Foreign intelligence agencies have been conducting remote sensing detection on China through high-precision satellites, with the intention of observing and stealing secrets from space in recent years, China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) revealed on Wednesday.

"Space security represents a frontier in the expansion of national security from traditional domains to emerging fields in the new era. It is a crucial aspect of safeguarding national strategic interests and demonstrating national security capabilities," the MSS said in an article published on its official WeChat account on Wednesday. 

It stressed that space security holds significant and far-reaching strategic and overall importance for defending the country's sovereignty, safety and development interests. 

The MSS stated that intelligence agencies of certain countries have conducted infiltration activities toward China's aerospace sector, using bribery, networking and coercion to target Chinese researchers. Their objective is to steal the cutting-edge advancements in aerospace technology.

The national security agencies, together with relevant departments, have investigated and dealt with several illegal cases in which the cutting-edge advancements in the aerospace field were stolen through bribery, coercion and manipulation, effectively dealing a blow to foreign intelligence agencies, according to the MSS.

As space technology becomes increasingly mastered by more countries and private entities, the security landscape in the realm of space has undergone significant changes. 

In the past, high-precision satellites with intelligence and reconnaissance value were controlled by only a few government agencies, which limited the scope of intelligence they could gather. 

Nowadays, however, many commercial entities possess high-resolution optical satellites, as well as satellites capable of capturing data across other spectrums, which can obtain intelligence images comparable to military-grade imagery from the Cold War era, Wang Yanan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

These entities may not be directly governed by any military, but they can be utilized by government agencies through commercial contracts. This means that the direction of such intelligence information can become quite complex, Wang said. 

Moreover, the platforms for these satellites to capture images in orbit have a very broad range, allowing for continuous global coverage 24/7. This means that nations are now facing a substantial shift in the security situation, the expert noted. 

Therefore, national security organs need to adapt their handling of related affairs in response to these changes.

From a technical standpoint, a comprehensive prevention of such open-source intelligence is quite challenging. "Like deploying an eye suspended at hundreds of kilometers high, potentially disguised as a commercial satellite, it would be difficult to employ strong countermeasures or to cover all areas extensively," Wang said. 

One feasible approach is to move certain activities involving national secrets indoors, while more targeted preventive measures will need to be studied to improve its efficiency.

Observers added that in light of these new circumstances and challenges, the awareness of national security prevention needs to be adjusted accordingly. 

There should be a re-evaluation and classification of security information, focusing security resources on the most critical and valuable intelligence rather than broadly scattering resources across a wide area, which may yield diminishing returns in the new context, Wang said. 

Space is increasingly becoming a key area for economic growth, military conflicts and national security. Major powers around the world have all placed growing significance on the development of space.

As a result, the competition for space resources is growing increasingly intense, as space exploration confronts a scarcity of orbital and spectrum resources. High-speed debris, including abandoned satellites and rocket remnants, is proliferating in space, heightening the risk of a collision with a spacecraft, said the MSS.

The arms race in space is also intensifying, with some Western countries establishing space combat forces and honing their space operational capabilities, often positioning China as their primary competitor in this domain. 

They promote theories of space dominance and engage in an arms race, exerting considerable effort to suppress and contain China, thereby threatening the peaceful environment in space, according to the MSS.

Yu Huaying, who was accused of child trafficking, was sentenced once again to death on Friday by Intermediate People's Court of Guiyang in Southwest China's Guizhou Province in the first-instance verdict of a retrial.

Yu was also deprived of her political rights for life, and had her personal property confiscated, per the verdict. According to reports from The Paper, victims and their relatives, including Yang Niuhua and Chen Jianghai, attended the hearing to listen to the verdict.

The court verdict stated that evidence regarding Yu's abduction and trafficking of 17 children are clear. Yu engaged in premeditated child trafficking, seeking opportunities to find children in Guizhou, Yunnan provinces and Chongqing Municipality. After committing the crimes, she quickly transferred the children to Handan in North China's Hebei, where they were sold through intermediaries. The means of committing the crimes were highly consistent, and through repeated trafficking over a long period of time, a complete criminal chain of child trafficking was formed.

The evidence in the case confirmed that Yu played a pivotal role and was the principal perpetrator and should be punished according to all the crimes she participated in, per the court.

The court also said Yu was captured in 2004 by public security authorities for abducting children in Yunnan. At that time, she was using a fake identity and did not confess to her crimes. She was sentenced under the false ID to eight years. In June 2022, after being arrested by the public security authorities of Guiyang again, Yu still did not voluntarily confess to the criminal facts and showed no signs of remorse.

The defendant Yu Huaying trafficked 17 children, resulting in the separation of 12 families and the severing of familial bonds. The parents of the 17 children have endured years of hardship in their search for their children. After failing to find them, some parents succumbed to depression to death, while others experienced broken marriages and shattered families, according to the court verdict.

The consequences of Yu's crimes are particularly severe and should be punished harshly according to the law. Although the defendant pleaded guilty in court and showed some signs of remorse, this is not sufficient to warrant a lighter sentence. There is insufficient evidence to confirm whether Yu abused the children during the trafficking, but this does not affect the sentence of Yu, according to the verdict.

Yu's case has captured nationwide attention since she was arrested again in 2022.

In September 2023, the Guiyang Intermediate People's Court had initially sentenced Yu Huaying to death for the crime of child trafficking, noting that the circumstances were particularly severe and had a particularly negative impact. On November 28, 2023, the case was heard in the second instance at the Guizhou Provincial High People's Court.

On January 8, 2024, the High People's Court of Guizhou Province made a second-instance ruling in the case of Yu Huaying, sending it back for retrial. The court found that the original judgment had overlooked other criminal facts related to Yu's child trafficking, and some facts were unclear.

On October 11, 2024, the retrial of Yu's child trafficking case was held, during which the prosecution increased the number of children allegedly trafficked by Yu from 11 to 17. The prosecuratorate recommended a death sentence for Yu, according to media reports.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Tuesday afternoon inspected Dongshan County in Zhangzhou City, east China's Fujian Province.

He visited Aojiao Village of Chencheng Township, the Gu Wenchang memorial hall and the Guandi cultural industrial park.

During the visits, Xi learnt about local efforts to advance rural revitalization across the board, carry forward the revolutionary traditions and strengthen the protection of cultural heritage.

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Thursday that there remain major differences between China and the EU side in the negotiations over the dispute in electric vehicles (EVs) as the EU failed to positively respond to core concerns of Chinese and EU industries. Still, China has invited EU side for a new round of face-to-face consultations, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, as recent talks have so far failed to yield a mutually acceptable deal, there has been growing criticism against the European Commission (EC), the EU's executive branch that spearheaded the whole dispute. On Wednesday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reportedly criticized the EC's decision and called for an agreement with China, while also pointing to skepticism from other EU members toward the EC's tariffs.

While EU leaders have publicly stated a commitment to negotiations, the EU side has not demonstrated sufficient sincerity during the actual talks, sources have told the Global Times. Amid the growing criticism, including those from within the EU, the EU side should show sincerity and earnestly work with China to reach a mutually acceptable deal, experts said.

Major differences

Responding to a question about the progress of China-EU EV negotiations at a press conference on Thursday, He Yadong, a spokesperson for MOFCOM, said that China has so far shown the greatest sincerity and flexibility and the two sides have made important progress in some areas.

"However, because the EU side has never positively responded to issues related to the core concerns of Chinese and EU industries, there are still major differences in the consultations," He said.

Highlighting China's sincerity in resolving the dispute through friendly talks, the MOFCOM spokesperson said that China has formally invited the EU technical team to China to continue the next phase of face-to-face consultations as soon as possible. "We have made all preparations for this and are waiting for a reply from the EU side," He said.

In addition, when asked about whether China is considering increasing tariffs on imported cars with large-displacement engines, He said that "China is studying measures such as increasing tariffs on imported vehicles with large-displacement fuel vehicles and will make a prudent decision after comprehensively considering all factors."

MOFCOM has taken several steps in studying the potential tariff hike on large-engine cars, including meeting with automakers in August to solicit opinions and suggestions. If tariffs on large-engine cars are hiked, it will have a major impact on auto imports from the EU, a Chinese auto industry insider told the Global Times in May, when calling for such a tariff hike.

The EC's plan to impose hefty additional tariffs on Chinese EVs has sparked widespread concerns among Chinese and EU industries, as such a move would not only undermine the EV trade but also the broader China-EU cooperation. In particular, such concerns are growing in some EU member states such as Germany, which has a massive auto industry that has a huge presence in the Chinese market.

Such concerns were on vivid display on Wednesday, when Scholz, during a speech to parliament, criticized the EU's decision to impose tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars, saying 17 other states were skeptical as well as all the executives of carmakers with whom he had spoken, according to Reuters. "My request is that we come to an agreement between China and the European Union," he said.

Zhao Junjie, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of European Studies, said that the German Chancellor's remarks are very important and representative of deep concerns among some EU member states and industries over the EC's protectionist tariffs.

"Generally speaking, there is internal division within the EU, which led to the reluctance of the EC's decision-making," Zhao told the Global Times on Thursday, noting that while some countries like Germany take a practical approach and seek to stabilize China-EU cooperation, others support the protectionist move.

Sincerity needed

Such reluctance is also reflected in the EC's approach toward the negotiations. EC leaders, including President Ursula von der Leyen, have publicly said that they will continue negotiations with China, however, the EU side has not shown sufficient sincerity in the actual talks.

By making unreasonable demands, not responding positively to sensible offers from the Chinese side and attempting to split up Chinese electric vehicle (EV) producers in negotiations, the EU side has not demonstrated sufficient sincerity and resorted to tactics that may have undermined the talks, multiple sources close to the matter told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Among the examples of the EU side's lack of sufficient sincerity in the talks is its attempt to conduct separate negotiations with different Chinese EV makers on price commitment, even though the firms have already authorized the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electric Products (CCCME) as their representative in the negotiations, the CCCME said in a statement on Wednesday night.

"The EC's separate negotiations on price commitments with individual firms will shake the foundation and mutual trust for the negotiations and cause disruption to the negotiations between the two sides," the CCCME said in the statement, noting that such separate negotiations will divert resources and delay the negotiations processes.

The CCCME urged the EU to show its greatest sincerity and conduct further consultations with the goal of reaching consensus on price commitment, in order to reach a mutually acceptable solution as soon as possible. It also vowed to continue to do its best in the price commitment negotiations and effectively safeguard the interests of industry enterprises.

Jian Junbo, a deputy director of the Center for China-Europe Relations at Fudan University's Institute of International Studies, said that the EC's insincere tactics during the negotiations not only showed its lack of sufficient sincerity but also the politically-motivated protectionist nature of the tariffs against Chinese EVs.

"The EC's imposition of tariffs on Chinese EVs is a protectionist action with an obvious political characteristic, which could lead to multiple layers of negative consequences," Jian told the Global Times on Thursday, noting that this also explains the EC's lack of sufficient sincerity in the negotiations.

The EC is continuing negotiations, while at the same time seeking to undermine the negotiation process by conducting separate negotiations with EV makers, Jian said. "This shows it has no organization in the negotiations, and this problem must be addressed," he said.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, met with Luong Cuong, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and permanent member of the CPV Central Committee Secretariat, in Beijing on Friday.

Xi pointed out that adhering to the leadership of the communist party and the socialist system constitutes the most essential feature of China and Vietnam, and serves as the most solid political foundation for developing bilateral relations.

Noting that China takes Vietnam as a priority in its neighborhood diplomacy, Xi said China is ready to work with Vietnam to take the lead in deepening high-level mutually beneficial cooperation, safeguarding international fairness and justice, and promoting the cause of human progress, and jointly foster a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

Xi stressed that as changes unseen in a century are unfolding at an accelerated pace, China and Vietnam should adhere to the correct political direction, view China-Vietnam relations from a strategic height, and ensure the sustained, correctly oriented development of bilateral ties.

He urged China and Vietnam to strengthen their exchange of thoughts and ideas, make better use of institutionalized platforms such as theoretical discussions and cadre training, and enhance communication and the exchange of party and state governance experience. The two countries should also tap into cooperation potential further, and spare no effort to promote the synergy of development strategies and interconnectivity, he added.

On fostering friendship between peoples, Xi called on the two sides to take full advantage of the 75th anniversary of bilateral relations and the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges next year to bring greater recognition to the traditional friendship between the two countries and do more to improve their guidance of public opinion, so as to consolidate public support for the long-term development of bilateral relations.

Xi went on to say that China's efforts to further deepen reforms and promote a high-level opening-up will not only open up broader prospects for its own development, but also bring new impetus and opportunities to the development of Vietnam and other countries around the world.

China is ready to enhance cooperation with Vietnam to be good companions and partners on the path of reform and modernization, Xi said, expressing the belief that under the leadership of the CPV Central Committee headed by General Secretary To Lam, Vietnam will successfully complete the goals and tasks set by the 13th National Congress of the CPV.

Noting that Vietnam and China are socialist neighbors linked by the same mountains and rivers, Luong Cuong said that developing relations with China has always been the objective need, strategic choice and a top priority of Vietnam's overall diplomacy.

He said that Vietnam is willing to continue working with China to fully deliver on the important consensus reached in recent years by the two countries' top leaders, cement relations between the two parties and two countries, push for the further development of exchange and cooperation in various fields, better manage and resolve differences, and strive for new achievements in promoting the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and the construction of a Vietnam-China community with a shared future.

Liaoning aircraft carrier participates in drills to the east of Taiwan island

The volume of global merchandise trade is expected to increase by 2.7 percent in 2024, the World Trade Organization (WTO) said in an update of the Global Trade Outlook and Statistics released on Thursday.

This prediction is slightly higher than the WTO's earlier forecast of 2.6 percent made in April.

According to the report, global merchandise trade experienced an upward trend in the first half of 2024, showing a year-on-year increase of 2.3 percent. This growth is expected to be followed by further moderate expansion throughout the remainder of the year and into 2025.

Global real gross domestic product growth at market exchange rates is projected to remain steady at 2.7 percent in both 2024 and 2025, the report said.

The WTO noted that by mid-2024, inflation had decreased sufficiently to enable central banks to cut interest rates. This decline in inflation is expected to increase real household incomes and stimulate consumer spending, while lower interest rates should encourage firms to boost their investment spending.

The report also cautioned that diverging monetary policies among major economies could result in financial volatility and shifts in capital flows as central banks lower interest rates. This situation may make debt servicing more difficult, especially for poorer economies.

"We are expecting a gradual recovery in global trade for 2024, but we remain vigilant of potential setbacks, particularly the potential escalation of regional conflicts like those in the Middle East," WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said.

The impact could be most severe for the countries directly affected, but it may also indirectly influence global energy costs and shipping routes, she said, calling for continuous efforts to foster inclusive global trade.

"It is imperative that we continue to work collectively to ensure global economic stability and sustained growth, as these are fundamental to enhancing the welfare of people worldwide," she said.

The report forecasts a decline in exports in Europe by 1.4 percent and a decrease in imports by 2.3 percent in 2024. European exports have been negatively impacted by the region's automotive and chemicals sectors.

Meanwhile, exports in Asia for this year are expected to grow by 7.4 percent, outpacing other regions. Driven by manufacturing powerhouses such as China, Singapore and South Korea, the region's exports rebounded strongly in the first half of this year.

The short-term outlook for services trade is more optimistic than that for goods trade, with an 8-percent year-on-year growth in the U.S. dollar value of commercial services trade recorded in the first quarter of 2024. The report added that statistics indicate this relatively strong growth is likely to continue into the second quarter for services trade.

During the National Day holidays, workers in key sectors stayed on the front lines, pushing forward China's major infrastructure projects. Their efforts have fueled sustained economic growth, underscoring the nation's commitment to long-term development.

Yu Yongding, academic advisor to the CF40 and member of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, pointed out that compared with real estate and manufacturing investment that may not have an obvious effect in the short term, infrastructure investment plays a more important role in boosting economic growth. 

During the golden week holidays, some workers at China National Nuclear Power (CNNP) Guodian Zhangzhou Energy Co in East China's Fujian Province stuck to their posts to ensure the smooth operation of nuclear power plants.

"Unit 1 is at the peak of commissioning. We aim to realize its commercial operation before the end of the year. Construction, commissioning, production and safety teams, along with company leaders, are all on duty to ensure smooth progress of the work," Li Bin, the trade union chairman of the CNNP Guodian Zhangzhou Energy Co, told the Global Times on Monday.

In another development, construction of the Dali-Ruili Railway, a crucial section of the China-Myanmar international railway, continues to progress. On October 5, China completed its first underground mixing station in the 34.5-kilometer-long Gaoligong Mountain tunnel. 

"Infrastructure plays a key role in China's economic growth, but some areas still lag in critical sectors like transportation and energy. It's vital to speed up construction to bridge these gaps and boost local economic development," Bian Yongzu, executive deputy editor-in-chief of Modernization of Management magazine, told the Global Times on Monday.

Bian noted that large infrastructure projects have always been China's strength. "We have established standards and experience, allowing us to execute more projects quickly and efficiently, supporting regional coordinated development," he added.

Two Chinese nationals were killed and one was injured after a convoy carrying Chinese staff of the Port Qasim Electric Power Company (Private) Limited was attacked near Jinnah International Airport in Karachi around 11 pm on Sunday. The attack also caused casualties among Pakistani personnel. 

Observers said that in the face of provocations by terrorists who seek to undermine Pakistani development and China-Pakistan cooperation, China and Pakistan need to work more closely. They emphasized the importance of ongoing anti-terror efforts by Pakistan and warned of instability factors stemming from external forces.

In response to the terror attack, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday that China is deeply shocked by the attack against Chinese citizens and strongly condemns this terrorist act.

Terrorism is a common enemy of humanity. The attempts of terrorist forces to undermine China-Pakistan trust and cooperation and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor will not succeed, the spokesperson said.

China will continue to support Pakistan's counterterrorism effort, and stands ready to work with Pakistan to foil any attempt to sabotage China-Pakistan relations, the spokesperson said.

The Chinese Embassy and consulates general in Pakistan strongly condemned the terrorist attack, expressed deep condolences to the innocent victims of both countries, and offered sincere sympathies to the injured and their families. They were making every effort to handle the aftermath in collaboration with the Pakistani side, according to a statement issued by the Chinese Embassy on Monday.

The Chinese side launched an immediate emergency plan and requested the Pakistani side to thoroughly investigate the attack, severely punish the perpetrators, and take all necessary measures to protect the safety of Chinese citizens, institutions and projects in Pakistan. 

The embassy reminded Chinese citizens, enterprises, and projects in Pakistan to be vigilant, pay close attention to the security situation, strengthen security measures, and make every effort to take safety precautions.

The separatist militant group the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) said in a statement that it had "targeted a high-level convoy of Chinese engineers and investors" coming from Karachi's airport, AFP reported. 

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sahrif said he is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic incident. He strongly condemned the "heinous act" and offered his heartfelt condolences to the Chinese leadership and the people of China, particularly the families of the victims. 

"May the injured recover soon. The perpetrators of this dastardly incident cannot be Pakistanis but are sworn enemies of Pakistan. An immediate investigation is underway to identify them and bring them to justice. Pakistan stands committed to safeguarding our Chinese friends. We will leave no stone unturned to ensure their security & well-being," Sharif said on social media platform X on Monday.

In a separate statement from the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs obtained by the Global Times, the ministry said that Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan and will work closely with the Chinese government to defeat the forces of terror. 

In March 2024, five Chinese engineers and a Pakistani national were killed by a suicide bomb near the China-invested Dasu hydropower project. Pakistan enhanced security measures following that incident. In 2021, nine Chinese engineers were killed in a similar attack near Dasu.

Cheng Xizhong, a senior research fellow specializing in South Asian affairs, told the Global Times on Monday that the recent terror attack highlights ongoing instability factors in Pakistan, which poses a threat to the local economic and social activities. 

He said that the primary cause of the current security challenges in Pakistan stems from terrorist forces spilling over from other countries, along with the influence of external forces seeking to hold back Pakistan's development. 

The terror attack should not hinder or hurt the China-Pakistan friendship and mutual trust, Cheng said, emphasizing that China will continue to work closely with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and will move overall security situation in the country in a healthier direction.

As China's seven-day National Day holidays continue, the nationwide cultural tourism industry is witnessing a boom. The total number of domestic tourist visits reached 104 million on Wednesday, with cultural sites like museums and red tourist attractions becoming top destinations for the public.

Iconic sites such as the Palace Museum in Beijing and the Sanxingdui Museum in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, have launched special exhibitions dedicated to the holiday season. Featuring a total of 126 pieces of relics, the Chengdu museum's collaboration with the Nanchang Relic Museum for Haihun Principality of Han Dynasty offers visitors an "multi-dimensional" experience to China's archaeological culture. 

"I'm stunned by the bronze and gold artifacts discovered from both sites. Their differences made me see the dimensions, like a kaleidoscope, [into] our ancient cultures," Jia Yuenan, a 35-year-old traveler from Chongqing Municipality, told the Global Times. 

Jia is one of those tourists have who made a reservation "two weeks in advance." Along with the facility in Chengdu, a large number of stellar museums nationwide have been fully booked until the end of the holidays on October 7. In response to the rising demand, many sites have launched "extended opening hour" policy. 

Several provincial sites such as the Henan Museum, Hubei Provincial Museum and Hunan Museum have extended their opening hours ranging from 6 pm to 7 pm. The schedule remains flexible as well. Zhang Xiaoyun, the director of the Hubei Provincial Museum said that the museum's extended opening hours were put in place based on analyzing booking numbers and the potential visitor traffic flow in Wuhan, capital of Hubei. 

"Aside the prolonged opening hour policy, 'night tours' and 'shuttle buses' are all means being deployed by museums to increase capacity. These measures show how experienced the industry is helping meet increased public engagement and enthusiasm," cultural sociologist Xu Shuming, told the Global Times. 

The museum sector is one of the few truly experienced in managing visitors' enthusiasm for culture. Many regions and cities have adopted a "local culture+" strategy to offer visitors unique and niche cultural tourism experiences.

More than 1,100 cultural events and shows were launched in East China's Fujian Province for engaging visitors to its Hakka culture, the Marine Silk Road culture and also the province's tea tradition. Dedicated to China's gold stone sealing and calligraphic cultures, several exhibitions showcasing "Xiling Yinshe," also known as the Xiling Seal Art Society has been launched at the Xiling Wulin Art Museum in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. 

"Wukong + tourism" has become the Shanxi Province's new tourism strategy after the game made its small Xixian county a trending destination for young visitors. 

Catering to the patriotic gist of the National Day holidays, red tourism attractions were packed with visitors, primarily young people. Unlike traditional sightseeing, sites such as the Site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Shanghai have introduced music events to attract visitors.

"Cultural tourism is about providing visitors with immersive experiences, and China's prolific and diverse cultures can sustain the growth of this particular touristic sector," Xu the expert told the Global Times.