Editor's Note:

During the Vietnam War, the US used cluster bombs to carry out airstrikes on targets in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Over a period of nine years - from 1964 to 1973 - the US dropped more than two million tons of bomblets particularly in Laos, of which 80 million tons failed to detonate. Consequently, Laos now holds the unfortunate distinction of being the most heavily bombed country per capita in history. 

Many fear that Ukraine, which has received many cluster bombs from the US, will become the next unfortunate casualty to share Laos' fate.

How does a US veteran who fought in the Vietnam War view the US' supply of cluster bombs to Ukraine? What do they feel it means to the legacy of their time on the ground? In conversation with one US Vietnam War veteran, the Global Times learned the answers to this question and more. 

This story is a part of the Global Times' series of "Witness to history," which features first-hand accounts from witnesses who were at the forefront of historic events. From scholars, politicians and diplomats to ordinary citizens, their authentic reflections on the impact of historical moments help reveal a sound future for humanity through the solid steps forward taken in the past and the present.

Though more than 50 years have passed, the heavy shower of bomblets dropped from airplanes he piloted on Laos' devastated lands remains a deep scar in retired US Air Force officer Mike Burton's mind. Participating in the extensive bombing of Laos during America's "secret war" in Vietnam War has become one of Burton's deepest regrets and a source of dark memories.

The retired US Air Force officer now is the board chairman of Legacies of War. This organization raises awareness about the history of the bombing of Laos during the Vietnam War, and the organization will lead the US Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Munitions this coming year.

In a recent exclusive interview with the Global Times, Burton expressed regret at dropping the inhumane cluster bombs on Laos, warning that "Ukraine shouldn't want this nightmare." 

Burton, citing his own tragic memories, warned that the results will be deadly and disastrous for both the people of Ukraine and the US for decades to come, calling for the US government to be more cautious and accountable in its decision to send an $800-million military aid package which includes cluster munitions to Ukraine, a decision that has sparked widespread condemnation. 

Dark memories of war

Burton joined the US Air Force in 1962 and was assigned to the 56th Air Commando Wing (ACW) in 1966. "The primary mission of the units to which I was assigned was to stop the flow of personnel and materials coming from North Vietnam through the Ho Chi Minh Trail to South Vietnam. The trail was located almost entirely in Laos," he explained. 

"In my memory, overall, Laos was bombed every 8 minutes, 24 hours a day, for nine years. The aircraft assigned to the 56th ACW were a fixed-wing propellor-driven aircraft. The T-28 was the main aircraft used for interdiction along the trail. They could carry up to a 4000-pound payload. The B-52s dropped the majority of cluster bombs out of other bases. Besides, many bombs remained in the ground unexploded, in an intense land battle. The surface would be littered with a seemingly limitless number of every type of bomb used in ground combat, from cluster bomblets and artillery shells to hand grenades," Burton recalled to the Global Times. 

He said that at least 30 to 40 percent of the cluster munitions didn't explode and he felt "so nervous" in using those bomblets, as the bomblets "indiscriminately fell into rice paddies and places that people were making a living."

"We think there are up to 80 million individual bomblets around or spread over the land area, some of them will never be removed," Burton sighed. 

Cluster munitions are a type of explosive ordnance that can be launched from airplanes, missiles, or cannons, and can contain hundreds of submunitions, which are dispersed over a large area aerially, causing casualties and damage in a wider area. Cluster munitions do not have a targeting mechanism. What's even more alarming is that if these bomblets land on wet and soft ground, a significant portion of them can become "duds." The "duds" did not explode initially, but will explode later when subjected to external force or environmental changes. 

"As one Laotian said, the 'bombs fell like rain,' and villages and entire valleys were obliterated. Countless civilians were killed," Burton recalled in a grave tone.

The US' bombing campaign was conducted in secrecy, only coming to light through a congressional hearing in 1971 and subsequent media reports. However, the true extent of the devastation caused by this "secret war" in Laos remains largely unknown to the American public, according to a report by CNN.

"Later, I came away from the war in Southeast Asia with very bad feelings about what we had and what had happened there. I saw [tragedies] both on the ground and from the air," Burton told the Global Times.

Those bomb bees look about the size of a play thing for a kid and a lot of the deaths occurred as there have been children who picked these things up and ended up losing their lives or arms or eyes, he noted bitterly, falling into solemn silence occasionally.

"I saw this destruction firsthand from the air and on the ground. I have seen Lao children and adults with missing limbs, eyes, and mutilated faces all from unexploded ordnances. The impact of our decision to drop cluster bombs on Laos also found its way to the US with waves of refugees fleeing death," Burton said.

In 1967, when Burton visited a village in Laos and asked a local villager, a school teacher, what he could offer as help, the reply was very short: "To leave." 

"They said I'd like you to leave because you're going to get us killed," Burton said. "After two weeks, when I visited again, I was taken down an area where several people were assassinated in the square. And one of those was the school teacher who I talked to two weeks before. He was right. We got him killed."

According to reports, cluster munitions have a higher lethality than conventional ammunition. Since World War II, cluster munitions have caused approximately 56,500 to 86,500 civilian deaths. The US military used cluster munitions in the Vietnam War, Gulf War, Kosovo War, Afghan War, and Iraq War, resulting in significant damage to infrastructure and numerous civilian deaths and injuries.

Long road of redemption

In 2022, Burton, as the chair of the Legacies of War Board, had an opportunity to return to Laos and again felt deep sorrow when gazing down upon the land filled with many giant craters while on the plane. 

"The scarred land is a reminder of America's deadly mistake, a reminder of the lives we took, and the ancient sites we obliterated," he suggested.

The veteran told the Global Times how he has suffered mentally and psychologically in dealing with his guilt after his return from the war, and had 14 months of therapy with the assistance of the US Department of Veterans Affairs.

"A lot of these young people came back, got into alcohol, drugs, anger, and the statistics from the Vietnam veterans is pretty bad with everything from suicide to just broken marriages and broken homes, and that sort of thing," he said.

This year marks the 50th year since the last American bombs were dropped in the Vietnam War. But the scars in Burton's heart have never been erased. 

According to the Laos government, less than 10 percent of the deployed munitions have been destroyed.  

"I have much to regret about the time I spent in the war; many things I try not to remember," said Burton, adding that he is now driven to make amends in any way that he can and speaks out to prevent future atrocities.

Burton later took part in the detonation of some of the unexploded ordnances in 2022 - work that is tedious, time consuming, and dangerous. He also started the Immigrant and Refugee Committee Organization, which serves a diverse group of immigrants and refugees from all over the world, including Ukraine. 

Ukraine assured the US in early July that it wouldn't use cluster munitions in civilian areas, but once cluster munitions are deployed, no one can provide a definite answer as to whether such a promise will be strictly adhered to. 

At least 38 human rights organizations have publicly opposed the US providing cluster munitions to Ukraine. These organizations state that since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the numerous unexploded cluster munitions left behind by the war have posed a significant threat to the people of both Russia and Ukraine, causing great harm to many civilians. 

"Now, the arms manufacturing people are probably already at Pentagon's doors saying, hey, we're here with a new contract you need to build. You just sell all of our reserves to Ukraine. I want to stop them from doing that," Burton said.

"If the US is really thinking and leaning toward doing that, I wish they would also sign a public document that said they will stand by the consequences of that. So that when the war is over, we will take care of clearing alarms. We will take care of caring for the children and the people who lose their arms and legs and eyes for the rest of their lives. And I want us to take responsibility for that," Burton concluded.

"To have such a successful neighbor and not learn from them is like starving in a wheat field." This is how a Tajik scholar describes the desire of Central Asia to expand cooperation with China in the field of talent training.

From the professional construction of vocational education systems, to local teacher training, to cultivating the local social development need for talent ... In recent years, China and Central Asian countries in the cooperation of training professional personnel have been pressing the "accelerator button" under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). 

Recently, Global Times reporters visited the "Silk Road" International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage (Silk Road University) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and the Kazakh Luban Workshop project to see how China is helping Central Asia cultivate professional and technical talent, and building an important bridge for cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the two sides.

New university on ancient Silk Road

On September 2, the opening ceremony of the China-Uzbekistan Belt and Road International Laboratory, a joint archaeological and scientific laboratory for the technical protection of cultural heritage, was held at the Silk Road University. This was a major event that Zou Tongqian, the first Chinese vice president of the university, who came from Beijing International Studies University, attached great importance to. 

The initiative to open the Silk Road University was proposed by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Qingdao Summit in 2018. China has provided strong support for the establishment and construction of the university. For a long time, the university has closely cooperated with Chinese universities such as Beijing International Studies University and Northwest University.

In late August, Global Times reporters visited the Silk Road University and found that although the campus is not large, every detail is carefully arranged. On the walls of the main teaching building, there is a map of the ancient Silk Road and silhouettes of camel caravans, evoking the prosperity of the Silk Road in the past. In the corridor, there are paintings by students from various countries, depicting their understanding of the Silk Road.

Alysher Shamshidinov, a teacher at Silk Road University, told the Global Times that there are about 2,000 students at the university, mainly studying majors such as hotel management and logistics. It is worth mentioning that there are 85 international students, including 10 Chinese students pursuing master's degrees, as well as a number of renowned professors from world-famous universities.

In the past few years, China has played an important role in the construction of Silk Road University and the cultivation of local talent. In the library of Silk Road University, the Global Times saw a "China Corner" filled with Chinese books. In 2022, the Chinese Embassy in Uzbekistan donated more than 550 books and audiovisual materials in Chinese, English and Russian, covering topics such as Chinese culture, art, literature, history, tourism and Chinese language learning.

Since Zou took office as vice president in 2022, he and other Chinese colleagues have helped the university introduce a series of scientific research platforms, including the "One Belt and One Road" International Laboratory. They have also applied for the UNESCO Chair in Sustainable Heritage Tourism, invited globally renowned professors, and organized scholars from China, Central Asia, India, ASEAN and other countries and regions to conduct important research projects.

Cultivating more 'Lubans' of New Era

In August, during the summer vacation, the campus of Tianjin Vocational Institute is quiet and peaceful. However, one classroom is filled with lively discussions, sometimes interspersed with applause and laughter. In this classroom, 15 professional teachers from the East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKTU) are earnestly seeking advice from their Chinese counterparts on automotive repair techniques. 

These foreigners are the first group of Kazakh teachers to come to China for training at the newly established Kazakh Luban Workshop. During the China-Central Asia Summit in May this year, Tianjin Municipality signed a cooperation agreement with East Kazakhstan Region to establish the Luban Workshop in Kazakhstan, officially launching the project.

"Can anyone tell me the different methods for replacing brake fluid in a car?" Guo Jianying, professor at the Automotive College of Tianjin Vocational Institute, vividly asked and demonstrated to the Kazakh teachers at the Luban Workshop how to replace brake fluid in a car. He also mentioned the management standards and procedures for waste oil in China. For this lesson, Guo prepared meticulously for a long time.

In the classroom, everyone eagerly raised their hands, expressing their opinions and engaging in lively interactions. They didn't even want to take a tea break. "We are very interested in the Luban Workshop training. Chinese teachers have a high level of expertise!" Murat Muzdybayev, a leading researcher at the School of Mechanical Engineering at EKTU, excitedly told the Global Times. 

Muzdybayev noted that Kazakhstan has a great demand for automotive repair technicians, and they believe that the cooperation of the Luban Workshop, training equipment and resource sharing from China will greatly enhance the vocational training level of relevant majors at EKTU and promote the development of the local automotive repair industry.

The Luban Workshop is an international brand of vocational education created and led by Tianjin Municipality under the guidance of the Chinese Ministry of Education. It is named after Lu Ban, a legendary craftsman and inventor who lived 2,500 years ago in China. It combines academic education with vocational training, aiming to help countries along the BRI cultivate professional technical talent.

The Global Times learned that the specialties taught in the Luban Workshop are the most needed technologies for local industrial development, aiming to cultivate the most useful technical and skilled talent for local economic and social development. 

Taking the Luban Workshop project in Kazakhstan as an example, Kazakhstan is a typical landlocked country with a high demand for land transportation. However, the country lacks a complete industrial chain in the automotive field, and there is a shortage of corresponding technical and skilled talent.

In recent years, the Kazakh government has also increased its new-energy vehicle (NEV) development plans, creating an urgent need for NEV maintenance technology and related talent. They hope to strengthen talent training in this area with China to "take the lead" in the field of NEVs, observers noted.

The curriculum of the Luban Workshop training for Kazakhstan has fully considered these factors. The training includes three modules: fuel vehicles, NEVs and intelligent connected vehicles, with a total of 20 training courses. During the training, the Tianjin Vocational Institute also arranges for teachers from EKTU to visit Chinese NEV and intelligent connected vehicle companies.

Samat Baigereyev, deputy dean of the School of Mechanical Engineering at EKTU, told the Global Times that the visit to Chinese car manufacturers such as Great Wall left a deep impression on him. He is very interested in China's technology in the field of NEVs and hopes to pass on these technologies to more Kazakh students.

Unlike many other international vocational training projects, in the Luban Workshop, Chinese teachers do not directly teach local students but train local teachers. Through such a flexible and down-to-earth form, the rich teaching resources, high-quality technical standards and more advanced experimental equipment in China's vocational education system can be more efficiently integrated into the national academic education system of the partner country in a more localized way.

Attractive talent training cooperation models

In recent years, China and Central Asian countries have witnessed rapid development in their cooperation in the field of talent cultivation, with the Luban Workshop and the Silk Road University serving as representative programs. At a recent seminar held in Beijing, Abdukhalil Gafurzoda, Director of the Centre for Friendship and Cooperation in Tajikistan expressed a strong interest in expanding cooperation with Chinese educational and research institutions, citing several key reasons.

First, Chinese universities are highly attractive to students from Central Asia, as Chinese diplomas are considered to be of high value. The number of Tajikistani students studying in Chinese universities has increased nearly 20 times in the past 15 years, reaching close to 4,000. This is not a coincidence, said Gafurzoda.

Second, the rapid expansion of economic cooperation between China and Central Asia in recent years has created a significant demand for local talent. Gafurzoda revealed that there are about 500 Chinese companies operating in Tajikistan, and Chinese enterprises have also participated in the implementation of 14 major investment projects in the country. Chinese investment accounted for 34 percent of Tajikistan's total foreign investment over the past decade.

"The establishment of the Luban Workshop in Dushanbe a year ago was, to some extent, aimed at addressing this issue," said the Tajikistani scholar.

With three projects already underway in Central Asia in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, where the Luban Workshop's talent cultivation standards and professional construction quality have gained wide recognition. Currently, 14 international professional teaching standards have been approved by the education ministries of cooperating countries and incorporated into their national education systems. 

Why have the Luban Workshop and other personnel training cooperation projects?been able to make such good and fast progress in Central Asia?

"Our cooperation with another party does not come with any political conditions. We genuinely want to cooperate with Central Asian countries in the field of vocational education, help them improve their professional skills education level, and promote local industrial development. Through these collaborations, our teaching staff's capabilities and the internationalization level of our school can also be enhanced. It is a win-win situation," Meng Zheng, deputy director of the International Exchange Department of Tianjin Vocational Institute, told the Global Times. 

Meng also noted that China's vocational education system is very complete and powerful, which includes technology, standards, resources, equipment and facilities, 

"There are more than 1,300 vocational education institutions in China, and the improvement in scale and quality has been rapid. I believe that the level of vocational education in China is not inferior to internationally renowned vocational education models such as Germany and Australia. This creates a strong attraction for countries in Central Asia, including Kazakhstan," he said.

Over the last four years, China-Solomon Islands cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has achieved fruitful results, bringing profound benefits to both nations. In a recent interview with the Global Times, the first Chinese Ambassador to the Solomon Islands expressed confidence in the future cooperation between China and the Solomon Islands.

"The Solomon Islands will undoubtedly become a magnet for Chinese business investments," Li Ming, who served as the Chinese Ambassador to the Solomon Islands from September 2020 to September 2023, told the Global Times.

According to Li, the development of China-Solomon Islands relations has been multifaceted. At the highest level of engagement, Prime Minister Sogavare has made two official visits to China, establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership of mutual respect and common development for a new era. Head-of-state diplomacy has charted a grand blueprint for high-quality joint construction of the BRI and provided strategic guidance for bilateral relations.

In terms of infrastructure connectivity, China has become the Solomon Islands' largest infrastructure cooperation partner. China-aided facilities like the Pacific Games' main stadium and the Solomon Islands National University dormitories have become local landmarks, providing essential support for the hosting of major sporting events, promoting economic and social development.

Regarding trade facilitation, China has been the Solomon Islands' largest trading partner for several consecutive years. China provides 98 percent tariff-free treatment to products from Solomon Islands in nearly all categories, and both countries are steadily advancing cooperation in inspection and quarantine, creating favorable conditions for the expansion of exports of agricultural and fishery products from the Solomon Islands to China, leading to an increase in incomes for its people.

In terms of financial connectivity, an increasing number of Chinese companies are turning their attention to the Solomon Islands. During Prime Minister Sogavare's visit to China in July, a "China-Solomon Islands High-Level Enterprise Exchange Meeting" was held in Beijing, at which Chinese enterprises in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, energy and mineral resources, infrastructure, telecommunications, and tourism engaged in in-depth communication with representatives from the Solomon Islands. It is believed that in the next phase, the Solomon Islands will become a magnet for Chinese business investments.

In terms of people-to-people exchanges, China has established friendly relations with multiple provinces and cities in the Solomon Islands. More than 100 young students from the Solomon Islands have come to China to further their studies under government scholarships. China also continues to be committed to improving the Solomon Islands' medical and healthcare conditions by donating a large quantity of medical and epidemic prevention supplies, and Chinese medical teams have alleviated the suffering of many patients in the country. When the Chinese navy's Ark Peace hospital ship visited the Solomon Islands, it treated tens of thousands of patients in just one week.

In September 2019, the Solomon Islands established diplomatic relations with China, becoming one of China's newest diplomatic partners. Less than a month after establishing diplomatic ties, Prime Minister Sogavare visited China and signed a Memorandum of Understanding on jointly building the BRI, media sources reported.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the friendly cooperation between the two countries has steadily advanced and has been at the forefront of China's relations with Pacific island countries, becoming a model of solidarity, cooperation, and joint development among large and small countries and developing countries.

In a previous interview with the Global Times in May, former ambassador Li said, "As the first Chinese Ambassador to the Solomon Islands, my most prominent impression after arriving in the Solomon Islands was the enthusiasm and expectations of the Solomon Islands' government and people for China-Solomon Islands relations." 

He told the Global Times that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, both governments and peoples have been committed to promoting friendship, expanding cooperation, and have achieved fruitful results, proving with practical actions that the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Solomon Islands is on the right side of history. 

"Various sectors of the country's society have shown significantly increased enthusiasm for cooperation with China, with a more resolute attitude toward upholding China-Solomon Islands relations, and support for the One-China principle has become a common consensus among various sectors," he said.

Illustration: Chen Xia/Global Times

Editor's Note:
Is China-US relationship locked in an increasingly intense rivalry or is there possibly a "window of opportunity" to mend strained ties between the two countries? A number of recent visits to China by high-ranking US officials were made, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Climate Envoy John Kerry, and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. Veteran US diplomat Henry Kissinger also visited China in July. Where is the China-US relationship headed as high-level interactions increase? Einar Tangen (Tangen), a senior fellow of the Beijing-based think tank Taihe Institute, founder and chairman of China Cities Bluebook Consulting and former chairman of the State of Wisconsin's International Trade Council, shared his insights with Global Times (GT) reporter Li Aixin, during the 7th Taihe Civilizations Forum held on Tuesday.

GT: How would you comment on the recent series of visits by US officials and veteran US diplomat? What message did they convey?
Tangen: You have to separate Henry Kissinger from the other four. The administration people simply came to "gaslight" China. 
Kissinger was at the signing of the Three Communiqués – he is a living reminder that the US agreed to one-China policy. His hope, like the hope of all rational people, is that an armed conflict can be avoided. 
The other four were part of, in essence, a "gaslighting" operation. Publicly declaring a desire to engage with China while engaging in hostile acts – military provocations in the Taiwan Straits, the South China Seas, anti-China congressional and the administration acts and statements…
But, you can't expect someone to want to talk with you, if you keep slapping them. 

GT: Will these visits make any difference to the US' China policy?
Tangen: No. The major issue is the Biden administration's lack of a China, or for that matter an international, strategy. Containing China is not a strategy and it isn't working. China continues to forge ahead, for example, pioneering new methods that can replace silicon with gallium, which would revolutionize chip design, capabilities, and fabrication. Another example is the Huawei Mate 60 phone, which is using a 7 nanometer chip which allows it to equal Apple's iPhone.
If the intent was to contain China, US policy is actually working in reverse. We live in an interconnected global supply chain, where progress and prices come from research, competition, and efficiency. China has for the last eight years led the world in the installation of industrial robots, is leading the world in making its industries cost competitive, as domestic wages rates rise, by instituting Industry 4.0 systems. 
In such a world the US, instead of competing, seems intent on spreading uncertainty, strife, and Inflation, in an awkward attempt to maintain its hegemony, in a world that is already multipolar. 

GT: Will Huawei's case impact the US policy of decoupling with and suppressing China?
Tangen: I doubt it. Washington is gripped by a national hysteria, similar to what it experienced under former senator Joe McCarthy. If anyone says anything good or neutral about China, talks about rational policy or realities, they are labeled "panda huggers" who can't be trusted. 
Today, being Asian subjects you automatically to suspicion and increases your chances of being racially profiled, as well as verbally and physically attacked. Every Asian in government and academia is being viewed as a potential spy. Asian students aren't allowed to enroll in hard science courses. All of this under the pretext of national security. Where there have been trials, the government has lost the overwhelming number of cases, as with the numerous cases where academics have been accused of spying. The result, a growing outflow of Chinese scientists and executives, leaving the US, as Asian students look elsewhere for advanced education. 
The US is a nation racked by poverty, homelessness, crime, gun violence, political polarity, and racism. For those seeking the American Dream, the reality has become disappointing. In cases of Asian hate crimes, which increased 342 percent in 2021, according to a nationwide study by California State University in San Bernardino, Washington's standard response, decry the violence, but continue the anti-Asian rhetoric that fans it. 
As Huawei has shown, investing in people, processes, and competition, is more effective than efforts to decouple/de-risk/suppress.

GT: Some observers tend to think the period from now until November is a "window of opportunity" for the recovery of China-US relations. What's your take on this?

Tangen: I can't see a window, domestic politics is, as always, front and center for Biden. He is focused almost exclusively on next year's election. Staying in power is the objective, governing is a sideline.

Since taking office as president, he has not been able to unify the country, or even follow through on his campaign issues. He criticized Donald Trump for his unilateral imposed tariffs, but has kept many of them in place, despite saying they were hurting the American people more than Chinese businesses.

He hasn't created a workable policy toward China. He hasn't been able to articulate a global vision, unless repeating Donald Trump's America First is a global vision. The world is not safer today than it was when Trump left office.

His idea of global diplomacy, is using India's chairing of the G20 to water down any criticisms against the US for: broken climate change funding promises, undermining the WTO, inaction on global health, poverty, debt and development issues. India got agreements on outstanding WTO cases the US had brought, an India-US joint venture military jet engine factory, and support for an India-Europe transportation corridor, which the US Congress would never fund, while the US turned a blind eye on Kashmir, corruption, the caste system, and human rights.

For example, instead of a strong statement on the trail of broken developed country promises to deliver 100 billion a year for developing world climate mitigation, there was a statement that there would be an effort to triple the amount of renewable energy. Ironically, a policy, if followed through, would favor China, since China is the dominant force in those industries.

The announcement of the new transportation corridor (the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor) as a competitor to the Belt and Road Initiative is laughable.

The BRI has been around for 10 years, it has demonstrated its resolve with a trillion dollar's worth of investments in projects that according to The Chartered Institute of Building, the BRI will boost world GDP by over $7 trillion per annum by 2040.

The Biden Administration's idea, developed last October, after criticizing the BRI as a waste of resources aimed at "debt-trap diplomacy," was to connect Europe to India, as a competitor to China’s BRI.

Question is, in an increasingly isolationist Congress, how would Biden be able to get funding for a project that has nothing to do with Making America Great.

It is true, as the presidential election gets closer, Biden would like to have some sort of temporary economic rapprochement with China if it could improve the domestic economic situation. The obvious choice would be to remove Trump's economic tariffs, but he is afraid of being labeled "soft on China", so it is doubtful he will pull the trigger.

The main difficulty is there is no coherent China engagement policy, just an emotional desire to contain it. As we all know, it's hard to adjust feelings.

GT: After G20, Biden paid a short visit to Vietnam, where he said US outreach to Vietnam is not about containing China. Did he mean it?

Tangen: It's difficult to know what Biden means when he talks. He constantly says he's not trying to contain China, that he adheres to the Three Communiques, and the “one-China” policy, but he has said four times that he would support Taiwan island militarily if force was used to unite the breakaway province.

Actually, Biden says many things the White House says he doesn't mean. Quite frankly, in the US, as well as internationally, there are concerns about what he means, as the White House seems to continually reinterpret whatever he says.

The irony with Vietnam is the US waged a brutal war that resulted in millions of civilian and military deaths, millions of tons of bombs, massive areas deforested by Agent Orange, and unexploded ordnance, like cluster bombs, which continue to kill and maim civilians to this day.

Vietnam is run by the Communist Party that drove the US out of their lands. Biden's pitch is we don't like Communist China, we want to ally with Vietnam, a Communist country, against your neighboring Communist country, because they don't share our values.

It doesn't make any sense, but the Vietnamese, for their part, are happy to take whatever they can get and thumb their noses at the US as they continue negotiating arms deals with Russia.

On a larger level, this has become a prevalent pattern. India was able to obtain concessions from the US, while not joining in on trade sanctions and outright condemnation of Russia over Ukraine, in fact India is now the largest importer of Russian oil, which ironically, they buy cheap and then sell to Europe. India continues to use the Russian S-400 missile system, as well as numerous armaments and other weapons systems, while also getting US jet engines and weapons systems.

South Africa has been more than willing to vocalize its amused contempt for Washington's attempts at coercion. Saudi Arabia has followed its own economic interests, when it comes to oil supplies and pricing. But, both countries continue to maintain cordial diplomatic relationships with Washington.

GT: Do you think there is still a cure or a key to resolving the strained China-US ties?

Tangen: The key is for Washington to recognize that the days of its hegemony have gone, replaced by a multipolar world, but that is something that the current Washington elites are incapable of doing. Therefore, change will have to come from the American public, the voters.

Why would the American public want change, because about five decades ago the middle class accounted for 62 percent of the US population, today, it is only 50 percent. Inflation is decreasing real wages month by month, consumer debt is higher than it has ever been, loan defaults are skyrocketing, about 60 percent of consumers live paycheck to paycheck, and 40 percent don't have $400 in case of an emergency, small business are reigning in their investments. Meanwhile, the Fed continues to raise interest rates, oblivious to the fact that the inflation is coming from service side wage increases, which continue to increase.

It will be up to the American people to reverse the course, because the elites in Washington have it firmly in their mind that China is the enemy, and that every problem in the US is China's fault, even if, like the ever growing deficit, it is a domestic issue of poor governance.

In the end, governments are measured in terms of how they take care of their people. The first role of government is to provide a safe, orderly environment. In this the US failed. It is now commonplace for those in government to say, "Buy a gun, because we can't protect you, you have to protect yourselves." You see the shootings in schools and workplaces, on the streets, in shopping malls and people's homes. You see videos of shoplifters brazenly robbing stores, drug addicts, beggars, mentally ill, and homeless, living on the streets. Crime has become an epidemic.

The second duty of government is to provide opportunity. Education, a social safety net and policies that encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, fair legal systems, a government that can regulate, without smothering, these are elements of what is needed to create opportunities. Right now though, the US isn't providing what is needed, (but is providing) too big to fail industry oligarchs, a massive and growing national debt, under-funded education, cuts to social welfare, overly expensive healthcare, social and political divisions, international policies that are closing rather than opening markets, and are making investment abroad more uncertain.

Examples of unsustainable and lost opportunities: TSMC has said a chip made in Taiwan will be 30 percent less expensive than the same chip made in an American factory. Actions to prevent the sale of computer chips and chip making equipment are closing the Chinese market, which is one third of the world market, to US companies. Bans on US investments in Chinese companies means they won't be able to participate in China's innovation and general economic rise.

So, while the US cites capitalism, open markets and competition, Washington doesn't accept the realities of what this means, if it doesn't benefit the US.

Washington's real problems are domestic, they are tied to its development and governance models, China is just a convenient scapegoat for issues the US refuses to address.

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is currently in session, gathering all approximately 190 member states to address critical global issues and matters concerning each member state. UNGA serves as the most representative voice of the global international community, with developing countries, or member states of the Global South, holding a significant numerical advantage.

The concept of the "Global South" is a relatively recent phenomenon that encompasses all developing countries, including what were previously referred to as emerging markets. In a sense, it stands in contrast to the developed north, or the developed world, predominantly comprising OECD member states, for instance. 

However, there is a danger that the US sometimes categorizes China as a developed country, artificially and arbitrarily, suggesting that China should not be considered part of the Global South. In reality, China is a vital member of the Global South and represents the fundamental interests of developing countries worldwide in many ways. 

Given the substantial numerical advantage of the Global South, I believe the US and developed countries can't dominate the UNGA. The US may do whatever it wants, for example, to attempt to hijack the agenda or promote its own topics. However, members of the Global South possess independent perspectives and can formulate their own conclusions. They will genuinely champion issues they care about and vigorously defend their legitimate interests, which may not align with the interests promoted by the US or the developed countries as a group. The separate agenda pursued by the US differs significantly from the challenges and opportunities faced by developing countries. The US prioritizes "America First" and sometimes discriminates against other states, particularly countries in the Global South, or is unwilling to promote the legitimate interests of developing countries worldwide.

The reason why Western-led groups struggle to address concerns of countries in the Global South, such as climate change and other issues, primarily lies in the fundamental contrast in interests between developed countries and the developing world, or the Global South. For instance, when it comes to climate change, what China emphasizes is on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. This means that humanity should collectively address the climate crisis with a shared goal and unwavering commitment. Given that developed countries have collectively contributed significantly more to pollution than any of the developing world's members, it is completely reasonable that they contribute more to assist the international community in mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change. However, many developed countries are coming up with all sorts of excuses to delay their so-called commitments or even cancel their obligations.

One of the dilemmas facing humanity is that while China is very eager to promote peace, stability, development and poverty alleviation, not only within its borders but globally, the US appears committed to fostering a cold war mentality, dividing countries into opposing blocs, and even using the threat of war as a means to achieve political goals that they cannot attain through other means.

For example, it is evident that the US has important plans for India. It attempts to bind India onto the bandwagon of the US with their anti-China policy and hostility toward China. However, decision-makers in Washington may have seriously misjudged India's commitment to foreign policy independence as a great and proud nation. India stands as one of the world's great nations, with a rich history of civilization that has endured for millennia. Looking ahead, India's population is projected to be the largest globally for many decades to come. This reality carries great expectations that India will do the right thing in promoting peace, stability and cooperation rather than betting on a cold war or hot war, or giving up its independence to align its fate with countries like the US.

From the Chinese perspective, we do not want to compete with anyone. We just want to promote the merits of countries, do the right thing and advocate for globalization, fair trade, unrestricted exchange of goods, services, ideas and people across national boundaries. China respects all countries as equals, regardless of their size, rather than manhandling them.

Humanity stands at a significant crossroads, facing the choice between peace, stability and development, or the path of war, confrontation and conflict. China will continue to do what it believes to be right and promote the legitimate interests, not only of China but also of Global South member states in general. I hope that UNGA will serve as a crucial platform for countries from various perspectives to express their views and that any conflicts of interest can be peacefully resolved through diplomacy rather than escalating tensions to the point of no return.

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative(BRI), China's State Council Information Office released a White Paper titled "The Belt and Road Initiative: A Key Pillar of the Global Community of Shared Future" on October 10. The white paper comprehensively reviews and summarizes the development process of the BRI over the past 10 years, from its inception as a Chinese initiative to its international implementation, showcasing tangible achievements. It can be said that the white paper serves as both a report card for the past decade and a grand blueprint for the future of the Belt and Road cooperation.

From the visionary "freehand sketch" in its initial conception to the meticulous "fine brushwork" in its execution, the achievements of the BRI over the past 10 years have far exceeded the initial expectations. In terms of geographic scope, more than 150 countries and over 30 international organizations have joined the Belt and Road cooperation, encompassing over half of the world. In terms of the areas covered, it includes various fields such as economics, culture, and ecology.

Whether it's the "hard connectivity" of land roads and sea routes, the "soft connectivity" of cooperation in deepening rules and standards, or the "heart-to-heart connectivity" in fields like education, culture, sports, tourism, and archaeology, the BRI has woven a vast network of cooperation and mutual benefit across the globe. The white paper provides a wealth of data and examples that unquestionably demonstrate how the BRI has brought tangible benefits and dividends to the participating countries.

These achievements have been made step by step, inch by inch, by all participating countries. The BRI is a magnificent endeavor in the global concept and practice of shared development. It inevitably involves a process of continuous practical exploration, learning, summarizing, and adjustment. But even those who view the BRI through the thickest colored glasses cannot ignore or deny its influence.

If it weren't for the fact that the BRI aligns with the interests of all participating countries and even all of humanity, conforms to the laws of social development, and addresses the needs of the global economic market, it would never have come this far and wide. What exactly is the appeal of the BRI? The white paper provides a detailed and precise answer to this question through five comprehensive chapters spanning 28,000 words, which can be summarized as follows: The BRI has paved a new path for humanity to jointly achieve modernization.

To accomplish such a significant undertaking, hardships as well as twists and turns are foreseeable and inevitable. The future BRI cooperation is also unlikely to be smooth sailing, and will certainly face and overcome new difficulties, challenges, and even risks. However, with the foundation laid in the first decade, the consensus formed, and the accumulated experience, we have sufficient confidence in the increasing prosperity and broadening of BRI. In fact, the BRI cooperation has deeply embedded itself in the common destiny of humanity. In other words, the future of the BRI will reflect the common destiny of humanity.

Looking at the distribution of countries participating in the BRI, we can observe an interesting phenomenon. Developing countries hold a consistent positive attitude toward the BRI cooperation, while developed countries do not necessarily share the same sentiment. Of course, developing countries have heavier development tasks, but the BRI has never excluded any country and hopes for the participation of as many countries as possible, including developed ones.

The US also once showed interest in joining the BRI, but as the policy of containment toward China dominates in Washington, the US has instead poured cold water on and even undermined the BRI. At the same time, the US and Europe are both introducing alternative plans for BRI. From this perspective, imitation is actually the greatest affirmation. Although the BRI was proposed by China, once it was born and implemented, it belongs to the whole world, with extensive consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits. There is no need to divide it into different versions based on camps.

The future of BRI cooperation holds a lot of opportunities and requires more imagination, and it is also worth looking forward to. As the white paper points out, the BRI is a long-term, transnational and systematic global project of the 21st century and it has succeeded in taking its first step on a long journey. During these 10 years, the BRI has made many good friends around the world, and in the future, we look forward to more countries and regions joining in, making BRI cooperation a grand chorus for all of humanity.

With interest rates for existing mortgages for first-home purchases lowered starting from Monday, some 40 millions borrowers in China will enjoy the benefit of this support policy in the property sector. The move is expected to spur consumption and investment amid current economic headwinds, experts said.

The term "interest rates of existing mortgages for first-home purchases lowered from Monday" hit the hot searches on Chinese social media Weibo on Monday morning.

Most home buyers received text messages from banks or sought information on banks' apps. The reductions vary by the city, the time of purchase and the time when the credit contract was signed with the bank.

Mortgage interest rates in big cities are generally higher, and the total loan amounts are also higher. Buyers in such cities will see their payments fall more than those in smaller ones.

People who bought apartments in 2021, when mortgage policies were tightened and interest rates were relatively high, will more clearly feel the positive effects of rate cuts this time, according to Yan Yuejin, research director at Shanghai-based E-house China R&D Institute.

"The adjustment of mortgage rates could represent a significant innovation in housing policies. Market sentiment has been quite positive on the first day of the policy's implementation," Yan told the Global Times on Monday.

"Everyone is very supportive of the national policy, which has genuinely brought benefits to people, and their confidence in the real estate market has been further bolstered," Yan noted.

A house owner surnamed Bai, who bought a house in 2021 in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong Province, told the Global Times on Monday that he could save as much as 1,000 yuan ($136.8) per month after the adjustment.

Prior to the adjustment, Bai's mortgage rate was 120 basis points above the loan prime rates (LPR), a market-based benchmark lending rate. Now the rate is the same as the LPR, which is 4.3 percent, he was told by the bank.

"That will effectively reduce my monthly financial burden, which makes me very happy and more motivated to work harder and spend more to improve my living conditions," Bai said.

The move announced on Monday will help reduce borrowers' mortgage interest payments, stabilize and expand housing demand, and promote the sound and stable development of the country's real estate market, Dong Ximiao, chief research fellow at Merchants Union Consumer Finance Co, told the Global Times on Monday.

"It will also help narrow the interest rate gaps between existing mortgage loans and new loans, and ease the early mortgage payment rush," Dong said, adding that the risk from mortgage irregularities will also be diminished.

From a long-term view, these changes will later translate into consumption and willingness to invest, he noted.

The lowering of mortgage rates will benefit about 40 million borrowers. If the interest rate of a 1 million yuan mortgage for a 25-year term is cut from 5.1 percent to 4.3 percent, borrowers' interest payments will drop by over 5,000 yuan each year, according to analysts.

By the end of June, Chinese lenders held 38.6 trillion yuan in outstanding individual mortgage loans, statistics showed.

The support measures for the property sector echoed calls from the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee in July, which urged an adaption to a new situation, where major changes have taken place in the relationship between supply and demand in China's real estate market.

Over the past two months, Chinese authorities have launched measures ranging from lowering interest rates to easing restrictions on home purchases in a bid to bolster the stagnant property sector.

Last year was a tough one for the sector, with property investment falling 10 percent on a yearly basis, the first decline since records began in 1999.

During the past 33 years, from Beijing in 1990 to Guangzhou in 2010, and now to Hangzhou in 2023, the three host cities for the Asian Games in Chinese mainland serve as both geographical and historical landmarks. The cities not only record the stories of China's engagement with the Asian Games but also stand as a testament to China's great economic achievements.

During the 1990 Beijing Asian Games, China's economy embarked on a path of rapid development. However, it was still in the midst of the arduous phase of experimenting with reform and opening up, with annual GDP of merely 1.89 trillion yuan - or $395 billion at the exchange rate that time.

Back then, China's voice was considerably constrained on the international stage, with the country often labeled as "backward," "conservative," and "lacking vitality."

After 33 years, when a giant digital torchbearer joined Olympic gold medalist Wang Shun to light the main torch tower at the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province, on Saturday, those labels might be the last words in the minds of global audience.

Economic miracles

The 1990 Beijing Asian Games marked China's inaugural hosting of a large-scale international sports event, for which the country nearly "emptied its pockets of every penny" to sponsor. According to media reports, the preparations for the Asian Games at that time required a budget of 2.5 billion yuan, with a notable 600-million-yuan shortfall.

A grand nationwide fundraising campaign unfolded to help with preparations, with over 100 million people contributing funds and materials to the Asian Games organizing committee. In the end, the total raised reached an impressive 700 million yuan, according to media reports.
"The country was poor at that time and we all chipped in," Jiang Fajun, an associate professor at a college in Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, told the Global Times on Monday.

At that time, Jiang had just started his career, and now he's approaching retirement. Reflecting on the nationwide donations for hosting the Beijing Asian Games back then and witnessing the grand opening ceremony of the Hangzhou Asian Games now, he was deeply moved, saying that "the lighting of the cauldron was a spectacular sight, and it's exciting to see the country become richer and stronger each day."

The Yangtze River Delta region, where Zhejiang is located, is one of the most vibrant, open, and innovation-driven areas in China's economic landscape.

In 2022, Zhejiang recorded a GDP of 7.77 trillion yuan ($1.06 trillion), ranking fourth among China's mainland provinces. As a main force driving China's foreign trade, the province's high-tech exports increased by 26.8 percent and its mechanical and electrical products exports rose by 11.1 percent, official data showed.

The design and manufacturing of the main torch tower in the Asian Games stadium were entirely sourced from local Zhejiang enterprises for the event. In recent years, Zhejiang has been rapidly forging a modern industrial ecosystem with advanced manufacturing as its cornerstone, marked by a steady surge in corporate research and development investments.

While China as a whole has risen to become the world's second largest economy, with an annual GDP exceeding 121.02 trillion yuan in 2022, an increase of about 64 times compared with 1990.

Building confidence

In 1990, globalization was still in its nascent stage, and the entire Asian economy, especially East Asia, accounted for only about 20 percent of the global economy, experts said.

Two decades later when China's second Asian Games was held in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province, China has surpassed Japan and became the world's second largest economy, with its manufacturing sector the world's largest, Tian Yun, a veteran economist based in Beijing, told the Global Times.

Nowadays, China's manufacturing scale has far exceeded that of the US and Japan combined, Tian said.

Moreover, China is now the largest trading partner of more than 120 countries and regions. As the most important engine of world economic growth, China's contribution to global growth has remained at around 30 percent annually for decades.

Also, the internationalization of the Chinese yuan has steadily gathered pace, with more and more countries using yuan to settle foreign trade and investment. China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative has also attracted growing number of countries and regions to join hands and seek win-win development, Chinese experts said.

The benefits of hosting large-scale sports events like the Asian Games are not simply driving the growth of certain industries. More importantly, it serves as a distinctive platform to showcase China's achievements in various social and economic sectors, Tian said.

By showcasing China's advanced infrastructure development, cutting-edge technological advancement and high-quality service industry on a global scale, it conveys to people in Asia and around the world the long-term potential and confidence in China's economic future, Tian noted.

It is meaningless for a few Western politicians and media outlets to once again attempt to trumpet the "China collapse" theory. It is not the first time for them trying to dampen investor confidence in China and their attempts will fail again, the experts said.

The development of China's economy has evolved beyond quantitative growth; it now emphasizes qualitative enhancement too. Simultaneously, China has been committed to opening up its market and share growth opportunities with the world, Tian said.

Over the past 33 years, China's economy achieved remarkable progress, and in the future, the nation will continue to assume the role of a responsible major country, actively driving the recovery and development of both Asian and global economies, Chinese experts said.

Chinese airlines are increasing flights and destinations for the coming Golden Week, and the airports are seeing a surge in travelers.

Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) is expected to handle approximately 1.33 million passenger trips, with an average of 166,200 per day, and a total of 8,859 flights will be handled, with an average of 1,107 flights per day.

In terms of the international aviation market, BCIA will have 73 international destinations, covering 47 countries and regions on five continents, with an average of more than 130 international flights per day and more than 35 intercontinental routes, ranking first among domestic airports.

China Southern Airlines said it plans to arrange 3,000 extra flights from Wednesday to October 8 to meet the rising demand. The company plans to fly 2,200 flights per day on domestic routes, and it will also arrange extra flights for routes to Southeast Asia.

Data from industry information provider VariFlight showed that the number of civil aviation flights across the country is expected to exceed that of the same period in 2019, and may reach a new record high.

Domestic routes are expected to see more than 100,000 passenger flights, and overseas routes are expected to have more than 11,000 passenger flights.

The top three most popular domestic routes are Beijing-Shanghai, Shanghai-Shenzhen, and Shanghai-Guangzhou, and the top three outbound destinations are Hong Kong, Seoul and Osaka.

A daily average of 1.58 million entry and exit trips are expected during the holidays, up 300 percent from 2022 and reaching 90 percent of the 2019 level, thepaper.cn reported, citing data provided by the National Immigration Administration on Wednesday.