The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) will be held in Beijing from September 4 to 6 with the theme of "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future," the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday.
Leaders of FOCAC's African members will attend the summit at the invitation of the forum. Representatives of relevant African regional organizations and international organizations will attend relevant forum events.
This is the first gathering of the China-Africa family in Beijing since the 2018 FOCAC summit, and the summit will start a new stage in the development of China-Africa relations and write a new chapter in the construction of the China-Africa community with a shared future, the ministry said.
The focus of this cooperation forum is to further align development strategies with African countries and to address the collective demands of more than 50 African nations, experts said, noting that the significance lies in building consensus among the Global South.
The forum's senior officials' meeting and ministerial conference will be held on September 2 and 3 to prepare for the summit. From September 4- 6, a series of events including the summit's opening ceremony, welcome banquet and performances, parallel high-level meetings, the China-Africa entrepreneur conference, and bilateral meetings will take place, Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry, said at a press conference on Tuesday.
Mutual respect, equality, and joint consultation are key features of FOCAC, Lin said, noting that both sides are maintaining close communication and coordination to prepare for summit activities, continuing to promote the spirit of China-Africa friendship and cooperation.
The summit is taking place against the backdrop of intense great power competition, so some Western countries such as the US will closely watch it, Shen Shiwei, non-resident research fellow at the Institute of African Studies at Zhejiang Normal University, told the Global Times on Tuesday.
For African countries, the summit is highly anticipated, as they look forward to what new blueprints for cooperation will emerge, the expert noted.
Through the FOCAC summit, China and Africa will carry forward traditional friendship, deepen solidarity and cooperation and open up new space for accelerating the common development of China and Africa, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in March.
As African countries realize that they need to explore a development path that suits their national conditions and hold their future in their own hands, China will continue to stand firmly with Africa and support an Africa that is truly independent in thinking and ideas, Wang said.
Given the heightened challenges Africa faces in the post-COVID era, there may be even closer cooperation between China and Africa, Song Wei, a professor at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at the Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Tuesday.
"This may include financial support. Additionally, there may be cooperation in Africa's industrialization and modernization efforts, particularly in infrastructure development across regions," Song said.
In line with the demand for African integration, there will also be measures to support the construction of integrated infrastructure, the expert added.
The summit will highlight areas of focus for China-Africa cooperation, especially in light of current power politics, and trends toward "deglobalization" and trade protectionism, some experts said.
"The emphasis will be on investment in industries to promote modernization. Over the past few years, FOCAC has focused on small yet impactful projects that improve livelihoods, poverty alleviation, governance exchange and infrastructure development," Shen said, noting that these areas will be of particular interest and are key highlights of the summit.
The summit is expected to explore how China and Africa can participate more in international affairs, promote the development agenda of African countries, and the Global South, experts said.
"Some African countries like South Africa, Egypt and Ethiopia have joined the BRICS mechanism. The summit will emphasize how China and Africa can better defend justice and promote a fair and reasonable international order in current global affairs," Shen said.
While US trade protectionism has seriously hindered the entry of Chinese vehicles into the US market, American carmakers have been reaping the benefits of the Chinese market.
A slump in Tesla's shares has raised concerns about its challenges, which come from both increasing market competition and American politicians' irresponsible rhetoric about Chinese electric vehicles (EVs).
Shares in Tesla plunged more than 7 percent on Monday and fell to about $185.65 during after-hours trading, putting the company's China operation under the spotlight again.
Tesla sold 60,365 China-made vehicles in February, down 19 percent from a year earlier and the lowest since December 2022, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association. Usually, car sales stall during the Chinese New Year holidays, which fell in February this year.
Since the beginning of this year, Tesla's stock price has plunged more than 24 percent. It may be a sign that the challenges facing Tesla are more complicated and severe than expected.
Tesla once dominated the global market for new-energy vehicles with its advanced technology and the manufacturing support of its Gigafactory Shanghai. But it's losing its edge to the rise of Chinese EV makers like BYD. Tesla's EV sales remained the highest globally in 2023, but its fourth-quarter sales were surpassed by BYD.
Amid intensifying competition, Tesla also faces challenges in alleviating Chinese consumer concerns over data security. US politicians' abuse of security risks to block Chinese EVs could backfire on its major EV maker. For instance, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a recent interview with US media outlet MSNBC that "cars these days are like an iPhone on wheels… You connect your phone and you might receive the text message… Imagine a world with 3 million Chinese vehicles on the roads of America, and Beijing can turn them off at the same time."
With China remaining a major market for Tesla, US politicians' hostility toward Chinese EVs on the grounds of so-called national security may lead to mixed feelings among Chinese consumers.
Tesla's sales in the Chinese market exceeded 600,000 units in 2023, 439,770 units in 2022 and 470,000 units in 2021, according to media reports. If EVs really are as risky as Raimondo claimed, then Chinese consumers clearly have more reason to be worried, with so many Tesla vehicles around them.
Of course, those with rational minds can see that the main purpose of Raimondo's remarks is to keep Chinese EVs completely out of the US market, and the so-called security issues are just an excuse to build a high wall of trade and industrial protectionism for its domestic market.
In recent years, it has not been uncommon to see US politicians use the "national security threat" rhetoric to stoke fears over a wide range of Chinese products, and Chinese EVs are just one typical example.
Tesla's sales and profits in China not only reflect Chinese consumers' recognition of its products, but also demonstrate China's unbiased policy support for global EV makers.
Data security is important, but the key lies in managing the risks in a proper way, instead of using the issue as an excuse to block others from entering the market.
The reason why Tesla has achieved strong development in the Chinese market is because it abides by Chinese laws and regulations.
The choice is whether to manage risks with unbiased regulations, or to politicize economic and trade issues to discriminate against products from other countries. The relative level of EV development in China and the US says it all.
Experts and government officials from China and the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) shared their research and commitments via a recent forum, bolstering cooperation in the pursuit of climate justice and equitable solutions to the pressing challenges of climate change in the wake of the recently concluded COP28 in Dubai, UAE, where the first global stocktake took place and the Loss and Damage Fund was established.
The "2023 Pacific Island Countries Climate Action Dialogue" was held in Liaocheng, East China's Shandong Province on December 15. Hosted by the China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Action Cooperation Center, the dialogue focused on challenges of and actions to address climate change in the Pacific island countries, shared progress of China's South-South cooperation in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative and explored future pathways to jointly promote regional climate cooperation by China and the Pacific island countries.
More than 120 participates, including scholars from the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, National Climate Centre, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ocean University of China, Fudan University, Sun Yat-sen University, National University of Samoa, Liaocheng University, and guests from Fiji, Kiribati, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Sri Lanka attended the dialogue.
This dialogue effectively promoted exchanges between China and the island countries in the field of climate change, with a deep understanding on impacts of climate change on Pacific island countries. The dialogue also explored the potential of climate cooperation between China and Pacific island countries, according to a statement sent to the Global Times by China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Action Cooperation Center on Wednesday.
Li Yan, Deputy Director of Department of International Cooperation, the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, shared China's policies and achievements in addressing climate change, pointing out that compared to 2005, China had reduced its carbon emission per unit of GDP by 50 percent, reduced its proportion of coal consumption on energy consumption from 72.4 percent to 56.2 percent, and realized 1.2 billion kilowatt-hours installed capacity of renewable energy power generation from wind, solar, water and biomass, a remarkable achievement in low-carbon development.
Eric Salut, Special Representative of the Director General of the Bureau of Climate Change and Development of Papua New Guinea and Chairman of the organizing committee of the National Climate Summit, pointed out that China's technological, financial and capacity-building support essential collective efforts in building a resilient future for the Pacific. China's dedication to sustainable development and climate action has been evident through various initiatives, partnerships with island countries. The Belt and Road Initiative, in particular, expresses China's vision for fostering global cooperation and resilience, he said.
Li Jianping, Director of the Research Center for Marine Carbon Neutralization at Ocean University of China, voiced that climate change has had a profoundly significant impact on agriculture, fisheries and food systems in the PICs. He emphasized the necessity to intensify climate actions to aid these nations in combating climate change and achieving sustainable development.
During the dialogue, Chinese experts mentioned that China could leverage its technological and human resource strengths to assist the PICs. For instance, adapting to local conditions, China could develop a series of intelligent small-scale photovoltaic systems for seawater/brackish water desalination to meet the water and electricity needs of the island countries.
Shen Lei, a research fellow from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, proposed that there should also be collaborative research on the relationship between cultural heritage resources and climate change with the PICs, utilizing the roles of the National Museum of China and international organizations.
Coming amid the third China-Central Eastern European Countries Culture and Arts Carnival, traditional dances from all over Greece, such as ipirotikos, tsamiko, kalamatiano, sirtaki and ikariotiko, were performed on October 22 in Chaoyang Park, Beijing, by the Cultural Association "Peiros" dance troop from the municipality of Western Achaia.
The performance was aimed at preserving and transmitting cultural traditions and various aspects of Greek cultural heritage from generation to generation.
Along with the performances, videos showcased the beauty of Western Peloponnese, the birthplace of the Olympic Games, and informational materials were made available.
The eight-member dance group of the cultural association "Peiros" performed in Beijing as part of the third China-Central Eastern European Countries Culture and Arts Carnival, hosted by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, Chaoyang District People's Government of Beijing Municipality, and organized by the Beijing Overseas Cultural Exchange Center, Chaoyang District Bureau of Culture and Tourism of Beijing Municipality.
From the Songliao Plain to the banks of the Hailan River, from the shores of Chagan Lake to industrial parks, since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, has visited Northeast China's Jilin Province three times for inspection and research. He has gone to the far reaches of rural areas, communities, science and technology parks and enterprises, providing fundamental guidance, providing direction and injecting strong impetus to the comprehensive revitalization of the region in the new era.
Recently, the Global Times reporter, together with teachers and students from the School of Journalism and Communication at the Communication University of China, followed in the footsteps of Xi's visits to Jilin, tracing the red memories left behind by the president, understanding the original aspirations of the Party's centennial struggle, and drawing wisdom and strength to continue moving forward in the century-long journey of the Party.
Through exploring high-end manufacturing, to gain an intimate understanding of the development of national advanced technology industry clusters, appreciate the innovative charm of a major country's cutting-edge technology, and deeply comprehend the strategic significance of a manufacturing powerhouse advancing toward a strong manufacturing country, the research team visited villages, witnessed the development of agricultural modernization, experienced the beauty of a harmonious China under the protection of the ecological civilization system, and gained a profound understanding of the scientific concept of harmonizing economic development and ecological environment protection.
By following in the footsteps of President Xi, the most authentic stories of China are documented and the most touching profiles are presented to the world.
What are secrets behind accelerating Chinese Dream?
More than one year has passed since the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games concluded with a spectacular and unforgettable closing ceremony featuring stunning venues and technological innovations that captivated the world, yet its essence still lives on in every Chinese person's heart.
Among the many moments that the Games have left a deep impression on the audience, one must be the promotional video played before the opening ceremony - a Winter Olympic special train developed by CRRC Changchun drove out of the snow and ice with athletes "together for a shared future," as this sporting extravaganza fully demonstrates the style of China's high-end manufacturing "golden card."
"To boost the manufacturing industry, innovation-driven development is the core," Xi said in July 2015, while on an inspection tour of the CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Company, where the president learned about the assembly line of high-speed trains (Electric Multiple Unit) EMUs, and boarded the assembled high-speed EMUs to understand the performance, facilities onboard and operation. Xi encouraged everyone to make continuous efforts in the construction of high-speed rail, drive innovation, continue to lead and climb the peaks of success, and drive the entire equipment manufacturing industry to create an environment of learning and cooperation.
The research team visited the CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Company, the train's manufacturer, and explored the secrets behind the acceleration of the Chinese Dream via an exclusive interview with Liu Junyang, chief designer of the Intelligent EMU for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
During the Games, the CRRC gave full play to its technological advantages, unveiling a brand new, state-of-the-art Fuxing bullet train, said to be the world's first intelligent and autonomous high-speed train with a top speed of 350 kilometers per hour and a 5G live broadcast studio on board.
Accompanied by Liu, the Global Times reporter embarked on a journey to get to know more about the model train operating on the Beijing-Zhangjiakou High-Speed Railway line, becoming immersed in the cutting-edge service technology and human-centric design.
Inside the compact train carriage, numerous surprises await. The ordinary dining table can be transformed into a spacious media workstation when unfolded. Intelligent displays are omnipresent, catering to diverse information needs such as self-service ordering and live broadcasting of sporting events. The snowflake-patterned interior on the partitions and the ever-changing five-ring-shaped starry sky ceiling above evokes an unmistakable Winter Olympics atmosphere.
One of the unique characteristics of the EMU is that it has a live broadcast studio that can transmit ultra-high-definition content via a 5G connection, Liu said. The installation, one of the first on the world's fastest trains, has brought convenience to global media professionals when covering sporting events.
On July 21, the Fuxing Intelligent EMU for the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou was officially launched in Changchun, capital of Jilin Province and was hailed as being customized, environmentally friendly, intelligent and comfortable.
The engineer revealed that the most special thing about the Asian Games EMU is the exterior and interior designing. "We did some innovative designs according to the requirements of the Asian Games Organizing Committee and the publicity department of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. For example, the theme of the appearance design is 'Warm Jiangnan,' using Hangzhou's landscape meaning, urban culture and combined with the emblem, sports livery, to create a unique style."
In the near future, the Asian Games special train will officially enter operation, providing athletes and visitors with a refreshing and revitalizing travel experience. CRRC Changchun, a railway hallmark with a 69-year history, is also set to embark on a brighter future under the dedicated efforts of young engineers like Liu.
How was first domestically built limousine developed?
"To promote high-quality economic development, efforts must be made to strengthen the competitiveness of the economy, as well as its capabilities to innovate and fend off risks," Xi said while visiting the R&D headquarters of the automaker FAW Group in Changchun, on July 23, 2020.
During his inspection tour, Xi chatted with employees who had recently graduated from universities. He said the Party committees and governments at all levels should pay very close attention to the employment of university graduates, and strengthen the independent development of core technologies and components to promote the high-quality development of China's automobile manufacturing industry and build strong domestic auto brands.
Inspired by Xi's remarks, FAW has made significant strides in the last three years by making breakthroughs in key and core technologies, advancing the development of self-owned brands and building itself into a world-class auto manufacturer.
Stepping into the Changchun-based headquarters of the FAW Group, one can see vehicles under the Hongqi brand on display in an exhibition room. Hongqi, meaning "red flag" in Chinese, used to be reserved for use by national leaders, also being used as parade cars during National Day parades.
At the three-year anniversary exhibition after President Xi's inspection, the research team gained a close insight into how China's first domestically built limousine was developed and its innovation path to the world. From self-developed high-performance cells and intelligent EE architecture, to Kingpin Steering with technical features of high integration, precision, and safety all these outcomes reflect China's new manufacturing intelligence.
In the field of traditional fuel engines, thermal efficiency of the engine that FAW designed has surpassed 39 percent. In terms of new energy, FAW has achieved nine key technologies and is carrying out research and development in other technologies such as hydrogen fuel engines, which reveal FAW's aspiration and determination in promoting new energy.
With the reputation of being a "domestic carmaker," FAW has taken the lead in breaking through bottleneck technologies. The Global Times learned from the group that the company has achieved 73 technological breakthroughs, including hybrid power system integration and control technology, low-temperature resistant battery technology.
With an increasing number of people opting for domestic vehicle brands, the Global Times reporter observed the trend of a growing number of Hongqi cars on the streets of Changchun. The cars are equipped with domestically developed engines and other key components, which show that China's national brands for autos are rising rapidly and gradually becoming more influential in the domestic market.
FAW's achievements over the last three years are a snapshot of China's automobile industry, which has made great progress and is expected to reach new heights in science and technology.
What can we learn from Lishu Model?
"When I introduced the situation of our local mechanized and large-scale farming operations, what surprised me was that the president had a very good understanding of the global black soil situation, while asking follow-up questions about ways in which we protect the arable land," said Wang Guiman, director of the Agricultural Technology Promotion Station in Lishu county, Jilin Province.
On July 22, 2020, Xi inspected Lishu to learn about the protection and use of black soil at a demonstration zone for green food production. Wang won't forget the day Xi entered a cornfield, stressing effective measures to protect and utilize the high-yielding black soil, which is "as treasured as giant pandas."
Black soil, one of the most fertile soil types in the world, is characterized by its high humus content. Northeast China has the reputation of being a "Golden Corn Belt" and the "Land of Soybeans." However, compared with the other two major black soil areas in the world - the Ukrainian Plain in Europe and the Mississippi Plain in the US, only the Northeast Plain in China needs to be cultivated and protected at the same time.
At the beginning of 21st century, due to long-term intensive cultivation and burning of straw in farmland, the black soil in Northeast China has faced a number of problems such as degeneration, soil compaction and a decline of organic matter in soil. Consequently, the protection of black soil has become a pressing concern.
How can black soil be better protected? The research team followed in the president's steps to take a closer look at why the practice in Lishu is worth promoting.
Since 2008, Lishu has employed a no-tillage technique with full-scale corn stover cover for mulching to scientifically utilize and protect its black soil. This approach has yielded remarkable results.
Currently, Lishu has a cultivated area of 3.938 million mu (262,500 hectares), and its annual grain output is 2 million tons, making it an important grain production area not only in Jilin Province but also in China.
"We must protect the black soil akin to safeguarding the giant panda," "we must thoroughly summarize the Lishu Model and promote it on a larger scale," and "we must develop specialized farmers' cooperatives based on local conditions." These are three important instructions that Xi made during his visit to the county.
The Lishu Model refers to a set of mechanized protective techniques developed by agricultural scientists to optimize the utilization and protection of black soil. After the autumn harvest, corn straw is used as mulch to maintain soil moisture and nutrients. At the same time, with major breakthroughs in the development of key tools for protective cultivation, farmers can use no-tillage seeders and carry out multiple cultivation operations in one go.
The Lishu Model offers four no-tillage sewing forms tailored to different topographical and terrain conditions, addressing specific issues, and producing numerous positive effects, including stable and high crop yields, reduced soil erosion, decreased soil moisture evaporation and improved soil fertility.
Regarding how to transform the Lishu Model from simple promotion to comprehensive implementation, Wang shared the planning strategy and expected goals, stating that "The Lishu Model should be rooted in the Northeast, promoted throughout the country, and extended to the world."
"The Lishu Model has been implemented in some countries along the route of China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative," Wang said. "In the future, it will continue to serve as a crucial cornerstone for black soil conservation and utilization and sustainable agricultural development."
On the afternoon of August 30, the inaugural "Tsinghua Global Youth Dialogue" successfully concluded amidst the chorus of Auld Lang Syne. Under the theme of "United Youth, Shared Future," the Dialogue attracted over 60 youth representatives from more than 30 countries and regions worldwide, launching a joint initiative to promote global engagement in building a more harmonious, inclusive, open, and sustainable world.
Sponsored by Tsinghua University, the event takes the form of "practice + dialogue," aiming to create a platform for global youth to engage in interactions and discussions and to provide them with an opportunity to explore China and discuss global issues together. Through visiting Chinese cities, young representatives gained first-hand experience of China's innovation and immersed themselves in the charm of Chinese culture. In the dialogue session adhering to the concept of "diversity and integration," youth representatives expressed their desire to further strengthen youth communications and cooperations.
The Global Times talked to four young people from different countries about their impressions of China, the importance of youth dialogue, and how their countries could enhance cooperation with China.
Aditya Garg, an Indian student at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay
This is my first time in the Chinese mainland. Coming here, I didn't expect China to be so magnificent. I had a different impression, but all my beliefs changed when I visited Shenzhen. It's an incredibly high-tech city with impressive technological companies. We even got to sit in a self-driving car, which surprised me as I thought self-driving cars were still in the research phase. The spacious buildings and great environment also impressed me. Honestly, I'm in love with Shenzhen and I would definitely come back there. People outside of China should know about this great place.
China and India will definitely have a better future. Both countries are providing opportunities for youth to collaborate and have a dialogue. I understand that both our countries face challenges, but I believe this can be solved through diplomacy and dialogue. That's why I'm here. Both Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi believe in the power of youth and dialogue. So, I think this platform will help me connect with people from China and around the world. Probably we will be leaders in the future and address many problems that our countries face. For instance, if my Chinese friends and I establish a strong friendship now, in 10 years when we are representing our countries, this strong bond would greatly assist in fostering dialogue and resolving some of the problems we face. This is why our leaders encourage us to collaborate.
I believe China and India can become great partners, leading a revolution on the international stage. We've found similar cultural values between India and China, which are very different from the West. This connection binds our countries strongly. With our rich cultural backgrounds and histories, we can share a global stage together.
Aie Natasha, an Indonesian youth activist of the non-profit youth organization Indonesian Youth Diplomacy
My first impression of China is that it's incredibly diverse yet harmoniously interconnected. In a vast country like China, it's incredible to witness how people are actively embracing government initiatives that connect technology with their daily lives. I was amazed when we first arrived in Shenzhen, a city at the forefront of innovation, where all the public transportation uses digital payment and is powered by electricity. When I visited the Forbidden City in Beijing, I felt like I was in another city with its own culture, yet it's all within the same country, China. This unique characteristic of China is what has truly impressed me.
Regarding collaborations between Indonesia and China, there's an agreement between Shenzhen and our new capital city, Nusantara, located on Kalimantan Island. Shenzhen will share its advancements with Nusantara, particularly in the realm of smart green cities, where technology and the environment converge. I'm eagerly anticipating concrete actions and collaborations between these two cities. This partnership between the two cities is ultimately a collaboration between our two countries. We share a common journey from being small cities to becoming well-known and developed urban centers.
Globally, we are all confronting the pressing issue of the climate crisis. The collaboration between Indonesia and China will help to promote environmental sustainability. Sustainability is inherently linked to lifestyle, and achieving this requires enhancing digital literacy and ensuring the widespread reach of this collaboration across Indonesia. As I mentioned before, it's impressive that even individuals not directly involved in government or AI technology in China can use digital payment methods and unmanned self-service. However, being from a developing nation, one of our major challenges is financial constraints and imparting technological knowledge to our citizens. Many people who lack familiarity with technology or AI might view it as invisible, unable to comprehend its benefits. This lack of understanding can be a significant barrier to progress.
I truly emphasize the importance of collaborations, especially between countries that develop technology. As developing nations, it's crucial for us to benchmark our progress. That's why we're here, observing how developed China is in both technology and culture. In the future, with student exchanges between China and Indonesia, we can establish project-based collaborations that go even deeper.
Ana González, a student from El Salvador at Beijing International Studies University
I currently reside in Beijing, where I am studying at Beijing International Studies University. I have developed a deep appreciation for China during my nearly 10 months here. I am genuinely excited about continuing to delve into Chinese culture, which I find endlessly fascinating due to its rich history. I want to explore and discover more new places to visit.
My country is one of the participants in the BRI. While our relationship with China is relatively young, having started in 2018, we are soon approaching our fifth anniversary. China has given us hope, especially considering that our country and the broader region have historically been heavily dependent on other nations. We are now seeking to diversify our economy by finding new partners who are willing to engage with us on equal terms, rather than viewing us as lesser due to our status as a developing nation.
I believe that China is fostering a partnership with us based on mutual agreements that benefit both parties. For example, at the beginning of this year, the Free Trade Agreement was signed. We acknowledge that we have a long road ahead, but we are eager to play a more active role in this initiative. We believe that this will not only benefit El Salvador but also have a positive impact on the entire Latin American region. Historically, Latin America has been a region of integration, meaning that when one country succeeds, it can uplift the entire region. This is a goal we aspire to achieve.
The global youth dialogue has not only allowed me to connect with people from all corners of the world but has also been a tremendous source of personal growth over the past 10 days. I consider myself to be a sponge, eagerly absorbing knowledge and insights from their diverse experiences. In my view, activities like these serve as the foundation for genuine cooperation between countries. For young people like us who have all experienced similar aspects of life, it is easier for us to understand and connect with each other despite our differences.
For instance, many participants who visited China for the first time are returning home with completely different perspectives compared to when they first arrived. They might have initially held certain visions based on external impressions. Yet, through experiencing new cultures, talking and being with local people, we've recognized that these prejudices are not true and changed the vision we had before.
As more of these activities continue to take place, we find ourselves better prepared for the future. While we may not currently hold significant power to drive tangible change, who knows what the future holds? In 30 years, some of us might become actual ambassadors or delegates to the UN. Then, we will be able to make meaningful changes because we have these experiences that back us up.
Liao Yang, a Chinese student at Tsinghua University
I consider it a tremendous opportunity to bring together such a diverse group of individuals from around the world. With representatives from nearly 30 countries, what struck me the most was our collective willingness to communicate with kindness and patience, despite language and cultural differences. Exploring these differences and making an effort to understand them better has been a fascinating journey.
Collaborating with other young participants has been an incredible experience. We provided each other with motivation and support, fostering a strong friendship that touched me deeply. Furthermore, as we engaged in discussions, I became aware of the unique strengths and profound insights that each of us brings to our respective fields, which is truly remarkable.
I look forward to the prospect of more in-depth dialogues and discussions in the future. When participants from various countries come together for these exchanges, it's like a fusion of diverse ideas that has the potential to generate wisdom and intelligence. This prospect excites me greatly.
As the Russia-Ukraine war drags on, more and more forces in the West have shown concern over how long Western countries can support Ukraine in this military conflict. For instance, the Pentagon has warned Congress that it is running low on money to replace weapons the US has sent to Ukraine and has already been forced to slow down resupplying some troops, according to The Associated Press on Tuesday.
This is against the backdrop that during the past weekend, the US Congress made a surprising breakthrough and passed a funding bill that will keep the federal government running until mid-November. However, this is a shuddering lesson for both Ukraine and Europe, because pressure from the Republicans led Congress can easily abandon any new aid program for Ukraine in order to avoid the government shutdown.
Currently, the partisan squabble in the US over Ukrainian aid has dominated US politics. The issue of military aid to Ukraine is likely to become one of the main topics in next year's presidential election, making the dispute between the two parties over this matter increasingly intense.
On the surface, it seems that an increasing number of Republicans are opposed to aiding Ukraine further. But in fact, they want to find a compromise on future support for Kiev - they ask to audit US aid to Ukraine, and at the same time, demand that the US allies should do their best to support Ukraine, so that Washington can aid less but benefit more. It is clear that the US does not want to provide current levels of military aid to Kiev, because it is not in its national interest to do so. As a result, the support for Kiev will continue despite constant partisan bickering.
In contrast, the European Union (EU) is falling deeper into the bottomless abyss of aiding Ukraine. On the same day as US media reported the Pentagon's poor-mouthing, top diplomats from nearly all EU members held a surprise summit in Kiev, reaffirming the bloc's commitment to Ukraine.
In fact, the Russia-Ukraine military conflict is a trap dug by the US for Europe. Decreasing support from Washington will force the EU to provide an increasing level of aid. In the eyes of many US politicians, it is more in their country's interests to let Europe bear more costs of the ongoing war. They believe that helping Ukraine is not in the US' national interest. Yet, they claim that Europe should not reduce aid; otherwise, the continent will be deeply hurt.
On the other hand, Europe is finding itself at the bottom of a US-dug trap. However, it is unlikely that the EU's aid to Ukraine will stay invariable. Over Ukrainian aid, it is a matter of partisan squabble in the US. But it's much more difficult for the EU consisting of 27 members to coordinate fully and form a broad consensus on the same issue.
In addition, there is a growing list of European countries opposing the increase of aid to Ukraine. Many Europeans have begun to realize that the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine is essentially an important means for political maneuver and military initiative to check and balance Russia and Europe.
The question if the EU will follow the US' steps to reduce or even end aid to Ukraine one day depends on the development of the situation in Europe. In other words, Ukraine will have to deal with less support from the EU if the continent faces sharper recession and rising inflation, along with the growing anti-war sentiment in the bloc.
A new antiviral drug used for the treatment of COVID-19 was approved for clinical application in China recently. The new drug has dual antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, and has a wide coverage including Delta and Omicron strains, according to one of its developers Air Force Medical University of PLA.
The new drug, Meplazumab for Injection, was co-developed by Xi'an-based Air Force Medical University of PLA and Jiangsu Pacific Meinuoke Bio-pharmaceutical Co, which obtained complete independent intellectual property rights, Air Force Medical University of PLA said via its official WeChat account recently. The results of pharmaceutical studies of phase I to III clinical trials showed that the drug had good safety and was well-tolerated, and no drug-related serious adverse reactions were reported, said the university.
After treatment, the mortality rate among severe patients decreased by 83.6 percent, and the discharge rate increased by 17.3 percent, while the discharge rate of mild and ordinary COVID-19 patients was raised by 34.1 percent. Also, the rate of nucleic acid tests turning negative was lifted by 50 percent on the third day after using drugs and 100 percent on the fourth day, said its developer.
Related clinical trials have been carried out in public health centers in China including Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Chengdu Public Health Clinical Center and Shenzhen Third People's Hospital. The drugs were used for clinical trials for 150 mild and ordinary COVID-19 patients, and the results have showed that the rate for the patients to turn negative of COVID-19 has been increased as well as the hospital discharge rate, according to the university.
China's first domestically developed oral drug for COVID-19 treatment Azvudine, produced by Genuine Biotech Limited based in Central China's Henan Province, has set its initial price at less than 300 yuan ($44.4) per bottle. China approved Pfizer's COVID-19 pill Paxlovid and the domestic neutralizing antibody therapy BRII-196/BRII-198 for COVID-19 treatment.
