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. 

Dancers from the most renowned troupes in the world performed by the seaside in Qinhuangdao, North China's Hebei Province for the Move to Move International Dance Festival, which ran from Sunday to Tuesday during this year's Mid-Autumn Festival holidays.     

For choreographer Paul Lightfoot, the festival marked the debut of his experimental work with Chinese dancers for the Specially Commissioned Co-creation section at Aranya, a well-known artistic community. 

"I've never had this opportunity to work with Chinese dancers," Lightfoot, former artistic director of Nederlands Dans Theater (Netherlands Dance Theater), told the Global Times. 

"For me, this has been the most beautiful part of this festival. Personally, it is the exchange you see because I could really share the things that I do in the ways I think and the ethics and the ideas and the imagination with them."

Chinese dancers are quite young when it comes to cultural exchanges and they "are one of the best casts I have ever seen. We've had a fantastic journey together."

At the invitation of the festival's founders, Yin Fang and Wu Mengke, the Englishman brought his idea about something "50 percent about the ballet and 50 percent about ethics" to the stage at Aranya.  

"So we talk a lot and because they're young, I want to feed them something that they can keep for all their work," he added. "It's not educational, it's an exchange."

International festivals like the one in Aranya is a "perfect opportunity to find our friends, to meet new ones and to share our experiences together," said dancer Wu Mengke. 

Having been to Chinese cities like Shanghai and Beijing, Lightfoot noted that China has a fascinating culture and he has seen "so many changes, and I feel very lucky. I wish my family and my friends could see and feel the same things I've experienced. It just feels great to be in the culture."

Culture and exchanges connect us with different cultural backgrounds, he added. 

Ben Yuechen, a 10-year-old Chinese boy with a single arm, achieved a surprising monumental feat by setting a Guinness World Record in August.

He completed 21 burpees in one minute, the most in the AA2 disability classification, on the sidelines of a Spartan kids race held in Chongli, North China's Hebei Province.

Though now he is a world record holder, Ben, nicknamed Youyou, told the Global Times that he is not satisfied with the result.

"Actually, I am not satisfied with the result as I believe I can do more than 30 burpees in one minute," Ben said. "If there's another chance I will for sure challenge my record."

The burpee exercise, which combines squats, jumps, and push-ups, posed a significant challenge due to his disability.

During his record attempt, Ben faced the dual challenges of maintaining balance and performing each burpee correctly.

His mental fortitude was crucial. He repeatedly encouraged himself to keep going despite the fatigue.

"I told myself not to give up because I really wanted to win," Ben said.

His mother Cai Xiumei was confident that Youyou's ability was a driving force for the successful attempt, though she admitted that Ben's high self-expectations led to a few errors during the attempt.

Born without his left forearm in Hai'an, East China's Jiangsu Province, Ben has never let his physical condition limit his ambitions, as the Guinness World Record was not the first time Ben made national headlines.

Prior to the record attempt, Ben participated in the Spartan kids race in Shanghai in April, where he completed 26 obstacles in a five-kilometer race and finished second in his age group.

This experience further fueled his passion for overcoming challenges and achieving his goals.

"I'm not worried about him getting discouraged as he loves to take on challenges," Ben's mom told the Global Times.

Skip rope challenge

At a young age, Ben's family recognized his potential and encouraged him to explore various sports to build his strength and balance. His initial challenge was learning to skip rope, a requirement for physical education classes.

Casual outdoor activities in his early childhood years slowly morphed into a focused effort to build his mental and physical endurance.

"Sports became the vehicle for teaching him about persistence," Cai said.

"It's about always pushing yourself to the next level."

Despite numerous attempts and after a video that went viral showing his persistence and struggles, Ben's efforts caught the attention of Dong Jiong, a national para-badminton team coach.

Despite the logistical challenges - such as the nearly two-hour drive from Hai'an to Nantong for training - the family's determination was unwavering.

Cai recounted the long trips and rigorous training sessions, emphasizing Ben's passion for the sport and his resilience through the hardships.

Ben had to train six hours on a weekend day to catch up with others. Now the family has relocated to downtown Nantong to make it easier for Youyou to train on weekdays instead of relying on a single weekend day of training.

Speaking about the decision to relocate, Cai said she is equally committed to her son's academic and emotional development.

"Our decision to move was not just for sports. We wanted to ensure he was in a place where he could develop all aspects of his personality," Cai said.

Additionally, Ben has a unique aspiration related to technology. His family owns a 3D printer, and Ben hopes to use it to print a prosthetic arm for himself.

This innovative goal reflects his proactive approach to overcoming physical limitations and his desire to enhance his abilities through technology.
Badminton dream

Ben started playing badminton relatively late. Moreover, in the beginning, he often finished matches with single-digit scores.

Despite initial fears and challenges, Ben embraces each opportunity to test his skills against formidable opponents.

"The more difficult it gets, the more I want to challenge myself," Ben told the Global Times, highlighting his evolving mindset.

When asked about his favorite athletes, Ben immediately named Denmark's Viktor Axelsen and China's Lin Dan.

However, he quickly noted that Malaysian player Lee Chong Wei is also great.

"Lee lost to Lin so many times, but kept going and still wanted to win. I think he is very tenacious," Ben said.

Inspired by the recent success of the Chinese para-badminton team at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, where they won nine gold medals, Ben dreams of becoming a Paralympic champion himself.

"I will keep practicing and am confident I can achieve this goal," he said, before noting that watching the Asian Para Games in person in 2023 in Hangzhou, Jiangsu's neighboring Zhejiang Province strengthened his resolve.

"When I saw a player fall down from a wheelchair during a badminton match when hitting the shuttlecock, he tried his best to recover and play. That scene still lingers in my mind and reminds me to do my best," Ben said.

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Friday expressed strong opposition to the European Union (EU)'s imposition of anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), after the EU voted to impose definitive tariffs on Chinese EV imports.

MOFCOM said that China's position is consistent and clear: China firmly opposes the EU's unfair, non-compliant and unreasonable protectionist practices regarding the EU's anti-subsidy case against China's EVs, and it firmly opposes the EU's imposition of anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese EVs.

These remarks came after the EU held a vote on whether to impose a five-year countervailing duty on Chinese EVs on Friday local time. A statement released by the European Commission (EC) showed that the commission's proposal to impose definitive countervailing duties on imports of battery electric vehicles from China has obtained the necessary support from EU Member States for the adoption of tariffs. 

The ministry said that China has always maintained the utmost sincerity in properly handling differences through dialogue and consultation. 

China and the EU have held more than 10 technical consultations at the bureau level and two vice-ministerial consultations regarding the anti-subsidy case for EVs since the end of June. 

On September 19, Minister Wang Wentao held a comprehensive, in-depth and constructive meeting with and European Commission Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis. 

Both sides clearly expressed their political will to resolve differences through consultations and agreed to initiate price commitment consultations to avoid escalation of trade frictions. 

In the short 14 days that followed, the China-EU technical teams conducted six rounds of technical consultations. China repeatedly listened to the demands and opinions of both Chinese and European industries and demonstrated an open and cooperative attitude throughout the consultation process, showing maximum flexibility, the ministry said. 

By adhering to a market-driven approach and fostering full competition and continuous independent innovation, Chinese EVs have enhanced the quality supply of global green public goods, making significant contributions to the global response to climate change. 

The EU's protectionist practices seriously violate WTO rules, disrupt normal international trade order, hinder China-EU trade and investment cooperation, delay the EU's green transition, and will also negatively impact global efforts to combat climate change, the ministry said.

MOFCOM also said that China firmly opposes the EU's final ruling draft but has also noted the EU's expressed political will to continue resolving issues through negotiation. 

MOFCOM said that the China-EU technical teams will continue negotiations on October 7. China hopes the EU will recognize that imposing tariffs will not solve any problems; rather, it will only undermine and hinder the confidence and determination of Chinese enterprises in investing and cooperating with the EU. 

The Chinese side urges the EU to genuinely demonstrate practical actions to implement its political will and return to the correct path of resolving trade frictions through consultation. It will also take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard the interests of Chinese enterprises.

The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU also expressed deep disappointment with this voting outcome on Friday and is strongly dissatisfied with the EU's adoption of protectionist trade measures.

The Chamber strongly encourages the EU to approach the final measures cautiously, delay the implementation of these tariffs, and prioritize resolving disputes and trade tensions through consultations and dialogue, according to an announcement sent to the Global Times.

Bakuo Street in Lhasa Old Town is a place that every visitor to Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region can't miss as the "heart of Lhasa" is not only a well-known bustling bazaar for tourists but also a place to chase dreams and make them a reality for young people.    

A new TV series City of Sunlight is set to air on China's state TV and streaming sites including Mango TV starting on October 2, as a part of the celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. 

"As China's first TV series about contemporary Tibetan stories, the series aims to present truth, objectivity and authenticity," show producer Bao Jianhua told the Global Times. "Every character in the drama is based on true stories. We are telling a story about chasing dreams and realizing self-worth through a relaxed narrative method."

Taking place along the Holy Road, which preserves the traditional appearance and life of the ancient city of Lhasa, six young men, including Suolang, follow their hearts to turn their dreams into reality. 

"Their sunshine, optimism and perseverance are like seeds of highland barley, taking root and sprouting in the snowy plateau, bringing greenery, hope and strength to the land," Bao added. "It is very precious and I hope that the ideal light can be passed on to more young people."

In order to better tell the story and find more inspiration, the cast and crew, including Bao, scriptwriter Yu Xiaoqian and others, paid a visit to Xizang in October 2021. They interviewed hundreds of people of all ages and professions, and took down more than 1 million words of interview notes, which laid a solid foundation for the creation of this realistic work. 

These life stories are also connected to the ancient and vast natural and cultural features in Xizang. In the series, the audience can not only see the beauty of Lhasa's landmark buildings such as the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Norbulingka, and other ancient buildings in the old city, but also learn about Tibetan opera, Tibetan food and clothing, embroidery, horse racing, thangka and other cultural heritages of the region. 

For scriptwriter Yu Xiaoqian, the biggest problem that he encountered was "How to tell stories of contemporary Lhasa," "How can we make the people in Lhasa recognize that this is a representation of their lives," and "How to create emotional resonance with the audience."

First of all, they abandoned the perspective of curious tourists. Instead, they sought to tell the stories from the perspective of the local people. According to Yu, they set the story in a yard on Bakuo Street for the traditional side of the show and chose local high buildings to present the modern side. 

Li Wei, a doctor from Beijing Anzhen Hospital, used to be a member of a medical aid team to Xizang. His story has inspired the character Yin Wei in the series. After seeing the series, Li said, "It helped me travel back in time in Lhasa. The audiences can immerse themselves in the scenes and empathize with these roles." 

In recent years, a number of Chinese TV series have promoted tourism in local areas across the country, such as Rising with The Wind, Blossoms Shanghai and To the Wonder. 

At the "Promoting High-Quality Development" press conference on Friday, Zhu Yonglei, a vice minister of the National Radio and Television Administration, said that the administration has established a collaboration mechanism with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Watching upcoming series such as City of Sunlight, audiences can enjoy the ups and downs of the story, while appreciating the beautiful scenery in Xizang, he noted.