President Xi Jinping on Friday said the central authorities fully support Hong Kong in aligning with national strategies and fostering new momentum and advantages for economic development, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee, who is on a duty visit to Beijing. During the meeting, Xi heard a report from Lee on Hong Kong's current situation and the HKSAR government's work.

Noting that Hong Kong faces new development opportunities, Xi said the central authorities would fully, firmly and accurately implement the "one country, two systems" policy, and fully support the chief executive and the HKSAR government in uniting and leading all sectors of society in actively pursuing reform and progress, and in pursuing prosperity through innovation and creativity.
Strong backing

According to the HKSAR government, Lee's briefing includes the latest economic, social and political situation in Hong Kong.

Commending Lee's work over the past year, Xi said Lee had led the HKSAR government in shouldering responsibilities and delivering concrete results.

In the past year, the HKSAR government has completed historic legislation under Article 23 of the HKSAR Basic Law, pooled resources in boosting economic development, addressed livelihood problems such as housing and healthcare, strengthened external exchanges and cooperation, and continuously enhanced Hong Kong's international prestige, thus further consolidating Hong Kong's positive momentum of stability and development, Xi said.

The central authorities fully acknowledge the work done by Lee and the HKSAR government, he said.

Fan Peng, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Political Sciences, said that in 2024, one of the most outstanding achievements is the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law of the HKSAR, a historic mission.

"In terms of system design, the legislation makes Hong Kong's accountability to the central government something that is no longer an abstract political principle, but internalized in the operation of 'one country, two systems' and the actual governance of Hong Kong," Fan said.

According to the expert, in the past two years, the HKSAR government effectively handled a series of thorny issues involving the sovereign interests of national security. At the same time, Hong Kong has also carried out wide-ranging patriotic education, with the social atmosphere clearly changing.

Lee's report in Beijing came after the annual Central Economic Work Conference in the capital, which stressed the need to implement more proactive and impactful macro policies, expand high-standard opening up and keep foreign trade and foreign investment stable.

Lau Siu-kai, a consultant to the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies think tank, believed that the central government appreciates that in the past year or two, HKSAR was seeking opportunities in the Middle East and Southeast Asian countries to mitigate the impact from Western repression and attempts to weaken the foundation of Hong Kong's economic development. But at the same time, it also requires Hong Kong to continue to step up efforts to open up space for international activities.

At such a critical point in time, Xi spoke highly of the HKSAR under Lee, which actually shows that the central government has consistently attached importance to the significant status and positive role of Hong Kong, and has unswervingly supported the region, and has always been a strong backing for Hong Kong's development, Fan said.

Further integration expected

Lee's itinerary, which runs from December 11 to 14, also includes meetings with members of various central government ministries, Hong Kong-based media said.

Before Lee's briefing to President Xi, Lee met with Beijing-based business people from Hong Kong as well as representatives from top universities in China's capital, calling for better interaction and integration between the mainland and Hong Kong.

During a lunch meeting on Thursday with 15 Hong Kong business representatives in Beijing, Lee praised the Hong Kong business community's efforts to promote the complementarity and mutual benefit of resources between Beijing and Hong Kong, and expected further strengthening of cooperation and exchanges, according to Lee's Facebook post.

Lee also encouraged young Hong Kong people in Beijing to embrace the unlimited opportunities for personal growth and asked Hong Kong business communities to help more Beijing companies list in Hong Kong and invest overseas using Hong Kong as a stepping stone, according to South China Morning Post.

After the lunch meeting, the chief executive held discussions with leaders from top-tier universities including Peking University, Tsinghua University, Renmin University, Beijing Normal University, Beihang University and Beijing Institute of Technology.

In a Facebook post after the meeting, Lee expressed gratitude for the institutions' continued support for Hong Kong, and hoped to foster cooperation between mainland and Hong Kong universities. He called for a joint effort to build a "talent highland," complementing each other's advantages.

According to Lau, reform and innovation are the two principles that Hong Kong should follow in its future governance and development, which makes its cooperation and integration with the mainland particularly important.

As an international financial hub, Hong Kong has advantages in terms of outbound business investment and internationalization, while the mainland has advantages in its number of talents, unified large market and policy efficiency, Fan noted, emphasizing the complementary advantages of the two places.

"Under the framework of 'one country, two systems', Hong Kong can integrate the advantages of governance capacity from both sides, which is more important in the long run than simply talking about short-term growth," Fan added.

"The Greater Bay Area is a crucial growth pole in the Chinese path to modernization. The mainland and Hong Kong have made great explorations not only in terms of trade and finance, and social connectivity, but also in terms of policy and institutional connectivity," Fan said, "The purpose is to drive innovation in science and technology, business and finance, and create new growth points with the Greater Bay Area as a whole."

The central government has set high expectations for Hong Kong in that regard, Fan said, noting that at a time when the dividends of globalization and the vitality of global innovation are declining, governance capacity is particularly important.

HKSAR Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, said at a business forum on Wednesday that the number of foreign and Chinese mainland firms as well as start-ups in Hong Kong has reached new highs in 2024, and the HKSAR will further help mainland businesses "go global" and attract foreign investment.

Ahead of Lee's departure on December 9, he met with Ren Hongbin, head of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) in Hong Kong. The two sides exchanged views on strengthening economic and trade exchanges between the mainland and Hong Kong, and facilitating the high-quality development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

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.

In honor of Liu Hui, a prominent figure in ancient Chinese mathematics, a series of global activities kicked off on Tuesday local time in Paris, marking the beginning of a year-long commemoration of Liu, whose contributions had a profound influence on ancient Chinese mathematics, and continue to inspire today’s scientific progress and civilization exchanges.

The commemorations were co-hosted by the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), and the Chinese National Commission for UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization).

The series of events are expected to show the world the remarkable scientific achievements, exceptional ideas, and significant contributions to human civilization made by ancient Chinese scholars like Liu, said He Junke, executive president of the CAST, in a speech he delivered at a launch ceremony of the commemoration on Tuesday, at the headquarters of UNESCO in Paris.

In November 2023, UNESCO held the 42nd session of the General Conference and approved the proposal made by the CAST to celebrate the anniversary of Liu’s birth. It was reportedly the first time China had successfully applied for a birthday anniversary event for a scientist at UNESCO.

This celebration was not only a tribute to Liu’s legacy, but a reminder of the immense value of mathematical sciences in shaping our future, said Lidia Arthur Brito, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, in a speech she delivered at the launch ceremony.

“This memorial is a tribute to his lasting impact - a recognition that mathematics, as Liu Hui demonstrated, is not just a theoretical pursuit, but also a vital tool for solving practical problems and advancing societies,” Brito remarked.

Living in the 3rd century, Liu was one of the founders of classical Chinese mathematical theory. He made great contributions to the history of Chinese mathematics and also gained an important position in the history of mathematics globally.

Liu’s commentary in the Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art had a great influence on a large number of mathematicians and mathematical works in later generations.

Liu also made many great mathematical creations. He created the theory of lü (ratio) about quantitative relationships, first proposed the concept of decimal fractions, and was the first to introduce the idea of limit and infinite division methods into mathematical proofs. He established a unique mathematical theory of measurement (surveying).

Liu had a direct impact on mathematics in ancient China and the entire East Asia, and indirectly influenced other regions as well, said Zou Dahai, a research fellow at the Institute for History of Natural Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in a speech he delivered online at Tuesday’s launch ceremony as an expert representative.

“As a representative of outstanding ancient Chinese scientists, Liu is not only a figure of China but also of the world,” Zou told the Global Times.

Following the launch ceremony, an international symposium on Liu’s academic thought was held at the headquarters of UNESCO on Tuesday afternoon, where global experts in the history of science and technology and the history of mathematics, gave multi-dimensional interpretations of and held discussions about Liu’s academic contributions and scientific heritage, as well as their modern value.

Furthermore, they delved into the global dissemination of Liu’s mathematical ideas, and proposed suggestions for the further promotion of China’s classical mathematical heritage.

Andrea Bréard, a professor and the vice president of the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, gave a keynote speech at the symposium titled “Incognito: The Secret Lives of Liu Hui in the 19th Century.” She mentioned that the name of Liu Hui is rarely seen in late imperial Chinese mathematical sources, but it doesn’t imply that Liu had little influence on mathematical practices in the 19th century and beyond. 

Instead, it is possible to uncover the lasting influence of Liu’s thought and writings in the context of a rapidly changing scientific landscape, at a time when China became globally more entangled, Bréard noted.

Zhou Xiaohan, an associate research fellow at the Institute for History of Natural Sciences, CAS, shared his thoughts on the multi-language translations of some terms and arguments in Liu’s commentary on Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art in his keynote speech at the symposium.

“Liu’s achievements are not only a treasure to China, but also a great legacy of human thought for the world,” Zhou told the Global Times. “His mathematical achievements reflect the diversity of mathematical thought and practice, which requires the free and deep cooperation of scholars around the world to reveal and interpret.”

As another highlight of the commemoration, a themed exhibition featuring Liu’s achievements in mathematics kicked off at Réfectoire des Cordeliers in Paris on Monday, so as to showcase Liu’s mathematical achievements, and to deepen the civilization exchanges and mutual understanding between China and the world, says the exhibition’s foreword.

Yang Xinyu, the Chinese Ambassador and permanent delegate to UNESCO, said in the speech she delivered at the launch ceremony that the International Astronomical Union named a new feature on the moon “Liu Hui” in 2021, in honor of Liu’s accomplishments.

“Today, whenever we look at the moon from afar, we would think of Liu Hui, think of his groundbreaking work, as well as his scientific spirit,” Yang said. “Spirit that is marked by rigorousness, innovation, dedication, and open-mindedness. Spirit that is highly consistent with the general trend of international scientific cooperation.”

A total of 61 professional soccer players have been given disciplinary sanctions, including 43 of them being banned from soccer for life, as China's sports and public security authorities jointly issued sanctions on Tuesday in the aftermath of a series of corruption cases in the sport since November 2022.

Among the names in the 43-player lifetime ban list, the most high-profile ones are former Shandong Luneng player and ex-China international Jin Jingdao and Shandong's South Korean player Son Jun-ho. The two "engaged in improper transactions, manipulated soccer matches, and obtained illegal gains in pursuit of unjust benefits," the Chinese Football Association (CFA) said. 

It remains unclear if Son will serve his ban in South Korea as he has been playing for Suwon FC in the South Korean top-tier league in 2024. The CFA said the cases will be submitted to international soccer governing bodies AFC and FIFA.

Among the 17 individuals who received a five-year suspension, the emergence of 40-year-old Wang Song, a veteran soccer player, has stunned many fans and commentators. Wang was previously hailed as an "evergreen soccer player" in China as he has scored in 23 consecutive seasons.

Song Kai, head of the CFA, indicated that soccer clubs involved in corruption also face penalties.

"Whether it's players or clubs involved in such activities, we will handle the cases strictly according to the laws and regulations and impose industry sanctions without leniency," Song told a press conference on Tuesday.

Zhang Xiaopeng, a senior official from China's Ministry of Public Security, said the goal of the investigation is to act as a high-pressure deterrent and genuinely purify the soccer industry.

"Ongoing investigations focus on illegal gambling and bribery as entry points to uncover and thoroughly investigate illegal activities such as match manipulation by players, coaches, referees, and club officials," Zhang said. 

Zhang Xin, chief of the Sports Competition under the General Administration of Sport of China, said that issues such as match-fixing, gambling, and organized crime in soccer are a "cancer" eroding the healthy development of soccer and a major obstacle to the sport's revitalization.

"Building a positive soccer culture is essential," said Zhang Xin. "By promoting integrity and transparency, we aim to foster an environment conducive to the healthy development of soccer in China."

According to figures released at the press conference, criminal charges have been brought against a total of 83 individuals since 2022, meaning there is a second list of people in the soccer industry who will face sanctions. 

Zhang Bin, a Beijing-based sports commentator, said the first round of sanctions is just a starter and the "main courses" will be served at a later time.

"The banned players are just a starter for the long-awaiting punishment of those who ruined a decade of China's soccer progress," Zhang Bin told the Global Times. 

"We do not see the names like [former national team coach] Li Tie and [former Shandong coach] Hao Wei as well as several senior CFA officials who had been prosecuted. That means there has to be a second and even a third batch of people who will be banned from the soccer industry."

In early September, in order to continuously optimize the power business environment, State Grid Taizhou Electric Power Supply Company actively cooperated with the government's "Efficient Completion of One Task" initiative, which includes a series of services such as joint application, joint site inspection, joint inspection, joint activation, and joint transfer of accounts.

Over the past year, State Grid Taizhou Electric Power Supply Company has actively implemented the "Efficient Completion of One Task" by integrating water, electricity, gas, and internet service resources, establishing a new "Five Ones" joint application service model for water, electricity, gas, and internet services, which includes "one application form, one-window acceptance, one site inspection, one construction process, and one simultaneous activation".

In March of this year, the service connotation of "Efficient Completion of One Task" for power supply services continued to expand. By integrating business processes such as account transfer, name change, account cancellation, category change, capacity increase, refund, and VAT change, strongly related power business "individual tasks" were integrated into "one task" from the perspective of enterprises and residents. For low-voltage and high-voltage groups, six power supply joint service scenarios such as "account transfer + category change + refund + VAT change", "account cancellation + refund", and "name change + VAT change" were launched. At the same time, a dedicated service section was launched on the State Grid Mobile App, enabling full-service online joint processing with internal transfers but no external transfers.

Since the launch of the service, more than 160 enterprises and individuals in Taizhou City, Jiangsu Province have benefited, with over 20 pieces of business documentation streamlined and a significant reduction in the time required for business processing, resulting in a notable improvement in the electricity service experience for the public.

Editor's Note:

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed that the environment concerns the well-being of people in all countries. During his many inspections, Xi has always emphasized the importance of ecosystems, spanning from cities to rural areas, and from enterprises to communities.

Under President Xi Jinping's Thought on Ecological Civilization, China has been advancing the green transition of its economy over the last decade. Regions across the country are actively promoting the construction of an ecological civilization and advancing Chinese modernization featuring harmony between humanity and nature. These efforts go toward creating a "Beautiful China."

The coming five years will be critical to the building of a "Beautiful China." The Global Times is launching a series of stories to explore the progress of ecological civilization projects inspired by Xi's words, delving into the positive environmental changes occurring now, and offering valuable insights and references for both national and global efforts.

Through this prism, we can see how Xi's thoughts on ecological civilization is being put into practice and further inspiring public action.

The Global Times recently visited the largest hydropower station in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, to witness the advanced power and technology achievements of China's clean energy projects in remote areas. The visit also included a trip to an ethnic minority community village that was relocated due to the project's construction. Our reporter witnessed significant improvements in the quality of their life after relocation.

This shows how China's green energy development integrates resources, drives the process of modernization, and sets a scientific example for many developing countries worldwide.
In the past, the Yarkand River in Xinjiang would flood annually during the rainy season, causing destruction to infrastructure, submerging farmland, and engulfing homes and villages. Bubishare, a Uygur resident who grew up in a village upstream of the river, still vividly recalls the cries of helplessness from those affected by the devastating floods before the construction of the Aratax water conservation project. Thanks to the project, these nightmares are now a thing of the past for local residents.

Located in the Karakorum Mountain Valley, the Aratax water conservation project, known as the "Xinjiang's Three Gorges" project for its grandeur and construction challenges, was constructed to control the Yarkant River. The 1,289-km-long Yarkant River in the Tarim Basin is Xinjiang's most flood-prone river, and the towering dam can withstand the turbulent floodwaters in a reservoir with a storage capacity of 2.2 billion cubic meters.

Today, this dam is gushing with clean water sources, stable power, and also gushing with hope for the minority groups on the desert.

In August 2023, President Xi Jinping urged firmly grasping the strategic positioning of Xinjiang in the overall national situation and better building a beautiful Xinjiang in the process of pursuing Chinese modernization, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, demanded thorough, meticulous, concrete and sustained efforts to develop a beautiful Xinjiang that is united, harmonious, prosperous, and culturally advanced, with healthy ecosystems and people living and working in contentment, in the process of pursuing Chinese modernization.

The building of a beautiful Xinjiang extends from a dam to a relocated ethnic minority community. The relocation of villagers to new homes with improved living conditions, as a result of the dam project, has brought green energy, green fields, and a green dream of prosperity to the villagers.

Path to build new hope

After a challenging 6-hour journey along the rugged Tasha Ancient Road, the Global Times reporter finally laid eyes on the Aratax dam nestled in the mountainside deep within the Karakorum Mountain. Without firsthand experience of this journey, it is difficult to fathom the obstacles encountered during the entire process of researching, designing, and constructing the dam - no roads on the ground, barren mountains devoid of trees, transportation primarily by feet, and communication mainly through shouting. Accidents like overturning were frequent due to the rugged environment.

The Xinhua Hydropower Generation Co, Ltd, a subsidiary of the China National Nuclear Corporation, began construction on the water conservation project in 2011, with a total investment of 10.98 billion yuan ($1.5 billion). The Aratax project has played a crucial role in flood control, irrigation, and power generation. The river plain, with a population of 4 million and an irrigated area of over 6.5 million mu (433,333 hectares), is the largest irrigated area in Xinjiang and the fourth-largest in China, benefiting 2.4 million people in the region.

Zhang Yibo, a frontline employee at the developer, told the media, "Over a decade ago, this place was even more desolate and rarely visited, and our water conservancy experts achieved a remarkable feat here." Confronted by the harsh natural surroundings, the builders traversed mountains, camped under the open sky, drank from rivers when thirsty, and rested in tents outdoor, with a firm passion for building a sustainable dam for locals.

From July 18 to August 17, 2021, the Aratax water conservancy project successfully connected four units to the grid in just one month, a rare accomplishment in the history of global hydropower development. This hydropower station significantly alleviated the power shortage in the four southern prefectures in Xinjiang. The project's designed annual power generation is 21.86 billion kilowatt-hours, saving 883,100 tons of standard coal annually while reducing smoke and dust emissions by 175,300 tons, and enabling the residents of southern Xinjiang to access cleaner energy.

The dam's incorporation of advanced technology, such as unmanned compaction technology using the Beidou satellite, improved digital visualization of the construction progress, and magnetic induction devices to assist in fish migration, have been notable features of its intelligent design.

"Following the completion of this project, it has greatly supported our irrigation efforts. Economic crops like sea buckthorn and apples are now extensively cultivated in the desert, leading to significant improvements in both economic and ecological benefits," Fan Kexing, Party secretary of Tong'an township, Kashi, Xinjiang, told the Global Times. "Previously, the area was plagued by strong winds and sandstorms, with sand and gravel striking house windows with a loud thud, but this phenomenon has now been alleviated," Fan noted.

Path to enjoy better life

Over the last six years, the residents of the remote Karakorum Mountains in Xinjiang have experienced incredible changes. Having previously lived in the vast desert with only three mu of arable land per person a decade ago, they had to trek seven kilometers to the mountains for drinking water, which needed to be purified before consumption. Power outages lasting for days at a time were a common occurrence. However, these challenges are now a thing of the past.

Today, the residents have an average annual income exceeding 10,000 yuan, live in beautifully decorated homes with their ethnicity characteristics, and enjoy access to closer schools, more job opportunities, and reliable water and electricity services.

Thanks to the construction of the dam, in August 2018, 4,243 individuals from over 1,000 households in Kusilafu township, Aketao county were resettled in Tong'an township, over 100 kilometers away. This diverse community, made up of Uygurs, Kyrgyz, Tajiks, and other ethnic groups, have embraced their new beginning.

Zhou Jingfang, an expert at the Xinhua Hydropower Generation Co who led the relocation work, still remembers the days of tirelessly conducting site surveys, clearing land, mobilizing villagers to relocate, planning and designing new sites, building resettlement houses, greening rural areas, reclaiming farmland, introducing livestock, and setting up factories, schools, clinics, and markets.

He told the Global Times that the dedicated team members worked long hours in harsh conditions, and navigated countless checkpoints and roads in the vast desert and rugged mountains without complaint. Nowadays, the villagers are no longer facing the endless desert of despair as they did in the past.

When discussing stories of relocation, 25-year-old Bubishare said, "Our village now has schools, factories, and employment opportunities. The village has supported us to find more diverse ways to make a living."

"We have 20,000 acres of farmland, where we not only grow food but also operate cash crops cooperatives. This area is a seabuckthorn forest, and our village recently constructed a seabuckthorn fruit processing plant. Our seabuckthorn beer will soon hit the market. With ample water supply, we are confident in our farming endeavors." Fan shared proudly while standing amid the seabuckthorn forest.

In a local farmer's backyard sheep pen, the Global Times reporter observed over 20 Dolan sheep, known as "living banks." Zhou explained that by raising two Dolan sheep, a farmer can become prosperous within two years due to their high reproductive rate. In Tong'an, many villagers raise Dolan sheep in this manner and enjoy prosperity.

Tong'an township has also collaborated with local businesses to establish factories, providing employment for local women to produce items made from Xinjiang cotton, such as down jackets and socks for overseas export, ensuring female workers earn at least 2,000-3,000 yuan per month. "The factory is conveniently located, allowing women to balance family responsibilities while earning an income," Fan informed the Global Times.

In one factory, a wall in the workshop reads, "Happiness is achieved through hard work." These words have accurately described how local women in Xinjiang have embarked on the path to modernization through their own hands.

Along the Yarkand River, beyond the Karakorum Mountain, the villagers of Tong'an are employing their diligence and unwavering efforts to write their own happy stories in the desert. They have left behind isolation and poverty, embracing hope and prosperity within short years. In this vibrant land, a new life of perseverance and success is blossoming with vibrant hues.

The US House of Representatives' latest bill on electric vehicle (EV) tax credits that aims to bar US carmakers from working with Chinese EV companies is another political maneuver that could hurt US businesses and consumers, a Chinese expert said on Friday.

On Thursday, the US House narrowly voted to pass a bill restricting EV tax credits for vehicles using battery technology licensed from China. The bill has faced opposition from the White House, the South China Morning Post reported on Friday.

The new bill has fueled sharp partisan divisions in the US, with Republicans arguing that it challenges China's dominance in the EV sector, and Democrats and labor unions warning of job losses and reduced US competitiveness against Chinese firms, according to media reports.

The legislation is reportedly the last act of "China Week" at the US House, during which US lawmakers push for anti-China bills. With more than 20 bills targeting China on issues such as biotechnology, EVs, drones and agriculture, the "China Week" has also been called by many the "Anti-China Week."

"In the US, there's broad and strong agreement on suppressing China's cutting-edge industries, but it's tangled among intricate partisan and industry interests," Xin Qiang, deputy director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times on Friday.

Alongside the EV bill, the "China Week" also saw some other contentious bills, such as the Biosecure Act, which seeks to block US federal agencies from working with certain Chinese companies under the guise of "national security."

Responding to the passage of the US Biosecure Act, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that China firmly opposes the passage of the bill by the US House of Representatives and the discriminatory measures against Chinese companies.

"The US needs to abandon ideological bias, respect the principles of market economy and trade rules, stop advancing that bill, and stop suppressing Chinese companies under various pretexts," Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the ministry, said at a regular press briefing, adding that China will continue working to protect the lawful and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.

Sports reporter Zhu Xiaolong recently violated regulations by participating in a live broadcast, where he made inappropriate remarks about Chinese Olympic champion Quan Hongchan.

Nanfang Media Group has promptly launched an investigation and announced on Thursday that they will handle the responsible individuals according to regulations based on the facts.

During a recent online livestream, Zhu described Quan’s behavior while showing her gold medal to foreign athletes as "eccentric" and "crazy."

Zhu stated, “She has always been an excellent diver, which is beyond doubt, but as a person, she may not be fully developed.”

He also noted that Quan cannot dive for her entire life, and remarked that her decision to start learning English is a positive development.

During the Olympics, a reporter asked Quan if she wanted to learn how to say “take it easy” in English, to which Quan responded that she did not need to.