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The upcoming visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to France holds profound historical significance. It will be a journey to showcase friendship, instill confidence and lead cooperation, Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye told a press briefing on Monday.

At the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron of France, President Aleksandar Vučić of the Republic of Serbia and President Tamás Sulyok and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of Hungary, President Xi will pay state visits to France, Serbia and Hungary from May 5 to 10, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Monday.

This marks President Xi's return to France and Europe after a gap of five years. It is also Xi's first state visit of the year and the highlight of celebrations for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Lu said.

The visit holds significant importance for advancing the development of China-France and China-EU relations in the new era and influencing the evolution of the international landscape, the Chinese envoy noted.

Lu pointed out that China-France relations were nurtured by previous leaders such as Chairman Mao Zedong and General Charles de Gaulle.

Over the past 60 years, guided by the spirit of independence, mutual understanding, foresight, and mutually beneficial cooperation, China-France relations have weathered the changing international landscape, he noted.

They have consistently remained at the forefront of China's relations with Western countries, demonstrating increasing strategic maturity and stability, and exerting profound influence on great power relations and global dynamics, Lu said.

"Xi's visit, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, will provide an opportunity to revisit the spirit of China-France cooperation and chart the future of bilateral relations from a historical and strategic perspective," the Chinese diplomat said.

France is a core member of the EU, and China-France relations are an important component and strong engine of China-Europe relations. China has always viewed China-Europe relations from a strategic height and a long-term perspective, considering Europe as a comprehensive strategic partner and an important force in a multipolar world, Lu said.

During Xi's visit, there will be comprehensive and in-depth strategic communication with Macron on China-France and China-Europe relations.

This will encourage France to uphold strategic autonomy and openness in cooperation, and drive Europe to form a more independent, objective, and friendly understanding of China.

It will also resist negative trends such as "de-risking" and "reduced dependence" on China, ensuring that China-France relations continue to lead China-Europe relations toward stability and progress, Lu said.

China and France should accelerate cooperation in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, green manufacturing, and sustainable development, the ambassador said.

Furthermore, they should further promote agricultural cooperation, represented by "from French farms to Chinese tables," and build closer ties in terms of industry chains, capital flows, and personnel exchanges.

It is believed that President Xi's visit will inject new impetus into cooperation in various fields between China and France, guiding both sides to explore new areas and avenues of cooperation, he said.

In response to questions about the common ground where China and France could work together in addressing hotspot issues such as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the Ukraine crisis, Lu noted that on the issue of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, China and France have consistently held similar positions, both advocating for a negotiated resolution through the "two-state solution," supporting an immediate ceasefire, protecting civilians, and alleviating humanitarian situations.

As two major powers from the East and the West and responsible great powers, China and France will continue to maintain close communication and coordination on international and regional hotspot issues.

They will actively uphold the international system centered around the UN and the international order based on international law, jointly promote negotiations and dialogue to resolve regional conflicts and turbulence, and work together to build a peaceful, stable, and secure world, Lu said.

On the Ukraine crisis, the Chinese government has maintained an objective, neutral, and balanced stance since the beginning of the crisis, without favoring any party. It is because of this stance that China can engage in dialogue with various parties involved in the crisis, including Russia, Ukraine, Europe, and the US, Lu noted.

"We have consistently advocated for peace talks and dialogue, and opposed any country adding fuel to the fire of this crisis. The conflicts and wars that have arisen in today's world are detrimental to the progress and prosperity of human society," he said.

The endpoint of any war is the negotiating table, and it is better to return to the negotiating table early rather than engage in a conflict where both sides end up losing before resuming talks, Lu stressed.

Shortly after the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis, Xi clarified China's position at a video summit with Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, outlining the "four principles." President Xi later called for joint efforts in four areas and shared three observations.

In February 2023, the Chinese government released a position paper on the political resolution of the Ukraine issue, presenting a 12-point proposal. The proposal includes not only general principles such as respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and adhering to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter but also a roadmap, including ceasefire, initiation of talks, protection of civilians and prisoners of war, guaranteeing food shipments, and the safety of nuclear power plants.

It also includes ideas for the post-war European security architecture. If Europe and France carefully read the Chinese document and truly understand China's position, they will find that China's proposals are in line with the current situation and provide a feasible path for the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis, Lu said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's three-day visit to China, during which he had extensive exchanges with Chinese officials, was deemed by Chinese experts as "generally positive and playing a role in stabilizing relations between China and the US," but observers also believed such a visit by itself cannot fundamentally change the current trend of China-US ties.

Experts have noted that the five-point consensus reached by the two countries during Blinken's visit suggested that China has pushed back against US pressure, and helped push both countries to work toward improving relations in line with the consensus made by the top leaders of the two countries in San Francisco.

The key challenge in China-US ties lies in the US still holding the wrong perception of viewing China as a rival or enemy, rather than a partner. The US is currently struggling to break free from its preconceived notions about China, leading to difficulties in setting the right tone for Washington's policies toward Beijing and managing the US-China relationship effectively. As a result, Chinese experts urged the US to show the courage to accurately identify and correct its misconceptions about China.

'Candid' talks

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday evening that talks with Blinken during his visit to China were "candid, substantive and constructive."

During a courtesy meeting with Blinken on Friday afternoon, Chinese President Xi Jinping elaborated on China's authoritative position on China-US relations and proposed guidance, said Yang Tao, director-general of the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs of the China's Foreign Ministry, while briefing the media on Blinken's visit on Friday evening.

Xi met with Blinken on Friday, and stressed China is willing to cooperate with the US, but cooperation should be a two-way street. "China is not afraid of competition, but competition should be about common progress, not a zero-sum game," Xi said.

China and the US should be partners rather than rivals; help each other succeed rather than hurt each other; seek common ground and reserve differences rather than engage in vicious competition; and honor words with actions rather than say one thing but do another, said Xi.

Xi said China is committed to non-alliance, and the US should not create small blocs, adding that each side can have its friends and partners, it should not target, oppose or harm the other.

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese foreign minister, held talks with Blinken on Friday in Beijing, with the two sides reaching a five-point consensus based on a comprehensive exchange of views.

First, both sides agreed to continue to work hard to stabilize and develop China-US relations in accordance with the guidance of the two heads of state. Second, both sides agreed to maintain high-level exchanges and contacts at all levels.

Third, the two sides announced that they would hold the first meeting of the China-US intergovernmental dialogue on artificial intelligence, continue to advance consultations on the principles guiding China-US relations, hold a new round of China-US consultations on Asia-Pacific affairs and China-US maritime affairs, and continue consular consultations. The two countries' anti-drug working group will hold a senior officials meeting.

Fourth, the two sides will take measures to expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, welcome students from each other's countries and work together for the success of the 14th China-US Tourism Leadership Summit to be held in Xi'an in May. Fifth, the two sides will maintain consultations on international and regional hotspot issues and strengthen communication between the special envoys of the two sides.

From the perspective of advancing the implementation of the agreement made by the two leaders in San Francisco, Blinken's visit has achieved some positive results, with the five-point consensus reached by both sides essentially continuing the consensus reached by the two leaders in San Francisco, Wu Xinbo, director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times.

Wu noted that judging from the previous agenda of the visit released by the US, Blinken did not achieve his expected goals. This reflected the different approaches of China and the US in handling bilateral relations.

The signals sent by the US before Blinken's departure indicated that Washington had wanted to reset the agenda for China-US relations. However, the five-point consensus reached by both sides showed that the US attempt did not succeed and China's efforts helped push the two countries to go back to implementing the consensus made by the two leaders in San Francisco, said Wu.

Blinken would also reportedly ask Beijing to avoid taking "provocative" measures during next month's inauguration of Lai Ching-te, who was elected as Taiwan's regional leader in January, AFP quoted a US official as saying last week. The US diplomat also planned to raise its "deep concerns regarding the PRC's support for Russia's defense industrial base, as well as its human rights abuses and unfair economic and trade practices," according to previous media reports.

Although the consensus between the two sides on effectively managing their relationship seems to have been largely reached throughout the latest high-level interactions between China and the US, some experts are concerned about whether the US can guarantee that it will effectively manage differences and expand cooperation through action, especially when the US is in the election year.

"If the US is unable to follow the consensus and fulfill its promises, and even further seeks to contain China due to election politics, encircle China, tarnish China's image, and interfere in China's internal affairs, it is very likely to have a negative impact on the future trajectory of China-US relations," Diao Daming, a professor at the Renmin University of China in Beijing, told the Global Times.

Challenges ahead

At the close of his three-day visit to China, Blinken told reporters in a news briefing on Friday that he warned China to "stop exporting materials that allow Russia to rebuild its industrial base," and also told CNN that Washington has seen evidence of Chinese attempts to "influence and arguably interfere" with the upcoming US elections.

Those remarks are all aimed at the domestic audience in the US, as both issues are often used by the Biden administration as political fodder to hype China-US relations in domestic politics in order to avoid appearing weak on China, Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times, noting that as the election approaches, the bilateral relationship will become more fragile.

This view was echoed by Wu. "I think the development of China-US relations in the future will continue to be full of ups and downs, and it is unlikely to truly stabilize or significantly improve. Especially in the year of the 2024 election, the Biden administration will need to show toughness toward China and exert pressure on China to cater to its own interests," said Wu.

Last week, Biden called on the US Trade Representative to consider tripling the existing Section 301 tariff rate on Chinese steel and aluminum. Earlier this month, he also urged the banning of imports of Chinese-made electric cars to the US.

Biden's moves are aimed at appealing to certain groups of voters in the US, said Wu, who predicted that there will be more actions aimed at showing toughness and putting pressure on China. "If Biden feels that his election prospects are not good, he may intensify his efforts to play the 'China card'," Wu noted.

In the first half of this year, China-US relations can maintain a fragile and unreliable stability, and there will be greater fluctuations in the second half of the year, said Wu.

The terrorist attacks that killed Chinese nationals clearly showed that there are hostile forces seeking to disrupt the collaboration between China and Pakistan, Pakistani former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri warned, emphasizing that only by promoting greater coordination in counter-terrorism efforts between the two countries can such forces be restrained from succeeding in the future.

Kasuri made these remarks in Beijing on Wednesday while leading a delegation from the Understanding China Forum, a Pakistan-based think tank, on a visit to China.

"The terrorist attack killing Chinese obviously means that there are forces who do not wish Pakistan and China to work together," Kasuri said in response to a question raised by Global Times reporter during a press conference. His remarks followed a suicide bombing in late March that claimed the lives of five Chinese engineers and a local driver working on the Dasu hydropower project in Pakistan. Some Chinese experts believed that this incident was a copy of the July 2021 Dasu terror attack, in which nine Chinese nationals and four Pakistani people were killed.

Kasuri noted that the security situation in Pakistan has deteriorated in recent years, and unfortunately, there are third countries that find it very useful to use those rebel elements within Pakistan to disrupt the bilateral relation between Pakistan and China. "They are hostile to Pakistan, to China, and are not happy with China-Pakistan cooperation," Kasuri said.

"Therefore, it's logical that Pakistan and China should pull their resources to defeat such forces, and that can happen by greater intelligence cooperation, as well as by all other means that are required, which is in line with the interests of Pakistan and China, and our bilateral relations," the Pakistani former foreign minister said.

In response to the latest terrorist attack, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a regular press conference on March 27 that China and Pakistan have the resolve and capability to make the terrorists pay the price. "No attempt to sabotage China-Pakistan cooperation will ever succeed," Lin said.

Kasuri expressed his appreciation for the remarks made by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, adding that it also underlines the fact that Pakistan and China should not allow such hostile forces to succeed in future, and that can only happen with much greater coordination between the two countries.

"If we were to improve our coordination, then we'll be able to take care. Otherwise, these forces will not give up," Kasuri told the Global Times, noting that the issue of counter-terrorism cooperation will be among the prominent topics in future high-level exchanges between the two countries.

During the Pakistani delegation's visit to China, which was hosted by the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy, the members also met with Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Liu Jinsong on Tuesday. Pakistan reiterated its traditional support for China on international issues during the meeting, particularly on the issues of South China Sea, as well as on the one-China principle, Kasuri told the press conference.

Liu noted that the Chinese side has always valued the traditional friendship between China and Pakistan, and is committed to promoting the building of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, according to a statement released by the Department of Asian Affairs on its official WeChat account on Wednesday. China is willing to work together with Pakistan to coordinate development and security efforts, Liu said.

The Pakistani delegation and the Chinese side also reached consensus on further trade, agriculture, water resources protection cooperation, as well as people-to-people exchanges during the visit.

China strongly opposes the US deploying medium-range ballistic missiles in the Asia-Pacific and strengthening forward deployment at China's doorstep to seek unilateral military advantage, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in response to US Army Pacific's announcement of its successful deployment of a new capability for the first time, a move believed by some to help bolster deterrence against China.

The US Army Pacific announced on Monday local time on its website that it has deployed its new Mid-Range Capability missile system, also known as the Typhon Weapons System, to Northern Luzon, the Philippines, as part of the annual bilateral exercises between the Philippine Army and the US Army Pacific, dubbed Salaknib, which began on April 8. 

Such a move would be the first US deployment of a ground-based launcher since it withdrew in 2019 from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) between the US and then-Soviet Union that banned all land-based missiles, conventional and nuclear, that could travel between 500 kilometers and 5,500 kilometers, according to media report. 

Some commentators have said that the move could help bolster deterrence against China. 

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a Thursday briefing that China noted the announcement and expresses grave concern over the move.

China strongly opposes the US deploying medium-range ballistic missiles in the Asia-Pacific and strengthening forward deployment at China's doorstep to seek unilateral military advantage, Lin said, noting the US' move exacerbates tensions in the region and increases the risk of misjudgment and miscalculation. 

We urge the US to earnestly respect other countries' security concerns, stop stoking military confrontation, stop undermining peace and stability in the region, and take concrete actions to reduce strategic risks, Lin said. 

The Philippines needs to see and be mindful of what the US is truly after and the consequence of going along with the US on deploying medium-range ballistic missiles. The Philippines needs to think twice about being a cat's paw for the US at the expense of its own security interests, and stop sliding down the wrong path, Lin added. 

According to the Naval News, the new capability is being deployed for the first time in the First Island Chain for joint military exercises in the northern Philippines. Typhon's missiles can cover not only the entire Luzon Strait but also reach the Chinese coast and various People's Liberation Army bases in the South China Sea. 

The US Army said last year that it had conducted a number of successful tests of the system, which has four trailer-based launchers and other supporting equipment, along with Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles.

Some observers said that the US' deployment of the Typhon system in the Philippines will severely disrupt freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, since this missile system is an offensive military platform. They added that the provocative intent of the US, as an external power, is very clear, and obviously aimed at China. It is an attempt to disrupt the peace and stability of the South China Sea by exacerbating tensions in the region, and seeks to give the US a greater military presence in the region.

Other observers said that this missile system is more about the US exerting more military influence on the Philippines by turning the country into a veritable military base and further hijacking it, and the move will also inevitably trigger an arms race in the region. 

However, it is worth noting that such outdated missile system will only pose a limited threat to China, and its political significance outweighs its military value. 

Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, also said on April 12 that the US push to deploy mid-range missiles in the Asia-Pacific region is a dangerous move that will seriously threaten the security of regional countries and disrupt regional peace and stability. China firmly opposes it and will resolutely take countermeasures, he added. 

"We urge the US to earnestly respect the security concerns of other countries and to stop undermining regional peace and stability," Wu said. 

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced at a press conference on Thursday that in the first quarter, immigration management agencies nationwide processed over 141 million traveler trips, a year-on-year increase of 117.8 percent.

Among them, trips by residents from the Chinese mainland reached 69.5 million, while trips by residents of the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and the island of Taiwan reached 59.1 million, year-on-year increases of 114.9 percent and 100.4 percent, respectively. Those by foreign nationals reached 13.1 million, a year-on-year increase of 305.2 percent.

In the first quarter, the NIA introduced a series of immigration and entry-exit management policy measures, including continuously optimizing regional visa-free entry, visa-free transit, and port visa policies, implementing five measures to facilitate foreigners visiting China. This expanded the options for visa-free entry for nationals of certain countries to South China's Hainan Province, supporting East China's Fujian Province in building a cross-Straits integration development demonstration zone. It also issued individual tourist endorsements for travel to and from Hong Kong and Macao for eligible individuals in Xi'an in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province and Qingdao in East China's Shandong Province.

According to an immigration administration spokesperson, the number of foreigners arriving in China in the first quarter increased more than threefold compared to the same period in 2023.

The countries with the most residents coming to China included US, Australia, Canada, Germany and the UK. Other visitors included residents from neighboring countries such as Russia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Mongolia, Laos, as well as East Asian and Southeast Asian countries such as South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

Foreigners were mainly visiting for tourism, accounting for over 30 percent of arrivals, followed by business, visiting relatives and friends, work, and study.

After gradually relaxing entry restrictions in the country, the number of foreign groups inquiring about inbound tourism has been steadily increasing, according to the manager of Love Fan International Travel Agency based in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, on Thursday. "Now, we can receive inquiries from more than thirty groups in a day. The main countries of these groups include Thailand, Singapore, the UK and some European countries."

According to the manager, the most popular cities and provinces for inbound tourism include Zibo, Chengdu, Yunnan, Xinjiang, and Tianshui which has recently become a popular tourist destination, with its many travel videos online receiving a high volume of comments about the city.

"The changes in entry policies and the convenience of visas have given us more confidence and opportunities in the international tourism sector. From what we understand, a big boom will come in the second half of this year," she noted.

On July 26, 2023, China resumed the 15-day visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from Singapore and Brunei for business, tourism, visiting relatives, and transit. Later, on December 1, 2023, and March 14, 2024, China successively implemented unilateral visa-free policies for ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium and Luxembourg. The China-Thailand visa exemption agreement officially took effect on March 1, 2024.

To date, a total of 989,000 foreign nationals from the above-mentioned 15 countries have entered China visa-free, showing an overall upward trend.

A netizen from Thailand traveled to Beijing, and shared his story with the Global Times on Thursday. He said he was very excited after watching some YouTubers queuing for spicy hot pot in Tianshui, so he joined a tour group to come to China.

His first stop was Chengdu, where he visited the must-see giant pandas. Then he followed the group to Tianshui, although he didn't get to try the most popular restaurant as seen online, the taste of the food there was memorable enough for him.

For the last stop, he arrived in Beijing and saw the bustling capital of China. He plans to bring his family back for another trip in the second half of the year. "China has a huge variety of delicious dishes and breathtaking scenery. I hope my family will love it here too," he said.

On January 11, the NIA introduced five measures to facilitate foreign nationals coming to China, further relaxing the conditions for foreign nationals applying for port visas in China. The NIA also implemented 24-hour transit without border inspection procedures, providing foreign nationals with convenient visa extension, replacement, reissuance, and re-entry visa application services, simplifying the application materials for foreign nationals applying for visas in China, and strengthening the promotion and implementation of policy measures.

Since the implementation of the policy, a total of 211,000 foreign nationals have entered China through port visa applications; a total of 253,000 foreign nationals in China have applied for visa extension, replacement, reissuance, and residence permits, making it more convenient for foreign nationals to come to and stay in China, and the immigration management agencies have provided more efficient management and services for foreign nationals in China.

"During my trip, I was truly impressed by the warmth and efficiency of China's policies aimed at making travel easier for foreigners," said David, a Serbian traveler who just wrapped up his trip in Beijing in late March. "From transportation to payment methods, everything was designed to make our experience seamless," he told the Global Times on Thursday.

He highlighted the convenience of using apps to book taxis and make payments on his phone, which eliminated the need to constantly withdraw cash from the bank and also alleviated concerns about losing money. "The shopping payment system in China is incredibly convenient, something I never would have imagined before my trip," he said.

The People's Bank of China, Ministry of Commerce, and State Administration of Foreign Exchange have introduced new policy measures aimed at facilitating easier payment for foreign visitors.

The notice, issued on Wednesday, comes in response to the growing demand for diverse payment services in the commercial sector, aligning with the country's ongoing efforts to enhance high-quality engagement with the global community.

With a focus on improving payment convenience for various groups, mainly foreign visitors and the elderly, the notice targets key areas such as bank card acceptance, cash payments, mobile payments, account services and publicity efforts.

Additionally, in the first quarter of this year, national immigration management agencies investigated over 10,000 cases of crimes that obstructed immigration management, apprehended over 14,000 criminal suspects, of which over 12,000 were subjected to criminal coercive measures, with 1,785 handled through administrative measures. A total of 213 criminal gangs were investigated, 53 transit points were dismantled, and 377 vessels involved in criminal cases were seized.

Officials reported that 200 drug cases involving 256 individuals were investigated, including 38 cases involving over 10,000 grams of illicit substances, with a total seizure of 2.5 tons of various drugs and 135.6 tons of drug-making materials. 265 firearms were seized, and the value of smuggled goods intercepted amounted to 1.1 billion yuan ($150 million), the administration announced.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday in Beijing.

The Chinese Embassy in Argentina on Saturday expressed its strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to the recent remarks made by the commander of the US Southern Command, slamming the remarks as "contrary to the facts, absurd, and lacking even the most basic respect for China and Argentina," for which the Chinese side is deeply shocked and angered.

Regarding the Deep Space Station in Neuquén , Argentina and China-Argentina economic and trade cooperation, on April 2, Laura Richardson, the commander of US Southern Command, visited Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, to meet Argentine President Javier Milei and raised concerns about the deep space station, intended for radio astronomy, radar observations, and spacecraft missions of China, according to the media outlet Newsendip on Wednesday.

The media outlet noted that Richardson claimed the station provides the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) with "global tracking and surveillance capabilities" which "could translate into global military capabilities."

In response, the Chinese Embassy in Argentina stated on Saturday, regarding the Neuquén Deep Space Station, China and Argentina have clarified the intended use of the facility on multiple occasions. 

As a space technology cooperation project between China and Argentina, it does not have any special purposes other than civilian use, and its operation is open and transparent, the embassy said in the statement.

The statement stressed that space is the common home of humanity, not an arena for power struggles, noting some in the US are still stuck in the old era of Cold War thinking and zero-sum games. 

The embassy revealed, in fact, the US has around 800 military bases overseas and has stationed 173,000 troops in 159 countries and regions. The international community is deeply concerned about US activities at military bases overseas, and people in various countries have the right to know what military activities the US is openly conducting on the territory of other countries. Is it seriously undermining the sovereignty and security of other countries? The US needs to provide a clear explanation to the international community.

Instead of reflecting on itself, the US is blatantly applying double standards, deliberately slandering, smearing, and attacking China-Argentina deep space exploration, essentially politicizing, instrumentalizing, and weaponizing technological issues, maliciously depriving China and Argentina of their rights to use science and technology for their own development and to maintain their own space hegemony.

China-Argentina economic and trade cooperation is based on mutual respect and win-win cooperation, which is in the common interests of both sides. The Belt and Road Initiative is an open and inclusive international cooperation initiative. China has always adhered to the principles of voluntary participation, equality and mutual benefit, openness and transparency in carrying out relevant cooperation with relevant countries, and no partner has accepted the so-called "debt trap" theory. 

Since the proposal of the Belt and Road Initiative 10 years ago, it has driven nearly a trillion dollars in investment, formed more than 3,000 cooperation projects, created 420,000 jobs for partner countries, and lifted nearly 40 million people out of poverty in partner countries. Under the framework of jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative, China and Argentina have implemented a series of practical cooperation projects in energy, electricity, infrastructure, communications, and other fields, playing an important role in upgrading Argentina's industries, social development, job creation, and improving people's livelihoods, according to the embassy.

The embassy pointed out that Latin American and Caribbean countries, including Argentina, are independent sovereign states, not the backyard of the US. The Argentine government and people have the wisdom and ability to choose cooperation partners that are in their own interests.

China will continue to uphold the principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit, win-win cooperation, and openness and inclusiveness. Based on respecting each other's needs and interests, China will carry out practical cooperation in various fields with Argentina to better promote the development and revitalization of both countries and improve social welfare, continuously adding resilience and vitality to the global economy.

South China's Guangdong Province has maintained its position as the only province with the number of births surpassing 1 million for four consecutive years, and the province has also been the top performer in terms of births for six consecutive years, official data showed.

Analysts noted that the combination of traditional fertility attitudes and the influx of a young population structure has contributed to Guangdong's continued success in maintaining a leading position in fertility growth. Meanwhile, China still needs long-term policy support, such as developing childcare services to ease the fertility burden on young parents, as most provinces are facing a decline in birth rate. 

According to statistics that have been published by local authorities, a total of 1.03 million births were recorded in 2023 in Guangdong, resulting in a birth rate of 8.12 per thousand. Central China's Henan Province followed behind with 695,000 births, while East China's Shandong Province trailed with 610,000 births, claiming the third spot in the rankings.

In terms of birth rate, among the provinces which have published their population-related data, there are five with a population birth rate exceeding 8 per thousand, namely Guizhou, Hainan, Qinghai, Yunnan, Guangdong, and also the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, mainly located in the country's western and southern regions.

In general, places with higher birth rates tend to have lower urbanization rates. However, there are exceptions, such as Guangdong, which has an urbanization rate of 75.42 percent, ranking fourth in the country, but with a high birth rate of 8.12 per thousand in 2023.

Peng Peng, executive chairman of the Guangdong Society of Reform, said this is because Guangdong has the highest permanent resident population in the country, with a high influx of people from outside the province. The population inflow structure is relatively young, with a high proportion of individuals in the age range for marriage and childbearing, said Peng, who was quoted on Wednesday by Yicai, a business and financial media outlet.

Traditional beliefs about childbirth in Guangdong are also a contributing factor, Mu Guangzong, a professor at Peking University's Institute of Population Research, told the Global Times on Thursday, noting that this cultural factor leads to a higher willingness to have children among people in Guangdong.

South China's Hainan Province also shows a rebound in birth population. The data released by the provincial authority reveals that in 2023, the total number of births in the province was 96,000, an increase of 7,900 from the previous year, and the birth rate was 9.28 per thousand, an increase of 0.68 per thousand points year-on-year.

However, as the birth rate in many Chinese provinces are declining, population experts emphasized the importance of long-term policy support. Liu Zhijun, a professor of sociology at Zhejiang University, told the Global Times on Thursday that it's essential to promote childcare services and enhance public support for child rearing and education. This will alleviate the burden of raising children on young couples, and, as a result, more couples will decide to have children.

In addition to birth-related data, the statistics released by various regions also reveal the trends of growth in the resident population as well as population migration.

Out of the 28 provinces which have published the data, nine have a positive growth in their permanent population. Among them, Zhejiang has a population increase of 500,000 and Guangdong, 490,000, Yicai reported.

Population migration trends indicate that the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta have emerged as the primary destinations for population influx. While within each province, there is a consistent flow of population from small and medium-sized cities and rural areas to central cities. Despite a decrease in total population in some provinces, the population in the provincial capital cities continues to rise.

Liu noted that since the provincial capital city is the center of a province's economy, politics, culture, medical care, as well as education, which also means higher incomes and more job positions, it will attract an influx of people from other cities within the province itself.

Editor's Note:

Brand Finance, the internationally renowned brand valuation agency based in London, recently released the "Global Soft Power Index 2024," which shows that the US and the UK have maintained their positions as the top two most influential countries in global soft power. It is noteworthy that China is the fastest-growing nation brand this year, surpassing Japan and Germany, and for the first time, ranking third in the soft power index, with the country's progress exceeding that of any other country.

Brand Finance has been tracking the performance of global soft power in multiple countries for five consecutive years, and this year's report is based on surveys of over 170,000 respondents from more than 100 countries, ranking all 193 member states of the United Nations for the first time.

What is behind the world's fastest-growing soft power? The Global Times recently interviewed Brand Finance's officials, as well as scholars and observers from various countries, to discuss how China's soft power is steadily improving and bringing benefits to the world.

Two pillars

According to Scott Chen, Managing Director China of Brand Finance, the agency defines soft power as "a nation's ability to influence the preferences and behaviors of various actors in the international arena - states, corporations, communities, public, and etc. - through attraction or persuasion rather than coercion."

Chen told the Global Times that the Global Soft Power Index is a research study, commissioned by Brand Finance, covering 193 countries around the world. With responses from more than 170,000 people in over 100 markets, the survey is also the most comprehensive and extensive field survey of its kind.

To conduct the fieldwork, in more developed markets, Brand Finance's established online research panels were used, Chen noted. "Each respondent was shown a random sub-set of nation brands - drawn from the 193 [countries] included in the Index - and asked about their familiarity. For countries about which the respondent had some knowledge, we obtained a detailed assessment of reputation, influence, and performance on 35 characteristics representing the core 8 Soft Power Pillars," he said.

In the 2024 Brand Finance Global Soft Power Index, China made the most significant advancement among all nations, rising from fifth to third place, and its overall score increased by 6.2 points from 65.0 to 71.2 over the previous year.

Chen explained that this growth is due to China's significant improvement in the two pillars of "Business and Trade," and "Education and Science."

"Our latest research finds that the Business and Trade pillars are crucial indicators of a nation's global influence. This directly reflects a nation's economic strength, innovation, and integration into the global market," Chen said.

Chen pointed out that in terms of soft power, Brand Finance found that a nation's ability to engage in trade effectively, maintain economic stability, and provide attractive investment opportunities is pivotal in shaping global perceptions.

In terms of specific indicators, China's performance is equally impressive. Since the first release of the Global Impact Index report in 2020, China has been ranked first in the world for being "easy to do business with" under the Business and Trade pillar, and has been No.1 for "future growth potential." In the education and science pillar, China ranks second in the world in indicators such as being a "leader in technology and innovation" and "invests in space exploration."

Chen noted that soft power holds immense significance for a nation as it enables it to exert influence, shape perceptions, and achieve goals.

"A nation's soft power, encompassing its culture and heritage, people and values, and international relations, enhances its reputation and fosters goodwill with other nations. By promoting such attributes, a nation can effectively engage with the global community and enhance its interests on the global stage. Soft power ultimately serves as a crucial tool, not just for diplomacy, but also for economic development, by attracting investment, trade, talent, and tourism to a nation," he said.

Multiple drive

Several years ago, back when BlackBerry phones were popular in the US, some of my friends wanted to keep up with the trend, yet couldn't afford them, so they bought Chinese knock-offs instead. During dates with their girlfriends, they were often too embarrassed to bring out their "fake BlackBerries." However, things are completely different now. "Made in China" is no longer synonymous with "inferior" or "counterfeit." Many Indonesians are using Chinese-made smartphones like Oppo, Vivo, or Xiaomi, and TikTok, whose user base has surpassed that of YouTube, Novi Basuki, a prominent Indonesian sinologist, told the Global Times.

The shift in Indonesians' perception of "Made in China" reflects China's enhanced soft power. Observers have pointed out that such enhancement is driven by multiple factors.

For example, in terms of electronics, China currently offers high-quality products at highly competitive prices, which continues to contribute to an enhanced perception of having "products and brands the world loves," for which the nation ranks 6th overall, Chen noted.

At the same time, Chen pointed out that while being ranked third overall in the index, China performs strongly in attributes such as "easy to do business with" and "future growth potential," with a prime example being the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

"As key objectives of the initiative, China's focus on promoting economic development, both domestically and among participating nations, especially in areas lacking infrastructure, has been key. Additionally, the BRI has played a role in facilitating international trade," he said.

In terms of the index of Education and Science, Chen noted that Brand Finance's latest research found that China has made significant strides in recent years. Underscored by various breakthroughs in areas like Artificial Intelligence, renewable energy, and space exploration, China has been able to cultivate an international reputation for its innovation capabilities and technological prowess.

The answer to this conclusion can be found in the cooperation between China and many countries in the world.

For example, in Brazil, people's views on China's soft power regarding are undergoing positive changes. Surveys conducted by the Pew Research Center show that about 70 percent of respondents from Latin American countries approve of China's technological development. Chinese cars, especially new energy vehicles (NEVs), are favored by Latin Americans for their excellent performance, cost-effectiveness, and technological advantages.

"In recent years, more and more Chinese companies have invested in Brazil, bringing not only capital but also advanced management techniques, creating a large number of job opportunities for the locals," Letícia, a Brazilian student majoring in international relations, told the Global Times.

According to statistics released by Chinese Customs, in 2023, China's exports of electromechanical products reached 13.92 trillion yuan ($1.92 trillion) with an increase of 2.9 percent, accounting for 58.6 percent of total exports. Among these products, the combined export of the New Trio, which includes electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and solar cells, increased by 29.9 percent and reached 1.06 trillion yuan, breaking the trillion-yuan mark for the first time.

The Financial Times recently reported that thanks to excellent performance and affordability, the market sales of Chinese NEVs continue to grow, with obvious advantages over their counterparts from other countries. Mathias Miedreich, CEO of Umicore headquartered in Belgium, which is part of the NEV supply chain, stated that Chinese electric vehicles are good enough and provide what the market and consumers truly need.
Significant trend

In the 2024 Index, Brand Finance highlights a significant trend: hard power undermines soft power. "Going back to Brand Finance's definition of soft power, in that it revolves around influence through persuasion or attraction, rather than coercion, hard power - which is often associated with military strength - tends to undermine this approach by its very nature of coercion," Chen explained.

In my view, China's rise in the global soft power index reflects the world's appreciation for a country with great civilization and culture. It's also a positive response to the achievements that the country has made in technological innovation and development, Enrique Cornejo, a Peruvian political and economic analyst, told the Global Times.

Li Long, Executive Vice President of the Institute of Public Opinion and Social Governance at the South China Normal University, analyzed the three reasons why China's soft power has left a deep impression on the international community.

First, China embraces openness and inclusiveness. It has implemented a series of new policies and measures to strengthen its connections with the world. Activities such as trade, tourism, and cultural exchanges are becoming more frequent, and China continues to provide internationally shared public goods and services, promoting the construction of an open world economy.

Second, it values technological innovation, a core element of developing new productive forces. The country is enhancing its technology and capacity for independent research and development.

Third, China calls for cooperation and mutual benefit. As a responsible major country, China has always adhered to the principles of peaceful development and mutual benefit, actively promoting peace and development in the international community.

"Peruvians believe that China's soft power manifests a friendly value system, which distinguishes it from other influential countries, whether in North America or Europe," Juan Carlos Capuay Chávez, former Peruvian Ambassador to China, told the Global Times.

Julien Segbo, Director of the Confucius Institute at Benin's University of Abomey-Calavi, said that more and more African students are choosing to study in China. "It's not only because China offers a variety of scholarship programs, but also because the quality of higher education in China is gaining wide recognition. Like many classmates, I came to China for education. I have gained professional knowledge here, broadened my horizons and experienced the charm of different cultures."

According to Al Gomhuria, a state-owned Egyptian Arabic language daily newspaper, China's economic and trade cooperation with Africa has driven the development of local African companies and increased job opportunities.

China's educational aid projects have improved education in Africa, providing the younger generation with broader room for development. The friendly cooperation between China and Africa has not only promoted the economic development of both sides, but also deepened the emotional bond between the two peoples.

Analysts pointed out that although some Western media often report on China-related news from the perspective of Western values and political positions, leading to a higher proportion of critical reports on certain Chinese policies and actions.

However, currently, many countries, especially in developing countries, recognize China's soft power and influence. With the deepening of globalization and the diversification of information channels, more and more people are beginning to understand China through various means, including direct visits to China, participating in cultural exchange activities, and social media. More and more people are looking forward to China's soft power accelerating further.

At least 10 people were confirmed dead, 934 were injured, and 56 people trapped awaiting rescue after a 7.3-magnitude quake struck the east coast of Taiwan island on Wednesday, local media reported on Wednesday, with the rescue being underway in the worst-hit region of Hualien. 

A 7.3-magnitude earthquake jolted an area of sea near Hualien in China's Taiwan at 7:58 am Wednesday (Beijing Time), followed by two aftershocks which measured 6.0-magnitude and 5.9-magnitude at 8:11 am and 8:35 am respectively, according to the China Earthquake Network Center (CENC).

According to the statistics of local meteorological department in Taiwan, as of 19:30 on Wednesday, 190 aftershocks had occurred, including 97 aftershocks of magnitude 4 or above, Taiwan-based media reported. 

According to local Taiwan media reports, a landslide occurred in Hualien, a county closest to the epicenter, after the earthquake, causing vehicles to be hit by falling rocks.

With a population of abut 100,000, Hualien county is known for its mountainous terrain.

Among the dead persons, three were hikers who were hit by falling rocks, one was a bus driver, killed by falling rocks as well. 

Videos on social media revealed some buildings in Hualien were seriously damaged and partially collapsed. Local authorities said there are still people waiting for rescue in these buildings.  

Taiwan's local weather authorities said the earthquake is the largest one since a 7.3-magnitude quake in 1999. Aftershocks of magnitude 6.5+ to 7.0 may occur over the coming three to four days.

The Hualien county government announced the suspension of classes and work in response to the aftershocks.

Soon after the fatal earthquake, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said that Chinese mainland is willing to provide disaster relief assistance.

The mainland is concerned about the situation and extends sincere sympathy to the Taiwan compatriots affected by the disaster, Zhu noted. 

The Chinese on the other side of the Taiwan Straits are also closely following the earthquake disaster in Taiwan island. The “Taiwan earthquake” became a top 10 hashtag in Sina Weibo, with about 1.48 billion reads and 551,000 comments as of 22:00 on Wednesday. 

Most mainland net users expressed their wishes and kindness that Taiwan compatriots could stay peace and safety. Some said they are standing with Taiwan compatriots, and hope them to overcome difficulties as soon as possible.   

Fourteen years ago, when a massive 8.0-magnitude earthquake struck Wenchuan, Southwest China’s Sichuan Province in 2008, the Taiwan region donated NT$7.05 billion ($2.2 billion) in aid to the mainland, NT$5.05 billion of which was from the private sector and people from all walks of life, according to media reports. 

Ma Ying-jeou, the then Taiwan regional leader at the time of the Wenchuan earthquake, was visiting Guangzhou on the mainland on Wednesday. After visiting a Chinese revolutionary martyrs' cemetery, he sent a brief condolence to Taiwan people in his speech, "A massive earthquake happened off Hualien waters, I hope everyone’s safe."