China's Liu Hao and Ji Bowen claimed the men's canoe double 500m gold medal at the Paris Olympics here on Thursday.

The pair clocked one minute and 39.48 seconds, ahead of Italy's Gabriele Casadei and Carlo Tacchini who took the silver in 1:41.08. The bronze went to Joan Antoni Moreno and Diego Dominguez from Spain who finished in 1:41.18. 

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) has sent some of its main combat aircraft to Thailand as the two countries' air forces ready to kick off a joint exercise on Sunday, with experts saying that friendly and confrontational exchanges between pilots from the two sides will boost military mutual trust as well as enhance skills.

Ahead of the Falcon Strike-2024 joint air force training exercise, scheduled to be held from Sunday to August 29 according to the Royal Thai Air Force, all participating Chinese forces have arrived at the Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base and conducted adaptative flight training sessions on Friday, China Central Television (CCTV) reported.

According to the CCTV report, the PLA Air Force has sent multiple types of military aircraft including the Y-20 large transport aircraft, the J-10C fighter jet, the J-10S fighter jet and the JH-7A fighter bomber.

Observers said that these warplanes are some of the PLA Air Force's mainstays in air transport, air-to-air combat and air-to-ground combat.

It is expected that the two countries' warplanes will hold confrontational exercises, and pilot exchanges between the two air forces are anticipated to deepen mutual trust and enhance skills, Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military aviation expert, told the Global Times on Sunday.

In the exercise, the Thai side will likely deploy the Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jet of European origin, according to Fu.

While not shown in the CCTV report footage and thus not knowing the exact type, the report said that the Chinese side also sent helicopters.

When the Chinese Defense Ministry announced the joint exercise last week, it noted that there would be Chinese special operations forces taking part in the drill.

It explains the deployment of helicopters, as the special operations units will likely practice aerial assaults on valuable ground targets such as air fields, air defense positions and command centers during the joint exercise, observers noted.

Falcon Strike-2024 marks the seventh joint training exercise between the Chinese and Thai air forces, CCTV reported.

The exercise is aimed at enhancing the tactical levels and skills of both sides' participating forces, as well as strengthening pragmatic exchanges and cooperation between the two countries' militaries, the Chinese Defense Ministry said.

On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the outbreak of mpox constitutes a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), which carries the potential to spread further across countries in Africa and possibly outside the continent. The following day, Chinese medical experts underscored the importance of international collaboration in containing the spread of the disease across borders.

The declaration was made by WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, given the upsurge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a growing number of countries in Africa, per a news release from the WHO website.

This marks the second PHEIC determination made by WHO, relating to mpox, in two years. Official data showed the number of cases reported in the DRC so far this year has exceeded last year's total, with more than 15,600 cases and 537 deaths.

WHO's determination came after the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on Tuesday officially declared the ongoing mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security.

According to the Africa CDC on Tuesday, at least 13 African countries, including previously unaffected nations Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, have reported mpox outbreaks. Suspected cases across the continent have surged past 17,000, a significant increase from 7,146 cases in 2022 and 14,957 cases in 2023. "This is just the tip of the iceberg when we consider the many weaknesses in surveillance, laboratory testing and contact tracing," read the Africa CDC press release.

WHO's declaration of a public health emergency of mpox is mainly aimed at strengthening global cooperation between countries and regions to prevent the disease from developing into a larger pandemic, Zhuang Shilihe, a Guangzhou-based medical expert who closely follows public health issues, told the Global Times on Thursday.

The symptoms of mpox are much clearer, with visible skin rashes and other symptoms, making it theoretically easier to control and discover compared to respiratory infectious diseases, according to Zhuang. It is hoped that with increased international support and resources, including support for vaccine development, the spread of the disease can be contained, Zhuang noted.

Prevention and control of mpox should focus on early detection, reporting, isolation and treatment to prevent the spread of the disease. Adherence to principles of combined prevention and control, precise measures and rapid response is crucial in effectively managing outbreaks, Lu Hongzhou, head of the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Men who have sexual relations with men in Asia are considered a high-risk group for mpox. It is important to prioritize prevention and control measures for this high-risk group to prevent transmission to the general population, Lu said, noting that the public does not need to panic.

Most cases in China have had mild symptoms, but individuals with compromised immune systems or advanced cancer may experience severe illness or even death, according to Lu.

China issued a mpox prevention and control plan in July 2023 to optimize the country's measures against the infectious disease. The plan calls for multi-channel effective monitoring of medical institutes, key groups and international arrivals.

Additionally, local health and disease control departments, along with relevant social organizations, should fully draw on the experience and service model of comprehensive intervention for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, and carry out peer education at key activity venues such as bars, clubs and baths frequented by men who have sexual relations with men, according to the plan.

China and Indonesia held their first Senior Officials' Meeting of the Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue on Tuesday.

Experts believe that cooperation between Beijing and Jakarta will set an example for other ASEAN member states while contributing to stabilizing the situation in the South China Sea.

As agreed between China and Indonesia, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Sun Weidong and Deputy Director of the Office for International Military Cooperation of the Central Military Commission Zhang Baoqun led a delegation to Jakarta on Monday to attend the first Senior Officials' Meeting of the China-Indonesia Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Dialogue.

Sun and Zhang and their Indonesian counterparts Abdul Kadir Jailani, Director General of Asia-Pacific and African Affairs at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Brigadier General Oktaheroe Ramsi, Secretary Directorate General for Defense Strategy at the Indonesian Ministry of Defense, co-chaired the Dialogue in Jakarta on Tuesday. 

The two sides exchanged in-depth views on China-Indonesia relations, diplomatic and defense strategic cooperation and reached a series of consensuses.

The senior officials' meeting marks the official launch of the "2+2" mechanism between the two countries and a new level of strategic mutual trust between the two countries. The two sides spoke highly of the development of China-Indonesia relations and expressed their willingness to strengthen communication and coordination, continuously enhance bilateral political and security cooperation and friendly mutual trust, and push for new progress in the building of a China-Indonesia community with a shared future.

China also expounded stances and propositions on issues concerning China's core interests and major concerns such as Taiwan question and the South China Sea. Indonesia congratulated China on the successful convening of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, reiterated its firm adherence to the one-China principle, and advocated properly managing differences through peace negotiations and maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times that 2+2 ministerial dialogues usually take place only between partners or countries with close relations and high strategic mutual trust.

This senior officials' meeting is expected to pave the way and create better conditions for talks among higher level officials in the future, Qian said.

Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times that the meeting will also likely address the relationships between China and ASEAN, and China's support for ASEAN's centrality in the region.

The two sides are also expected to discuss the negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea, with a view to reaching an agreement on the COC as soon as possible. In addition, the two sides will likely continue to focus on the Belt and Road Initiative and discuss ways to strengthen economic and trade cooperation under the framework of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the upgraded China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, Chen said.

Chen believes that given the fact that China and Indonesia share a common understanding in various areas, the two sides will also discuss various issues, ranging from Indonesia's support for the one-China principle and clean energy to conflicts elsewhere in the world.

The 2+2 dialogue came after the Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto visited Beijing this April, with observers saying that the visit was crucial not only for the development of bilateral relations for at least the next five years, but also injects positivity and stability into the whole ASEAN region.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun also met with Prabowo during the visit. Dong said the Chinese military is willing to work with the Indonesian military to consolidate their strategic mutual trust, promote joint exercises and training, and enhance personnel exchanges to take their practical cooperation to a new height.

Chen said that China and Indonesia have established smooth mechanisms for joint exercises and defense exchanges, and the two countries will set an example of cooperation between China and other ASEAN member states.

Meanwhile, military cooperation in general contributes to enhancing mutual trust in security between the two countries. More importantly, the cooperation between the two sides will serve as a positive signal for stabilizing the situation in the South China Sea, Chen said.

The China-Indonesia 2+2 dialogue takes place shortly after the Philippines continued to ignore China's sincere efforts to calm tensions by sending an air force aircraft to illegally enter the airspace over China's Huangyan Dao (also known as Huangyan Island) in the South China Sea on Thursday, a move that was met with professional and legitimate responses by the Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command. 

Chen said that Indonesia is also worried about the current tensions in the South China Sea, which will make Jakarta more concerned about the deterioration of the regional security environment as the worsening situation in turn will probably compel Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries to take sides in the competition between major powers. 

Chen said that Indonesia is likely worried that the Philippines' cooperation with the US and other Western countries may impact the unity of ASEAN.

Considering the above-mentioned facts, Indonesia will likely try to play a mediating role between the disputing countries. In addition, Indonesia will likely try to forge a solid consensus within ASEAN members, as it does not want to see ASEAN divided on the South China Sea issue, Chen noted. 

Editor's Note:

A dedicated group of individuals tirelessly patrol the South China Sea year-round, protecting China's national sovereignty, security, and maritime rights. These individuals make up the China Coast Guard (CCG).

In the eyes of some foreign media outlets, they are seen as "aggressive actors in international disputes." But what is the true role of the CCG in the South China Sea? Beyond their legal, reasonable and professional law enforcement which were usually defamed by the US and its allies, what do CCG officers patrolling in Huangyan Dao (Huangyan Island) actually do in their work and how are their daily lives? What drives them to bravely face challenges and remain resolute at sea?

Recently, Global Times reporter Lin Xiaoyi interviewed CCG law enforcement personnel on board the Wanshan vessel, who had just completed their mission in Huangyan Dao at the end of July. For these officers, the island is part of the coastal defense of their country, a workplace, and also their spiritual homeland.

In an effort to dispel misinformation and blatant biases, we seek to provide a more accurate and authentic portrayal of the true presence of the CCG in the South China Sea.

This story is also part of the Global Times' "Witness to History" series, which features first-hand accounts from individuals who were at the forefront of historic moments. 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 forward steps taken in the past and the present.

Steadfast sea guardians

Gazing out into the endless sea, Captain Yin Gang of the Wanshan has always focused on the task at hand. "Keep an eye on the waters near Huangyan Dao, and do not let go of the waters that our ancestors have protected for generations," he continuously reminds his crew as they embark on their mission.

"Our main task is to arrive at the designated task area on time, deploy for patrol, and promptly identify and drive away any unauthorized vessels entering our territorial waters," Yin told the Global Times.

Every maritime officer on board the Wanshan ship has a profound understanding of the significant importance of Huangyan Dao, which is part of the Nansha Islands and is an inherent part of China's territory. China has continuously, peacefully, and effectively exercised sovereignty and jurisdiction over the island.

Yin pointed out that each duty position on their vessel has established a 24-hour rotating duty system, ensuring real-time awareness of the patrol area's situation and the ability to respond immediately to any occurrences.

As a speed boat driver for Wanshan, Gao Xin is at the forefront of the action in the waters near Huangyan Dao. From driving away foreign ships trespassing into the area to combating smuggling, drug trafficking, and illegal fishing, Gao approaches each mission with utmost seriousness: He ensures that law enforcement personnel are safely transported to the target vessel at top speed for boarding control and law enforcement inspections.

"We meticulously analyze and perfect every aspect of our law enforcement procedures through rigorous training, drills, and evaluations," Gao said.

Qiu Canhui, in charge of collecting evidence for law enforcement operations, is a firsthand witness to the professionalism and standardization of CCG's law enforcement efforts. Armed with a camera and a law enforcement recorder, he meticulously documents every step of the process on board the vessel.

Contrary to the negative portrayal of China's maritime law enforcement by some Western politicians and media outlets as "harsh" and "aggressive" in the South China Sea disputes, Qiu stressed that they have a solid and comprehensive evidence chain to demonstrate that the CCG's actions are always lawful, reasonable and professional.

"Some nations accuse China of 'bullying the weak' in the South China Sea, but the reality is quite different," Gao stressed. "Our forces remain professional and restrained, while those labeled as 'weak' often engage in provocative behavior. We will not tolerate such actions," he said.

"The presence of the CCG in the South China Sea brings reassurance," Gao told the Global Times.

Having grown up in a family of fishermen in Weihai, East China's Shandong Province, Gao understands the challenges faced by those in the fishing industry. He takes pride in the fact that whenever he and his colleagues visit and support fishing boats, the fishermen always welcome them with warm smiles.

This year marks the fifth anniversary of the establishment of the CCG's maritime emergency response service platform. Since the launch of the platform, the CCG has effectively responded to over 68,000 incidents and carried out more than 6,900 rescues.

On July 10, a CCG vessel belonging to the law enforcement formation of the Wanshan launched a rescue operation and helped rescue a Philippine fishing boat in distress in the waters near Huangyan Dao, with two people injured and in critical condition on board. After the incident, the Philippine side expressed gratitude for the humanitarian rescue by the CCG.

Facing storm together
While in waters near Huangyan Dao, Yin found solace in immersing himself in the pages of the popular book The Three-Body Problem in his spare time. He deeply feels the insignificance of humanity in the vast universe. "Being out on the deep ocean only reinforces this notion for me, where even the largest ship feels like a mere speck in comparison," Yin shared with the Global Times.

Navigating the vast ocean is always a daunting task for all ships, but the brave crew of the CCG faces these dangers head-on rather than shying away from them.

In Yin's opinion, the smooth operation of a vessel relies on a cohesive team of brave and skilled individuals working together at sea.

For instance, the mechanical and electrical department is tasked with overseeing the engine room. This team works tirelessly to maintain nearly two-thirds of the ship's mechanical equipment.

Stepping into the engine room is entering a world of noise and heat, with machines roaring and temperatures soaring to above 40 C.

"In such a challenging environment, our duty officers must navigate through the chaos with a flashlight and walkie-talkie, relying on their heightened senses to inspect each piece of equipment," said Zhang Kaihua, the chief of the mechanical and electrical department, noting that many members of this department endure hearing loss and disrupted sleep patterns due to the demanding nature of their work.

Although the mechanical and electrical department may not be directly involved in frontline law enforcement, their crucial role in managing essential resources like oil and water cannot be understated.

"Despite the challenges we face, we are the backbone of the Wanshan. We are committed to ensuring the vessel's vitality, no matter what obstacles stand ahead," Zhang emphasized.

The members of the cooking corps in the vessel also face unique challenges as they work to provide four meals a day for all the officers on board.

In the typhoon season, the ship is tossed by strong winds and rough waves, making the otherwise simple task of cooking near impossible. Despite the harsh weather conditions, the cooks stick to the kitchen, preparing a simple but hearty lamb noodle soup to comfort the hungry stomachs and weary hearts of every officer.

Before each voyage, the officers bring hometown specialties on board, creating a kitchen filled with nostalgia from all corners of China. Cook squad leader Tang Yiming used his pots and pans to illustrate these nostalgia among the crew, although he rarely contacts his own family while at sea.

"When I use a satellite phone to contact my family, hearing their voices on the phone might make me homesick and worried about receiving bad news," Tang said.

The free family phone calls set up on the ship trigger a surge of longing among the officers. Fortunately, the "3580" hotline set up by the Third Directly Subordinate Bureau of CCG is always available to listen to the concerns of the families of the officers at sea, providing assistance and assurance so the officers can focus on their duties.

A sense of honor
On board the Wanshan, the CCG maritime law enforcement officers have a special tradition of taking photos in their uniforms in the waters of Huangyan Dao.

Whenever the weather is clear, Qiu busies himself taking photos of his colleagues on deck and then prints and laminates them, offering the printed and laminated copies as small gifts.

"Everyone in the photos is beaming with pride and satisfaction, as wearing the CCG law enforcement uniform fills us all with a sense of honor," Qiu shared.

For Tang, the most unforgettable moments of each patrol mission are the arrivals and departures to and from Huangyan Dao.

"Every time we dock at the island, it feels like coming home to a big family. The familiarity brings comfort as we know this place well. And as we leave the island after completing our mission, there's a sense of relief, because we can return to our own homes with our heads held high," Tang explained.

As cultural pillars aboard the Wanshan, Qiu and Tang work seamlessly together. During traditional festivals like the Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, they organize special performances and treat the officers to delicious delicacies. The atmosphere is always lively, with everyone singing sea shanties and their favorite patriotic songs like "The Motherland Has Entrusted Me with a Sea."

When they return home, the officers proudly show their families the stunning scenery around Huangyan Dao captured in their photos - towering waves, soaring seabirds, playful schools of fish, vibrant sunrises and sunsets, and their own confident and sunny faces as guardians of the sea.

"Family members also talk to me more frequently about the news they see regarding the South China Sea and the CCG." Yin feels very gratified as the CCG sails through the vast seas of the motherland, deepening the public's understanding of the South China Sea.

"More people are aware that China has such a beautiful and rich maritime area," he said. "Now more people are taking action to build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation. The sea area we are guarding will be more peaceful and beautiful."

As the Global Times concluded the interview, the Wanshan docks at the pier silently, exuding an air of serenity and determination. The crew members bustled about, diligently preparing for the next exciting chapter of their maritime journey.

China on Friday initiated dispute settlement proceedings against the EU's provisional anti-subsidy measures against Chinese EVs at the WTO to safeguard the interests of its electric vehicle industry's development and global green transition cooperation.

The findings in the EU's preliminary ruling lack factual and legal basis, seriously violate WTO rules, and jeopardize the overall situation of global cooperation in addressing climate change. We urge the EU to immediately rectify its wrong practices and jointly safeguard China-EU economic and trade cooperation and the stability of the EV industry and supply chains.

Shanghai authorities have released a work plan lately that aims to convert all buses and taxi fleets in the city to new-energy vehicles (NEVs) by the end of 2027. The plan comes as more Chinese cities are doubling down green efforts in the transport sector. 

The plan, titled "Shanghai large-scale infrastructure and equipment renewal special work plan (2024-2027)," was jointly issued by the Shanghai Municipal Development and Reform Commission and other relevant departments, aiming to promote the transformation and upgrade of transportation infrastructure and equipment toward green, digital, and intelligent solutions.

The plan sets the annual vehicle renewal rate at above 9 percent of the total, and under the plan, a total of 6,200 buses and 11,000 cabs will be renewed before 2027. 

It also calls for accelerating the electrification of the city's taxi fleet. All newly added or renewed cruising taxis in principle should use NEVs, and it is estimated that the number of renewed taxis will reach 2,800 units per year. 

The plan also encourages the city to actively pilot intelligent taxis and explore the application of autonomous driving technology in the taxi sector in certain areas with suitable conditions.

With regard to city buses, the plan stipulated that all newly added and renewed vehicles should be fully converted to new energy models, with an annual renewal of approximately 1,550 new -energy public buses. 

The plan also encourages the application of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in freight transportation. It calls for advancing the research and application of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles while accelerating the improvement of basic infrastructure such as hydrogen refueling stations.

According to the city's earlier transportation plan, more than 80 percent of buses and taxis in Shanghai will be powered by renewable energy by 2025. 

The city expects fully-electric cars to make up for more than half of auto sales in 2025. It also sets the goal of expanding the number of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to 10,000 by that time.

Beijing city also plans to promote NEV development. According to a recently announced action plan, the Chinese capital city aims to boost the number of running NEVs to 2 million by 2025. 

The efforts by Beijing, Shanghai and may other Chinese cities align with the national goal of peaking carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060.

According to the China Passenger Car Association, sales of NEVs in China's domestic market expanded 36.9 percent year-on-year to reach 878,000 units in July. The number means that the sales of NEV in July accounted for 51.1 percent of all auto sales, up 15 percentage points from the same period last year.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy is reportedly considering a visit to China, as part of the new Labour government's efforts to recalibrate UK's relationship with China, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. 

While neither country has yet publicly confirmed the report, such a trip could help both sides enhance communication to address their differences and pave the way for pragmatic, win-win cooperation, Chinese experts said on Wednesday. In particular, there is huge potential for the two countries to boost economic and trade cooperation, as many UK businesses are keen on expanding in the Chinese market, experts noted. 

According to the report on Tuesday, plans for the trip have not yet been finalized and no date has been set. However, if it takes place, the trip would be only the second by a UK foreign secretary in the past six years. Before becoming UK's prime minister a month ago, Keir Starmer said that his government would carry out what he described as an "audit" of UK-China ties as "one of the first things that we will do," Bloomberg reported. 

Speaking at a regular press conference on Wednesday, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said that she had no information to share about the trip at the moment, and referred to a recent meeting between the foreign ministers of the two countries.

"We are positive and open towards enhancing bilateral exchanges and cooperation," Mao said, "We hope to work with the UK on the basis of mutual respect and win-win cooperation for new progress in bilateral relations, so as to bring more benefits to both countries and the world." 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Lammy on July 26 on the sidelines of the meetings of foreign ministers of southeastern and eastern Asian countries in Vientiane, Laos where the two sides agreed to work together for closer communication and stable relations, according to the Xinhua News Agency. 

Notably, Wang called on the two sides to properly manage their differences and carry out communication and exchanges on the basis of equality and mutual respect, while urging the UK to provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies.

Experts said that if Lammy's trip indeed takes place, it would provide good opportunities for the two sides to further strengthen communication to address their differences and promote mutually beneficial cooperation, as bilateral ties have been seriously undermined by recent UK governments' hostility toward China. 

Zhao Junjie, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of European Studies, said that previous UK governments have taken a short-sighted and ideology-based approach toward China, which has seriously damaged bilateral ties. 

"The bilateral relationship has been very tense, as the UK has adopted a very unfriendly attitude toward China," Zhao told the Global Times on Wednesday.

In addition to hostility on the political side, the UK has also adopted a protectionist stance against Chinese businesses and products. Among the major hostile moves, the UK in 2022 moved to oust China General Nuclear from a nuclear power plant with a huge payout. It also banned Chinese telecom giant Huawei from its 5G network following the pressure from the US, despite a massive cost in doing so.

While it remains to be seen whether the new UK government will maintain such a hostile attitude toward China, there remains huge potential for pragmatic, win-win cooperation, experts said. 

Zhao said that the UK faces a chaotic economic situation, and it has been falling far behind in its green and digital transitions. If the new UK government tries to address these challenges, "it must engage with China," Zhao said, noting that China and the UK can cooperate in a wide range of areas, including green development, the digital sector and climate change. 

During the meeting with Wang in July, Lammy said that the UK side looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in areas including culture, education, healthcare, technology innovation and climate change, according to Xinhua. 

Many UK businesses are keen on expanding in the Chinese market, as China continues to further open up its market to foreign businesses in a wide range of areas, including manufacturing and financial services. 

On August 1, Standard Chartered Bank (China) formally opened a private wealth management branch in Beijing's downtown that will provide multidimensional services for China's high-net-worth families, a move underscoring the UK multinational bank's firm confidence in the China market.

Standard Chartered Bank is optimistic about the prospects of China's wealth management market and is making the business one of the company's operational strategies in China, the bank said in a press release sent to the Global Times.

However, for bilateral economic and trade cooperation to improve and expand, the UK side must change its hostile stance and adopt a more pragmatic approach toward China, experts said. 

"The hope is that the new UK government will adopt a more pragmatic and cooperative attitude toward China," Zhao said. "It is hoped that it will view the current situation clearly and be more candid in talks with China."   

The Third Plenum of the 20th the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, convened in July, said that the government will take multiple measures to support the job market.

Analysts said that China has a solid foundation to ramp up employment as the ongoing economic upgrade and transformation will fuel the development of new productive forces, leading to new forms of business and creating a greater number of new jobs which will help broad employment.

According to the communique adopted by the CPC Central Committee's Third Plenum, China will adopt an employment-first policy, while improving the nation's social security system.

"We will improve the system of employment support for key groups such as college graduates, rural migrant workers, and ex-service members and the system of lifelong vocational skills training," read the resolution on comprehensively deepening reform to advance Chinese modernization.

Officials will coordinate urban and rural employment policies, advance service reforms related to household registration, human resources, and personnel records, improve the policy environment to boost employment by encouraging startups, and support and regulate the development of new forms of employment.

"We will build a sound social security system to serve people in flexible employment, rural migrant workers, and those in new forms of employment," the resolution said.

Chinese analysts noted that employment concerns the quality of life, and it is of great importance for the government and the enterprises to work together to provide most jobs for the needy.

Tech-savvy entrepreneurs

The steady development of the new quality productive forces has played a significant role in stabilizing the labor market, Wang Peng, an associate research fellow with the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday.

Driven by ground-breaking technological innovations, the ongoing manufacturing and service sector transformation and upgrade in China will help release new market demand that is expected to create many new and high-paying jobs, Wang Peng said.

Wang Enjie, from a rural area in Hubei Province, is a young representative who has experienced this great transformation. To some extent, he is no longer a farmer in the traditional sense.

Wang Enjie and his peers are mostly tech-savvy, using new digital innovations and business models they have mastered in cities to revamp traditional farming, improve agricultural production efficiency, and creating new jobs in rural areas.

Wang Enjie, after quitting his job at a laptop manufacturing company in Shanghai, returned to Zigui county in Central China's Hubei in 2016 to help build up an e-commerce venture in his hometown. He is now the general manager of Zigui Weichu Cloud Warehouse Logistics Service Co and secretary-general of Zigui's E-commerce Association.

Zigui is known as the "hometown of Chinese navel oranges." However, the county officially emerged from poverty as recently as 2019, thanks to new internet technology that makes naval orange cultivation, picking, sorting and transportation much easier.

"Sorting used to be a labor-intensive work requiring years-long experience to judge the sugar and water content of navel oranges. It's a different picture now. An electronic system is quick enough to sort about 600 oranges in just one minute," Wang Enjie said.

At Weichu's processing factory, robotic arms and artificial intelligence-empowered electronic recognition system now handle, clean, screen and sort the oranges. The plant can now process about 200 tons of navel oranges per day.

Liu Yang, a drone operator helping farmers transport oranges from mountains to nearby roads, returned from Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province, to his hometown in Zigui's Pengjiapo village in 2021.

"In one minute, the drone can transport 50 to 60 kilograms of navel oranges from the mountaintop to the truck parked at the foot of the mountain. The journey used to take 40 minutes using the labor-intensive way - a person climbing down the steep slope carrying a fully-loaded basket," Liu told the Global Times.

By 2025, more than 15 million entrepreneurs will return to their hometowns to start businesses, according to an outline of agricultural and rural talent team construction during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

"We now need many professional workers who can operate computer numerical control machine (CNC)," Zhu Qiucheng, CEO of Ningbo New Oriental Electric Industrial Development, an exporter of furniture and home furnishing products, told the Global Times.

Zhu inherited a lumber mill from his father. Workers used to make furniture by hand. Now, all wood processing is done by CNC machine tools.

Waves of emerging jobs

Apart from manufacturing, analysts noted that China's fast-evolving service industries are also creating new types of jobs.

The digital economy has created new jobs. In recent years, the emergence of new jobs such as live-streamers, door-to-door chefs, and pet caretakers have attracted job seekers who are willing to devote themselves to those "innovative" jobs.

For example, the modern navel orange industry in Zigui has created new jobs such as social media live-streamers who use internet technology to promote sales.

"Our company is seeking multilingual live-streamers to introduce our products to overseas markets, such as the Southeast Asian market and the South American market," said Zhu.

The services industry has a strong capability to accommodate labor force. Boosting services consumption is conducive to solving the current employment problem in China, which will create even more jobs in the future, Hu Qimu, deputy secretary-general of the Digital-Real Economies Integration Forum 50, told the Global Times on Sunday.

At present, while vigorously promoting economic development to create jobs and boost employment, it is also necessary to fully implement the government's employment-first policy so as to create more jobs for the young job-seekers, analysts noted.

And, the government's policies on taxation, bank loans, social security, business administration and market supervision need to be better coordinated to support a higher level of employment in the country.

China has implemented and improved policies on credit, taxation and employment subsidies and consistently ramped up support for the private economy, no matter they are micro-, small- and medium-sized businesses, to generate new jobs.

India is paying increasing attention to the Arctic region, as evidenced by the discussion of Arctic issues during the talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin when Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Russia in early July. The potential for increased Arctic cooperation between India and Russia has garnered widespread international attention.

Despite being a tropical country, India conducted its first Arctic scientific expedition as early as 2007 and has included Arctic affairs in its global strategic plans. The country places great importance on the Arctic region and is actively seeking to engage in Arctic affairs and enhance cooperation with countries like Russia. One of the reasons is that climate change in the Arctic has a significant impact on India's economy, agriculture and environment. Therefore, conducting scientific research in the Arctic, analyzing and predicting trends in Arctic climate change, and understanding its impacts are crucial for India's economic and developmental interests.

Furthermore, the abundant energy resources in the Arctic region are of great significance for India's future development. India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world today, with an increasing demand for energy resources such as oil and natural gas. It is estimated that the oil and natural gas resources in the Arctic region account for about a quarter of the world's total reserves. Currently, Russia is the main country extracting oil and gas resources in the Arctic. In 2023, oil imports from Russia accounted for about one-third of India's total imports.

The future of Arctic shipping routes and their impact on India are of significant strategic importance. India's participation in the development of commercial navigation through the Arctic shipping routes could provide access to additional sources of energy and trade opportunities. India's large-scale energy trade with Russia may increasingly rely on the Arctic shipping routes as the proportion of Arctic oil and gas resources grows. Besides, how the Arctic shipping routes will impact the maritime routes in the Indian Ocean holds important strategic significance for India as a major power in the Indian Ocean, therefore India must plan ahead for this.

 India believes that as a major world power, it must demonstrate that it can have an influence on major global issues such as climate, environment, energy and maritime routes. India also believes that China is actively participating in Arctic affairs and playing an important role. India hopes to become a competitive player against China in the Arctic.

For Russia, continuing strategic cooperation with India, including in the Arctic, is important. After the Russia-Ukraine conflict erupted, the West imposed comprehensive sanctions on Russia, but India did not follow suit. As the West gradually cut off energy ties with Russia, India significantly increased its energy imports from Russia. In 2021, Russian oil accounted for just 2 percent of India's annual crude imports. However, this figure rapidly increased to over 30 percent of India's total oil imports in 2023. With the increasing share of Arctic oil and gas resources in the Russian energy industry, there is a foundation for promoting cooperation between Russia and India in the Arctic region.

Due to Western sanctions, Russia's foreign policy and external cooperation are increasingly turning toward Eastern countries. In terms of Arctic development, Russia has already achieved fruitful cooperation with China and hopes that India can participate more in Arctic cooperation.

In the long term, China, Russia and India share common interests in areas such as constructing Arctic shipping routes, exploiting Arctic resources and tackling Arctic climate change. This could potentially open up a new avenue for cooperation among the three countries. However, in the short term, there are several obstacles that hinder effective trilateral collaboration. India's mentality of treating China as a competitor in the Arctic region, in particular, poses a challenge to building mutual trust between the two countries.

Additionally, while the overall strategic cooperation relationship between Russia and India is being maintained, the US is actively trying to court India for its global strategic needs, and India seems to be enjoying this international environment where it can benefit from both sides. India's current diplomatic policy of opportunism is gradually increasing, even in its cooperation with Russia, where it pursues short-term benefits.

Therefore, trilateral cooperation between China, Russia and India requires all countries to take a long-term strategic perspective. They must also properly handle various relationships and establish a preliminary framework of strategic mutual trust for the potential of trilateral Arctic cooperation to gradually be realized.