The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday slammed Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. for distorting facts and smearing China, and said his toxic rhetoric and action are pure political theatrics for selfish political gains, after the Philippine defense chief claimed that he would continue to do his "duty" following China's sanctions against him. 

It is precisely the irresponsible and reckless provocations of a small handful of people like him that have aggravated China-Philippines disputes and soured bilateral relations, and will ultimately jeopardize the interests of the Philippines and its people, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday. 

Teodoro repeatedly made irresponsible remarks on China, which undermines China's legitimate interests and sabotages China-Philippines relations. To uphold China's sovereignty, security and development interests, China has decided to prohibit Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his spouse and child from entering the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong and Macao, and not allow organizations and individuals in China to engage in any transaction, cooperation or other activities with them, China's Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday.

Chinese experts said that Teodoro has repeatedly misrepresented China's rights-protection actions in the South China Sea and China's assistance to the Philippines, causing serious damage to bilateral ties. The sanctions also serve as a warning to certain Philippine politicians who have been hostile toward China not to further sabotage China-Philippines relations.

Sanctions against saboteur

When asked about what are the "irresponsible remarks" made by Teodoro that led to the sanctions against him, Lin said at the press conference on Friday that "Teodoro is one of the most blatant among the handful of hostile actors towards China in the Philippines. His reckless behavior will backfire and it is the interests of the Philippines and all its people that will bear the brunt." 

When asked whether China's announcement of sanctions against Teodoro will affect China's future assistance to the Philippines, Lin said that "if people like Teodoro are allowed to undermine again and again the efforts of the two sides to stabilize ties, they will hurt ultimately the fundamental interests of the Philippines and its people."

Following China's sanctions against Teodoro, the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) claimed on Friday that "while the imposition of sanctions is China's sovereign prerogative, the Philippines views it as an unfriendly act that further complicates bilateral relations," according to Philippine media outlet GMA Network.

In a statement early Friday, Teodoro claimed he had been sanctioned for "speaking truth" and said "I will just keep doing my duty," according to Philippine media outlet ABS-CBN News.

The claim from the Philippine side that China's sanctions are an "unfriendly act" completely distorts the truth and shifts the blame, Chen Xiangmiao, a research fellow at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Friday. 

Teodoro's tenure under the Marcos administration has been marked by repeated attempts to distort the reality of China's maritime rights-protection enforcement in the South China Sea, economic aid, and diplomatic engagement, with the purpose of misleading the public and the global community, Chen said, noting that whether backed by domestic factions or external, extra-regional powers, Teodoro has acted as a deliberate saboteur of China-Philippines relations.

Teodoro alleged at the Shangri-La Dialogue that China had provided fertilizer and fuel to the Philippines but did not show good faith on a long-term basis, and "no matter how they sugarcoat their assistance to us, it doesn't cut the mustard." He also claimed the Philippines was under severe threat both territory-wise and politically by China.

In response to Teodoro's remarks, China Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on June 2 that this Philippine defense secretary is known for vilifying China. His latest rhetoric shows his complete disregard of the welfare of the Philippine people and lack of appreciation for kindness. All he cares about is selfish personal gains to the point that he would perform political theatrics even when people's well-being is at stake. 

China's sanctions against Teodoro send a clear message that those who repeatedly make anti-China remarks, distort facts and smear China's image must bear the consequences, especially when such words and deeds deliberately defy objective facts, Ge Hongliang, deputy director of the College of ASEAN Studies at Guangxi University for Nationalities, told the Global Times. 

China has rarely imposed targeted sanctions of this kind on politicians from Southeast Asian countries, and the move reflects Beijing's firm and unequivocal stance to safeguard its legitimate interests, the expert said, noting that it also serves as a warning to certain politicians in the Philippines whose negative actions are undermining bilateral ties.

Meddling in maritime issues 

China's sanctions against Teodoro come amid a series of provocative moves and maritime related rhetoric from the Philippines that have drawn protests from Beijing, including Manila's promotion of so-called Japan-Philippines maritime delimitation talks covering waters east of China's Taiwan island.

An Associated Press report on Friday also noted that Teodoro, who was appointed defense chief by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in June 2023, "has been one of the most vocal critics" of China's actions in the South China Sea and against Taiwan island. 

Teodoro has led efforts to deepen Manila's defense and security engagements with the US, including by broadening annual combat exercises with American forces that now include joint naval patrols and drills in the South China Sea. He has also led efforts to forge visiting forces' agreements with countries including Japan, France, Canada and New Zealand, per AP. 

South China Sea tensions between China and the Philippines have risen to a high level, driven in part by the growing involvement of external forces such as the US and Japan. These two countries are using the Philippines as a strategic pawn against China, while Manila is relying on outside powers to take a tougher stance, a trend that has sharply increased regional security risks and will ultimately harm the Philippines' own interests, said Ge. 

Chen also noted that China's measured, proportionate countermeasures also serve as a warning to certain Philippine politicians not to trifle with China, exploit the goodwill of the Chinese people, or treat bilateral relations as a political game. When politicians treat state policy as a playground for personal agendas, their lies will ultimately inflict severe damage upon their own nation.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping and General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith attended a signing ceremony of cooperation documents in Beijing on Friday.

Chinese national security authorities have found that foreign espionage and intelligence agencies use part-time photography work and paid research assignments as inducements to recruit individuals in China online, directing them to attend military and technology exhibitions to take photographs or collect measurement data and then provide the information to overseas entities, according to China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Sunday.

According to the MSS on its official WeChat public account, such seemingly fragmented and publicly available information can, after systematic collection, integration and professional analysis, reveal sensitive core secrets to foreign espionage and intelligence agencies.

Details captured under high-resolution lenses often convey more information than textual descriptions, according to the MSS. At air shows, seams in aircraft fuselage panels, rivet patterns, and even the reflective properties of coatings may reveal the manufacturing level of stealth materials. At electronics exhibitions, information such as circuit board layouts and chip models, when analyzed, can be used to infer the anti-jamming capability and processing speed of electronic warfare systems.

The MSS said that photographs of military equipment also contain a large amount of exploitable reference information. In a high-resolution image of a fighter jet, the background and surrounding reference objects can be used to accurately estimate its length, width, and height, which in turn allows inference of its fuel capacity, combat radius, and maneuverability. 

Information obtained from a single piece of equipment may be limited information, but the cumulative effect of such data can be significant. If information on supporting components of the same weapons system — such as radar vehicles, command vehicles, and reloading vehicles — is continuously collected across different exhibitions and time periods, it can be used to reconstruct the system’s full operational structure. 

By comparing differences in models displayed in different years, it is also possible to infer the system’s technological evolution and development progress, according to the ministry.

The MSS has reminded the public that they should reject suspicious unsolicited approaches and remain highly alert to individuals who initiate contact, offer high payments, and request the use of professional equipment such as telephoto lenses, 3D scanners, or signal analyzers to photograph specific military equipment, research facilities, or exhibition details. 

The MSS also reminded the public to comply with exhibition confidentiality rules by strictly following organizers’ photography regulations. In addition, they should guard against “jigsaw-style” intelligence gathering by remaining cautious of so-called clients who, under the guise of academic research or commercial cooperation, repeatedly request sensitive parameters or internal materials, in order to prevent the leakage of key data and core technologies.

The 18th Straits Forum will be held in east China's Fujian Province in mid-June, a mainland spokesperson said on Wednesday.

The main conference of the event is scheduled for June 13, with the coastal city of Xiamen serving as the primary venue, according to Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

A series of related events will also be held across other parts of Fujian, Zhu said.

"The trees you helped fund all those years ago have grown into a vast forest. When will you come to see them? I really want to meet you again," said Yin Yuzhen, a national model worker in China, in a heartfelt video message to Ronald Sakolsky in the U.S.

Across the Pacific, 69-year-old Sakolsky was deeply moved by the video. He replied that he would do his best to make the trip and hoped to plant a tree with Yin. The two have agreed to meet in China in the near future.

In 1985, Yin married into Salawusu village in Uxin banner, Ordos, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Situated deep in the heart of the Mu Us sandy land, the village was surrounded by endless dunes.

Yin knew that the only way to tame the sands was to plant trees. In 1986, she sold one of her family's sheep to buy 600 saplings, which she planted around her home. Soon after, a fierce sandstorm struck, leaving fewer than 10 trees alive. But Yin refused to be discouraged.

"If around 10 survived, later it might be 100, then 1,000," she recalled.

Undaunted, she and her husband Bai Wanxiang headed deep into the sand dunes, bringing saplings and tools along. For 40 years, a roughly 2-meter-long steel rod was Yin's trusted tool. She would jab it into the sand to make a hole, drop in a sapling, water it, and press the soil firmly with her foot. After decades of relentless use, the rod had worn down by about 67 centimeters.

Over the past four decades, government-led efforts and desertification fighters like Yin have driven a dramatic transformation of the landscape. More than 70,000 mu (about 4,667 hectares) of sandy land around Yin's home have been reclaimed, with over 8 million trees planted.

Today, about 85 percent of the Mu Us sandy land in Uxin banner — around 8.4 million mu — has been brought under control, and forest coverage has risen to 32.92 percent.

In 1999, Sakolsky, who was then teaching at a school in central China's Henan Province, happened to see a TV show about Yin's efforts and was deeply moved. He raised $5,000 through a foundation to support Yin's tree-planting work.

Yin was stunned when she received the donation.

"A complete stranger had raised such a large sum for me without even checking who I was. I had to make sure those trees thrived. I couldn't let that trust go to waste," she said.

"With more people worldwide showing concern, I came to understand that this is a dream shared by all humanity," Yin said.

Further down the tree-lined road stands a stone monument engraved with the words "Citizens of Earth." On its reverse side are the names of supporters from both China and abroad, each of whom contributed to the woodland in their own way.

Yin's perseverance has inspired more than 240 households in the surrounding areas to take up tree planting, with each planting over 3,000 mu of forest.

The Global Times "Overseas China Week" event landed in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday, launching the "Linked by Mountains and Rivers, Bound by Shared Hearts - China and Kyrgyzstan Hand-in-Hand for the Future" photo exhibition, during the 2026 China-Kyrgyzstan Media Cooperation Forum.

Attendees included Cui Shixin, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the People's Daily; Salkyn Sarnogoeva, Deputy Minister of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic; Galina Baitekerek, head of Kyrgyz Tuusu Publishing House in Kyrgyzstan; and Sun Dapeng, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan. Many representatives from mainstream media, academic experts and business leaders of both countries also visited the exhibition.

At the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired the meeting and delivered a speech titled "Staying True to SCO Founding Mission And Ushering in a Better Future" in Tianjin, North China, on September 1, 2025. "Looking ahead, we should carry forward the Shanghai Spirit in a world fraught with challenges and changes, forge ahead with solid steps, and better tap into the potential of our Organization," he said in the speech.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of the SCO. Over the past quarter-century, it has been the world's largest regional international organization by both geographical area and population. As good neighbors, good friends and good partners enjoying close people-to-people ties, China and Kyrgyzstan continue to align their development strategies and expand pragmatic cooperation under the SCO framework.
Against this backdrop, the Global Times held the "Overseas China Week" event in Bishkek. The photo exhibition centered on four themes: "shared security responsibilities," "integrated development opportunities," "joint ecological construction," and " mutual learning among civilizations." It presented solid efforts by China and other SCO member states including Kyrgyzstan to uphold multilateralism and building a community with a shared future for humanity, striking a chord with local visitors.

At the "shared security responsibilities" section, Cholponai Turdakunova, an editor of Silk Road: Cultural Development, told the Global Times that she was deeply impressed by photos of joint counter-terrorism drills among SCO members. Under the SCO framework, China and Central Asian countries have deepened practical security cooperation with fruitful outcomes in joint counter-terrorism and safeguarding border stability. The photos allowed visitors to directly feel the SCO's efforts to safeguarding peace and stability.

Extending from security to development, China-Kyrgyzstan cooperation has delivered tangible benefits to people's daily lives. In the "joint ecological construction" section, a photo of Bishkek's waste-to-energy project resonated strongly with local visitors. Rysbekova Aishoola Rysbekovna, a Chinese language teacher at the Kyrgyz National University, shared her experience with the Global Times, saying that she had paid a visit to the city's first waste incineration power plant invested and built by a Chinese enterprise. She observed that since the two countries promoted the construction of waste treatment facilities last year, local environmental sanitation has improved notably, ecological governance has yielded steady results, and the concept of green development has gradually taken root among local residents.

"China and Kyrgyzstan have numerous common grounds and connections for deeper cooperation," said Rysbekova Aishoola Rysbekovna. Current bilateral cooperation spans economy, politics, environmental protection and people-to-people exchanges. Bilateral ties are growing closer and moving steadily forward. "I hope the two countries can engage more frequently and achieve more win-win results in the future."

The "integrated development opportunities" section illustrated deepening connectivity, featuring images from the SCO Countries Worker Skills Contest and the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. Meanwhile, the "mutual learning among civilizations" section captured people-to-people bonds - from cultural performances to booming tourism.
Elena Zholobova, Editor-in-Chief of Kyrgyz newspaper Slovo Kyrgyzstana, told Global Times reporters after visiting the exhibition that the event was vivid and lively, with information and visual displays complementing each other. She noted that the media industry is now swept by a digital wave, and many media outlets struggle to balance quality content with appealing visuals. By contrast, this exhibition is both visually engaging and thought-provoking, and demonstrates outstanding professionalism in information organization and visual presentation.

In addition to the photo exhibition, this "Overseas China Week" event also presented the Russian-language edition of the Volume IV of the book series Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, displayed a series of Global Times feature reports on the Chinese president's important thoughts, including the special series "Decoding the Book Xi Jinping: The Governance of China," as well as reports on the practical achievements of cooperation under the framework of the SCO and the tangible progress made in building the China-Kyrgyzstan comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era.
Custom cultural and creative products at the exhibition were also well received by visitors. Among them, LLVision AR translation glasses attracted crowds of local residents who stopped to try them on. Many Kyrgyz guests said they expect smart technology to further break down language barriers for China-Kyrgyzstan people-to-people exchanges, economic and trade cooperation, and media dialogue.
While technology facilitates communication, sincere messages in the visitor book were equally touching. Visitors wrote heartfelt notes such as "Long live China-Kyrgyzstan friendship" and "Smooth cooperation between China and Kyrgyzstan." Some left their names with the message "We are here to witness," expressing joy at witnessing the friendly exchanges between the two countries.

Prior to the Bishkek event, the Global Times' "Overseas China Week" has been held in South Africa, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, Kazakhstan and other countries. Using photography as a medium, it shares China's development stories with the world, conveys China's openness, and builds a bridge for closer people-to-people ties between China and global communities.

An article by Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on promoting patriotism, will be published on Tuesday in the Qiushi Journal.

The article by Xi, who is also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stresses more efforts to build a strong China and advance national rejuvenation.

Tuesday marks the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China.

Editor's Note:

In an era marked by unprecedented global transformations, the world stands at a critical crossroads, grappling with deepening deficits in peace, development, security, and governance. As humanity faces unparalleled challenges during this tumultuous period, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, has put forth a solemn call to action through the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI).

The three pivotal initiatives address the pressing issues of our time, offering viable pathways and robust support for the building of a global community of shared future. Rooted in the rich historical experiences of the CPC's century-long struggle and infused with the wisdom of China's traditional culture, these initiatives are expected to unite the world in the pursuit of common progress and stability.

To offer a deep understanding of the GDI, the GSI, and the GCI, and elaborate on their significance on a global scale, the Global Times is launching series of articles featuring engaging stories and in-depth interviews to provide our readers with a comprehensive insight into the three initiatives.
From 'Convention of Peking' to 'Beijing Declaration'

In April 2022, President Xi proposed the GSI to promote universal security while delivering a keynote speech via video link at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2022. The initiative is a global public good offered by China, as well as a vivid illustration of the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind in the security field.

On July 23, 2024, 14 Palestinian factions gathered in Beijing and signed the Beijing Declaration on Ending Division and Strengthening Palestinian National Unity after participating in reconciliation talks mediated by China, a lively demonstration of the GSI's function in practice, which many international observers hailed China for having "made something impossible possible," and regarded it as a milestone in the Middle East reconciliation process.

"Palestinian unity is key to the realization of Palestinian statehood and China is committed to facilitating it," read an article on news outlet Al Jazeera.

"The Palestinian question is at the core of the Middle East issue. Over the past years, China has put forward proposals and taken action to address the Palestinian question with Chinese wisdom and solutions," stated the article.

China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular media briefing on July 24, that "China firmly supports the Palestinian people in restoring their legitimate national rights, and supports the people of Middle East countries in holding their future in their own hands. China will continue to advance the GSI and make more contribution to peace and stability in the Middle East."

On the day that the "Beijing Declaration" was signed, many Chinese people hailed the important step in peace in the Middle East and shared the sentiment "Because we have been caught in the rain, we want to hold an umbrella for others" on social media platforms.

They recalled the history that 164 years ago, the Qing government was forced to sign the humiliating "Convention of Peking" in 1860, which included ceding territories and paying indemnities. That dark era saw China reduced to a semi-feudal and semi-colonial society, when bullying by foreign powers and frequent wars tore the country apart and plunged the Chinese people into an abyss of great suffering. After a strenuous fight, the CPC has closely united and led the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to work hard for a century to put an end to China's national humiliation, guiding the country to progress and prosperity.

The past suffering is not merely a reminder of a dark history; it has also made the Chinese people more sympathetic to the suffering of others and has deepened their understanding of the value of peace.

Turkish Ambassador to China İsmail Hakkı Musa hailed the significance of the GSI in an exclusive interview with the Global Times. "The GSI has its own rations. It focuses on sovereignty, equality, territorial integrity, and [the] peaceful settlement of the disputes. You may have noticed that too many people - too many analysts - defended the idea that, for example, the role assumed by China between the approach of Saudi Arabia and Iran was a kind of application or practice of this initiative," Musa said.

"We all know that this approach is a good thing. Lesser tension in that region is an important contribution to the world peace," he stressed.

In practice, China is not only playing an unselfish, active role in the brokering of peace in the Middle East while some other countries ignore human lives for selfish interests, but has also become an important force in maintaining world peace.

Since the restoration of its legitimate seat in the United Nations, China has faithfully fulfilled its international legal obligations as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

Currently, China is the second-largest contributor to the UN's regular budget, the second-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, and the largest troop-contributing nation among the permanent members of the Security Council. China actively participates in negotiations and the formulation of rules on global security issues in various fields, including international arms control and preventing nuclear proliferation.

It also collaborates with various parties in non-traditional security areas such as counter-terrorism, biosecurity, and food security. In the face of ongoing hotspot issues, China is committed to playing the role of a responsible major power.

Right to development

In the heart of Africa, where the sun shines brightly and the needs of the people are as vast as the savannah, a new story of development is unfolding. It's a tale of "small but beautiful" projects born from China-Africa cooperation, ranging from crop cultivation and maize growth and combating the region's hunger issue, to clean energy projects that provide affordable new energy, and to the Luban Workshop, which offers training to many in Africa.

The implementation of these "small and beautiful" projects echoes the GDI's call for sustainable and people-centric growth.

Three years ago, Xi proposed the GDI at the general debate of the 76th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, calling for the building of a consensus in pursuing development, promoting shared growth, and helping accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

China achieved the goal of eradicating absolute poverty 10 years ahead of the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, making significant contributions to global poverty alleviation efforts. Internationally, China is fully committed to development, actively sharing its development opportunities and experiences with other countries, especially with those in the Global South.

Since the initiative was proposed, the content has been consistently substantialized, with its implementation mechanisms becoming more refined over time. This has led to the gradual establishment of practical cooperation within its framework, providing China's approach to addressing the development gap in Global South countries.

At the just concluded 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the China-Africa Joint Statement on Deepening Cooperation within the Framework of the Global Development Initiative was released.

"Since the launch of the GDI, China and Africa have joined forces and mutually supported each other in exploring paths toward modernization, further implementing the China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035, advancing the nine programs to a high standard, as well as completing 175 'small and beautiful' livelihood cooperation projects," read the statement.

More than 30 African members of the FOCAC have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI and the Global Development Promotion Center Network to put in place an efficient working mechanism and platform for alignment in development policies, coordination of development resources, and facilitation of joint actions.

Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, CEO of the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development in Pakistan, told the Global Times that he believes that the GDI, which advocates that development "holds the master key" to solving problems and ensuring sustainable peace, is what the world is desperately seeking now. He noted that apart from Africa, other Global South countries are benefiting from the GDI and China's development dividends.

"Without sharing the dividends of development, we cannot preach ethics, and the dream of peace will remain a dream. Without cooperation, concrete programs, and the allocation of financial resources, we cannot achieve these goals. China is cognizant of this reality and has launched numerous programs and provided financial support such as $4 billion to the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund," he said.

Musa noted to the Global Times that "China initiated the concept of the 'right to development.' The GDI also offers action-based policies and result-based projects."

According to China's Foreign Ministry, over the last three years, the GDI has made remarkable achievements. Over 100 countries and some international organizations have given support to or taken part in the initiative. More than 80 countries have joined the Group of Friends of the GDI. China has set up a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, which has financed over 150 programs. The Global Development Promotion Center Network is bringing more members on board.

"The GDI was put forward by China, but its opportunities and benefits are shared by the world. On the path toward development and prosperity, no country or individual should be left behind. This is the vision of the GDI, as well as the goal advocated by the UN," Mao Ning said at a regular media briefing on September 20, 2024.
Respect for diverse civilizations

In March 2023, Xi proposed the GCI for the first time at the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting, advocating for the respect of the diversity of world civilizations, the promotion of common values for all humanity, the emphasis on the inheritance and innovation of civilizations, and the strengthening of international cultural exchange and cooperation.

The initiative is another major public product offered to the world by China after the GDI and the GSI. It sends a sincere call to the world to deepen the dialogue of civilization exchanges and promote the progress of human civilization through inclusiveness and mutual learning, contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to promote a higher level of international cooperation, experts said.

Shahbaz Khan, director of the UNESCO Regional Office, told the Global Times that the GCI aligns with UNESCO's mission to foster respect for cultures worldwide, particularly those that possess outstanding universal value.

China now boasts 59 World Heritage sites, including the Beijing Central Axis, a "remarkable example" of urban heritage that showcases advancements from the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368) to the present day, Khan said.

In recent years, China has enhanced communication and coordination with UNESCO, working with all parties to promote the implementation of the United Nations' Global Agenda for Dialogue among Civilizations, strengthening dialogue and exchange among civilizations, and increasing the sharing of values, concepts, and experiences behind the policies of various countries, jointly exploring solutions to global challenges and issues.

Ramay noted that the GCI, together with GDI and GSI, "negates the idea of superiority and present the vision of equality and equity built on respect for diversity and cultures. The vision categorically highlighted the need for a fair and just system where everyone (country or human) can pursue the dream of development and peace."

"These initiatives promote the idea of resolving conflicts or disputes through dialogue and development to strengthen peaceful and cooperative co-existence. Thus, the world welcomed the initiative, especially the Global South," he said.

A joint investigation group in Hefei, capital of East China's Anhui Province, announced in a statement on Thursday that it will confiscate illegal gains and impose a fine totaling 68.9491 million yuan ($9.83 million) on Three Sheep Group, a company based in the city that was founded by online influencer Zhang Qingyang. The company has recently been hit by criticism of false publicity.

The company apologized for misleading consumers, and vowed to comprehensively conduct internal rectification and protect consumers' legal rights.

Short video platform Douyin said on Thursday that the platform has suspended the livestreaming function of Three Sheep Group's account since September 21, and will further urge the company to commence self-rectification and properly resolve the after-sales compensation issues for consumers.

According to the statement, the Three Sheep Group marketed mooncakes from the Meisun Fine Cake brand as a "Hong Kong-based product" with "over 20 years of history." But in fact, the mooncakes are produced in Guangdong Province and are not sold in Hong Kong.

Three Sheep Group also marketed an "Australian grain-fed beef roll" product as original meat despite not obtaining the original meat inspection report, and the product actually involves a mixture of meat.

The two cases were defined as false commercial publicity by the investigation group, and another case regarding discrepancies between some shipped products and advertised items is under further investigation.

Aside from the penalties, the investigation group required Three Sheep Group to commence rectification within a defined time limit and take legal responsibility. The department of discipline inspection and supervision will initiate investigations into individuals who neglect their duties according to relevant laws and regulations, said the statement.

On September 17, Hefei's market supervision administration launched an investigation into Three Sheep Group for allegedly "misleading consumers" during its livestream sales on social media platform Douyin.

Analysts said the incident serves as a warning for the livestreaming industry, and will help to promote stricter regulations and reforms.

Finland will return a pair of giant pandas to China ahead of schedule due to cost issues, the Global Times learned from Ähtäri Zoo on Wednesday, noting that the two pandas are in good condition and a farewell party is being planned for them. 

General curator of Ähtäri Zoo, Marko Haapakoski, told the Global Times in an email on Wednesday that the zoo has been facing many challenges since 2020, and most of them were impossible to predict. The situation at hand is a sum of many factors such as the decrease in yearly visitors due to the pandemic, following inflation and a considerable rise in interest rates in Finland.

Despite Chinese partners’ unprecedented help and support, and Ähtäri Zoo’s many efforts, the zoo found itself in a situation where a difficult decision of returning the pandas needed to be made, Haapakoski said.

He explained, "The decision was made after friendly negotiations between partners in China and Finland. All parties agreed together that the best solution for everyone involved is to return the pandas to China."

Regarding the upcoming plans for the pandas, Haapakoski said the pandas will remain visible to the public until October 20. After that, the panda house will be closed to the public, and the pandas will spend their final month in Ähtäri in quarantine.

He also said they "are planning a farewell party for the pandas and hope that many visitors will come to wish them a good journey back to China."

The pandas, named Lumi and Pyry, arrived in Finland in January 2018 on a 15-year loan under a research program. Haapakosk said the pandas are doing really good. The female panda, Lumi (Jin Baobao), is returning to normal after a pseudopregnancy, and bamboo has started to appeal to her again. Pyry (Huo Bao) has been doing well all the time.

According to Reuters on Wednesday, a spokesperson for Finland's foreign ministry said that the return of the pandas was a business decision made by the zoo, which did not involve Finland's government and should not impact relations between the two countries.

Despite efforts by China to aid the zoo, the two countries jointly concluded after friendly consultations to return the pandas, the Chinese embassy in Helsinki said in a statement to Reuters.