The 2024 World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference began on Thursday in North China's Tianjin Municipality. The conference showcased China's achievements and experiences in skill development, discussed and adopted the "Tianjin Consensus on the Development of World Vocational Education," serving as a new platform for global collaboration in vocational education.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Grahame Morton, Ambassador of New Zealand to China, spoke highly of China's efforts to improve and modernize its vocational education system to enhance quality, accessibility, and employability in key industries. "There is a lot that we can learn from each other," Morton said.

The Luban Workshop represents a milestone in strengthening the partnership between our two sisterly nations, Muferihat Kamil, Minister of Labor and Skills of Ethiopia, told the conference. Through this collaboration, thousands of young Ethiopians have gained access to world-class technical and vocational training, preparing them for today's dynamic global environment, Kamil noted.

Kamil said Ethiopia expressed gratitude for the continued innovative support and investment that China has shown, empowering its labor force and supporting sustainable development.

As of November 2024, China has established 34 Luban Workshops in 30 countries, including Thailand, Cambodia, Portugal, Djibouti, Egypt, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the Global Times learned from the conference.
At a special exhibition on vocational education, Luban Workshop highlighted achievements aimed at supporting youth development in partner countries. For example, in the smart transportation section, it highlighted the construction status of programs related to automotive maintenance and intelligent transportation and urban rail systems.

During the opening ceremony, the World Technical and Vocational Education and Training League was launched. Kamil hailed the launch a timely initiative that aligns perfectly with Ethiopia's vision for global collaboration and looked forward to strengthening partnership with China, whose remarkable achievements in skills development offer valuable lessons for Africa's journey.
A ministerial roundtable meeting was attended by education ministers from 32 countries, including China. They discussed and adopted the "Tianjin Consensus on the Development of World Vocational Education," which provides a framework for advancing vocational education globally.

Om Romny, secretary of state of Cambodia's Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, told the Global Times that China's vocational and technical education has achieved remarkable results, guided by clear goals and a systematic framework.

Romny emphasized the importance of strengthening capacity-building efforts with China across various sectors, including vocational and technical education, to enhance mutual understanding and recognition between the peoples of both countries.

Mustafa Mohamed Mahmoud, Minister of National Education and Vocational Training of the Republic of Djibouti, told the Global Times that he gained valuable insights from the meeting, particularly from the insights shared by Chinese experts regarding the mechanisms China has adopted for the development and management of its vocational education system. Currently, the world is facing an industrial and technological revolution. African countries must keep pace with global developments.

Themed on Innovation Empowers the Future, Skills Enlighten New Lives, the conference hosted over 1,200 representatives from domestic and international backgrounds, including more than 600 overseas guests from over 100 countries and regions, covering government officials, diplomats stationed in China, representatives from international organizations, and academic institutions.

China's top legislator Zhao Leji paid an official goodwill visit from Thursday to Saturday to Portugal, during which Zhao expressed the readiness to expand bilateral cooperation while voicing the hope that Portugal will work together with China to inject more positive energy into the development of China-EU ties.

Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, met with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, and held talks with Portuguese Parliament Speaker Jose Pedro Aguiar-Branco during the three-day visit.

When meeting with Rebelo de Sousa, Zhao conveyed to him the cordial greetings and best wishes from Chinese President Xi Jinping. Zhao said that in recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the China-Portugal comprehensive strategic partnership has been deepening and making solid progress, featuring steady progress in Belt and Road cooperation, as well as rich cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

China appreciates Portugal's long adherence to the one-China principle and is willing to engage with Portugal based on mutual respect and equality, strengthening their bonds as good friends who respect and trust each other, reliable partners for common development, and close companions in mutual learning between civilizations, Zhao said.

It is hoped that Portugal will continue to play an active role within the European Union (EU) and inject more positive energy into the development of China-EU relations, said Zhao.

For his part, Rebelo de Sousa asked Zhao to convey his heartfelt greetings to Xi, noting that Portugal and China are good friends with mutual understanding and affection.

Highlighting that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland of China, the Portuguese president said Portugal is willing to enhance high-level exchanges with China, deepen friendly exchanges and strengthen cooperation in such areas as trade, new energy, marine economy and digital economy.

Portugal firmly adheres to multilateralism and safeguards the role of the United Nations (UN) and the authority of international law. It is very important for Europe and China to strengthen dialogue, and Portugal is willing to play an active role in this regard, said Rebelo de Sousa.

When meeting with Montenegro, Zhao said that China has always viewed and developed ties with Portugal from a strategic and long-term perspective, and stands ready to work with Portugal to firmly support each other's core interests and major concerns, and to cement political mutual trust.

Zhao eyed closer cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, technology innovation, personnel training, and culture and people-to-people exchanges, encouraging companies from the two countries to expand investment and cooperation.

Zhao said China will continue to advance collaboration with Portugal within the UN and other multilateral frameworks, strengthen communication on international issues such as free trade, global security and climate change, and promote closer multilateral coordination and healthy and stable development of China-Europe relations.

Montenegro noted that Portugal always adheres to the one-China principle and speaks highly of the practice of "one country, two systems" in the Macao Special Administrative Region.

Underscoring that China is an important economic partner for Portugal and his country attaches importance to attracting Chinese investments, the Portuguese prime minister expected more exchanges and cooperation with China in science and technology, marine economy, culture and sports.

Portugal supports the steady development of EU-China relations and is willing to strengthen cooperation with China on climate change within bilateral and multilateral frameworks, said Montenegro.

In his talks with Aguiar-Branco, Zhao said the National People's Congress of China stands ready to work with the Portuguese parliament to deepen friendly exchanges between the two high-level legislative bodies, special committees, legislators, and local legislative bodies and enhance exchanges of experience in legislation and supervision to provide legal guarantees for promoting bilateral cooperation across various areas and create a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment.

Zhao also voiced his hope that the Portuguese lawmakers in the European Parliament will continue to support China-EU friendly cooperation.

In addition, Zhao said that in the past 25 years since Macao's return to China, the practice of "one country, two systems" has made remarkable achievements.

He added that the Chinese central government will continue to fully, faithfully and unswervingly implement the principle of "one country, two systems" under which the people of Macao administer Macao with a high degree of autonomy, and support Macao in better integrating into the national development.

China is willing to further consolidate cooperation with Portugal on the platform of Macao and score more cooperation results, said Zhao.

Aguiar-Branco said that the two countries adhere to mutual respect, openness and win-win cooperation, and have achieved positive results in cooperation in various fields. In the face of the complex international situation, Portugal hopes to strengthen communication and cooperation with China and jointly safeguard the UN Charter and multilateralism, he added.

The Portuguese parliament is willing to work with the National People's Congress of China to promote closer exchanges at various levels and make contributions as legislative bodies to cementing practical cooperation and friendship of the two peoples, said Aguiar-Branco.

Basalt samples returned by the Chang'e-6 mission have revealed volcanic events on the lunar far side at 2.8 billion years ago (Ga) and 4.2 Ga, according to a latest research conducted by Professor Li Qiuli's lab at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

"Unraveling the volcanic history of the lunar far side is crucial for understanding the hemispheric dichotomy of the Moon," Li told the Global Times.

The asymmetry between the Moon's near side and far side - encompassing differences in basalt distribution, topography, crustal thickness, and thorium (Th) concentration - has long been a mystery. However, China's Chang'e-6 mission - the first to return samples from the lunar far side - has created a unique opportunity to explore volcanic activity in this hemisphere, with the 1,935.3-gram lunar soil samples it retrieved.

Led by Li, postdoctoral researcher Zhang Qian conducted systematic radioisotope dating on 108 basalt fragments from the sample. Of these, 107 fragments revealed a consistent formation age of 2807 ± 3 million years ago (Ma), indicating the eruption age of local basalts at the Chang'e-6 landing site. Notably, this 2.8 Ga volcanic episode has not been observed in near side samples.

The remaining fragment, of high-aluminum basalt and dating to 4203 ± 4 Ma, is thought to have originated from a cryptomare region south of the landing site. It is the oldest lunar basalt sample yet returned whose age has been precisely determined.

These data indicate that volcanic activity on the lunar far side persisted for at least 1.4 billion years, from 4.2 Ga to 2.8 Ga. Initial lead isotope analysis suggests that these basalts derive from distinct mantle sources: The 4.2 Ga basalt came from a KREEP-rich source, i.e., one with abundant potassium (K), rare earth elements (REE), and phosphorous (P), while the 2.8 Ga basalt came from a KREEP-poor source.

The close alignment between the 2.8 Ga basalt age and crater-counting estimates suggests that the cratering chronology model, established based on near side observations, is also applicable to the lunar far side. The radioisotope ages of the Chang'e-6 basalts provide an essential calibration point for refining lunar crater-counting chronology, thus enhancing its accuracy, according to Li.

Li's team's work was published in Nature on Friday. The same day, another study on the Chang'e-6 samples conducted by a team led by Professor Xu Yigang from the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which found evidences that indicate existence of young magmatism on the lunar far side, was published in Science.

The samples returned by Chang'e-6, which was the far side South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin of the Moon, provide a best opportunity to investigate the lunar global dichotomy, Xu said.

Crustal thickness has been suggested as a key factor in accounting for asymmetry in the abundance of volcanism between the lunar near side and far side. However, this model has been questioned since the SPA Basin on the far side, which has an anomalously thin crust, appears deep and significantly underfilled by volcanism.

In the latest study, Xu's team also suggested that the composition of the mantle source is another important factor controlling the generation of lunar volcanic activity. "Although the SPA Basin has a thin crust, the depleted and refractory mantle source beneath the SPA basin hinders partial melting to a large degree," Xu said.

This work also provides an additional calibration point at 2.83 Ga for the lunar crater chronology and implies a constant impact flux after 2.83 Ga. This newly calibrated chronology model improves the age estimation tool based on crater statistics for both the Moon and other terrestrial bodies, and also has additional implications for the evolution of lunar impactors, potentially related with early planet migration in the early Solar System, according to Xu.

Q: It’s reported that China offered to host the 2026 APEC, which has received support from other APEC economies and endorsement at this year’s APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting. What’s your comment?

A: APEC is an important economic cooperation mechanism in the Asia-Pacific. To advance Asia-Pacific cooperation, China took the initiative to shoulder the responsibility by offering to host APEC in 2026, which is welcomed by APEC members and received their endorsement at this year’s APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.

China attaches great importance to Asia-Pacific cooperation and hosted APEC twice in 2001 and 2014. In 2026, China will host APEC for the third time. China stands ready to enhance communication and cooperation with other parties on hosting APEC in 2026 to jointly implement the Putrajaya Vision 2040, advance the building of an Asia-Pacific community and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, deliver more results through practical cooperation and inject fresh impetus into the economic growth of the Asia-Pacific and beyond.

China's position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear, and an early ceasefire and pursuit of a political solution are in the interests of all parties. Promoting a de-escalation of the situation as soon as possible is the top priority, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated on Monday, responding to media reports that the US, UK, and France have authorized Ukraine to use long-range weapons to target deep within Russian territory.

China consistently encourages and supports efforts aimed at peacefully resolving the crisis and remains committed to playing a constructive role in advancing a political solution to the Ukraine crisis through its own approach, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a routine press conference.

Biden administration has allowed Ukraine to use US-made weapons to strike deep into Russia, two US officials and a source familiar with the decision said on Sunday, in a significant reversal of Washington's policy in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Reuters reported.

France and Britain have allowed Ukraine to strike deep within Russian territory using their SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles. This decision was made following approval from the US, informs Le Figaro, RBC-Ukraine reported.

In response to a question related to Russia on Sunday launching a large-scale missile and drone attack on Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure, using approximately 120 missiles and nearly 100 drones, and that power outages began across various regions of Ukraine, Lin emphasized on Monday that all parties should act responsibly to promote de-escalation, thereby creating favorable conditions for an early ceasefire and a political resolution of the crisis.

The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Airshow China 2024, kicked off in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, on Tuesday with a spectacular opening ceremony featuring unprecedented flight performances of three types of stealth fighter jets, namely the debut of China's newly unveiled J-35A, a group of J-20s and Russia's first-time visitor Su-57.

Ahead of the opening ceremony in the morning, people gathered at the exhibition site at Zhuhai Jinwan Airport, eagerly waiting the appearance of the J-35A. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force announced a week earlier that the J-35A medium-sized multirole stealth fighter jet will debut at the airshow, and the aircraft had conducted adaptive trainings before the event.

The PLA Air Force's Bayi Aerobatic Team spearheaded the opening day's flight performance. After a series of spectacular maneuvers by the team's J-10 fighter jets, a group of J-20 stealth fighter jets put the opening ceremony to a first climax.

Four J-20s flew in a diamond formation, before breaking up to perform moves such as small radius turn, large attack angle ascending and close-range two-aircraft flyby, prompting waves of applause and wows from the crowd. Two of the J-20s landed in front of the audience for ground displays.

Closely following the J-20s' show, the long-anticipated J-35A appeared from the skyline. The new stealth fighter jet's debut was brief, as it performed only a few maneuvers like fast ascending, rolling, and turning before vanishing into the sky, leaving the audience to eager to see more.

Zhang Xuefeng, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times at the airshow that while the J-35A's debut did not feature many aerobatic maneuvers, the debut itself is significant.

The appearance of the J-35A is very clean, meaning detailed work was done to boost its stealth capability, Zhang Xuefeng said, noting that the J-35A's radar stealth capability is one of the best in the world with new concepts, crafting techniques and materials reflecting Chinese designers' new understandings on aerial warfare.

The J-35A and the J-20 have made China the second country in the world after the US to have two types of stealth fighter jets in active service, Zhang Xuefeng said.

Chinese military expert Wei Dongxu told the Global Times at the airshow that the J-35A and the J-20 are a combination of a medium-sized fighter jet and a heavy fighter jet. They can become powerful partners and extend combat capabilities beyond the mere addition of two aircraft.

Compared with the heavy J-20, the medium-sized J-35A can better control cost and be produced in large numbers while maintaining high combat capabilities, winning the advantage in terms of numbers, Wei said.

The PLA Air Force's J-16 fighter jet, YU-20 tanker aircraft, JL-10 advanced trainer jet and the Red Falcon aerobatic team among other aircraft also delivered flight performances in the morning.

At noon, Russia's Su-57 stealth fighter jet, another highly anticipated item, soared through the air. It is the first time the Su-57 has visited China.

Piloted by Sergey Bogdan, the Su-57 made thrilling aerobatic maneuvers including the falling leaf and Pugachev's Cobra, demonstrating the aircraft's super-maneuverability, which impressed the crowd.

Fu Qianshao, another Chinese military expert, told the Global Times that this year's Airshow China has set a record: three stealth fighter jets delivering flight performances on a same stage.

Russia has sent its best fighter jet to China, which is a reflection of the two countries' high level military cooperation, Fu said.

Following the Su-57, the Russian Knights marked their return to Airshow China after an eight-year absence, flying with Su-35S and Su-30SM heavy fighter jets and bringing thrilling performances.

Navy sensations

In previous editions of Airshow China in recent years, the most attractive flight performances were usually arranged before noon, particularly the debuts of new aircraft. But this year, things were different.

The highlight in the afternoon was the PLA Navy's first participation in Airshow China, as its carrier-borne J-15 series aircraft and shipborne helicopters delivered flight performances.

A group of two J-15T fighters and a J-15D electronic warfare aircraft delivered flight performances including buddy refueling. This is the first time these two types of J-15 variants have been shown to the general public.

Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times that the J-15T has reinforced front landing gear to become compatible with catapult launch systems. It also has longer detection range and can carry missiles with longer range.

The J-15D is a dedicated electronic warfare aircraft, a key component of an aircraft carrier air wing, and a significant addition to an aircraft carrier group's far seas combat capabilities, Zhang Junshe said. It is equipped with advanced electronic warfare systems with strong capabilities to disrupt and suppress electronically, he said.

The PLA Navy's Z-20J shipborne helicopter also performed in a group of naval helicopters, making its debut.

Zhang Junshe said the Z-20J is a main aviation equipment for the marines to conduct amphibious operations, as it can be equipped with air-to-ground missiles, rockets and guns to provide strong fire support against land targets while also playing multiple roles in aerial transport as well as search and rescue missions.

After performances by helicopters from the PLA Army, China's C919 and C909 airliners also performed at the show.

With these items, particularly the three types of stealth fighter jets, on display, Airshow China has virtually become the world's most attractive airshow, Fu said.

Foreign impressions

This year's airshow is the first edition after the COVID-19 pandemic, which to a certain extent affected the previous two editions of Airshow China particularly in terms of foreign involvement. Many foreign exhibitors and visitors were seen this year at the event, and some of them interviewed by the Global Times expressed their interests in what China has to offer at the airshow.

Miko Issa Ismael, a senior officer of the Niger Air Force, told the Global Times at the airshow on Tuesday that the Niger Air Force expected to buy some Chinese assets to enhance his country's security. He said that he had seen some Chinese fighter jets and transport aircraft, which he deemed very reliable.

A member of Saudi Arabia's delegation who asked for anonymity told the Global Times at the airshow that "we are here to build connections with our Chinese partners as well as exhibitors of other countries, to learn about the latest development in relevant areas, so that we can help our defense authorities to have more cooperation to boost our military industrial strength."

China’s Ministry of Public Security urged to maximize the resolution of contradictions and issues at the grassroots level, address them at the source, dynamically eliminate hidden dangers, and take strict precautions to prevent extreme incidents from occurring after a car ramming incident in Zhuhai, South China’s Guangdong Province. 

The ministry held an expanded meeting of its Party committee in Beijing on Wednesday to convey and study the important instruction made by Chinese President Xi Jinping on the incident, and discussed measures for implementation, according to the website of the Ministry of Public Security.  

The meeting emphasized the need to thoroughly study and implement the important instruction of President Xi, enhance political awareness, strengthen the sense of responsibility, improve the resolution of conflicts and disputes, reinforce risk prevention at the source, and strictly crack down on serious crimes in accordance with the laws, in a bid to fully ensure the safety of people's lives and safeguard social stability. 

The meeting noted that following the car ramming incident, President Xi attached great importance and made important instruction. He made clear requirements in calling for all-out efforts to treat the injured, severely punish the perpetrator, strengthen prevention of extreme case and control of risks at the source.

The meeting noted that thoroughly studying and understanding of these requirements and implement them into practical work.

The meeting emphasized that the car ramming incident at the sports center in Xiangzhou district resulted in severe casualties and was of an extremely egregious nature. The meeting called for a swift and thorough investigation of the case, comprehensive collection and preservation of evidence, and strict punishment of the perpetrator in accordance with the law. It also urged collaboration with relevant departments to provide proper medical treatment for the injured and to handle the aftermath appropriately.

The meeting stressed the need to draw deep lessons from the incident, take preventive measures, and adhere to and develop the "Fengqiao Experience" in the new era, focusing on prevention, prioritizing mediation, applying the rule of law, and resolving issues locally. Efforts should be made to meticulously address various types of conflicts and disputes, including those related to marriage and family, neighborhood disputes, and legal or litigation matters. The goal is to effectively resolve people's concerns and grievances, minimize contradictions and problems at the grassroots level, and address risks at their source, thereby dynamically eliminating hidden dangers and preventing extreme incidents.

Leveraging the integrated mechanism, the meeting called for tighter overall prevention and control of risks in society, especially enhancing patrols in crowded and key locations, to effectively increase police visibility, case-handling capability, deterrence, and control. It also recommended summarizing and promoting successful practices such as Zhejiang Province’s "Red Maple Volunteer Guard" and Beijing’s "Chaoyang Masses," and exploring new approaches and measures that combine specialized work with the mass line in the new context. This includes improving mechanisms for mobilizing public participation, strengthening community public security efforts, and building a "solid wall of steel" in public security work.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella arrived in Beijing on Thursday to start his state visit to China from November 7 to 12. The Summer Palace was the first destination Mattarella visited upon his arrival, China Central Television (CCTV) reported. 

The visit is expected to promote pragmatic cooperation between the two countries in various sectors in cultural and technological communications as well as people-to-people exchanges to facilitate the development of bilateral relations, Chinese experts said.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Italy, as well as the 700th anniversary of the death of Italian explorer Marco Polo, CCTV reported on Thursday.

This is Mattarella's second trip to China since February 2017, the report said.

In response to a question about Mattarella's state visit to China, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a routine press conference on Tuesday that China stands ready to work with Italy to further deepen political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation and cultural and people-to-people exchanges, promote mutual learning among civilizations, and provide more stability for a changing and turbulent world.

According to Italian media outlet Agenzia Nova, the Italian side "will visit the monumental complex China Millennium Monument that houses the World Art Museum" on Friday. Mattarella's schedule in Beijing also includes "laying a wreath at the Monument to the People's Heroes and meeting with the Italian community." 

The Italian President will also visit Hangzhou in East China's Zhejiang Province with itinerary there including watching a performance of the opera "Marco Polo" by the Benedetto Marcello Conservatory of Venice, and Guangzhou, the capital city of South China's Guangdong Province, will be the last stop of the visit, Agenzia Nova reported.

The Italian President's China visit is expected to promote pragmatic bilateral cooperation in several areas, such as high technology, culture and people-to-people exchanges, as well as educational communications, Zhao Junjie, a senior research fellow at the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Zhao noted that although there have been some twists and turns, overall, the China-Italy relationship remains stable. "Many high-tech companies in Italy have made great achievements through cooperation with China, and the cultural, tourism, and educational exchanges between Italy and China have consistently maintained substantial collaboration," Zhao said.

"There are people in the current Italian government who are relatively pragmatic and friendly toward China, represented by the Italian President, who is actively advocating for the advancement of China-Italy relations," Zhao said, noting that this visit may also be viewed as a reflection of the mainstream trend in Italian politics, which is favorable towards China.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni paid a visit to China in July, during which the two sides issued a 2024-2027 action plan on strengthening their comprehensive strategic partnership.

"It is hoped that the visit by the Italian President will yield more practical results," Zhao said.

"3, 2, 1, start the oil well!" With the command issued, the underwater robot slowly activated the subsea tree deep in the South China Sea. After preliminary processing by "Haiji No. 2," the crude oil was transported to "Haikui No. 1," located 2.5 kilometers away, where a high torch gradually ignited the natural gas.

On September 19, "Haikui No. 1," China's first independently developed floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit, began production. This also marks the first use of a cylindrical FPSO in Asia.

In just over a month, "Haikui No. 1" successfully completed its first crude oil export operation, signifying another major breakthrough for China in deep-water oil and gas development, according to a China News Service report.

"Haikui No. 1" is located 240 kilometers southeast of Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, and serves as an offshore oil and gas processing facility that integrates crude oil production, storage, and export functions. It stands nearly as tall as a 30-story building, with a maximum oil storage capacity of 60,000 tons, read the report.

An FPSO is an offshore crude oil processing facility that combines production, storage, and export capabilities. "Haikui No. 1" can process approximately 5,600 tons of crude oil, enough to fuel 900,000 small cars simultaneously, according to Science and Technology Daily.

Construction of "Haikui No. 1" began in March 2022 in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province. It consists of nearly 600,000 components and features an extremely compact structure. From a design perspective, it is already sophisticated, efficient, and intelligent. However, the design team had a strong commitment to develop a manufacturing solution suitable for Chinese waters and shipyards, addressing the challenge of long construction periods.

Among the six cylindrical FPSOs currently in operation worldwide, the longest construction period is 5.5 years. Previously, China built a cylindrical FPSO called "Penguin" under the commission of a foreign company, which took over four years. Through the efforts of the research team, the manufacturing of "Haikui No. 1" was completed in just 25 months, according to the Science and Technology Daily report.

"Haiji No. 2" was officially drilled on August 9, which was the first time that China exploited oil and gas through a fixed platform in waters more than 300 meters below. Haiji No. 2 is equipped with advanced automation systems, which include a robotic arm that enables "one-click operations" across various tasks, significantly enhancing the efficiency and stability of deep-water drilling.

"Haikui No. 1," in collaboration with the deep-water jacket platform "Haiji No. 2," has achieved China's first secondary development project for a deep-water oil field, extending the production life of the Liuhua oilfield by nearly 30 years. It also signifies that China has fully mastered integrated development technology for oil and gas engineering in waters deeper than 300 meters, creating a new model for the economical and efficient development of deep-water oil fields.

The Liuhua oilfield, where the two major national heavyweights are located, was put into production in March 1996. It is China's first deep-water oil field, with an average water depth of approximately 324 meters and proven geological reserves exceeding 160 million tons. After 28 years of extraction, the oil field has contributed over 23 million tons of deep-water oil and gas. To improve the overall recovery rate of the oil field and carry out secondary development, there are plans to build 32 new wells, with the peak daily oil production expected to reach 2,700 tons, as reported by CCTV.

In a cozy bar, soft jazz music plays as colorful cocktails glimmer. A speaker passionately presents philosophical ideas, while the audience, relaxed yet engaged, tosses questions. Dim lights create an intimate vibe, contrasting with the weighty topics, blending academia with casual camaraderie. This scene is a familiar sight on weekends at a bar in Wudaokou in Beijing's Haidian district, an area densely populated with universities.

How can the pleasure of a casual drink be intertwined with serious academic pursuits? Academic bars have successfully bridged this gap.

Since the start of this year, academic events held at bars have become a new trend in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. The speakers at these "academic bars" are often doctorate holders or emerging scholars from the humanities and social sciences, who present their research findings or field trip experience to an audience primarily made up of university students and young professionals. The lectures cover multiple disciplines including history, philosophy, art, and modern technology, with the audience primarily recruited from social media.

Audience at these "academic bars" is open to all, regardless of identity or profession; typically, purchasing a drink serves as an entry ticket. These venues not only facilitate knowledge sharing but also foster a novel form of social interaction, representing a fresh exploration of the urban lifestyle.

Zhu Wei, the vice director of the Communication Law Research Center at the China University of Political Science and Law, told the Global Times that the rise of "academic bars" signifies a broader enhancement in the education and critical thinking skills of the Chinese public. This trend has made traditionally exclusive academic content more accessible to a wider audience. Besides, academic bars offer ordinary individuals a valuable opportunity to engage with scientific and systematic academic subjects.

"Holding lectures in bars represents a proactive effort by contemporary youth to balance learning and leisure, creating new venues for professional discussions and fostering communication. This trend reflects their evolving social concepts," Professor Lang Jinsong from the Communication University of China was quoted as saying by China News Service. "However, we must discern whether the content of these 'bar lectures' is merely personal opinion or a structured academic discourse. Additionally, we should be cautious of academic discussions devolving into mere marketing gimmicks."
Gaining popularity among young people

The concept of an academic bar is not a recent development. According to New Weekly magazine, the concept originated in the UK's SciBar (short for "Science in a Bar"), a non-profit initiative launched by the British Science Association to make scientific knowledge more accessible to a larger audience. The primary aim of academic bars is to create informal spaces where researchers and enthusiasts can engage in discussions about their areas of expertise.

On October 27, Global Times reporters visited an academic bar in Wudaokou, where the venue was already bustling with activity just 10 minutes before the lecture was set to begin. The hallway was filled with guests holding cocktails in one hand while snapping photos of PowerPoint slides of the lecture with the other. Attendees listened attentively to the speaker on stage, who shared insights into the historical connections between Central Asia and China, along with his personal thrilling experiences in the region. The speaker, a seasoned scholar with slightly graying hair and a deep knowledge of Central Asian studies, appeared completely at ease in this setting, especially with a cocktail beside his laptop and a group of young people surrounding him.

His presentation was occasionally interrupted by a small, dark gray kitten that wandered over to investigate his drink, eliciting gentle laughter from the audience as he playfully shooed it away. This interaction contributed to a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere, starkly contrasting the seriousness often found in traditional university lecture halls. Conversations flowed freely, seamlessly blending leisure with deep inquiry, as the evening unfolded with both merriment and contemplation.

"I love this relaxed and enjoyable sharing atmosphere. It feels more like listening to a friend tell a story than being lectured by an elder. If it's interesting, you can stay and have a few more drinks; if not, you can leave anytime without any pressure," remarked Lin, a sophomore student at the China Forestry University who lives nearby. As a science major, she said that she rarely has the opportunity to engage in discussions related to the humanities and social sciences. She discovered this event through a social media advertisement and found it intriguing, expressing her desire to attend more similar events in the future.

Li Xiaokai, a second-year PhD student and one of the event organizers, is eager to explore ideas beyond his scientific background - applying familiar quantitative methods to the study of intellectual history. He has also been a speaker at the bar, presenting his work on "Quantitative Research on Intellectual History." The academic sharing events he organized cover themes ranging from detective fiction to dog psychology and urban exploration, drawing between 30 to 80 participants for each session. During events, the organizers, speakers, and the bar typically negotiate a revenue-sharing arrangement to divide the drink bill.

At this venue, known as the Universe Lounge, an academic atmosphere prevails, filled with serious philosophical discussions and profound topics. Academic posters adorn the walls, covering subjects from "Practices and Explorations in Archaeology in Northwest China" to "Understanding Moral Dilemmas in Life with a Case Study of a Movie." Books are scattered throughout the space; one can easily pull a memoir of a world-renowned figure from the sofa. Even in the restroom, a dedicated bookshelf features works by the philosopher of science, Alexander Koyré.

Chen Chen, manager of Universe Lounge, told the Global Times that they have been organizing academic sharing events since June, having conducted 13 sessions to date, with the largest attendance surpassing 80 participants. He noted that a lecture held on a weekend night can lead to a doubling of alcoholic beverage sales and a substantial boost in overall revenue.

A search on social media platforms found that in recent times, bars have begun hosting academic events that increasingly address pressing issues relevant to young people. Topics range from leveraging social media for personal branding to understanding legal rights under the new marriage law. Some lectures delve into the common anxieties faced by contemporary youth.

At an "academic bar" event on October 26 in Beijing, a senior lawyer discussed frequently encountered marriage law consultation issues, elucidating on rights protection within marriage and strategies for preventing and responding to domestic violence. The audience, primarily comprised of young and middle-aged women, engaged in discussions about these serious topics in a relaxed atmosphere, comfortably seated on sofas.

According to data from China's e-commerce platform Meituan, the search volume for "academic bar" has surged by 142 percent since October compared to September. On social media platforms, where young people dominate, the term's popularity is rapidly increasing, as reported by the Beijing Youth Daily.

Li believes that the sharing sessions at academic bars dismantle the elitism often associated with scientific research, fostering a more relaxed and enjoyable environment for young people to acquire knowledge.

Professor Lang told the China News Service that the popularization of knowledge hinges not only on high-quality content but also on the exploration of diverse communication platforms. He emphasizes that the exchange of ideas transcends participants, scenarios, and spaces.
Questions and challenges remain

The novel intersection of bars and lectures has garnered attention on Chinese social media, yet it has also sparked skepticism about potential "money-making," "pseudo-academics" and "affectation."

A netizen humorously remarked in a social media post, "After spending a night in the lab, shall I have to attend a seminar after drinking to unwind?" Some netizens contend that this trendy online concept merely relocates traditional salon activities to bars, repackaging old ideas with new branding. Some have also questioned how robust the screening process for speakers is, and in some cases, unclear or unsustainable objectives have led to suspicions of potential profit-driven motives.

Li acknowledges that while some individuals may exploit the "academic bar" label for hype and traffic, many others are genuinely seeking to create a new platform for knowledge sharing, fostering a fresh social space for young people. As this is a relatively new concept, many initiatives are still in the experimental phase, and they hope to see the establishment of more standardized principles for guidance and reference.

As for the sustainability of academic bars, Li admits he is still gauging their viability and cannot guarantee their continued popularity. He emphasizes that as an emerging cultural phenomenon, "academic bars" face several challenges, including the need for a sustainable operational model that ensures stable income, rather than relying solely on passion.

Mei Zhigang, an associate professor at the Central China Normal University, told Wuhan-based Jiupai News that "academic bars" are not a novel concept, but are much like cafes and teahouses that foster a relaxed atmosphere conducive to communication, helping individuals unwind while providing young people with an escape from feelings of loneliness.

The growing popularity of "academic bars" can also be linked to an overall improvement in the population's educational background, enabling more people to participate in academic discussions, Mei said. He expressed to the media his hope for more such activities and emphasized the importance of effective organization and topic management in related events.

At the end of the interview, Chen expressed his aspiration to sustainably promote the academic bar brand, with the goal of "establishing a cultural lounge for everyone, offering more individuals a platform to express themselves and share their perspectives in a relaxed and straightforward manner."