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.
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.
Multilingual guidebooks to scenic spots, volunteers in red vests who help tourists exchange currency... China is not only well known for its natural scenic spots and rich cultural heritage but also treating foreign tourists with more hospitality and lovely, kind smiles from people who are ready to offer help to make their trips more convenient. Through multilingual services, the enhancement of travel facilities and the hands-on support of volunteers, it is fueling the "China Travel" trend, making visiting the country more accessible and enjoyable for visitors from all corners of the globe.
One of the most significant indicators of this trend is the recent measures taken to improve the overall travel experience for foreign tourists. For instance, in the Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, the local government announced on Monday a bilingual travel guide that will serve as a comprehensive resource for both Chinese and international visitors. The guide will be meticulously translated by seasoned professionals to ensure accuracy and cultural relevance, showcasing China's commitment to making travel easier and more informative for non-Chinese speakers.
This effort aligns perfectly with the broader picture. Liu Haitao, a senior official of the National Immigration Administration (NIA), highlighted the explosive popularity of "China Travel" online at the press conference on Monday, emphasizing how foreign tourists are witnessing firsthand a confident, open, and modern China, as reported by the Xinhua News Agency. The numbers back up this claim: From January to July, 17.25 million foreign visitors entered China, marking a 129.9 percent increase compared with the previous year. He noted that further policies will also be carried out to increase convenience and broaden the scope of visa-free entry in the future.
Cities across China are embracing this wave of international tourism with targeted initiatives. In Suzhou, the local government has launched a series of measures to facilitate foreign visitors' stays, leading to a 75 percent increase in international overnight visitors in the first half of the year. The city has equipped its cultural and tourist sites with multilingual translation devices, established multiple service points, while providing foreign currency exchange services in key tourist areas. These efforts have transformed Suzhou into a model city for international tourism in China.
Similar strides are being made in Beijing, where the "BEIJING PASS" has been introduced as an all-in-one solution for foreign tourists. This card not only covers public transportation across the city but also works at major tourist attractions, allowing seamless access to places like the Summer Palace and the Great Wall. Taishan Mountain in East China's Shandong Province has also introduced travel guides in English, providing guidance on climate, transportation, food and the city mascot so as to make travel more convenient for foreign tourists.
China's infrastructure improvements extend beyond physical facilities to include personal, human connections. In Beijing, volunteers like those at the Beijing South Railway Station's bus hub provide invaluable assistance to foreign travelers. The story of Lu Qinghong, a volunteer in a red vest who helped a Venezuelan tourist navigate the city in English, exemplifies the warm and supportive environment that China offers to its guests. Through multilingual communication and genuine care, these volunteers are the embodiment of China's hospitality.
This welcoming atmosphere is further enhanced by initiatives such as the strategic recruitment of multilingual tour guides in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, where the demand for foreign language services has been met with a robust response. By hiring guides fluent in languages like Russian and English while providing comprehensive services that allow foreign credit cards to be used in e-pay systems in China, Xi'an ensures that foreign visitors can fully engage with the region's breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage without language barriers.
The efforts also extend to ensuring that foreign visitors have access to modern amenities and services. The recent policy released by the Ministry of Commerce and six other departments focuses on improving accommodation services for foreign nationals. This includes removing unnecessary barriers for lodging operators and providing specialized training for receptionists, ensuring that all visitors, whether in China for tourism, work, or other purposes, receive top-notch service.
By combining facilities, multilingual services, and a culture of warmth and inclusion, the "China Travel" trend is inviting tourists from all over the world with more accessibility than ever before. This initiative is not just about welcoming tourists; it's about showcasing the best of what China has to offer - its beauty, its culture, and its people.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) on Tuesday announced the release of revised textbooks, including Chinese language and history books featuring new archaeological findings and studies into the origin of Chinese civilization, which will be implemented in primary and junior high schools across the country starting from the autumn semester. These new editions are set to cover all grades within three years, marking a significant step in the integration of cultural education into the curriculum.
One of the key changes in these textbooks is the emphasis on culture, enriching the content of fine traditional Chinese culture. For instance, the literature textbooks now include selections from The Classic of Poetry, the oldest existing collection of Chinese poetry; poems from the Tang, Song and Yuan dynasties (618-1368) and excerpts from novels from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), with a total of 353 pieces representing the essence of Chinese culture.
Students can learn the Chinese civilization by reading about archaeological findings such as the Liangzhu Ancient City, the Taosi site, and Niuheliang site in history textbooks, according to the MOE.
The profound value concepts, philosophical thought, moral discussions, and practical methods embedded in traditional Chinese culture provide an inexhaustible resource for cultural education.
In today's digital world, where young people are easily influenced by vulgar online information, these historically tested cultural texts can help them establish correct values and perspectives, thus enhancing their humanistic literacy.
The textbooks also highlight China's technological advancements and stories of role models including astronauts, heroes who guarded China's borders, scientists, educators, and frontline workers. This is conducive to cultivating students' spirit of scientific exploration and inspiring them to pursue careers in science and technology.
The revision of textbooks by the Ministry of Education is a strategic move to enhance cultural education, which is essential for nurturing well-rounded individuals who appreciate and can carry forward the rich tapestry of Chinese culture.
By exposing students to the depth and breadth of traditional Chinese culture, we are not only preserving heritage but also equipping the next generation with the values and wisdom necessary to navigate the complexities of the world.
The concept of cultural education is not new. Many schools have organized activities to bring outstanding traditional culture into campuses, such as the introduction of intangible cultural heritage (ICH). In South China's Guangdong Province, for example, activities related to Cantonese opera, paper-cutting, and Lingnan guqin, which are national and provincial-level ICH, have been organized in local primary and high schools.
The MOE has issued documents encouraging the use of extracurricular venues and public cultural facilities to organize activities with ICH representatives, guiding young people to understand and inherit the charm of ICH.
In higher education, universities will be given support to independently establish ICH-related undergraduate majors, strengthening the construction of ICH-related specialties and courses to improve talent cultivation capabilities.
Traditional Chinese culture, as the crystallization and essence of Chinese civilization, carries the national memory and spirit of the Chinese nation. Strengthening the education of traditional Chinese culture is beneficial for guiding young people to learn about the long history of Chinese civilization.
These measures for cultural education will help increase the dissemination and popularization of excellent traditional culture and promote the deep integration of the protection and inheritance of excellent traditional culture with the modern education system. By integrating excellent traditional culture into campuses, the content of cultural education can be creatively enriched, and the practical path of cultural education can be expanded.
On August 21, the "integrated photovoltaic, energy storage and charging" intelligent charging station built by State Grid Nanjing Power Supply Company in Sifang Xincun was successfully put into operation, effectively solving the charging problem of this old community.
Sifang Xincun community was completed in 1998. There are about 2,600 households in total. The parking spaces are tight and the power capacity is limited. In response to this situation, State Grid Nanjing Power Supply Company and Guanghua Road Sub-district jointly constructed Jiangsu Province's first intelligent charging station with integrated photovoltaic, energy storage and charging in the old community. "'Integrated photovoltaic, energy storage and charging' refers to a green charging mode in which photovoltaic power generation, energy storage, and vehicle charging are integrated and coordinated with each other," said Zhang Xinzhan, general manager of State Grid Nanjing Electric Vehicle Service Co, Ltd, noting that the charging station has a photovoltaic canopy with an installed power of 30 kilowatts. It can provide about 30,000 kilowatt-hours of green electricity throughout the year. It is also equipped with two sets of 240 kilowatts - 200 kilowatts/261 kilowatt-hours of sponge energy storage and charging cabinets. The total charging power is 480 kilowatts, which can simultaneously provide fast charging for eight new energy vehicles. During the day, the electric energy generated by the photovoltaic canopy will be given priority to supply vehicle charging. The remaining electric energy will be stored in the energy storage system and sent to the charging piles during the peak charging period to assist in supporting the power load. "Through advanced sponge power technology, the system will give priority to using the charging piles and energy storage system to consume the electric energy generated by photovoltaic. The photovoltaic consumption rate can reach 100 percent, which is equivalent to saving about 3.12 tons of standard coal per year," Zhang Xinzhan said, adding that under the demand-side response mode, the charging station can meet the peak shaving of 200 kilowatts for 2 hours. Under the auxiliary service mode, it can meet the valley filling of 100 kilowatts for 4 hours, realizing friendly interaction with the power grid.
In addition, to meet the residents' need for a more convenient and comfortable charging service experience, State Grid Nanjing Power Supply Company has also built an "Energy Cube" intelligent green energy post house next to the charging station, which is convenient for new energy vehicle owners to take a break during charging and also provides a haven for new business forms and new employment groups.
Despite going undrafted in the NBA Draft after meticulously preparing for months, the determination of 21-year-old Chinese player Cui Yongxi to compete in the NBA exemplifies his commitment to reaching the pinnacle of basketball.
Cui's journey began long before draft night. Leading up to the selection process, he had the opportunity to work out with six NBA teams: the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis Grizzlies, Utah Jazz, Indiana Pacers, Portland Trail Blazers and New York Knicks. These experiences not only broadened his horizons but also provided him with a firsthand understanding of the intensity and competitiveness that define the NBA.
"Now I know the level my peers are at," Cui said, reflecting on the rigorous training sessions and the high caliber of talent he encountered. His insights reveal a young athlete who is both introspective and determined to elevate his game to meet these standards.
Cui's perseverance has been rewarded with an Exhibit 10 contract from the Trail Blazers. This contract, while not guaranteeing a spot on the regular season roster, offers him a platform to showcase his skills during the NBA Summer League. The Summer League, scheduled from July 13 to 23 in Las Vegas, will feature 30 teams playing a total of 76 games. For Cui, every minute on the court is an opportunity to prove himself.
Historically, Chinese players in the NBA Summer League, like Zhang Zhenlin and Zeng Fanbo in 2022, have struggled to secure significant play time. Cui might face a similar challenge. If Cui wants to earn more minutes, he must deliver exceptional performances consistently. The NBA is unforgiving, and success hinges on a player's ability to quickly adapt, perform and fulfill a team's needs.
Cui's stats in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) reflect his potential. Standing at 2.01 meters with a 2.06-meter wingspan and weighing 93 kilograms, he averaged 15.7 points, 6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game last season. His shooting accuracy, with a field goal percentage of 45.5 percent and a three-point percentage of 36.4 percent, highlights his scoring capability.
However, transitioning to the NBA requires more than impressive statistics. It demands understanding the team's requirements and carving out a niche within the squad. Many players mistakenly focus solely on showcasing their strengths without aligning to the team's strategy. For Cui, recognizing and executing the team's needs will be crucial. This adaptability can earn him the respect and trust of his coaches and teammates, paving the way for more opportunities to shine.
Cui is among the brightest talents among China's new generation of basketball players. His participation in the 2023 FIBA World Cup and subsequent strong performance in the CBA demonstrate his readiness for the next challenge. As he steps into the NBA Summer League, he carries not just his aspirations but also the hopes of many Chinese basketball fans eager for a new icon in the NBA, during a time when the national team is in an embarrassing situation of not having any major international competition in two years.
The road ahead is undoubtedly tough, but Cui's determination and willingness to step out of his comfort zone are commendable. During a time when the Chinese national team faces significant challenges and the gap between Chinese basketball and the world's elite continues to widen, Cui's possibility of competing overseas is crucial. His perseverance and pursuit of excellence serves as an inspiration for future generations of Chinese basketballers.
Japanese and US defense chiefs and top diplomats met in Tokyo on Sunday for talks to boost military cooperation, including upgrading US forces command and reaffirming the US' commitment to "extended deterrence." The move doubles down on the US' intention of using Japan as an outpost in the Asia-Pacific region to boost its nuclear deterrence to contain countries such as China and elevate the role of the Japan Self-Defense Forces in the US-Japan military alliance.
However, this will put Tokyo in the front line of a counterattack from other countries, including a nuclear conflict, said Chinese observers. Moreover, the enhanced US-Japan alliance will likely provoke a new round of arms race in tactical nuclear weapons in the region, experts said.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Japan on Sunday as part of an Asia-Pacific tour. Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held 2+2 talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, according to a joint statement released by the Pentagon.
The ministers stressed the importance of continuing to enhance US extended deterrence, the joint statement said.
This includes atomic weapons, marking a shift from Japan's earlier reluctance to openly discuss the sensitive issue in the world's only country to have suffered nuclear attacks, AP reported.
Ever since the end of WWII, Japan has been under the US nuclear protection umbrella, yet reaffirming this "extended deterrence" this time signals Washington's intention of using Japan as an outpost to strengthen its nuclear deterrence in Northeast Asia, Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military expert and media commentator, told the Global Times on Sunday.
Wei said such a concerning move not only completely overturns Japan's war-renouncing constitution, but all policies related to Japan's exclusively defense-oriented strategy will be completely breached.
"If the US were to use Japan's bases to conduct tactical nuclear strikes, when other countries retaliate, they are likely to retaliate with nuclear weapons as well. Targets would likely include US military bases in Japan, effectively dragging Japan into the risk of nuclear conflict," Wei said.
The joint statement also announced that the US intends to reconstitute US Forces Japan as a joint force headquarters reporting to the Commander of US Indo-Pacific Command.
This move further ties Japan to the war chariot of the US, where they must advance and retreat together, Lü Chao, a Korean Peninsula expert at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. He said criticizing China as threat just allows US to intervene with excuses like "extended deterrence" during the so-called crisis in Taiwan Straits and South China Sea and provide a pretext for extending nuclear threats to the entire Asia-Pacific region, which is dangerous.
Xin Qiang, director of the Taiwan Studies Center at Fudan University, said the upgrading of the US command showcases a new level of the US-Japan military alliance. Once the command is upgraded, it will enhance the role and status of the Japan Self-Defense Forces within the alliance, Xin said.
He said this will further accelerate Japan's military dvelopment and the exercise of collective self-defense rights to engage in a potential warfare in the future.
Austin and Kihara also met their South Korean counterpart, Shin Won-sik, for talks in Tokyo on Sunday where they signed an agreement to "institutionalize" trilateral cooperation via efforts like real-time sharing of North Korean missile warning data and joint military exercises, media reported.
Later on Monday Blinken and Kamikawa will meet Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and Australia's Penny Wong, their counterparts in the Quad, an alliance seen as a bulwark against Beijing.
Chinese experts said that Blinken's Asia tour clearly aims at challenging China. The US has been making efforts to form a NATO-like alliance in Asia, Xin said.
