As a Fijian proverb goes, "A bud will give birth to millions of fruit."

"For this surgery, we have prepared for more than half a year," Xiao Yuehai told the Global Times when talking about the first laparoscopic surgery carried out in Solomon Islands.

In this unknown realm of the seabed, how should the benefits and risks of deep-sea mining be balanced? How can the conflicting interests of a demand for energy transition and environmental protection be resolved? Experts told the Global Times that discussing deep-sea mining requires the balancing of various interests such as resource development, environmental protection, and sustainable development. In this process, global collaboration is crucial to ensure the best practices in environmental protection, sustainability, and social responsibility in mining activities.

"I like watching [the Chinese reality show] Running Man, I like [Chinese actress] Dilraba and Chinese hot-pot…" Joanne Cilia Vosalevu, a 23-year-old Fijian woman told the Global Times at the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, where she started her year-long Chinese language study journey on August 16.

"A workman must first sharpen his tools if he wants to do his work well," is a Chinese saying that emphasizes not only the importance of tools of a craft, but indicates the vital role of the craftsman who creates the tools.

This story is a part of the Global Times' series of "Witness to history," which features first-hand accounts from witnesses who were at the forefront of historic events. From scholars, politicians and diplomats to ordinary citizens, their authentic reflections on the impact of historical moments help reveal a sound future for humanity through the solid steps forward taken in the past and the present.

Deepening mutual understanding between Chinese and Grenadian people will be realized through a multifaceted approach, which entails expanding cultural exchanges, promoting educational endeavors, and facilitating direct connections between individuals from both nations, Chad Vincent John, a 34-year-old Grenadian who is currently a kindergarten teacher and has been living in China for more than a decade, told the Global Times in a recent interview.

It was reported recently that the US Department of Justice arrested two Chinese residents in New York on suspicion of setting up a "secret police station" in Manhattan for the Chinese government to suppress so-called "dissidents." According to the indictment, they were arrested for operating an "Overseas Police Service Station," which is, in fact, just a volunteer service platform for overseas Chinese in Manhattan, New York.

As Chinese hit movie No More Bets that exposes digital scammers, fraud farms and gangmasters went viral, the topic of telecom scams in Southeast Asia, especially in northern Myanmar, has once again made a splash across Chinese social media. Terrifying stories in northern Myanmar involving kidnapping and human trafficking have once again brought the long-standing, difficult problem into the public spotlight and prompted heated discussion, which has deterred Chinese tourists from visiting the country, a previous hot travel destination.

A giant engraved “Great Stone” stands at the entrance of the China-Belarus Industrial Park in Minsk, capital of Belarus. Advertisements for “Great Stone” can also be seen on highways linking the city center to the park. The name “Great Stone” was given by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko to the park as it embodies "the cornerstone of the friendship between the peoples of China and Belarus." Nobody could ever have imagined the forest would one day turn into a shining pearl of the Belt and Road Initiative.

By using Chinese technology and experience to monitor and improve the ecology of Central Asia countries, imparting local people the expertise to build a hydropower station, and kick starting a cutting-edge photovoltaic power plant to help generate substantial renewable energy in the region, Chinese institutes and companies are helping turn the dream of a "Green Silk Road" into reality, while also making China-Central Asia cooperation in the green sector a paragon for other countries.

From the professional construction of vocational education systems, to local teacher training, to cultivating the local social development need for talent ... In recent years, China and Central Asian countries in the cooperation of training professional personnel have been pressing the "accelerator button" under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Recently, Global Times reporters visited the "Silk Road" International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage (Silk Road University) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and the Kazakh Luban Workshop project to see how China is helping Central Asia cultivate professional and technical talent, and building an important bridge for cultural exchange and mutual understanding between the two sides.

“We couldn't believe our eyes when, on TV, we saw that the group photo President Xi Jinping took with us in our village was sitting right behind him as he delivered this year's New Year greetings. We were deeply touched by the president's love and care for Xinjiang region, and for his people,” Kelibinur Yasen told the Global Times. “Now you can find this photo hanging on the walls of each of our households, because it has warmed our hearts, and given us courage and confidence.”

Kazakhstan marks the lynchpin for the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), not only because geographically it acts as key point along the BRI, has fostered deep connections and conducted meaningful cooperation with China covering almost all sectors under the BRI framework, but also because Kazakhstan was where the initiative was first proposed 10 years ago.

Recently, Global Times reporters explored the super projects undertaken by Chinese enterprises in Uzbekistan to witness the embodiment of Chinese technology, quality standards, and wisdom, as the grand projects have brought about tremendous changes to the socio-economic landscape of Central Asia.

Some observers believe that China-UK relations are at its lowest point, but Alistair Michie, secretary general of the British East Asia Council and winner of the Chinese Friendship Award Medal in 2013, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview that he does not agree with this assessment. Instead, it would be highly desirable for all nations to have golden eras of understanding with China, Michie said, noting that one of the key issues is that a significant number of UK politicians are heavily influenced by the US. He also said that the UK should consider joining the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as well as other initiatives that can move both countries in a more positive direction. Global Times reporters Xie Wenting and Bai Yunyi (GT) talked with Michie to get his insightful opinions on China-UK relations, the BRI and more.

After enduring a bumpy 3.5-hour-long highway ride and a bout of traffic congestion, we finally arrived in Indonesian famous tourism city Bandung by car, which was only 130 kilometers from the capital Jakarta, during a fieldtrip to the Tegalluar Station, the last point on the Jakarta-Bandung HSR in July.

Editor's Note: The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR), a landmark project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is undergoing intensive joint commissioning and testing, paving the way for commercial operations scheduled to begin soon this year.

Why is the nuclear-contaminated wastewater being dumped by Japan actually not in accordance with discharge standards as the country claims? What tricks have been used by the country to attempt to cover up the truth and gain the international community's support? The Global Times recently talked to some experts in marine ecology and nuclear radiation and insiders who are familiar with Japan's dumping plan, so as to expose the lies of the Japanese government and the reason why Japan is so keen to act as a “victim.”

The WWF and the China International Contractors Association jointly held a conference on Monday in Nairobi, capital of Kenya, to help promote wildlife protection and crack down on illegal wildlife trade. Eighty representatives including officials from the Chinese Embassy in Kenya and the Kenya Wildlife Service attended the conference.

Editor's Note: Over the last decade, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has yield fruitful achievements and greatly enriched China-Africa relations. As this year marks the 10th anniversary of the proposal of BRI, Global Times reporters Liu Xin and Xing Xiaojing (GT) interviewed Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Zhou Pingjian (Zhou) and Chinese Ambassador to Madagascar Guo Xiaomei (Guo), to learn about their views on the BRI's achievements in the two African countries and their expectations for future cooperation.

Editor's Note: Over the last decade, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has yield fruitful achievements and greatly enriched China-Africa relations. As this year marks the 10th anniversary of the proposal of BRI, Global Times reporters Liu Xin and Xing Xiaojing (GT) interviewed Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Zhou Pingjian (Zhou) and Chinese Ambassador to Madagascar Guo Xiaomei (Guo), to learn about their views on the BRI's achievements in the two African countries and their expectations for future cooperation.

In this installment, we trace along the stream of the Xin'an River, which flows in East China's Anhui and Zhejiang provinces, some of China's most-developed regions facing the dilemmas of industrial development and ecological protection. Through a collaborative and creative way, a cross-provincial ecological compensation mechanism has been built, setting a model in pursuing harmony between humanity and nature.

Cluster munitions provided by the US arrived in Ukraine in mid-July, while controversies abound as multiple human rights groups and some US congressmen express concern over long-term harm to civilians. At least 38 human rights organizations have publicly opposed the transfer of cluster munitions to Ukraine, where the weapons have already been used in the war to devastating effect, the Hill reported on July 7.

Editor's Note: During the Vietnam War, the US used cluster bombs to carry out airstrikes on targets in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Over a period of nine years – from 1964 to 1973 – the US dropped more than two million tons of bomblets particularly in Laos, of which 80 million tons failed to detonate. Consequently, Laos now holds the unfortunate distinction of being the most heavily bombed country per capita in history. Many fear that Ukraine, which has received many cluster bombs from the US, will become the next unfortunate casualty to share Laos' fate. How does a US veteran who fought in the Vietnam War view the US' supply of cluster bombs to Ukraine? What do they feel it means to the legacy of their time on the ground? In conversation with one US Vietnam War veteran, the Global Times learned the answers to this question and more. This story is a part of the Global Times' series of “Witness to history,” which features first-hand accounts from witnesses who were at the forefront of historic events. From scholars, politicians and diplomats to ordinary citizens, their authentic reflections on the impact of historical moments help reveal a sound future for humanity through the solid steps forward taken in the past and the present.

Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded his state visit to South Africa and his attendance at the 15th BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, with a resounding call for BRICS nations and the Global South to unite in building a more equitable world order. This call is expected to exert far-reaching influence and is widely supported by the international community.

Hours after Japan started to dump nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean on August 24, Chinese seafood distributor Xiao Maoxu posted an advertisement on social media promoting her crabs. "Buy the crabs as early as possible," she wrote. "No one knows whether we will be able to eat them in the future."

China attaches great importance to promoting gender equality and also has great concern for women's rights in Afghanistan, but it will not threaten to cut off aid to Afghanistan as have many Western countries to exert pressure, which would only exacerbate conflict, said Zhao Haihan, Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan.

Editor's Note: On August 30, 2021, with celebratory fireworks lighting up the Kabul night sky, the US completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan, ending its 20-year presence in the country after its October 2001 invasion. Afghanistan has had two years to explore its own path for development. How has the Afghan interim government performed in solving the problems in Afghanistan? And how have China-Afghanistan relations developed? Global Times reporters Liu Xin and Xing Xiaojing (GT) interviewed Dr. Zhao Haihan (Zhao), Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan, to get his views on these and other questions, for an exclusive report.

"I am delighted to once again visit the Inner Mongolia, and witness a group of intelligent people in an intelligent nation utilizing high technology to develop their economy in the desert." The Ninth Kubuqi International Desert Forum (KIDF) was held from August 25 to 27, in Ordos, North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Bronislaw Komorowski, the former president of Poland who was invited to attend the forum, shared his impressions about the event during an exclusive interview with the Global Times recently.

As part of the important efforts to be made in combating desertification, the China-Arab International Research Center for Drought, Desertification, and Land Degradation's establishment was agreed upon at the Ninth Kubuqi International Desert Forum on Saturday.

With groups of people waving goodbye, China's naval hospital ship the Ark Peace sailed from Honiara Harbor on Saturday morning after it successfully concluded its weeklong visit and dispensing medical services to the Solomon Islands. Similar to its arrival, the shores were filled with crowds bidding farewell, with their sentiments toward the hospital ship evidently profound. For them, the opportunity to receive medical treatment aboard the Ark Peace was a rare one.

Setting sail in early July, the Ark Peace was on its humanitarian medical mission, Mission Harmony 2023, to Kiribati, Tonga, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and East Timor. This marks the first time a Chinese naval vessel has visited Kiribati and the Solomon Islands. According to the original plan, the hospital ship docks at one port in each country, providing weeklong medical services free of charge to local people, personnel from Chinese institutions stationed in the country and other overseas Chinese.

Italian scholar Eusebio Filopatro (pseudonym) never expected his pseudonym would make him the center of a news incident. When the Global Times (GT) was maliciously attacked and slandered by certain Italian and Western media outlets for publishing his signed article under the pseudonym Eusebio Filopatro, while being accused of fabricating "a fictional character" to create "fake news," this Italian scholar was confused: Anonymity should not be an issue - you can use Google searching the key words "anonymous" or "anonymous source" and "New York Times" or "Reuters," and you will see that almost all Western media outlets rely on anonymous sources routinely. So why does the use of pseudonyms become a problem when it comes to Chinese media?

For many manufacturers in the country, the increasingly fierce global competition, as well as the growing need for industrial upgrading from supply chains to the end market, has pushed them to explore the possible new ways to retain the "golden era" of Chinese manufacturing industry.

Editor's Note: Relations between China and the ASEAN have continued to improve since the establishment of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations in 1991. Over the last 30 years, the China-ASEAN relationship has achieved remarkable development and brought about tangible benefits for more than 2 billion people in 11 countries. China and the ASEAN have pursued the right path of long-standing good-neighborliness and friendship, and common development and prosperity. Recently, Global Times reporters Hu Yuwei, Zhao Juecheng, and Li Xuanmin (GT) interviewed the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Kao Kim Hourn (Kao), and Chinese Ambassador to the ASEAN, Hou Yanqi (Hou), in Indonesia, to get more insights from them on the future pathway of China-ASEAN political and economic relations.

Editor's Note: Relations between China and the ASEAN have continued to improve since the establishment of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations in 1991. Over the last 30 years, the China-ASEAN relationship has achieved remarkable development and brought about tangible benefits for more than 2 billion people in 11 countries. China and the ASEAN have pursued the right path of long-standing good-neighborliness and friendship, and common development and prosperity. Recently, Global Times reporters Hu Yuwei, Zhao Juecheng, and Li Xuanmin (GT) interviewed the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Kao Kim Hourn (Kao), and Chinese Ambassador to the ASEAN, Hou Yanqi (Hou), in Indonesia, to get more insights from them on the future pathway of China-ASEAN political and economic relations. The two diplomats highlighted China's important role as one of the key partners of the ASEAN that supports its community-building efforts. They expressed their belief that the bilateral cooperation enjoys a profound foundation, covers broad areas, and will continue to yield fruitful results.

News of the devastating wildfire on the Hawaiian island of Maui reminds Chinese oceanologist Wang Yamin of the pristine island he visited nine years ago. Wang still remembered the days when he was amazed by the dazzling blue ocean, the lush green of the trees, and the pretty little houses hidden among vegetation.

The 15th BRICS Summit, scheduled to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from August 22 to 24, has garnered substantial international attention. This summit holds significant importance in prompting discussions on various fronts. Within the BRICS framework, what role does China play? How do African people view the cooperation between China and Africa? Global Times reporters Xie Wenting and Zhao Juecheng (GT) in Johannesburg interviewed David Monyae (Monyae), director of the Center for Africa-China Studies at the University of Johannesburg, to delve into these crucial matters.

Whether the global economy can achieve recovery has become a hot topic of discussion in recent times. Along with this discussion, the growth prospects of the Chinese economy have become a global focus of attention. What potential does the Chinese economy hold for growth? Can it overcome short-term challenges and achieve long-term sustainable development? With these questions in mind, Global Times reporters Xie Wenting and Bai Yunyi (GT) recently interviewed Yukon Huang (Huang), a senior fellow with the Asia Program, formerly the World Bank's China country director.

In April 2021, young participants from different countries with diverse cultural and academic backgrounds, embarked on their China Tour journey, an activity launched by the Global Young Leaders Dialogue (GYLD), to explore the Chinese path of development and experience splendid and inclusive Chinese culture. In this installment, we speak to two young international participants of the tour, also young leaders of the GYLD, who shared the encouragement they received from the president's reply letter, their experiences in China, as well as their insights on serving as a bridge to promote exchanges and dialogue between China and the rest of the world.

Akbar Fernando Ndabung, an Indonesian student in his 20s at the Udayana University and a local singer, did not expect his rap song about the Jakarta-Bandung High-speed Railway (HSR) to become an immediate hit on social media when it was released online in December 2022. The high tempo song is peppered with romantic lyrics interwoven into a rosy blue print of Indonesia.

Noting that bilateral relations are at their historical best, former Malaysian ambassador to China Dato Abdul Majid said he hopes that China can cultivate more talent for Malaysia via high-quality Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation so as to further promote Malaysia-China ties in the next 50 years, in a recent interview with the Global Times in Kuala Lumpur.

The 15th BRICS Summit will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from August 22 to 24, 2023. At this year's meeting, the feasibility of a common BRICS currency, the internationalization of the Chinese Yuan, the growth prospects of emerging economies such as China, and the role of the BRICS in global governance will be the focal points of discussion.

When Chinese President Xi Jinping first proposed the initiative of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road in 2013, it was framed as a broad vision to expand regional cooperation between China and Southeast Asian countries. By visiting the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia in July, Global Times reporters followed Xi's footsteps and visions to find out how BRI projects have enhanced regional connectivity, deepened trade and economic relations, promoted political trust and expanded people-to-people exchanges among member countries.

Infrastructure facilities built under the BRI connect countries in the Southeast Asia region to the global supply chain, whether through maritime or overland transportation.

How will the Pandora's Box that the Kishida administration plans to open harm the country's business enterprises? Global Times reporters reached Chinese and Japanese consumers and businesspeople, who shared their concerns and pessimisms about the reckless decision.

An unprecedented anti-corruption storm is currently sweeping through the field of medicine in China.

Seventy eight years ago, the Japanese government officially announced its unconditional surrender, signifying the end of World War II and the victory of people worldwide against fascism. Despite post-war efforts by the Allied powers, Japan's war criminals were subjected to appropriate trials and penalties.

August 15 marks the 78th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II, following with September 3, China's Anti-Japanese War Victory Day.

The changes that have taken place in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, especially in the last decade, have been fundamental and astonishing. The construction of infrastructure in areas such as commerce, economy, transportation, agriculture, industry, trade, technology, energy, and culture has been remarkable, said Iranian Ambassador to China Mohsen Bakhtiar.

From the Songliao Plain to the banks of the Hailan River, from the shores of Chagan Lake to industrial parks, since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has visited Northeast China's Jilin Province three times for inspection and research. He has gone to the far reaches of rural areas, communities, science and technology parks and enterprises, providing fundamental guidance, providing direction and injecting strong impetus to the comprehensive revitalization of the region in the new era.

Lai Ching-te, deputy leader of the island of Taiwan and the secessionist Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) candidate for the 2024 regional elections, reportedly plans to stop over in the US on Saturday on his way to Paraguay, a blatant provocative act against China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Sri Lankan Ambassador to China Palitha Kohona visited the Beijing Hanyitang TCM Hospital on August 7 and praised traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as an attractive form of medical treatment.

The 58th National Day of the Republic of Singapore and Singapore Armed Forces Day was held on August 4 in Beijing. Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong attended the event and talked about China-Singapore relations with the Singaporean Ambassador to China Tan Hai Chuan. Tan expressed hopes to further enhance the bilateral relations between China and Singapore.

The Zhongshan and Spain Exchange Festival kicked off in South China's Guangdong Province on August 2 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Spain, and the 20th anniversary of the establishment of ties between Guangdong and the Spanish Autonomous Community of Catalonia.

The "Chengdu Panda International Food and Culture Carnival Canada: Part of Your Healthy Lifestyle" was held in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province on August 2. The event allowed participants to gain an in-depth knowledge of Canada through different aspects such as cuisine, beverages, games and entertainment through brand promotion, food tasting, fitness dance and business exchanges.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized dozens of diplomatic envoys to visit Urumqi, Kashi and Aksu in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in early August. Foreign envoys had in-depth exchanges with residents from various ethnic groups and experienced the economic and social development of the region.

Tuesday marked the 15th anniversary of a milestone in history as China celebrated the successful hosting of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. This occasion not only commemorated the shining moments of the Games but also highlighted the enduring legacy of the Olympic spirit that has continued to flourish over the years.

In China's economic policymaking, policymakers and economists often use a rather apt term to describe the integral role the private sector plays in the country's social and economic development: "56789." This refers to private firms' contribution of more than 50 percent to national tax revenue, more than 60 percent to the national GDP, more than 70 percent to technological innovation achievements, more than 80 percent to urban employment, and 90 percent to the total number of enterprises in China.

Editor's Note: The recent visit of centenarian veteran US diplomat Henry Kissinger to China was warmly welcome by China and has since garnered significant attention from global media outlets. The visit brings to mind Kissinger's secret trip to China in 1971, which caused a sensation worldwide.

The Global Times talked to an international sports organization official who has witnessed the hosting of three Universiades by the Chinese mainland and is closely connected to the development of sports among Chinese youth, gaining an insight into her observations on China's sporting growth in recent years, which has opened up new possibilities and fostered greater expectations for major global sporting events.

The Global Times reporters found that with the advancement of internet technology and the expansion of avenues for people-to-people exchanges, Arab youth possess richer media exposure to China compared with previous generations. They also have more opportunities for face-to-face interactions with Chinese individuals, leading to a more diversified and contemporary understanding of China.

The extreme rainstorm witnessed in Beijing on July 21, 2012, the heaviest rainfall in six decades that left 79 people dead and caused widespread havoc in the capital city over a weekend, left deep scars in many people's hearts. Fortunately, when Beijing broke a 140-year-old rainfall record in the days between July 29 and August 2, the nightmare witnessed by Beijing residents over a decade ago were not replayed. Based on flood prevention experience and lessons learned from previous rainfall disasters, including the catastrophic Henan floods in July 2021, Beijing appears to have made quantifiable to the city's disaster forecasting, relief, and response programs. There have been no major recorded roof collapses, backlash on the internet, damage of power lines, or flooded highway underpasses, scenes that were widely seen in the tragedy 11 years ago.

Global Times reporters visited some of the affected communities and villages in Fangshan district, Beijing, and Zhuozhou city in Hebei and talked with witnesses to the once-in-a-century torrential rain to learn about the resilience and selflessness of Chinese people amid the disaster.

Amid torrential rain, rivers surged, houses collapsed and communications were disrupted... Under the influence of Typhoon Doksuri, heavy rainfall has persisted in Northern China, impacting regions like Beijing, the neighboring Tianjin Municipality and Hebei Province and setting records that haven't been seen in a century. Rescuers are racing against time, fighting to establish a "lifeline" to save lives and property.

It's hard to know exactly know how much money have flowed from the Ukraine frontline into the pockets of US weapon manufacturers. But the Global Times found that most of the MIC giants in the US have enjoyed an income surge or (and) market value increase amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The Sino-Dutch sports exchanges and reception for the Dutch delegation to the Chengdu World University Games was successfully held on July 29 to celebrate the Sino-Dutch sports relations

The 2023 Global Esports Conference was held on July 28 in Shanghai focusing on opportunities and challenges in the development of the global esports industry. Abdulla Alnoaimi, commercial counselor of the United Arab Emirates Embassy in China made an address at the event. Relevant government officials, companies, business people, and gaming enthusiasts were also in attendance at the conference.

The “Belt and Road Ambassador Scholarship” ceremony is held in Beijing, on July 26. Photo: Courtesy of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing The Embassy of Sri Lanka in China held a ceremony to launch the "Belt and Road Ambassador Scholarship," on July 26. The ceremony unveiled scholarships for Sino-Sri Lankan student exchanges in 2023, an evaluation work plan, timeframes of awarding recipients and details of financial support, and elected Sri Lankan Ambassador to China Palitha Kohona as the chairman of the Evaluation Committee. This activity aims to expand the humanistic exchanges and cooperation between China and Sri Lanka.

The 8th Contemporary Mexican Film Cycle will kick off in several Chinese cities, brining filmgoers and Mexican cultural enthusiasts in China six classic Mexican movies, the Global Times learned from Mexican Consulate General in Shanghai.

The Embassy of Colombia in China celebrated the country's National Day in Beijing, on July 27. The Colombian Ambassador Sergio Cabrera attended the event and expressed his willingness to maintain cultural exchanges with China.

Editor's Note: China and Pakistan's “ironclad” friendship has long been characterized by strong diplomatic ties, economic cooperation and strategic collaboration. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as well as the 10th anniversary of the launch of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project under the BRI. Over the last decade, the CPEC has achieved fruitful results which have not only deepened bilateral cooperation but also opened up new avenues for regional connectivity and economic development. What has the CPEC brought to Pakistan over the last decade? What will be prioritized in the next decade? On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the CPEC, Global Times reporters Xie Wenting and Bai Yunyi (GT) talked to Pakistani Ambassador to China Moin ul Haque (Haque) on the development of the CPEC.

To understand the Chinese path to modernization, the Global Times is launching a new series that explores how foreigners perceive Chinese modernization through on-site experiences in the country. In this installment, we delve into the impressive and inspirational journey of officials and diplomats from Arab countries in Shanghai, one of China's most developed and dynamic metropolises.

August 1 marks the 96th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). Recently, the Global Times participated in the "Big Country Borderland" project launched by prestigious Renmin University of China, conducting social research along the Kashi line. Together with the teachers and students from university, the Global Times journeyed to Taxkorgan Tajik autonomous county in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in Northwest China. It is the homeland of the hero Laqini Bayika, a Tajik herdsman who devoted his life to patrolling China's northwestern border and sacrificed his lives while trying to rescue a child who had fallen into an ice hole. While there, the Global Times witnessed magnificent sentiments of the border guards rooted in the borderland, safeguarding and promoting its development.

The crisis in Ukraine has escalated dramatically over the past year, with ongoing hostilities inflicting enormous trauma on both parties involved - Ukraine and Russia. In mid-July, Gao Zhikai, vice president of the Center for China and Globalization, a Beijing-based nongovernmental think tank, visited Kiev, the capital city of Ukraine. During a recent interview with Global Times reporters Chen Qingqing and Bai Yunyi, Gao shared his observations and experiences in Kiev, as well as his interactions with Ukrainians from various fields. Gao said he hopes for an early end to the crisis and wishes for the Ukrainian people to lead peaceful, harmonious, progressive and prosperous lives. "Peace will not come easily," he said, "but it is worth every effort to strive for."

The Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey held a reception at the Turkish Embassy in Beijing with the aim of boosting investment cooperation with China. The event, as a part of their "Turkish Century Investment Reception" series, saw more than 500 business people and investors from China's leading companies to attend.

The UAE Ambassador to China Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi met with the Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang, on July 19, to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the fields of science, technological development and innovation.

The Argentine Consulate General in Hong Kong held the Argentina National Day Reception, on July 19. Argentine Ambassador to China Sabino Vaca Narvaja delivered a speech at the ceremony in which he said, "I looked forward to keeping close relations with the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, and jointly boosting global development in the next 50 years."

The Embassy of Belgium invited Belgians and friends of Belgium in China to the ambassador's residence to celebrate the country's National Day on July 21, which also marked the 10th anniversary of HM King Philippe's accession to the throne.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized the fifth in a series of events titled "Diplomatic Envoys' Visits to State-owned Enterprises - a visit to China Railway Group," on July 25.

With the rhythmic hum of spinning blades slicing through the salty sea breeze, rows of white giants stick out of the Yellow Sea like something out of a science fiction novel. This is the world's first crop of offshore wind turbines in an intertidal zone - the Longyuan Rudong Offshore Demonstration Wind Farm - in East China's Jiangsu Province, an area characterized by rapid industrialization and urbanization.

On July 22, 2020, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inspected Lishu, learning about the protection and use of black soil at a demonstration zone for green food production. Wang won't forget the day on which Xi entered a cornfield, stressing effective measures to protect and utilize the high-yielding black soil, which is "as treasured as giant pandas."

Among the numerous tourist destinations in China, a couple surnamed Wang from Yantai, Shandong Province, have set their sights on the Changbai Mountain. "It's cooler up north, and upon arrival, we discovered that not only is the air quality good here, but the water is also clean."

"To promote high-quality economic development, efforts must be made to strengthen the competitiveness of the economy, as well as its capabilities to innovate and fend off risks," Chinese President Xi Jinping said while visiting the R&D headquarters of automaker FAW Group in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin Province on July 23, 2020.

It has been over a year since the Beijing Winter Olympics concluded with a speculator and unforgettable closing ceremony featuring stunning venues and technological innovations that captivate the world, yet its essence still dances in every Chinese heart.

As a businessman shuttling back and forth between China and the US, Gary Dvorchak accepted to give an exclusive interview to the Global Times, when he returned to his home in Muscatine, a tranquil city on the banks of the Mississippi River in the central US state of Iowa, at a house located at No. 2911 Bonnie Drive.

Liu Zhonghan, 76, never imagined that the emotion he expresses in "Ah! Kuliang," a 1,800-word essay he wrote 31 years ago, would spread the story of the Gardner couple far and wide, and created a profound connection between himself and this small hillside area in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian Province.

Recently, a short video of a graduation speech delivered by a visually impaired postgraduate student during the Communication University of China (CUC) graduation ceremony in Beijing, has moved many Chinese netizens. In the video posted by the CUC on its WeChat page on June 28, Dong Lina, a postgraduate student from the Broadcasting and Anchoring School at the CUC, was accompanied by Liao Xiangzhong, Chairman of the University Council, who guided her onto the podium before giving her speech.

The Guangming Cinema Project is a vivid example of the country's efforts to build a barrier-free environment for the visually impaired. Since its establishment, the project has provided rich inclusive and culturally relevant products for a large number of visually impaired people.

The 68th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Nepal and China serves as an opportune moment to highlight the strong and amicable relations between the two countries, Chhabindra Parajuli, economy minister at the Embassy of Nepal in Beijing, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview ahead of the anniversary.

A delegation from the Chinese senior care industry was invited by the Embassy of the Netherlands in Beijing, together with the Consulate General of the Netherlands in Shanghai and the Task Force Health Care to visit the Netherlands to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the field of senior care.

The Royal Thai Consulate General in Shanghai along with representatives of Thai-owned businesses operating in the city participated in the ASEAN Family Day 2023 celebrations, held on July 15, with the aim of building ASEAN family ties, strengthening mutual understanding, solidarity, and friendship among members of the ASEAN family, as well as promoting the role and awareness of ASEAN in Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta (YRD).

Spanish Ambassador to China Rafael Dezcallar met with the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) President Wang Ning on July 15 to facilitate in-depth exchanges of cultural and art organizations between China and Spain.

The Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Beijing hosted the unveiling ceremony of artwork donated to the Embassy on July 14.

A highly anticipated exhibition titled "Civilizations of the Great Rivers," opened at the Ningbo Museum in East China's Zhejiang Province on July 6. The exhibition showcases a total of 200 cultural relics from four major museums in Italy and 13 cultural and heritage institutions in China.

Following President Xi's footsteps, Global Times reporters visited some key spots in Xizang, witnessed happy lives of local residents and the practice of Chinese modernization in the region

Panzhihua, a small mountain city in western China, welcomed a group of special guests from the ocean recently.

Weeks have passed but Hua Lei is still greatly excited as she recalls the moment when she heard that President Xi Jinping had replied to her letter.

No matter whether it was the secessionist force or the novel coronavirus, knots between young people in the Chinese mainland and the island of Taiwan have never been cut off. In the 1980s, it was icons from the island of Taiwan's popular culture, like the boy band The Little Tigers and the Elvis-like Fei Xiang, who captured the hearts of countless mainland fans. The millennial generation grew up listening to songs by Jay Chou and Mayday, and watching TV series like the “Princess Returning Pearl,” which were collaborations between both sides of the Straits. Today, with increased cross-Straits exchanges and advanced internet connectivity, Generation Zers are learning about each other through more diverse avenues.

During the Vietnam War, the US used cluster bombs to carry out airstrikes on targets in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Between 1964 and 1973, 260 million tons of cluster bombs were dropped on Laos, particularly in the Xieng Khouang Province in northeastern Laos, of which 80 million tons failed to detonate. In Quang Tri Province in Vietnam alone, some 7,000 people were injured or killed by cluster bombs left over from the Vietnam War as of 2009.

Recently, the US' Department of Defense (DOD) announced an $800 million military aid package to Ukraine, which will include cluster munitions, sparking widespread condemnation from the international community. Cluster munitions are a type of explosive ordnance that can be launched from airplanes, missiles, or cannons, and can contain hundreds of submunitions, which are dispersed over a large area aerially, causing casualties and damage in a wider area. What's even more alarming is that if these bombs land on wet and soft ground, a significant portion of them can become “duds.” The “duds” did not explode initially, but will explode later when subjected to external forces or environmental changes.

Henry Kissinger, the eminent diplomat and strategist, played a pivotal role in shaping China-US relations as he spearheaded the historic normalization process between the two countries, fostering dialogue and paving the way for diplomatic engagement that continues to shape the global landscape today. To this day today, the centenarian continues to advocate for cooperation and peace, lending his voice to global issues and emphasizing the importance of collaborative solutions that transcend borders. What legacy did Kissinger wish to leave behind? What are the differences between Kissinger and current US diplomats? Will there be another Kissinger in the US? Global Times reporters Xie Wenting and Bai Yunyi (GT) spoke with Prof. Thomas A. Schwartz, a renowned academician and author of Henry Kissinger and American Power: A Political Biography, on these and other issues of importance.

Chinese experts have warned against the dangerous trend prevalent among some people, especially online celebrities and influencers, of attempting to attract clicks online by bandying stories of thinly veiled anger toward children and disdain for fertility under the guise of "public morality." They have called for the society to be vigilant about those who purposely create a "carnival of hatred" and tear the society apart by exaggerating the conflicts in the public opinion field, as a more child- and birth-friendly society is the right way to go.

Success in R&D over the years has propelled the private company to be the first firm listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange's new Science and Technology Innovation Board, or the STAR market, a NASDAQ-style board for tech firms. That has also positioned the company at the forefront of China's drive for tech self-reliance and self-fortification. On July 5, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the company during an inspection tour of Jiangsu, where he visited Suzhou and Nanjing, the provincial capital, and toured other facilities including an industrial park, business enterprises, a historic and cultural block, and a science lab, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

A tourism promotion event was held at the Italian Cultural Center in Beijing, to help boost mutual exchanges between China and Italy. Italian Ambassador to China Massimo Ambrosetti addressed the event.

The concert titled Echoes of Love staged in Lao She Theater in Beijing on July 7, brought the fascinating uniqueness of Russian music to the Chinese audience.

The Central Conservatory of Music held a China-Argentina Friendship Exchange Concert with the support of the Embassy of Argentina in China and the National University of the Arts in Argentina.

Siyabonga Cwele, South African Ambassador to China attended the 2023 Global Youth Conference from July 6 to 9, in Jinan, East China's Shandong Province.

Under the theme "digital transformation and design future" to deepen mutual digital and economical cooperation, the first Turkey-China Business Conference was held on July 11 in Istanbul, Turkey.

Chengdu, the capital city of Southwest China's Sichuan Province, is set to become the vibrant hub of global sportsmanship as the 31st International University Sports Federation (FISU) World University Games is set to kick off on July 28, 2023, captivating athletes and spectators from around the world with a thrilling display of talent, unity, and friendly competition.

ASEAN-China relations are built on trust and confidence, and are developing in a "very open, inclusive, and transparent way," Secretary-General of ASEAN Kao Kim Hourn, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview on the eve of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) in Jakarta. He emphasized an increased trust in all dimensions of ASEAN-China ties, namely political, economic, social and cultural trusts which are the pillars of such relations.

At the just-concluded Eco Forum Global Guiyang 2023 hosted in Guiyang, Southwest China's Guizhou Province, chief scientist at the National Climate Center Sun Ying pointed out that research conducted has confirmed that extreme weather events in the future will become more frequent and last longer. In the future, high temperatures will become the new norm.

Pakistan is looking forward to taking the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into the next phase with greater vigor and hopes to see fruits of the CPEC benefit not only China and Pakistan, but the whole region, said Minister of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives for Pakistan Ahsan Iqbal.

In the first installment, Global Times reporters traveled to Zhangjiakou city in North China's Hebei Province, one of the cities that hosted the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, and met with the designer of the Beijing-Zhangjiakou high-speed railway line, gaining an insight into the country's modernization of a massive population through the kaleidoscope of the Chinese railway industry's rapid development.

Several sources and industry experts involved in the project revealed to the Global Times Japan's intent to create "reasonableness" for the plan to be well received. In their view, despite Japan's calculated efforts to create a narrative of harmlessness around its intended plan, the risks associated with the dumping of nuclear-contaminated wastewater from Fukushima are real. From the perspective of the interests of all humankind, there should have been better options considered, but Japan has disregarded them and chosen the most favorable approach for itself.

The story of Kuliang is a resemblance of how the two civilizations of China and the US should coexist to benefit their people. It is not just a Chinese story or an American story, but a story belonging to all of humanity, the American families said in unison.

We should not be used by other countries to advance their own issues, and we are not in conflict with China. We should be able to maintain our strong, very good, friendly relationship with China, says former PNG PM Peter O'Neill

On Thursday afternoon, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs once again expressed its strong opposition after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) hastily released the comprehensive assessment report on the dump plan of nuclear-contaminated wastewater of Japan's Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Wang Wenbin, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs further reiterated three points at a press conference on Thursday. Firstly, Japan focuses more on saving cost instead of safeguarding marine environment and protecting people's life and health. Second, Japan did not have full consultation with the international community especially with stakeholders. Third, the dumping plan is a gamble with no precedent and it is full of uncertainties.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict, having gone on for 17 months, seems to show no sign of letting up in a short time. Last month, a Bloomberg story shared how a 23-year-old US entrepreneur, Blake Resnick, made money through donations, and by selling his drones to Ukraine, thereby ballooning his net worth to more than $100 million. Ukraine "has become a proving ground for startups looking to showcase their latest technologies," commented the story titled Newly rich US defense tech titans seek fresh fortunes in Ukraine.

Chargée d'Affaires Sophie Hottat at the Belgian Embassy in China visited the M Woods Museum in the 798 art district, Beijing, to take part in the opening ceremony of the first solo exhibition in China of Belgian artist Ann Veronica Janssens titled "pinkyellowblue."

Recently, the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) development and the milestones of China-Sri Lanka relations were held at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing. Sri Lankan Ambassador to China Palitha Kohona, Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Hon. Ali Sabry, together with Chinese and foreign media representatives attended the event.

The International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) together with the Philippine Embassy in China jointly organized a bamboo planting event in Beijing. INBAR director general Ali Mchumo, and Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz attended the event.

A series of activities titled "Sensing Beijing for Chinese Envoys" was held at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (BUCM). Fifteen diplomats from more than 10 countries, including Grenada, Serbia, Singapore, Nepal, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Zambia, Chad, and Dominica, experienced the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in an immersive way.

Siyabonga Cwele, South African Ambassador to China, attended the Third China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) held from June 29 to July 2, 2023 in Changsha, Central China's Hunan Province. The Expo themed “Common Development for a Shared Future,”was co-sponsored by China's Ministry of Commerce and the government of Hunan Province.

"We are disappointed that Japan still wants to go ahead and dump the nuclear polluted water into the Pacific, because we are not convinced by the scientific reports that it will be safe for marine life, or for communities who are going to be affected," former prime minister of Papua New Guinea Peter O'Neill told the Global Times in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.

When a reporter from the Global Times first met Jake Lee Pinnick at his office at the foot of the Wudang Mountains in Shiyan city, Central China's Hubei Province, she was surprised by the American's fluent Putonghua tinged with a distinct Hubei accent and his traditional Chinese aesthetic.

If it were not for appearance, you would easily forget that you are talking to a foreigner.

"I am delighted to see the development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)," Zhang Ming, Secretary-General of the SCO, said in an interview with the Global Times on Tuesday.

As China grapples with a low fertility rate, an increasingly aging population, and uneven cross-regional population growth, the concept of a "new-era" marriage and childbearing culture was proposed to meet people's aspirations for better lives with proactive measures to help foster childbearing-friendly environments and contribute to advancing Chinese modernization with support for the high-quality development of the population.

This story is a part of the Global Times' series of "Witness to history," which features first-hand accounts from witnesses who were at the forefront of historic moments. From scholars, politicians and diplomats to ordinary citizens, their authentic reflections on the impact of historical moments help reveal a sound future for humanity through the solid steps forward taken in the past and the present.

Okinawan Governor Denny Tamaki is scheduled to arrive in Beijing on Monday, starting his visit to China, during which time he plans to go to the graveyard ruins of people from the Ryukyu Kingdom in Zhangjiawan township in Tongzhou district, on the outskirts of Beijing.

Okinawan Governor Denny Tamaki is scheduled to visit China as part of a delegation from the Japanese Association for the Promotion of International Trade on Monday. During his visit, he will hold meetings with government officials and representatives from the business community in Beijing. After concluding his activities in Beijing, Tamaki will make a special visit to East China's Fujian Province, which has a sister relationship with the Okinawa Prefecture, to engage in exchange activities. He is expected to return to Okinawa on July 7. Just before his visit to China, Tamaki granted an exclusive interview to the Global Times reporter Xing Xiaojing. Tamaki discussed the over 600-year history of friendly exchanges between Okinawa and China, emphasizing the importance of regional peace and stability. He expressed his anticipation for his visit to China after four years. He also openly expressed his concerns about the Japanese government's efforts to strengthen its military defense capabilities.

Before concluding his six-day China visit, New Zealand Prime Minster Chris Hipkins on Friday attended a New Zealand-themed partnership and product launch event in Shanghai, witnessing a series of MOU signing and new products and services from New Zealand entering the Chinese market. The prime minister said his government is committed to supporting New Zealand enterprises in business dealings in China.

On the vast seas of China, a massive group of wind chasers have earned an international reputation as they set up wind turbines in the turbulent waves, harnessing the power of the sea breeze to illuminate countless households. Recently, these wind chasers ushered in an exciting milestone. On Wednesday, with the completion of the final blade's mounting, the world's first 16-megawatt offshore wind turbine was successfully installed in East China's Fujian Province on the offshore wind farm owned by the China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG).

In the sixth installment of this series, we invite Lu Chuanying, director of the Research Center for International Cyberspace Governance under the Shanghai Institute for International Studies, to reveal how the US bullied the world through its digital hegemony, harming the national security of other countries while advancing its own interests and gaining access to information.

The "Thai Consulate and Friends" Movie Night with You and Me and Me organized by the Royal Thai Consulate General in Shanghai was successfully concluded at the Hongqiao Art Center, Shanghai. The deputy consul general of the Consulate General, Shanghai officials, foreign consuls general, and members of the consular missions in Shanghai, as well as many media professionals, and audiences interested in Thai film and culture attended the event.

Bicycle Riding campaign was launched at the Royal Danish Embassy in Beijing on June 27

The Norwegian Embassy in Beijing hosted a Norwegian Literature Night focusing on women's voices in Norwegian literature and discussions about the importance of women's literature on June 28. Tom Knappskog, Minister Counsellor at the Norwegian Embassy attended the event and gave a speech.

Recently, Argentine Ambassador to China Sabino Vaca Narvaja was once again invited to attend a series of activities organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on China "Green SPIC, Greets the World," focusing on clean energy in Northwest China's Qinghai Province.

Xihuaizhuang village in Tongzhou district, Beijing, is one of the remotest villages in China's capital. It is located 60 kilometers and a three-hour public transport ride from Tian'anmen Square. Far from the bustling city center replete with its sleek high rise buildings, the village is a truly rural, and this is where a cohort of university students is stationed. They work hard from dawn till dusk, engaging in agricultural activities, and describe it as "seeking hardship voluntarily."

For most people who have paid attention to wildlife photography in China, the name "Xi Zhinong" is probably familiar. This year marks the 40th year of Xi Zhinong's wildlife photography career which started when he first got an opportunity working as an assistant in a field photography group in 1983. As one of the top wildlife photographers in China, Xi enjoys an excellent reputation in Chinese photography and environmental conservation circles for the contributions he has made to China's wildlife photography and protection fields. Aside from his personal career, over the last two decades, Xi has also been recruiting more nature photographers from among the ranks of Tibetan herdsmen and frontline workers at nature reserves, offering them training. Among Xi's trainees, a few outstanding photographers were featured in a recent documentary Snow Leopards and Friends, which will be released on August, 2023.

Located in the heart of Sanjiangyuan National Park in Angsai township, Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Northwest China's Qinghai Province, 31-year-old Tibetan herders Ciding and Dajie, along with 34-year-old Kunchochopeng, have recently been in high spirits. Not only did they successfully dig up a large quantity of cordyceps, but they also had the opportunity to participate in a film that captivated audiences both domestically and internationally, a film featuring no movie stars. The documentary Snow Leopards and Friends recently premiered at the Shanghai International Film Festival, with premiere movie tickets selling out within just 50 seconds. Interestingly, more than 70 percent of the footage in the film was captured by these three Tibetan herders-turned-photographers.

Editor's Note: In his report to the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, proposed to comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization – a modernization of a huge population, of common prosperity for all, of material and cultural-ethical advancement, of harmony between humanity and nature, and of peaceful development.

The current popularity of Buddha worship among Chinese graduates should not be simply equated with a “serious decline of the Chinese economy” or a “lack of ambition among the young generation” as some Western media outlets have hyped, but should be seen as a consolation for their perplexed souls, a way to deal with their anxieties and a yearning for a meaningful career.

Recently, the Belgian Embassy in Beijing welcomed four students from Shijia Primary School. As part of their "Junior Cultural Ambassadors" project, the students visited the embassy to get a better understanding of Belgium and the political, economic and cultural importance of an embassy. The junior ambassadors came well prepared with lots of questions on Belgium for the Consul General and the country's culture, in particular comic books and gastronomy.

Turkish Ambassador to China Ismail Musa met with Wang Ning, president of the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) on June 16, and the two sides had an in-depth exchange on strengthening cultural exchange and mutual appreciation of civilizations between China and Turkey, as well as promoting exchanges and cooperation between art institutions in the two countries.

Ophiolite, a type of green rock with serpentinite textures, is also the name of an ongoing exhibition in Beijing displaying artworks by creators from China and France and showing how today's art world has embraced ecological and environmental issues.

The Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) recently held the Global Culture Festival and the Campus Open Day for 2023 Comprehensive Evaluation Admissions.

The SCO International Investment and Trade Fair was held June 15-18 in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, where the UAE Ambassador to China Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi and Zhang Xinzhu, a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Qingdao Municipal Committee and head of the SCO Model Zone, jointly opened the UAE Pavilion.

Following reports in 2019 and 2020, the latest investigation report by independent non-profit organization EU DisinfoLab, published in February 2023, exposes more details and evidences to prove that Asian News International (ANI), an Indian news agency, has been quoting a number of non-existent organizations, journalists and bloggers to spread disinformation that attacks and smears China and Pakistan. The report further uncovered that India has long been building a huge anti-China and anti-Pakistan disinformation network and that Indian media outlets have built a sophisticated assembly line of fake anti-China and anti-Pakistan news.

Dragon Boat Festival, also known as Duanwu Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday that falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, and this year the festival was celebrated on Thursday.

"China can change a person's sense of time and teach them to travel into the future, and then come back to tell their experiences. China has shown us how to make changes step by step instead of just talking big," exclaimed Cuban Ambassador to China Carlos Miguel Pereira during his farewell ceremony on Monday while reflecting on the impressions China has left on him over the years.

The transaction of Pakistan's first government-to-government import of discounted Russian crude oil in Chinese yuan is in line with Pakistan's practical and broad-based economic partnership with China and is based on our strong mutual trust and win-win cooperation, Pakistani Ambassador to China Moin ul Haque told the Global Times in an exclusive interview on Monday.

For mankind to have a better life and enjoy sound development, work must be done in combating desertification. Just like rolling a large rock uphill, endeavor in this regard may fall into relapse if any negligence occurs, said Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, at a symposium on strengthening comprehensive prevention and control of desertification and promoting the construction of key ecological projects in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region on June 6.

In 2001, under the banner of counter-terrorism, the US invaded Afghanistan, initiating a conflict that spanned two decades. Throughout this period, the country was engulfed in conflict, its economy faltered, and its people were displaced. The withdrawal of US troops left Afghanistan in disarray while American “counter-terrorism” efforts paradoxically fostered an environment conducive to the growth of local terrorist organizations. Furthermore, billions of dollars' worth of military weaponry and equipment, left behind by the US forces, found their way into the hands of these groups, casting a menacing cloud over not only Afghanistan and the Middle East, but the entire world.

Argentine President Alberto Fernandez will visit China in the autumn and participate in the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, Argentine Ambassador to China Sabino Vaca Narvaja told the Global Times in an exclusive interview.

The Georgian Independence Day reception was held in Beijing on June 9. The event was aimed at celebrating Georgia's National Independence Day and showcased Georgia's cultural and economic opportunities to the Chinese people.

In the fifth installment of this series, the Global Times looks into how this "bullying empire" tries to stamp the world's internet with US rules and values, and its attempts to curb China's rise in the digital sphere, through various underhanded tricks.

With the online and offline presentations of the latest Greek cinema productions and the ongoing incentives policies for attracting foreign film productions, Greece participated in the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF), which launched on June 9, 2023.

The opening ceremony of the Turkish Consulate General was held in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province on Tuesday, with the presence of Turkish Ambassador to China Ismail Musa, Director-General Wu Xi of the Department of Consular Affairs of the Foreign Ministry, Vice Governor of Sichuan Yang Xingping and Consul General of Turkey in Chengdu Tukoman.

Recently, a tourism campaign was held by ProColombia to showcase Colombia's rich cultural heritage, magnificent natural wonders and distinctive cultural ambiance to the world. It also improves friendly relations between China and Colombia.

To mark the 100-day countdown to the Hangzhou Asian Games on Thursday, the Asiad flame was lit in the archaeological ruins of Liangzhu ancient city in Zhejiang and the medal designs was revealed.

Editor's Note: Chinese people believe that letters are as valuable as gold. For thousands of years, letters, across mountains and oceans, have delivered the writers' sentiments and conveyed friendship and expectations. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese President, has managed to find time to reply to some letters sent to him from different sectors of society and different parts of the world despite his busy work schedule. Through his letters, Xi has corresponded with people from all walks of life on numerous occasions, as part of a series of excellent China stories in the new era. The Global Times has traced and contacted some of the recipients of Xi's letters, to hear the inspiring stories behind the letters and their communications with the Chinese president.

As the much-anticipated friendly soccer match between the FIFA World Cup champions, Argentina and Australia is set to take place at the Workers' Stadium in Beijing, the Argentine Ambassador to China, Sabino Vaca Narvaja, recently expressed his hopes regarding the game and gratitude toward Chinese fans in an exclusive interview with the Global Times.

While the US keeps adding fuel to the fire of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, its power and energy giants are busy expanding business in the country, trying to take a large share of nuclear and oil projects for themselves.

After over 40 years of unremitting efforts, China has made remarkable achievements in preventing and controlling desertification, and realized a historic transformation from "sand forcing humans to retreat" to "trees forcing sand to retreat" in key areas.

From late 1989 to early 1990, the US invaded Panama under the guise of human rights and drug control, and fought a blitzkrieg codenamed “Operation Just Cause.” It took only 15 hours for the US military to defeat the Panamanian army and overthrow the Panamanian government. It took another 15 days to capture Manuel Noriega, the former head of the Panamanian government, and extradite him back to the US for trial. Although the US military then withdrew from Panama, the invasion still besmirches the word “justice.” The war left Panama with tens of thousands of refugees and a dilapidated city. Moreover, the US military controlled news sources and manipulated public opinion by whitewashing the war of aggression. The deception of the Panamanian people is yet to be redressed years on.

India's ambition in Nepal's energy sector is widely seen as an effort to control Nepal's economic lifeline and compete with another major investor, China, by launching relevant policies to indirectly block Chinese elements in Nepal's hydropower industry. However, India's attempt to make China withdraw from the forefront of Nepal's development cannot hinder cooperation between China and Nepal. Observers said that China is sincerely helping Nepal to develop its economy and infrastructure, rather than using Nepal's resources as strategic pawns for control.

The Russian Cultural Center in Beijing holds a “Charming Russian Language-Theatrical Evening” to mark the Russian Language Day on June 6, 2023. Photo: Courtesy of the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing

The “Meet Lombardia: UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Universities Seminar” was held on Monday at the Cultural Center of the Italian Embassy in Beijing, with the participation of Federico Antonelli, the cultural counselor of the Italian Embassy in Beijing.

June 3 marks World Bicycle Day. The day was declared by the UN General Assembly to acknowledge the uniqueness, longevity and versatility of the bicycle, which has been in use for more than two centuries.

Recently, the Cuban Embassy in China held a “Cuban Goodies Tasting” event. The event coincided with the visit of a delegation of Cuban exporters to China.

Due to its strategic geographical positioning, the Republic of Moldova could become a favorable business and investment incubator, but also a transit area for Chinese goods toward the EU market, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova Vladimir Bolea told the Global Times in an exclusive interview.

From the Persian Gulf War in 1991, the US has predicted that information technology would lead to a new revolution in military affairs, in which armed forces with advantages in information and cyber space could manipulate and even change the rules of war. Since then, the US has lifted the curtain of the militarization of cyberspace, with the continuing expansion of cyber force, upgrade of cyber weapons and more frequent and complex cyber operations. The belligerence of the US in cyberspace has led to the escalation of the global arms race in cyberspace, intensified confrontation between countries, and is jeopardizing the peace and stability of the global cyber world, adding more uncertainties to the world.

Over the last few days, China has been experiencing a major event that involves the whole society - the national college entrance examinations, commonly known as gaokao. This year, the number of candidates sitting for the exam has reached a historic high of 12.91 million. As students' gaokao results are the only criteria for admission to universities and Chinese students only get one shot that "decides their destiny," Chinese people compare the gaokao to "thousands of people crossing a narrow bridge." After more than 10 years of diligent study, these candidates are embarking on a new journey to pursue their life's goals.

Serbia's Gold Medals of Merit were conferred on to nine members of a Chinese medical team, who arrived in Serbia at the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and, at the Serbian Embassy in China on Tuesday. The ceremony commemorates the difficulties China and Serbia overcame during the epidemic together, and witnesses the ironclad friendship between the two countries.

The second issue of the Xivilization series focuses on Xi's call for preserving and inheriting the brilliant, ancient Chinese civilization, and how the traditional culture and Marxism combine to contribute to building Chinese modernization.

At the China-Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) Expo, which concluded in late May in East China's Ningbo, exhibits from Serbia stood out and shone, as did the current relationship between China and Serbia, of which the leaders of both countries have defined as the best in history. The Global Times reporters Hu Yuwei and Xie Wenting (GT) recently conducted an exclusive interview with Siniša Mali (Mali), Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia and Minister of Finance to hear his insights on the relations between two countries. In his eyes, the friendship between China and Serbia is a strong and enduring bond that has been built on a foundation of mutual respect, trust, and cooperation. Over the years, the two nations have worked together to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond.

As the date for Japan's planned dumping of nuclear-contaminated wastewater into the ocean approaches, a Pandora's Box threatening the global marine ecosystem is likely to be opened.

Since the widely known PRISM scandal that exposed lots of dirty tricks the US has conducted in the cyberworld, this largest empire of cyberattack has been a shadow hovering over people from all over the world with its numerous destructive cyber weapons that can, and probably have, caused large damage on the targets from core industries to every aspect of daily life.

With the continuous deepening of China's opening up to the outside world, foreign capital keeps up increasing its presence in China. On May 31, the Swiss global financial group Cedrus Investment held the opening ceremony of its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Beijing.

On March 20, 2003, the US-led invasion of Iraq, formally known as "Operation Iraqi Freedom," was given the green light on the assertion that Iraq's then-leader, Saddam Hussein, was harboring weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and was a threat to global security. Ironically, although the war was termed by the US as "Operation Iraqi Freedom," in reality, "Iraqi Freedom" did not bring actual freedom to the people of Iraq, but instead, posed great threats to their rights to development, health and survival. Until December 18, 2011, the US military finally withdrew from Iraq, but the damage caused by the war continues to persist to this day.

The Thai Embassy in China held the opening ceremony of the 2023 Thai Durian Festival in Beijing on Sunday to promote Thai durian to Chinese consumers. The carnival will last until June 4.

The famous Argentine footballer Juan Sebastian Veron and the Argentine Ambassador to China Sabino Vaca Narvaja participated in the launch ceremony of the “China Football Eagle Program” at the Capital University of Physical Education and Sports on Saturday. According to the first phase of the program, 10 young Chinese players will go to Argentina for a year-long exchange training program with the La Plata University Club.

The Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing and Jinshang Group jointly organized a Pakistani cultural event called the “Phenomenal Pakistan” Pakistan cultural feast at Jinshang Garden in Beijing on Saturday.

Austrian Ambassador to China Andreas Riecken, and Jan Nast director of Wiener Symphoniker met with National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) president Wang Ning on Monday and reached an important consensus on the deepening of humanistic exchanges between China and Austria and the expansion of practical cooperation between art institutions.

The Consulate General of the Dominican Republic in Shanghai is the first Consulate General of the Dominican Republic established in the Chinese mainland.

On Thursday, China came alive with vibrant colors and joyful laughter as children and families gathered to celebrate International Children's Day which falls on June 1.

During the weeklong trip starting from May 21 to various cities in Shandong, these foreign journalists visited China's high-tech manufacturing companies in Qingdao, modern agricultural planting centers in Weifang, and Chinese cultural relics in Jining, and shared their point of views about industry development and international cooperation.

"We seek to learn from the Chinese experience and China is willing to give us an equal footing. However, the American approach is totally different in that they mix it up with the 'human rights' and think we must be like them. But we cannot like them and we are not American," said Zimbabwean's Foreign Minister in an interview with the Global Times on Tuesday, while noting that Zimbabwe does not accept any forms of coercion.

On a sweltering Friday afternoon, cranes periodically maneuver over a massive construction site in northwest Beijing's Haidian district. Inside the walled-up site, trucks and machines roar, though the sound is muffled. At first glance, this is just a typical scene at a major construction sites ubiquitous in many places across China amid the rapid recovery of economic activities after the pandemic.

The 12th International AIDS Anti-Discrimination Lunch Day annual lunch event was successfully held on Friday, in Linfen, North China's Shanxi Province.

After the end of the Korean War in 1953, most of the US' troops withdrew from the Korean Peninsula, leaving behind a mess – economic stagnation made people suffer from the effects of famine, and the leftover undetonated bombs still threaten their lives, along with a mushrooming of military bases. All of these have had a significant impact on South Korea politically, economically, and socially, among other fields.

What additional support and care can be given to one of the most vulnerable groups on China's frontiers? In Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, the "Journey for Angel - Xinjiang Congenital Heart Disease Screening and Assistance Action" event by the Chinese Red Cross Foundation (CRCF), along with medical teams from Eastern?China, extends a warm arm.

In the second installment of the series, we invited Tang Lan, director of the Center for Cyberspace Security and Governance Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, to explain why the US is a veritable "surveillance empire" and to give further evidences of the US government's monitoring of both its allies and its citizens indiscriminately, ripping off the fig leaf of "American-style human rights."

Recently, the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Meridian Culture Promotion and Exchange Group visited the Embassy of the Republic of Madagascar in Beijing and had a discussion and exchange on the development of TCM meridian skills and health products, with the Ambassador of Madagascar in China Jean Louis Robinson, and relevant representatives from the embassy.

A website on Pakistani tourism in Chinese language was launched by the Pakistani Embassy in Beijing on Monday. The unveiling ceremony was an important part of a series of events planned for 2023 Year of Tourism Exchanges between China and Pakistan.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in China and the Ministry of Tourism and Land of Sri Lanka held a tourism cooperation media conference at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beijing on Monday.

In order to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the Consulate General of Kazakhstan in Xi'an in conjunction with the Shaanxi Provincial People' Government launched the Kazakhstan-China Commodity Exhibition which opened in Xi'an on May 17-20.