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.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi gave a speech at the general debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) in New York, reiterating China's dedication to peace as the path to addressing global conflicts and crises. The speech reaffirmed China's perspectives on the world, security, development, and civilization, showing China's strong confidence in peace and development while expressing concern about the current turbulent global situation, analysts said.   

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivered a speech titled "Building on past achievements and forging ahead together toward a community with a shared future for mankind" at the UNGA 79 in New York on Saturday local time. 

As the world faces increasingly serious challenges, China has never opted to be an indifferent spectator. Instead, we have been playing a bigger part in global governance than ever before. Chinese President Xi Jinping has put forth the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative in recent years. They carry China's wisdom for resolving various difficult issues confronting humanity and bring impetus from China for improving global governance, Wang said in the speech. 

The three major initiatives contribute Chinese wisdom and solutions to improve global governance, address changes in the world, and tackle humanity's challenges. They call for abandoning the old mentality of bloc confrontation and zero-sum thinking, advocate for a common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security perspective to achieve lasting peace and security in the world, Li Haidong, a professor from the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times. 

The initiatives seek inclusive development and respect for the diversity of civilizations, rather than viewing inter-country differences with arrogance. China's core propositions in global governance clearly demonstrate the responsibilities of a responsible major global power, said Li. 

During his speech on Saturday, Wang also expounded on the contribution of Chinese modernization to the world, explaining in detail the implication of Chinese modernization for the world and touching on four aspects: world peace and stability, common development, global governance and human civilization. Chinese modernization will contribute robustly to world peace and stability and "every step in China's development is an increase in the force for peace," said Wang. 

The speech clearly articulated the significance of Chinese modernization to the international community, highlighting that China is a peace-loving nation focused on its own prosperity and improving the living standards of its people. Meanwhile, it also conveyed China's proactive stance in participating in international affairs, maintaining global stability, and advocating for justice on the international stage, said Li. 

While emphasizing China's willingness to cooperate with the international community to address global challenges, China also firmly opposes the hegemonic and unilateral practices of certain countries, particularly unilateral sanctions and blockades, as well as their attempts to dominate an unjust international economic order, Zhu Yongbiao, executive director of the Research Center for the Belt and Road at Lanzhou University, told the Global Times. 

In the address, Wang reiterated China's dedication to peace as the path to addressing global conflicts and crises, including those of Ukraine, Palestine and Afghanistan, saying "Peace is the most precious thing in our world today. You may wonder if there is a path leading to peace. In fact, peace is the path." 

On the Ukraine crisis, Wang said the top priority is to commit to "no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting and no provocation by any party," and push for de-escalation of the situation as soon as possible.

The Saturday speech has garnered global attention, with many Western media outlets focusing on China's proposals regarding the Ukraine crisis and the Middle East. Analysts notes that while the US and a few certain countries have criticized China's peace efforts, a growing number are expressing support. For instance, Reuters reported that Switzerland's foreign affairs ministry has expressed support for the peace plan proposed by China and Brazil.

Unlike some Western countries and the US which are adding oil to the fire for their own interests, China and other countries of the Global South are intensifying efforts for peace, analysts said.  

During the Saturday speech, Wang also reiterated China's stance on the Taiwan question. He told world leaders in the audience that Taiwan being "an inalienable part of China's territory" is both "the history and the reality" and there is no "gray zone" or "room for ambiguity" regarding Resolution 2758. 

While some anti-China forces and "Taiwan independence" separatist forces are attempting to "reinterpret" Resolution 2758 to undermine the one-China principle and increase the island of Taiwan's international presence, Wang's remarks on the Taiwan question at UNGA 79 clarify right from wrong, exposing the lies of these anti-China forces and separatists to the international community, Li said. 

Resolution 2758 must be abode by and respected, Li said, noting that anti-China forces in the US as well as "Taiwan independence" separatists should not harbor any illusions about undermining it. 

Editor's Note:

On October 1, the People's Republic of China will celebrate its 75th anniversary. Over the past 75 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, the country has made remarkable progress in social and economic development. From a once backward agrarian society, China has transformed itself into a major manufacturing hub backed up with strong technology innovation capability. Chinese economy is globally integrated, offering significant opportunities to the rest of the world. To illustrate this, the Global Times is publishing a series of articles, with the third installment focusing on China's energy transition.

On Friday, tower cranes swirled and other machines roared at the China National Nuclear Power (CNNP) Guodian Zhangzhou Energy Co construction site, located in Zhangzhou, East China's Fujian Province. The workers were pouring concrete for the construction of Unit 4 of Zhangzhou nuclear power plant that uses Hualong One - a domestically designed third-generation nuclear reactor. 

 "At 5 am on Friday, more than 300 of us were standing ready on the site to start work at any time. It was an incredibly exciting moment," Chen Linhu, the worker who oversees the concrete pouring, told the Global Times as he wiped sweat from his brow. 

Li Bin, the trade union chairman of the CNNP Guodian Zhangzhou Energy, said that injecting concrete marks a key milestone for the project, signaling the launch of the second phase of the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant and a further advancement of the development of China's homegrown nuclear reactor Hualong One. 

All six units at the Zhangzhou Nuclear Power Plant will use the Hualong One reactor, each with a capacity of generating 1 million kilowatts of electricity. Currently, four units are under construction. Unit 1 is expected to be connected to the state grid at the end of 2024, while Unit 4 is slated for commercial operation by 2029.

According to industry insiders, the rapid rollout of China's homegrown nuclear power technology is indicative of the profound transformation of China's energy structure since 1949 when the People's Republic of China was set up. 

Now, China, as the world's largest energy producer, has established an energy production and supply system that is resilient, innovative and secure.  

Over the past years, the country's energy mix has transitioned from dominated by traditional energy sources, such as coal, gas and other fossil fuels, to clean and diversified sources. The development of clean energy such as hydropower, solar panels, wind turbines, nuclear power and more sources has been gaining pace. 

Continuous innovation

Upon full completion, the Zhangzhou nuclear power plant is expected to generate over 58 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, greatly easing local energy demand and providing strong support for the nation's "dual carbon" goals of reaching peak carbon emissions by 2030 and attaining carbon neutrality by 2060, according to CNNP Guodian Zhangzhou Energy.

Each Hualong One unit generates over 10 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually - sufficient to meet the annual electricity demand of 1 million people. 

This is equivalent to saving 3.12 million tons of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 8.16 million tons each year, Wu Yuanming, chairman of CNNP Guodian Zhangzhou Energy Co, told the Global Times on Saturday.

Zhang Yu, general manager for work safety at CNNP Guodian Zhangzhou Energy Co, said on Friday that the construction of Unit 4 is built on the success of Units 1 and 2, with more than 30 design enhancements, including improved safety features, a localization rate of over 95 percent spare parts, and the most innovative construction methods.

Zhang noted that the successful implementation of the Hualong One reactor technology represents a major technological breakthrough developed through 30 years of innovation.

As one of the major achievements in China's nuclear power development, Hualong One is highly emblematic of the country's independent innovation capability, standing among the best in the world. 

The Hualong One is currently the third-generation nuclear reactor adopted by a rising number of operational and under-construction generation units in the world, indicating that China's nuclear power technology and industrial competitiveness have entered the top rankings in the world.

The technology has also been well recognized for its top-tier safety and reliability, and has been exported to countries like Pakistan and Argentina. Also, it is gaining broad interest among the Belt and Road Initiative partners, according to Li, who has recently hosted a media delegation from Kazakhstan for a potential bid to build a nuclear power station there . 

"With a dual-layer containment structure, it can withstand major threats like aircraft impacts, hurricanes, and even 9-magnitude earthquakes. Its innovative design also integrates both active and passive safety systems, ensuring a robust defense against potential natural hazards," Zhang Yu, general manager of the work safety department of CNNP Guodian Zhangzhou Energy Co, told the Global Times on Friday.

As of August 29, China has approved a total of 102 operational and under-construction nuclear power units - the most in the world - with a combined installed capacity of 113.13 million kilowatts. 

Profound transformation

Lin Boqiang, director of the China Center for Energy Economics Research at Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Saturday that China's nuclear power sector has played a prominent role in the nation's low-carbon industrial transition over the past decades. 

"By integrating China's manufacturing capabilities with the Hualong One reactor technology, the country's nuclear power industry is well positioned to drive sustainable energy transformation," he said.

China is the world's largest energy producer. In 2023, China's total primary energy production reached 4.83 billion tons of standard coal, an increase of 202.6 times compared to 1949, with an average annual growth rate of 7.4 percent, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). 

Coupling with those nuclear power generators, the country has led the world in exploring and adopting a wide variety of clean energy sources, fast-tracking the development of solar panels, hydropower, nuclear power, wind power and more.

Last year, electricity generated from clean energy sources accounted for nearly 40 percent of China's total electricity generation, according to a white paper on China's energy transition released in August.

Those notable progresses have positioned China as a key engine in the world's green industrial transition. 

The efforts also shed light on the country's firm commitment to fulfilling its responsibility to significantly reduce carbon footprint, while some Western developed countries have shown signs of retreating from their climate goals. 

According to the white paper, China's exports of wind and solar photovoltaic products have helped many other countries to cut carbon dioxide emissions by about 810 million tons in 2023. From 2014 to 2023, the global share of non-fossil fuels in energy consumption rose from 13.6 percent to 18.5 percent, with China contributing 45.2 percent to this increase.

China's lunar spacesuit made its first public appearance on Saturday at a forum in Chongqing. The suit features a powerful yet elegant appearance, and embodies the resilience and pioneering spirit of the Chinese people, according to media reports. The unveiling marks a significant milestone in the country's lunar exploration efforts and reflects the advancement of China's spacesuit technology.

The China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) also launched a naming campaign for the suit during the opening ceremony of the 3rd Space Suit Technology Forum in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. 

The red decorative bands on the arms and legs emphasize its sleek and powerful design, with the arm bands designed to resemble flowing "Feitian" ribbons - meaning flying deity in traditional Chinese culture - symbolizing grace and elegance, while the leg bands are shaped like the exhaust flames of a rocket, conveying the dynamic energy of space exploration. 

Meanwhile, the suit draws inspiration from traditional Chinese armor, embodying resilience, strength, and dignity, reflecting the courage and pioneering spirit of the Chinese people.

Since 2020, the research and development (R&D) of the lunar spacesuit has focused on protection function in complex environments and enhancing astronaut mobility. The design emphasizes miniaturized components, with high safety standards. The suit's development has achieved numerous technical breakthroughs, establishing a solid foundation for China's first manned lunar mission.

The unveiling of China's lunar spacesuit marks a significant milestone in the country's lunar exploration efforts and reflects the advancement of China's space suit technology. 

Spacesuits are essential for spaceflight, providing life support and operational assistance during launches, re-entry, and extravehicular activities (EVAs). The R&D of spacesuits involves a wide range of scientific disciplines and complex technologies, and only a few countries in the world possess the capability of independently designing and manufacturing spacesuits.

China's spacesuits have successfully supported 35 taikonaut missions. The domestically developed first- and second-generation "Feitian" extravehicular spacesuits have enabled 17 taikonauts to complete 33 spacewalks, contributing to the construction and efficient operation of China Space Station.