China expresses strong indignation over and opposition to the European Parliament resolution, and will lodge serious protest with the EU, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday, after the European Parliament adopted a resolution that condemns the Chinese government's "human rights violations" in Xinjiang, Xizang, Hong Kong, Macao and the Chinese mainland.

The European Parliament resolution lacks factual basis and calls white black. It attacks the human rights situation in Xinjiang, grossly interferes in China's internal affairs and judicial sovereignty, and seriously violates international law and the basic norms governing international relations, Mao said.

It's the Chinese people, not the European Parliament, who have the best say on the human rights situation in China. Xinjiang today enjoys social stability and economic growth and the people there live a happy life. It is enjoying development progress like never before, and China's Xinjiang policy is widely supported by the people. These are facts that no one can deny, Mao noted.

While showing concerns for the unfounded accusation of "forced labor" in Xinjiang, the European Parliament turns a blind eye to serious human rights issues in Europe and humanitarian disasters in Gaza. This again reveals to the world the double standards it applies, the spokesperson said.

"We strongly urge the European Parliament to immediately stop making up lies to smear China, stop interfering in China's internal affairs and judicial sovereignty in the name of human rights, and stop applying double standards on human rights issues," Mao said.

The European Parliament is in no position and has no right to lecture others on human rights. Instead, it needs to reflect on itself, abandon arrogance and prejudice, see squarely China's achievements on human rights and respect China's sovereignty and the human rights development path independently chosen by the Chinese people, Mao noted.

In response to the European Parliament's resolution, the spokesperson for China's Mission to the EU said in a statement on Friday that the relevant resolution adopted by the European Parliament makes false accusations and confounds black and white. By maliciously attacking the human rights situation in China's Xinjiang and relevant judicial cases, it constitutes a gross interference in China's internal affairs and judicial sovereignty, seriously violating international law and basic norms of international relations. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes this act.

Xinjiang, with its social stability, economic development and people living and working in peace and contentment, is currently in the best period of development in its history. The European Parliament has neither the right nor the qualification to criticize the human rights situation in Xinjiang, the spokesperson noted.

The European Union boasts that it respects the rule of law, but the European Parliament has repeatedly meddled in other countries' judicial cases, blatantly violating the spirit of the rule of law and fully exposing its hypocrisy and double standards. The facts cannot be distorted and the truth cannot be denied. Any attempt to attack and slander China's policy on Xinjiang, smear China's image or hinder China's development is bound to fail, the spokesperson said.

The China Coast Guard (CCG) said that its formations 2901, 1305, 1303 and 2102 conducted law enforcement patrols in the waters surrounding Taiwan island on Monday.

It is a practical action to lawfully enforce control over Taiwan island in accordance with the one-China principle, said Liu Dejun, spokesperson of the CCG.

Nearly 1,000 identity cards that were lost were collected by the lost-and-found office of a train station in South China’s Guangdong Province during China’s National Day holidays, widely referred as the “Golden Week,” according to China Central Television (CCTV) on Tuesday.

The increase in lost items followed a surge in passenger traffic at major train stations, leading to a significant increase in items reported lost at the lost-and-found offices, according to the CCTV.

A staff member at Guangzhou South Railway Station told media that around 1,000 identity cards were found from October 1-6. 

The lost-and-found office was “overwhelmed,” with the number of lost items doubling. Items such as identification documents, backpacks, and suitcases filled multiple storage racks, according to the report.

Railway officials suggested that travelers who lose their belongings at stations or on trains can retrieve them in a variety of ways, including by phone, online websites, or on-site enquiries.

While recent shifts in US trade policy have created opportunities for companies from countries like India to gain greater access to the US solar market, ongoing protectionist challenges confronting the global photovoltaic industry underscore the necessity for collaboration and engagement among key solar industry players, particularly those from China.

Indian companies are moving to fill the gap left by the exclusion of Chinese exports from the US solar industry, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.

The news came amid the backdrop last week that the US Commerce Department had announced preliminary duties on solar imports from Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia and Thailand - countries that account for the majority of US solar cell and module imports, where Chinese solar manufacturers have established operations, according to Bloomberg.

On the surface, the US move seems to target the "transshipment hub" strategy that circumvents its tariff barriers on Chinese-made products, potentially opening new market opportunities for countries like India, which have a solid foundation in the photovoltaic industry. However, this approach does not fundamentally address the contradiction between the US goal of protecting its own solar industry and its ongoing reliance on imports.

Despite the US government's efforts to restrict imports of Chinese solar products, many American solar companies continue to depend on imported raw materials and components. Given the fact that India's production capacity and technological capabilities currently fall short of fully meeting US market demands, this US policy may lead to a constrained market supply, driving up costs for solar projects and slowing the deployment of solar technologies.

Thus, relying solely on tariffs and trade barriers is inadequate to address the structural challenges facing the US solar industry. Such an approach may instead complicate international trade relations and market dynamics.

While India and other developing countries may seize this opportunity, they need also be aware of the potential protectionist risks it entails. It has become more common than ever for the US to adjust its tariff policies to protect domestic industries. It employs a trade strategy that resembles a "whack-a-mole" game, constantly hitting threatening targets to protect industrial interests. This approach exposes countries and companies reliant on the US market to significant risks. 

Consequently, India and other developing nations need to stay vigilant against the possibility of stricter market access conditions or a new wave of trade barriers, as the solar tariffs imposed on four ASEAN countries may signal the beginning of a more self-centered trend in Washington aimed at protecting its industries.

In addition, it is important to note that the US cannot squeeze China out of the global solar industry chain and supply chain. As India has amped up its production of solar panels, it has remained dependent on China's renewable energy supply chain.

After the US restricted imports of Chinese solar panel material because of so-called human rights issues, Indian exports of solar panels to the American market spiked in 2022, increasing in value by almost 150 percent, according to US government trade figures. The next year saw an even sharper increase. 

However, India sourced between half and all of its solar panel components from China between 2021 and 2023, according to a report by The Washington Post.

China's dominant position in the global solar supply chain is underscored by its comprehensive industrial ecosystem, which encompasses the production of polysilicon, silicon wafers, solar cells and modules. This advantage stems from large-scale production capacity and ongoing technological innovation. 

China's solar industry clearly excels in both production costs and product competitiveness, spanning the entire spectrum from raw material supply to equipment manufacturing and end applications. 

In contrast, while India's solar industry has established a foundation, it still requires enhancements in the completeness of its industrial chain and technological innovation capabilities. 

Nevertheless, the relationship between the solar industries of the two countries is not solely competitive; rather, it presents a substantial opportunity for collaboration. By fostering enhanced cooperation, both nations can strengthen the competitiveness of their respective photovoltaic industries and also play a pivotal role in advancing the global solar energy sector.

Data shows that Chinese mainland tourists traveling to Hong Kong saw a notable increase in the weeklong National Day holidays, which concluded on Monday, than the Golden Week last year, suggesting Hong Kong's sustained attraction and vitality.  

Flight bookings to Hong Kong during the holidays went up 80 percent year-on-year. Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, Chengdu and Haikou are the top five cities of source of travelers to Hong Kong, according to a press release sent to the Global Times by Qunar, one of leading online travel agencies in China.

More than 980,000 mainland visitors arrived in Hong Kong between October 1-5, up 35 percent from the same period last year, according to the Immigration Department of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Sunday, as reported by the Xinhua News Agency.

More than 220,000 mainland visitors arrived in Hong Kong on October 1, National Day, alone, a significant increase compared with about 177,000 on the same day last year.

The figures reflect the popularity of various activities held by the HKSAR government, and also show that Hong Kong still has its attractiveness, Benson Kwok, director of Immigration of the HKSAR government told the media.

The director also expects the total number of arrivals and departures to reach 300 million by the end of this year.

More than 400 activities were held in Hong Kong around the time of the National Day, filling the city with joy, according to Xinhua.

About 3,600 restaurants, some cinemas, and various public transportation in Hong Kong also offered discounts on October 1, and there were also free admissions to many museums and parks.

The Hong Kong Palace Museum has extended its opening hours during the Golden Week, according to its official website.

The Hong Kong Palace Museum, the Hong Kong Space Museum, and the Hong Kong Museum of History also presented special exhibitions introducing China's past and present.

A Beijing resident surnamed Guan told the Global Times that she visited Hong Kong during the National Day holidays in the hope of avoiding crowds at mainland sightseeing spots, only to find there were many people who had similar plans.But the experience was still delightful as Guan very enjoyed city walks, local snacks and the view of the Victoria Harbor.

Guan and her friend also went for a two-day hiking of one section of the MacLehose Trail, which is gaining increasing popularity among mainland travelers against the backdrop of an outdoor sports maze.

While the Forbidden City and Great Wall remain Beijing's iconic attractions, Beijing's National Tennis Center and Shougang Park have emerged as new hotspots for sports fans during China's week-long National Day holiday, also known as "Golden Week," which started on October 1.

On the western side of Chang'an Avenue, Beijing's main thoroughfare, Shougang Park hosted the World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash, the largest international table tennis event held in China's capital since the 1961 World Championships.

Meanwhile, in the northern part of the city, along the Beijing Central Axis - which was recently included in the UNESCO World Heritage List - the China Open was staged at the National Tennis Center.

During this Golden Week, sports events have captivated audiences across China, and have offered opportunities to integrate sports, culture and tourism.
THRILLS AND SPILLS

Less than two months after the conclusion of the Paris Olympic Games, Beijing welcomed the world's best table tennis players, including Olympic champions Sun Yingsha and Ma Long, for the 2024 WTT China Smash, the top-tier event in the WTT series.

"Following the wonderful success of the Paris Olympics for table tennis, it's really important to see high-level events come to the dual Olympic city of Beijing," said Steve Dainton, CEO of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Group and World Table Tennis (WTT) director.

In one of the tournament's biggest surprises, world No. 1 Wang Chuqin was upset in the round of 32 by Denmark's Anders Lind.

"It's a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life, and it gives me a lot of confidence going forward," Lind said after his win.

The 25-year-old Dane thrived in the energetic atmosphere, with the packed crowd cheering throughout the match.

"The atmosphere in the hall was electrifying, playing in front of so many spectators. I love this sport so much and really wish we could play more in fully-packed halls like this," he added.

At the China Open, Zheng Qinwen, who had made history in Paris by winning China's first Olympic tennis singles gold medal, was one of the most anticipated players.

"People start to get tired at the end of the season. For me it's different," said the 21-year-old. "I'm really motivated to come and play in China, in front of my people. I know they're going to support me."
The men's singles final became an instant classic, with Carlos Alcaraz coming from a set down to defeat world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the longest match in China Open history.

"I think for people who don't watch tennis, probably thanks to these kinds of matches, they will start to watch tennis or even practise it," said Alcaraz.

Beyond tennis and table tennis, other sports also contributed to the Golden Week excitement.

In Shanghai, the Formula 1 World Powerboat Championship (F1H2O) dazzled fans with its high-speed action at the Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal.

Elsewhere, the World Snooker Wuhan Open opens on Sunday, and football players from China and Malaysia participated in the inaugural "Belt and Road" friendly match at the Guizhou Village Super League, also known as "Cun Chao".

FLOURISHING SPORTS TOURISM

According to Tongcheng Travel, a leading travel platform in China, sports tourism has become a growing trend, especially among younger generations. Their latest report shows an 87 percent year-on-year increase in sports tourism searches from January to July 2024. This year's array of elite sports events has further boosted this trend during Golden Week.

At Shougang's Smash Park, which covers 40,000 square meters of outdoor space, thousands of fans gathered to watch WTT matches on big screens, surrounded by food and entertainment areas.
Yan Xueying, a fan from Shanghai, relaxed on an inflatable sofa, enjoying the atmosphere and rooting for her favorite player, Lin Gaoyuan. "The park allows us to relax, enjoy the holiday with friends, and feel the culture of WTT," said Yan.

Shougang Park, once an industrial steel mill, has been transformed into a world-class venue, impressing both players and fans. Ni Xia Lian, the 61-year-old Chinese-born paddler now representing Luxembourg, fondly known as "Grandma Ni," marveled at the changes in Beijing.

"Beijing has changed a lot these years. It's a smart decision to transform the industrial zone of Shougang into a modern resort," said Ni, who was competing in Beijing for the first time since 2008.

The Yangtze River Cultural and Artistic Season officially commenced in Wuhan, the capital city of Central China's Hubei Province, with a spectacular opening ceremony on Saturday night, featuring a dazzling fireworks display, a heart-stirring drone performance, and a vibrant light show along the Yangtze River banks. The event committee stated on Sunday that a series of cultural events are scheduled to take place during the season to better promote the culture and history of the Yangtze River.

During the opening ceremony, thousands of drones fluidly changed formations in the sky, showcasing landmarks from China's thirteen provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities along the Yangtze River, including the Three Gorges Dam in Hubei and Hongya Cave in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.

Fireworks lit up the night sky, creating a poetic and picturesque scene, prompting locals to capture the moment with their smartphones.

"I could deeply feel the profound cultural heritage of the Yangtze River basin, and I'm proud to live by the Yangtze River," said a 70-year-old resident surnamed Zhang, according to the report of people.cn.

On Sunday, the organizing committee of the Yangtze River Cultural and Artistic Season published a "Thank you" letter to the citizens of Wuhan on a local WeChat public account. The letter emphasized the season's goal of preserving the Yangtze River's cultural legacy and creating a platform for exchange, highlighting its millennia-old cultural heritage.

The committee expressed gratitude to the people of Wuhan for their enthusiastic participation, which has made the city "more vibrant and charming." The letter praised the local community for their "civility, hospitality, and orderly conduct," which have enhanced Wuhan's image as a civilized city.

According to the letter, the Yangtze River Cultural and Artistic Season will last for two months, featuring themed art exhibitions, film weeks, stage art exhibitions, choir weeks, reading weeks, literature weeks, and intangible cultural heritage exhibitions, showcasing the essence and charm of the Yangtze River culture.

Pan Junjie, the person in charge of the film week, told the Global Times on Sunday that over 100 films, including blockbusters like The Wandering Earth series and The Battle at Lake Changjin, and documentaries related to Yangtze River culture, have been aired at more than 400 locations across Hubei Province.

He add that a 3D documentary, New Three Gorges, will be launched on Thursday to further promote the culture of the Yangtze River.

One of the highlights during the event is that the Yangtze River Culture Institute was inaugurated on Saturday. The institute aims to promote the creation and dissemination of cultural products and symbols that embody the values of Yangtze River culture. 

Huang Taiyan, a research fellow from Wuhan University, pointed out at a seminar that the Yangtze River culture is one of the most representative and influential cultures of Chinese civilization, containing the civilization genes of the Chinese nation and irrigating the common spiritual homeland of the Chinese nation. 

He expressed hope that the institute could become "a key international communication base for Chinese culture," according to a document the local publicity department sent to the Global Times on Sunday.

Cultural exchanges between China and other countries in 2023 showed a rapid recovery and positive trajectory, thanks to a focus on balancing security and development while prioritizing cooperation and mutual benefit, says the Report on China's Cultural Exchanges with the World released at the Beijing Culture Forum on Thursday.

Nowadays, Generation Z are serving as the new main force to push forward the cultural exchanges between China and other countries, according to the report, which details the result of research on China's cultural exchanges with the world in 2023.

Global youths are increasingly engaging with China's rich culture as rapidly developing digital technology drives innovations in content, models, and formats. This creates new opportunities for global Gen Z to foster peace and friendship through mutual understanding, travel, and cultural exchange. 

American vlogger Paul Mike Ashton likely never imagined his video about traveling in China would go viral, popularizing the "city or not city" meme. Known as "Hug Hug Bear" or Bao Bao Xiong in Chinese, Ashton captured viral attention with a vlog during a visit to the Great Wall in Beijing with his sister, garnering more than 10 million views on Douyin, China's version of TikTok.

The hashtag "China Travel," where people share their experiences of visiting the country, has become a global sensation, attracting millions of international tourists. 

In 2023, a series of immigration and entry-exit facilitation policies were introduced for foreign travelers, setting off an upsurge of foreign tourists visiting China and enhancing friendship and mutual trust between Chinese and foreign people. The number of inbound and outbound tourists exceeded 190 million, and Chinese tourists' overseas consumption reached $196.5 billion in the year 2023. 

The 2023 China International Tourism Mart has attracted tourism promotion agencies and related enterprises from more than 70 countries and regions to participate in the exhibition, and the intangible cultural heritage experience has been widely welcomed.

China's rapidly advancing digital technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality enable people worldwide to experience foreign cultures through immersive, panoramic experiences.

Perceptions of culture and communication methods are evolving swiftly. China's new exhibitions including "Panorama Forbidden City" digital virtual experience and the "Dunhuang Discovery" VR immersive exhibition bring immersive cultural experiences to overseas people.

In his speech at the Beijing Culture Forum, Xie Chuntao, a vice president of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), mentioned the continuous popular game Black Myth: Wukong. 

He noted, "Many foreign players started studying the novel Journey to the West to better understand the game, which reflects the growing global appeal of Chinese culture."

Online games, TV series, and literature are becoming the primary vehicles for Chinese culture to reach global audiences. Behind this is the result of Generation Z becoming the new main force in cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries.

The growing use of social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok promotes instant information sharing and fosters mutual respect and cultural understanding. 

Generation Z excels at leveraging new technologies and media. They create cross-cultural art works, launch online cultural activities, and participate in international volunteer projects, which help the world see hot buzz words like "city or not city" and "China Travel."

The bridge that connects China and the world has also become wider and wilder as the people-to-people contact becomes the new trend, strengthening the bonds of friendship between nations.

As EU countries are expected to vote on whether to impose additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) on Friday, dissenting voices have grown louder.

Germany is expected to vote against the tariffs on Chinese EVs in Friday’s vote, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing people with knowledge of the matter. Reuters also reported that a German government spokesperson declined to comment. 

Germany abstained in a non-binding vote in July on the European Commission's (EC) proposal to impose tariffs. Since then, German carmakers, which made a third of their sales last year in China, have pressured the government to oppose these tariffs. 

IG Metall, the powerful German labor union, along with employee representatives from the nation's major carmakers, said in a statement on Thursday that Germany should vote against the introduction of EU tariffs on Chinese EVs.

"We say unequivocally: tariffs are the wrong approach because they will not improve the competitiveness of the European automotive industry," they said in a joint statement.

German carmaker Volkswagen on Wednesday urged Germany to vote against the EU tariffs, arguing that they would not improve the competitiveness of the auto industry.

Another German carmaker BMW also urged the German government to tread cautiously regarding proposed tariffs on Chinese EVs in a statement released on Wednesday.

In addition to Germany, Spain has called for the EU to seek a compromise and negotiated outcome with China. 

Instead of imposing tariffs, the EU should "keep negotiations open ... beyond the binding vote" to reach a deal on prices and the relocation of battery production to the bloc, Spain’s Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo wrote in a letter to European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, as reported by Reuters.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said last month during a visit to China that the EU should reconsider its position on tariffs, and urged Brussels and Beijing to avoid a trade war.

Hungary has also expressed strong opposition, with Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stating on Facebook on Thursday that Budapest would vote against the "harmful and dangerous" plan.

China has engaged in extensive talks with the EC and EU member states regarding the EV tariffs. In September, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao visited Italy, Germany, Belgium and the EU headquarters, where he held in-depth and constructive talks with the heads of relevant departments, especially with European Commission Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on the EU's anti-subsidy case against China's EVs. The two sides reached a preliminary consensus on the direction of negotiations for a proper resolution of the matter. 

The European Commission announced in July that it will impose provisional countervailing duties on imports of battery electric vehicles from China, ranging from 17.4 percent to 37.6 percent. 

The EU duties would become definitive for five years if approved by representatives of the bloc's 27 member states in Friday's vote. Experts believe EU’s increasingly protectionist moves will negatively impact Europe's green transition and consumer interests, definitely triggering countermeasures from the Chinese side, and an escalation in trade frictions will lead only to lose-lose results for both sides. 

In a remarkable historical discovery coinciding with the 130th anniversary of the Sino-Japanese war of 1894-95, a new grave of the Qing Dynasty's Beiyang Fleet has been unearthed at St. John's Cemetery in Newcastle, the UK.

The tombstone was uncovered by PhD candidates Yu Jiarui at Durham University and Qi Yongqiang, president of the Northern Britain Chinese Entrepreneurs Association. It marks the sixth documented grave of Beiyang Fleet personnel at the cemetery. The grave, belonging to a civilian member of the fleet surnamed Gan, who passed away on August 7, 1887 during Emperor Guangxu's reign (1871-1908), sheds light on a lesser-known chapter of Chinese naval history in Europe.

A hidden piece of history

Before this discovery, five graves of Beiyang sailors were discovered in St. John's Cemetery. These sailors were part of a mission to the UK to receive warships ordered by the government of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), including vessels like the Chaoyong, Yangwei, Zhiyuan, and Jingyuan. Tragically, five sailors died of illness during their stay in the UK in 1881 and 1887, and were buried at the cemetery.

Gan's grave, however, had remained undiscovered for over a century. His tombstone reveals that he, like the others, traveled to the UK to assist with the fleet's mission but passed away aboard the Jingyuan. Unlike the other five sailors, Gan was a civilian, which adds a new dimension to the historical narrative of the Beiyang Fleet's activities in Europe.

"Historical research can never gather all the materials from the world, so it's crucial to cherish the materials we can access and explore them thoroughly without missing any details," Yu told the Global Times, explaining how he came across burial records in the Tyne and Wear Archives that pointed to the existence of Gan's grave.

After conducting field surveys from May to September 2024, Yu and Qi located the tombstone, which had been partially buried.

"The cemetery is quite large, covering 28 acres and containing over 100,000 graves. However, once we narrowed down the area using the section and plot numbers, finding the sixth Chinese grave became less difficult," Yu explained.

The grave, partially buried with its inscription hidden, was eventually found in September 2024.

Its distinct obelisk shape and different inscription style had caused it to be overlooked.

This suggests that the repairs made when Admiral Cheng Biguang revisited Newcastle in 1911 can be further researched. Additionally, Gan's tombstone lacks some features found on the other graves, leading to speculation about possible repairs made when Admiral Cheng visited Newcastle in 1911.

While Gan's grave has been found, much about his life remains a mystery.

It is known that he was a scholar who held the rank of xiucai, a term used to describe educated youth in ancient China, making him the most senior and educated among the six individuals buried at St John's. However, his personal life and exact role within the fleet remain unclear. Researchers believe further investigation into records in China could provide more insight.

Some scholars have since proposed that Gan might have been a doctor, a civilian role that would have distinguished his interactions with the British from those of military personnel. This discovery has sparked renewed interest in the civilian contributions to the Beiyang Fleet's mission in Europe, highlighting the diverse nature of the fleet's presence abroad.
Deeper connections

The discovery of Gan's grave is part of a broader effort to document the Beiyang Fleet's activities in Europe.

Throughout the 1880s and into the early 20th century, the fleet maintained an extensive presence in the UK and other parts of Europe. Sailors trained at naval academies, purchased ships, and engaged with local communities. Historical records indicate that the sailors developed close ties with the people of Newcastle by attending events and even being featured in local newspapers.

St. John's Cemetery, where the sailors rest, has become a symbolic site for the shared history between China and the UK. In December 2016, the National Cultural Heritage Administration entrusted the China Foundation for Cultural Heritage Conservation to conduct restoration work on the sailors' graves, which was completed in December 2018.

In recent years, it has attracted attention from Chinese expatriates, students, and historians who come to pay their respects and learn more about this chapter of Chinese naval history.

The Northern Britain Chinese Entrepreneurs Association is actively involved in the restoration and preservation of these graves. Each year, the local Chinese community holds memorial events at the cemetery during the Qingming Festival in April, honoring the Beiyang sailors and educating visitors about their legacy.

On September 17, the 130th anniversary of the sinking of the Beiyang Fleet cruiser the Zhiyuan, Tang Rui, the Chinese Consul General in Manchester, visited St. John's Cemetery to pay his respects at the sailors' graves. His visit underscored the importance of remembering the sacrifices of the Beiyang Fleet and highlighted the deeper cultural and historical connections between China and the UK.

"We got a lot of support from the UK and China, which gave us much guidance in terms of future work," Qi told the Global Times, adding that local British people have also expressed great interest in the graves' significance, "recognizing them as symbols of Newcastle's once-prominent role in international naval history and a testament to the enduring relationship between China and the UK," Qi added.

The discovery of Gan's grave has reinvigorated research into the Beiyang Fleet's time in the UK. Scholars hope it will inspire further exploration into the lives of the sailors who traveled halfway across the world but never returned home, and preserve their legacy for future generations.