A memorial service was held in Beijing on Sunday to commemorate Tsung-dao Lee, Chinese-born American Nobel Prize winner in Physics and a foreign academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, who passed away in the US last Monday at the age of 97, with over 330 attendees expressing deep sorrow fondly recalling Lee's great scientific contributions and endeavor in cultivating Chinese scientific talents. 

Renowned as one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century, Lee made significant achievements throughout his more than 60-year academic career, reaching new scientific heights in various fields, such as quantum field theory, fundamental particle theory, nuclear physics, statistical mechanics, fluid mechanics and astrophysics. 

Lee cared very much about the development of high-energy physics in China and actively promoted the construction of the Beijing Electron-Positron Collider, the high-energy physics experimental base. He also made great contributions to the advancement of China's science education by initiating and founding the China-US Physics Examination and Application (CUSPEA) program, establishing the Special Class for the Gifted Young at the University of Science and Technology of China. His proposals for the establishment of postdoctoral mobile stations, the founding of the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the China Center of Advanced Science and Technology were also adopted. 

On Sunday morning, over 330 people, including Lee's family members, friends, former colleagues, and others from over 30 colleges and scientific research institutes, gathered at the service held at the Institute of High Energy Physics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Beijing, to fondly recall Lee's scientific contributions and noble character. 

Wei Zhixiang, deputy director of the Bureau of Frontier Sciences and Basic Research under the CAS, shared his memories of the scientist and paid deep tribute to Lee on behalf of the CAS. 

Wei noted that Lee had always been concerned about and supporting the fundamental research work of the CAS, actively offering suggestions while promoting the leapfrog development of fundamental research talent within the CAS and across the country. 

According to Wei, Lee was a fierce advocate of China-US academic activities, playing an active role in establishing related institutions, which laid a solid foundation for international cooperation in fundamental research between China and the US. 

Commemorating and remembering Lee means learning from his strategic vision focused on the frontier, his rigorous and scientific academic approach, and his deep and passionate patriotism, Wei said, who advocated intensifying efforts in fundamental research, solidifying the foundation for scientific and technological self-reliance, and producing a series of scientific achievements that will have a milestone impact on the future development of humanity.  

Born in Shanghai on November 24, 1926, Lee developed interest in physics at an early age. In 1957, he won the Nobel Prize in Physics with Chen-Ning Yang, another renowned Chinese physicist, for advancing parity nonconservation in weak interactions, overturning what had been considered a fundamental law of nature that particles are always symmetrical.

In addition to his cutting-edge research outcomes, Lee was deeply respected for his efforts in cultivating Chinese science talents and contributing to the development of the study of physics in China by facilitating the establishment of the "Special Class for the Gifted Young," an educational model created at the University of Science and Technology of China and initiating the China-US Physics Examination and Application (CUSPEA) program for selecting the best of Chinese physics students to pursue PhD studies in the US. 

Between 1979 and 1989, nearly 1,000 young talents trained in the program have become the key figures in various fields including physics, chemistry, biology, information technology, finance, and economics of the Chinese society, the Global Times learned at the memorial service on Sunday.

Zhou Shangui, director of the Institute of Theoretical Physics under the CAS, expressed profound grief and deep remembrance to Lee on behalf of the institute for Lee's great contributions to the development of China's science and technology, education and talent cultivation in response to the nation's needs and the global scientific frontier. 

"The best way to commemorate Lee is through inheritance," Zhou said, "We will inherit and promote the scientific spirit and patriotic dedication of Lee, daring to innovate to meet major needs of the country and making greater contributions to the development of our country's technology and education industry and talent cultivation."

Wang Yifang, director of the Institute of High Energy Physics under the CAS, referred to Lee as an esteemed scientist, a great educator, and a patriot who led China's high-energy physics endeavors to the international forefront. 

Lee also played a crucial role in cultivating a large number of young talents for the development of basic research and applied science in China, Wang noted. 

New-energy vehicles (NEVs) accounted for 43.8 percent of China's total sales of new cars in July. Sales and exports of NEVs continued to rise, the latest industry statistics showed, showcasing the growth potential of the NEV sector.

In July, NEV production stood at 984,000 units, up 22.3 percent year-on-year, while sales of NEVs totaled 991,000 units, up 27 percent on a yearly basis, according to data released on Friday by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM).

The sales of many NEV enterprises increased significantly in July. For example, the sales of BYD, Li Auto, Leapmotor, Zeekr and Voyah increased by more than 30 percent year-on-year.

According to statistics released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) on Thursday, the domestic monthly retail penetration rate of NEVs reached 51.1 percent in July, which means that in China, the majority of consumers opted for NEVs when purchasing passenger cars.

"The main growth driver of the NEV market this year is still plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. This model can be powered by both fuel and electricity, so it has more usage scenarios than other models," Chen Shihua, deputy secretary-general of the CAAM, said on Friday during a briefing on the automobile market in July.

According to a CAAM report published in July, China's annual sales of NEVs are expected to reach 11.5 million in 2024, which would be a record-breaking number.

"China's NEV sector is expected to maintain a stable growth trajectory in the coming months, thanks to its ongoing technological innovation and upgrades in domestic auto products," Wu Shuocheng, a veteran automobile industry analyst, told the Global Times.

Apart from domestic sales, NEV exports witnessed growth of 1.3 percent year-on-year in July, reaching 92,000 units, CPCA data showed.

China's overall auto exports also saw an annual increase of 19.6 percent in July, according to CAAM data.

The exports have maintained robust growth this year. From January to July, the total exports of cars reached 3.262 million, up 28.8 percent year-on-year.

In the first seven months, China's NEV exports surged 17.8 percent year-on-year, CPCA data showed.

US PC maker HP on Thursday refuted foreign media reports alleging the company was relocating half of its personal computer production away from China, emphasizing the company is committed to Chinese market operations. 

"We remain committed to China and our China operations, and the important role they play in our global supply chain. As part of our standard operating procedures, we regularly engage in scenario planning, exploring various options to ensure we are enhancing the agility and resiliency of our global supply chain to meet the evolving needs of our customers," HP China told the Global Times on Thursday.

The remarks came after Japan's Nikkei Asia reported that HP is looking to shift more than half of its personal computer production away from China, amid concerns over "geopolitical risks." HP has set "an internal goal of eventually making up to 70 percent of its notebooks outside of China," and is setting up a "backup" design hub in Singapore and "betting big on building a production hub in Thailand," the Nikkei report said, citing sources.

The allegations by Nikkei Asia have been dismissed by HP China as "unfounded." 

The US' leading PC maker said that China remains a crucial and integral part of its global supply chain, and the company reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to continuing its operations and growth in the country.

In light of the ongoing discussions about supply chain diversification, HP's stance on its operations in China underscores the country's importance as a strategic market for multinational corporations, analysts said.

HP's PC manufacturing business in China continues to play a significant role in delivering high-quality products and services to the global market, and the company is continuously optimizing its strategies to enhance the resilience of its supply chain and better serve its customers worldwide, the Shanghai-based Jiemian News reported, citing the company's statement. 

HP is the world's second largest PC maker, trailing only Lenovo. 

HP's PC shipments in 2023 totaled around 52 million units, making the company one of the leading players in the industry, the Research firm IDC said. Despite the speculation surrounding a potential production shift, HP's presence in China remains significant, with the country serving as a key supply hub for the company's global operations.

According to a report from guancha.com, the company and its suppliers have built an extensive supply chain network in China, with Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality emerging as the leading global hub for PC exports.

The Chinese government has expressed firm commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment, welcoming investment by global businesses.

China has become a synonym of the best investment destination, and that the "next China" is still China, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said earlier, regarding reports indicating that foreign companies were considering relocating their supply chains away from China.

The reason why China is the place for the global business community lies in the strong resilience, ample potential and strong vitality of Chinese economy, the fundamental national policy of reform and opening-up and the huge Chinese market, Mao said.

China's imports of goods from the US grew by 1.2 percent year-on-yuan in yuan-denominated terms in July, marking the first rebound since February, customs data showed on Wednesday.

Analysts said the figure displays the complementary or win-win nature of the world's two largest economies, calling for the US side to scrap export restrictions on China so as to boost US exports amid rising challenges faced by the US economy.

China's trade with the US reached 2.72 trillion yuan ($379 billion) during the first seven months this year, registering 4.1 percent year-on-year increase. 

After months of decline, July saw China's imports from the US hit 106.03 billion yuan, boosting the January-July total trade volume to 683.91 billion yuan, rising 1.2 percent year-on-year, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs on Wednesday.

The figures underscore the robust trade relations between China and the US, despite ongoing challenges in bilateral ties. The growing import and export data reflect the intertwined economic relationship between the two. Analysts believe that, despite the US government's pressure placed on normal trade, business exchanges between the two countries' companies are fostering improvements in economic and trade interactions.

China's trade volume with the US is growing, now hitting near record levels. This growth has shown that, despite tensions in bilateral relations, their trade is recovering and keeps expanding, He Weiwen, a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, told the Global Times on Wednesday. Nevertheless, He noted that US government's coercive trade practices against China have hindered bilateral cooperation. 

Enhancements in non-governmental trade relations have also contributed to the growth in China-US trade. The recent positive interactions between Chinese and American business people signal an improvement in trade relations, Gao Lingyun, an expert from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

On July 22, Rajesh Subramaniam, board chair of the US-China Business Council, led a business delegation to China. The delegation's meeting with Chinese officials including Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Vice Premier He Lifeng and Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed their commitment to the Chinese market. 

From July 27 to August 1, Ren Hongbin, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, led a delegation of Chinese entrepreneurs to the US. During the meetings, Ren expressed hope that China and the US would be able to further promote bilateral business relations.

China's foreign trade achieved rapid growth in July, with foreign trade expanding by 6.2 percent year-on-year to reach 24.83 trillion yuan ($3.46 trillion) in the first seven months, setting a new record.

The aviation sector has seen rising momentum in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region amid this year's summer travel boom, with average daily passenger arrivals at regional airports standing at 181,600, surpassing 180,000 for the first time, local media outlet Xinjiang Daily reported.

The achievement came as the region's economy gained pace in the first half of the year, growing by 5.4 percent year-on-year, with the services sector continuing to revive and passenger trips seeing rapid growth.

Driven by high summer demand, airports in both southern and northern Xinjiang are breaking records of passenger numbers.

In July, Kashi Laining International Airport reported a total of 504,000 passenger arrivals, surging 30.41 percent year-on-year,, according to the Xinjiang Daily.

During the same period, passenger arrivals at Xinjiang's Ili Yining International Airport jumped 29 percent to 314,000, with flight departures and arrivals rising 22 percent to 2,874, a new record.

The surge in Xinjiang's tourism can be attributed to ongoing policy support, the region's rich and unique tourist resources, and its vigorous efforts to diversify tourism products, Wang Jinwei, a professor at the School of Tourism Sciences at Beijing International Studies University, told the Global Times on Monday.

"In recent years, Xinjiang has been pursuing a diversified tourism development strategy. In addition to traditional scenic spots, the region has developed various cultural, educational, and rural tourism products," Wang said.

Wang noted that this approach has stimulated growth in local tourism and related sectors, such as hospitality and aviation while contributing to the region's economic expansion and vibrant consumer spending.

Overshadowing peace. Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

Xi congratulates To Lam on election as general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee

To advance the modernization and industrialization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and facilitate its going global, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (NATCM) on Wednesday released a three-year campaign to further standardize TCM so as to better serve the high-quality development of the industry.

The initiative, announced by the NATCM on Wednesday, deployed 20 detailed tasks and 25 area-oriented missions, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The initiative adopts a demand-oriented perspective, formulating 20 guidelines governing health interventions for key groups, including the elderly, children and teenagers, and strengthening the TCM standards in key areas to meet the people’s health needs in the new era.

Meanwhile, the plan calls for finalizing the establishment of 30 international and 180 domestic TCM standards.

It calls for the acceleration of integration between TCM standards and artificial intelligence, and conducting of experimental projects like digitizing standards.

NATCM suggests that information on TCM standards should be made available for the public through various means like publishing manuals, which will guarantee the implementation of TCM.

Xinhua quoted an NATCM official as saying that driving the high-quality development of TCM standardization contributes to the efforts in delivering safe, effective and convenient services to the people, benefiting the academic progress, and boosting TCM exchanges and cooperation of TCM with foreign countries.

TCM standards are the prerequisite for going global, and the international standardization of TCM will make a significant contribution to resolving problems  currently hold back TCM’s development overseas, according to an expert renowned in TCM field.

The dean of the LKS Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong, professor Feng Yibin, emphasized that despite the fact that the TCM research is now more readily available, quality control and standardization remain crucial for TCM to be broadly recognized by both local and international markets, according to the 21st Century Economic Report.

A total of 196 nations and regions have started using TCM, according to NATCM statistics, and more than 40 foreign governments, regional authorities, and international organizations have signed specific TCM cooperation agreements with China, China Central Television (CCTV) reported in May.

TCM has now become an essential field of cooperation between China and mechanisms such as ASEAN, the European Union, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the CCTV report noted.

Ten industry standards and 77 nationally approved standards for TCM have been developed by China to date. In addition, 112 international standards for TCM have been released by the Technical Committee on Chinese Medicine of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), according to Xinhua.

These standards represent that the framework of the standard system tailored for the development of TCM in China has been fundamentally established, NATCM said.

The Badain Jaran Desert in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the coast of the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf (Phase II) were included in UNESCO's World Heritage List on Friday during the ongoing 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi, India, according to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Friday.

Currently, China boasts 15 Natural World Heritage sites and four mixed (cultural and natural) heritage sites, maintaining top position globally in a nation's total number of Natural World Heritage sites.

The "Badain Jaran Desert - Towers of Sand and Lakes" is the first desert in China nominated for the World Heritage List. The desert, located in the northern part of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in North China, covers an area of 44,300 square kilometers and is the third-largest desert in China. Its northwestern part, over 10,000 square kilometers, remains untouched by human presence.

While most deserts are known as forbidden zones due to water scarcity, the Badain Jaran Desert is a wonderland where sand dunes and lakes coexist. The towering sand dunes and diverse desert lakes are the two highlights of this nomination.

The Badain Jaran Desert, featuring its unique, rare and magnificent tall sand dunes, as well as countless colorful inter-dune lakes, is an outstanding example of the ongoing evolution of desert landscapes and landforms in temperate and hyper-arid climates. It is also one of the desert landscapes with rare natural beauty on a global scale, according to the World Heritage Committee.

Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (Phase I) was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2019 and is located in Yancheng, East China's Jiangsu Province. The second phase of the project includes multiple conservation areas in Shanghai, Hebei, Shandong, Liaoning and other provinces and cities.

The sanctuaries, located in the world's largest intertidal wetland, serve as a crucial habitat for migratory birds along the East Asia-Australasia flyway. This migration route extends from Siberia and Alaska through East, Southeast and South Asia, all the way to Oceania, crossing 22 countries. It is the most diverse and highest concentration of endangered species among migration routes globally, providing essential breeding, resting and wintering grounds for tens of millions of waterfowl.

The migratory bird sanctuaries in China have unique ecological functions. Their tidal flats are critically important for the conservation of migratory birds worldwide, providing survival support for the vast majority of bird species, including 45 threatened species. As a whole, the sanctuaries make an irreplaceable contribution to the conservation of migratory waterbirds in the East Asia-Australasia Flyway (EAAF). The EAAF is one of the world's most important flyways and one of the regions with the highest concentration of endangered species and the most fragile ecosystems. The successful inclusion of this heritage site marks a milestone for the protection of globally significant human heritage, according to the World Heritage Committee.

In recent years, China has continuously strengthened the protection of Natural World Heritage sites and mixed heritage sites. Relying on the construction of national parks, nature reserves and scenic areas within the natural protection system, China has been steadily establishing and improving protection management systems and achieving effective protection and sustainable use of heritage sites.

China's World Heritage sites, which encompass outstanding values of natural beauty, geological features and biological ecology, have become a model for ecological civilization and the construction of a beautiful China. They increasingly highlight China's firm commitment and exceptional contributions to global biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and participation in global environmental governance.

Moving forward, China will seize the opportunity to comprehensively advance the construction of a nature protection system centered on national parks. This will further improve the protection and management of natural heritage sites, support the building of a beautiful China, continue to fulfill international conventions, strengthen international cooperation, share China's successful experiences, and promote global ecological civilization and cultural exchanges. In doing so, China will contribute its experience and strength to building a community with a shared future for mankind.