An article by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on encouraging young people in the new era to bravely take on responsibilities in advancing Chinese modernization, will be published on Thursday.
The article by Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will be published in this year's ninth issue of Qiushi Journal, the flagship magazine of the CPC Central Committee.
The article highlights the role of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) in rallying young people as broadly as possible to contribute to building a strong nation and achieving national rejuvenation.
It underscores the importance of strengthening the ideals and convictions of the younger generation. The CYLC is encouraged to organize and mobilize youth to take an active role in China's modernization efforts.
Young people should serve as pioneers and vital forces in areas such as scientific and technological innovation, rural revitalization, green development, social services, and national defense, the article notes.
The article also calls on Party organizations at all levels to strengthen their leadership in youth-related work and to support the CYLC in fulfilling its missions creatively.
China's National Health Commission (NHC) has taken note of the public sentiment arising from the reports concerning Xiao, a thoracic surgeon at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital. The Commission has established an investigation team that adheres to the principles of seeking truth from facts and being objective and fair, according to a NHC spokesperson in a statement on Thursday.
The investigation team will work with relevant parties to conduct a thorough investigation into the individuals involved, including Xiao and Dong, as well as the related institutions. Any illegal or irregular issues discovered will be dealt with seriously in accordance with the law and regulations, the spokesperson said.
Previously, the China-Japan Friendship Hospital issued a statement on Sunday regarding a complaint against Dr. Xiao, an associate chief physician in the Department of Thoracic Surgery, following allegation of personal misconduct and medical ethics violations. The hospital decided to terminate employment with the doctor, according to the statement.
Xiao's wife filed a real-name report alleging that Xiao engaged in affairs with multiple women during their marriage and had left the operating room for extended periods, neglecting anesthetized patients due to emotional reasons, according to media reports. The incident subsequently sparked discussion on social media.
Chinese researchers have systematically assessed the critical role of polar regions in achieving global sustainable development goals, noting that the polar regions may have already emerged as a “bottleneck” to global progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The research, led by Li Xin, professor from the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in collaboration with Guo Huadong, academician from the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals, Cheng Guodong, academician from the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, CAS, and Chen Deliang, academician from Tsinghua University, was published in Nature Communications. The study proposes a set of SDG targets and indicators that incorporate the global climate impacts of the cryosphere and the distinctive vulnerabilities of polar regions.
The paper suggests that, by strengthening global collaborative governance and taking decisive action, polar regions could be transformed into key drivers of advancing global sustainable development.
According to lead author Li Xin, polar regions are highly sensitive to climate change, and environmental transformations in these areas are critical to sustainable development at both local and global scales.
However, the importance of the polar regions has not been adequately represented in current UN SDGs framework.
This oversight stems primarily from long-standing policy misconceptions, which view these regions are sparsely populated, economically marginal and contributing minimally to global sustainability efforts.
The article integrates multi-source observational and modeling evidence to reveal the changing characteristics of key climate elements in these regions.
The results show that Arctic temperatures are rising at a rate of 0.68 C per decade, significantly higher than the global average. Pronounced warming trends are also observed in Antarctica and the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau.
As temperatures rise, cryosphere, ecological and hydrological systems in polar regions, have undergone substantial, interconnected, and complex changes, profoundly impacting the achievement of the UN SDGs to combat climate change and its impacts.
The article points out that the melting of polar glaciers and ice sheets directly affects the availability and sustainable management of water resources and sanitation and exacerbates sea level rise, threatening sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. The reduction of polar sea ice is associated with increased extreme weather events, impacting global ecosystems and indirectly affecting biodiversity and ecosystem services.
In conclusion, polar regions represent both a limiting factor and the “weakest link” in achieving the global SDGs and should not be “forgotten” in the global sustainability agenda. Proactive and inclusive measures must be taken to ensure that polar regions are not left behind.
The article calls on the international community to increase attention and resources investment in polar issues, and to strengthen support in key areas such as information infrastructure, long-term monitoring, scientific and technological innovation and capacity building. Through successful cross-border initiatives, global partnerships can be reinforced to advance sustainable development in both polar regions and globally.
In response to a media inquiry on Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Mohammad Ishaq Dar's remarks on the future direction of the close Pakistan-China relationship and reports that China and Pakistan discussed security cooperation in the context of the recent India-Pakistan tensions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said "China has released information on the meeting. You may refer to that. I don't have more specific information to offer, but what I can tell you is that China and Pakistan are traditionally friendly neighbors, and bilateral cooperation across various fields is very close. As for the current situation you're concerned about, I can assure you that China-Pakistan cooperation is not directed at any third party."
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing on Tuesday, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
Mao said that regarding the India-Pakistan situation, during the talks with the Pakistani foreign minister, Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized that China welcomes and supports India and Pakistan in resolving their differences through dialogue, achieving a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire, and seeking fundamental solutions. This serves the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides, contributes to regional peace and stability, and reflects the common expectation of the international community.
China is willing to continue playing a constructive role in this regard, said Mao.
To ensure the safety and health of the taikonauts and the complete success of the mission, the return of the Shenzhou-19 manned spacecraft, originally scheduled for April 29, has been postponed to a more favorable time in the near future. The decision was made because meteorological conditions at the Dongfeng landing site currently do not meet mission requirements, according to Xinhua News Agency.
Previously, the crew of China's Shenzhou-19 spacecraft held a handover ceremony with the Shenzhou-20 crew and transferred the keys of the country's space station to the latter on Sunday, and the Shenzhou-19 crew has completed all planned tasks, as reported by Xinhua.
The Shenzhou-19 manned spacecraft was successfully launched on October 30, 2024, with taikonauts Cai Xuzhe, Song Lingdong, and Wang Haoze onboard.
The anti-China rhetoric of some individual British politicians is extremely absurd, reflecting their arrogance, ignorance, and twisted mindset, a spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy in the UK said on Wednesday, in response to various comments in the UK regarding the government’s takeover of British Steel, during which several politicians took the opportunity to attack all Chinese companies and the Chinese government.
The spokesperson shared a few basic facts. The Jingye Group is a private Chinese enterprise that makes business investments in the UK on the basis of market principles and conducts operation on its own, said the spokesperson, according to a release posted on the website of the Chinese Embassy in the UK.
It is well-known that British Steel had been losing money for many years before its acquisition by Jingye in 2020 and actually went into compulsory liquidation in 2019. After taking over, Jingye put in substantial funding to keep the company afloat to this day. Had it not been for the involvement of this Chinese company, British Steel workers might have already faced the risk of unemployment, the spokesperson noted.
It is understood that under the UK government’s net zero strategy, steel companies that use iron ore to make steel must achieve net zero emissions by 2035. To that end, British steel companies including British Steel have all negotiated with the government to find a path to decarbonisation transition. Among them, the Port Talbot Steelworks in Wales closed its blast furnace in July 2024. British Steel’s plan to close its blast furnaces and build electric arc furnaces is a normal decision, and it is understandable that the company conducted negotiations with the government on investment for the transition, the spokesperson said.
Generally speaking, Chinese companies in the UK have operated in compliance with law and achieved steady progress. They have made positive contributions to the local economy. According to statistics available, Chinese companies in the UK have contributed over 115 billion pounds ($152.6 billion) to the UK economy and created nearly 60,000 jobs, the spokesperson said.
At a time when the US is wielding the tariff stick against all countries, the UK included, and engaging in unilateral and protectionist trade bullying, those British politicians just keep slandering the Chinese government and Chinese enterprises instead of criticizing the United States. What on earth are they up to, the spokesperson said.
Any words or deeds that politicise or maliciously hype up business issues will undermine the confidence of Chinese business investors in the UK and damage China-UK economic and trade cooperation. We urge the British government to follow the principles of fairness, impartiality and non-discrimination and to make sure that the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies in the UK are protected. At the same time, it is hoped that the British government will continue to engage in consultations and negotiations with Jingye to actively seek a solution acceptable to all parties. We will continue to follow the development of this situation, the spokesperson said.
On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that “As for the current difficulties arising in the operation of British Steel, the two sides should resolve them through consultations in the principle of mutual benefit.”
“We hope that the British government will treat Chinese companies investing and operating in the UK in a fair and just manner, protect their legitimate rights and interests, and refrain from turning economic and trade cooperation into political and security issues lest it should undermine the confidence of Chinese companies in their normal investment and operation in the UK,” said Lin.
A villager in Southwest China's Guizhou Province suffered a fractured skull and severed arteries after being attacked by a wild boar weighing approximately 150 kilograms. Following intensive hospital treatment, the victim has regained consciousness. Local authorities have pledged to strengthen monitoring of wild boar activity in the area. While working on his farm, 43-year-old Long from Tianzhu County heard that a wild boar was bathing by the river and, out of curiosity, he went to take a look.
Amid a crowd of onlookers, the wild boar, possibly feeling threatened, suddenly charged at the group, targeting Long.
"The boar knocked Long to the ground and viciously mauled his hands and head,” said a relative. Long’s uncle struck the boar over a dozen times with a thick club before it let go," the relative said.
The boar, weighing over 150 kilograms, inflicted severe injuries including a fractured skull and severed major arteries and veins on Long, the Paper reported, citing the relative of Long.
After the attack, Long was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment, and the wild boar was killed, said the Paper.
Following the incident, local authorities swiftly provided emergency medical assistance and initiated wildlife compensation procedures.
An official from the township forestry station said that they have conducted an on-site investigation and subsequent reporting to the local forestry bureau, pledging to strengthen monitoring of wild boar activity.
After more than two weeks of treatment, Long regained consciousness. His family said that he is in a stable condition but remains hospitalized for further care.
Singer Tank (Lü Jianzhong), from the island of Taiwan, posted "thanks to my motherland" after he underwent a heart and liver transplant at a hospital in Hangzhou. He has recovered and been discharged, Tank said in a post on China's social media Sina Weibo on Monday. His operation was reportedly Asia's first simultaneous heart and liver transplant for familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy combined with liver failure, according to People's Daily on Wednesday.
Tank shared his medical journey on Weibo on Monday afternoon, noting he had largely recovered by the time of discharge. "Thanks to my motherland, thanks to Hangzhou. This is the strongest support, helping me overcome the biggest challenge of my life," he wrote. The related topic became trending with 66.19 million views.
The surgery Tank received marked Asia's first simultaneous heart-liver transplant for familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with liver failure. It is understood that this surgery is extremely difficult, involves complex perioperative management, and requires a high level of multidisciplinary collaboration. Only a few medical centers worldwide can perform it, according to People's Daily.
According to People's Daily, Tank rose to fame in 2006 with his debut album Fighting, which sold 100,000 copies. Hits like Three Kingdom Love and Personal Angel quickly swept through the Mandarin pop scene. However, in 2007, he suddenly fainted on stage due to his hereditary heart condition. After having a pacemaker implanted, doctors warned him that even singing loudly could be fatal, leaving Tank to step away from the stage.
By late March 2024, Tank was admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province, by which time his health had severely deteriorated. After a comprehensive examination, doctors found he was suffering from multiple serious conditions, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, decompensated cirrhosis, and heart failure, People's Daily reported.
Given the complexity of his case, hospital experts determined that a single-organ transplant would be insufficient. They unanimously concluded that only a simultaneous heart-liver transplant could resolve his condition and save his life, the report said.
After over six months of declining health, Tank finally received matching donors in November 2024. The hospital team quickly assembled and performed the simultaneous heart and liver transplant.
During the postoperative phase, the medical team navigated critical challenges such as delayed graft function, dual immunosuppressive balance, and overlapping infection risks, the People's Daily reported.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries and striving to open new ground for China's neighborhood work, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a central conference on work related to neighboring countries, which was held in Beijing from Tuesday to Wednesday.
In his speech, Xi systematically summarized the achievements and experience of China's neighborhood work in the new era, scientifically analyzed the current situation, and outlined the goals, tasks, ideas and measures for the next phase of neighborhood work, according to Xinhua.
While presiding over the meeting, Premier Li Qiang stressed the need to thoroughly implement the spirit of Xi's important speech and to earnestly carry out the various tasks in work related to neighboring countries, according to Xinhua.
The conference highlighted that China's vast territory and long borders make its neighborhood a vital foundation for national development and prosperity, a key front for safeguarding national security, a priority area in the country's overall diplomacy, and a crucial link in building a community with a shared future for humanity, says Xinhua.
The conference called for viewing neighboring regions through a global perspective and strengthening the sense of responsibility and mission in advancing China's neighborhood work.
Elevating role
In an article published in the People's Daily on Monday, Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Han Zhiqiang wrote that the relationship between China and Thailand is a microcosm of China's neighborhood diplomacy, and diplomacy toward Thailand is concrete practice of the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness of China's neighborhood diplomacy put forward by President Xi.
In today's world, the situation is complex and volatile, with unilateralism and the law of the jungle running rampant. China has enhanced friendship and deepened cooperation with the vast majority of its neighboring countries, ushering in a new era of building a community with a shared future, which fully demonstrates that Xi's important statements and practices toward neighboring countries are of great value in the current era and are even more significant for the world, wrote Han.
Since the beginning of the new era, President Xi has, by grasping the international trend and the law of regional development, creatively put forward the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness on neighborhood diplomacy. This has promoted the development of good-neighborly friendship, win-win cooperation and integrated co-existence between China and its neighboring countries, opening up a new situation in China's neighborhood diplomacy and ushering in a new era in the relations between China and its northwestern neighbor Central Asian countries, Han Chunlin, Chinese ambassador to Kazakhstan said in an article published by the People's Daily on Tuesday.
At the press conference on the sidelines of the two sessions on March 7, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi talked about neighborhood diplomacy.
Wang said that since the beginning of this century, Asia has maintained rapid growth, and has become a leading force for global development and a shining example of peace and stability. This has not come easily, and should be cherished with great care. Asia is where China calls home and builds its future.
To date, China has reached a common understanding on building a community with a shared future with 17 neighboring countries, in "two clusters" in the Indochina Peninsula and Central Asia respectively. In our neighborhood, we have signed Belt and Road cooperation agreements with 25 countries, and we remain the largest trading partner of 18 countries. Today's China is an anchor of stability, an engine of economic development and a pillar of regional security in Asia, Wang said.
The central conference on work related to neighboring countries was convened at a point when relations between China and neighboring countries are becoming increasingly close, with the multi-dimensional interaction intensified in economic, social and cultural aspects, Yang Xuedong, director of the Department of Political Sciences at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times.
Yang Xuedong pointed out that in particular, through platforms such as the Belt and Road Initiative, more substantial connections have been established with neighboring countries, providing a realistic basis for close ties between China and neighboring countries.
Emphasizing that relations with neighboring countries also play a vital role "for building a community with a shared future," Yang noted that to exert a positive influence on a global scale, it is first necessary to build strategic mutual trust among neighboring countries.
Jointly combat uncertainty
Currently, the world is experiencing fundamental changes unseen in a century, and various uncertainties continue to increase, said Yang Xuedong.
He noted that against this backdrop, strengthening relations with neighbors and friends can help enhance the stability and resilience of China's overall foreign strategy. Neighboring countries' peace and stability serve as the foundation for China's global diplomacy and a stable neighborhood helps China better address external challenges.
On the one hand, the external and internal environment has prompted China to strengthen its neighborhood diplomacy, on the other, in an unstable international environment, neighboring countries are seeking to deepen cooperation with China and use such cooperation to enhance their own ability to withstand risks, said Yang Xiyu, a senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times, noting that the trend of the two sides "marching forward hand in hand" is becoming increasingly evident.
For example, most economies in Asia are affected after US government's blanket "reciprocal" tariffs came into force on Wednesday.
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore Vivian Balakrishnan told the Financial Times that "Our greatest fear is that this set of announcements has shaken the foundational pillars of the world trading system right down to the core."
Balakrishnan's comments came after Prime Minister Lawrence Wong told Singaporeans in a video address last week that US tariffs marked the end of the era of globalization and free trade and the dawn of a period that would be "more arbitrary, protectionist and dangerous."
China is still recognized and valued as the most beneficial economic partner to ASEAN member states, according to a survey conducted by Jakarta-based think tanks in January, media reported.
The world's second-biggest economy gets the highest recognition in the region for its economic and development initiatives, notably through its Belt and Road Initiative, according to a survey by the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia.
At present, the importance of China's neighborhood diplomacy in the country's overall diplomatic strategy is rising, as the geopolitical status and global influence of the Asia-Pacific region continue to elevate, Yang Xiyu said.
Moreover, China and its neighboring countries share the joint policy objective of economic development as their core task, said Yang Xiyu, noting that driven by the trend of economic integration, the countries within the region have formed a greater demand for closer cooperation based on common interests.
