Hungary's development and how it deals with Chinese investment is less a challenge for Chinese companies and more a challenge for policymakers in Brussels. What the EU needs to do is have a more pragmatic conversation about how to deepen cooperation with China, rather than keep raising its walls.

History cannot be distorted, nor can trauma be forgotten. Japan must confront its war guilt. Southeast Asian countries, including the Philippines, must uphold the bottom line of history, remember their national sufferings and war traumas, and not be misled or coerced by short-term interests.

Deepening economic cooperation between China and Vietnam is essential for solidifying the foundation of development in both countries and achieving mutual benefits and win-win outcomes. This mutually beneficial relationship has become a solid bond for jointly pursuing development between the two countries.

For countries such as Spain, cooperating with China that offers stability, predictability, and strategic planning, is particularly valuable at a time when many regions of the world are experiencing periods of political and economic volatility, says a Spanish expert

Southeast Asia does not need a rearmed Japan as its security guarantor. It needs great powers that respect the region's right to determine its own strategic future.

Right-wing forces in Japan will not only fail to realize their illusions of turning Japan into a "great power," but will also trap the country in diplomatic isolation and erode trust within the international community.

Vietnam, as a country whose economy is heavily export-oriented, simply cannot go it alone in a volatile international environment. Maintaining a solid relationship with China is itself a form of risk management.

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 people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits belong to the Chinese nation. The interests and well-being of Taiwan compatriots are closely linked to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Certain Western media outlets claimed that China's exports of solar panels to Africa threaten Africa's independent green development. Much like the past “China threat” or “China shock” narratives, such claims reflect a lingering colonial mind-set through which the West smears pragmatic China-Africa cooperation and normal trade exchanges.

Sánchez's brand of pragmatism has parallels with Chinese pragmatism in its embrace of the concept of "shared benefits," rejecting the zero-sum game.

Ryukyu belongs to the Ryukyuan people. It is not a bargaining chip for the Japanese government to secure US military protection.

Recently, for the first time in over five years, an Indian business delegation quietly set foot on Chinese soil. Though small in scale and mostly comprising startups, this eight-company delegation sent a clear signal that ripples across the geopolitical landscape. The 2020 border clashes led China-India relations to plummet to a freezing point. Economic decoupling was once the mainstream sentiment in New Delhi. However, this ice-breaking trip shows that absolute decoupling is neither realistic nor sustainable, particularly amid current shifts in the global landscape.

On Monday, the 2026 Salaknib - meaning "shield" in Ilocano - joint military exercise between the Philippines and the US kicked off on the island of Luzon in the northern Philippines. The most striking development this year is that Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) made its official debut as a participant in the drills, including the follow-up Balikatan - meaning "shoulder-to-shoulder" in Tagalog - exercise.

Since the beginning of 2026, geopolitical conflicts have been occurring with increasing frequency, and international oil prices have experienced significant volatility. Against this backdrop, Europe's energy storage market has seen a surge in demand, creating new opportunities for deepening China-Europe cooperation in related fields. In fact, green development has long been a defining feature of China-EU collaboration. Both sides actively support advancing the low-carbon transition and green growth, sharing broad common interests and significant potential for cooperation in addressing climate change and promoting global climate governance. In the seventh article of the "China-Europe Resonance," we invite experts and scholars from China and the Europe to discuss these topics.

Cheng Li-wun, chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang (KMT) party, is leading a delegation to visit the Chinese mainland from Tuesday to Sunday. This marks the resumption of institutionalized exchanges between the KMT and the Communist Party of China (CPC) after a decade.

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.

Recently, the US government has sent a signal regarding a potential withdrawal from NATO. The US attributed its consideration of withdrawing from NATO to the obstruction of its Greenland purchase plan. Furthermore, the US criticized its European allies in NATO for their reluctance to participate in the Strait of Hormuz escort mission. These moves have once again thrust NATO into the spotlight, laying bare the alliance's institutional flaws and internal divisions.

Several Philippine senators signaled openness on Monday to a potential joint oil and gas exploration with China. This comes amid the US-Israel war against Iran, which threatens the Philippines' energy security. With the Malampaya gas field nearing depletion and the global oil crisis driving prices upward, the Philippines urgently needs to secure new energy sources.

The prolonged and escalating crisis in the Middle East has delivered a stark warning to US allies in Asia. As the US military reportedly redeployed THAAD and Patriot missile defense systems from South Korea and warships from Japan to the Persian Gulf, the myth of US "security guarantee" to its allies was shattered instantly. This large-scale military reshuffle - robbing Peter to pay Paul - reveals two hard truths for those host countries.

Throughout the long history of evolution, the concept of "harmony" evolved as a core basis of the coexistence of man and nature. Sustainable survival measures are developed, some independently, some in cooperation with interacting societies, by all human communities, resulting in different forms of cultures and civilizations. Adjustments are made in the process of migration, colonization and globalization.

The military conflict between the US, Israel and Iran has lasted for more than a month, and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz has directly disrupted the global oil and gas supplies. As a region highly dependent on imported fossil fuels, how severely will Europe be affected by the strained energy supply chains caused by issues in the Strait of Hormuz? How will the EU address these practical challenges? These questions have become a key focus of European media.

The use of force cannot reopen the shipping lanes, nor can it bring peace. Political settlement is the fundamental way forward.

As the spring breeze of 2026 sweeps across the Taiwan Straits, long-frozen cross-Straits relations are showing signs of thawing, bringing a long-awaited touch of warmth.

The concept of "spheres of influence" is not new. In fact, for most parts of human history, major powers successfully managed to impose their will on smaller nations and arbitrarily limit the independence and sovereignty of the latter. By the end of the 20th century, for some time, the predominant view was that the traditional hierarchies in global politics were nothing but a clumsy relic of the past, doomed to final and irreversible extinction. No walls, fences, stockades or any other artificial barriers were to survive in a fully globalized world.

As a member of a Silicon Valley-based AI startup, I once viewed Xiong'an New Area as a distant, largely conceptual national strategy. That perception shifted dramatically on March 28 when I joined peers from Beijing's technology sector at the Xiong'an "Artificial Intelligence+" Industry Ecosystem Integration Development Forum. What I witnessed was no longer just a grand plan on paper, but a rapidly emerging innovation hub that is actively shaping China's - and potentially the world's - digital future.

On April 2, 2025, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order implementing the "reciprocal tariff" policy, triumphantly branding the moment as "Liberation Day" for the US. On Thursday, the White House released an article claiming that the US is "winning once again a year after Liberation Day." However, does this event truly present a victory for the US and its people? The Global Times invites experts and scholars around the world to share their retrospective on the actual "legacy" of the "Liberation Day" from various aspects.

The five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region, put forward by China and Pakistan, has drawn significant international attention since its proposal on March 31.

Philippine media recently revealed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr signed Executive Order No.111 on March 26, unilaterally renaming 131 geographical features within the so-called "Kalayaan Island Group" in China's Nansha Qundao with Philippine names.

The world does not face a choice between competition and cooperation; it requires a calibrated combination of both. China's efforts to deepen its national market and improve its business environment offer a platform on which such a balance can be built.

The real power of China's Five-Year Plan lies not in its grand narrative but in its capacity for execution.

The US government is being run in the interests of those private elites that are making the most money out of the way the system operates now. And that's why we keep seeing the US time after time going into war and assassinating foreign leaders. War certainly should not be a means to pursue national goals, said a US veteran.

Despite slack discipline and mismanagement, the SDF is being endowed with expanded combat capabilities and operational authority. This dangerous combination is unavoidably reminiscent of Japan's actions on the eve of World War II.

There is a general consensus among Japanese scholars and the public that Japan's most prudent course of action is to formally apologize for the SDF officer's intrusion into the Chinese embassy and to take this opportunity to resume dialogue with China. If Japan really seeks to pursue a path of creating peace, dialogue with neighboring Asian countries is indispensable.

In a chaotic world, the Global South is building a model of navigating complex diplomatic, economic and strategic interests toward a society that promotes peace, cooperation and friendship.

With the foundation of China's innovation system and the combined strengths of government and market forces, Zhang Xue's passion will ignite the dreams of more entrepreneurs, and the breakthrough achieved by ZXMOTO will be merely the prelude to the surging tide of innovation sweeping across China.

This victory not only reshapes the competitive landscape but also vividly illustrates China's advance toward high-end manufacturing.

In the everyday connections built through a packet of candies, a meal or a cup of tea, China's image can truly enter others' sensory experiences, social scenes and life memories – becoming something tangible, approachable and vibrant.

If China's 15th Five-Year Plan succeeds in pairing innovation with openness, and if partners in Europe and more rational sectors of American society are serious about deepening cooperation, then the coming years could help preserve the idea that science and industry are part of humanity's shared inheritance.

The deployment of long-range missiles threatens the right to peaceful existence of people in Asia, including Japan, and clearly violates the principle of “exclusively defense-oriented” policy, thereby making it unconstitutional. Japanese politicians should reflect on the history of past wars of aggression and uphold the constitution: Kumamoto resident

Hainan has been actively learning from internationally recognized free trade ports such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai, while pursuing complementary strengths and deeper cooperation with them.

Misreading, smearing and deliberately ignoring China's self-image and the debates within China about its continued political and social reforms is not a danger to China; it's a threat to the West itself.

History cannot be rewritten by silence, nor can responsibilities dissipate through evasion. The break-in by an active JSDF member armed with a knife has torn apart the fig leaf covering Japan's accelerating rightward shift, flawed historical education and lack of accountability.

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

The US and Israeli attempt at a “swift and decisive victory” has now collapsed, and the consequences of reckless military intervention in the Middle East are becoming increasingly evident.

The recent G7 joint statement on Iran is flawed. Such statements don't stop wars; history proves this. What the declaration serves is the G7's reputation management.

The deep contradictions that have always existed but were previously hidden between Europe and the US have now come to light, most recently in the US-Israel war against Iran. The disparity between the economic and geopolitical interests of the EU and the US can no longer be denied, says a German MEP.

Marine scientific research is a common endeavor for all humanity. China's active pursuit of marine scientific research, conducted in strict compliance with international law and customary practices, is not only entirely legitimate but also holds significant importance for enhancing global marine knowledge, addressing climate change, and promoting sustainable marine development.

Centered on forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, the national support for Xizang region's development has formed a closed-loop implementation system spanning ideology, policy and practice, delivering all-round outcomes.

The choice of “escort or not” has become an unsolvable diplomatic challenge, reflecting Japan's awkward position in the alliance.

What does it mean to govern well, and how should governance performance be gauged? The CPC' answer is that a correct view on 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," inviting leading international observers to share their thoughts.

The Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026 is taking place from March 24 to 27 in Boao, South China's Hainan Province. In contrast to the "gunfire" and "missiles" that have dominated recent headlines, the words most frequently echoed at the Conference are "opportunities" and "cooperation" - sketching an alternative narrative of peace and development amid a turbulent global landscape.

The reckless actions of far-right forces in Japan are not only self-destructive but also pose a serious threat to regional and global peace. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the commencement of the Tokyo Trials, offering Japan yet another opportunity for reflection. Should the Japanese government persist in its course toward “neo-militarism,” it will inevitably face firm resistance from the judgment of history once again.

As the US-Israel-Iran conflict escalates in the Middle East, more people who yearn for peace and stability are working hard to build consensus in a world torn apart by war. In early March, we attended the 13th Baku Global Forum in Azerbaijan. What struck us most directly and powerfully was the deep anxiety about the current global situation and the urgent need for the world to forge an unprecedented consensus for peace. Whether in plenary speeches or closed-door discussions, almost every participant conveyed the same profound concern - the world now stands at a critical crossroads, and established norms and order are collapsing.

A Reuters investigation published recently opens with a vessel cutting through the Indian Ocean. The ship is the Dong Fang Hong 3 - "The East is Red" - a research vessel operated by Ocean University of China. According to Reuters, the ship spent 2024 and 2025 sailing back and forth in the seas near China's Taiwan island and the US stronghold of Guam, mapping the ocean floor, measuring water temperature and salinity, and tracking currents.

The seeds of wrongdoing will inevitably bear dangerous fruits.

For two centuries, US policy toward Latin America has contradicted its democratic rhetoric by subordinating regional sovereignty to strategic interests. US scholar Stephen Walt's "predatory hegemony" describes how Washington now treats allies and rivals alike as instruments for short-term advantage rather than partners in a cooperative international order.

At the beginning of the 21st century, Japan formally proposed its "tourism nation" strategy and enacted the Tourism Nation Promotion Basic Law in 2006, aiming to develop tourism into a pillar industry of the national economy. Subsequently, driven by the Japanese government's efforts and factors such as the depreciation of the yen, the number of foreign visitors to Japan continued to rise. Among them, Chinese tourists showed a steady upward trend, significantly contributing to Japan's tourism sector and many related industries.

In recent days, heightened tensions in the Middle East have driven a sharp surge in global oil prices, with impacts felt worldwide. How a country responds to soaring oil prices not only tests the resilience of its economic development but also reflects its value priorities in handling crises.

Stripping away the gaudy veneer of the US "freedom" and "democracy" reveals a predatory essence that treats the world as its hunting ground and wields hegemonic power as its blade. This "predatory hegemony" - as US scholar Stephen Walt contended in a February article in Foreign Affairs - uses Washington's privileged position to extract concessions, tribute and displays of deference from both allies and adversaries alike, pursuing short-term gains in what it sees as a purely zero-sum world.

The US-Israel-Iran conflict has entered its fourth week. In terms of intensity, scope and willingness, it has shown a clear trend of escalation. The situation is undergoing a dangerous shift from "manageable confrontation" to "high-risk escalation out of control," posing substantial challenges to regional security and global stability - especially as multiple strikes have been launched near nuclear facilities.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the beginning of the work of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, commonly known as the Tokyo Trials. From 1946 to 1948, the Tribunal held collective trials of Class-A Japanese war criminals from WWII in Tokyo. Following the Nuremberg Trials, it represented another large-scale, multinational trial for war crimes. After two and a half years of hearings, judges from 11 nations found all 25 defendants guilty.

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. In this context, the Global Times (GT) launches the “China through a 'green' lens” series. It invites leading scholars and observers worldwide to decode the underlying logic behind China's green development and to better understand the global implications of China's green development philosophy. Josef Gregory Mahoney (Mahoney), a professor of politics and international relations and director of the Center for Ecological Civilization at East China Normal University in Shanghai, told GT reporter Li Aixin that China's efforts on ecodevelopment “injects predictability into global environmental governance.” This is the first installment of the series.

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.

Recently, a media company unveiled two AI-generated actors on Weibo and cast them as leads in an AIGC drama series, sparking heated debate. Amid growing anxieties that AI may threaten industry viability and squeeze employment opportunities, the topic "netizens boycott AI actors" soared to the top of trending lists - a development that warrants deep reflection from industries and businesses pushing forward with AI adoption.

Facing history squarely is the prerequisite for safeguarding peace, and thorough reflection is the key to national rebirth. Only by daring to confront its dark past and bravely assuming its guilt can a nation truly win the respect of the international community and embed the ideal of peace into the very fabric of the nation.

European youth's perceptions of China exhibit four distinct characteristics: pragmatism, openness, diversity and rationality. Only through persistent, long-term, nuanced and diversified cooperation and exchange can these stereotypes toward China be effectively mitigated.

The self-reliance being built today is the muscle that will allow China to engage in tomorrow's global economy not as a dependent player, but as a resilient partner capable of weathering the storms of the 21st century. It's a recalibration, not a retreat.

We have been carried along by a carefully constructed narrative language — one that keeps our eyes fixed on buildings, trajectories and strategic objectives, while quietly stepping around the most basic question: Who were the civilians who died?

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.

China's approach to the current Middle East situation is prudent and responsible. Instead of exhausting their energy trying to prove that China has lost ground, Western media would do better to focus on their own countries' affairs and reflect on the responsibility they should bear for the current crisis in the Middle East.

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.

The Ford's laundry fire is more than an isolated mishap. Even on history's most costly warship, a laundry-room fire has laid bare a brutal truth – in a war of attrition, victory never hinges on the price tag of the weapons. It hinges on who can endure the longest grind.

China has already charted its course, with its energy strategy providing a pragmatic paradigm for global energy security governance, which is being reevaluated by the world amid the evolving global landscapes.

For all countries with US military bases within their borders, the US-Israel-Iran conflict serves as a profound warning: A security model reliant on powerful nations will ultimately come at the heavy price of compromised sovereignty and increased risks.

Throughout history, there have been efforts in Japan to push for strategic autonomy. The harsh reality, however, is that Japan is so deeply dependent on the US across so many dimensions - one might even argue that a Japanese prime minister's political longevity is, to some extent, contingent on Washington's support.

Many issues in economic and social development carry an inherent “dilemma” nature. The key is to break free from the trap of binary thinking, broaden one's perspective, and elevate the way we think – only then can we turn “two difficult choices” into a “win-win” optimal solution.

From the Middle East to Northeast Asia, the current situation serves as a stark reminder to the world that, against the backdrop of increasingly fierce strategic competition among major powers, blindly relying on powerful nations does not necessarily bring security.

The US overwhelming military advantage is proving difficult to translate into political victory; instead, it is dragging the country into a costly and protracted war of attrition.

Through the continued dedication of generation after generation of staff who come to Xizang with the support mission, Xizang is surely able to build a cleaner, safer, more efficient energy system, providing firm strategic support for the nation's energy security.

Today's world is marked by turbulence and uncertainty. In the face of conflicts, crises, and various smear campaigns, China will not hesitate or retreat. Instead, it will continue to inject lasting stability and certainty into a turbulent world through concrete actions, uphold fairness with the power of reason, and contribute to global well-being with the responsibility of a major country.

The international community, especially Asian nations, must remain especially vigilant against Japan once again becoming a source of regional conflict or even war.

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.

"China speed" means more than bullet trains racing across the landscape. It reflects a different way of working - more efficient, more daring and more focused. More than a measure of pace, it is proof of what a determined nation can achieve.

Against the backdrop of a fragile global recovery and increasing uncertainties, the upcoming China-US economic and trade talks in Paris carry added significance, with the world expecting the two sides to move toward each other and help bring greater stability to global trade and growth.

The recent simultaneous decline in both sales volumes and prices across the three traditional luxury automotive brands - Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Audi (collectively known as BBA) - has become a hot topic of discussion. Why are these former benchmarks of luxury cars now showing signs of falling behind collectively in the era of electrification and smart technology?

At this crossroads where the flames of conflict continue to spread, what the international community needs is a path that ends the current cycle of retaliation while addressing the legitimate security concerns of all parties.

In the 15th Five-Year Plan, China is pushing for the GBA to be a place where everyone is concentrated and working together to make it all happen.

The facts prove that the leverage effect of AI can help pave an equitable and inclusive path for upward mobility.

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.

China is not seeking to lead in AI by replicating the Silicon Valley model. It is pursuing what I call technomeritism, a system in which technologies earn legitimacy through demonstrable contribution to public goals, institutional alignment and perceived social benefit.

The most consistently intractable problems facing the US today are economic. The current policy of global tariff imposition yields troubling results.

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?

How did an open-source program, written by an Austrian developer during his weekends, morph from an obscure GitHub project into a national phenomenon in China in just a matter of weeks?

Leveraging its "one country, two systems" strengths enables Hong Kong to drive high-quality growth in the GBA.

The rapid adoption and commercialization of the overseas AI agent OpenClaw in China precisely demonstrate that China is the world's most dynamic "innovation testing ground."

"While the world burns, China defines the future." As China's two sessions convene, a foreign media outlet published an article under this headline, noting that everything that happens in China will have a ripple effect on the world.

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

Keeping a close watch on and proactively forestalling the resurgence of Japan's neo-militarism is a shared responsibility that all nations in the region must undertake before it is too late. Anything short of that will put Asia's peace and stability in peril.

Building a Healthy China is a systematic endeavor.

While affordability and quality are key factors in the popularity of Chinese products, their appeal extends far beyond mere cost-effectiveness.

At this new historical starting point, The Wealth of Nations reminds the world: As trade barriers rise again, protectionism ultimately undermines the prosperity of the very nations that embrace it.

As we look toward 2030, the path for the GBA and Macao is clear. It is a path that moves beyond the simple exchange of goods toward the co-creation of value through shared rules and innovative services.

When responding to questions about the situation in Iran, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi quoted two ancient Chinese sayings, which were profound and enlightening. The two ancient sayings, carrying the wisdom accumulated over history, offer cognitive enlightenment for the world to jointly deal with changes, turmoil, wars and conflicts.

What makes the Healthy China Initiative appealing, and how will it benefit people's everyday lives? The Global Times has invited four foreign nationals - currently residing in China - to share their personal experiences and observations.

Building a Healthy China is a commitment to the people, and strengthening ecological construction is aimed at safeguarding their health.

These firsthand encounters reveal the human impact of the Healthy China Initiative, demonstrating how its goals are translated into everyday realities that build trust and improve quality of life.

Overall, China is uniquely suited to rapid and large-scale social change through proactive health-related measures.

China is well aware that a healthy society is a happy society and instead of just talking the talk, China encourages its citizens to actually get out and walk the walk, or dance, run, swim, skate or cycle.

At the press conference for the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) on people's livelihood, the performance sheets from multiple departments were filled with meticulous care for "the elderly and children."

Step by step, with unwavering determination and years of solid effort, a robust foundation has been laid for the people's happiness and well-being. From these achievements, we can gain a deeper understanding of General Secretary Xi's people-centered sentiment, and more fully grasp the true meaning of the word "people" embedded in Healthy China.

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.

Antonio Gramsci famously wrote that “the old world is dying and the new world struggles to be born, and that this is the time of monsters.” If the Global South fails to confront the monsters of hegemony effectively, the new world may never emerge.

2026 marks the first year of the 15th Five-Year Plan period. The construction of Macao and Hengqin is advancing in depth, entering a critical window period for further transformation and high-quality leapfrog development: NPC deputy from Macao

“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

The essence of a growth target lies not in prediction, but in guidance and shaping, where the primary consideration is needs and possibilities.

My travels between Shenzhen and Hong Kong have convinced me that beneath the shifting skylines lies a divergence in governance. The accumulation of wealth is merely an outcome. The true invisible hand dictating this trajectory is the evolution of government capability.

With the situation in the Middle East at risk of being pushed into the abyss, military actions must stop immediately. The international community must consolidate peace-promoting efforts, steer the situation toward de-escalation, and collectively uphold international law and the fundamental norms governing international relations.

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”

Against the backdrop of a new technological revolution, what South Korea truly needs is a contemporary "Northern learning" school of thought. This is both a candid acknowledgment of reality and a strategic choice for the future.

The implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan presents unprecedented opportunities for Hong Kong. Under the strong safeguard of One Country, Two Systems, Hong Kong will undoubtedly achieve higher-quality development by aligning with national strategies, powered by the dual engines of finance and technological innovation.

The Global South consensus does not seek to destroy what works, but to transform what failed. In this rebalancing, the world's emerging majority moves from object to subject of international history – finally claiming the agency that decolonization promised but neoliberalism denied.

If Germany were to regain its old economic strength and get on a level playing field, it might open up toward the larger “gym” of the world and strive to take part in the China-proposed BRI. We may be some years away from that, but it could be a prime template for future win-win cooperation between Germany/EU and China: German scholar

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 American fabric, once believed to be resilient enough to mend itself, now hangs in tatters, its threads so frayed and entangled that the pattern itself has become unrecognizable.

There was a time when some Chinese people believed that “the moon is rounder abroad.” Now, the tables have turned, and it is foreigners who envy the leisurely comfort and the profound sense of security in China.

Currently, the world is closely watching how US-Israel attacks on Iran and the latter's retaliatory strikes will develop and their impacts on the regional situation in the Middle East. Where will the conflict head? How should we understand Beijing's concern over the US-Israel military strikes and calls for an immediate stop of the military actions? The Global Times invited three Chinese international relations experts to comment on these issues.

On February 28, after the US and Israel launched massive attacks on Iran, the official Weibo account of Jun Zhengping Studio run by the People's Liberation Army Daily released the following commentary: Peace has never appeared out of thin air, nor will the flames of war recede through prayer alone. Throughout human history, the law of the jungle has always held sway; the strong preying on the weak has never truly vanished. The international landscape today is complex and volatile, with risks and challenges lurking beneath the surface. Once the string of vigilance is loosened, the consequences for a nation and its people could be irreparable.

Recent attempts by right-wing forces in Japan to revise the Japanese government's long-standing Three Non-Nuclear Principles have triggered alarm and warrant close scrutiny. A joint report by China Arms Control and Disarmament Association and China Institute of Nuclear Industry Strategy, titled "Nuclear Ambitions of Japan's Right-Wing Forces: A Serious Threat to World Peace," argues that Japan's nuclear capability is already well beyond the starting line. The country has already sat atop substantial stocks of sensitive nuclear materials and a relatively complete technological system. This raises a sobering question: How close is Japan to reaching a nuclear breakout capacity?

The stormier the times, the more China and Europe should uphold the banner of multilateralism, maintain their strategic partnership, adhere to openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation, advance China-EU relations to greater heights, and make greater contributions to world peace and development.

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.

True culture needs no grand preaching – it reshapes the world quietly, one sip at a time.

At a time when both China and Germany face the challenges, how to work together – seeking common ground while respecting differences – to keep the course of history on the right track has become a fundamental question that the two countries, as well as China and Europe, must answer.

As part of the “group-style” medical aid effort, we have always reflected on three questions: Why we aid Xizang, what we do while in Xizang and what we leave behind when we depart – devoting ourselves wholeheartedly to advancing the development of Xizang's healthcare system, writes a medical aid doctor in Xizang.

Nuclear risk reduction must begin with the two largest nuclear powers — not with political theater that ignores strategic reality.

The Global Times invites three foreign scholars to share their perspectives on understanding and interpreting the view on political achievements of the CPC.

China's ice and snow tourism is no longer a hidden story. It is developing quickly.

The Spring Festival reflects the deep connection between faith, culture and mobility.

NATO is not an association of equal partners for collective defense, but an instrument for enforcing US interests. From this perspective, the only consistent and rational conclusion for Germany and the other European NATO members must be: withdrawal from NATO.

The year 2026 was my first Spring Festival in China. I knew, more or less, what to expect. Across most parts of China, fireworks and firecrackers, red lanterns and fortune characters on every door and window in sight, red envelopes and well-wishes of good fortune from family and friends alike.

One year ago, US Vice President JD Vance delivered a speech of unprecedented hostility toward Europe at the Munich Security Conference, marking a decisive moment in the rift between the US and Europe. Exactly a year after, when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the same conference to the same audience, the question -- where the transatlantic relationship will head -- still lingers.

For the US, the path forward is adaptation and humility. The sooner it accepts its place as one great power among several, the sooner it can play that role effectively - and sustainably - in the multipolar or multi-nodal world that is already underway.

One of America's founders, John Adams, famously said he wanted a nation "ruled by laws, not men."

The Spring Festival stands as a profound manifestation of the intrinsic cohesion and enduring vitality of Chinese civilization, offering the world a deep cultural code to understand Chinese society.

The reflections on order, governance, and people's well-being in Swords into Plowshares transcend the scope of a historical drama and illuminate contemporary questions about the international order.

China and France should uphold the original aspirations that guided them when establishing diplomatic relations, create a new wave of China-France people-to-people exchanges, and set an example for civilizational exchanges between China, Europe, and the world at large.

The nations of Asia have never forgotten history and remain ever vigilant, determined to draw lessons from the past and prevent a repetition of history.

Put it all together and one conclusion becomes obvious: It is easy for the exorbitantly rich and powerful to be accountable to no one. And they want it that way.

Only when struck by Washington's “wrecking ball” has Europe realized that it lacks both an independent security pillar and a unified, decisive diplomatic posture.

Only when Western commentators break free from the confines of established theory and fixated ideological prejudices, can they approach China as a civilization with its own distinctive logic of governance, begin to truly understand China's development, and confront their own problems.

Japan must take the feelings and concerns of other countries into account.

The Western narrative surrounding the arrest, trial and sentencing of Jimmy Lai is totally at odds with the facts.

Documents are unsealed, hearings are held, and the public is outraged. But then what?

China stands ready to work with all parties to continuously deepen and solidify APEC cooperation, injecting greater stability and positive expectations into the development of Asia and the world.

The partnership between Somalia and China stands as an inspiring example of how international friendship, built on respect and common interests, can foster a brighter, more cooperative future for all.

For too long, Western politicians have stood on the moral high ground. Now, their moral high ground is crumbling and falling into the abyss. Any Western attack on Jimmy Lai's trial in Hong Kong is utterly ridiculous and pathetic.

In this context of increasing US pressure, Canada's efforts to strengthen engagement with China, diversify its economic and trade relationships, and secure greater autonomy in a multipolar world represent a rational strategy to protect its long-term interests and reduce dependence on a single ally.

Behind this progress lie China's unique institutional strengths, vast market foundations, corporate dynamism, and long-term strategic resolve – all of which reflect the country's innovation ecosystem fostered under its strategy of achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology.

The High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Monday sentenced Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison. The sentence was announced along with penalties for other defendants in the national security case. This brought a complete first-instance judgment to the Jimmy Lai case - one that had been protracted, highly complex, involved numerous defendants, featured prominent external interference and posed exceptional challenges to judicial adjudication.

Epstein's wealth has never been a clean business miracle. When money can buy everything—including the bodies of minors and the souls of justice—capital has thoroughly torn off the moral fig leaf. In the eyes of capital, there are no “moral bottom lines,” only “exchanges of interests.”

Across the Atlantic, transatlantic unity has begun to show significant cracks, as disagreements between the US and the EU have resurfaced over issues of trade, industrial policy, and strategic autonomy following a substantial shift in US foreign policy under the current administration. In this context, the Global Times (GT) has launched a commentary series, "The widening transatlantic rift," inviting scholars and experts at home and abroad to share their views. In an interview with GT reporter Wang Wenwen, Raffaele Marchetti (Marchetti), director of the Center for International and Strategic Studies at Luiss University, Italy, said that Europe needs to be self-sustaining, or at the very least, embark on a path that will lead to self-sufficiency over the next 10 to 20 years.

In Japan's 51st House of Representatives election held on Sunday, the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party won a majority of seats, meaning that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will continue to govern. In this election, Japanese online communities exerted a special influence on Takaichi and the LDP.

In the 21st article of the "Translators' Voices" column, GT interviewed Rafael Lima (Lima), translation editor of the Portuguese edition of the book series Xi Jinping: The Governance of China.

The growing “China fever” shows that Gen Z abroad are, in their own way, reaching for a real, vibrant, warm image of China, freely selecting fragments of life and cultural symbols they like within a multicultural context.

Lai's sentence is a solemn declaration of sovereignty, security and the spirit of the rule of law. It announces that the dignity of the law is not to be trampled upon and that the bottom line of national security is not to be crossed. More profoundly, as a landmark case since the implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong, the Jimmy Lai case provides crucial legal guidance and certainty for future practice.

Jimmy Lai's 20-year prison sentence sends a clear signal: No matter how cleverly an "agent" hides or how powerful their backers, they will ultimately face the full force of the law.

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.

On the evening of February 6, local time, the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics officially kicked off, blending a century of Olympic memories with the charm of modern technology and attracting global attention to the snow and ice spectacle at the foot of the Alps. The Chinese delegation comprises 286 members, including 126 athletes, and will compete across seven major sports, 15 sub-disciplines and 91 events, representing China's widest event participation and largest-ever team in an overseas Winter Olympics. This confidence stems from the rich legacy of the Beijing Winter Olympics and the continuous development of ice and snow sports in China.

A quiet but profound shift is reshaping the geopolitical map of South America, as revealed by an exclusive Reuters report, "Brazil signals new openness to Mercosur-China talks as Beijing seeks deeper ties": For the first time, senior Brazilian officials are considering a push for a "partial" trade agreement between the Mercosur bloc and China.

In the details of everyday life lies the true reflection of a country. The "Everyday China" series invites foreign experts and scholars who have lived in China for several years to share their personal experiences and reflections on seemingly ordinary moments. Through their unique perspectives, the series reveals a more authentic, multidimensional and relatable portrait of China. This is the sixth installment of the series.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer wrapped up his four-day China visit at the end of January, yet its impact is still brewing. Some believe that the visit represented a marked shift in the UK's relations with China, and at the international level, it demonstrated the realities of a new global order. How should we analyze the implications of Starmer's China visit? What does a mature and more sophisticated relationship mean for the two countries? Global Times (GT) reporters Wang Wenwen and Xing Xiaojing interviewed Ollie Shiell (Shiell), chief executive of the UK National Committee on China, over these matters.

Just over one month into 2026, Washington's increasingly overt hegemonic and unilateral actions are introducing new uncertainties into the world order. At this moment, middle powers - whether US long-time allies or non-allies, close neighbors or once politically aligned partners - are reassessing their perceptions about the US and realizing the growing reality of multipolarity. How has US unilateralism reshaped these middle powers' strategic calculations? What kind of multipolar world do they seek to build? The Global Times invites three scholars to discuss how these middle powers navigate the changing order.

As China continues its development trajectory, the collision between common sense and irrationality will remain. Yet China has never and will not require any country to "take sides" or "be closer," China simply makes friends with countries which are open to win-win cooperation.

In late January, the "Global Dialogue - China-EU Resonance" media and think tank forum, hosted by the Global Times, was held in Brussels, Belgium. Scholars, entrepreneurs and think tank representatives from China and European countries gathered to engage in in-depth discussions on topics such as "China-EU Mutual Perceptions: Practical Experiences and Public Opinion Foundations" and "Moving Forward through Understanding: Diverse Cooperation and Future Pathways." In the fourth article of the "China-Europe Resonance" column, we invite scholars from both China and Europe to further dig into relevant topics.

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.

At the beginning of 2026, a clear "looking East" trend has emerged on the international diplomatic stage. Several Western countries, including Ireland, Canada, Finland, and the UK, have successively visited China. This is not merely a political spectacle, but a move driven by deeper international and strategic considerations. At the same time, Washington's shift in its European policy has placed transatlantic relations under the most severe test since the end of World War II. Against this backdrop, the Global Times has launched a commentary series, “The Widening Transatlantic Rift,” inviting scholars and experts at home and abroad to share their views.

At the beginning of 2026, a clear "looking East" trend has emerged on the international diplomatic stage. Several Western countries, including Ireland, Canada, Finland, and the UK, have successively visited China. This is not merely a political spectacle, but a move driven by deeper international and strategic considerations. At the same time, Washington's shift in its European policy has placed transatlantic relations under the most severe test since the end of World War II. Against this backdrop, the Global Times has launched a commentary series, "The Widening Transatlantic Rift," inviting scholars and experts at home and abroad to share their views.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday held talks with visiting President of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay Yamandu Orsi. President Orsi is the sixth foreign leader - and the first head of state from a Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) country - to visit China this year. Amid the current turbulent international landscape, China and Uruguay's close, multi-tiered and comprehensive friendly exchanges help deepen and solidify the China-LAC community with a shared future, contributing greater strength to maintaining world peace and stability and improving global governance.

Looking ahead, the development of a long-term and consistent comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the UK will require sustained efforts grounded in mutual respect and willingness to move beyond differences.

Thailand's general election is set to be held on Sunday. Compared with the highly mobilized, emotionally charged political atmosphere seen ahead of the 2019 and 2023 elections, Thai society appears unusually calm regarding the upcoming 2026 general election.

The recent executive order by the Trump administration, which designates Cuba as "a threat to US national security," introduces tariffs on any country that supplies oil to the Caribbean nation. This represents a new tightening of the economic, commercial and financial embargo that Washington has enforced for more than 65 years and that has brought it international discredit and isolation. One of the greatest strategic mistakes of the North American country has been to once again underestimate the determination of the Cuban people and to assume that economic pressure can generate instability and a change in the political system.

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.

For a decade, the China-skeptic forces have held sway in Britain. Any move in the direction of closer relations with China has been fiercely contested. As a result, no British prime minister visited Beijing for eight years. And China's proposal for a new much larger embassy in London met powerful resistance. That the new mega embassy has been approved and Keir Starmer's visit to Beijing deemed a success represents a very positive development in China-UK relations.

Although China doesn't seek to export China model, academic institutions and research centers in the Global South are witnessing a growing focus on studying and analyzing the Chinese development model, to explore its economic and political aspects as a potential alternative to the traditional Western model.

Some countries embrace a logic of "might makes right" and believe in their unilateral supremacy, displaying their bullying behavior over neighbors or even allies openly and without restraint. History and reality both show that once a world loses the constraints of international rules, the foundations of peace and development are inevitably shaken and conflicts and tensions will increasingly surface. The international community must therefore reaffirm unity, uphold international order and the rule of law, and jointly resist the risks and challenges brought by hegemonism and power politics.

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.

Recently, the viral hashtag #IWantToBeChinese on TikTok has revealed a fascinating global perception of China. Rather than being captivated by iconic landmarks, a growing number of foreign creators are drawn to the rhythms of daily life in China. Not coincidentally, a US media outlet reported that “Everyone Is suddenly in a 'very Chinese time' in their lives,” a trend that blows up so much in recent weeks. In this context, the Global Times spoke with three overseas creators who have been living in China for several years to unpack their most striking experiences and their growing resonance of “Chinese time.”

With multiple factors intertwined, uncertainty surrounding the election outcome has intensified. Regardless of the final seat distribution, the election process itself reflects the ongoing fluidity and restructuring of Japan's party system — developments whose impact will extend beyond a single contest to shape future policy directions and the broader political landscape.

For much of the developing world, de-dollarization is far less ideological and far more practical. As financial pressures grow and global uncertainty deepens, countries will continue to seek mechanisms that reduce vulnerability.

The significance of educational support for #Xizang lies in ensuring that every child in the region has access to high-quality education, and that knowledge becomes a force for building their homeland, writes a teacher who went to Xizang to support education.

Stephen M. Walt, a scholar of international relations, recently wrote an op-ed titled "What Spheres of Influence Are - and Aren't" on Foreign Policy. In my view, Walt's essay is, in essence, a critique of the "thug with a club" strategy by Elbridge Colby, the principal architect of the newly released US National Defense Strategy.

In January 2026, the death of Renée Good, a mother of three in Minneapolis, by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, and the subsequent fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, by federal agents, sparked outrage and protests within the US.

Despite flaws, international law remains indispensable. It is a choice of practical rationality, a yardstick for civilizational progress and a necessity for collective action, says a Chinese law professor during a forum recenty held in Beijing.

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.

Many American netizens who initially joined Xiaohongshu, a year ago following a looming TikTok ban, have become what they now call “Xiaohongshu locals.” They started to encounter the fragments of everyday Chinese life for the first time, and these fragmented posts, carried across digital networks, have fostered closer people-to-people interactions between the two countries. Let's hear the stories and views from three American “Xiaohongshu locals.”

The Monroe Doctrine's journey from a defensive declaration to an imperialist dogma illustrates how ideas can be reshaped by power geopolitics. For LAC, confronting this history is not merely an academic exercise but a necessary step toward building a more sovereign and equitable future.

The future of China-Europe relations should not be confined to debating Europe's continued dependence on the US or a simplistic alignment with China. Instead, it should be viewed as a rational choice based on shared interests. It hinges on whether Europe can discern its true direction and genuinely achieve strategic autonomy.