Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission, on Sunday met with representatives from seven Japan-China friendship groups, highlighting the importance of bilateral cooperation amid global uncertainties.
Noting the increasing instability in the international situation, Wang emphasized that China is determined to shoulder its responsibilities as a major power, work together with other nations to safeguard peace and security in Asia, and promote human development and progress.
As close neighbors and two major global economies, China and Japan must reassess the value of their relationship, reaffirm the significance of their friendship, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, and consolidate the strength of friendly people-to-people ties to promote the sustained, healthy, and stable development of China-Japan relations, Wang said.
While acknowledging the long-term dedication of the seven friendship groups in advancing bilateral friendship, Wang urged them to press forward in the direction of peaceful and friendly cooperation to make new contributions to safeguarding the fundamental interests of both peoples.
He outlined three key areas for strengthening ties, including maintaining the political foundation, enhancing dialogue and exchanges across various sectors, and cultivating successors for China-Japan friendship.
The China-Japan Joint Statement must be strictly observed, with particular emphasis on properly handling historical issues and the Taiwan question, and resisting any distortions, falsifications, or actions that undermine the foundation, Wang stressed.
He also called for encouraging the younger generation to participate actively in friendship initiatives, ensuring the legacy of bilateral cooperation is carried forward.
Attending the meeting were Hiroshi Moriyama, chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union and secretary-general of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party, President of the Japanese Association for the Promotion of International Trade Yohei Kono, as well as leaders of other friendship groups.
Representatives from the groups emphasized the critical importance of China-Japan friendship for both nations and their peoples, pledging efforts to continue fostering exchanges at local and youth levels and further strengthen the bond between the peoples of China and Japan.
Chinese President Xi Jinping extended on Thursday congratulations to Konstantinos Tasoulas on assuming the Greek presidency.
In his congratulatory message, Xi pointed out that both China and Greece share a long history and splendid culture.
The two countries have maintained a time-honored friendship and are comprehensive strategic partners of mutual understanding and win-win cooperation, Xi said.
In recent years, he added, the two sides have continuously advanced the Piraeus Port project, promoted high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and collaborated in establishing the Center of Chinese and Greek Ancient Civilizations and the Chinese School of Classical Studies at Athens.
Such joint efforts have showcased the harmony of the two ancient civilizations and their sense of responsibility in today's world, Xi said.
Noting that the world is undergoing major changes unseen in a century with all countries closely interconnected and facing a shared future, he emphasized win-win cooperation as the only way to address global challenges.
Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Greece relations and stands ready to work with President Tasoulas to continue strengthening their traditional friendship, enhance their mutually beneficial cooperation and cultural exchanges, continuously enrich the connotation of China-Greece comprehensive strategic partnership, promote the sustained and sound development of China-EU relations, and contribute wisdom and strength to global peace, stability, development and prosperity.
China, Russia and Iran issued a joint statement on Friday, reaffirming that political and diplomatic engagement and dialogue remains the only viable and practical option for the Iranian nuclear issue after deputy foreign ministers of the three nations held a meeting in Beijing on Friday.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with the heads of delegations to the meeting and put forward China's five-point proposal on the Iranian nuclear issue, including staying committed to peaceful settlement of disputes through political and diplomatic means, and opposing the use of force and illegal sanctions.
Ma Zhaoxu, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister, told reporters after the meeting that the three sides emphasized the necessity of terminating all illegal unilateral sanctions. Relevant parties should work to eliminate the root causes of the current situation and abandon sanctions, pressure, and threats of the use of force.
We stress the importance of UN Security Council Resolution 2231 and its timeline, urging all relevant parties to refrain from actions that could escalate tensions and to jointly create a favorable atmosphere and conditions for diplomatic efforts, Ma said.
The trilateral meeting was held against the backdrop of the US withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and the continued maximum pressure on Iran by the Trump administration.
Amid the US' unilateral actions and extreme pressure, the original framework under the UN reached between Iran and other permanent members of the UN Security Council (UNSC) plus Germany has been unable to function effectively. Therefore, China, Russia, and Iran are exploring new mechanisms to prevent further deterioration of the Iranian nuclear issue and to seek a diplomatic resolution, according to experts.
China's efforts
Among the five-point proposal on the Iranian nuclear issue, China stays committed to balancing rights and responsibilities, and takes a holistic approach to the goals of nuclear non-proliferation and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, said Wang.
China stays committed to the framework of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) as the basis for new consensus. China hopes that all parties will work toward the same direction and resume dialogue and negotiation as early as possible. The US should demonstrate political sincerity and return to talks at an early date, Wang said.
Wang noted that China stays committed to a step-by-step and reciprocal approach, and seeks consensus through consultation. History has proven that acting from a position of strength would not lead to the key to resolving difficult issues.
Upholding the principle of mutual respect is the only viable path to finding the greatest common ground that accommodates the legitimate concerns of all parties and reaching a solution that meets the expectation of the international community, Wang said.
The trilateral meeting came days after Tehran spurned US "orders" to resume dialogue over the nuclear program, Reuters reported on Friday.
Last week, US President Donald Trump said he had sent a letter to Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proposing nuclear talks, adding that "there are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal," according to Reuters.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded that he would not negotiate with the US while being "threatened", and Iran would not bow to US "orders" to talk, the media report said.
The Trump administration also downplayed the China-Russia-Iran meeting, Fox News said on Thursday while Trump suggested "perhaps Beijing, Moscow and Tehran will be having their own discussions on de-escalation."
The Trump administration imposed a "maximum pressure" policy on Iran in February that includes efforts to drive its oil exports to zero in order to stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and funding militant groups, Reuters said.
Liu Zhongmin, a professor from the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Friday that the latest China-Russia-Iran dialogue is currently just the beginning, noting that the meeting could be seen as part of damage-control measures, aimed at preventing the Iranian nuclear issue from escalating further.
The Iran nuclear deal was signed ten years ago, and the issue has once again reached a critical crossroads. There are essentially two approaches to resolving it, Sun Degang, director of the Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times on Friday.
One approach is the US strategy, which relies on extreme pressure, as seen during the Trump administration following the US withdrawal from the agreement. This led Iran to accelerate its uranium enrichment process, increasing the risk of nuclear proliferation, Sun noted.
"However, another approach is the multilateral diplomatic resolution, which proved effective in the original Iran nuclear agreement a decade ago," Sun said, noting that China played a key role in that process, where all parties engaged in dialogue, sought common ground while setting aside differences, and ultimately reached a consensus on the nuclear deal.
In response to a question on the impact of the meeting on the resumption of dialogue and negotiation and the prospect of a political and diplomatic resolution to the Iranian nuclear issue, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday that the Iranian nuclear issue is facing a serious situation and once again at a crossroads. The Beijing meeting is a useful effort by China, Russia and Iran in seeking to advance the settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue.
Role of multilateral platforms
In the joint statement issued after the China-Russia-Iran meeting on Friday, the three countries agreed to continue their close consultation and cooperation in the future.
The three countries also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest, and agreed to maintain and strengthen their coordination in international organizations and multilateral arrangements such as BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
On the Iranian nuclear issue, China stays committed to promoting cooperation through dialogue, and opposes pressing for intervention by the UNSC, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang.
Under the current situation, hasty intervention by the UNSC will not help build confidence or bridge differences among the relevant parties. Initiating the snapback mechanism would undo years of diplomatic efforts, and must be handled with caution, Wang said.
Iran's foreign ministry on Thursday summoned the envoys of Britain, France and Germany over what it called a "misuse of the UNSC to hold a closed-door meeting," Reuters reported citing Iranian state media.
The UNSC met behind closed doors on Wednesday over Tehran's nuclear program. The meeting called by six of the council's 15 members - the US, France, Greece, Panama, South Korea and Britain, came at Washington's request, according to the report.
China's envoy to the UN Fu Cong was quoted as saying ahead of the UNSC meeting in the media report that China still hopes that "we can seize the limited time we have before the termination date in October this year, in order to have a deal, a new deal so that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, known as the Iran nuclear deal, can be maintained.
"Putting maximum pressure on a certain country is not going to achieve the goal," Fu said, according to Reuters.
The US has made some very unrealistic demands, completely driven by its own interests, regarding global hotspot issues including the Iranian nuclear issue, which has led to the destruction of the original consensus, foundation, and mechanisms surrounding these already complex international hotspot issues, Liu noted.
"In this context, the international community faces the challenge of seeking new solutions and approaches, and must not allow the US' unilateral actions to undermine all the consensus and mechanisms regarding international hotspot issues," Liu said.
If the other parties, aside from the US, can maintain consensus, this will, in turn, exert some pressure on the US, Liu added.
Since the publication of the first volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China in 2014, the book has garnered widespread recognition globally, becoming a key resource for political figures, scholars, and experts in many countries. It stands as the leader's work with the most published languages, the widest coverage, and the greatest global influence, opening a "window of thought" for understanding China in the new era.
To offer global audiences deeper insights into Xi Jinping: The Governance of China and the key concepts it contains, including perspectives on development, civilization, security, human rights, ecology, international order, and global governance, the Global Times is launching the "Decoding the Book of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" series. Through themed columns such as "Scholars' Perspectives," "Translators' Voices," "Practitioners' Insights," and "Readers' Reflections," this series will feature perspectives from Chinese and international scholars, translators of the work, practitioners of its concepts, and overseas readers. It aims to share what they have seen and understood about China's philosophy, values, and wisdom through the book.
This is the first installment of the "Practitioners' Insights" column, which narrates how a grassroots legislative outreach office in Shanghai channels the voices of ordinary citizens to the nation's highest legislative body, acting as a vital mechanism for advancing whole-process people's democracy. One day in late 2014 near Gubei Civic Center in Hongqiao subdistrict of downtown Shanghai, then 30-year-old Wu Xinhui met for the first time lady Wang (pseudonym). Wang, in her 90s, had multiple bruises on her body with eyes filled with helplessness and exhaustion. She told lawyer Wu that these injuries resulted from abuse by her daughter, who had taken her mobile phone and bank cards. Wang's request was simple: to change her guardianship and free herself from her daughter's "torment."
Wu is a director at the Shanghai Kangming Law Firm. On the day she met Wang a decade ago, she was unaware that, besides being a lawyer, she would assume another role as a legislative coordinator for the Hongqiao subdistrict legislative outreach office under the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress (NPC).
Wu then spent several months taking legal means to change the guardianship for the elderly woman and helping her reclaim her property. The lawsuit was won, but Wu still felt a heavy burden in her heart, as she knew there might be many more elderly like Wang who needed legal protection.
In July 2015, when the legislative outreach office was established at Hongqiao, Wu was invited to become a legislative coordinator of this outreach office. About two months later, when the China's law on domestic violence was soliciting public opinions for an amendment, Wu was reminded of Wang's story and many similar cases she had encountered as a lawyer over the years. At the legislative opinion solicitation meetings, Wu sincerely proposed suggestions to include the elderly in the protection of the anti-domestic violence law.
When Wu knew that the later promulgated law on domestic violence includes the elderly in the protected category, she realized that even the weakest voices can be heard and illuminate the legislative process.
The whole-process people's democracy ensures the broadest and most genuine participation of the people. In Volume 4 of the book Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, Xi said, "If the people are only addressed in order to solicit votes and then are left out in the cold, if they must listen to grandiose election slogans but have no voice when the elections are over, or if they are wooed by candidates during election campaigns only to be cast aside afterwards, this is not true democracy."
In July this year, the Hongqiao subdistrict legislative outreach office will mark its 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, it has functioned like a "big pocket" for gathering public opinions, thanks to the efforts of Wu and other legislative coordinators who have walked the streets and alleys over years listening to local residents.
In the last decade, they have solicited opinions for 103 draft laws, submitting a total of 3,771 suggestions to the NPC. These suggestions include ideas from community elders on resolving neighborhood disputes and expectations from office workers on labor rights protection. Each suggestion reflects people's longing for a better life. In the end, 337 suggestions have been adopted after research, and the voices of 46,586 people were collaborated, becoming a force for promoting the progress of the rule of law.
These numbers are dynamically recorded with red magnets on a wall in the Hongqiao legislative outreach office. After this year's national two sessions, the numbers will be further be updated.
Yu Yiqing, a staff member at the Hongqiao legislative outreach office, told the Global Times that these numbers are more than just statistics. They reflect people's expectations for a better life, and show the extensive and effective nature of the whole-process people's democracy.
'Direct express' for democratic legislation
The system of grassroots legislative outreach offices was introduced at the fourth plenary session of the 18th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee in October 2014. In July 2015, the first four grassroots legislative outreach offices across the country were set up in Shanghai's Hongqiao, Jingdezhen in East China's Jiangxi Province, Xiangyang in Central China's Hubei Province, and Lintao in Northwest China's Gansu Province.
Since then, over 90 percent of the legal drafts formulated or amended by the NPC and its standing committee has sought opinions from these grassroots legislative outreach offices, which serve as a "direct express" for democratic legislation in the new era, connecting the highest national legislative body with ordinary citizens, and becoming an important platform for developing the whole-process people's democracy.
In November 2019, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the Gubei Civic Center while a consultation meeting on a draft law was underway. Xi talked to both the Chinese and foreign residents attending the meeting, and for the first time made the remark that "people's democracy is a type of whole-process democracy."
In the Volume 4 of the book Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, Xi also stressed that whole-process people's democracy in China is a complete system with supporting mechanism and procedures, and fully-fledged civil participation. "Democracy is not an ornament to be put on display, but an instrument for addressing the issues that concern the people. Whether a country is democratic depends on whether its people are truly the masters of the country."
The legislative outreach office at Hongqiao stands as one of the best illustrations of this remark. Over the years, local residents have contributed suggestions on China's major laws such as the Civil Code, the anti-domestic violence law, and Maritime Law. Through the small outreach office where Wu worked, ordinary citizens' opinions flowed into the "vast ocean" of national legislation.
Journey of 'co-governance' in Gubei community
At the end of 2024, something "new" happened in Hongqiao subdistrict's Gubei community. The bell, silent for over two decades, rang out once again in the revitalized Vanke Plaza at the community. Smart streetlights there illuminated the ground brightly, permeable paving bricks lay smooth and even, and children laughed and played on the wide circular running track.
However, this ordinary scene was "new" to local residents, as not long before, the plaza and its surroundings had looked entirely different: the pavement was pothole-ridden, with pedestrians occasionally tripping. Streetlights flickered intermittently, and compared to the vibrant bustle of surrounding skyscrapers, the area appeared dilapidated.
How to address these issues?
The Hongqiao subdistrict authority did not resort to making arbitrary decisions. Instead, it placed the key to solving problems in the hands of the people there. A "co-governance committee" was then formed, composed of local residents, merchants, property managers, and experts in legal and some other fields.
Wu, as a "legal advisor" of the committee, was fully involved in this "co-governance" initiative.
Wu and other members combed through each issue one by one and solved them one by one. There was a lively exchange of ideas, with repeated discussions and consultations. Eventually, they brought together opinions from all sides and found the "greatest common divisor" among the diverse demands -- to create a brand-new, landmark area that meets the needs of residents and tourists for leisure, shopping, sports, and etc.
This "co-governance committee," with no government participation, has incorporated democratic procedures into every aspect: full consultation first, then voting, and finally extensively soliciting opinions. Nowadays, the committee has evolved from its initial role as a "renovation task force" to a "standing governance body," frequently organizing community activities and turning the square into a beloved "living salon" for all residents there.
The transformation of Vanke Plaza from a shabby landmark to a space brimming with happiness has witnessed the steps of Hongqiao subdistrict in practicing whole-process people's democracy.
International resonance of democratic practices
As one of the first grassroots legislative outreach offices in China, the Hongqiao office has a unique "secret weapon" - a "one-body and two-wings" structure. The 420 legislative coordinators, like feelers, reach into every nook and cranny of the streets and alleys to collect the thoughts of the people; the 15 advisory units and the 15 expert talent pools provide strong backing with their professional support. Through this structure, the Hongqiao office conveys public opinion from the streets directly to the national legislative body.
The "no-threshold participation" mechanism also breaks geographical and identity barriers. Wu recalled that in the winter of 2022, when the renovation project of Huangjincheng block in Hongqiao subdistrict was seeking opinion, residents from different countries actively participated in contributing their wisdom.
Now, the grassroots legislative outreach office in Hongqiao subdistrict has become a window for international friends to further learn about Chinese democracy. In recent months, it received visitors from many countries including South Korea, Cambodia, Japan, Peru, and Spain.
According to Yu, many foreign visitors were deeply attracted by the operational model of the Hongqiao office and, were particularly curious about the mechanism for Chinese citizens to directly participate in national legislation.
They expressed admiration after learning about its operational model, Yu said. "They told me that it fully demonstrates the openness and democratic nature of Chinese legislation, and it also reflects China's institutional confidence in its democracy."
In Wu's view, over the years, an increasing number of people are willing to share their thoughts on legislation at the small office. At the same time, the legal and democratic consciousness of local residents is growing, who are becoming more adept at using the law to protect their rights and interests.
"Has the renovation of residential community been carried out according to legal procedures? Are the elevator installations compliant, and will they affect the building structure or the interests of other residents? Are the procedures of tree transplants in the neighborhood appropriate and complete? These details, which were not widely concerned about before, have now become the focus of attention for the residents. For the local government, this is both a challenge and a great opportunity to improve its governance capacity," Wu told the Global Times.
This year, under integrated development of Yangtze River Delta, the Hongqiao office aims to expand its "legislative friendship circle" by collaborating with other grassroots legislative offices in this region. And the outreach office, as well as those who contribute their efforts in it, will always remain true to their original aspiration, just like the eight-character phrase on a wall of the Hongqiao office that reads, "Open the door for the legislation, consult people on the governance."
In August 2019, in a reply letter to residents of Xiadang Township in Ningde, East China's Fujian Province, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed delight over local villagers being lifted out of poverty and living a better life. After 30 years of unremitting struggle by the people, Xiadang has become a place that is easily accessible by road with a brand new image, while local residents have a stronger sense of happiness and fulfillment, Xi said, "which vividly proves the old adage that weak birds take flight early, and constant dropping wears away a stone."
Early in 1990, Xi wrote an article titled "Water droplets drilling through rock," using this natural landscape as a metaphor for the process of poverty alleviation in economically backward areas. The article was included in the book Up and Out of Poverty, a compilation of Xi's major works from September 1988 to May 1990 when he was the Party chief of Ningde. The book, along with Eradicating Poverty, a book of excerpts from discourses on poverty alleviation by Xi, have been published in different languages to provide reference points for other countries to shake off poverty.
In light of this, the Global Times is launching the series "constant dropping wears away a stone," to share compelling poverty alleviation stories. In this first installment, we focus on three cases demonstrating how small industries bring big happiness. In the bustling alleys of Liuzhou, South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the aroma of snail rice noodles, or Luosifen, wafts through the air, drawing locals and visitors alike into the myriad of shops that line the narrow streets. The dish of rice noodles boiled with pickled bamboo shoots, dried turnip, fresh vegetables, and peanuts in spiced river snail soup - a little stinky but flavorful - has surged in popularity across China and beyond, becoming a culinary emblem of Liuzhou and a symbol of China's gastronomic culture in the world.
This bowl of Luosifen embodies how over a hundred impoverished villages in Liuzhou triumphed in the battle against poverty before 2020, transforming the city into the vibrant hub it is today, while elevating a local delicacy into a global stage.
In the heart of Liuzhou, the local community has harnessed the potential of snail rice noodles to fill farmers' pockets, forge new pathways out of poverty, and drive industrial development. As the demand for this delicacy skyrocketed, the agricultural sectors supplying its ingredients flourished, becoming a vital engine for revitalizing both the local economy and rural communities.
Chinese President Xi Jinping visited machinery manufacturer Guangxi Liugong Group Co., Ltd., and a food-processing zone for local specialty Luosifen rice noodles on April 26, 2021. He learned about the reform and innovation of enterprises, and the development of the manufacturing industry and distinctive local businesses, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Noting that developing signature industries is a practical measure to boost the real economy, Xi called for more support for private enterprises to help them grow. The snack industry is just a part of China's rural industries, which range from planting and breeding to agricultural product processing and tourism, according to Xinhua.
This dish, once a simple street food, has become a key to industrial advancement and a beacon of hope for poverty alleviation. Farmers now enjoy stable incomes and local job opportunities, while businesses export high-quality, distinctive products overseas. Young entrepreneurs are returning to their hometowns to realize their dreams of success.
Now, under Xi's encouragement, the aspirations of the local community are creating a tapestry of prosperity woven with the threads of snail rice noodles. A bite of China
To promote Liuzhou's culinary culture and stimulate related consumption, in 2010, Liuzhou launched initiatives to promote Luosifen beyond its local area, and in 2012, Luosifen gained fame through the hit documentary "A Bite of China." Since then, Liuzhou Luosifen has continued to gain popularity, giving rise to a pre-packaged Luosifen market.
In 2014, the first packaged snail noodles were introduced to the market. This local delicacy, once challenging to preserve and transport, began its journey to national prominence.
Today, packaged snail noodles are exported to over 30 countries and regions. Each bowl of snail noodles has generated more than 300,000 jobs, lifted 5,500 impoverished households and 28,000 individuals out of poverty, and stimulated the development of hundreds of thousands of acres of raw material bases, including rice, bamboo shoots, green beans, and black fungus. This has fostered an industrial chain encompassing agriculture, food processing, and e-commerce, Lu Shichang, director of the Snail Noodle Industry Development Center in Liuzhou, told the Global Times.
Although smells stinky, Luosifen has become a favorite for many due to its sour and spicy flavors, as well as the naturally fermented sour bamboo shoots found in the region's caves, which maintain a constant temperature and humidity throughout the year.
On January 9, Liuzhou celebrated the 10th anniversary of the industrialization of its snail noodles. Preliminary forecasts indicated that in 2024, the total sales revenue of the entire snail noodle industry chain in Liuzhou could reach 75.96 billion yuan ($10.39 billion), according to a press release from the local government.
The rise of the snail noodle industry and its international reach vividly illustrate a distinctive path out of poverty.
In 2017, Leitang village in Liucheng county, Liuzhou, was still grappling with poverty.
Entrepreneur Yao Hanlin, a local District People's Congress deputy, conducted thorough research in the area, and he contemplated a way to help local people escape poverty.
"Why not begin with the raw materials for Luosifen and leverage them to boost rural economic development, tackling the issue of industrial underdevelopment in impoverished areas right from the source?" Yao decided to sign a contract with an integrated cooperative that supports households to develop a 600-acre planting base for large-scale and standardized planting of green beans, the "soul" ingredient of snail noodles, and ensuring a guaranteed purchase to increase farmers' income and alleviating their concerns about unsold produce.
Additionally, farmers received industry subsidies from the local government for cultivating green beans. A successful model of cooperation among cooperatives, enterprises, and farmers was then founded and expanded to wider regions.
Farmers selling green beans to the company on pre-packaged Luosifen saw their annual income increase by over 10,000 yuan per household. In just two years, most villagers in Leitang had successfully escaped poverty. Beyond the financial benefits, the villagers take pride in knowing that their sour green beans have traveled across oceans alongside the snail noodles. Many villagers also found employment right in their own communities, said Yao.
Yao still vividly remembers the moment President Xi visited and his inspiring words.
"Everyone could feel his high regard for the development of local specialty industries and rural revitalization efforts. His words deeply moved us and strengthened our resolve to use the snail noodle industry to help more people achieve prosperity," Yao told the Global Times.
The "spillover effect" of the Luosifen industry has also brought significant benefits to the ethnic minority communities in the Miao and Dong villages of Guangxi, a region known for its rich cultural diversity.
"Both rice farming and snail raising are lucrative ventures, and with government subsidies, we feel more confident about our path to prosperity," shared Wei Yaoke, a villager from a minority ethnic group who has successfully lifted himself out of poverty in 2019.
"In recent years, whenever people mention Liuzhou, they immediately think of snail rice noodles. Many have traveled to Liuzhou specifically for a bowl of noodles, which is a remarkable achievement for the city," remarked Yao. "A simple bowl of noodles has not only revitalized a city, but also enriched the lives of its people."
A bowl of Liuzhou snail noodles weaves together the threads of rural prosperity, Lu told the Global Times.
As President Xi has said that the revitalization of industries is the top priority of rural revitalization, years of exploration have proven that activating the internal motivation for poverty alleviation hinges on developing strong industries. Without industry, there is no stable economic foundation for true poverty alleviation. In China's poverty alleviation practices, industrial development has become one of the most dynamic models, Lu emphasized. Entrepreneurs bring fresh innovations
The booming Luosifen industry has drawn many young entrepreneurs back home, leveraging e-commerce benefits and new technologies to showcase their "hometown flavors" on the global stage.
Mo Qinji, a millennial born in Liuzhou, became a technician in a manufacturing company in South China's Guangzhou after graduation. During his years away, a bowl of Luosifen became a nostalgic link to home, inspiring him to merge his expertise with local delicacies.
Five years later, he decided to quit the job and returned to hometown in November 2012 to start a business in manufacturing and selling Luosifen, seizing the opportunity in the new e-commerce landscape. The surge in online Luosifen sales prompted him to continuously improve production lines and supply chains. Mo's factory operates a fully automated packaging line, researched and developed by his team over a year.
Mo stressed that the achievements of local poverty alleviation are the result of collective efforts and coordinated strength.
"In the past, farmers often grew crops based on high market prices, only to see prices drop once the crops were overly harvested, leading to increased poverty and reluctance to plant. However, products like Luosifen integrate various agricultural ingredients, providing a stable industry that prevents crops from going to waste," Mo explained to the Global Times. "For instance, if green beans are harvested and the market price is high, say 2.5 yuan per kilogram, farmers can sell them to wholesale markets or buyers to secure better income. However, if market prices decline, they can sell their beans to Luosifen processing factories for pickling, or even pickle them independently to generate profits from initial processing. This serves as a sort of insurance mechanism for local farmers."
Mo said that an increasing number of young people in the local area are gradually shifting from being beneficiaries of poverty alleviation in rural areas to becoming emerging forces in rural revitalization.
Mo reminisced about how, after returning to Liuzhou from work in Guangzhou, he would eagerly rush to the nearest stall, savoring every bite of his favorite dish and wishing he could take some home. Now, he has turned that dream into reality. The ambitions of merchants like Mo to elevate Liuzhou's Luosifen from humble street carts to global acclaim align perfectly with China's commitment to poverty alleviation and rural revitalization.
In Mo's factory, hundreds of workers bustle about. The busy assembly line is leading them toward a better future - one that belongs to both the company and the whole industry, and perhaps serves as a model for the future of many more rural areas in China.
South China's Hainan Province will start survey work on 32 uninhabited islands and their surrounding waters that have potential for development in 2025, as part of the effort of the tropical island's local government to promote fine management of the sea areas and islands.
In 2025, Hainan will complete the coastline survey of islands in Hainan Province, establish a directory and coastline database of these uninhabited islands and advance the delineation of protection zones for the base points of the territorial sea of the Beibu Gulf, according to the annual work plan released by the Department of Natural Resources and Planning of Hainan Province.
The work plan said that market-based rules for the transfer of uninhabited islands will be established to enhance the resource allocation of uninhabited islands and maximize the ecological and economic value of these islands.
The Department of Natural Resources and Planning of Hainan Province said that the efficiency of marine and island resource allocation has significantly improved in 2024, with the province adding 174 new projects for sea and island use, covering an area of 54,700 mu. The total amount of usage fees for marine and island resources surpassed 1 billion yuan for the first time, said the department.
The department vowed to provide a more efficient support for maritime resource allocation for the construction of Hainan Free Trade Port in 2025 by promoting the utilization of sea resources shifting from low-efficiency to high-efficiency development.
China vows to cooperate with Myanmar, Thailand, and other neighboring countries and implement a series of targeted measures to eliminate the scourge of telecom fraud and online gambling, the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar announced in a statement late Sunday night.
On Friday, Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Ma Jia and the visiting Assistant Minister of Public Security Liu Zhongyi met with Myanmar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, U Than Swe, and Minister of Home Affairs, Tun Tun Naung, according to the Chinese Embassy.
Both sides had in-depth exchange of views on enhancing China-Myanmar law enforcement and security cooperation, and on jointly tackling cross-border crimes such as telecom fraud and human trafficking, according to the statement.
The Chinese side commended Myanmar's determination and efforts in ensuring the safety of Chinese citizens.
It emphasized that online gambling and telecom fraud endanger public safety and financial security. China is willing to actively engage in bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Myanmar, Thailand, and other neighboring countries, by implementing measures that target both the immediate threats and underlying causes of these crimes.
The aim is to collaborate in curbing cross-border criminal activities and to eradicate the "tumor" of online gambling and telecom fraud, thereby ensuring stability and order in regional cooperation and exchanges.
The Myanmar side outlined recent actions undertaken by the Myanmar government to combat online gambling and telecom fraud.
It reiterated its firm resolve to clamp down on these illicit activities and expressed its willingness to enhance coordination with China and other neighboring countries. Myanmar also suggested initiating talks on setting up a regularized cooperation framework to jointly combat cross-border crimes such as online gambling and telecom fraud.
Some of China's top aviation equipment, including the FC-31 stealth fighter jet, the J-10CE fighter jet and the Taihang turbofan engine, are on display at an ongoing defense expo in the UAE, with a Chinese expert seeing good export potential in the Middle Eastern market.
Representing the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC) showcased a diverse range of aviation equipment, including fighter jets, drones, transport aircraft, helicopters, trainer aircraft, anti-drone equipment and aero engines at the 17th International Defense Exhibition and Conference, which kicked off on Monday in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, AVIC said on its official Weibo account on Tuesday.
Among the products are the FC-31 fighter jet, the J-10CE fighter jet, the Y-20 transport aircraft, the Y-9E transport aircraft and the L15 advanced trainer aircraft, AVIC said.
Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Tuesday that China is displaying both its fourth- and fifth-generation fighter jets at the expo, allowing countries in the region access to the cutting-edge aviation technology at the same event.
The US and European countries have been traditional suppliers of aviation equipment in the Middle East, but amid shifting geopolitical dynamics, things are changing, Wang said. He noted that, for example, regional countries might be unable to obtain the US' fifth-generation fighter jet like the F-35 because of complicated country-to-country relations in the region as well as the US' security interests. Many countries might also be worried about the reliability of Western equipment as well after some recent incidents.
China's fourth-generation J-10 series fighter jet has been widely deployed domestically, and the J-10CE variant has already been exported. The fifth-generation J-35 stealth fighter jet, which shares origins with the FC-31, has also been commissioned in China, according to Wang.
Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC), another Chinese aviation industry firm, said in a WeChat post on Monday that it for the first time brought top products including the Taihang engine and the AES100 engine to the expo.
Taihang is a high thrust turbofan engine independently developed by China that has been commissioned in numbers and has been successfully exported. This type of engine has reached the advanced level of international products of the same generation, featuring fuel efficiency during cruise, strong combat power in aerial engagements, and low maintenance workload, AECC said.
Leading Chinese defense companies are also participating in the event, which will run until Friday, to exhibit a range of naval equipment, including surface vessels, submarines, underwater weapons and unmanned systems, as well as products from other defense sectors such as land, air and space, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
A 6.2-magnitude earthquake jolted Tainan City of China's Taiwan, at 12:17 a.m. Tuesday (Beijing Time), according to China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).
The epicenter, with a depth of 14 km, was monitored at 23.24 degrees north latitude and 120.51 degrees east longitude, the CENC said.
Tremors were felt in Taipei, lasting for over 10 seconds, and several aftershocks occurred after the quake.
According to local media reports, two people are being rescued after a house collapsed in Tainan.
US Forces Korea denied reports spread by online media outlet Sky Daily claiming that 99 Chinese spies were captured by US forces and sent to Japan when martial law was invoked, stating that such allegations are "entirely false," South Korea media reported.
In a public statement released Monday, the US Forces Korea stated, "The depiction of US Forces and the allegations in the mentioned ROK media article are entirely false," according to South Korean newspaper Hankyoreh.
The statement continued, "US Forces Korea remains committed to [its] mission of maintaining stability and security on the Korean Peninsula in accordance with the US-ROK Mutual Defense Treaty. We urge responsible reporting and fact-checking to prevent the spread of misinformation that could harm public trust."
The media article refers to a Sky Daily article published on Thursday titled "99 Chinese Spies Working at the National Election Commission Transported to Japan." The outlet wrote, "On Dec. 3, 2024, South Korean martial law troops, in a joint operation with US Forces Korea, raided the National Election Commission (NEC) and arrested 99 Chinese nationals, who were then deported to the US Army base in Okinawa via the port of Pyeongtaek-Dangjin."
The South Korean National Election Commission on Friday denied the report in a public statement, as did the National Office of Investigation, the police body that is currently involved in the joint probe into South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, according to Korean Herald.
On December 12, 2024, addressing to the nation, Yoon mentioned the cases of Chinese nationals threatening the South Korea's national security. He also said that China's solar facilities will destroy forests across the country.
In response, Mao Ning, spokesperson from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the same day that "We are surprised by those comments and find them deeply upsetting. We will not comment on the ROK's domestic affairs, but we absolutely oppose the ROK side associating its domestic affairs with Chinese elements, amplifying unfounded 'Chinese spy' accusations and throwing mud at normal economic and trade cooperation. None of these are conducive to a healthy and steady China-ROK relationship."
