The "Out of Africa - Celebrating the Beijing Swifts" seminar was successfully held on Monday evening in the Belgian Residence in Beijing, coinciding with the World Migratory Bird Day to promote the conservation of migratory birds such as the Beijing Swifts and their habitats. 

Ambassador of Belgium to China H.E. Bruno Angelet, deputy director-general of the Beijing Municipal Forestry and Parks Bureau Wang Xiaoping, deputy director of the Wildlife and Wetland Protection Division Ji Jianwei, Beijing Normal University professor Zhao Xinru, professor of Ornithology at the Sun Yat-sen University, Liu Yang and Beijing-based wildlife conservationist Terry Townshend, and several ambassadors attended the event.

Ambassador Angelet, the host of the event delivered a speech. He declared a love for birds, especially the Swifts as they are intelligent, social, gentle and free, adding that he was also a birdwatcher in Belgium and after arriving in Beijing in August, he was pleasantly surprised at the great variety of birds in the city, including sparrows, which have almost disappeared in Belgium, but can be found everywhere in Beijing. 

"I was so excited to discover that European and Chinese scientists have studied specific aspects of their journey. Through this study, we have discovered that the Swifts which nest in Beijing also come every spring from Africa, mostly from Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa," he told the Global Times. 

Ambassador Angelet also expressed his hope that embassies and their Chinese counterparts will join forces to improve bilateral international scientific cooperation.

Professor Zhao and Professor Liu, two of the best-known Chinese scientists who have been studying the bird species shared the results of the citizen science surveys to count the Swifts in Beijing to help understand the bird's population trends.  

The Beijing Swift, as a migratory bird named after "Beijing," is a landmark species and one of the ecological symbols of Beijing. It spends three months a year in Beijing to breed before undertaking an incredible migration to southern Africa in mid-July for the northern hemisphere winter, professor Zhao said at the event.

Has China's Shanghai turned into a "ghost town"? This "nonsense" that can be easily distinguished by both Chinese people and foreigners with basic common sense has astonishingly become the headline of an article in the well-established American news magazine, Newsweek. There are indeed people playing tricks behind this absurd situation, and it's necessary for us to expose these "foreign ghosts" and bring them into the light of day.

Newsweek probably wouldn't be so ignorant to genuinely believe that Shanghai is becoming a "ghost town." Therefore, it appended a question mark to the headline, likely to deflect responsibility for spreading false information and rumors. However, the magazine cited three photos from social platform X (formerly known as Twitter), which were taken in the Lujiazui financial district of Shanghai. It didn't bother to verify the authenticity of these photos, when and under what circumstances they were taken. Instead, it simply adopted the exaggerated claims made by the photo uploader, suggesting that the desolate roads and an empty Starbucks in the photos indicate "deep trouble" for the Chinese economy. Such an approach is not just unprofessional but is essentially a form of rumor-mongering with a certain level of "technical sophistication."

The report begins by stating that the internet erupted in debate about whether Shanghai has turned into a "ghost town" following a "viral tweet showing empty streets." It then acknowledges that many residents have disputed this notion. However, it quickly shifts the focus to people's concerns about the Chinese economy. In fact, there should be no debate about whether Shanghai, China's megacity with a population of 25 million permanent residents, is a "ghost town." Only those who are blind, deaf, or mentally impaired don't comprehend this fact.

Discerning individuals can clearly see that the main focus of Newsweek is to sensationalize the economic downturn in China, a trend that has been particularly popular in Western media recently. Newsweek has caught onto a sensational gimmick and has disregarded its own image. By combining the visually shocking photos with the provocative term "ghost town," it has created a strong psychological suggestion that "China's economy is in trouble." It must be said that this kind of misinformation operates on a more "sophisticated" level.

If only Newsweek is doing this, then it is an isolated case, indicating the media outlet's problematic professional ethics and the negative impact it caused is not significant. However, starting from March or April this year, not only Newsweek but also other US and Western media outlets have been selectively using some specific data from a certain point or in a certain field to generalize, and even fabricate information to undermine, the Chinese economy. This is a coordinated and large-scale campaign, with consistent steps, intense actions, and extensive content, which is rare in recent years. Can we say that this is a coincidence?

In the field of economics, there is a term called narrative economics, which uses storytelling to influence judgments, even at the cost of creating false information, to undermine the morale and confidence of the target and attempt to deter foreign investment, thereby having a substantial impact on the economy. The US has openly regarded China as its biggest competitor and even treats China as an imaginary enemy in many practical aspects. We cannot expect it to engage in fair competition with China. In order to win this "competition" initiated by itself, the US often resorts to any possible means. This perspective can explain the phenomenon in which the US is badmouthing the Chinese economy in a collective manner and can also roughly predict the US' future actions toward China, indicating that it aligns with the basic facts.

From this perspective, including the rumors of Shanghai being a "ghost city," all kinds of negative comments are actually a cognitive and psychological warfare launched by the US and the West against China, targeting the confidence in China's economy both domestically and internationally. In their view, Shanghai is an international metropolis, so smearing its reputation will deal a "heavy blow." However, this time, Newsweek has hit the wrong target. Enterprises have the most sensitive instincts. If even the stores in Lujiazui are "empty," why did Starbucks announce last month that it would invest 1.5 billion yuan ($206 million) to establish an innovation and technology center in China and why did it plan to have about 9,000 China outlets by 2025? If China's economy is facing a long-term crisis, why are American technology companies still striving to expand their presence in China despite various restrictions?

For China, some people from the outside creating false information about China's economy is despicable and condemnable. We must first maintain composure and judgment, not be swayed by malicious rumors and manipulations, and concentrate on doing our own things well. Let the fact that China's economy is thriving and moving forward vigorously serve as the most powerful refutation against them.

Recently, in the waters near Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea, a series of actions that clearly appear to be "premeditated" have created tension.

A vessel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources of the Philippines, without China's permission, intruded into the adjacent waters of Huangyan Dao and attempted to enter its lagoon. The Philippine government vessels carrying journalists from Western countries equipped with cameras and other equipment for on-site filming also came to the waters near Huangyan Dao. The Philippine government vessels have even provided approximately 60,000 liters of diesel fuel and some groceries to the Filipino fishing boats in an attempt to encourage them to approach Huangyan Dao aggressively, thus providing fresh news material for Western journalists.

Let's take a look at how these Western journalists have reported on this largely staged story. The AFP used such a scene as a starting point: A Filipino fisherman guns the motor of his tiny wooden boat as he makes a dash for the shallow waters of Huangyan Dao, with Chinese coast guard speedboats in hot pursuit. This disjointed narrative aims to convey a strong sense of visuals and tension, attempting to depict a simple image of the "Chinese coast guard intimidating Filipino fishermen." Its headlines focused on "Filipino fisherman chased by China's coast guard" in the South China Sea, making it the most representative among the Western media present.

However, what's strange is that, compared to the efforts made by these Western media outlets and the Philippine side to stage this performance, the final products they presented are rather thin, lacking in impact and persuasiveness. Any audience with a modicum of critical thinking would find the story unconvincing. Their reports focused on depicting certain specific details, but were vague and even unwilling to mention more factual information, leading to numerous flaws and serious inaccuracies in their reporting.

The interception of Chinese coast guard ships in response to this behavior was legitimate and necessary. Additionally, the location of the "floating barrier" set up by China was at the entrance to the lagoon inside Huangyan Dao, clearly designed to safeguard sovereignty interests and not indicative of any "intimidation."

These media outlets will not mention the restraint and professionalism of the Chinese coast guard when intercepting Filipino fishing boats. Even less will they mention that just a few days ago, the PLA naval vessel Aba successfully rescued two Filipino fishermen during its cruise in the eastern maritime zone of the Nansha Islands. Those Filipino actors should not be blamed for their poor performance; the key issue lies in the fact that a large part of the "plot" is not controlled by the Filipino side or Western media. China will never act according to their script.

In the end of its report, the AFP quoted a so-called Filipino fisherman as saying, "If they ram and sink our boats, who will save us?" This was an attempt to play the sympathy card, which the AFP is known for. However, since the whole story has not been established, this ending appears to be weak and even somewhat ridiculous.

Overall, this is an unsuccessful hype by the Philippine side in collaboration with Western media. However, it has exposed a new trend in the South China Sea that should alert all parties: the strengthening of the Philippines' domestic radical forces in alliance with external powers on the South China Sea issue. They have put considerable effort into creating public opinion and intentionally engaging in a media war.

Previously, the Philippines hyped up the issue of Chinese fishermen "destroying coral reefs in the South China Sea," and the Japanese ambassador to the Philippines immediately described the development as "very alarming news," despite his own country's dumping of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the Pacific Ocean. Then, the Philippines hyped up China's installation of a "floating barrier." These actions have resonated politically with Western media reports. They are attempting to converge from different angles to create a false narrative that portrays China as a "bully" in the South China Sea, not only "suppressing" the Philippine government but also "bullying" the Filipino people.

Similar dramas like this are likely to continue by the Philippines and Western media.

By making an issue of the South China Sea and distorting the reports, Western media aims to fabricate a domineering image of China as a bully. This kind of operation has happened multiple times this year. It is important to remind the Philippines that engaging in such staged acts is not beneficial for resolving the South China Sea issue. Instead, it complicates the problem, increases risks, and damages the peaceful environment in the South China Sea as well as the mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the Philippines. Once nationalist sentiments within the Philippines are stirred up, it will backfire on the Philippines. Manila should remain clear-headed and vigilant about this.

Debt troubled real estate giant Evergrande announced on Sunday that due to an ongoing investigation into its main onshore unit Hengda Real Estate Group Co, the cooperation has failed to meet China Securities Regulatory Commission’s (CSRC) rule on issuing new bonds and repay its $19 billion offshore debt. 

As of close of trade, Evergrande suffered heavy losses in the Hong Kong stock market, falling by more than 20 percent. 

On Friday, Evergrande postponed its creditors meetings scheduled this Monday and Tuesday, which was already delayed twice in August. 

Failing to issue new debt may halt the troubled corporation’s plan to reorganize its over 19 billion offshore debts. In March, Evergrande attempted to roller over its original debt by replacing it with new notes with maturities of 10 to 12 years. 

The once largest real estate company in China is now in deep debt crisis, and facing difficulties due to the weak real estate market. From its previous disclosure, Evergrande suffered a net profit loss of 524.2 billion yuan in 2021, and that of 52.7 billion yuan in 2022. In the first half of 2023, it struck a 17.9-billion-yuan net profit loss, causing the company to be insolvent, with a consolidated net asset of -386.7 billion yuan.

The ongoing investigation was posed by CSRC, on August 16, Hengda posted a notification of a lawsuit, saying the company is being charged of suspected violation of information disclosure. 

The School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Tianjin University, is about to celebrate the 90th anniversary of its founding. The school traces its origins back to the Department of Electrical Engineering at Peiyang University (the predecessor of Tianjin University), China's first modern university. Established in 1933, the school has now grown into a prestigious institution with a complete range of majors and disciplines in electrical engineering, electronics, control science and engineering. It also possesses an internationally renowned faculty and offers a comprehensive education program from undergraduate to doctoral levels.

Li Jiping, secretary of the school's Party committee, said, "Our School has three first-level disciplines - electrical engineering, control science and engineering, and information and communication engineering. Together with our university's School of Future Technology and the National Innovation Platform (Center) for Industry-Education Integration of Energy Storage Technology, we fully implement the emerging engineering education concept and have made significant progress in fundamental research, talent development, and achievement transformation. By this collective effort, we hope to contribute to the university's world-class construction and the comprehensive development of our education powerhouse."

From Professor Xu Qingchun, one of the trailblazers of China's power system discipline, to Professor Yu Yixin, academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering and founder of the Smart Grid Research Team, and Professor Wang Chengshan who was newly promoted to the Chinese Academy of Engineering in 2021, the School has cultivated numerous outstanding talents who have engaged in the development of China's electric power industry and prioritized scientific research aligned with the needs of the national industry.
Wang is most renowned for his research in distributed power generation and Micro-Grid. The Micro-Grid design and operation control systems and equipment developed by Wang's team have been adopted as international standards and applied in various projects both domestically and internationally. They proposed the technical solution for the energy management system of the Micro-Grid on the Maldives Islands and deployed the system on 10 islands in the Maldives within three months.

So far, the island's Micro-Grid systems have been operating stably, saving nearly 28-44 percent of diesel consumption and reducing power supply costs by 27-65 percent.

In addition, the team is dedicated to implementing Micro-Grid technology in China to ensure a reliable power supply in challenging areas such as plateaus, islands, and uninhabited regions.

This summer, the School of Electrical and Information Engineering organized the "Unmanned Systems Wisdom Show" summer camp. Twenty-eight exceptional students from middle schools across China participated in this camp to explore the fascinating world of advanced automated unmanned systems. They had the opportunity to learn on-site and engage in practical operations, allowing them to truly experience the charm of this field.
"There is no end to knowledge, and there is no end to scientific development." On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the School, Professor He Jiali, a renowned electrical expert in China and a foreign academician of the Russian Engineering Academy, expressed his sincere wish for the future: "I hope our School can keep moving forward and develop nonstop!"

He has been with the School for 70 years.

"We must answer to the nation's call and cultivate people with virtue." Talking about future development, Wang is full of expectations: "The School of Electrical and Information Engineering is forming a multidisciplinary and integrated talent training system that fosters the development of smart energy, smart grid, intelligent control, and advanced information and communication technologies. It is always our first priority to cultivate high-level innovative talents for the country."

China and Germany held the 3rd China-Germany High Level Financial Dialogue in Frankfurt on Sunday, during which both sides reached consensus on 25 items for raised for discussion. 

The two countries reiterated that this dialogue mechanism is a key platform for bilateral exchange and policy coordination on strategic, overarching, and long-term fiscal and financial issues, according to a statement on the website of the Ministry of Finance.

The re-start of the high-level financial dialogue between China and Germany is of significance to not only the two sides but also to overall China-Europe economic and trade relations, Li Yong, a senior research fellow at the China Association of International Trade, told the Global Times on Sunday.

This is "a good opportunity" for China and Germany to increase understanding of each other against the backdrop of rising global challenges, he said.

Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on fiscal and financial matters, and open market access based on a level playing-field, while committing to combating trade protectionism, and supporting the rules-based, non-discriminatory, fair, open, inclusive, equitable, sustainable and transparent multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core.

They agreed that the global economic landscape remains uncertain by complex structural risks. In this context and in light of generational challenges ahead, including the transition to carbon neutrality, both sides are committed to bolstering global confidence and enhancing strong, sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth for the global economy.

China and Germany are committed to jointly promoting global economic recovery and sustainable development, and aim at safeguarding global financial stability. Both sides support the role of the G20 as the premier global forum for international economic cooperation. 

Both sides agreed to strengthen exchanges regarding digital developments in financial services markets, including developments in central bank digital currencies.

Germany welcomes China's progress in recent years in building a stronger regulatory environment for foreign banks in China. And they encourage qualified financial institutions to invest and conduct business in each other's market. Both sides agree to strengthen investment cooperation, actively promote domestic enterprises to invest in each other's market, and reduce obstacles in two-way investment.

Li said major European economies have been facing difficulties such as an energy crisis due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, but the Chinese economy continues to recover and is playing an increasingly important role in global governance. In this regard, strengthening cooperation with China will also benefit Europe's economic growth.

China's "artificial sun," the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), which is also the world's first fully superconducting tokamak device in operation, saw a major breakthrough on Wednesday evening.

EAST achieved a high power, stable, 403-second steady-state long-pulse high confinement mode plasma operation, setting a new world record for steady-state high confinement mode operation of a tokamak device, China Central Television reported on Wednesday.

The innovation achieved by the EAST device provides an important experimental basis for the operation of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) and the independent construction and operation of fusion reactors in China, the report said.

In January, EAST made another breakthrough by discovering and demonstrating a new plasma operation scenario called Super I-Mode. The news was published in an article in Science Advances, according to Hefei Institutes of Physical Science under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

The ultimate goal of EAST, located at the Plasma Physics center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Hefei, East China's Anhui Province, is to create nuclear fusion in a way that mimics processes in the Sun, using deuterium found in the sea to provide a steady stream of clean energy.

Unlike fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas, which will run out and that pose a threat to the environment, raw materials required for the "artificial sun" are almost unlimited on earth. Therefore, fusion energy is considered the ideal "ultimate energy" for the future of humanity.

The "Macao Science 1" satellite that the Chinese mainland and Macao co-developed was "one of a kind" featuring great uniqueness and innovation. It is a result of international collaboration by leading scientists from around the world and has in turn attracted many Western institutes to join the work, Zhang Keke, chief scientist of the "Macao Science 1" satellite, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview. 

Two "Macao Science 1" satellites were successfully launched into orbit on May 21, 2023, marking the first space science satellite program jointly developed by the Chinese mainland and the Macao Special Administrative Region.

Macao Science 1 takes a twin-satellite approach. Satellite A carries payloads including high-precision magnetometers to detect Earth's magnetic field. Satellite B is equipped with payloads like high-energy particle detectors and solar X-ray instruments to obtain space environment data.

Satellite A is the world's first low-latitude geomagnetic field and space environment scientific detection satellite, featuring the highest geomagnetic field detection accuracy in China. It will significantly improve the level of the country's space magnetic measurement technology, according to the China National Space Administration. 

During an exclusive interview with the Global Times, chief scientist Zhang Keke said that they are now carrying out in-orbit testing, which is expected to be completed by the end of this year, after which they will collaborate with Western and domestic scientists to conduct scientific research based on the data obtained.

Zhang told the Global Times that the research and development of the satellite is the most challenging among all satellites of this type. 

For one thing, the satellite must be non-magnetic to avoid inducing its own magnetic field, and its measuring instrument needs to be far away from all electronic instruments, generators, and other equipment. 

Therefore, it was designed into a unique shape with a box sticking to the end of a long pole, extending to eight meters. This means that it has to be folded up during the rocket launch and unfold after arriving in orbit. 

"When everyone was cheering for the success of the launch back then, I was actually very nervous as we waited for the pole to fully unfold. It took about two hours before we knew the unfolding maneuver had been performed perfectly," Zhang recalled. 

When asked if his team has encountered any restrictions in its collaboration with Western scientists given the tense relationship between China and the US, Zhang said it wasn't an issue since "for us scientists, there should not be limitations in cooperation due to the so-called decoupling, as science knows no borders." 

Many technical problems were difficult to solve, and they received help from researchers from European countries during the R&D process, Zhang said. He is now leading a team of about 30 scientists, some of whom are from the Chinese mainland and Macao, while others are from the US, UK and France among other countries. 

What's more, they have signed agreements to jointly conduct research on the satellite with 18 top research institutes from around the world, including those from France, the US, the UK, and Germany. 

"Westerners came to us, not the other way around," Zhang said proudly, as he introduced the unique advantages of the satellite. "The scientific project you are working on must be of interest to others, and that means it must be a first in the world. Our satellite is the first high-precision Earth magnetic field measurement satellite launched at a low inclination angle, which is of great significance to scientific advancement."

The expert further explained that the existing high-precision Earth magnetic field measurement satellites are polar satellites, mainly measuring the changes in physical parameters from the South Pole to the North Pole. And the Macao Science 1 has filled in a gap for east-west directions.

Elaborating on the importance of studying Earth's magnetic field, Zhang said that it not only provides a protective shield that blocks high-energy charged particles from the Sun from entering the atmosphere, but applies to almost every area of human beings' daily lives. 

"Living on Earth, we need to know how changes occur and what changes will happen in the future. And that's really a question of the movement of the Earth's magnetic field," Zhang said. 

Scientists generally believe that the magnetic field occurs in the Earth's core more than 3,000 kilometers below the surface. It is extremely hot at over 5,000 C, mainly consisting of molten iron. This produces a lot of kinetic energy, which is converted into magnetic energy, thus producing a magnetic field.

However, as humans can only drill down into the Earth's surface to a depth of 12 kilometers, we cannot see anything. The only way is to observe the changes of the Earth's magnetic field in time and space, requiring the use of satellites. 

This is essential for satellite navigation for airplanes, ships, and spacecraft, which is very important for a country's economy, industry, and national security.

The three taikonauts from China's Shenzhou-15 crewed mission, known as the "dream crew," on Monday made their first appearance in public 57 days later after returning to Earth in June. The crem members shared their experience and feeling in the space and deeply felt the wonder of nature, the vastness of the universe.

China launched the manned spaceship Shenzhou-15 on November 29, 2022, sending Fei Junlong, Deng Qingming and Zhang Lu to China's space station core module Tianhe.

Having spent six months living and working in the China Space Station, the three Shenzhou-15 taikonauts safely returned to the Dongfeng landing site in the Gobi Desert, North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in June.

China Astronaut Research and Training Center has scientifically formulated a recovery plan. The recovery period is mainly divided into three stages - quarantine, recuperation and observation. So far, the crew has completed the first two stages, and they are in good physical and mental condition, and have been fully in the observation stage. They will resume regular training after completing all health and wellbeing assessments.

The four extravehicular activities (EVAs) are the highlight of our crew and the highlight of China's manned spaceship development. We believe that the following crew members will create more records, Fei said at Monday's press meeting.

"To realize a dream is not the end of the efforts, but a new starting point," Deng said. Deng has been made efforts for 25 years and finally fulfilled dream of missions in space.

Zhang who took the mission in the space for the first time took a lot of beautiful photos in space, many of them are about the motherland and hometown. Zhang again and again in the window looked at the motherland, and Zhang said that what impressed him most was extravehicular activities.

"Before my first extravehicular activities, I had been looking out of the porthole, which was so small that I couldn't get a full view." When I was faced with the boundless space for the first time, "I had a deep understanding of the wonders of nature and the vastness of the universe," Zhang said.

China has unveiled its preliminary plan on manned lunar landing. China planned to land its taikonauts on the moon before 2030 to carry out scientific exploration, according to a preliminary plan released by the China Manned Space Agency in July.

"We are fully aware of the mission and responsibility on our shoulders. We firmly believe that with scientific and systematic training, the full support of space science and technology staff, the unity of our crew, we can overcome any difficulty," Fei noted.