The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command on Thursday organized naval and air forces to conduct combat readiness patrols in sea and air spaces around Chinese territorial waters off Huangyan Dao, the PLA Southern Theater Command announced in a statement on Thursday.
The troops have continuously enhanced alert patrols in the region since November to strengthen control and management of relevant area, resolutely defend national sovereignty security, and firmly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, the PLA Southern Theater Command said.
The crux of the obstacles to cross-Straits tourism lies entirely with Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, according to State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Chen Binhua on Friday.
The claim from Taiwan's "mainland affairs council" ignores facts, shifts blame, seeks to evade responsibility and attempts to mislead the public, which is unpopular and does not help restore normal tourism between the two sides, Chen said in response to the claim that "the obstacles to cross-Straits tourism exchanges are on the mainland side."
As early as May 2023, the mainland announced the resumption of group tours from the island of Taiwan. In April and August of this year, arrangements were made for mainland residents' travel to Kinmen, Matsu, and Taiwan island for group tours, Chen said.
Since 2020, the DPP authorities have used the COVID-19 pandemic as an excuse to prohibit residents from the mainland from traveling to the island of Taiwan and halted the operations of travel agencies on the island that organize group tours to the mainland. Up to today, the DPP authorities still disregard the calls from Taiwan island's tourism industry and residents, refusing to lift the "ban on group tours to the mainland," according to Chen.
Chen emphasizes once again if the DPP authorities lift the ban on group tours and eliminate barriers to cross-Straits exchanges, the mainland will actively explore expanding tourism for mainland residents to Taiwan.
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday that China firmly opposes baseless accusations and scapegoating, as well as political manipulation, when asked to comment on German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock's criticism over China providing military aid to Russia on Sunday.
Baerbock is scheduled to visit China on Monday and Tuesday.
"Regarding the visit of German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to China, we will release relevant information in due course. You may stay tuned for updates," Lin noted, adding that China has already articulated its position on the Ukraine crisis multiple times.
China and India should strive to make practical progress as soon as possible in areas such as resuming direct flights, exchanging journalists, and facilitating visa issuance process, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during his meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Monday.
Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently held a successful meeting in Kazan, Russia, which marked a restart for China-India relations. It is in line with the fundamental interests of the people of both countries and meets the expectations of the Global South countries, and follows the correct path of historical progress.
Wang said that both sides should implement the important consensus reached by the state leaders, respect each other's core interests, enhance mutual trust through dialogue and communication, and handle differences with sincerity and integrity, in a bid to push the bilateral relations back to a stable and healthy development path.
Wang noted that more positive signals should be sent, actions to foster trust and reduce suspicion should be taken, cooperation should be expanded, and unnecessary frictions should be minimized. He also urged that both sides should strive to make practical progress as soon as possible in areas such as resuming direct flights, exchanging journalists, and facilitating visa issuance process.
Next year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India. Wang suggested that both sides plan commemorative activities, encourage exchanges and visits across various levels and fields, and work to enhance understanding and mutual trust.
Wang pointed out that as two major neighboring developing countries, China and India share far more common interests than differences. Both sides should view each other’s development as an opportunity and work together for mutual development and revitalization, which not only benefits the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, but also contributes to advancing the process of global multipolarity.
Since both China and India adhere to a non-aligned foreign policy, uphold multilateralism, and support the democratization of international relations, the two sides should continue to strengthen coordination and cooperation in international affairs, promoting greater development of mechanisms such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Wang said.
Jaishankar said that during the BRICS Summit in Kazan, the leaders of the two countries reached consensus on promoting the stable development of China-India relations, and he expressed pleasure in seeing both sides taking steps to implement the state leaders’ consensus and achieving positive progress.
Jaishankar said that it is hoped that relevant dialogue mechanisms be resumed as soon as possible, and maintain the positive momentum in improving bilateral relations through enhanced communication.
The consensus between India and China far outweighs their divergence, and both sides should view bilateral relations from a strategic perspective, and address specific issues with a more positive attitude, ensuring that individual differences do not define the relationship, Jaishankar said.
Jaishankar said that India is willing to take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and India next year as an opportunity to promote China-India relations. Both countries play important roles in international affairs, which reflect the potential of their cooperation.
India also opposes unilateralism, does not support military alliances, and advocates for the democratization of international relations. India is ready to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China in multilateral mechanisms such as the G20 and BRICS, Jaishankar added.
In response to Jimmy Lai testifying in a trial in Hong Kong on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that Jimmy Lai is a major mastermind and participant of the anti-China riots in Hong Kong and an agent and pawn of the anti-China forces, noting that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government upholds national security in accordance with the Basic Law and the National Security Law for Hong Kong, which is well-founded in law and reason and beyond reproach.
Lin said that Hong Kong is a society under the rule of law, and to abide by the law and bring lawbreakers to justice is a basic principle. No one should be allowed to use "democracy" as a pretext to engage in unlawful activities and escape justice, Lin said.
The judicial authorities in Hong Kong exercise judicial power independently under the law , ensuring that the procedures are fair and just, and that court hearings are transparent, the spokesperson said.
The Central Government firmly supports the HKSAR in safeguarding national security in accordance with the law and punishing all acts that undermine national security, and firmly opposes interference from certain countries in China's internal affairs and their attempts to undermine Hong Kong's rule of law using this case, Lin said.
Nuclear technology is widely recognized as a high-tech industry in contemporary society, characterized by high technology, high efficiency, and high quality. It is one of the most representative industries of new quality productive forces and has been extensively applied in key areas of the national economy, including industrial use, agriculture, healthcare, and the environment.
For a long time, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) have been committed to promoting the safe and peaceful use of nuclear technology worldwide, benefiting human health and living environments by creating a series of initiatives to strengthen global cooperation in the multi-field application of nuclear technology. As a leading enterprise in China's nuclear technology application industry, the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) is at the forefront of the country's development in this field. Recently, the Global Times visited CNNC's subsidiary, the China Isotope & Radiation Corporation, to explore the development trajectory of the country's largest nuclear product research, manufacturing, sales, and service enterprise and to look ahead at the prospects for the development of nuclear technology applications.
Nuclear tech safeguards human health "Talking about 'nuclear' should not evoke fear; we should understand more about the unique role of nuclear technology in benefiting human health," Chief Engineer of China Isotope & Radiation Corporation Liu Yuntao said in an interview with the Global Times.
He explained that the carbon-14 test commonly used for diagnosing Helicobacter pylori - a common cause of stomach ulcers, is an application of nuclear technology, and the radiation exposure from a single carbon-14 test is far lower than the radiation one would experience from a single flight due to natural environmental sources. The mature application of nuclear technology in the medical field should be better understood by the public.
In recent years, with the development of modern medicine, the demand for radioactive medical isotopes in China has been increasing year after year, making nuclear medicine one of the current hot areas for the application of nuclear technology in the country. Data shows that the demand for eight commonly used medical isotopes in the domestic market is expected to grow annually by 5 to 30 percent. Currently, the domestic market size is approximately 200 to 300 million yuan, and is projected to reach around 1 billion yuan by 2030.
"The application of nuclear technology in the medical field mainly includes two aspects: Nuclear medicine diagnosis and nuclear medicine therapy," Liu said. "Nuclear medicine diagnosis has advantages such as sensitivity, simplicity, safety, and non-invasiveness."
China has made profound plans for the development of the nuclear medical technology application. Earlier this month, 12 departments jointly issued the Three-Year Action Plan for High-Quality Development of the Nuclear Technology Application Industry (2024-26), which proposes to accelerate the research and development (R&D) of radioactive diagnostic and therapeutic drugs.
As the largest nuclear enterprise in China engaged in the R&D, manufacturing, sales, and service of nuclear products, China Isotope & Radiation Corporation holds over 70 percent market share in the diagnosis and treatment sector of radioactive drugs. It is also the world's largest supplier of breath diagnostic products and the only company in China that produces medical radioactive sources, Chief Scientist of the CNNC Du Jin told the Global Times.
"Currently, the CNNC is constructing the country's first dedicated production reactor for medical isotopes in Southwest China's Sichuan Province. Once completed, it will become the largest and most comprehensive medical isotope supply base in the world, fundamentally addressing the 'bottleneck' issue that China faces and driving the development of the entire nuclear medicine industry," Shen Lixin, general manager of the Department of international Cooperation of the CNNC, told the Global Times.
"At that time, it will significantly reduce the treatment costs for certain severe illnesses," Shen said.
Nuclear applications shape a better home
The application of nuclear technology in China began in the mid-20th century, initially focusing on scientific research and high-energy physics. Currently, China's nuclear technology application industry has achieved widespread applications in industrial use, medical fields, and environmental protection. According to the action plan, by 2026, the independent innovation capability of China's nuclear technology application industry will be significantly enhanced, and the industry will further expand its scope, aiming for a direct economic output value of 400 billion yuan in the nuclear technology application sector.
The nuclear technology application industry is a market-oriented industry, said Du. For example, radiation processing promotes the innovative production of high-performance materials; radiation disinfection and sterilization ensure food safety; pharmaceuticals, medical devices, isotope batteries, and atomic clocks assist humanity in exploring and utilizing space; breakthroughs in nuclear logging technology have triggered a shale gas revolution; and the radiation treatment of waste gas, wastewater, and waste residues provides feasible solutions for addressing environmental and ecological governance challenges.
The nine irradiation stations of the China Isotope & Radiation Corporation can provide irradiation sterilization services. Its specific business includes radiation sterilization and disinfection for medical devices, pharmaceuticals, food, agricultural products, and pet supplies, as well as services for food and agricultural product preservation and pesticide residue degradation. In addition, the corporation also offers full-process services from site selection, design, construction, supply sourcing, and operation, to the decommissioning of irradiation stations. The company's irradiation industry scale ranks among the top three in the country. Its market share for the design and construction of large irradiation facilities exceeds 80 percent, including exports to countries in Southeast Asia and beyond.
Sharing experience with the world On June 6, the China Isotope & Radiation Corporation successfully won the bid for the Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) project of a gamma irradiation facility with a design capacity of 1 million curies at the Bangladesh Nuclear Agricultural Research Institute. It is the company's first irradiation facility for an overseas government agency and its first overseas EPC project, representing a significant achievement in actively participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The Global Times learned that the irradiation technology used in this facility is primarily applied for the disinfection and sterilization of food, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and certain cosmetics, as well as for inspection and quarantine purposes, and extending shelf life. This technology is a mandatory process requirement for the export of certain products, and there is vast market potential in BRI partner countries.
Du shared with the Global Times the "secrets" behind the company's ability to stand out among several strong foreign competitors. "The irradiation applications we provide are comprehensive services, including design, construction, operation, maintenance, and personnel training. Additionally, China is the third country in the world to master the production technology of industrial cobalt-60 radiation sources, and our supply ranks third globally."
In addition to constructing irradiation stations, the company is also providing medical technology training to countries in Southeast Asia and Africa, and is committed to helping local areas cultivate more outstanding technical talent.
"Nuclear medicine in Africa is relatively underdeveloped. We have sent technical teams several times to provide training there. At the IAEA Ministerial Conference, we have also been working hard to introduce China's nuclear diagnosis and treatment to a wide range of developing countries. We hope to provide technical support to relatively underdeveloped countries among the IAEA member states, so that the application of nuclear technology in these member countries can develop," Du told the Global Times.
In fact, with the deepening of cooperation under the BRI and the accelerated pace of Chinese enterprises going global, Du has also deeply felt that Chinese companies have become the vanguard in practicing the concept of a community of shared future for mankind. China's image as a responsible major power makes many countries more inclined to choose to cooperate with China in nuclear applications, as they feel "more at ease" due to the "sincere help from Chinese enterprises" and "the promotion of technology without private interests."
The 19th G20 Summit was held in Brazil this week. In May of this year, the China Isotope & Radiation Corporation and Brazil's Nuclear and Energy Research Institute signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation, establishing strategic cooperation directions in multiple fields, including the production of nuclear isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals, as well as irradiation applications.
According to Du, Brazil's nuclear medicine has developed well in the Latin American region. However, the preparation of radionuclides and the research and application of radiopharmaceuticals are relatively lagging behind. Chinese companies can share their experiences in the marketization of nuclear technology applications with Brazil and jointly develop products. This is a model of cooperation among developing countries, which is also part of the BRICS cooperation mechanism.
"This year, at the BRICS summit held in Kazan, Russia, there was a special session on nuclear medicine. Our promotion of isotopes, nuclear medicine, and radiopharmaceuticals attracted interest from new BRICS member countries who expressed a desire to strengthen cooperation with China in nuclear medicine," Du told the Global Times.
The 2024 IAEA Ministerial Conference will take place from November 26 to 28 in Vienna, Austria. This conference will serve as an international platform to showcase the characteristics of nuclear technology applications that are "small and beautiful" and aimed at "building a better home." During this event, China will host a side event themed "Atoms for a Better Home," focusing on integrated solutions for irradiation and nuclear medicine. The event will present China's experiences and achievements in the fields of nuclear medicine, irradiation applications, medical isotopes, and international cooperation in radiopharmaceuticals to the world.
Thanks to its continuous efforts in the field of radiopharmaceuticals and radioactive sources, the China Isotope & Radiation Corporation has established long-term cooperation with the IAEA. In 2022, the IAEA radiopharma and radioactive sources collaborating center officially landed in the company. This is the fourth collaboration center in the field of radiopharmaceuticals established by the IAEA after France, Russia, and Portugal, and the first in Asia.
At present, the China Isotope & Radiation Corporation is one of the three major suppliers of cobalt [60Co] radioactive sources. Its in vitro diagnostic products are registered in more than 20 countries and its breath testing, release drug boxes have been exported to more than 50 countries and regions such as South Korea, Peru and Southeast Asia.
"Under the guidance and support of the IAEA and the CAEA, the CNNC is willing to work with its global counterparts, uphold the principle of resource sharing and complementary advantages, and provide 'Chinese solutions' based on the integrated solution of China's nuclear technology industry in the international market, and contribute to the construction of a community of shared future for mankind," Han Yongjiang, deputy chief economist of CNNC and chairman of China Isotope & Radiation Corporation, told the Global Times.
Fifty outstanding foreign nationals from 18 countries who live and work in were honored with the 2024 “Shanghai Magnolia Silver Award” for remarkable achievements in their own fields and important contributions to Shanghai’s development and international relations, the Shanghai municipal government announced on Saturday. Forty-six award winners and their families gathered in Shanghai to celebrate the event and expressed their hopes to help build the city into a more attractive international metropolis with global influence.
As Shanghai is accelerating its development toward an international economic, financial, trade, shipping and sci-tech innovation center, the city will continue advancing reform and opening-up and build a first-class business environment that is international, market-oriented and governed by the rule of law to provide a better platform for talented people from around the world, said Kong Fu’an, director general of Shanghai municipal foreign affairs office.
Kong said that the award winners have been “not only witnesses, but also active participants and contributors” to Shanghai’s development and modernization, who are “ambassadors of China-foreign friendship, storytellers of Shanghai, and representatives of Shanghai's image.”
As the representative of the award recipients, Professor Marc Delpech, from France, vice-dean of Sino-French Joint Medical College of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, shared his experiences witnessing the significant changes China and Shanghai have experienced in the past 30 years since he first came to Shanghai in 1994. “These changes, which have made daily life more pleasant, have also attracted many foreigners from all over the world. Each brings aspects of their own culture to create an interesting and enriching mix. However, Asian culture has not disappeared or been weakened, making this a global cultural enrichment. It's also a factor in Shanghai's worldwide reputation, and the city now enjoys a remarkable image,” said Delpech.
“Shanghai is both a futuristic city and a city with history and tradition, I hope more people from Europe can experience the city in person,” echoed Franka Gulin, director & chief representative of Croatian National Tourist Board Shanghai Representative Office. Gulin got the award as she "worked tirelessly to share China's stories with the world, promote Shanghai's wonders, and introduce the city's unique culture."
Gulin told the Global Times that she was excited to share with business partners in her home country the news that Croatia is now one of the 38 foreign countries that China has included in its visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders and expected more visitors from Croatia and Europe in the next year, allowing them to experience the amazing and vibrant aspects of Shanghai that she has long appreciated.
Another award recipient Simone Trazzi from Italy, chief operating officer and executive director of the Asia Pacific Region of UFI Group, was in the spotlight at the ceremony as five family members accompanied him to China for this “honorary moment,” he told the Global Times that “I proudly call the city of Shanghai home.” Trazzi said that Shanghai has offered him both as an individual and for international companies, many career opportunities for its sustainable development as an international business and innovation hub.
“I’m very proud of my husband receiving this award from the city of Shanghai because after living here for more than 17 years, Shanghai is our city. It is the city we chose to build our working career and grow our family and our kids and we appreciate very much that our city (Shanghai) recognizes us as a part of that,” Trazzi’s wife Francesca Bones told the Global Times.
Among the recipients is Professor Francis Gurry, former Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), who was commended for his support in developing intellectual property in Shanghai and promoting multifaceted cooperation between WIPO and the city. His efforts have helped Shanghai as it aims to become an international intellectual property hub.
“The narrative that ‘China is the IPR thief of the world’ is fake news and propaganda,” Gurry told the Global Times, adding that “China is leading the intellectual property system in the world with many indicators supporting the conclusion. As China files the highest number of international patent applications, the same applies to trademarks. In the field of science and technology, China is a major producer of IP with the most number of peer reviewers of science and technology articles. And China is the second largest investor in R&D. China leads in 5G, and was one of the major players in AI, quantum computing, so China is a major independent producer of science and technology and therefore the IPR.”
Shanghai began honoring expats with the Magnolia Silver Award in 1989 to recognize the contributions made by expatriates in the city, and introduced the Gold Award in 1992 and honorary citizenship in 1997. Over the past 35 years, a total of 1,877 individuals have received these honors.
China will host the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in 2026, visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Saturday.
The announcement was made during the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, held in Peru's capital Lima, where leaders from the APEC economies convened to address pressing global challenges, including trade, sustainability, and inclusive growth.
"We look forward to working with all parties to deepen Asia-Pacific cooperation to the benefit of the peoples in the region," Xi said.
Xi's statement marks the third time China will host the prestigious gathering since APEC's founding in 1989.
"Over the decades, APEC has been instrumental in leading Asia and the Pacific to great success in development, prosperity and connectivity, making the region the most dynamic economy and primary engine of global economic growth," Xi said at the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.
Noting that Asia-Pacific cooperation is confronted with challenges such as rising tendencies of geopolitics, unilateralism and protectionism, Xi urged APEC economies to act in solidarity and cooperation to meet the challenges.
Upon arriving in Rio de Janeiro for the 19th G20 Summit on Sunday, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed readiness to work with all parties for an equal and orderly multi-polar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.
In a written statement, Xi hoped for the G20's greater role as an important platform for international economic cooperation.
This year's G20 Leaders' Summit, scheduled for Nov. 18-19, marks the first gathering of the kind since the accession of the African Union (AU) as a full member, a historic milestone that strengthens the voice of the Global South.
Javier Miranda, former president of Uruguay's Broad Front party, expressed his hope that this summit will mark a significant step toward building a multi-polar world -- one that fosters dialogue.
In a world fraught with wars and conflicts, the commitment to dialogue stands as one goal of this G20 meeting, he told Xinhua.
Following its assumption of the presidency, Brazil has established the summit theme as "Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet." Key priorities outlined by the Brazilian government include combating hunger, poverty, and inequality, advancing sustainable development, and driving reforms in global governance.
"Building a just world requires the G20 to honor the principles of mutual respect, equal-footed cooperation and mutual benefit, and support Global South countries in achieving greater development," Xi said in a signed article published in Brazilian media outlet Folha de S. Paulo on Sunday.
"Building a sustainable planet requires the G20 to promote sustainable production and lifestyle as a way to achieve harmony between humanity and nature," he said.
The Chinese president also pledged China's active support for the initiative of a Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty proposed by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
"As we gather at the G20 to address critical global issues such as governance, hunger, sustainability, and the environment, we recognize the crucial role of our partnership with China," said Rodrigo Castro, deputy secretary for Major Events and Promotion Actions of the Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro.
Many of the solutions to address challenges faced by developing nations stem from ideas and practices already implemented in China, Castro said.
"For us Brazilians who are hosting the G20 ... we are very proud to welcome the president and the entire Chinese delegation," he told Xinhua.
Apart from the G20 summit, Xi is also to pay a state visit to Brazil, as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
During the visit, Xi will hold an in-depth exchange of views with the Brazilian president on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common interest.
Brazil is the second stop of Xi's two-nation tour, which has taken him to Peru. In Lima, he kept to a tight schedule, attending the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, paying a state visit to Peru and holding a series of bilateral meetings, including one with his U.S. counterpart, Joe Biden, on the sidelines of the APEC meeting.
