Gao Gao the giant panda is 32 years old, equivalent to 112 years old in human age. Although he is in the sunset years of his life with some unavoidable age-related health issues such as abraded teeth, Gao Gao still lives in the Dujiangyan panda park of the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) and has been nicknamed "Grandpa Gao."

Chen Rui, one of the breeders at the CCRCGP who is in charge of taking care of Gao Gao, told the Global Times that he still remembers when he first met the giant panda at the airport after returning to China from the US.

"The lovely 'grandpa' was a fussy eater at the time," Chen recalled, adding that it took a lot of efforts to transform Gao Gao's "addiction" to cookies, persuading him to accept a more balanced diet.

Such stories of giant pandas like "Grandpa Gao" and their breeders happening every day at the breeding base have been presented in a TV show called Panda's Family, recently released on Hunan TV and Mango TV, capturing how Chinese breeders guard giant pandas from cradle to grave and help them return to the wild, giving the public a new perspective on the interactions between humans and animals.

Netizens commented that they saw the cross-species affection between breeders such as Chen and Li Rong and the pandas in their care. These breeders, who are the closest humans to giant pandas, dedicate most of their time and energy to the work and become family to the giant pandas.

The team of panda breeders is growing larger. In the TV show, six younger interns gain experience as breeders and also build firm bonds with the pandas they are caring for. Ma Xiaoyu, one of the interns, told the Global Times that she is eager to take the mantle of caring for giant pandas after officially joining the team.

The program has since come to an end, but the story of the ­harmonious relationship between humans and giant pandas, as it extends into the natural world, lives on.
Love and trust

Mornings at the breeding base are typically busy for Ma. She and other interns need to clean the colony houses for more than one hour and then prepare the giant pandas' breakfast on time, a basin of milk formula specifically formulated for panda cubs and fresh bamboo for the adult pandas.

They then monitor and record the situation of pandas every half hour to spot and rapidly respond to any abnormalities in the pandas' behavior. The collected data is then given to veterinarians and biological experts regularly to help safeguard the endangered animals' health.

"The feeding capability of panda cubs is not like that of the adults, so we need to care for the cubs skillfully and patiently," Li told the Global Times. She has been responsible for taking care of panda moms and their cubs.

The delicate nature of panda cubs also challenges Li's ability to observe and react. She said that they must take painstaking measures to prevent the cubs from contracting diseases as mild as influenza. "Accurately telling if panda cubs are ill usually relies on plenty of experience," Li noted.

Now Li has developed the "eye," instantly taking note of tiny dangerous factors as minute as a wooden thorn in a panda cub's toy.

Chen, who works in panda-related healthcare for aged pandas, has also expressed concern over the fragile state of giant pandas' health. He said that illness among old pandas is usually cumulative and he has to closely monitor surrounding pandas' excrement and movement to confirm if they are healthy.

Chen and Li both mentioned that their attitude to the work has transformed from just a responsibility to an indispensable part of life after becoming closely involved with pandas. Additionally, the pandas also display deep affection and trust in the breeders.

Destination in nature

"Tao Tao, as you walk into nature today, I wonder if we will have the chance to meet again in this lifetime. I hope you grow healthier and stronger in the wild and build your own family," Mou Shijie, the CCRCGP's breeder responsible for captive pandas' rewilding training and release, said to himself when staring at the first panda he trained and released running in the woods.

Chinese giant panda breeders not only care for captive pandas, but also try hard to help the endangered species return to the wild and maintain a wild population. Mou is a veteran member of the rewilding team.

Mou said that rewilding training work consists of two stages. The first is to build trust with panda moms and ensure that the nutritional needs of the cubs are met. When the cubs are about 1 year old, the mom and cubs are transferred to a broader area ready for training.

"The panda mother leads her cubs in the training area, where they can freely eat bamboo, find water sources, locate shelter, and learn crucial survival skills like avoiding predators. These are lessons only a panda mother can teach; we humans can't instill that wild instinct in them," Mou noted.

So far, the CCRCGP has successfully trained and released nine giant pandas back into the wild, which should ultimately be their true home.

The highly anticipated documentary The Sinking of The Lisbon Maru will be released publicly across China on Friday. The film tells a story interwoven with the cruelty of war, the brutality of the Japanese fascists, as well as the courage and humanitarian care of the ordinary Chinese people.

The truth about the sunken Lisbon Maru needs to be known by the whole world, said renowned Chinese filmmaker Fang Li, who directed and produced the documentary.

“I hope that every audience can further learn about the brutality of war through it, and cherish the peace we have today,” Fang told the Global Times on Thursday.

The documentary features the 1942 sinking of the “Lisbon Maru,” an armed Japanese cargo ship that participated in World War II. In October that year, Lisbon Maru transported more than 1,800 British prisoners of war (POWs) from Hong Kong toward Japan, without bearing a sign indicating it was carrying POWs – a violation of the Geneva Convention.

After being struck by the torpedo of a US submarine, Japanese soldiers cruelly battened the POWs down below deck, left them to drown, and even shot at them, leading to the deaths of 828 prisoners.

When the ship went down off the coast of Zhoushan Islands in East China’s Zhejiang Province, 384 POWs were fortunately rescued by local Chinese fishermen, who pulled them from the water risking their own life.

For decades, the Japanese authorities refused to acknowledge their atrocities committed in the Lisbon Maru incident. By chance, Fang, who is also an expert in geophysical exploration and marine technology, heard the story from some fishermen in Zhoushan in 2014, and later thought about making a documentary about it.

“I made the film to reveal the truth, for the young men who died in the Zhoushan Islands waters, and for the Chinese fishermen who helped rescue them,” Fang told the Global Times.

The film is not only for Chinese moviegoers, but audience from all over the world, particularly young people, he added. “I hope the film enables today’s youth to cherish their families, the people around them, and appreciate everything they own.”

Ahead of its nationwide release, The Sinking of The Lisbon Maru has already received many positive reviews in its preview screenings.

During the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival in June, several families of the POWs attended the documentary’s premiere. Denise Wynne, daughter of one of the survivors Dennis Morley, said that the heroism of the Chinese fishermen showed in the filmed impressed her a lot.

“My dad always said that the Chinese fishermen were heroes, and without them, I wouldn’t be here,” Wynne told the Global Times after the premiere.

Rock climbing has become a go-to stress reliever for many young people, and its inclusion in the 2024 Paris Olympics has further fueled its appeal. 

Chinese athlete Wu Peng's silver medal in the men's speed climbing event in Paris has sparked widespread interest, with his climbing videos attracting significant attention online. Many netizens expressed a newfound desire to try the sport themselves.

Puzzle-solving

Data from QianGua.com indicate that interactions related to rock climbing on Xiaohongshu, a Chinese lifestyle-sharing platform, reached 2.18 million posts in July 2024, and surged to 2.24 million from August 5 to August 11. 

Climbing gyms across China have seen an uptick in bookings, especially on weekends and after-work hours on weekdays. Hao, manager of Upper Climbing Gym in Shenzhen, told the Global Times that there's a significant increase in visitors, while Chen, manager of Benchmark Climbing Gym in Shanghai, reported a rise in young climbers.

In response to the growing number of people trying rock climbing, more climbing gyms are being established. The "2023 China Rock Climbing Industry Analysis Report" released by Chinese Mountaineering Association (CMA) shows that the number of gyms reached 636 in 2023, surpassing the US for the first time. Hao noted that despite the heavy investment required, gyms like Upper Climbing Gym are planning expansions to meet the demand.

Unlike other sports, rock climbing's puzzle-solving element captivates many climbers. For instance, in bouldering, a discipline of indoor climbing, the same route can be completed using different movements, at varying speeds and levels of energy expenditure. Finding the most efficient way to reach the top is like solving an optimization problem, providing a strong sense of accomplishment.

Leo, an avid rock climbing enthusiast, told the Global Times that this sense of accomplishment is what draws him to the sport. "I'm not someone who enjoys repetitive exercises. In climbing, the change of placement, angle, or shape of a few holds can dramatically alter the route's strategy. Figuring out how to tackle these new challenges is part of what I enjoy."

Jessica, a long-time rock climbing enthusiast who currently works in Hong Kong, told the Global Times that every climber needs to learn how to deal with their own bodies, with the first step being learning how to "fall safely." "For beginners, false falls are common, so finding the right coach or community is important," she said.

Here lies the philosophy of rock climbing - it taps into a person's instincts. Rocky, an intermediate climbing instructor from Shanghai University of Sport, explained: "It's like rediscovering childhood memories, finding a pure 'flow' while climbing." 

Climbing provides an exciting alternative to traditional gym workouts. It combines physical strength, flexibility, problem-solving ability, and mental focus, making it a holistic exercise.

Continued growth

Since making its Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games, sport climbing soon raised its profile globally and in China. The sport's inclusion in the Olympics has inspired many young Chinese to explore it as a competitive and recreational activity.

Rocky told the Global Times that sport climbing meets the emotional needs of urban professionals.

The popularity of sport climbing can be attributed to the influence of the Olympic Games, and the promotion on social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu. After a day of stressful work, office workers can find relief and excitement in climbing. The sport itself is very attractive and embodies a sense of freedom. The increasing number of climbing gyms and improved services have made it more accessible too, he said. 

In addition, the "people-friendly" atmosphere at climbing gyms contributes to a positive experience. Climbers typically focus on their own routes, and when they hit a difficult point, others in the rest area will encourage them by saying something on the lines like "Just reach out and you've got it."

Nisa, a freshman in rock climbing, told the Global Times that she's not particularly extroverted and doesn't actively seek climbing partners. 

"If I meet someone, great. If not, it's no big deal," she said, noting that the sport's somewhat introverted nature hasn't hindered the formation of a supportive community. 

"Climbing can be a solo activity or a shared one," Chen, the manager in Shanghai, said, adding that the sport accommodates different social preferences.

Climbing also helps some people meet people who share similar interests. Climbers develop a shared understanding with their own "codes" and "lingo." 

Jiang Yiyi, vice dean of the School of Leisure Sports and Tourism at Beijing Sport University, told the Global Times on Wednesday that as a trendy and youthful sport, rock climbing's popularity is expected to continue growing, and its industry chain is expanding rapidly despite certain challenges. 

One of the main hurdles is the technical skills required and the associated risks, which create a barrier to entry for newcomers. 

To address this, there is an ongoing effort to develop professional talent in the field, aiming to increase the number of skilled trainers in climbing institutions. This would not only promote the sport but also ensure its safe and sustainable growth, she noted. 

In the face of intense competition within the industry, Zhang Shanshan, founder of Beijing Aosen Beiding Sports Management Company, told the Xinhua News Agency that to succeed in this market, industry insiders must first be clearly positioned and focus on enhancing professionalism and service for the customer base. 

"The gym needs a diverse range of climbing routes. Professionals are in demand to continuously update the climbing routes in the facility so that each visit feels fresh and innovative," Zhang said.

Study tours have gained popularity in China in recent years as Chinese parents invest more in the well-rounded education of their children. But the industry encountered controversies this year due to reports of overly high cost and disappointing arrangements. Given expanding market and following chaos, more parents and experts are calling for rational choices to avoid being caught up by comparing mentality.

When visiting Tsinghua University on August 1, the Global Times reporter found that dozens of elementary school students dressed in graduation gowns were lining up at the front gate of the university, one of China's most internationally famous universities, to take pictures.

Inside the Tsinghua campus, teenage students were everywhere taking pictures, walking or bicycling among the buildings.

The scene echoed media reports and data from travel platforms, demonstrating that study tour, or educational tour, has become a main part of this summer's tourism market in China.

According to a report from Ctrip, a major Chinese online travel booking platform, orders of parent-child educational products for summer holidays via the platform increased by 70 percent year-on-year. Data from another travel platform Fliggy also showed that, after the summer holiday of Chinese schools kicked off in early July, the search popularity for "educational travel" on the platform has increased by over 60 percent compared to last year.

Historical and cultural cities are the first choice for parent-child educational trips in the summer, with Beijing and Xi'an topping the popularity list. Landmark scenic spots that have appeared in the textbooks of Chinese elementary and middle schools are favored by these groups, according to data from Tongcheng Travel.

Museums, nature and rural areas are also among the most popular destinations, people.cn reported citing Tongcheng Travel.

A notable trend in this year's educational tour market is the tour to some famous Chinese hi-tech companies like new-energy vehicle (NEV) maker NIO and artificial intelligence company iFlytek. Such tours could provide students an opportunity to get a direct and deep sight into companies and the process of scientific research and development, which will not only help popularize science, but inspire these students in career choice, according to experts.

Some parents send their children to educational tours as they need some people to take care of their children while ensuring their safety. "My son can travel with many peers of his age, and at the same time, he can learn something," a mother in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, told the Global Times.

Others choose education tours as they want their children to get a deeper understanding of their interests. A mother in Shenzhen calling herself Xi Xi told the Global Times that she once sent her son to a dragon boat educational tour and her son learned a lot about the history and culture of dragon boats. "This made me feel that educational tours are really helpful for my children," Xi Xi said.

According Xi Xi, she and her husband used to take their son on their own to go travel, driving to Xizang, walking through deserts and rain forests, in order to widen their son's horizon. But when it comes to knowledge, especially cultural and historical knowledge, she and her husband felt helpless as they did not how to teach their son. This is when they turned to educational tours.

This summer, Xi Xi sent her 8-year-old son to an educational tour to Beijing. According to her, there were professional guides in the tour to explain cultural and historical knowledge during the tour. "They also invite a professor from Peking University to deliver a speech at the opening ceremony of the tour."

The six-day-five-night tour in Beijing cost Xi Xi about 7,000 yuan ($981.8), excluding transportation cost. This package includes a visit to the Universal Beijing Resort. The package excludes the Universal Beijing Resort is 2,000 yuan cheaper.

The price of a standard day ticket to the Universal Beijing Resort is less than 500 yuan. The Global Times found on Tongcheng Travel that a normal six-day-five-night group tour, including visit to the National Museum, the Forbidden City and the Universal Resort, is priced 4,015 yuan.

For Xi Xi, the extra money for her son's educational tour is worth as it did play an educational role. "It is an independent tour. My son also learned how to take care of himself like washing clothes this time. So, overall, it met my expectations," Xi Xi said.

Some parents got disappointed when they found the tour was not as educational as they expected. According to media reports, some educational tours would only take students to the outside of Tsinghua University to take pictures as they, in fact, did not have official cooperation with the university and were not able to take so many students into the campus all at once. Tsinghua requires real-name reservation for entry and only opens 12,000 reservation vacancies per day for the public from July 15 to August 11.

The Global Times learned from some Tsinghua students that some education tour organizers have tried to find Tsinghua students to help them take tour attendants into the campus. Tsinghua students would get punished once being found doing so.

The quality of some so-called professional teachers in educational tours organized by tour agencies are also questionable as media revealed that the certificate for a professional educational tour guide can be bought at about 1,000 yuan.

Chaos arose along with the rapid expansion of the market.

According to media reports, there were more than 29,000 existing educational tour-related enterprises in China in 2023, with 49.4 percent of them established within the past 1 to 5 years. a Report of market consultancy iiMedia Research said that educational tour market has reached 146.9 billion yuan in 2023, and is expected to reach 242.2 billion yuan by 2026.

More and more Chinese schools and other educational bases like museums are also organizing educational campuses as, in December 2016, Chinese authorities issued guidelines to encourage educational tour activities in the county as a bid to promote well-rounded education of Chinese students.

Educational travel itself is a new way of learning, an important component of quality education, and complementary to school learning. It can help students to develop potential in various aspects, Chu Zhaohui, a research fellow at the National Institute of Education Sciences, told the Global Times.

Chu suggests parents choose educational tour based on children's interests rather thanfollowing other parents, avoiding getting trapped by unnecessary anxiety caused by comparing mentality.

"Parents need to choose educational trips that suit children's interests and hobbies, as well as the growth goals you want your children to achieve. After making a choice, parents and children also need to prepare for safety, travel knowledge, and so on. For parents, don't just follow the trend, but consult your children's opinions at first," Chu noted.

Experts also stressed that educational tours should focus on providing high-quality and enriching experiences for participants. This can be achieved through collaboration with reputable institutions and the implementation of strict regulations to ensure the safety and educational value of these tours.

By emphasizing the importance of education and cultural exchange, these tours can have a lasting impact on individuals and contribute to the overall development of society in a long run, they said.

China's economy continued its steady upward trend in August, with the output of industrial enterprises above the designated size up by 4.5 percent year-on-year, and retail sales rising by 2.1 percent year-on-year, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Saturday.

Liu Aihua, spokesperson and chief economist of the NBS, told a press conference on Saturday that a range of economic indicators showed a steady expansion trajectory despite the impact of internal natural disasters and external uncertainties. She also highlighted the government's policy support and high-quality development strategy that provide foundation for growth.

In August alone, the value-added industrial output saw a 4.5 percent year-on-year growth, 0.32 percent up from the previous month level. For the first eight months, value-added industrial output rose by 5.8 percent year-on-year.

The growth of industrial output was led with equipment manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing sectors. In specific, the output volume of new-energy vehicles in August increased by 30.5 percent year-on-year, service robots increased by 20.1 percent and the integrated circuit products increased by 17.8 percent.

In the first eight months this year, fixed asset investment reached 32.94 trillion yuan, up 3.4 percent year-on-year, NBS data showed.

She noted that the issuance of the ultra-long treasury bonds and special government bonds will ensure the steady growth of nation's investment into the future.
The retail sales in August rose 2.1 percent year-on-year. From January to August this year, the nation's retail sales totaled 31.25 trillion yuan, up 3.4 percent year-on-year, indicating the great potential of China's super large-scale market.

Looking ahead, Liu stated that the foundation for consumption recovery will be further strengthened through the promotion of ongoing trade-in schemes and other consumption stimulation policies.

Two trucks released a flock of more than 2,000 pigeons onto an expressway in North China's Hebei Province, leading to a semi-trailer's windscreen cracking as it navigated through the chaos, according to the traffic administration bureau of the Ministry of Public Security on Wednesday.

The two drivers, employed by a racing pigeon owner, transport over 2,000 racing pigeons from North China's Shanxi Province to Hebei for release, in order to test the time it takes for the pigeons to return to their breeding base in Shanxi.

They had planned to release the pigeons in a parking area, but since the area was not open, the two drivers were worried that the pigeons might die if they stayed in the vehicle beyond the release time. Consequently, they stopped at the ramp entrance and released them.

Over 2,000 pigeons burst into the sky within an instant, and the two even took out their cell phones to record the event, according to the report. Eventually, a heavy semi-trailer passing by was hit by a pigeon, causing its windscreen to crack.

The traffic police took action against the pigeon owner and the two drivers, and asked them to compensate the semi-trailer driver.

Recently, media representatives from China, Europe, and Africa, who were participating in the 2024 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road, embarked on a journey to Leshan city in southwest China's Sichuan Province to explore the true essence of Emei.
Forging friendship through martial arts

What happens when Emei martial arts, known for combining hardness with softness, intersects with submission grappling, which focuses on defeating opponents with skill?

In front of the main entrance to the Chinese Studies Hall of the Emei Kung-Fu Alliance, more than 30 young martial arts trainees were practicing martial arts moves.
During a follow-up demonstration session, Emei martial arts practitioners showcased a range of martial arts techniques and equipment, drawing the interest of foreign media representatives who expressed a desire to become their apprentices and engage in skill-sharing.

"Emei martial arts, originating from Mount Emei, is known for its combination of hardness and softness, speed and slowness, and flexibility. It is recognized as one of the three main genres of martial arts in China," explained Wang Chao, an inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of Emei martial arts.

"With its roots deeply embedded in Chinese culture, Emei martial arts embodies a harmonious blend of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, making it a highly inclusive practice," Wang elaborated.
Inspired by the atmosphere, Per Markus Andersson, an editor with The Nordic Times, Sweden, and Isac Bomen, an editor with Nya Dagbladet, Sweden, teamed up to showcase submission grappling, earning warm applause from the spectators.

"Martial arts exchange fosters mutual learning among diverse civilizations. I have discovered that grappling and Emei martial arts share similarities. For example, both disciplines do not promote violence; rather, they are practiced to cultivate strength, encouraging individuals to develop self-discipline and a positive mindset," said Andersson.
Bonding over craft

What happens when tea from Mount Emei meets coffee from Kenya?

Seated around a table, Yang Mei, a Chinese tea artist, and Agnes Mbithe Mwangangi, an editor with the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), were presenting Chinese tea culture alongside the coffee culture of Kenya.

Warming the cup, observing the tea leaves, adding them to the cup, steeping, and brewing, all while listening to soothing music, a pot of Mount Emei tea was good to go.

"As the tea neared my nose, a refreshing aroma filled the air, I really enjoy the scent and taste of this tea," said Mwangangi. Kenya is famous for coffee production, and Mwangangi demonstrated the brewing method of Kenyan coffee.

"This one has a chestnut-like aroma when you drink it," said Yang.

"Coffee and tea can also be combined. We have partnered with a coffee shop to create a special blend of coffee and green tea. This unique blend has a fragrant and rich taste, offering a one-of-a-kind flavor experience," Yang added.

"In Kenya, many people also brew and drink tea using locally grown tea leaves. This exchange has brought us closer together," said Mwangangi.

United by artistry

In China, calligraphy is not just visual art but a reflection of deep cultural values, with its unique spirit and poetic essence.

"What does 'De Bu Gu' mean?" asked Cristina Andrade, a journalist from El Periódico de España after receiving a piece of calligraphy.

"It means virtuous people always find like-minded companions," explained a Chinese journalist.

"The Chinese characters represent harmony and kindness, values I strive to promote. If all countries embrace this, the world will be a better place," Andrade said, after knowing the meaning of the Chinese characters.

Foreign journalists gathered around the table of Lin Xu, an inheritor of Mount Emei finger painting, an intangible cultural heritage.

Emile Gankama, editorial director of Les Depeches De Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, a painting enthusiast, joined Lin to finish the same work.

"Painting brings us closer together," Gankama said as he showed off the finished artwork.

"Our collaboration was seamless. I started with a portrait of a man, and Lin really got what I was going for, adding arms and a suit to round out the painting," he explained.
As music started playing, Lilon Bongmatur from Vanuatu Broadcasting & Television Corporation, Vanuatu, pulled Chinese journalist Qiu Yue onto the dance floor to perform a traditional dance from the South Pacific island nation.

Gankama quickly joined in, followed by Lin.

As the music played, people from China and other countries formed a circle, clapping and dancing together, creating a lively atmosphere. Journalists from different countries exchanged invitations and well-wishes as they danced, fostering friendship.

China and ASEAN will eye more practical cooperation in digital technology and green economy, Chinese officials said on Wednesday, as the upcoming China-ASEAN Expo will add a new strategic theme, focusing on the development of new quality productive forces.

The expo is expected to shed light on the latest technological developments in digitalization, low-carbon transition, new energy and smarter internet-connected auto vehicles.

Vice Minister of Commerce Li Fei told a press conference that this year's expo, to be held in Nanning, South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, from September 24 to 28, will showcase the latest achievements covering China's cooperation with ASEAN, focusing on promoting the construction of Version 3.0 of China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and their high-quality growth.

Li said that the expo will set up a high-tech products exhibition area from ASEAN countries, to display high-tech achievements from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia and more, covering health, biomedicine, new energy and IT services, in order to support ASEAN's high-tech enterprises to explore new market shares in China and beyond.

"Both China and ASEAN are facing challenges relating to environmental protection and sustainable development, and there is extensive room for cooperation between the two sides in green infrastructure, green energy and green transport," Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Moreover, there is huge potential for cooperation between the two sides in areas such as e-commerce, artificial intelligence, big data and smart cities, Wang said, noting that China's digital economy is among the world's largest, with the world's leading 5G network and a wealth of application scenarios.

"As an important platform for economic and trade cooperation between China and ASEAN, the expo has played an important role in promoting further cooperation between the two sides in emerging areas," Wang noted.

Li said that it will be the first time to invite some Gulf countries to participate in this year's exhibition, with the United Arab Emirates as a special partner to organize buyer groups to participate in the expo.

For the first time, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) countries will be invited to participate in the fair, and some products from Kazakhstan and other SCO countries will be displayed. Australia, Japan and other RCEP members and the enterprises from Poland, Serbia and other Belt and Road partner countries will also participate in the exhibition, Li said.

China will support the expansion of trade with ASEAN in agricultural products and manufactured goods, and ramp up imports of products with specialties from ASEAN countries, Li noted.

The expo has gone through 20 years of development, and witnessed the rapid development of China's close partnership with ASEAN, Li said.

Since 2013, China's trade with ASEAN has grown at an average annual rate of 7.5 percent. China has remained ASEAN's top trading partner for 15 consecutive years, and ASEAN has been China's top trading partner for four consecutive years.
China's bilateral trade with Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and other ASEAN members have all exceeded $100 billion. From January to July this year, China-ASEAN trade volume reached $552 billion, an increase of 7.7 percent year-on-year, accounting for 15.8 percent of the country's total foreign trade in the period.

In the first seven months, China's direct investment in ASEAN amounted to $12.96 billion, a year-on-year increase of 15.3 percent; ASEAN's direct investment in China reached $7.3 billion, up 14.1 percent.

With the implementation of RCEP and the accelerated negotiations on Version 3.0 of the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area, the level of regional trade and investment liberalization and facilitation has seen marked improvement, Li said.

"The constantly strengthening partnership between China and ASEAN will help shore up regional stability and prosperity, while create a more favorable environment for furthering cooperation," Wang noted.

China has proposed 10 measures to enhance global public security cooperation, focusing on joint collaborations to crack down on cross-border crime and worldwide terrorism, build peaceful, safe, and open cyberspace as well as deal with risks brought about by the development of artificial intelligence (AI), the Global Times learned from the Chinese Ministry of Public Security (MPS). 

The measures were announced at the Global Public Security Cooperation Forum held in Lianyungang, East China's Jiangsu Province, from Sunday to Tuesday. 

They are a vital part of a concept document on global public security cooperation formulated at the forum. Zeng Weixiong, the forum's president, told a press conference on Monday that the document lays out a global public security cooperation framework. "More specific cooperation and outcomes will come out in the future." 

The concept document calls for the establishment and improvement of a global cybersecurity governance order and framework, addressing the differences in cyber governance issues between developing and developed countries, and building a consensus on cybersecurity governance.

It also called on more countries to enhance intelligence and information sharing to effectively monitor and prevent global terrorist activities. Developing countries should be provided with more technical training and equipment support to strengthen their counter-terrorism capabilities. 

A research report on global public security index was a major topic of discussion during the forum. According to Zeng, the report is set to be published for the first time later this year to support sustained and long-term cooperation in the field of global public security.

A total of 2,100 experts, scholars, and personnel from law enforcement departments of 122 countries, regions and international organizations attended the forum in Lianyungang.

Under the guidance of the Global Security Initiative launched in April 2022, China has been enhancing its actions to make more contributions to promoting global public security. 

At the opening ceremony of the forum, State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong announced that China would offer training to 3,000 law enforcement personnel from various countries in the coming year, part of the country's efforts to strengthen international cooperation to tackle global security challenges, media reports said. 

About 100 senior law enforcement officials, principals of police academies and police experts from 19 countries and regions jointly launched a training plan (2025-2026) for talent in global public security during the forum. 

Recently, at the invitation of MPS, six police officers from Serbia have visited China to undertake a one-month joint police patrol mission. According to the agreement between the two sides, Serbian police will collaborate with their Chinese counterparts to address the safety needs of Serbians in China and jointly foster a secure environment for tourism.

Editor's Note:

The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) kicked off in Beijing on September 4. It takes place at a critical juncture when the world is grappling with various regional and global crises and there is a pressing need for countries from the Global South to join hands. How will this year's FOCAC elevate ties between China and Africa? What is the significance of building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future? The Global Times (GT) interviewed a number of former officials and pundits from various African countries to share their insights and stories. 

In the third article of this series, GT reporter Li Aixin interviewed Hisham El-Zimaity (El-Zimaity), secretary general of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs and former ambassador of Egypt to Japan, Hungary, Slovenia and Pakistan.

GT: This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership. How do you view the progress in China-Egypt relations over the past decade?

El-Zimaity: A decade is a just a part of the friendship between China and Egypt. Our relationship originally dates back to 1956. Egypt was the first country in the Middle East and Africa to establish diplomatic relations with China. Since then, our friendship has grown deeper and deeper. The elevation of our relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, which happened just 10 years ago, was a natural and logical outcome of this deep bond.

The civilizations of China and Egypt have histories that stretch back thousands of years, unlike other countries that count their histories in the hundreds of years. China and Egypt each have a history of 5,000 years, perhaps more. The depth of these civilizations is deeply rooted in history, rich in experience and abundant in wisdom.  

GT: How do you understand the idea of a "high-level China-Africa community with a shared future," which is a part of the theme in this year's FOCAC?

El-Zimaity: In this interconnected world and in this era of globalization, we are all in the same boat. While we may be geographically distant, we are united in our goal to develop our nations and benefit our people. We face significant challenges in education, health, industrialization and agriculture. We struggle with issues like water scarcity and diseases. Therefore, modernizing and building a strong China-Africa community with a shared future is essential. The populations of China and Africa together make up about one-third of humanity. Working together on issues and sharing a future is both natural and something we strongly support.

We should not forget the flagship initiatives introduced by China, such as the Global Development Initiative, which assists developing countries in meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals and strengthens the understanding of development; the Global Security Initiative, which aims to bring countries together under a security framework governed by the principle of mutual non-interference; and lastly, the Global Civilization Initiative, which advocates for respect for the diversity of civilizations, rather than imposing ideas, such as universal values that are not universally agreed upon. If we add these three initiatives to what will be discussed by the leaders in Beijing, I believe we have a very rich agenda, which will contribute to the success of this forum.

GT: The FOCAC theme also focuses on modernization. How could China and Africa cooperate to join hands to advance modernization? 

El-Zimaity: Modernization is the culmination of development. Development begins with establishing political stability and educating people. Additionally, infrastructure is crucial for attracting investments. While Chinese investments across the continent are most welcome, there is a need to attract even more. To achieve this, we must focus on improving education, healthcare and infrastructure, while maintaining political stability. Modernization is a goal in itself that will be achieved through the sustainable development goals. 

During the pandemic, Egypt and China demonstrated a remarkable example of solidarity. While other countries were refusing to provide vaccines to Africa, China and Egypt worked together to supply vaccines to African nations. It's a wonderful example of our collaboration.

GT: How do the Egyptian public and businesses view the BRI? 

El-Zimaity: Egypt was among the very first countries to join this important initiative. When I say "important," it's because it was a game changer - a game changer that addressed a significant gap in the field of development. This initiative was introduced by the Chinese president as something that would bring us together - not only China and Africa, but China and probably the rest of the world, as the initiative now involves more than 150 countries.

For the Egyptian business community and the public in general, this is a very welcome initiative, and will be fruitful. The initiative itself, as you know, focuses on infrastructure, such as developing ports, roads and industrial zones. It also includes health, the digital Silk Road and the educational Silk Road. It is a comprehensive initiative, where everyone stands to gain, and no one loses.

On the other hand, other [countries'] initiatives launched after the BRI have not materialized. The only initiative that is functioning properly is the BRI. What has greatly contributed to its success is the AIIB, which serves as the tool to implement agreements made among governments. This is something we greatly appreciate in Chinese thinking regarding the development of our region.

China's developmental experience, which managed to lift over 800 million people out of poverty through hard work, sacrifice and real efforts by everyone, is something we in Africa would like to learn from. Unfortunately, in Africa, we have around 600 million homes without electricity and about 900 million households without clean cooking energy. These are challenges that Africa hopes to address by learning from China's successful experience in reducing and alleviating poverty, and hopefully, one day, eliminating it completely from the developing world. 

GT: From Egypt's perspective, what would an ideal world order look like? How can China and Africa collaborate to fulfill this vision?

El-Zimaity: It's a difficult question. We want a stable world where we can conduct business, trade, communicate, and exchange goods, services, and ideas. However, this ideal situation unfortunately does not exist.

What we need to do now is to try to pacify all parties. Let's do our best to achieve as much stability as we can. We need to stop further destabilization and the financing of terrorism by some actors. Terrorism has destabilized many countries in the Middle East and Africa. It's high time we cooperate to stabilize the world and address its problems. 

It would be much better to resolve these issues at the negotiating table so that we can all benefit from the future. Egypt is not an enemy to anyone and wants to play a role in stabilizing the world, or at least our region, if possible. This includes solving the Palestinian issue by allowing Palestinians to establish their own state and live in peace. This is crucial for our stability, future and the development of our nation.