“Development should not require Filipinos to surrender sovereignty or accept unexamined costs in exchange for optimistic projections.” Philippine photographer Tony Oquias, whose petition has drawn more than 125,000 signatures, on why he wants safeguards before Manila signs on to Pax Silica.

How should we weigh the Chinese top leader's state visit to the US after 11 years? Former senior US diplomat Chas Freeman shared his view: It is an exercise in the maintenance of a relationship, an effort to slow the deterioration of that relationship. Things can evolve over time. And seeking common ground while reserving differences for later resolution is entirely appropriate.

If China and India collaborate, BRICS can become a workshop for development. If they remain divided, BRICS will continue to advance, but far below its potential.

If I were introducing China to Egyptians today, I would say: Don't look only at the economic numbers. Try to understand the civilization, the culture, and the thinking behind them. And to my Chinese friends, I would say: Egypt is also much more than its ancient history. It is a living civilization seeking modernization while preserving its identity.

"We have high expectations for further developing the ties between Cairo and Beijing."

The flagship project of mutual benefit is the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway. This is a “road to prosperity” that will unlock significant economic potential for Kyrgyzstan and the broader region.

Zimbabwean Minister calls for stronger China-Africa media cooperation to put Africa's development, innovation and achievements in the spotlight.

China has built world-class AI capabilities, and Uzbekistan's ambition is to become more than a consumer of these technologies. We want to serve as a regional platform for AI engineering, digital services and R&D, connecting Chinese companies with talent and opportunities across Central Asia.

Such a scientific governance system makes the mobilization of resources and efforts to ensure the well-being of China's 1.4 billion people far more efficient, which in turn reinforces public trust. This is precisely how the CPC succeeds in tangibly improving people's satisfaction with their lives and maintaining long-term socio-economic stability.

One of the most important contributions of China's experience is the demonstration that building an ecologically sustainable society depends not only on setting ambitious goals, but also on maintaining strategic direction and continuity of purpose over time. China's aspiration to build a clean and beautiful world is not merely an environmental goal, but a civilizational horizon.

The TokyoTrial is a valuable resource worthy of greater attention because there is no other lens with quite as broad a scope or depth of magnification for an assessment of the specific era involved, says a New Zealand law professor

The claim that China's diplomatic successes are “broad but shallow” stems from fundamental misconceptions. Built on equality, inclusiveness and mutual benefit, China's diplomacy responds to global countries' pursuit of independent development and win-win coexistence, representing a rational choice in keeping with the times.

Together with the Nuremberg Trial, the Tokyo Trial laid the foundation of modern international criminal justice. More empirical studies of the trial can help correct public misconceptions and enable the Japanese people to develop a more balanced politically informed worldview, as the trial serves as a vital window into wartime history: Japanese scholar

The China-US summit potentially marks a decisive break from the fatalistic Thucydides Trap. By proposing the framework of constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability, the Chinese side has not just addressed the Thucydides Trap; it has dismantled its ontological foundations.

China and the US are sending the world a big signal that we have differences, but we can still sit down and talk. The leaders of China and the US meeting again after years of antagonism between the two countries is a big accomplishment in itself.

The Tokyo Trial puts a final end to the question of whose interpretation of WWII would win. And it is the Allied vision and narrative of WWII that won. In this sense, we have a resolution of the narrative battle of what WWII was about.

US President Donald Trump's ongoing state visit to China from Wednesday to Friday has drawn significant international attention. In an interview with Global Times (GT) reporter Su Yaxuan, Sourabh Gupta (Gupta), a senior fellow at the Washington-based Institute for China-America Studies, noted that what China and the US are doing now is groping toward finding a new intermediate strategic equilibrium based on which they can engage each other. "The visit may help set the groundwork for both sides to identify areas of common interest," Gupta said.

What does it mean to govern well and how should governance performance be gauged? The answer from the Communist Party of China (CPC) is that a correct understanding of governance performance should proceed from reality, respect objective laws, and, through sound decision-making and hard work, create achievements that withstand the test of practice and history, truly benefit the people, and earn public recognition. To examine the distinctive logic and global relevance of the CPC's correct understanding of governance performance, the Global Times (GT) launches a new series, "Understanding the correct view on governance performance," and invites leading international observers to share their thoughts on these issues.

Defense cooperation with Japan must be framed with historical sensitivity - honestly acknowledging the wounds of the past while deliberately building the trust required for the future for final healing.

It was because of China's participation that the Tokyo Trial possessed sufficient legitimacy.

As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Tokyo Trial's commencement, it is essential to reflect on its legacy in the context of Japan's increasing militarization and the challenges facing the post-World War II international order.

The village walk in Guiyang genuinely shifted my perspective. It showed me that China's rural revitalization is not only about large-scale infrastructure or policy. It is also about small, practical innovations that directly improve people's daily lives. In many ways, it's these seemingly small details that make the biggest impact.

By thoroughly adhering to the pacifism indicated by its Constitution, Japan must advance “providing reassurance” rather than arms exports to its Asian neighbors, and work with China as a force for regional stability: Japanese scholar

In an era marked by ecological challenges, development dilemmas and geopolitical dynamics are increasingly intertwined. Through a series of innovative practices, Chinese modernization offers a "green solution" to some of humanity's pressing questions of survival and development. Rooted in the wisdom of Chinese civilization and refined through Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, this approach presents both a philosophical vision and a practical pathway toward sustainable development.

2026 marks the commencement of China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), a pivotal phase in the nation's medium- to long-term development. A successful venture starts with a good plan and with clear goals set. At this critical juncture, where a profound restructuring of the global order converges with a tipping point in the technological revolution, China's five-year plan is poised to inject momentum and certainty into global development, charting a steady course for the new journey ahead.

China's development model demonstrates a steady shift from purely quantitative indicators to comprehensive social objectives. An important mechanism for serving the people is the continuous adjustment of policies based on practical experience, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness in governance.

In turbulent times, European countries want to maintain a good relationship with China, promote economic ties and possibly soften some of the disagreements that existed in the past, says a Spanish expert

For the CPC, a correct understanding of governance performance is not a superficial metric of growth; it is a normative compass rooted in a people-centered philosophy: British scholar

The 15th Five-Year Plan is a proper democratic process in which wisdom is respected, said chairman of 48 Group Club.

Amid the recent developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, the US has continued to press its allies to participate in escort missions, while responses from Europe and other US allies have shown clear caution: They are re-evaluating their strategic choices regarding Middle East issues. The Global Times invited four scholars to share their perspectives, exploring the evolving positions of US allies and the deeper logic behind them.

China's GDP growth target of 4.5-5 percent for 2026 provides flexibility to address financial risks an structural challenges while maintaining macroeconomic stability.

The 15th Five-Year Plan marks a transition toward "institutional opening-up," where certainty is formalized through better legal protections and standard-setting. By shortening negative lists for foreign investment and scaling pilot reforms from the Hainan Free Trade Port to a national level, China is transforming its domestic stability into a shared global asset.

In an increasingly uncertain international environment, the ability to plan for the long term while maintaining macroeconomic stability remains one of the key strengths of the Chinese economy.

The Global Times invited three young international observers, including students and journalists from different parts of the world, to share their observations on this year's meetings.

How are consensuses achieved swiftly and on a broad scale? How do the down-to-earth style of CPPCC members and NPC deputies differ from Western lawmakers? And how do weighty national issues debated each year genuinely resonate with the daily lives of ordinary people?

China's emphasis on institutionalized planning creates stability that contrasts with the project-to-project volatility often associated with traditional development assistance.

2025 was quite an active year for Chinese diplomacy. Rather than a single landmark achievement, it was characterized by a broad initiative across multiple fronts.

From my extensive travels across many Chinese cities, I can say with confidence that China today stands as one of the most open and secure countries in the world. And thanks to China's visa-free entry policy for Russian citizens, Many Russians have already seized the opportunity to experience firsthand its splendid culture, profound traditions and exquisite cuisine.

“I think what China has achieved is remarkable. Once again, it showed the world that the doomsayers were wrong”: South African economist on China's economic growth in recent years

Through the governance model of whole-process people's democracy, the Chinese government has demonstrated that it can effectively align long-term development objectives with the immediate needs of the population by adopting an integrated and participatory approach: French experts

“I don't think that the US has the means to defeat Iran. I would expect that Iran will be backed by countries in different parts of the world as it fights this war”

US-Israel military operations against Iran set a dangerous precedent. In the minds of US and Israeli politicians, disliking a regime appears to have become sufficient justification for launching an illegal war against it – a profound and worrying shift in the paradigm of modern warfare: former UN independent expert

The certainty of policy, which we used to expect from the US, is no longer there. Meanwhile, what China is trying to achieve is becoming more visible. In terms of certainty, this is where the 15th Five-Year Plan will be instrumental: French investor

The visit holds considerable significance in light of the global challenges.

As a photographer, I aim to connect people. I like to think of myself as a bridge, bringing photographers to China and sharing my work with the world.

The essence of the five-year planning system is to maintain the country's long-term vision while regularly adapting its methods to address new challenges. Thus, this system balances continuity with flexibility and adaptation.

So, the question is not whether we engage, but how.

In recent years, scholarly interest in Ryukyu has continued to rise. The Ryukyu Islands are scattered across the waters from the northeast of China's Taiwan island to the southwest of Japan's Kyushu Island. Historically, Ryukyu was a tributary state of China. Japan annexed the Ryukyu Islands in 1879 and established the Okinawa Prefecture on the islands. Today, Okinawa hosts about 70 percent of US military bases in the country, despite making up just 0.6 percent of Japan's land area. How do people from Okinawa identify themselves – as Ryukyuan, Okinawan or Japanese? In light of geopolitical tensions and the Japanese government's recent rhetoric of linking a "Taiwan emergency" with the country's collective self-defense, what worries people on the Ryukyu Islands? In her I-Talk show, Global Times (GT) reporter Wang Wenwen talked to Jinshiro Motoyama (Motoyama), a prominent Okinawan native activist, over these issues.

In late January, the "Global Dialogue – China-EU Resonance" media and think tank forum, hosted by the Global Times (GT), was held in Brussels, Belgium. Ondrej Dostal (Dostal), a Czech member of the European Parliament, attended the forum and advocated for deeper China-EU cooperation. In an interview with GT reporter Wang Cong on the sidelines of the forum, Dostal shared his views on the current state of China-EU ties amid a volatile transatlantic relationship.

The crisis surrounding the US threat of a takeover of Greenland continues to exacerbate. US, Danish and Greenlandic officials met on January 28 to discuss a new framework deal regarding Greenland. Thousands of people in Greenland and Denmark have protested against the US takeover plan recently. How do Greenlanders view this escalating takeover rhetoric and what has changed in their daily lives since this self-governing island, with around 57,000 inhabitants, became the center of global attention? Global Times (GT) reporters Chen Qingqing and Bai Yunyi interviewed Greenlandic politician and co-founder of the territory's liberal Cooperation Party, Tillie Martinussen (Martinussen), to understand how local residents perceive this rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.

I see Starmer's visit as a historic opportunity for both the UK and China. China is an unavoidable reality. It is a weakness to believe one can simply ignore China. The visit shows that the UK is willing and able to step up, practice diplomacy and have difficult but necessary conversations, says former member of the House of Commons of the UK.

Should Japan pursue nuclear possession, its decades of efforts toward nuclear abolition would be undone, and the shock to the global non-proliferation regime would be immense, says Japanese nuclear expert

The Chinese worldview is not individualistic – it understands people as relational beings embedded in families and communities. The concept of national rejuvenation focuses on improving the livelihoods of families.

Carney and his government must understand that the options are not the US or China, but that Canada can have good relations with the US and China simultaneously.

PM Carney's upcoming trip to China may not bring drastic changes, but the meeting itself will be valuable and steer the two countries in the right direction: Canadian scholar Radhika Desai

While governance models cannot be mechanically transplanted from one context to another, the CPC's eight-point decision offers valuable lessons. The eight-point decision can serve as an eye-opener for countries struggling with weak party governance.

The US is the country in the world least aligned with the UN Charter. I do not believe the US will dominate the Americas. If it tries, a lot of violence will result. Most of the rest of the world will resist the US attempt at hegemony, US scholar Jeffrey Sachs told the Global Times.

South Korea and China must identify structures and sectors for economic cooperation that allow for mutual sustainability, coexistence and prosperity. Lee's visit serves as a vital opportunity to explore these possibilities.

US foreign policy works through wars, covert regime-change operations, economic sanctions and other hostile actions, all of which are in violation of the spirit of the UN Charter and international law, said renowned US scholar Jeffrey Sachs in a written interview with the Global Times over US latest actions against Venezuela on Monday.

The aim of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's China visit is not only to repair ties, but to place the China-South Korea ties on a more predictable and sustainable footing, one that can manage differences while expanding space for practical cooperation, says a South Korean scholar.

South Korea and China, as neighboring states, share numerous common interests and connections. Both states have significant opportunities to enhance their bilateral relationship, fostering a more constructive and healthier dynamic compared to their interactions with other nations, says a South Korean scholar, commenting on President Lee Lee Jae-myung's visit to China.

Co-authoring a Global South story is not to erect new walls but to open windows to ensure the stories of China-Africa collaboration, African innovation and shared aspirations are told with the nuance, respect and volume they deserve. They can move from being objects of a narrative to being its authors, crafting a story of the Global South that is finally multidimensional, authentic and owned by its people.

China's technological progress evokes a "cool" impression because it embodies a transformative leap that blends cutting-edge innovation with practical, everyday applicability, providing flexible alternatives to the historical dominance of Western technologies.

China has shared, and is ready to further share, its successes of the past 40 years with the rest of the world. China today is more confident and willing to say, “We are able to do this.” That's cool, said South African sinologist.

China is increasingly emerging as an open, accessible, and dynamic ecosystem where young people around the world can experience and appreciate its growing “cool factor.”

I think a lot of the world needs to start understanding China. China is so large and has so many people that there are many unique experiences you can have within China.

Chinese people have suffered so much – there have been civil wars and instances of foreign aggression. In light of so much historical hardship it has suffered, this shows me that the Chinese people are extremely resilient, and strive to take history as a mirror in order to build a better future.

Even if it is disgraceful for Japan, historical truth of the Nanjing Massacre cannot be altered. Nothing is stronger than facts, says Japanese history expert Hisashi Inoue.

On December 13, 1937, while the Japanese invaders captured Nanjing and carried out one of the deadliest mass killings in human history, John Magee, an American missionary who had been living in Nanjing since 1912, started to use his camera to film those brutal and inhuman incidents perpetrated by the Japanese troops.

Politicians who subordinate partisan gains risk losing party primaries to more hard-line challengers. So, until voters change, or until we change our electoral system to make general elections more competitive for more politicians, this polarization is likely inescapable.

The CPC's greatest strength lies in its strong ideological cohesion and its ability to translate grand visions into concrete actions that tangibly benefit the people. This unity and capacity for execution enable the CPC to accomplish major undertakings.

European leaders' China visits are the visible signal of ongoing talks; they show not only respect, but above all the desire to build trust, said an German investor.

President Xi Jinping held talks on Thursday with French President Emmanuel Macron, who is on a state visit to China from Wednesday to Friday, in Beijing. Macron's visit to China comes at a crucial moment, as the global governance system needs to be rethought.

Beat Schneider (Schneider), emeritus professor at the Bern University of the Arts in Switzerland, recently shared his impressions of China over the decades in an interview with the Global Times (GT). Schneider told the reporter that the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and China's institutional advantages have enabled rapid development of the country's productive forces in a short period, and that Europe should enhance cooperation with China in global governance to promote positive reform of the international order.

The future trajectory of China-US relations hinges on structural factors of strategic engagement, but it also depends on whether the two societies can rebuild trust and consensus. In this context, people-to-people exchanges serve as a vital link for fostering mutual understanding between the Chinese and American peoples.

At a crucial juncture where global challenges and opportunities coexist, holding the visit in a bilateral format reflects France's commitment to independent diplomacy and advances the China-France relationship, injecting certainty into an international landscape marked by uncertainty.

In the 17th article of the "Translators' Voices" column, GT interviewed Ao Manyun, Swahili-language translator of Volume I of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China and director of the Tanzania Research Center at the Communication University of China.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi absolutely should apologize for her remarks. We are demanding a retraction of her remarks, says a Japanese peace activist.

When we look at American politics, it's roughly a puppet show. It's a lot of political theater. And you have to, at some point, start asking the question: Are there conversations happening behind closed doors with individuals that the American public doesn't even get to see, who are writing the scripts that the puppets end up acting out? says a US scholar.

South Africa and China can deepen collaboration in critical minerals, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. By leveraging China's investment capacity with South Africa's regional leadership, we can accelerate industrialization across the continent. Under the G20 framework, this synergy will become a catalyst for Africa's integration into global value chains, says B20 South Africa Sherpa.

The 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is being held in Belém, Brazil, where government officials, business delegates and experts from around the world have gathered to discuss priority actions to address climate change. Global Times (GT) reporter Qian Jiayin interviewed Nick Mabey (Mabey), CEO & Co-Founder of the independent climate think tank E3G, who said that Europe and China can cooperate more closely to better support global climate action.

China acts as both a domestic transition powerhouse and a global enabler in climate action. China can help connect ambition with action, convert global frameworks into country-level delivery, and anchor the “COP of Implementation” in real-world deployment, says UN resident coordinator.

The IOMed is a fully independent and international organization, says Secretary-General Teresa Cheng

Sanae Takaichi's remarks need to be corrected as soon as possible. But if she firmly refuses to retract the relevant comments, that would be truly troubling – after all, when the prime minister thinks and speaks in this way, it is the citizens who suffer. The Japanese people never want this, yet such remarks have emerged, which is truly regrettable, says a Japanese scholar

Today, as we speak of building a “Marco Polo of the new era,” this legacy should guide our approach to global engagement. New-era “Marco Polos” should navigate between cultures. Encouraging such ex-changes means creating open platforms for joint research, educational partnerships and artistic col-laboration. When people experience each other's societies firsthand, stereotypes give way to under-standing, and mutual trust takes root.

What I actually saw in Xizang was a region of tangible development – modern infrastructure blending with preserved cultural traditions and clear improvements in local livelihoods. This stands in stark contrast to the distorted picture painted by some Western outlets, says former UK MP.

The state visit by Spanish King Felipe VI to the People's Republic of China from Monday to Thursday marks a significant milestone in the trajectory of China-Spain relations.

What can we expect from the GGI? Erik Solheim (Solheim), former under-secretary-general of the UN and former executive director of the UN Environment Programme, shared his views with Global Times (GT) reporter Li Aixin in an exclusive interview.

Global Times reporter Chen Qingqing interviewed Rahim R. Hakimov, deputy speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of Uzbekistan and Serik Orazgaliyev, an associate professor at the Graduate School of Public Policy at Nazarbayev University - to talk about the current stage of China-Central Asia cooperation, future development focuses and their views on the recently China-proposed Global Governance Initiative.

By intertwining their digital futures and green ambitions, China and ASEAN are not only advancing mutual prosperity but also offering the Global South an inspiring model of pragmatic cooperation, inclusive growth and shared destiny.

Global Times (GT) reporter Zhang Ao interviewed John W.H. Denton AO (Denton), secretary general of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) who participated in this year's APEC meetings, about the outcome of the gathering as well as China's role in advancing regional economy.

In an interview with the Global Times (GT), Kim Heung-kyu (Kim), director of the US-China Policy Institute at Ajou University, shared his insights on the future direction of China-South Korea relations.

In an interview with Global Times (GT) reporters Xing Xiaojing and Wang Wenwen, Jaemin Lee (Lee), a professor from the School of Law, Seoul National University, said that the unique strength of the APEC lies in these diplomatic events and gatherings where members' leaders and businesspeople can get together to candidly discuss various topics of practical importance.

In an era marked by challenges in global climate governance, the concept of a "Beautiful China" exemplifies both political resolve and institutional innovation. Its global relevance lies not in functioning as a prescriptive model, but in demonstrating that sustainability can be institutionalized as a principle of statecraft.

The APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held this week in Gyeongju, South Korea. All 21 economies will come together to discuss pathways to the Asia-Pacific region's shared prosperity.

From Turkey's perspective, rather than fostering ties with those who spread fabricated Western narratives that harm bilateral relations, it is far more valuable to strengthen trade with partners who come to know and see China for themselves: president of the Turkish Chinese Friendship Foundation

We have seen how the spirit of anti-colonial solidarity that once defined China-Africa relations continues to shape the trajectory of today's multipolar world. We have witnessed the way the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation now operates as a form of multilateralism, reinforcing the work of the UN through its practical implementation capacity and inclusive, participatory character.

On her I-Talk show, Global Times (GT) reporter Wang Wenwen spoke with David Adler (Adler), co-general coordinator of Progressive International, who recently participated in the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla. He spent five days in Israel's desert prison – one of more than 500 activists sailing to Gaza who were detained by Israeli forces.

From the 14th Five-Year Plan to the upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan, China has demonstrated remarkable strategic resolve and policy continuity. The unique strategy of "leveraging local conditions to develop new quality productive forces" has pioneered a pragmatic approach, maximizing endogenous driving forces, deeply integrating cutting-edge science and technology with local characteristics, and forming a solid and sustainable growth engine.

The general guidelines of the eight-point decision hold universal relevance, as they could help address sensitive challenges faced by political parties worldwide, says Brazilian scholar Marcos Cordeiro Pires.