social preferences, models, or frameworks on these countries. This is particularly crucial because Western countries often operate under a Eurocentric mind-set, believing that their institutions and practices are superior and must be imposed on the PICs. This lack of respect can lead to serious cultural and societal clashes," Chen told the Global Times on Monday.
China believes that providing tangible benefits to the local population is paramount. Within the framework of South-South cooperation, China has provided substantial assistance in areas such as infrastructure and public welfare. Many PICs have benefited from improved infrastructure and essential services like healthcare, particularly through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative.
A case in point is Nauru's largest harbor currently being constructed by Chinese companies. With parts of the project finished, oil tankers can now directly dock to unload oil there, opening a new chapter for the country.
The five-year project has also brought cutting-edge technologies and job opportunities to the island country, promoting the local economy by expanding its connectivity with the rest of the world.
China had 1.09 billion netizens as of December 2023, an increase of 24.8 million from the number in December 2022, bringing the internet penetration to 77.5 percent, according to a new report released by the China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC) on Friday.
Data from the 53rd Statistical Report on China's Internet Development released by the CNNIC shows that the internet has been playing an important role in promoting new industrialization, developing new quality productive forces and assisting economic and social development, as the overall recovery and improvement of China's economy continue to consolidate.
Liu Yulin, director of the China Internet Network Information Center, told the Global Times on Friday that as one of the most important digital technology breakthroughs in 2023, generative artificial intelligence (AI) has become deeply integrated with the real economy. The number of AI enterprises in China has exceeded 4,400. With the strong promotion of AI and other digital technologies, the transformation of the real economy toward digitization, intelligentization and greenization has been accelerating continuously to empower economic and social development.
According to the report, more people have shared the benefits of the development of the internet as it has become more accessible.
In 2023, China continued to accelerate the popularization of information services and narrowed the digital divide, with the urban-rural internet gap further narrowing. As of December 2023, the internet penetration in rural areas reached 66.5 percent, increasing by 4.6 percentage points from December 2022. The number of internet users in rural areas reached 326 million, an increase of 17.88 million compared to December 2022. Besides, application scenarios have continued to increase as the network infrastructure construction in rural areas has advanced.
Meanwhile, the digital divide between different groups continued to narrow in 2023, with the access to digital life for the elderly and the disabled increasingly guaranteed. According to the report, 2,577 websites and applications commonly used by the elderly and the disabled have completed aging-friendly and barrier-free renovations, with over 140 million smartphones and smart TVs upgraded to be elderly-friendly.
The public service applications in terms of transportation and health services are accelerating their coverage. The scale of users of online car-hailing and internet hospitals increased by 90.57 million and 51.39 million compared with the number in December 2022, up 20.7 percent and 14.2 percent, respectively.
Zhang Xiao, deputy director of the China Internet Network Information Center, told the Global Times on Friday that netizens' demand for transportation and travel was fully released in 2023, with the scale of users of car-hailing and online travel booking services increasing by 80 million compared with 2022.
The online car-hailing regulatory information exchange system received over 9 billion order messages throughout the year, up 30.8 percent year-on-year. Indicators such as the number of travelers and tourism revenue during major holidays surpassed the figures from the same period in 2019.
The report also showed that the development of internet applications allowed for more consumption and development of the digital economy, helping to boost the recovery of China's economy.
According to Li Mingtao, chief e-commerce expert at China International Electronic Commerce Center, the scale of online shopping users in China increased to 915 million as of December of 2023, an increase of 69.67 million from December 2022, up 8.2 percent. This led to national online retail sales of 15.4 trillion yuan ($2.13 trillion) in 2023, contributing to the continuous 11-year leadership of online retail sales in the world.
According to Li, China's cross-border e-commerce maintained rapid growth in 2023, becoming an important new driver for foreign trade. The total import and export volume of cross-border e-commerce reached 2.38 trillion yuan for the whole year, an increase of 15.6 percent.
The report showed that entertainment and tourism consumption, characterized by immersive and cultural experiences, have seen accelerated recovery. As of December of 2023, the number of online travel booking users reached 509 million, an increase of 86.29 million compared with December 2022, representing a growth rate of 20.4 percent.
Domestic trendy products continued to constitute an important component of residents' online shopping consumption. Over the past six months, 58.3 percent of internet users have purchased such trendy products online.
China's online video environment also continues to improve, with content supply being constantly enriched.
Zhou Jie, deputy secretary-general of the China Netcasting Services Association, said on Friday that as of December 2023, the scale of online video users in China reached 1.06 billion, accounting for 97.7 percent of the overall internet users. Among the 24.8 million new internet users, 37.8 percent used online video applications when they used the internet for the first time, which was 21.7 percentage points higher than the second-ranking instant messaging (16.1 percent).
The report also showed the construction of digital infrastructure in China was further accelerated in 2023, with the number of IPv6 addresses reaching 68,042 blocks/32 and the registered number of ".cn" domain names growing to 20.13 million as of December 2023.
In terms of the Internet of Things (IoT), 3.37 million 5G base stations had been set up and there were 2.33 billion cellular IoT terminal users as of December 2023. The number of cellular IoT terminal users increased by 488 million compared with December 2022.
The high-quality development of mobile communication networks has driven innovation and development in various fields such as smart manufacturing, smart cities, rural revitalization and cultural tourism, providing a solid foundation and strong support for building a digital China.
