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.

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.