After the robust micro-drama industry intrigued young Chinese viewers with romance shows, it is now experiencing a notable surge in popularity among middle-aged and elderly audiences, evolving from a niche medium into a mainstream entertainment phenomenon. These short, melodramatic shows, often featuring middle-aged protagonists in fantastical scenarios, have captured the imagination of an older demographic. However, this burgeoning trend also brings to light significant challenges, particularly concerning content homogenization and the need for stricter regulation.

The appeal of micro-dramas to older demographics is significant. According to the 2024 China Micro-Drama Industry Research Report by iResearch.com, users aged 40-59 constitute 37.3 percent of the micro-drama audience, with those aged 60 and above accounting for 12.1 percent. This shift highlights a broader trend: Digital entertainment is increasingly catering to an aging population. With China's elderly consumption potential projected to soar from 40 trillion ($5.6 trillion ) to 106 trillion yuan by 2050, the market for such content is both expansive and lucrative.

The success of micro-dramas among older viewers is evident from their prominence on various platforms. Data from DataEye and WETRUE reveals that micro-dramas featuring middle-aged protagonists frequently top the charts, reflecting their widespread appeal. Shows like The Flash Marriage at Fifty, which features a wealthy CEO marrying a middle-aged woman, have resonated with viewers seeking both escapism and relatable narratives. The dramatic plots, marked by themes of instant romance and personal transformation, offer a stark contrast to the everyday realities faced by many elderly viewers.

Experts suggest that as the internet and mobile media become more prevalent among older adults, these platforms increasingly serve as substitutes for diminished social support. Micro-dramas, particularly those exploring family dynamics and emotional conflicts such as "mother-in-law issues," "divorces," "flash marriages," and "reconciliation," provide emotional compensation and a sense of connection.

However, concerns about content homogenization are growing. Many micro-dramas rely on repetitive and formulaic elements, such as "villainous female characters" and "hasty marriages," which can lead to viewer disengagement. Additionally, the stereotypical portrayal of family conflicts in these dramas may exacerbate negative perceptions of real-life disputes, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and potentially increasing emotional strain for older audiences.

For instance, the emergence of themes like "tyrannical CEOs" and "sweet romances" has become predictable, with many new dramas offering little beyond superficial variations of these tropes. This homogenization risks reducing the genre's appeal as viewers may grow tired of repetitive plots and characters.

Monetization practices within the micro-drama sector further complicate matters. Reports indicate that many platforms employ aggressive and often deceptive tactics to extract money from viewers, including hidden fees, automatic renewals, and misleading pricing structures. These practices place a substantial financial burden on consumers, particularly elderly viewers, who may struggle with the complexities of digital payments and subscription models. Many elderly individuals find themselves facing unexpected charges due to poorly disclosed fees and manipulative marketing strategies, exacerbating their financial strain and sense of exploitation.

As highlighted by recent user experiences, elderly individuals often find themselves unwittingly spending significant amounts of money on micro-dramas due to poorly disclosed fees and manipulative marketing strategies. Such issues are compounded by a lack of adequate support and recourse for resolving disputes, leaving many viewers feeling exploited.

To address these challenges, the National Radio and Television Administration has implemented new regulations that went into effect on June 1. Dramas are managed based on their investment levels: Projects with high amounts of funding are overseen by national and provincial bodies, while lesser funded projects are handled by the online platforms. Furthermore, unapproved and unregistered micro-dramas are prohibited from being disseminated online.

As micro-dramas continue to captivate older audiences, addressing the issues of content quality and regulatory oversight will be crucial in ensuring that this genre remains both engaging and ethically responsible.

The Chinese national soccer team lost 0-7 to Japan on Thursday in the first match of the third round of the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers. 

This defeat reportedly set three unfortunate records for Chinese soccer team: their biggest-ever loss to Japan, the most goals conceded in a single World Cup qualifying match, and their biggest defeat in World Cup qualifying history.

The last time the Chinese team defeated Japan was during the 1998 Dynasty Cup semifinals when they won 2-0. Since then, China has gone 14 matches without a victory against Japan in all competitions, with eight losses and six draws. 

On social media, such a defeat has sparked torrents of criticism and dismay, and even satire from Chinese fans.

Li Boqing, a traditional storyteller, offered a pointed remark: "If we had forfeited the match and lost 0-3 by default, we could have saved travel expenses and invested in youth training instead, while also preserving a better goal difference. In World Cup qualifiers, sometimes a single goal difference can determine whether a team advances."

Sports commentator Zhan Jun also expressed his dismay on social media, calling the second-half collapse and the overall performance unacceptable. He pointed out that the coaching team seemed to lack a detailed study of Japan's attack tactics and did not make effective adjustments.

"It appeared that the players were unprepared, and the coach failed to convey his strategy through substitutions. Hopefully, the coaching team will learn from this, and the Chinese team can return home and rebound with a stronger performance in the second round," he stated.

The UN Security Council (UNSC)should channel more of its energies into pushing the parties toward dialogue and engagement in search of a political solution, while helping Sudan build up its humanitarian response capacity to stop the humanitarian crisis from worsening even further, Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, said at a UN meeting on Wednesday.

Dai's remarks were part of his explanation of vote on the UNSC draft resolution on sanctions against Sudan.

Over one and a half years of conflicts, with no sign of de-escalation in sight, the worsening humanitarian situation on the ground has put millions of innocent Sudanese civilians in the face of multiple challenges, including war, natural disasters, and diseases, said Dai. 

In this context, the renewal of the sanction measures will go some way toward stemming the steady flow of illicit arms into the battlefield and calming down and de-escalating the situation. 

This is what the international community wants and what the UNSC has duty to do, and that's why China voted in favor of the draft resolution that was put to a vote a moment ago, said Dai.

We renew our call for the parties to the conflict to put their country and people's interests first, respect international humanitarian law to the letter, and provide maximum protection to civilians and civilian facilities without causing further harm or damage, said Dai. 

He noted that China hopes all member states will observe the arms embargo provided for in the resolution and together take constructive and tangible actions to help the country cease hostilities and return to lasting peace.

On the other hand, as China has stressed many times, sanctions are a means, not an end. They must not replace diplomacy, much less become a tool of political pressurization in the service of some countries, the Chinese envoy said. 

The UNSC should channel more of its energies into pushing the parties toward dialogue, while helping Sudan build up its humanitarian response capacity, said Dai. 

Dai urged that international community should respect Sudan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and try to secure more support and cooperation from the Sudanese government. The penholder should likewise fully respect the Sudanese government's legitimate concerns and aspirations and effectively forge greater consensus among the parties without slipping in political self-interests.

At 3:26 am on August 28, with the successful energization of the 220 kV No. 1 main transformer for power transmission at 220 kV Kuitun Substation, State Grid Kuitun Power Supply Company successfully completed the task of upgrading and replacing the No. 1 main transformer at 220 kV Kuitun Substation.

This is also the fourth 220 kV main transformer replacement work completed by the company this year.

The 220 kV Kuitun Substation is an important hub station in Kuitun area. Its No. 1 main transformer was put into operation in 2005. Kuitun Substation connects Dushanzi District in the south and Wusu City in the west. It has mutual power supply with the Seventh Division of the Corps. While meeting the power consumption needs of local loads, it undertakes the power supply tasks of Kuitun, Wusu, Dushanzi and other areas.

In recent years, the economy of Kuitun City and surrounding areas has been developing well, putting forward higher requirements for power demand and reliable supply. Preliminary diagnosis found that the No. 1 main transformer had insufficient short-circuit resistance capacity, increasing the risk of power grid operation. It is urgently necessary to replace the main transformer.

For this equipment upgrade and renovation, the 220 kV No. 1 main transformer body, the low-voltage side isolating switch of the main transformer, and the three-side conductors of the main transformer in this substation have been upgraded and renovated. After the upgrade and renovation, the capacity of the No. 1 main transformer has been increased from 150 MW to 180 MW, enhancing the short-circuit resistance capacity, strengthening the power grid structure of Kuitun Power Grid, and ensuring the safe and stable operation of the power grid during the peak summer period.

This renovation started on August 16 and ended on August 28. Multiple processes such as oil drainage of the old main transformer, removal and displacement of the main body, installation of the new main transformer in place, vacuum pumping and oil injection, and handover test were completed item by item. It involves a sixth-level power grid risk. The entire renovation process is a third-level operation risk. Among them, the process of replacing the main transformer is a second-level operation risk.

The 11-year-old giant panda Meng Meng's twin panda cubs have been gaining strength after they were born on August 22 at Zoo Berlin, in Germany, while their mother Meng Meng's health is being monitored 24 hours a day around the clock, according to the information shared by Zoo Berlin with the Global Times.

Meng Meng is being "cared for by keepers who have been familiar with her for many years," as well as by two very experienced colleagues from Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, according to an email sent to the Global Times by Zoo Berlin.

According to the latest blog post from the zoo, the panda team has been excited by the healthy weight development of the panda cubs. Their fluffy black ears, characteristic eye patches, and well-filled bellies indicate that they are starting to look like real giant pandas, the zoo wrote. The weight gain of the two cubs is particularly satisfactory. They have more than doubled their birth weight and currently weigh 510 g and 450 g, according to the zoo. 

The zoo said that it can't predict exactly when the cubs will be on display for visitors for the first time, but there is hope that it will be later this year.

There is strong collaboration and ongoing communication between the Zoo Berlin and the giant panda base in Chengdu. On special occasions, such as mating season and births, the giant panda base in Chengdu will dispatch a carefully selected team of experts to Berlin. 

It's not the first time that Meng Meng has given birth to twins. Meng Meng arrived in Germany in 2017 from China. In August 2019, Meng Meng gave birth to the twin panda cubs, Meng Xiang and Meng Yuan, in Germany. In December 2023, the twins were returned to China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent greetings to teachers and other people working in the education sector across the country at a national meeting on education held in Beijing from Monday to Tuesday.

Tuesday marks the 40th Teachers' Day in China.

Otsile Morake, a PhD student at Jiangsu University from Botswana and President of the Botswana Expatriates in China (BECO), is marking his 11th year in China with a sense of awe. Invited by the government of Botswana to attend this year’s Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Morake reflected on the tremendous changes he has witnessed in China over the past decade during an exclusive interview with the Global Times. He expects China's expertise in modernizing agriculture and building infrastructure on his continent, which could greatly facilitate Africa's economic growth. 

Dismissing Western narratives that hyped China is engaging in “neo-colonialism” in Africa, Morake said, “What I’m seeing with my own eyes is that Africa can benefit a lot from China,” he said, calling for deepened people-to-people and technological exchanges between the two sides.

Morake first came to East China’s Jiangsu Province on October 29, 2013, to pursue his bachelor’s degree. Now he is a PhD student majoring in management science and engineering in Jiangsu University. He started a student union for Botswana nationals studying in China in 2015. The number has been growing rapidly.

When asked about the changes that impressed him the most during the 11 years, Morake said the first thing that came to mind is how rapidly technology has advanced – the development of WeChat, Alipay, self-driven cars, electric vehicles, among other innovations. 

He also took note of the infrastructure development and agricultural technology advancement, for example, the fertilizer drones and smart monitoring systems implemented in greenhouses.

Looking ahead to the outcomes of the FOCAC, Morake emphasized that the most urgent area for China-Africa cooperation is technology, “We are talking about the internet service, because once you have access to the internet, you can have access to a lot of information and other things,” he noted. Agricultural technology cooperation is also a key for the continent’s poverty alleviation efforts, where China can assist in modernizing Africa’s agricultural equipment. 

He added that the exchange should not be limited to engineers and equipment being deployed to Africa and then leave, but rather let the engineers stay there, set up the missions with technology specialists operating the machines so that there will be a flow of technology and a whole industry set up in the continent.

“Another aspect I want to say is I love how Chinese people have kept their own culture and history intact for 5,000 years. I have visited over 30 cities in China, and I have seen how China integrate its history into economy, education system and technology,” the Botswana delegate said. “Protecting history shows respect to the people there. So, I think China can also help Africa to protect our culture, and our history.” 

Addressing Western media’s claims about China exerting negative influence on the continent, Morake refuted the accusations, stating, "It’s not about what Western people are saying, but what I am seeing. With my 11 years of experience in China, I can confidently say that Africa stands to benefit greatly from China. How China achieved rapid economic growth is something we can learn a lot from," Morake told the Global Times.

“There are so many stories. But when you go to Africa and China, you see a completely different thing,” Morake called on people from around the world, especially those who still hold prejudice, to come and see the whole picture with their own eyes instead of hearing it from others. 

Discussing his vision for the future, Morake said he plans to return to Botswana to share the knowledge he has gained in China, but at the same time, “be the gateway of communication between the two sides.” 

In recent years, cooperation between East China's Zhejiang Province and African nations has steadily deepened, spanning various fields such as trade, culture, and healthcare. This reflects the high-quality advancement of the China-Africa community with a shared future.

Zhejiang has built robust people-to-people exchanges and established 31 sister-city relations with African counterparts, covering the provincial, municipal, and district levels, the Global Times learned at a press conference in Jinhua, Zhejiang, during the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Educational and cultural ties have strengthened, with over 20 universities in Zhejiang collaborating with African institutions, and eight Confucius Institutes have been established in countries like Cameroon, Mozambique, and Tanzania.

Zhejiang's efforts in vocational training have benefited more than 2,800 individuals from 160 African companies.

Cultural initiatives have also flourished, with the co-production of the film Kung Fu Dream and Zhejiang's Jinhua Wu Opera Troupe frequently performing in Africa.

Medical cooperation remains a vital aspect of the partnership. For 55 consecutive years, Zhejiang has dispatched medical teams to African countries like Mali and Namibia. In 2022-23 alone, 110 medical professionals provided healthcare services to 183,800 local people, offering free clinics in remote areas and promoting traditional Chinese medicine through workshops and training sessions.

After the press conference, South African journalist Ayanda Ntuthuko Zithulele Mdluli commended the province's multifaceted contributions, saying, "The province of Zhejiang can ensure a relationship that results in economic growth, stability, and skills transfer. It is a significant development that should be applauded."

Liu Qinghai, a professor at the Zhejiang Normal University's Institute of African Studies, highlighted Zhejiang's pivotal role, noting that "Zhejiang is a highland of China-Africa cooperation, and Jinhua is the heart of collaboration. The province has worked tirelessly to deepen people-to-people ties and ensure the sustainability of China-Africa cooperation."

Zhejiang's focus on cultural understanding and strategic alignment with African nations is seen as critical to fostering long-term collaboration, driving mutual prosperity, and strengthening the China-Africa partnership in the Belt and Road Initiative, Liu told the Global Times during the press conference.

"'It smells so good! I can't believe that the biscuits are made of pure millet!' This is always what our African partners would say when they visit our millet processing plant in Burkina Faso," Zhao Hanqing, deputy general manager of Zhongdi Overseas Agricultural Development Co, told the Global Times.

Zhao said farmers are motivated to grow more after they realize that there is market demand, which is increased through industrialization.

"Africa has a lot of idle land and abundant agricultural labor, but farmers are reluctant to expand planting. They ask, what happens if you grow more than you can eat or sell? The difficulty was that no one further processed or commercialized the crops, and that's why we set up the processing factory," said Zhao.

Processed food, with more added value, can be shipped longer distances, which can promote the development of cultivation in reverse, staffers at Chinese agricultural firms that have set up food processing plants in Africa told the Global Times.

"It is relatively difficult for agriculture to develop and modernize rapidly in Africa if primary agricultural products are not processed to add value," said a representative of a Chinese firm that built a modern agro-industrial park in Abuja, Nigeria. There are oil extraction, rice processing and cassava processing plants in the park.

Chinese coffee importers are also seeking chances to build agro-industrial parks in Africa to promote coffee exports while providing African coffee products with more added value.

"We are planning to organize a business tour to Africa with several other coffee importers to explore if we can set up agro-industrial parks for coffee bean processing," a Changsha-based Chinese coffee importer surnamed Xiao said.

African agricultural development needs systemic support. 

For example, China helps Africa build infrastructure projects and open up logistics links so that farmers can have markets to absorb their increased crops, Chinese agricultural experts who participated in the "Small Technology, Big Harvest" project in Africa told the Global Times.

With the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) being held in Beijing from Wednesday to Friday, unfounded "debt trap" allegations against China-Africa cooperation are circulating once again.

Having celebrated its 10th anniversary last year, the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been widely welcomed by global communities, including those in Africa. It has achieved significant milestones, particularly in improving infrastructure, investment, and trade across African countries.

A total of 52 African countries and the African Union have signed memorandums of understanding with China to jointly advance the BRI, according to media reports. Experts said this is a vivid example of how African countries are voting with their feet when it comes to the initiative.

On the occasion of the FOCAC summit, foreign envoys, reporters, and experts have collectively rejected the "debt trap" rhetoric being propagated by Western media targeting the BRI and China-Africa cooperation. They have also praised the notable achievements in social and economic development in African countries, where the BRI has played an important role.

False allegations

Western criticisms of China-Africa cooperation and the BRI have intensified ahead of the FOCAC summit. This ill-intentioned attempt to undermine China-Africa ties has met with strong opposition from Chinese experts, as well as African representatives participating in the forum.

In a recent interview with the Global Times, Tanzania Ambassador to China Khamis Mussa Omar said that Africa has been raising its voice on the need for broader reform when it comes to international development financing architecture. The BRI, which has injected new impetus in trade and investment cooperation, has extended a critical helping hand on this regard, he said.

These words reflect the stance of many Africans regarding the positive outcomes of the BRI.

Chinese experts said that allegations of the BRI causing a "debt trap" are groundless. They argued that the "debt trap" narrative is an attempt by some Western media outlets and politicians to undermine the positive outcomes of China's win-win cooperation with African countries.

"Some Western countries have frequently accused China-Africa cooperation of being a 'debt trap,' which reflects their doubts about the capabilities of African countries to manage their internal affairs independently. This, in turn, is an insult," Ma Hanzhi, assistant research fellow at Department for Developing Countries Studies, China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times.

In recent years, African countries have faced difficulties in accessing financing, which has hindered efforts to develop the continent. With investment and support from Chinese companies, many roads and houses have been constructed, and power stations and electricity networks have been established to address key issues such as electricity shortages that impede social and economic development in these countries, experts noted. 

Instead of attributing all these positive outcomes to cooperation, many Western media outlets and politicians have concocted the "debt trap" theory, which is unjustified and lacks a factual basis, Ma said.

In an official response to the "debt trap" narrative, Shen Xiang, an official from China's Ministry of Commerce, stated at a recent press conference on August 20 that China has never been the main creditor behind African debt.

Data from the International Monetary Fund indicates that among Africa's external debt, commercial bonds and multilateral debt account for 66 percent of the total, while China-Africa bilateral debt constitutes only 11 percent.

"Some people are making unfounded claims about Africa's debt issue, and these criticisms lack a factual basis," Shen said.

Experts noted that a significant portion of Africa's debt consists of private debt, for which the US bears much of the responsibility. In recent years, some Western countries relaxed borrowing conditions, leading to a surge of capital inflows into Africa. However, with the recent increase in US interest rates, capital outflows have intensified Africa's debt challenges, Ma said.

In a previous interview, Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar praised the BRI for helping to build roads, provide electricity, and create much-needed jobs for his country. Tuggar refuted the Western media narrative that the BRI has led to a "debt trap" in developing countries, calling the notion of China's attempt to influence Africa through the BRI "an insult" to African nations.

Real benefits

In stark contrast to the false propaganda and conditional aid offered by some Western countries, China has brought real changes to many African countries without imposing any political or economic conditions, as highlighted by solid evidence.

The latest data shows that the bilateral trade volume between China and Africa reached a historic $282.1 billion last year, making China Africa's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years.

Speaking at a press conference for FOCAC on Tuesday, Lin Honghong, director general of the Department of International Relations of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said that by the end of 2023, China's direct investment in Africa had exceeded $40 billion, making it one of the largest sources of foreign investment on the African continent.

Moreover, in the past three years, Chinese companies have created over 1.1 million local jobs in Africa. 

"These figures clearly demonstrate that China-Africa economic and trade cooperation continues to maintain a strong development momentum," Lin noted.

Commenting on the achievements, Samuel Ayammah, a reporter from the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, told the Global Times at the forum on Wednesday that the BRI benefits many African countries, including his home country Ghana. 

"When you look at the projects under the BRI and the kind of collaboration between China and Africa, I'm sure it's good," Ayammah said, noting that the cooperation is based on mutual respect.

Rugare Mukanganga, a data and economic analyst at Development Reimagined, highlighted another important aspect of China-Africa cooperation, stating that through principles such as non-interference in domestic affairs, it presents a non-coercive model that empowers African countries to chart their own course.

"African countries collaborate with China due to the significant benefits it has brought to the social and economic development of the continent." Ma said. 

He emphasized that, more importantly, China-Africa cooperation is rooted in mutual respect and interests, without imposing any additional conditions as some Western countries do, reflecting the choices and decisions of the African people and their governments.

As the BRI has entered a new stage of high-quality development, China will further advance its reforms and opening-up, aiming to build a more open global economy. Experts said that in this context, China-Africa cooperation is facing new opportunities.