China offers the world a ‘solution’ through nuclear technology applications

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.

50 foreigners receive awards for contributions to Shanghai’s development and international relations

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.

Xi says China to host APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in 2026

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.

Xi calls for multi-polar world, inclusive globalization ahead of G20 Summit

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.

35 killed, 43 injured in car ramming incident in Zhuhai, S.China's Guangdong Province: police

Some 35 people were killed and 43 were injured in a car ramming incident that took place on Monday evening in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province. The suspect, a 62-year-old divorced male, drove a car into the crowd in a sports center in Zhuhai at around 7:48pm on Monday, according to a statement released by Zhuhai police on Tuesday.

The injured are not in life-threatening condition, police said. 

The suspect, surnamed Fan, attempted to flee the scene but was controlled by police on the spot. Police discovered that Fan had tried to commit self-harm with a knife inside the car. They intervened and sent him to a hospital for treatment.

The suspect injured his neck badly during the act of self-harm and fell into a coma. He's currently unable to answer police questions. 

Following a comprehensive investigation that included scene analysis, video surveillance, witness testimonies, and electronic evidence, police initially concluded that the case was caused by dissatisfaction with the division of marital property during his divorce.

Fan is currently under criminal detention in accordance with the law. The investigation, medical treatment of the injured, and other follow-up work are ongoing, according to police statement. 

Behind European politicians’ hawkish China remarks, there are growing concerns over transatlantic ties: analyst

After the NATO chief and the new EU foreign policy chief's hawkish rhetoric against China, especially those hyping "China's support to Russia," analysts on Wednesday said the remarks are an "oath of loyalty" intended to fix the new US administration's attention on China to alleviate EU's own pressure.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte claimed on Tuesday Russia's growing economic and military cooperation with China, North Korea and Iran is threatening Europe, the Indo-Pacific and North America, Reuters reported. 

Rutte, in what appeared to be a message to the next US administration as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, underlined the importance of transatlantic unity and continued support for Ukraine, Reuters said.

Speaking before talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, Rutte claimed that China backs Russia's economy, enables its defense industry and amplifies its narrative on the world stage.

Also on Tuesday, the EU's incoming foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said that China should face "a higher cost" for allegedly supporting Russia in the war against Ukraine, the Guardian reported.

The former Estonian prime minister was speaking to members of the European Parliament at a confirmation hearing before she takes office, the report said.

In a carefully worded overture to the incoming Trump administration, Kallas said support for Ukraine was in the US' interest. "If the US is worried about China, or other actors, then they should also be worried about how we respond… [to] Russia's war against Ukraine."

The remarks come as Trump's victory in the US presidential election has caused concern in Kiev and other European capitals about the degree of future US commitment to helping Ukraine, according to Reuters. 

Zhao Junjie, senior research fellow at the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that the EU has been bleeding heavily in the past few years due to the Ukraine crisis and its security is deeply bound to the US. 

Behind those groundless "China support" claims and hawkish words toward China is EU anxiety over security, Zhao said, adding that the EU hopes to continue to align with the US given their affinity in values and ideology. 

The remarks targeting China reflect the EU's eagerness to stabilize the transatlantic relationship with the US after Trump's re-election, Cui Hongjian, a professor at the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

By enacting China as a shared target, some European politicians are making an oath of loyalty to the US. They pledge strategic coordination with the US in the hope that the new US administration would focus on China and cast less pressure on the EU, Cui said. 

Zhao said that the EU is in an apparent dilemma that while Brussels wants to maintain the affinity with the US which is subject to changes after the US elections, it must also consider the bloc's economic and trade interests.

Politico published an article on November 6 titled "EU's trade war nightmare gets real as Trump triumphs," underscoring the EU's difficult situation. 

China and Solomon Islands waive visas to facilitate people-to-people exchanges

China and the Solomon Islands have signed an agreement to waive visa requirements for each other's citizens, according to the Chinese Embassy in the Solomon Islands on Thursday. 

Chinese Ambassador to the Solomon Islands Cai Weiming and the Foreign Minister of the Solomon Islands Peter Shanel Agovaka, represented both governments to sign the agreement, with Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Jeremiah Manele attending the signing ceremony, the embassy said in a statement.

Cai said that this agreement ushers China and Solomon Islands into the era of full visa-free access, which will significantly facilitate the public to visit each other's countries, contributing to the cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

Manele expressed his gratitude to the Chinese government for its positive responses to the Solomon Island's requests, emphasizing that the agreement represents a milestone in the relationship between the two countries.

The Solomon Islands boasts favorable tourism resources, including aquaculture, making it highly attractive to Chinese tourists, Chen Hong, director of the Australian Studies Center of East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Also, with recent years seeing island trips become increasingly popular among Chinese tourists, the two countries waiving each other's visas provides the Solomon Islands with an effective boost to its economy, Chen said.

Additionally, visa exemptions between the two countries further facilitate the exchange of people engaged in both import and export trade, which in turn will enable Chinese consumers to access the Solomon Island's high-quality products and services, said Chen. At the same time, it will also provide the South Pacific country with access to resources from China, Chen added.

Cai, the ambassador, said that China upholds the concept of a global community of shared future and is willing to work with the Solomon Islands to support each other and achieve mutual success, so as to jointly realize modernization. Manele said that the Solomon Islands will continue to firmly adhere to the one-China principle and join hands with China to build a global community of shared future.

Scholars hail World Conference of Classics as milestone in history of studies

The inaugural World Conference of Classics concluded in Beijing on Friday, with over 400 experts having engaged in in-depth discussions on topics related to classical civilizations during the three-day event.

The conference, jointly held by China and Greece, gathered heavyweight scholars and cultural luminaries. It has been seen as a move to encourage the world to draw from the wellspring of ancient wisdom for better mutual understanding.

Zhang Zhiqiang, director of the Institute of Philosophy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said at the closing ceremony that the joint organization of the conference by China and Greece, along with the establishment of the Chinese School of Classical Studies in Athens, has created a new platform for cultural exchange and mutual learning. 

According to Zhang, many participating scholars described the conference as an unprecedented milestone in the history of classical studies, not only due to its scale but also because it has pushed the boundaries and enriched the paradigms of classical studies.

Jonathen Ready, professor of classical studies at the University of Michigan, said on Friday that the degree to which the conference brought together people from all over the globe is "almost unprecedented," and that it was a remarkable achievement.

Under the theme of "Classical Civilizations and the Modern World," the event aimed to provide a platform for exploring the modern value of classical civilizations, contributing wisdom and strength to tackle problems facing the development of human society, while also promoting exchanges and mutual learning as well as new developments in global civilization.

Xi Yanchun, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Shandong Provincial Committee, extended an invitation to global scholars at the closing ceremony, welcoming them to Shandong for a global initiative that aims to provide a platform for dialogue between Eastern and Western classical civilizations in the birthplace of Confucius.

At one of the sub-forums during the conference, Huang Dekuan, a professor from Tsinghua University, offered his insights on the field of Chinese classics.

As an emerging discipline, Chinese classics has great significance for strengthening the humanities in China, Huang noted. However, scholars from diverse academic backgrounds have differing perspectives on the core questions regarding the discipline's definition, objectives, and developmental strategies. To advance the field, it's essential to deepen research and discussions on these foundational issues, said Huang, adding that fostering a broader academic consensus can guide the sustainable development and growth of Chinese classics. 

Martin Kern, a professor from Princeton University, called for early China to be included as part of the global comparative antiquity. 

"The incredibly rich traditions of ancient China can contribute a wealth of new perspectives to the study of other civilizations and global antiquity as a system. Not only do Chinese scholars benefit from reading about Greece and the ancient Near East, but our colleagues in those fields will benefit just as much from reading about China. For our shared future, we must understand and inspire one another. And this is our only future," said Kern. 

"We must establish an institutional framework for shared discourses and a shared cultural and academic language that draws equitably on scholarship in different cultural traditions. Just as the ancient civilizations influenced one another across long distances, so must our scholarship be informed by that of other civilizations. This will make our scholarship cosmopolitan and deepen its substance," Kern noted. 

Against the backdrop of intense great-power competition in politics, trade, and technology, China has chosen to emphasize a platform dedicated to cultural exchange and reflection.

Senior Chinese official vows to further ties with Italy

Chinese senior official Li Xi met with Italian leaders this week to deepen strategic ties, marking the 20th anniversary of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership and advancing cooperation in areas like green energy and digital technology.

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, met with Italy's Senate President Ignazio La Russa, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in Rome during his visit from Wednesday to Saturday at the invitation of the Italian Senate.

During the meetings, Li highlighted the enduring ties between China and Italy, and called on the two sides to advance the consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in July.

Li emphasized cooperation through the "China-Italy Action Plan," which aimed at enhancing political trust and collaboration in existing and emerging sectors like green energy, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence. He also highlighted the importance of enhancing people-to-people exchanges and multilateral coordination in multilateral arenas such as the United Nations and Group of 20 (G20) to elevate China-Italy relations.

China and Europe share extensive common interests in upholding multilateralism, addressing climate change, and promoting global economic recovery, Li said, noting that China advocates for resolving relevant economic and trade issues through consultation based on pragmatic and balanced principles.

He urged the Italian side to view China-Europe economic and trade relations "with an open attitude and a long-term perspective," and play a constructive role in China-Europe consultations and negotiations.

China is willing to work together with Italy and other European countries to promote the healthy and stable development of China-Europe relations, he noted.

Li also hailed the successes of China's anti-corruption campaign, which has bolstered public trust in the Party. China will continue to pursue a unique approach to anti-corruption, leveraging institutional and legal strengths to create a system where officials "do not dare, cannot, and do not want to engage in corruption," achieving both preventive and comprehensive governance, he said.

China is committed to sharing governance insights and enhancing anti-corruption cooperation with other countries, including Italy, Li noted.

La Russa spoke highly of the historic friendship between Italy and China, praising the CPC's achievements in Party-building and China's modernization, affirming Italy's readiness to enhance exchanges between legislative bodies and political parties.

Tajani emphasized China's role as a vital economic partner, noting that Italy hopes to strengthen economic and trade exchanges with China, fostering a balanced and mutually beneficial relationship. He reiterated Italy's commitment to open economic policies and to actively working towards resolving trade frictions between Europe and China through negotiations.

Italy also seeks to work with China to promote global peace and stability amid today's challenges, he noted.

During his visit, Li also traveled to Venice to attend a cultural exchange event titled "Be a Contemporary Marco Polo, Build a New Bridge of Friendship," commemorating the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's passing.