Chinese Foreign Ministry and Commerce Ministry on Tuesday vowed to take countermeasures to safeguard rights and interests, in response to US President Donald Trump's recent claims of escalating tariffs unless China withdrew its retaliatory tariffs against the US by April 8.

In a post on Truth Social on Monday, the US president has threatened China with an extra 50 percent tariff on goods imported into the US if China does not withdraw its 34 percent counter-tariff on US products, according to CNBC.

"We will not let anyone take away the Chinese people's legitimate right to development. We will not tolerate any attempt to harm China's sovereignty, security and development interests. We will continue to take resolute and strong measures to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said in response at the regular Foreign Ministry press conference on Tuesday.

Lin said that judging from its actions, the US doesn't seem to be serious about having talks right now. "If the US truly wants to talk, it should let people see that they're ready to treat others with equality, respect and mutual benefit. If the US decides not to care about the interests of the US itself, China and the rest of the world, and is determined to fight a tariff and trade war, China's response will continue to the end," Lin said. 

In a statement published on its website on Tuesday, China's Commerce Ministry said China will resolutely take countermeasures to safeguard its rights and interests should the US escalate its tariff measures.

Citing sources or experts, Niutanqin, one of the self-media accounts, posted on Tuesday that China could take six possible measures against the US' tariffs, including significantly increasing tariffs on US agricultural products such as soybeans and sorghum, banning US poultry imports, suspending China-US cooperation on fentanyl-related issues, imposing curbs on services trade with the US, reducing or banning the import of US films, and investigating the intellectual property benefits of US companies operating in China.

China will continue to take resolute measures to safeguard its legitimate and lawful rights and interests, Lin said on Tuesday, noting that the ministry does not comment on what's been said on the internet.

Escalated pressure

While showing no intention to pause the sweeping "reciprocal tariffs," Trump continues to intensify pressure on its trade partners including China, the EU, Japan and Canada.

"The European Union's been very bad to us," Trump told reporters at the White House, accusing European nations of not buying enough US goods. "They're going to have to buy their energy from us, because they need it and they're going to have to buy it from us. They can buy it, we can knock off $350 billion in one week," Reuters reported, citing the US president. 

On Monday evening, the European Commission proposed its first retaliatory tariffs at 25 percent on a range of US imports in response to Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs, Reuters reported, citing an internal document. The tariffs on some goods will take effect on May 16 and others later in the year, on December 1, the document said, Reuters reported. 

In addition, Trump wrote in another post on Truth Social on Monday that Japan has "treated the US very poorly on Trade. They don't take our cars, but we take MILLIONS of theirs."

The US Department of Commerce, as part of an annual review process, plans to hike duties on Canadian lumber from 14.4 percent to 34.45 percent, CNN reported on Monday, citing published and unpublished filings in the Federal Register.

"The economic coercion and blackmail underscores Washington's hegemonic mindset - seeking 'America First' and 'American exceptionalism' by forcing others to make sacrifices," He Weiwen, a senior fellow at the Center for China and Globalization, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

The US' unilateral and protectionist behaviors run counter to the WTO's multilateral trading rules as well as other countries' legitimate rights and interests, He said, stressing that China's resolute countermeasures against US bullying are necessary to safeguard true multilateralism and maintain the multilateral trading system.

Self-inflicted isolation

"By imposing high tariffs on all of its trade partners, including China, the US risks trade and economic isolation," Yu Miaojie, president of Liaoning University, told the Global Times on Tuesday. 

In the short term, global trade may be adversely affected and global growth may be dragged down. However, the US' tariffs will have limited impact on China's exports, given that the country has made efforts to diversify export destinations over the past several years and form a new pattern of all-round opening-up in various fields and sectors, Yu said.     

"Instead, US tariffs will lead to higher prices, adding to inflationary pressure while slowing US economic growth," he said.

Larry Fink, CEO of US multinational investment firm BlackRock, said US stock markets could fall another 20 percent as steep US tariffs will lead some investors to believe the US economy may already be contracting, Reuters reported.

"Most CEOs I talk to would say we are probably in a recession right now," Fink told the Economic Club of New York on Monday, Reuters said.

Ken Langone, co-founder of US home improvement specialty retailer Home Depot, blasted the tariffs, describing the 34 percent tariff rate on China as "too aggressive, too soon," the Financial Times reported.

"I believe he's been poorly advised by his advisers about this trade situation - and the formula they're applying," said Langone

The US Chamber of Commerce, which represents millions of US businesses big and small but which is heavily funded by industry titans, is considering suing the Trump administration to block the implementation of Trump's new tariffs set to go into effect Wednesday, Fortune reported on Tuesday, citing sources with direct knowledge of the discussions.

The US Chamber could argue that Trump's invocation of emergency powers to impose the new tariffs is illegal. Last week a nonprofit called New Civil Liberties Alliance took a similar approach, filing suit on behalf of a small business owner who imports goods from China, arguing that the US President did not have the legal authority to impose his February tariffs on China, according to the report.

"Faced with the US' bullying practices, all other economies will have to figure out how to overcome challenges. Thus, those economies should unite, and continue to promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation," Chen Fengying, a research fellow at the Beijing-based China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) hosted a roundtable meeting with US-funded companies on Sunday, reaffirming the country's commitment to reform and opening-up amid global trade tensions, according to a statement on the MOFCOM website on Monday.

Regardless of global uncertainties, China remains resolute in its path toward reform and opening-up, Ling Ji, vice minister of commerce and deputy China international trade representative, said at the meeting, noting that multilateralism is the inevitable solution to the challenges facing the world and that China's door to the outside world will only open wider.

China's Ministry of Education issued the first study abroad alert for 2025 on Wednesday. According to the ministry, the state of Ohio in US has recently passed a bill on higher education that contains negative clauses related to China and imposes restrictions on educational exchanges and cooperation between colleges and universities in China and the US. 

The Ministry of Education reminds all students to make a good security risk assessment and enhance their awareness of precaution when choosing to study in the relevant states in the US in the near future.

Meanwhile, China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Wednesday also issued a risk alert for Chinese tourists traveling to the US, citing the recent deterioration in China-US economic and trade relations as well as the domestic security situation in the US. 

The Customs Tariff Commission of China's State Council announced Wednesday that China will raise additional tariffs for imported goods originating in the US to 84 percent from 34 percent from April 10. 

On April 8, the US further increased the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" on Chinese products exported to the US to 84 percent from 34 percent. The US escalation of tariffs against China is a mistake on top of a mistake; it seriously infringes upon China's legitimate rights and interests and gravely undermines the rules‑based multilateral trading system, said the commission.

When asked about the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and India and China's assessment of the overall development of bilateral ties as well as future prospects, FM spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday that, for today's anniversary, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian President Droupadi Murmu, as well as Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Indian PM Narendra Modi, exchanged congratulatory messages in this regard.

Guo said that China and India, both ancient civilizations, major developing countries, and important members of the Global South, are in a critical period of their respective modernization drives. The history of China-India relations demonstrates that becoming partners who achieve mutual success and realizing the "dragon and elephant dance" is the right choice for both sides, fully aligning with the fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples.

China stands ready to work with India to follow the strategic guidance of both countries' leaders and to view and handle bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and take the 75th anniversary as an opportunity to enhance strategic mutual trust, strengthen exchanges and cooperation across various fields, deepen communication and coordination on major international issues, jointly safeguard peace and tranquility in the China-India border areas, and steer bilateral relations toward sound and steady development, said Guo.

Another survivor pulled from rubble by Chinese rescuers in quake-hit Myanmar city Mandalay

Two Japanese tourists were detained for two weeks in China, then deported, for taking photos showing exposed buttocks at the Great Wall, a World Heritage site, Japanese media reported. The incident has sparked heated discussions among netizens, with some Japanese commenting "It's shameful for these two Japanese tourists to behave so disgracefully at a historical site."

In early January, a Japanese man in his 20s traveling in China exposed his buttocks at the Great Wall in Beijing, while a Japanese woman accompanying him took photos, the Japan Times reported on Friday.

The tourists reportedly told the Japanese Embassy they did it as a prank. However, they were detained for two weeks for violating the Law on Penalties for Administration of Public Security, as their act of public nudity was deemed disruptive to social order, before being deported to Japan.

Japanese Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday that "the Embassy of Japan in China confirmed on Jan 3 that two Japanese nationals were detained by local authorities at the Great Wall."

They were subsequently released and returned to Japan in January, the ministry said in a statement.

The Japanese Embassy in Beijing did not reply to requests for comment, as reported by the Japan Times.

Following the incident, Japan's NTV sent reporters to the site. A Japanese journalist expressed confusion over the tourist's behavior. 

"The Great Wall is at a high altitude, and in January, temperatures can drop to -15 C. It's hard to understand why the man would take off his pants to expose his buttock for photos in such freezing weather," the journalist said.

This incident has been reported by several mainstream Chinese media outlets, including People's Daily news app and the official Wechat account of China Youth Daily. The incident, meanwhile, sparked heated debate among netizens in both China and Japan. 

Some Japanese netizens commented, "it's shameful for these two Japanese tourists to behave so disgracefully at a historical site, two weeks' detention is too lenient," while others said, "Our country often complains about foreign tourists misbehaving, yet our own citizens are doing such things abroad." 

In China, the topic ranked 11th on Sina Weibo's trending list by Friday noon, with many netizens expressed their indignation, saying they couldn't understand the tourists' behavior. There are also some netizens praising the approach taken by the local police, noting that those who lack etiquette should be dealt with by such punishments.  

John Mutorwa Road, located in Rundu, in the Kavango East Region of northern Namibia, is celebrated as a major development that improves connectivity and boosts economic activity across local communities.

The road, constructed by China Henan International Cooperation Group (CHICO), was officially opened on Friday by its namesake, John Mutorwa, Namibia's deputy prime minister and minister of works and transport, marking a milestone for the region.

The Namibian government-funded project was completed last year and has since been lauded for its immediate impact on residents and businesses.

Jerry Kauyu, a consignment controller at the Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA), which is responsible for the management of fresh produce business hubs, highlighted the road's role in facilitating accessibility and bridging previously separated communities.

"I'm an employee of AMTA, one of the beneficiaries of this newly opened road. We've been here since 2013, and this road is very significant because it has increased our traffic in terms of the people visiting the fresh produce hub and the community," said Kauyu in an interview with Xinhua. "We really appreciate this development, and it comes at a time that is very much needed for this dire industry."

Beyond improving transportation, the project has also created local employment opportunities.

Speaking at the official opening, Mutorwa noted that 61 unskilled workers from local communities had been employed during the construction phase, a testament to the government's commitment to building roads and creating economic opportunities for its people.

"This investment ensures that the community benefits from an all-weather reliable road that requires less maintenance while improving overall quality of life," he added.

Kennedy Chigumira, regional engineering manager at Roads Authority of Namibia, commended CHICO's efficiency and commitment to high standards. "Look at the quality of the work, and the adherence to engineering standards within specified timelines. CHICO managed to do it," Chigumira said.

Cui Yunke, managing director of CHICO in Namibia, told Xinhua that although the John Mutorwa Road project is modest in scale, it is one of the "small and beautiful" projects that have brought tangible benefits to local communities.

Wei Jinming, counselor for economic and commercial affairs of the Chinese Embassy in Namibia, noted that the smooth completion and successful handover of the road mark another achievement in China-Namibia cooperation and will effectively benefit local people.

"China will, as always, further strengthen cooperation between the two countries in various fields and promote the continued development of bilateral relations," he said.

Commenting on a reporter's inquiry concerning that Taiwan regional authorities attempt to set up new overseas offices in certain countries or rename existing offices named after Taipei to Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that the one-China principle is a universally recognized norm of international relations and a prevailing consensus of the international community, serving as the political foundation for China to establish and develop relations with other countries. The Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Taiwan is never a country, not in the past, and never in the future.

Mao pointed out at the Monday press conference that for some time, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities have been using the pretext of exchanges and cooperation in fields such as economy, trade, science, technology, culture, and education, desperately attempting to breach the ironclad international commitment to the one-China principle. They seek to expand their so-called international space by resorting to tactics such as so-called "dollar diplomacy", bribery, coercion, and inducements, enticing certain countries to overstep boundaries or play ambiguous games on the Taiwan question, thereby undermining China's relations with those countries. 

We sternly warn the DPP authorities that the complete reunification of China is an unstoppable trend, and pursuit of "independence" is ultimately a dead end, the spokesperson said. It is hoped the relevant countries recognize the malicious intentions of the Taiwan regional authorities and take concrete actions to strictly adhere to the one-China principle, safeguarding the political foundation of bilateral relations, Mao added.

When asked to comment on the development of China-Russia cooperation and recent signs of a possible improvement in bilateral relations between Moscow and Washington in the future, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that China and Russia enjoys a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Russia relations have remained unaffected by external interference, maintained healthy and stable development, and are at their best period in history. China-Russia cooperation is neither targeted any third party, nor influenced by any third-party factors. 

China is willing to continue working with Russia to consolidate their permanent good-neighborly friendship and steadily advance all-round strategic coordination on the principles of non-alignment, non-confrontation, and non-targeting of any third party, continuously deepening mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation, the spokesperson said on Friday's routine press conference. 

Friday marks the 75th anniversary of the signing of the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance, and Mutual Assistance. On February 14, 1950, the two sides signed the treaty and other agreements. The Foreign Ministers of the two countries exchanged three notes, declaring null and void the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Alliance and the other agreements which were signed by the Soviet Government and the Kuomintang Government of China on August 14, 1945.

An innovative floating, production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel equipped with a carbon capture and storage facility has been completed in Shanghai, according to Science and Technology Daily.

The vessel is the first of its kind in the world and is scheduled for delivery by the end of February, according to the newspaper.

The FPSO, measuring 333 meters in length and 60 meters in width, has a daily production capacity of up to 120,000 barrels of crude oil.

It has a unique ability to capture carbon dioxide emissions generated during both navigation and oil production processes. Additionally, it utilizes the heat energy from exhaust gases to generate electricity, achieving dual objectives of environmental protection and energy efficiency, the news report stated.

Offshore oil and gas operations are known to produce substantial amounts of carbon dioxide annually. The deployment of carbon capture and storage facility on such vessels offers a promising solution to reduce emissions from offshore production and processing activities.

Editor's Note:

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 efforts 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.

Nestled in the misty mountains of Southwest China's Guizhou Province, where ancient traditions whisper through bamboo groves, the vibrant world of Miao embroidery comes to life with every stitch crafted by local artisans.

Guizhou has long been one of the most impoverished regions in China, grappling with a combination of geographical, economic, and infrastructural challenges that make daily life a struggle for many families. However, during China's monumental anti-poverty campaign - unprecedented in scale - Guizhou embarked on a transformative journey that harnessed local resources, introduced innovative methods, and revitalized traditional culture, ultimately achieving zero poverty by 2020.

For the villagers of Huawu in Xinren Miao Township, Guizhou's Qianxi city, the art of Miao embroidery, an intangible cultural heritage, was their magic weapon helping them shake off poverty and achieve prosperity.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, gave the thumbs up to using Miao embroidery to pass down ethnic, traditional culture, aid in the battle against poverty, and promote rural vitalization when visiting the villagers of Huawu on February 3, 2021, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Xi noted that "The treasures of ethnic culture are also the pride of the entire world. Miao embroidery is both traditional and fashionable, both a cultural treasure and an industry. It can promote not only traditional culture but also rural revitalization. Traditional ethnic culture like Miao embroidery must be kept alive and developed well."

Following the approach put forward by Xi, Huawu has made the ancient art of Miao embroidery a significant driver in the revitalization of rural industry, turning itself into one of China's beautiful leisure villages, Xinhua reported.
Return hometown to start own business

Yang Wenli, a 30-year-old woman born in Huawu village, still vividly remembers when Xi went on an inspection tour of the village's poverty-alleviation workshop to learn about the development of the Miao embroidery industry and the preservation of traditional ethnic culture.

"I was greatly encouraged. In the future, I will cultivate more excellent embroiderers and I hope that one day our Miao embroidery works can be showcased at more international platforms, allowing traditional cultures like embroidery and wax dyeing to be known and loved by more people around the world," Yang told the Global Times.

Yang was not originally involved in the industry. While she started to learn traditional Miao embroidery from an early age, she had not imagined that this local craft, which nearly every woman in the community was able to do, could lead to something greater than just making clothes for people.

After graduating from high school, in order to ease her family's financial burden, she found a job at an embroidery factory in East China's Zhejiang Province. It is at this factory that she encountered machine embroidery.

"A senior worker told me that the machine can embroider any pattern. I was dubious of her words. Then I drew a random pattern and gave it to her, and she embroidered it with the machine," she recalled.

That ignited a dream of mastering the use of such machines to create Miao embroidery in Yang's heart.

After a learning period at the factory, Yang became proficient in operating the embroidery machine. After discussion, Yang and her husband pooled their money to buy a second-hand embroidery machine and returned home to start their own business.

At first, Yang set up a small family workshop. In 2019, with the support and assistance of the local government, she established a Miao embroidery workshop in Huawu village.

"We returned to our hometown to start a business not only to earn money for a better life, but also to help more women like me find employment through embroidery. We want to ensure that the children here are no longer left-behind children like our generation," Yang said.

To this end, Yang provided free training in embroidery techniques and machine operation for local embroiderers, while also taking orders in the market to ensure that everyone had work and income.

Today, Yang has a design team to innovate the styles, colors, and accessories of Miao embroidery clothing, while also venturing into the cultural and creative sector by producing bags, scarves, and other products. She has also transformed her workshop into a new 1,600-square-meter factory, utilizing fully automatic sewing and embroidery machines.

Her workshop has, so far, created job opportunities for 22 villagers. The highest monthly salary of embroiderers in Yang's workshop reaches 8,000 yuan ($1,103), according to Yang.
Connect ethnic culture with fashion

As an intangible cultural heritage inheritor, Peng Yi has been thinking about how to pass on and develop Miao embroidery techniques since the day she started learning. A native of Huawu village, Peng has been deeply influenced by Miao batik and embroidery since childhood.

During her learning process, she developed a dream of promoting and revitalizing these ancient art forms. In 2015, to connect ethnic culture with fashion and bring it into the homes of many, Peng went to pursue a master's degree in ethnic and folk art at the Guizhou Minzu University. After graduating, Peng returned to Qianxi and established a company.

For Peng, inheritance is the most important aspect. She carefully taught her students the techniques of Miao embroidery and batik, requiring them to submit one or two batik paintings and a small piece of embroidery each week. She discussed each piece with her students, guiding them to adjust their techniques, and collaboratively researching and developing new technologies and products.

She also continuously visits other inheritors of intangible cultural heritage and folk artists, participates in various exhibitions, and works hard to promote the embroidery and batik products of Huawu Village.

"I firmly believe that traditional Miao embroidery and batik will continue to write more fashionable stories. We not only need to preserve Miao embroidery and batik, but also strengthen and expand the ethnic handicraft industry, allowing the lives of our elders and fellow villagers to flourish like the patterns of Miao embroidery and batik," Peng told the Global Times.

Today, Peng's studio has innovated over 100 batik and Miao embroidery cultural and creative products, including clothing, office supplies, and home decorations.

"The development of embroidery and batik needs to keep pace with the times; only through continuous innovation can more people appreciate these works, allowing the art of batik and embroidery to flourish," she stressed.

Join to save the ancient craft

Luo Yang, from East China's Shandong Province, was one of those who were attracted by the charm of traditional Miao embroidery and batik, thus deciding to join the industry to help preserve the culture.

In 2009, Luo went to a primary school in Qianxi as a voluntary teacher. It was during this year of teaching that she discovered the unique charm of Miao embroidery and batik.

After 2010, Luo went to work in Shanghai, but Miao embroidery and batik kept lingering in her mind. After getting married in 2021, she discussed her dream with her husband who supported her and later went to Qianxi with Luo to promote Miao embroidery.

The couple discovered that while Miao batik are exquisite, the inheritance of this art form faced challenges due to the acceleration of industrialization and urban-rural integration.

Many young people left their hometowns for work, leaving behind the elderly and children in the villages, and the techniques at that time struggled to enter the market. The younger generation was reluctant to learn, putting this ancient craft at risk of disappearing, Luo explained.

"I studied art design and have over a decade of experience in the advertising industry in Shanghai, which makes me think that I can do something to help the protection, inheritance, promotion, and development of the two intangible cultural heritages," Luo told the Global Times.

Thus, Luo established a company to start her entrepreneurial journey, while her husband Yang Ming, who is now the principal of a primary school in the Gaojin township, Qianxi, focused on promoting intangible cultural heritage in schools.

"I took senior Miao wax dyeing artisans, most of whom are dubbed as 'old aunts,' in the village to visit places where the industry of Miao embroidery and batik is more developed. They gradually understood that batik is not outdated, but a craft that is still loved by many people and can create practical value. This restored their confidence in their ethnic traditional technique," Luo said.

She said that the moment she saw some of these "old aunts" were willing to pick up their wax knives again, her eyes were filled with tears.

Now, Luo routinely organizes batik and embroidery training in her company, and invites professional teachers to teach new techniques. She has also taken Miao batik works to exhibitions in bigger cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.

In 2023, a large-scale Miao batik and embroidery work titled "Miao Rhythm: Flame of Inheritance," designed by Luo and Yang, made a stunning debut at the Hangzhou Asian Games Museum. With its unique artistic charm and cultural value, the work was permanently preserved by the Asian Games Museum.

According to Yang, the Miao embroidery products her workshop creates are sold to countries including the UK, France, and India, and are popular among local customers.

In the summer of 2024, Yang managed to secure a cross-border order. "At that time, several foreign tourists visited our workshop. They were very interested in our Miao embroidered hats. They ordered 1,000 hats and later added another 3,000."

Now, Yang's daughter has also fallen in love with this traditional craft and has become a new generation of inheritors. "She says she wants to be a designer when she grows up. I think that is great. I told her that when you become a designer, you can combine advanced design concepts with traditional Miao batik and embroidery to create more beautiful things and continue to pass on this traditional craft."