China Coast Guard (CCG) conducted law enforcement patrols on Thursday in the territorial waters and surrounding areas of China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. This rights protection patrol was carried out by the CCG in accordance with the law, according to a statement released by the CCG on Thursday.
The Chinese military on Wednesday conducted combat readiness patrols over the territorial waters and airspace of China's Huangyan Dao and surrounding areas. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command said the latest move, involving naval and air forces, was a lawful patrol activity.
The patrols came after China released the baselines of the territorial sea adjacent to Huangyan Dao on Sunday.
"The patrols by the China Coast Guard and Chinese military demonstrate China's position of sovereignty in the maritime area through concrete actions," Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Thursday.
These patrols were also intended to uphold maritime order in the region, Chen said, noting that they aimed to regulate the management of the waters surrounding Huangyan Dao, signaling to the Philippines and the US that China would take corresponding law enforcement actions.
"Through maritime patrols, China can effectively demonstrate and exercise its rights, thereby upholding its legitimate interests in the relevant waters," Chen said.
Ding Duo, a deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Law and Policy at China's National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Thursday that these patrols could further deter the provocative actions of the Philippines, indicating that China is taking the initiative in maritime rights protection.
According to video footage obtained by the Global Times on Monday, CCG vessels recently conducted patrol enforcement exercises in formation in the waters of Huangyan Dao. The video clip showed that the drill involved multiple vessels, including large thousand ton-class patrol ships and smaller, more maneuverable hundred ton-class vessels.
"China's determination to uphold its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights will not change," Ding said.
According to the Financial Times on Sunday, the spokesperson for the Armed Forces of the Philippines stated that the military is considering the procurement of the "Typhon" intermediate-range missile launch system.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday the Philippines, by bringing in this offensive strategic weapon, is enabling a country outside the region to fuel tensions and antagonism in this region and incite geopolitical confrontation and arms race. Such a move is provocative and dangerous, and it is an extremely irresponsible choice to its own people and people of all Southeast Asian countries, to history, and to regional security.
"What the region needs is peace and prosperity, not the missile system or confrontation. We once again urge the Philippines to heed the call from regional countries and their peoples, correct its wrongdoings as soon as possible, quickly pull out the Typhon missile system as publicly pledged, and stop going further down the wrong path," Lin said.
A former lawyer in Pu'er city, southwest China's Yunnan Province, who previously defended drug-related cases, was found in possession of almost 500 grams of drugs. He was recently sentenced to 10 years in prison for drug trafficking.
The convicted lawyer, surnamed Yang, drove a car carrying the drugs and was stopped and searched by police. The police found a total of 480.82 grams of opium and 8.04 grams of heroin hidden in various compartments in his car and his clothes.
Using his experience as a lawyer, Yang claimed that his actions constituted "possession" rather than "trafficking" and that he had no intent to sell for a profit.
Nevertheless, the court in Pu'er rejected Yang's appeal, emphasizing the risk that transporting such a large volume of drugs poses to public safety.
China stands ready to enhance communication and cooperation with other parties on hosting APEC in 2026 to deliver more results through practical cooperation and inject fresh impetus into the economic growth of the Asia-Pacific and beyond, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Saturday.
It is reported that China offered to host the 2026 APEC, which has received support from other APEC economies and endorsement at this year's APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.
In response, the spokesperson said that APEC is an important economic cooperation mechanism in the Asia-Pacific. To advance Asia-Pacific cooperation, China took the initiative to shoulder the responsibility by offering to host APEC in 2026, which is welcomed by APEC members and received their endorsement at this year's APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.
China attaches great importance to Asia-Pacific cooperation and hosted APEC twice in 2001 and 2014, the spokesperson said, adding that China will host APEC for the third time in 2026.
"China stands ready to enhance communication and cooperation with other parties on hosting APEC in 2026 to jointly implement the Putrajaya Vision 2040, advance the building of an Asia-Pacific community and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, deliver more results through practical cooperation and inject fresh impetus into the economic growth of the Asia-Pacific and beyond," said the spokesperson.
The world's first electric running humanoid robot "Tiangong" went open source on Monday, a move that is expected to facilitate secondary development of humanoid robots and accelerate robots' integration into human life.
Developed by Beijing-based National and Local Co-built Embodied AI Robotics Innovation Center, Tiangong is claimed to be the first full-sized humanoid robot driven purely by electric power.
Using "Tiangong" as a foundational platform will advance secondary development in embodied robotics and exploration in various cutting-edge areas like body mechanics and embodied intelligence, Xiong Youjun, the general manager of the center, told the Global Times.
"The 'Tiangong' mother platform has undergone extensive testing and validation. After being open-sourced, other enterprises and research institutions can directly use it, which shortens the industry's development cycle and reduces research and development costs, the Global Times learnt from Liu Yizhang, a manager responsible for Tiangong from the center.
The open-source project covers two versions of the humanoid robot - "Tiangong 1.0 LITE" and "Tiangong Pro," with software development and structural design documents already available to researchers and collaborators, Liu said
By the end of the year, the center plans to release additional open-source structural blueprints, software architecture, and electrical systems, according to Liu.
"Tiangong" has an average speed of 10 kilometers per hour and a maximum running speed of 12 kilometers per hour, leading in its category. It can move smoothly across diverse terrains such as slopes, stairs, grass, gravel, and sand.
Some representatives from Peking University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, UBTECH, and Jianghan University said that they believe the open-source project could drive development across the humanoid robotics supply chain. Liu explained that many core components are independently developed by companies, but performance standards remain inconsistent. Open sourcing the robot will allow development on a unified platform.
Since its official release in April 2024, Tiangong has already been applied in multiple scenarios, including warehouse pick-and-place tasks and patrols for electrical plants, the Global Times learnt.
The industry has been identified by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology as a new frontier for technological competition and a key driver of economic growth.
Previously, the Shanghai-based National Local Joint Humanoid Robot Innovation Center also unveiled its open-source general-purpose humanoid robot Qinglong. Qinglong stands at 185 cm tall and weighs 80 kg, according to the company.
As Lima, the capital of Peru, gears up for the 31st Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting, the close bonds and growing cooperation between China and Peru were also on vivid display on the streets of the city on Tuesday.
The 2024 APEC Economic Leaders' Week began this week in Lima. Under the theme of Empower. Include. Grow, senior officials, ministers and leaders from APEC's 21 member economies, which together account for almost two-thirds of world GDP and half of global trade, will tackle core challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region, including climate change, sustainable energy solutions, the digital economy transition and trade facilitation.
The "APEC vibe" was palpable from the airport to major streets as colorful billboards previewing the crucial meeting were ubiquitous, with many containing obvious "Chinese characteristics."
"Build a diversified and harmonious world with Chinese wisdom," read a massive billboard at the baggage hall of Lima's Jorge Chavez International Airport.
At the parking lot of the airport, while there were more cars from Japanese and South Korean brands, there were also several Chinese brand cars, including one made by Chinese carmaker BYD and another brand new one made by Hongqi. On the streets from the airport to downtown Lima, there were also many billboards put up by various Chinese companies.
"Welcome to APEC!" read one billboard carrying the logo of Aluminum Corp of China (Chinalco), which also contained Chinese- and Spanish-language messages of "supporting Peru's development."
Chinalco has long been investing in Peru. In June 2018, the company announced plans to invest $1.3 billion to expand its operations at Peru's Toromocho copper mine.
Another Chinese firm that has made a major investment is Chinese iron and steel giant Shougang Group. On the streets of Lima on Tuesday, Shougang Hierro Peru also put up several billboards in a show of support for Peru's hosting of the APEC leaders' meeting this year. "Wish the 2024 Peru APEC meeting a complete success!" one billboard read.
China and Peru have enjoyed growing cooperation in a wide range of areas in recent years, including in investment and trade.
Peru was one of the first Latin American countries to establish diplomatic relations and a comprehensive strategic partnership with the People's Republic of China. It was also the first Latin American country to sign a package of free trade agreements with China.
In 2019, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on Belt and Road Initiative cooperation, which has achieved fruitful results, with increasingly close collaboration in the economy, trade, finance, culture and other fields.
In addition to growing cooperation, there were also vivid displays of the deep historical bonds shared by the two countries on the streets of Lima on Tuesday. On the way from the airport to downtown, there were several "Chifa" restaurants with Chinese names.
"Chifa," a word that originated from the Cantonese dialect for "having meals," has become the term that Peruvians use to refer to Chinese restaurants.
Peru is one of the Latin American countries where Chinese immigrants first arrived and settled in large numbers.
Further highlighting the deep friendship between China and Peru, locals were also quick to share their connections to China and extend warm welcome to Chinese guests. A worker for APEC Peru 2024 at the airport told the Global Times that his grandmother was Cantonese, and although he hasn't been to China, he feels "close to China."
Another worker at a hotel named Sergio also told the Global Times that China is viewed as a very friendly country in Peru with a long historical tradition, and that he enjoyed watching Chinese kung fu films.
China on Sunday released the baselines of the territorial sea adjacent to Huangyan Dao, and the China Coast Guard (CCG) has stated to continuously strengthen patrols and law enforcement in the territorial waters of Huangyan Dao and related maritime areas.
The Chinese government delimited and announced the baselines of the territorial sea adjacent to Huangyan Dao, which is a natural step to lawfully strengthen marine management and is consistent with international law and common practices, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Sunday.
The spokesperson said that Huangyan Dao has always been China's territory. In accordance with international law, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone, the Chinese government delimited and announced the baselines of the territorial sea adjacent to Huangyan Dao.
The government statement on Sunday said the baselines were announced in accordance with the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone promulgated on February 25, 1992.
The move comes after the Philippines' introduction of the so-called Philippine Maritime Zones Act and Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act on Friday, for which China has summoned the Philippine Ambassador to China to lodge solemn representations.
Ding Duo, a deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Law and Policy at China's National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times that China has been steadily conducting work related to baselines of our territorial sea over the years. Yet the timing of the release of the baselines and the CCG statement are countermeasures against the Philippines' provocation through domestic legislation.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the so-called "Philippine Maritime Zones Act" aims to further solidify the illegal arbitral award on the South China Sea in the form of domestic legislation and illegally include China's Huangyan Dao and most of the islands and reefs of China's Nansha Qundao and their relevant waters into the Philippines' maritime zones.
"This move severely violates China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea," the spokesperson said, adding that China firmly opposes it and will continue to do everything necessary in accordance with law to firmly defend its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
Ding said releasing baselines demonstrates China's longtime sovereignty over and effective jurisdiction of Huangyan Dao and its adjacent waters. Clear baselines can guide the CCG law enforcement operations in the region to be more accurate, targeted and effective.
Lei Xiaolu, a professor of law with the China Institute of Boundary and Ocean Studies, Wuhan University, told the Global Times that according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, coastal states can have a territorial sea width of 12 nautical miles (22.22 km), as well as the exclusive economic zone (200 nautical miles) and continental shelf (up to 350 nautical miles).
With China's release of the baselines, interests claims in Huangyan Dao and adjacent waters are clear, clarifying rights and obligations in the relevant maritime areas and helping China better exercise its rights in those areas, Lei said.
Philippine coast guard vessels have repeatedly intruded into waters adjacent to Huangyan Dao since the second half of 2023. Lei said that with the baselines, the CCG can clearly identify whether those vessels intruded into China's territorial sea and can conduct law enforcement more accurately.
Also the CCG will be able to identify whether the waters are China's territorial sea and take measures if they find illegal fishing activities by Philippine fishermen to better conserve fishery resources and protect and preserve the marine environment, Lei noted.
The CCG said on Sunday in a statement that it will continuously strengthen patrols and law enforcement in the territorial waters off China's Huangyan Dao and relevant waters.
Huangyan Dao is inherent territory of China. For a long time, China has continuously, peacefully, and effectively exercised sovereignty and jurisdiction over Huangyan Dao. In recent times, the Philippines has frequently dispatched military and law enforcement vessels and aircraft, and public service ships to provoke trouble in the waters and airspace near Huangyan Dao, seriously infringing on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, according to the CCG statement.
The Philippines has also incited fishing boats to illegally operate in the lagoon of Huangyan Dao. According to the information commanded, some Philippine fishing boats are suspected of engaging in illegal activities such as using poisons for fishing and capturing endangered aquatic wildlife, which harm the fragile ecosystem of the relevant maritime areas.
The CCG will continue to strengthen patrols and law enforcement in the territorial waters of Huangyan Dao and related maritime areas in accordance with China's Coast Guard Law, fisheries law, Marine Environmental Protection Law, and other laws and regulations, as well as in reference to international laws such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The CCG will firmly maintain good order in the relevant maritime areas, resolutely protect the ecological environment and biological resources of the relevant maritime areas, and firmly safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, read the CCG statement.
The delimitation of related territorial sea baselines takes time and the work started long ago, therefore the release is a response to provocation and is a reiteration of China's stance, not an escalation in China's initiative, Ding stressed.
Firm resolution
Ding noted China has a rich toolbox, policy reserves and diverse means to safeguard its territorial sovereignty in the South China Sea.
Also on Sunday, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Civil Affairs jointly released the standard names of some islands and reefs in the South China Sea. Standard names released this time, 64 in total, include Houteng Xidao, Ren'ai Nanjiao, Ren'ai Beijiao.
Standard names previously released in 1983 and 2020 regarding some islands and reefs in the South China Sea remain valid, as noted in a statement on the Ministry of Natural Resources' official website.
Ding said the release of standard names is a continuation of past publications and indicates China's sovereignty and jurisdiction over the islands and reefs. Along with changes in the natural geographical conditions in the South China Sea, for example, there may be new islands and reefs emerging, China will continue to update the standard name list in line with the changes and the needs to safeguard interests, Ding said.
China has exercised restraint on the South China Sea issue and has consistently adhered to managing differences and resolving territorial and maritime disputes through negotiation and consultation. However, China will take corresponding measures to safeguard its rights in response to the Philippines' continuous provocations politically, legally and at sea, in neglect of advice, Ding said.
Ding predicted that the Philippines might initiate a smear campaign against China's legitimate actions, and even introduce external forces such as the US to conduct provocative operations at sea, "which will be within China's scope of response."
China has demonstrated its resolution and capability to defend its sovereign security and development interests in the South China Sea, Ding said. "Our firm resolution will not be shaken by Philippine provocation or its collusion with other countries," he noted.
The Philippines is advised to carefully consider where the country's long-term interests lie and return to the path of negotiation and communication rather than taking bold, unilateral moves and stir up troubles in the South China Sea, the expert said.
Law enforcement agencies in China and the US recently collaborated to tackle a case of cross-border trafficking of chemicals and illegal settlement of foreign exchanges, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Friday, citing China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS).
Following up on the clues tapped by the US side, the MPS deployed Hubei provincial public security authorities to investigate a suspect surnamed Gao, 38-year-old, and others. It was uncovered that Gao and others had been taking advantage of the differences among national chemical import/export control regulations to illegally trade chemicals and conduct illegal settlement of foreign exchanges.
Currently, the company operated by Gao has been deregistered, and four main suspects have been arrested by the public security organs. The case is under further investigation.
During the course of the joint investigation, both countries' law enforcement departments shared information and briefed each other over the case's progress.
On Thursday, MPS said law enforcement agencies of the two countries recently collaborated to tackle a transnational telecommunications fraud, recovering more than $1.7 million for a company in East China's Zhejiang Province and its US partner.
Naval forces of Indonesia and Russia began their first joint military training drills in the Java Sea on Monday, Reuters reported, citing analysts as saying that this "shows the Southeast Asian country's willingness to befriend any country."
Chinese experts said on Monday that Indonesia's independent foreign policy, which seeks to foster positive relations with nations including China, the US, and Russia without aligning with any specific side, benefits Indonesia's national autonomy by prioritizing and safeguarding its own interests.
The five-day drills will take place in two phases at a naval base in Surabaya and in the Java Sea. Russia has sent three corvette class warships, a medium tanker ship, a military helicopter, and a tug boat, the Indonesian Navy said in a statement, AFP reported.
ASEAN, which Indonesia is a member of, held joint exercises with Russia in 2021, but Jakarta had never held drills alone with Moscow before this week, according to AFP.
The joint exercise comes as Indonesia's newly-inaugurated President Prabowo Subianto has pledged closer ties with Russia on defense, in his bid to forge ties with any country as part of his country's long-held non-alignment foreign policy, read the Reuter's report.
AFP quoted analysts as saying that the "joint exercises signal Prabowo is beginning a significant foreign policy shift, pledging to boost Jakarta's alliances with major powers."
"Indonesia is committed to an independent foreign policy, rather than dependent diplomatic strategies. As the global landscape continues to evolve, Indonesia is increasingly recognizing the importance of emerging countries like itself taking on a more prominent role within the international system, and this means they should not be subject to the US' pressure to take sides," Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Monday.
Indonesia's foreign policy is characterized by diversification, seeking to maintain positive relations with countries including China, the US, and Russia, while avoiding alignment with any particular side, Song said, noting that this strategy is advantageous for Indonesia's national autonomy and the development of its foreign policy, as taking sides would likely result in the loss of more valuable opportunities.
"This is also beneficial for maintaining peace and stability in the region," Song said.
In addition to Indonesia, many ASEAN countries have adopted an independent and autonomous foreign policy, particularly a diplomatic approach that emphasizes balancing relations with major powers, Gu Xiaosong, dean of the ASEAN Research Institute of Hainan Tropical Ocean University, told the Global Times on Monday.
According to Free Malaysia Today on November 1, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is on a working visit to China from Monday to Thursday, has revealed that he recently rejected a call by the top US diplomat to stop being friendly with Russia by saying "We are an independent, sovereign country; we make decisions for our people and our nation."
Many ASEAN countries do not take sides; instead, they pursue foreign policies that prioritize the protection of their own national interests, Gu said.
China and Slovakia have decided to elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, which meets the future development needs of both countries and will inject new and strong momentum into bilateral cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping said while meeting with visiting Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Beijing on Friday.
Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Slovakia, Xi said that after three-quarters of a century of development, the traditional friendship between the two countries is full of vitality, and the cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries.
"We have decided to elevate China-Slovakia relations to a strategic partnership, which meets the future development needs of both countries and will inject new and powerful momentum into bilateral cooperation," Xi said, adding that China is willing to work together with Slovakia to open a new chapter in bilateral relations and lift their ties to a higher level.
China has decided to grant 15-day visa-free entry to Slovak citizens, Xi added.
China attaches great importance to China-EU relations, Xi said, adding that next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU, and China-EU relations should demonstrate due maturity and stability.
For his part, Fico said Slovakia firmly adheres to the one-China policy and recognizes the government of the People's Republic of China as the only legitimate government representing all of China.
Slovakia appreciates China's decision to grant Slovak citizens the 15-day visa-free treatment, Fico said. Slovakia supports facilitating people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, and welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest in the country and strengthen cooperation in areas such as new energy and infrastructure, he added.
The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis. Xi expounded on China's consistent principle and position, commending Slovakia for adopting an objective, rational and impartial stance. He welcomed Slovakia, as well as more like-minded countries, to play a positive role in promoting peace talks.
The two governments on Friday released a joint statement on the establishment of a strategic partnership. It said that friendship and cooperation have always been the mainstream of bilateral relations and are in line with the common and long-term interests of the two peoples.
During the visit, Fico also met Premier Li Qiang and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi also held talks with Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar on Friday. Wang said that Fico's visit is rich in content and fruitful.
Pragmatic cooperation
In the current complex geopolitical environment, the elevation of relations between China and Slovakia holds significant positive implications, said Yan Shaohua, a research associate professor at the Center for China-Europe Relations, Fudan University.
He noted that due to the trade frictions and renewal of the leadership in the EU's main institutions, China-EU relations have experienced some twists and turns. The elevation of China-Slovakia relations helps improve political trust between China and Central and Eastern European nations, while also sending a positive signal that both sides are eager to stabilize their bilateral relations, Yan said.
Amid Europe's current economic challenges, Central and Eastern European countries are seeking to attract Chinese investment and pursue high-tech cooperation as a path for future growth. Slovakia's unique strengths in traditional automobile manufacturing, electromechanical products, and the chemical industry offer promising conditions for collaboration with China, said Zhao Junjie, senior research fellow at the Institute of European Studies at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
According to a release from the Slovak government's press office, in addition to visiting Beijing, Prime Minister Fico will travel to Hefei in East China's Anhui Province to visit Chinese battery maker Gotion, and travel to Shanghai to attend the opening ceremony of the China International Import Expo.
The locations in East China that Fico will visit are known for their rapid economic development and leading role in driving China's innovation, said Zhao, noting the potential for expanding cooperation on electric vehicles (EVs) and battery production.
Cooperation between China and Slovakia in areas such as automobile manufacturing, electromechanical products, and high technology not only benefits countries like Slovakia but also provides opportunities to strengthen China-EU relations. Fico's visit is expected to yield meaningful results and conducive to improving and stabilizing these ties, said the expert.
Yan also noted that the meeting between Xi and Fico will have a positive impact on China-EU relations. Despite the EU's decision to impose tariffs on imports of Chinese EVs, negotiations between the two sides are still ongoing, and Slovakia holds significant influence within the European automotive supply chain.
