Editor's Note:

The crisis in Ukraine has escalated dramatically over the past year, with ongoing hostilities inflicting enormous trauma on both parties involved - Ukraine and Russia. In mid-July, Gao Zhikai, vice president of the Center for China and Globalization, a Beijing-based nongovernmental think tank, visited Kiev, the capital city of Ukraine. During a recent interview with Global Times reporters Chen Qingqing and Bai Yunyi, Gao shared his observations and experiences in Kiev, as well as his interactions with Ukrainians from various fields. Gao said he hopes for an early end to the crisis and wishes for the Ukrainian people to lead peaceful, harmonious, progressive and prosperous lives. "Peace will not come easily," he said, "but it is worth every effort to strive for."

This story is a part of the Global Times' series of "Witness to history," which features first-hand accounts from witnesses who were at the forefront of historic moments. From scholars, politicians and diplomats to ordinary citizens, their authentic reflections on the impact of historical moments help reveal a sound future for humanity through the solid steps forward taken in the past and the present.
Three air raid alarms within 36 hours

Gao's journey was somewhat complicated due to the no-fly zone over all of Ukraine: He had to first fly from Beijing to Warsaw, Poland, then take a train to the Polish-Ukrainian border, and from there catch another train to Kiev. He only spent 36 hours in Kiev, but the round trip took him four days in total.

What struck him the most was that during his 36-hour stay in Kiev, he experienced three air raid alarms. The first was at noon and was quickly lifted, so he didn't pay it much mind. The second occurred at 4 am in the dark of night when the alarm suddenly sounded, prompting him to quickly put on his helmet and rush to the second basement level of the hotel, which has since been turned into a "shelter" since the outbreak of the conflict.

He then noticed that the decent-sized hotel only had five or six guests. Everyone was silent yet tense, and they waited in the silent, anxious atmosphere for over an hour.

The third air raid warning occurred at noon the next day, just as he finished a working lunch with Ukrainian officials and was about to board a car. Suddenly, the alarm sounded again over the entire city of Kiev, and every person's phone also buzzed with an alert, making it seem as though the entire world was booming.

Many people ran past Gao in a panic, and the streets quickly emptied. Gao said his Ukrainian friend quickly pulled him into the basement of the restaurant, telling him that during an air raid warning, anything moving above ground could potentially become a target of attack for both sides.

Gao said his Ukrainian friend told him that since the outbreak of the conflict, almost all underground spaces in Ukraine have been turned into shelters: City subway stations have become the largest "air-raid shelters" - due to the influence of the Soviet era, Ukraine's subway stations are very deep underground, so they are relatively safe.

Many restaurants, office buildings, and hotel basements, first, and second floors have also been converted into shelters, but many are quite "basic" and it's hard to guarantee safety. As soon as an air raid warning sounds, everyone must immediately seek shelter in the nearest bunker.

Gao said that although he experienced three air raid warnings during his 36 hours in Kiev, the main target of Russia's military action is not actually Kiev. The frequent air raid warnings during this time were mainly because the NATO summit was taking place in Vilnius, Lithuania, and Russia was trying to express its dissatisfaction and display its "toughness" through air raids on the Ukrainian capital city.

'Hardly see faces of adult men'

While the frontlines are mostly concentrated in Eastern Ukraine, the traces of the crisis are very evident in and around Kiev.

Heading north out of Kiev, one can see that the suburban roads are still heavily patrolled with numerous roadblocks and iron fences set up to impede the progress of tanks.

Gao said that he noticed that Ukraine's preparations are strict, with the rigorous inspection of people and vehicles at each checkpoint, and the tense atmosphere is palpable.

The destruction of suburban buildings is severe: Some buildings are half-destroyed, revealing their contents like pianos, furniture, and even children's backpacks hanging on the walls inside; there are also half-collapsed shopping malls, the insides of which are in disarray.
Life inside Kiev is much calmer. Aside from the occasional air raid siren and nightly curfews, people can generally continue to work, shop, and eat normally. In Kiev's supermarkets and shops, aside from medicine, Gao said he didn't notice any significant signs of shortages, and prices were stable. Prices for grains, vegetables, and fruits were even slightly cheaper than in Beijing and neighboring Poland, though imported goods were more expensive. Most restaurants were operating normally, and the one in which he had his working lunch was almost "packed."

However, in downturn Kiev, the exteriors of all major institutional buildings are tightly surrounded by makeshift defensive barriers made of sandbags and bricks. The doors are tightly sealed and guarded by soldiers to prevent sudden infiltration, and military vehicles and personnel are visible everywhere on the roads. On his first day in Kiev, Gao saw a long row of ambulances standing by at the train station, perhaps waiting for the arrival of injured personnel from afar.

What he will never forget are the faces he saw on the streets of Kiev: There were women, children, and the elderly, but very few adult men, and it was the same on the train from the border to Kiev. Once, while he was walking on the street, a soldier in uniform came out from barrier behind to check on him. Upon closer inspection, Gao noticed that the soldier was a boy of 15 or 16 years old. His face was rosy and still had some baby fat. Gao believed that perhaps most adult men in Ukraine have already gone to the frontlines.

Regrettable process of 'de-Russification'

During his trip, Gao had conversations with the Ukrainian government personnel, military officials, and ordinary citizens about their perspectives on the future of the crisis. Every Ukrainian he encountered essentially held a "resist to the end" mentality. The Ukrainian government displays Russian tanks and weapons captured during the conflict in some squares to boost morale.

However, most Ukrainians, including those in the military and government, still place their hopes of "victory" on NATO, Gao said. They like to talk about "if NATO approves Ukraine's membership, this or that could happen," or "if NATO provides us with more weapons, we could do this or that," despite the US clearly stating that it won't admit Ukraine into NATO before the end of the conflict.

Some Ukrainians place their hopes on political changes within Russia. One member of the Ukrainian military told Gao, "The key to Ukraine's ultimate victory may not lie in the battlefield, but in Moscow."
Since the outbreak of the conflict, the process of "de-Russification" has become increasingly apparent throughout Ukraine. This trend began in 2014, but the outbreak of conflict undoubtedly accelerated it. Nowadays, it's rare to see statues or symbols from the Soviet era or related to Russia in the streets of Kiev and other cities. Not only were statues or monuments of Soviet politicians like Stalin and Zhukov toppled, but also the statues of Russian writer Pushkin and Soviet writer Gorky were gone.

Ukraine is also renaming streets and villages, eliminating any associations between place names and Russia. Moreover, the government has issued orders that effectively ban the use of Russian in newspapers and broadcasts.

From the perspective of an outsider like Gao, all of this evokes a sense of regret. For many foreigners, it's hard to distinguish between Russians and Ukrainians when walking on the street, and to his ears, Russian and Ukrainian sound as similar as the Beijing dialect and the Tianjin dialect. The intertwined histories and cultures of the two countries are so deeply entwined.

Importance of China's role

How do Ukrainians view China's role? China and Ukraine established diplomatic relations on January 4, 1992, built a comprehensive friendly cooperative relationship in 2001, and jointly announced the establishment of a strategic partnership in 2011. The two countries have fostered friendly and mutually beneficial relations across various fields, with rapid cooperative development.

During Gao's visit, he had this discussion with many Ukrainians and sensed a kind of "complex" feeling among Ukrainians toward China.

On one hand, over the years, American media and public opinion have had a great influence on the Ukrainian public. Since the outbreak of the conflict, American narratives have attempted to demonize Russia, while also portraying China as a "complicit party."

Today, many Ukrainians have been blinded by the American narrative, believing that the US is helping them achieve independence and freedom, while China is "assisting Russia," which is a clear misinterpretation of China's real stance.

China is neither the creator of the Ukraine crisis nor a party involved. On the issue of the Ukraine crisis, China has always stood on the side of peace, and its core position is to promote peace and encourage dialogue.

On the other hand, they have expectations for China - they are very aware of China's significance in promoting peace and talks.

"For instance, a Ukrainian government official once suggested to me that China could act as a 'middleman' in taking care of the prisoners of war from both Russia and Ukraine. Currently, both sides have captured a large number of prisoners, who are being treated very poorly with frequent reports of abuses," Gao noted.

In the eyes of Ukrainians, the relationship between the West and Russia has deteriorated to a freezing point, and no Western country can play this role.

Only China might be able to help the prisoners on both sides to receive humanitarian treatment. This shows the importance Ukrainians attach to China's role, as well as their complex yet expectant feelings toward China, Gao said.

Upon leaving Ukraine, Gao said that he kept thinking that Ukraine is a country rich in resources, its people are hard-working, kind, intelligent, and brave.

With proper governance, Ukraine can certainly become a prosperous country on the Eurasian continent. And the beautiful future of Ukraine firstly lies in ending the current crisis and restoring peace as soon as possible.

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."

In history, Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, was once an important hub along the ancient Silk Road, with notable figures such as China's envoy Zhang Qian, and pilgrims Faxian and Xuanzang leaving their footprints here. Due to its harsh climate and geographical conditions, those who embarked on this route in different eras were often bestowed titles like "explorers," "warriors," and "pioneers." 

Today, the Silk Road still attracts such trailblazers, but the Silk Road Economic Belt under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has changed dramatically from its predecessors. One by one, major projects designed and built by China have left a unique and beautiful mark along the Silk Road in the new era.

Recently, Global Times reporters explored the super projects undertaken by Chinese enterprises in Uzbekistan to witness the embodiment of Chinese technology, quality standards, and wisdom, as the grand projects have brought about tremendous changes to the socio-economic landscape of Central Asia.

A modern town part of national 'heritage' 

When looking into the distance from the heights of Tashkent, a mushrooming of modern sports stadiums appears. The Olympic Town of Uzbekistan constructed by the China CAMC Engineering Company, which will be the largest sports complex in the entire Central Asia region upon its completion, is just one of the grand sports-related projects under construction. Two years hence, in 2025, the Olympic town will play host to the 4th Asian Youth Games and the 5th Asian Youth.

"You guys came a little too early. By the middle of September, the structures of the five main stadiums will have been completed," Han Xueli, business project manager at China CAMC Engineering Company, told the Global Times on August 17. 

The Olympic Town project is a large sports complex covering an area of 100 hectares, including 5 main stadiums and 15 outdoor sports fields. It is the first large-scale cooperative project to be jointly undertaken by China and Uzbekistan after the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Samarkand summit in 2022. 

Han explained that the design, construction, and quality assurance have all adopted Chinese standards, integrated high-end technology with green elements. For example, the project will install a rooftop photovoltaic system with a total capacity of 7 megawatts. All the roofs of parking lots and sports facilities, such as the ball sports complex, will be covered with solar panels. This will not only facilitate the entry of new energy vehicles but also meet the daily electricity needs of the entire sports complex.

Fully utilizing the existing terrain, the project has two landscape water systems that are both aesthetically pleasing and practical thanks to their rainwater storage capacities. Considering the local climate, the project has embedded pipes capable of drip irrigation, replacing the previous flood irrigation system in Tashkent. Additionally, the Olympic Town incorporates 5G technology to achieve smart venues and intelligent operations.

However, completing such high-quality project within two years is not an easy task. The Uzbekistan-based China CAMC Engineering Company team has contributed a lot toward meeting the deadline. 

In the eyes of many Uzbeks, many of these Chinese concepts and standards have surpassed their expectations. Moreover, under the difficult environment of both extreme heat and cold, it is not easy to complete a project of this scale without compromising on quality in just two years' time and realize its completion by the end of 2024. However, the Chinese contractor has always actively looked for ways to solve problems and work with the Uzbek side to actualize the ambitions completion goal.

"During summer, we usually do the construction work in the morning and early evening, so as to avoid the hottest time at noon; water pipes crack easily in winter, so we strive to complete the upper steel structure lifting before the arrival of winter," said Han. 

In order to realize the real-time follow up of the project, we also introduced China's Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology, Han said proudly. BIM modeling allows users to create and view a virtual model of intelligent 3D objects, which can help with visualization, quantification, and simulation of design, construction, and other tasks related to the building process.

The quality and construction speed of the Olympic City project has also been applauded by Uzbeks. This is Uzbekistan's first world-class Olympic facility and we are creating new standards thanks to Chinese companies. Such projects will boost the economic development of the country, Vadim Akhmadiev, Technical Project manager of the Ministry for Sport and Youth Policy of Uzbekistan, told the Global Times. 

Akhmadiev said the Olympic City project will become a part of Uzbekistan's "heritage." "It is not only important for my generation, but also for the next generation."

Making history on open road

In the bazaars of Tashkent, fresh and succulent pomegranates and tomatoes from the Fergana Valley entice consumers. However, locals told the Global Times that such scenes were a rarity a decade ago. Hindered by the Tianshan Mountains, it was not easy for people from Eastern Uzbekistan's Fergana region to access the capital city. They would often resort to detouring through neighboring Tajikistan, which would take as much as an entire day. 

However, this predicament has been completely transformed by a railway tunnel - the Qamchiq Tunnel. This is currently the longest railway tunnel in Central Asia, spanning 19.2 kilometers, which is also a crucial project that connects the Angren-Pap railway line, a key transportation route between the eastern and western parts of Uzbekistan. 

The Qamchiq Tunnel project undertaken by the China Railway Tunnel Group (CRTG) began construction in 2013. The main tunnel was completed in February 2016, and was officially opened to traffic in June of the same year. In other words, it took only 900 days for Chinese contractors to complete what's considered to be a wonder - constructing a train tunnel through which trains can traverse the mountains in just 900 seconds.

"The construction of the tunnel was very difficult," Zhou Xiaoguang, project manager of the Qamchiq Tunnel project from CRTG, told the Global Times. 

The tunnel passes through the mountain at an altitude of 1,200 meters, with a maximum depth of the buried main line of 1,300 meters, which has to pass through seven geological fault zones and nearly 10 kilometers of rock burst zones.

Such a long tunnel not only needs to excavated, but needs the addition of safety access points including inclined shafts and contact access, further complicating the engineering process.

In the eyes of Deng Wei, a technician who once participated in the construction of the Kamchik Tunnel, frequent rock falls were the biggest problem encountered during the tunnel's construction that year.

"There were more than 3,000 rock falls of moderate intensity and above, and the most serious one caused the tunnel to collapse for a length of 2,000 cubic meters, posing a great threat to the safety and even the psychology of construction workers," Deng told the Global Times.

In order to overcome the perplexing problem of rock falls, the CRTG contractors organized several multinational expert meetings and conducted joint scientific research with Chinese domestic universities to develop sound scientific methods. 

Thanks to the timely research and proper technological applications, no injuries were suffered from rock fall in the nearly 10-kilometer long rock explosion zone, Deng recalled proudly.

The harsh environment was another major difficulty encountered in the construction. Zhou still remembers that in January 2014, a rare heavy snow storm which lasted for two weeks caused an avalanche on the mountain near the tunnel, which was 7-8 meters thick and more than 40 meters long, effectively enclosing the construction team within the construction site, and cut access to outside production and amenities transportation channel. "Later, workers used large machines for three days to reopen the lifeline," Zhou lamented.

"It is because of the 'Chinese spirit' of overcoming adversity that we were able to complete this super project in 900 days, which was once estimated to take as long as 25 years to complete by experts during the Soviet Union period," he said.

Further enhanced mutual trust

The successful launch and development of China's mega projects overseas reflects the further enhanced of political mutual trust between China and Central Asia in recent years. 

Han told Global Times that whenever there are problems in the construction of the Olympic Town, various departments such as the Uzbekistan Ministry of Sports, Customs Committee, and city government of Tashkent always appear to help China coordinate efforts to solve the problems.

"For example, Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev even personally signed a presidential decree to open a 'green channel' for us to import a large amount of construction materials and equipment, ensuring that the imported supplies for the project could clear customs with zero tariffs and were delivered to the site quickly," Han said. "The high level of trust and support from the Uzbek side toward China is an important reason why mega projects like the Olympic Town are able to progress so rapidly."

Additionally, the acceleration of the internationalization process of the Chinese Yuan has also become an important driving force for more Chinese mega projects to go global. Taking the Uzbekistan's Olympic Town as an example, the project adopted the RMB loan model, with the Export-Import Bank of China providing RMB loans. This is also the first international engineering project in Uzbekistan to be financed by a sovereign commercial loan denominated in RMB. Observers noted that compared with financing through European and American capital markets, RMB loans have lower costs and are more economically beneficial to the financing country.

At the same time, China's mega projects are also reshaping the geopolitical landscape of Central Asia. Taking the Qamchiq Tunnel as an example, the completion of this railway tunnel has not only eliminated the need for long detours through other countries, but also has the potential to become a new transportation hub and important international transit channel along the China-Central Asia-Europe transportation corridor. 

"In the last two years, the construction of the future operation of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project has been made a priority. If this railway can be successfully built, trains departing from China in the future will enter Uzbekistan through Kyrgyzstan, pass through the Qamchiq Tunnel to Tashkent, and then continue through Turkmenistan and the Middle East to Europe. This route will be the shortest and fastest route for the Eurasian continent," said Zhou.

The BRI is transforming Uzbekistan from a landlocked country into an important transportation hub in the region, and promoting the integration of Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries into the global economy and the world's logistics system, said Saidmukhtar Saidkasimov, former deputy prime minister and former foreign minister of Uzbekistan, in an exclusive interview with the Global Times.

In Han's view, all the hard work today is worth it, because he expects that after the completion of the project, the people of Uzbekistan will usher in their own country's era of high-standard and modern venues, and become another bright "Made in China" calling card in Central Asia.

In the face of an escalating climate change threat, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) actively champions the spirit of green and low-carbon development, advocating for a sustainable future. 

As the recent BRI white paper released by China's State Council points out, the BRI embraces the global trend of green and low-carbon development, emphasizes respect for and protection of nature, and respects the right of all parties to pursue sustainable and eco-friendly growth.

Despite vicious campaigns launched by certain Western media outlets to smear the BRI as causing environmental damage in other countries, analysts noted that the real fact is that by making use of the expertise in renewable energy, energy conservation, environmental protection, and clean energy production, and employing Chinese technology, products, and experience, China actively promotes BRI cooperation in green development.

During visits by Global Times reporters to various BRI project sites worldwide, it became evident that Chinese enterprises prioritize environmental conservation measures when conducting operations abroad. Meanwhile, there is an increasing uptake of Chinese energy products in Belt and Road countries transported by rail and air, effectively harnessing renewable resources like wind and solar energy.

Taking the cooperation between China and Fiji as an example, in 2014, China and Fiji established the South-South cooperation to address climate change. In May 2022, the two countries signed a bilateral MOU on the Provision of Goods under the South-South Cooperation for Addressing Climate Change. 

Chinese Ambassador to Fiji Zhou Jian told the Global Times that China and Fiji are both victims of climate change, as well as allies in addressing climate change. 

Analysts pointed out that the cooperation between China and Fiji is a shining example of the green BRI. The Belt and Road Initiative Action Plan not only laid out the overarching vision and framework of the BRI but also underscored the paramount significance of environmental preservation and sustainability within BRI projects.

Furthermore, China, in conjunction with BRI participant nations, has established comprehensive frameworks for the implementation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Guidelines for BRI projects. These guidelines have proven instrumental in ensuring that environmental considerations are integrated into the planning and execution of projects.

China has also extended its commitment to environmentally sustainable BRI initiatives through various international agreements and partnerships. This includes the signing of an MOU with the United Nations Environment Programme, aimed at fostering a green Belt and Road from 2017 to 2022. Additionally, China has entered into environmental cooperation accords with over 30 countries and international organizations. Furthermore, in collaboration with various nations, China launched the Initiative for Belt and Road Partnership on Green Development. It has also played a pivotal role in establishing the BRI International Green Development Coalition, boasting more than 150 partners from over 40 countries, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Editor's Note:

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.

Influenced by the US' strategic competition against China, some Western countries have clearly become hostile toward China in recent years. South Korea and Australia, as two typical "middle powers" of similar economic scale which have close trade ties with China, are both US allies in the Asia-Pacific region, and their relations with China have deteriorated for some time. However, the recent "ice-breaking" of China-Australia relations and the continuous "freezing" of China-South Korea relations are in stark contrast.

Recently, China and Australia have witnessed warming ties. Amid the East Asia Summit, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on September 7 that he will visit China later this year after talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, with both sides agreeing to resume exchanges in various fields. As leader of the Labor Party, Albanese has shown a different stance toward China from his predecessors since he came to power last year. On the same day, the 7th China-Australia High-Level Dialogue was held in Beijing, the first in three years. It is noticed that the Australian delegation covers all sectors of politics, business, academia and the media, with many former politicians from both the Liberal and Labor parties in attendance. This is seen as a consensus between the two parties of Australia to improve relations with China.

Australia's shift has been very positive. However, the same cannot be said about South Korea's performance. Since coming to power in May last year, the Yoon Suk-yeol administration has focused on the South Korea-US alliance, highlighting the "values" orientation of its foreign policy and displaying a distinctive "pro-US" tendency. With regards to its relations with China, the Yoon administration blatantly interferes in the Taiwan question and attempts to follow the US and Japan in terms of the South China Sea issue. These moves have further led to tension and a standstill between Beijing and Seoul.

The Yoon administration, perhaps realizing that its policy toward China is too paranoid, has recently tried to send positive messages to China. In the meeting with Premier Li, Yoon emphasized that the South Korean side is willing to work with China to practice multilateralism and free trade and promote the stable and healthy development of the South Korea-China relationship. However, so far, these signals released by South Korea have not yet been put into practice.

Looking back at the China-South Korea and China-Australia relations over the years, the turning point occurred after the change of government in South Korea and Australia last year. After the Australian Labor administration came to power, it made adjustments to the anti-China "microphone diplomacy" of its predecessor under Scott Morrison and sent out frequent signals to repair relations with China. Therefore, the leaders of the two countries met during the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia in November last year, which promoted the improvement in bilateral relations.

In contrast, the Yoon administration, which also came to power last year, took the opposite approach, changing the previously balanced route between the US and China to the "pro-US" orientation, which caused the deterioration of its ties with China.

The impact of such two different policy orientations is prominent. From January to July this year, China-South Korea bilateral trade fell 16.6 percent year-on-year. Some analysts said that the negative effects of South Korea's policy of following the US and "decoupling" from China are becoming apparent. Meanwhile, bilateral trade between China and Australia saw an increase of 5.4 percent year-on-year, which is particularly striking against the backdrop of a general slowdown in the global economy. Clearly the improvement of political relations between China and Australia has played a crucial role in boosting bilateral economic and trade ties.

For Seoul and Canberra, there are many similarities in their relationship with Beijing. Both South Korea and Australia have no historical or territorial disputes with China, but have maintained close economic and trade ties. Furthermore, China does not pose any threat to either country. In particular, the Australian and South Korean economies are heavily dependent on trade with China, so stabilizing and developing relations with China is essentially in the national interests of both countries. The latest improvement in China-Australia relations is exactly due to Canberra's return to rather independent and pragmatic policy toward China, which should be an inspiration for the Yoon administration.

As Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi put forward during his meeting with the Australian delegation, it is necessary for the two sides to draw useful experience and lessons in the bilateral relations. He urged the two sides to look at each other objectively, calmly and kindly, understand that China and Australia should remain partners rather than rivals, and advance bilateral relations independently and without any influence or interference from any third party. These three points are also helpful suggestions for South Korea.

The author is a research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies.

Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

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. 

Out of options. Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

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.