How to view China's current economic landscape?

Data from the first three quarters has garnered much public attention. Some see only the challenges. On a quarterly basis, the year-over-year growth rates of 5.3 percent, 4.7 percent, and 4.6 percent indicate a downward trend. In the third quarter particularly, key economic indicators slowed in July and August, sparking doubts about economic growth prospects and achieving annual targets.

However, more people are recognizing both the difficulties and the favorable conditions and factors. In the first three quarters, China's economy grew by 4.8 percent year-over-year, placing it among the world's leading major economies. Although some economies have posted relatively high growth rates, their economic volume and incremental growth are not comparable to China's. More importantly, China has achieved a reasonable growth rate while enhancing economic structure, shifting momentum, and improving in quality. From a global perspective, China's economy still shows that "the landscape here is beyond compare."

The challenges and problems that have emerged in China for a while can be summarized in four main parts:

First, the external environment has become more complex and severe. Global economic instability has increased, political uncertainty has grown, trade protectionism is rising, and some countries are intensifying containment efforts against China, adding pressure on the stabilizing of foreign trade and investment.

Second, domestic demand remains weak. Consumer spending power and willingness are not strong, investment stabilization is challenging, and the vitality of private investment needs further stimulation.

Third, some enterprises are experiencing operational difficulties, facing challenges such as sluggish sales, declining profitability, and weakened market expectations.

Fourth, there are multiple risks and concerns in some sectors. It is challenging for some local governments to reduce or eliminate their debt through various means; some local governments face financial problem; some enterprises begin to educe salaries and lay off jobs; young groups like college graduates are facing employment pressure; and the growth of urban income is slowing down.

It is essential to both face these challenges and remain confident. The difficulties Chinese people face today are issues in development and the pains of transition, which can be fully overcome through efforts.

Since the beginning of this year, the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has taken a comprehensive view and responded steadily. In particular, the Party Central Committee has made scientific decisions and taken prompt action to address new situations and problems in economic performance, implementing a package of incremental policies as a coordinated "combo," focused on promoting economic stability, structural improvements. All these contributed to a favorable development momentum.

Results are beginning to show. Since September, positive changes have been increasingly evident in areas such as industry, consumption, investment, and stock and real estate markets. Market confidence is strengthening, social expectations are improving, and growth in various economic indicators is being restored.

Overall, China has withstood downward pressure, overcome challenges, maintained stable economic performance, optimized structural adjustments, and achieved continued improvement in people's livelihoods. Signs of economic transition from finding the bottom to stability, then to recovery are becoming clearer.

With continued effectiveness of existing policies, accelerated implementation of increment policies, and the combined effects of policy synergies, favorable factors and conditions will increase constantly. China's economy is likely to show a positive upward trend in the fourth quarter, making the meeting of the annual economic growth target highly probable.

Recently, the International Monetary Fund predicted that global economic growth will rely more heavily on BRICS nations. Bloomberg also noted that China is expected to be the largest contributor to global growth over the next five years.

"To reach the summit, one must not shy away from hard work." At this moment, Chinese people need to take a comprehensive, objective, and calm view of the economic landscape, see the big picture, grasp the trend, focus on priorities, act proactively, effectively address issues and challenges, and make every effort to boost the country's economy.

On correct path

In responding to new situations, it is essential to adhere to a specific analysis of specific issues.

When faced with normal fluctuations, it is important to maintain a calm mindset. Regarding growth rates, although there have been fluctuations in economic growth over the last three quarters, the variations have been minor, remaining close to the expected target of "around five percent."

In terms of incremental growth, while the year-on-year growth rate saw a decline, the total economic output in the third quarter was still 1.2934 trillion yuan ($1780 billion), higher than the same period in 2023.

Promoting structural adjustment requires a greater sense of initiative. In the first three quarters of this year, the proportion of the service sector in GDP increased by 0.3 percentage points compared to the same period in 2023, contributing 53.9 percent to economic growth. Investment in high-tech industries grew by 10 percent year-on-year, outpacing the overall investment growth rate by 6.6 percentage points, and has maintained double-digit growth for seven consecutive months. This provides strong support for the accelerated formation of new quality productive forces and the rapid transformation and upgrading of the economic structure.
Addressing the pains of transformation requires more confidence. In the first three quarters, the growth rate of investment in the purchase of equipment and tools exceeded overall investment by 13 percentage points, while investment in manufacturing upgrades increased by 9.5 percent. The production and export of integrated circuits grew by 26 percent and 22 percent year-on-year, respectively, and the production and export of new energy vehicles rose by 31.7 percent and 12.5 percent year-on-year. These figures strongly demonstrate the accelerated transition from old to new growth drivers, reinforcing Chinese people's resolve.

To have a comprehensive view, one must consider both sides; and by examining both sides, one gains a holistic perspective.

The favorable conditions for China's economic development - such as a solid foundation, strong resilience, and significant potential - remain unchanged. The country continues to benefit from a vast market, a complete industrial system, robust supporting capabilities, and ample growth opportunities.

At the same time, China's economy is at a critical juncture of structural adjustment and transformation. This involves a shift in development methods, optimization of industrial structure, transformation of development quality, and conversion of growth drivers. The cyclical and structural contradictions are intertwined, making it impossible to avoid or circumvent the pains of transformation.

In such times, it is even more essential to maintain resolute determination and confidence to face challenges head-on and gain new achievements. An unwavering and relentless pursuit of a path of high-quality development is imperative. Falling back into the old habits of seeking extensive growth and low-efficiency development must be avoided.

Fundamentally, breaking the "bottlenecks" that constrain the development of China's economy hinges on technological innovation.

The key to Chinese modernization lies in technological modernization, and achieving high-quality development relies on technological innovation to cultivate new driving forces.

The recently released "Global Innovation Index 2024" indicates that China is one of the fastest-growing economies in terms of innovation capability over the last decade, with innovative development demonstrating strong momentum and broad prospects.　

It is also important to recognize that, China's technological development is currently at a critical stage where it is strong but not yet strong enough, and without progress, there will be regression. Some key core technologies are still reliant on external sources, and there is a shortage of top-tier scientific and technological talent.

The transition from a technological power to a country strong in science and technology will inevitably encounter various obstacles and challenges. Technological innovation cannot be achieved overnight. Cultivating a strong driving force for development requires a sustained and dedicated effort over time.

President Xi emphasized that "the country must further enhance its sense of urgency and intensify its efforts in sci-tech innovation, so as to secure a leading position in sci-tech competition and future development." He encouraged scientists and researchers to seize every opportunity in life, and unleash their innovative potential.

The resolution adopted at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee in July proposed to "support all-around innovation," and various measures for integrated reform of institutions and mechanisms pertaining to education, science and technology, and talent, are being implemented with urgency. In 2023, China's total R&D expenditure exceeded 3.3 trillion yuan for the first time, ranking second in the world.

There should neither be a rush nor a delay in tackling the critical core technology challenges. It is essential to maintain strategic focus and persistently pursue our goals. Given time, it is expected that the "bottleneck" issues will be overcome, allowing for a firm grasp of the initiative in development.

"Yet if the path is correct, one will eventually reach his destination."

To bright future

The more severe the challenges, the more Chinese people must muster our strength and tackle them head-on. Once the right course of action is identified, the act should be taken decisively.

Macroeconomic policies for counter-cyclical adjustments were strengthened, placing greater emphasis on expanding domestic demand and increasing policies that benefit people's livelihoods and promote consumption. Support for enterprises, and the introduction of strong and effective measures stabilized the real estate market and boosted the capital market. This comprehensive set of incremental policies is problem-oriented and highly targeted.
The implementation of major national strategies and security capacity building in key areas, as well as large-scale equipment upgrades and trade-in of consumer goods are being accelerated, with a 10-trillion-yuan plan to China's debt relief resources, together help alleviate burdens and enhance momentum for local development. The entire trillion yuan worth of ultra-long-term special government bonds were allocated to projects and localities. A comprehensive service platform for the development of the private economy was established, along with a coordination mechanism to support financing for small and micro enterprises. This package of incremental policies not only focuses on addressing prominent contradictions and issues at present, but also looks toward the long-term healthy and sustainable development of China's economy, with a greater emphasis on logical coherence.

Strengthening the overall coordination and systematic integration of macro policies such as fiscal taxation, monetary finance, investment consumption, and income distribution and making good use of the consistency evaluation work mechanism to coordinate policy connections and work connections for this year and 2025… A raft of incremental policies adhere to systematic measures, combining both short-term and long-term approaches, fully reflecting systemic characteristics.

Accelerating the formulation of guidelines for the construction of a unified national market, releasing a new version of the negative list for foreign investment access, and revising and expanding the catalog of industries encouraged for foreign investment… A series of reform measures are being rapidly introduced and are expected to play a leading role.

In September, industry, services, consumption, and expectation indicators improved. The added value of industrial enterprises above designated size increased by 5.4 percent year-on-year, accelerating by 0.9 percentage points compared to the previous month; the Index of Services Production grew by 5.1 percent, accelerating by 0.5 percentage points compared to the previous month.

In October, the purchasing managers' index (PMI) was 50.1 percent, marking a month-on-month increase for two consecutive months and returning to the expansion zone for the first time in five months. The Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index was 50.2 percent, with a month-on-month increase of 0.2 percentage points.

In October, the real estate market became more active, with several indicators showing positive growth after a prolonged period of year-on-year decline. In first-tier cities, the transaction volume of newly built commercial housing and second-hand housing increased by 14.1 percent and 47.3 percent year-on-year, respectively. Many other cities also saw varying degrees of growth in the transaction volume of commercial housing. For the first time since 2007, the transaction volume in "Silver October" exceeded that of "Golden September."

A package of incremental policy measures to boost confidence and promote growth has shown continuous effects, with the financial market responding rapidly and positively in both the stock and bond markets.　　

Under the impact of a package of incremental policies, market activity has quickly rebounded, business operating expectations have improved rapidly, domestic demand potential has been effectively stimulated, and the growth rates of the industrial and service sectors have accelerated.

A package of incremental policy measures to boost confidence and promote growth has shown continuous effects, with the financial market responding rapidly and positively in both the stock and bond markets.

China's economy is currently navigating challenges, and during this critical period, it is essential to maintain stability. We should avoid being a "mad bull" and instead aim to be a "slow bull." By further enhancing the specificity and effectiveness of policy measures, China's economy can surely progress steadily and sustainably.

"Follow the path, but strive diligently halfway through."

With action at the forefront, united we stand.

China's economy has always developed by overcoming challenges, grown up in the baptism of wind and rain, and become stronger in the face of tests.

In a critical period and a pivotal year, it is essential to unite efforts, uplift spirits, and muster determination. Moving forward undeterred by wind and rain, no difficulty can hinder the progress of the Chinese people.

"We have the confidence and determination that China's development has a bright future."

China's Wing Loong-X drone, showcasing its full anti-submarine capabilities for the first time, is on exhibit at the ongoing Airshow China 2024 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province. The drone has begun routine test flights, the Global Times learned from the aircraft's developer.

Built with fully independent intellectual property, the Wing Loong-X drone is a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial system with long range, heavy payload capacity, and the ability to perform multiple tasks, said the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

The Wing Loong-X incorporates the latest advancements in drone technology and inherits the Wing Loong drone series' mature technologies and combat experiences, and stands at the forefront of medium-altitude, long-endurance drones, according to AVIC.

At the Airshow China 2024, the Wing Loong-X is displayed with its full suite of anti-submarine capabilities, equipped with various payloads such as sonar buoy pods, torpedoes, air-to-air missiles, and anti-ship missiles, the Global Times noted at the event.

Chief designer Tang Yong told the Global Times at the airshow that the Wing Loong-X's advanced anti-submarine capabilities can provide key support to maritime security, as the drone can conduct missions such as reconnaissance and surveillance covering large maritime areas, comprehensive search and attack on submarines, long-range patrols and anti-submarine operations, and regular blockade and control in key areas.

The drone is designed for integration into combat systems to conduct collaborative missions with armed reconnaissance capabilities that not only cover land, but also air, surface, and underwater domains, Tang said.

In addition to anti-submarine missions, the drone can also perform other missions such as all-domain reconnaissance and strike, cross-domain support, and operations in contested environments, and emergency rescue operations, according to Tang.

Alongside the Wing Loong-X, a new addition to the Wing Loong series, is also on display at the Airshow China 2024.

The Wing Loong-6 is a multirole medium-altitude long-endurance drone developed to meet emerging global combat requirements, AVIC said. It features high cost-efficiency and ease of maintenance.

The Wing Loong-6 has also begun routine test flights, according to its developer.

The Tianzhou-7 cargo craft, tasked with carrying supplies for China's space station, separated from the station combination at 4:30 p.m. Sunday (Beijing Time) and switched to independent flight, according to the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA).

The cargo craft will re-enter the Earth's atmosphere in a controlled manner soon. Most of its components will burn up and be destroyed during the process, while a small amount of debris will fall into designated safe waters in the South Pacific, the CMSA said.

The CMSA has planned a total of two cargo supply missions in 2024, including Tianzhou-7 and Tianzhou-8.

Tianzhou-7 was launched on Jan. 17 from the Wenchang Spacecraft Launch Site in the southern island province of Hainan. Tianzhou-8 has been rescheduled for mid-November due to the impact of Super Typhoon Yagi on Wenchang.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has summoned the Philippine Ambassador to China to make solemn representations over the introduction of the so-called Philippine Maritime Zones Act and Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday.

A Chinese expert said China will take targeted countermeasures against the Philippines’ latest move.

The Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Friday signed two laws – Philippine Maritime Zones (PMZ) Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes (PASL) Act, attempting to solidify the illegal ruling of the 2016 arbitration case through domestic legislation, illegally including China's Huangyan Dao (also known as Huangyan Island) and most of the islands and reefs in the Nansha Islands and their related waters in its maritime zones.

The so-called Philippine Maritime Zones Act illegally includes China's Huangyan Dao, most of Nansha Islands and related waters into the maritime zone of the Philippines, and seeks to solidify the illegal award of the South China Sea Arbitration in the form of domestic legislation. The move seriously infringes on China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea, which China strongly condemns and resolutely opposes, Mao said.

China urges the Philippines to earnestly respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, immediately stop taking any unilateral actions that may escalate disputes and complicate the situation, and earnestly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, said Mao, noting China reserves the rights to take necessary measures.

China will not sit idly by the Philippines' escalating provocative measures and will definitely take targeted countermeasures, in order to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, Yang Xiao, deputy director of Institute of Maritime Strategy Studies at China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times.

Lei Xiaolu, a professor of law with the China Institute of Boundary and Ocean Studies, Wuhan University, told the Global Times that certain provisions of these laws are inconsistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and other international legal frameworks.

This reveals the Philippine government's strategy to "expand its powers" through domestic legislation. As such laws exceed the authority granted by international law, consequently, they unlawfully restrict the legal rights of other countries, including China, and are not binding on them, according to Yang.

This move undermines regional peace and stability, escalates tensions, and harms the Philippines' own interests, said Yang.

Lei said UNCLOS only grants coastal states sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the construction, use, and authorization of artificial islands within their exclusive economic zones, without specifying ownership of these artificial islands. The third reading of the PMZ draft clearly contradicts the relevant provisions of UNCLOS.

Ironically, the third reading of two laws' draft does not even fully comply with the Philippines-worshiped ruling of the so-called South China Sea Arbitration in 2016, as it exceeds the content of the ruling, which does not classify all low-tide elevations within 200 nautical miles of the baselines of the so-called Philippine archipelago as part of the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, said the scholar.

Lei further noted that PASL excludes some important routes for international navigation in its archipelagic waters, which is not consistent with Article 53 of the Convention. It also relates the passage rights to a "reciprocal measure" against the so-called activities "in violation of the sovereignty, sovereign rights or jurisdiction," clearly ignores the territorial dispute in the South China Sea.

Notably, the PMZ seeks to extend Philippine jurisdiction over vast expanses of sea, encroaching on the rights of other nations and intensifying existing conflicts and disputes. The designated sea lanes established by the PASL are situated in close proximity to US military bases in the Philippines, raising concerns about potential collusion between the Philippines and foreign powers to monitor passing vessels, thereby jeopardizing the navigational safety of various countries, Yang told the Global Times.

Even so, the Philippines has still jeopardized its own interests in this move. According to calculations by Chinese expert Hu Bo, director of South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative, the newly passed PMZ has reduced the area of the "Kalayaan Island Group," which is claimed by the Philippines, by approximately 70,000 square kilometers compared to Presidential Decree No.1596 signed by former President Ferdinand Marcos in 1978. Meanwhile, the PASL only stipulates a few designated shipping routes. These moves not only undermine the navigation rights of other coastal countries but also adversely affects the Philippines' own interests, said Yang.

Harry Roque, a former Philippine congressman and former presidential spokesperson to president Rodrigo Duterte, told the Global Times in April when the Philippine Senate passed the PMZ that this legal provision not only violates the Philippine Constitution, but also fundamentally goes against, and even betrays, the interests of the Philippines, with its effect being more like "killing 1,000 enemy soldiers but losing 800 of your own."

Roque, also a well-known international law professor and the former president of the Asian Society of International Law, believes both laws are unconstitutional and run contrary to Article One of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines.

The “South China Sea arbitration” case represents a dual conspiracy orchestrated by external nations, intended to undermine both China and the Philippines. The Philippines has been misled by foreign entities and, in its eagerness to replicate the so-called South China Sea arbitration, has hastily enacted two laws. This not only jeopardizes its relationship with China but also compromises its national interests, Yang noted.

Yang said the two laws of the Philippines also violate the article of the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," which the Parties to the declaration agree to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability. “However, these Philippines’ actions are not only unhelpful for resolving disputes but will only further intensify conflicts and exacerbate tensions in the South China Sea,” Yang said.

The eighth Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit, under the theme "Toward a Better Community Through Innovation-driven Development," is being held from Wednesday to Thursday in Kunming, Southwest China's Yunnan Province, with China focusing on cooperation in key areas including regional connectivity and trade and investment, in a bid to promote sustainable development and economic integration in the region.

Mao Ning, spokesperson from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced on Monday that leaders of the five Mekong countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, and President of the Asian Development Bank will attend the summit upon China's invitation.

Since its inception over three decades ago, with the concerted efforts of the six GMS member countries, the GMS has vigorously advanced coordinated economic and social development and regional integration, bringing tangible benefits to the people of these countries, Mao said on Monday.

In a world facing a sluggish economic recovery and geopolitical turbulence, it is all the more important to strengthen solidarity and cooperation and focus on development and prosperity. Through this summit, China hopes to have in-depth exchanges with other parties, with an emphasis on openness, innovation, connectivity and coordination, strive for new progress in cooperation in key areas, including regional connectivity, trade and investment, agriculture and poverty alleviation, and make greater contributions to promoting sustainable development and economic integration in the region, the spokesperson noted.

Experts noted that the achievements that China and the Mekong countries have gained demonstrate the practicality and efficiency of cooperation, and the ongoing summit will point the way for the six GMS countries to deepen collaboration in areas including environmental protection, infrastructure construction and emerging sectors such as new energy collaboration.

Cooperation between China and the Mekong countries, which is based on mutual respect and win-win development, will continue to promote the stable development of the regional economy, setting a good example for regional connectivity, especially in a world where the unilateralism is on the rise, analysts noted.

Thriving regional devt

Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies said that new energy cooperation, joint law enforcement and disaster prevention will be the new emphasis during the summit.

Southeast Asian countries are speeding up their pace in developing new energy, and this sector is the highlight of China's cooperation with regional countries. Moreover, in recent years, China has conducted intensive joint law enforcement operations with Lancang-Mekong regional countries to crack down on telecom fraud, Chen told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Chen said that action on joint disaster prevention is expected to be discussed during the summit, noting that China could share its technology on forecasting and share meteorological data and its experience on how to prevent flooding.   

In addition, water resource management of the Mekong River, infrastructure connectivity and the construction of cross-border economic cooperation zones could be in the spotlight, Xu Liping, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. 

In the first half of this year, total trade volume between China and Mekong countries exceeded $200 billion, a 12 percent increase year-on-year. 

Connectivity between China and the five Mekong countries has also continuously improved. The opening of the China-invested Phnom Penh-Sihanoukville Expressway marks a leap forward in the national highway transportation of Cambodia, the China-Laos railway is helping Laos move toward the goal of becoming a "land-linked country," and the construction of the China-Laos-Thailand railway is being accelerated. 

This year, nearly 900,000 personal trips from member countries of the GMS have been cleared at Mohan Port in Yunnan Province, on China's border with Laos, up 116.3 percent year-on-year, China Media Group reported on Wednesday. 

The daily average number of inbound and outbound trips from the GMS at the port increased from over 1,300 in 2023 to more than 2,800 this year, and cross-region people-to-people exchanges and economic and trade cooperation have been active, read the report.

Xu noted that among the many regional cooperation mechanisms, China's cooperation with Mekong countries has seen remarkable achievements, which demonstrates the practicality and efficiency of collaboration between China and these countries, and this will further release investment and trade vitality in the region.

"With pragmatic projects advancing, China, which has contributed to bridging the development gaps of these countries, will continue to be an engine to share development opportunities with the region," Zhou Shixin, a research fellow at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

In response to some US media outlets' smears on China-built dams on the Mekong River, which alleged that the projects caused "negative hydrological impacts" in downstream areas, Zhou said that these claims are untrue. 

"Many of the self-proclaimed US researchers did not even conduct field work in the Mekong basin before drawing their 'conclusions,'" Bi Shihong, a professor on China's Neighbor Diplomacy Studies at Yunnan University, told the Global Times previously. "Their reports are less scientifically valuable." 

Instead, China is also doing what it can to help Mekong countries improve their water environment and river operations.

Zhou noted that improving infrastructure construction and enhancing trade and economic ties will further promote regional connectivity and boost the global economy.

At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, presidents of Italy and Indonesia will pay state visits to China from November 7 to 12; November 8 to 10 respectively. 

Italian President Sergio Mattarella will pay a state visit to China from November 7 to 12, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Tuesday. 

Hua announced at the same day that President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto will pay a state visit to China from November 8 to 10.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Monday emphasized focusing efforts to build the country into a powerhouse in culture by 2035.

Xi made the remarks while presiding over a group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

He stressed continuously developing a socialist culture with Chinese characteristics for a new era.

Xi emphasized the importance of upholding Marxism as the fundamental guiding principle, taking root in the extensive and profound Chinese civilization, and adapting to the evolving trends in information technology.

Xi underscored developing the socialist culture with a strong power to guide theories, unite and inspire people, and influence the world.

"We have placed cultural advancement at a prominent position in governing the country since the 18th CPC National Congress," Xi said, adding that a series of major arrangements have been made, forming the thought on socialist culture with Chinese characteristics for a new era.

He also acknowledged solid achievements in building China into a powerhouse in culture.

After Taiwan authorities hyped the recent transit of a French vessel through the Taiwan Straits, connecting the event with similar activities carried out by other Western countries in the region to trumpet the so-called international support, analysts said a few Western countries cannot represent the international community and Taiwan authorities' attempts of using Western military presences in the region to legitimize their separatism are doomed to end in failure.

A French naval vessel sailed from south to north through the Taiwan Straits from Monday night to Tuesday morning, announced the island's "defense authority," which claimed that it monitored the passage and said the situation was normal, Taiwan local media reported. 

This follows a transit by the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) of the US Seventh Fleet and the Royal Canadian Navy's Halifax-class frigate HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331) on October 20, said Taiwan local media on Wednesday. 

Wu Chih-chung, deputy head of the "Taiwan external affairs authority," also hyped this incident with a high-profile post on his Facebook page, linking the recent transit with other Western vessels' activities in the region, saying that "countries around the world are standing together to safeguard the common interest of regional democracy and peace." 

Li Fei, a professor at the Taiwan Research Center at Xiamen University, told the Global Times that while the US is reaffirming its "one-China policy" stance to try to stabilize ties with China, it is also trying to internationalize the Taiwan question by increasing military activities in the region and push its allies to do the same. At the same time, separatist authorities on the island would love to hype these transits as evidence of "international support for the so-called Taiwan independence," which is very provocative and dangerous.

On the recent transit, the French defense ministry said the ship had been on its way to Japanese waters after a stop in the Philippines in order to start work on a United Nations mission, Reuters reported.

Li said that DPP authorities will not be able to legitimize their dangerous separatism by hyping the military presences of some Western countries in the region, and their attempts are doomed to fail. "A few Western countries cannot represent the international community at all, and the transits of a few warships through the Straits will never undermine Chinese people's determination to realize national reunification. It will only force the mainland to strengthen its own military preparation to counter military intervention from foreign forces in the Taiwan question," he said.

"The more support and encouragement coming from the US for Taiwan separatism, the more danger the Taiwan authorities will provoke in the region, and the sooner reunification will be realized," Li noted. 

Technological advancements have profoundly transformed the global governance system, making the protection of emerging rights a critical issue with significant implications for human society, said experts on Tuesday, as international scholars gathered in Berlin for the 2024 China-Europe seminar on human rights to discuss ways for safeguarding these rights, while emphasizing that global challenges associated with emerging rights require collective action from all nations, rather than relying on individual countries.

Over 60 scholars from 16 countries attended the Tuesday event. The seminar, themed "The Protection of New and Emerging Rights: Views from China and Europe," was hosted by the China Society for Human Rights Studies and Central South University, based in Changsha, Central China's Hunan Province. The organizers include Central South University's Human Rights Center, the Berlin-based German and Chinese Culture Foundation - Stiftung Deutsche und Chinesische Kultur, with the support of Germany's University of Munster and the International Institute of Philosophy. 

Berlin, a culturally diverse and inclusive city, plays a crucial role in European human rights history, and hosting this seminar on the protection of new and emerging rights underscores the shared commitment of both civilizations in addressing emerging rights, Ma Huaide, president of the China University of Political Science and Law, said in his keynote speech at the seminar. 

"To protect emerging rights, we must move beyond narrow geopolitical thinking and advance true multilateralism in global human rights governance, Ma said, noting that as China and Europe both have unique traditions in human rights protection, "our cooperation is essential in addressing challenges to the emerging rights and fostering new pathways and new mechanisms for the global human rights movement," 

During Tuesday's seminar, scholars discussed topics such as the widening gap in social rights and wealth caused by globalization, the challenges posed by the intersection of digital technology, particularly artificial intelligence, and human rights, and how to balance the rights of individuals, society and nature to achieve sustainable development.

Some expressed concerns about the negative impact of geopolitical factors on human rights, highlighting how politicizing these issues harms the diversity of human rights and undermines global governance.

Zeng Fanhua, Minister to the Chinese Embassy in Germany, said at the seminar that China and Europe have different views on human rights due to variations in history, culture, social systems and economic development, which is normal. The key is how the two sides address these differences. 

Ongoing dialogue between government departments and regular exchanges among think tanks and scholars in China, Germany and the EU are beneficial. The goal should be to foster understanding and respect on an equal footing, rather than to confront one another, said Zeng, noting that China welcomes constructive suggestions for improvement from the international community, including Europe, but opposes the politicization of human rights or engaging in double standards by certain countries, as well as attempts to interfere in China's sovereignty. 

It is probably impossible to speak about human rights without addressing the immediate danger to the very existence of the entire human species - war in Ukraine and war in the Middle East, which risk escalating into a global nuclear war, said Helga Zepp-LaRouche, founder and President of German-based think tank the Schiller Institute. 

The highest priority for all people must be to rise above geopolitics and the notion that nations or groups can impose their interests on others by any means is fundamentally flawed, according to the expert. 

Compared to past discussions on human rights between China and European countries, which often centered on topics on China's Xinjiang and Xizang regions, this year's seminar addressed more practical and newer issues. Mao Junxiang, Executive Director of the Human Rights Research Center at Central South University and a law professor, highlighted that this shift reflects China's more proactive and confident stance on human rights.

"Previously, we defended against Western media's smears over China's Xinjiang and Xizang regions. Now, we are taking the initiative to lead discussions on emerging rights and showcase China's achievements in this area. This also underscores our consistent opposition to the politicization, instrumentalization and weaponization of human rights by certain Western countries," Mao said.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to visit India for the 7th intergovernmental consultations between Germany and India from Thursday to Saturday. Scholz will be accompanied by senior ministers from his cabinet for the consultations, according to a press release from the Ministry of External Affairs of India.

Scholz's visit to India is seen by some Western media as a move aimed at reducing reliance on China and revitalizing Germany's economy, amid the German government's strategy of "de-risking" from the Chinese economy.

Germany is pursuing a balanced strategy in its policy toward Asia, a trend that began during former German chancellor Angela Merkel's tenure. While Germany values its economic ties with China, it also recognizes India as a rapidly growing economy in the region, Jiang Feng, professor of European Studies at the Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Thursday.

In recent years, Germany has attempted to shift some supply chains from China to Southeast Asia, but this transition has proven more challenging than expected, Jiang noted.

There may still be a gap between aspirations and practical realities, as Germany and India have both developed close economic and trade relations with China, according to Jiang.

According to data from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, China was Germany's most important trading partner in 2023 for the eighth consecutive year. 

A report from the German Economic Institute showed that the total direct investment by German companies in China reached a record high of 11.9 billion euros ($12.7 billion) in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 4.3 percent. The value accounted for over 10 percent of Germany's total overseas investment, the highest level since 2014, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Overall, the relationship between Germany and India is continuously developing, with both sides having a mutual need for cooperation, said Jiang. In terms of economic and trade relations, India's capabilities in the industrial and supply chains remain limited, which poses constraints for Germany as it seeks larger markets and raw materials, according to Jiang.

Scholz and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are scheduled to co-chair the consultations on Friday. Both leaders will hold bilateral talks to discuss topics related to defense, improving talent mobility, deepening economic cooperation and other sectors, according to the press release. 

Volker Treier, head of foreign trade at the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that German direct investments in India could be increased, according to a Reuters report.