The pair of giant pandas Xingqiu and Yilan arrived in Adelaide, South Australia, on Sunday morning, marking the start of a new phase in China-Australia panda conservation efforts.

The two giant pandas departed Southwest China's Sichuan Province for Australia on Saturday afternoon. Their trip was around 11 hours across approximately 8,800 kilometers, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Xingqiu, a four-year-old male, and Yilan, a three-year-old female, both from the Dujiangyan base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, are set to settle at Adelaide Zoo for the next decade.

Li Dong, Chinese consul-general in Adelaide, said on Saturday that Chinese culture values that "joy alone is not as good as joy among all," and China is eager to share its love for giant pandas with Australia, Xinhua reported.

The pair of pandas will stay in the Bamboo Forest exhibit at Adelaide Zoo and be introduced to the public after a brief quarantine, according to a statement sent by the Adelaide Zoo to the Global Times on Sunday.

We've been in constant communication with our Chinese counterparts and after lots of discussion and careful consideration, Xing Qiu and Yi Lan were chosen as the best fit for Adelaide Zoo, it said.

The statement also noted that Xing Qiu and Yi Lan are both young pandas and were chosen with not only their ability to adapt to the Adelaide environment in mind but also their suitability as a breeding pair when they are older.

In a statement, Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said the federal government was proud to partner with the SA government and Zoos SA (which runs Adelaide Zoo) to make the pandas' arrival possible, according to Australian media ABC.

"I am looking forward to welcoming Xing Qiu and Yi Lan to Adelaide, and visiting the Adelaide Zoo with my daughters early next year, once the pandas are out of quarantine," Wong said, according to ABC.

The only pair of giant pandas in Australia, Wang Wang and Fu Ni, returned to China from Adelaide Zoo in November.

Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian said at a farewell reception for the pandas that over the past 15 years, China and Australia had achieved significant progress in panda conservation, disease prevention, and healthcare.

"We appreciate the fact that these national treasures of China say a lot about the friendship and relationships that exist between Australia and China, which are incredibly important," Dr Phil Ainsley, director of the Adelaide zoo, told the Global Times during a previous interview.

Major turmoil in the South China Sea is unlikely to occur in the near term, and China has the capability to maintain peace and stability in the region. However, certain countries should not harbor any illusions, as China will respond decisively to actions that infringe upon its rights and claims, Wu Shicun, chairman of the Huayang Research Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance, told the Global Times during the 2024 Symposium on International Maritime Dispute Settlement and International Law held in Beijing on Monday.

The senior maritime expert believes that year 2024 marked a turning point for security situation in the South China Sea. "Since the illegal ruling of the 2016 arbitration, China has taken a series of measures to stabilize the situation and stabilize relations between China and the claimant countries. However, in 2024, the trend toward stabilization in the South China Sea has to some extent been reversed. This is evident from the frequent provocations by the Philippines around Huangyan Dao and Ren’ai Jiao. He added that in the future, this situation may continue, however, major turmoil in the South China Sea is unlikely to occur in the near term, and China has the capability to maintain peace and stability in the region.

The Philippines passed two laws – the Philippine Maritime Zones (PMZ) Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes (PASL) Act – on November 8, in an attempt to solidify the illegal ruling of the 2016 arbitration case through domestic legislation, illegally including China's Huangyan Dao and most of the islands and reefs in the Nansha Islands and their related waters in its maritime zones.

In a countermeasure response, China on November 10 released the baselines of the territorial sea adjacent to Huangyan Dao, and the China Coast Guard (CCG) has stated it will continuously strengthen patrols and law enforcement in the territorial waters of Huangyan Dao and related maritime areas.

China also deposited to the UN the Statement on the Baselines of the Territorial Sea Adjacent to Huangyan Dao and the Chart on December 3.

"If the Philippines undertakes further provocative actions at Ren’ai Jiao in 2025, the possibility cannot be ruled out that China may take measures such as removing the Philippine military vessel that has been illegally 'grounded' there for decades," said Wu. He emphasized that certain countries should not harbor any illusions, as China will undoubtedly take action against any infringement of its rights and claims.

Wu believed that there will be a “window period” for joint development and exploration in the South China Sea among surrounding countries in 2025. Wu noted that in 2024, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and other countries mentioned in their joint statements the intention to engage in joint development at sea.

The joint statement between China and Vietnam issued on October 14 mentioned to promote consultations on maritime joint development and to make substantial progress in the delimitation of maritime areas outside the Beibu Gulf, actively advancing cooperation in low-sensitivity maritime areas and enhancing maritime search and rescue cooperation.

On November 9, China and Indonesia issued a joint statement, according to which, the two sides reached important common understanding on joint development in areas of overlapping claims.

“This is a very important sign, especially regarding the content of joint development in maritime areas with overlapping claims in the China-Indonesia joint statement. Maritime joint development cooperation is crucial for all parties involved, as the disputes in maritime areas with overlapping claims in the South China Sea are extensive and involve multiple countries, making it difficult to resolve all disputes in a short time, or even in coming generations. Countries will certainly have to return to the path of cooperation; it is only a matter of time. If China and Indonesia, as well as China and Vietnam, can ultimately bring about cases of joint maritime cooperation and development, it will have a very positive demonstration effect,” Wu said.

Wu said he has just returned from the US after attending an exchange meeting. He told Global Times reporters that several American scholars believe that the US will not "scale back" its offensive against China regarding the South China Sea issue in 2025.

"Previous analyses suggested that in 2025, US pressure on China will focus more on economic and trade issues, while actions on the South China Sea issue would weaken. However, American scholars I met with generally disagree with this view. The US will not change its direction of exploiting the South China Sea issue to contain and suppress China; it will not allow the outside world to perceive a weakening of the US-Philippines alliance. The only uncertainty is whether it will adopt new means and methods,” Wu said. He added that China must prepare to respond in all aspects to face the unpredictability of the future.

The US insisted on arranging Lai's "transit" to offer platform for "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, seriously violating the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiqués, undermining China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and sending a seriously wrong signal to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. China strongly protests this and has lodged a stern representation with the US, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a press conference on Friday.

Taiwan regional Leader Lai Ching-te is reportedly completing "transiting" through Hawaii and Guam and is scheduled to return to the island on Friday.

Lin said the Taiwan question is the primary, non-negotiable red line in China-US relations. The actions of "Taiwan independence" are incompatible with peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.

China urges the US to adhere to the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiqués, honor US leaders' commitments not to support "Taiwan independence," cease official exchanges between the US and the island of Taiwan, stop hollowing out or undermining the one-China principle, and cease any form of support or tolerance for "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and their activities and take concrete actions to stabilize China-US relations and maintain peace in the Taiwan Straits, said the spokesperson.

Any attempt to rely on the US for "independence" will hit a wall, and any efforts to use Taiwan island to contain China are bound to fail, Lin said.

In response to another inquiry on whether the mainland is planning to conduct more military exercises surrounding Taiwan island as Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te has completed "transiting" through Hawaii and Guam, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests and the foremost, non-negotiable red line in China-US relations. China's determination to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering.

Previously some Taiwan local media claimed that the mainland military is poised to "encircle Taiwan proper in military exercise 'Joint Sword-2024C,'" as Lai returns from his visit to "diplomatic allies" in the Pacific via "transit" through Hawaii and Guam.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Palau on Friday, Lai claimed that the two sides of the Taiwan Straits are "not subordinate to each other," which Lin also refuted on Friday, saying that the separatist activities of the "Taiwan independence" forces and the connivance and support from external forces are the greatest threats to peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.

Lai and the DPP authorities have consistently used various pretexts to promote "Taiwan independence" separatism. Regardless of what they say or do, they cannot change the fact that Taiwan is a part of China, nor can they stop the historical trend that China will be and must be reunified. The attempt to rely on external forces for independence is doomed to fail, Lin said.

Also on Friday, Lai claimed that he is confident in deepening cooperation with the next Trump administration in the US. The day before, he had a phone call with US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson.

In response, Lin said that China has repeatedly stated its firm position on this matter. We urge the US to recognize the "Taiwan independence" separatist nature of Lai Ching-te and the DPP authorities, and the serious harm that "Taiwan independence" separatist actions pose to peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.

The US should adhere to the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiqués, stop interfering in Taiwan affairs, stop meddling in China's internal affairs, and cease supporting or conniving "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, said Lin.

In response to UNESCO on Wednesday inscribing Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of traditional new year, on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian congratulated China on this achievement on Thursday.

Lin stated that the Spring Festival is the oldest and most important traditional holiday in Chinese culture, a time for bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new, as well as for family reunions. Familiar customs such as writing Spring Festival couplets, making dumplings, and dragon and lion dances embody the values of peace, harmony, and unity in Chinese civilization. These customs are not only part of China's heritage but also belong to the world.

Lin also mentioned that nearly 20 countries worldwide recognize the Lunar New Year as a public holiday, with about one-fifth of the global population celebrating the festival in various ways. Furthermore, the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly officially designated the Lunar New Year as a UN holiday last year.

"In just a month and a half, we will be celebrating the Spring Festival of the Lunar Year of the Snake," Lin Jian said. "We warmly welcome journalists and friends from all over the world to come to China and experience the rich and vibrant Spring Festival culture. We also sincerely hope for the resolution of conflicts around the world, harmonious coexistence of different civilizations, and closer bonds between people of all nations, so that we can all celebrate the Spring Festival together and share in its joy."

The listing of the Spring Festival as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity is an acknowledgment of not only its Chinese roots but also the ideas it carries that connect all humanity.

China has made clear solemn position on the G7's erroneous remarks related to China, and given that the G7 members say they seek constructive and stable relations with China and stand ready to cooperate with China to address global challenges, they should champion the spirit of mutual trust, equality and mutual benefit, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday.

Mao made the remarks in response to the G7 foreign ministers' meeting statement, which proposed seeking constructive and stable relations with China, cooperating with China to address global challenges, while demanding that China cease supporting Russia's defense industry, hyping up the so-called Chinese overcapacity issue, and making wrongful comments on issues related to the East China Sea, South China Sea, and China's Taiwan, Xinjiang, Xizang, and Hong Kong.

Mao said China has been objective and just on the Ukraine crisis and actively promoted talks for peace, and China has never provided weapons to parties to the conflict and strictly controls the export of dual-use articles, even drones for civilian use, and opposes using civilian drones for military purposes. Meanwhile, normal economic ties and trade between China and Russia should not be disrupted or coerced by any third party.

Mao also said the so-called allegation of China's overcapacity has been proved a false one by a large number of informative facts and statistics. "We hope relevant countries will keep an open mind and pursue fair competition," Mao said.

The spokesperson noted that China's position on issues related to the East China Sea, the South China Sea, Taiwan, Xinjiang, Xizang and Hong Kong is consistent and clear-cut. "We firmly oppose the G7 undermining China's sovereignty and interfering in China's internal affairs. We urge G7 countries to abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms governing international relations and look after their own affairs."

"As we speak, changes unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace in our world and international peace and development are facing unprecedented challenges. As a responsible major country, China always upholds fairness and justice, pursues openness and inclusiveness and brings benefits to the world through its development," Mao noted.

We hope the G7 countries will stop being indulged in geopolitical games, discard the narrow zero-sum mindset and make concrete contributions to international solidarity and cooperation, Mao said.

The Chinese and US militaries convened 2024's second working group meeting and annual conference of the China-US Military Maritime Consultative Agreement in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province from November 6 to 8, the Chinese Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

Spokesperson Wu Qian made the announcement at a regular press conference on Thursday in response to a question regarding foreign media reports on the event.

Wu said that the purpose of this meeting was to implement the important consensus reached by the head of state of both countries and promote the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of military relations between the two nations.

Based on mutual equality and respect, the two sides engaged in candid and pragmatic exchanges over the China-US maritime and aerial security situation, assessed the annual implementation of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea between China and the US, discussed measures to improve maritime military security issues between the two countries, and exchanged views on the agenda for the 2025 working group meeting, Wu said.

The spokesperson noted that The Chinese side believes that this kind of communication facilitates interactions between the frontline troops of the Chinese and US militaries in a more professional and safe manner, reducing the risks of misunderstandings and misjudgment.

At the same time, the Chinese side firmly opposes any actions that endanger China's sovereignty and security under the pretext of freedom of navigation and overflight, and the Chinese side will continue to resolutely defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in accordance with laws and regulations, and safeguard regional peace and stability, Wu noted.

The Chinese Defense Ministry announced on Saturday that the second-phase mission of the 9th joint air strategic patrol by the air forces of China and Russia in the Western Pacific was completed that day. An expert interviewed by the Global Times said that it is completely normal for the two countries' air forces to conduct such operations regularly at their doorsteps. 

On Friday, the Chinese Defense Ministry issued a statement confirming that, according to the annual cooperation plan between the two military forces, China and Russia's air forces had organized the 9th joint air strategic patrol over relevant airspace in the Sea of Japan on that day. In June 2023, the joint air strategic patrol between China and Russia was divided into two phases for the first time, demonstrating their capability to execute strategic patrol missions tailored to operational needs.

Chinese military expert Zhang Junshe told the Global Times on Saturday that the Sea of Japan, East China Sea, and the West Pacific airspace are considered the 'doorsteps' of China and Russia, and it is entirely reasonable for the two air forces to conduct joint strategic patrols in these regions. In the straits and waters where Chinese and Russian warplanes conducted patrols, such as the Miyako Strait, Tsushima Strait, and the West Pacific, all nations have the right to freedom of navigation and overflight, he said.

For joint air strategic patrols conducted by the air forces of China and Russia in the Sea of Japan and other waters, some foreign media outlets said the patrols may be aimed at countering the US' plans to deploy intermediate-range missiles in Japan. 

In response, Zhang stressed that during the patrol, the Chinese and Russian military aircraft operated professionally, safely, and in full compliance with international laws and norms. Relevant countries should approach China and Russia's routine air strategic patrols with objectivity instead of issuing unwarranted criticisms, he said. 

For the first time during the latest patrol, China's air force used the H-6N strategic bomber. Zhang said that this deployment was based entirely on operational and training requirements. The H-6N is emblematic of the strategic transformation of the People's Liberation Army Air Force and is capable of long-range operations. The joint flight of Chinese and Russian fighter jets over relevant straits and their advance into the Western Pacific for air strategic patrols has demonstrated and bolstered the two nations' capability for joint operations at sea, Zhang noted.

China strongly condemns and firmly rejects the wanton and provocative action that Lithuania's Foreign Ministry, without any reason, declared relevant diplomatic personnel of the Office of the Chargé d'Affaires of China in Lithuania "persona non grata" and demanded that they leave the country within the time required, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday.

As many are aware, on issues concerning China's Taiwan region, Lithuania has been acting in serious violation of the one-China principle and breached the political commitment Lithuania made in the communiqué on the establishment of China-Lithuania diplomatic relations, according to the spokesperson of the ministry.

This has caused severe difficulty for bilateral ties. Three years on since the downgrade of bilateral ties with China, Lithuania has again taken detrimental action that further exacerbates the relations.

China calls on Lithuania to immediately stop undermining China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and stop creating difficulty for bilateral relations. China reserves the right to take countermeasures against Lithuania. 

We hope the upcoming new government of Lithuania will follow the prevailing international consensus, abide by the one-China principle, and foster conditions for the normalization of China-Lithuania relations, according to the spokesperson.

Relations between China and Lithuania soured after the Baltic state allowed the island of Taiwan to open its so-called representative office in Lithuania in 2021, which China called a blatant violation of the one-China principle and international rules. China later downgraded its diplomatic relations with Lithuania to the level of chargé d'affaires.

Lithuania's incoming prime minister said he's open to restoring diplomatic relations with China three years after a trade dispute led to Beijing downgrading its ties with the Baltic nation, according to a Bloomberg report.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday at a regular press briefing that China also noted that a new Lithuanian government is about to be formed and several political leaders have expressed their desire to improve relations with China.

The Chinese side hopes that the new Lithuanian government will take concrete actions to abide by the political commitments made in the communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, adhere to the one-China principle, and promote the return of bilateral relations to the right track, said Lin. 

"No one can engage in illegal activities under the guise of democracy and attempt to evade legal punishment," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at Tuesday's routine press briefing in response to the sentencing of 45 separatist activists in the Hong Kong case of conspiracy to subvert state power. "The central government firmly supports HKSAR in safeguarding national security," Lin said.

Marking the first case of subversion of state power in Hong Kong, it saw former legal professor and instigator of Hong Kong unrest Benny Tai Yiu-ting sentenced to 10 years in prison, and secessionist Joshua Wong Chi-fung to 56 months in prison, China Central Television reported on Tuesday morning.

Commenting on the verdict of the case, Lin said that Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law, where laws must be followed and violations must be punished. No one can engage in illegal activities under the guise of democracy and attempt to evade legal punishment, the spokesperson stressed.

The central government firmly supports HKSAR in safeguarding national security, punishing activities that endanger national security according to the law, and firmly oppose certain individual Western countries interfering in China's internal affairs, smearing and undermining the rule of law in Hong Kong by using specific judicial cases, Lin said.

The spokesperson added that certain Western countries ignore that they maintain their own national security through judicial procedures while unjustly criticizing the Hong Kong courts for fairly implementing the National Security Law for Hong Kong. "Such actions are a serious desecration of and trampling on the spirit of the rule of law," Lin said.

When asked about opposition from China's Taiwan region regarding the sentencing of the 45 secessionists, Lin stated, "Taiwan is a province of China; what your asked is not a diplomatic issue."

China and Singapore are holding a joint army exercise with the theme of urban anti-terrorism, a move Chinese military expert Fu Qianshao said on Wednesday displays a high level of mutual trust and military cooperation between the two countries.

The China-Singapore Exercise Cooperation-2024 joint army exercise kicked off with an opening ceremony on Tuesday at a training base in Central China's Henan Province, the official newspaper of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), the PLA Daily, reported on Wednesday.

Under the theme of conducting a joint urban anti-terrorism operation, the drill aims to train in tactics for joint anti-terrorism operations under complex environments and enhance the two militaries' capabilities in joint command, collaborative coordination and unified operation, the report said, noting that the two sides will mix their troops in teams and practice courses such as basic training, live-fire shooting and live-action comprehensive exercises.

The commander on the Chinese side said that the joint exercise is expected to boost combat capability, enhance exchanges, boost traditional friendship and play a positive role in promoting the development of bilateral relations, while the Singaporean commander said that the Singaporean side is willing to work with the Chinese side in carrying forward traditional friendship, elevating the quality and effect of the joint drill, deepening military mutual trust and promoting the healthy and stable development of the military ties, according to the PLA Daily.

Singapore is a city state, so its military's main mission is defense of the city, with anti-terrorism being a main topic. Against this background, the joint exercise with China will help the two sides to boost exchanges, trust and capabilities in urban anti-terrorism operations, Fu told the Global Times on Wednesday.

This is the sixth edition of the Cooperation series exercise between the two countries' armies, the report said.

The fifth edition was held in September 2023 in Singapore, the PLA Daily reported at the time.

In September this year, the two countries' navies also held a joint maritime exercise in Zhanjiang, South China's Guangdong Province, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Fu said that the consecutive joint exercises on the ground and at sea is a manifestation of the two countries' high level of mutual trust and military cooperation.