June 9 marks the 51st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines. Against the backdrop of mixed bilateral interactions, a Filipino scholar said that the relationship need amity, and that stabilizing it is one of the Philippines' most urgent foreign policy challenges.

As China and the Philippines mark 51 years of diplomatic ties today, the anniversary must go beyond ceremony to deliver results through maritime cooperation and ocean governance, according to an opinion piece published in the Inquirer.net on Tuesday by Rommel Banlaoi, president of the Philippine Society for International Security Studies.

The Filipino scholar also published an article in the Manila Times on June 2 entitled "At 51, Philippines-China relationship needs stability and amity." He noted that since 1975, the two nations shared interesting moments of cooperation and confrontation. He wrote that the milestone is a reminder that stabilizing this fragile relationship is one of the Philippines' most urgent foreign policy challenges.

In an interview with the Global Times on Tuesday, Banlaoi said that 51 years after establishing diplomatic ties, China-Philippines relations remain marked by both cooperation and contention. Economic engagement continues to be strong, with China serving as a major trading partner and investor in Philippine development projects. 

Yet political and security tensions — especially in the South China Sea—cast a shadow over these gains, creating fragile bilateral ties, the expert said.

The Philippines and Japan recently announced plans to start talks on maritime delimitation in the waters east of China's Taiwan island. China has taken a series of responsive actions, including a special maritime law enforcement operation on June 6 in waters east of Taiwan island.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr also claimed in May that given the geographic proximity of the Philippines to island of Taiwan, the country could be dragged into any conflict involving Taiwan. The remarks draw rebuke from spokesperson of Chinese foreign ministry. 

The Philippines has also continued to strengthen military cooperation with the US, including launching annual joint military drills in April, potentially heightening regional tensions. 

Xu Liping, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday that against the backdrop of intensifying geopolitical competition, the Philippines has taken the opportunity to court external powers and beef up its military presence, in a bid to strengthen its position in South China Sea issue. However, such moves could backfire ultimately.

Regarding the current bilateral relations, Xu added that the Philippine side needs to realize that maritime differences should not overshadow the broader bilateral relationship, and that Manila should adhere to established bilateral mechanisms and guidelines, rather than involve external powers that could further complicate the situation.

Despite frictions, China and the Philippines have also engaged in maritime consultations. In March, Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong co-chaired the eleventh meeting of the China-Philippines Bilateral Consultation Mechanism on the South China Sea (BCM) with Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Policy and ASEAN SOM Leader of the Philippines Leo M. Herrera-Lim in Quanzhou, Fujian Province.

Banlaoi told the Global Times that despite tensions, feasible cooperation between the two countries still remains in trade, infrastructure, and public health initiatives. 

Banlaoi added that joint efforts in counterterrorism, disaster management, energy security, maritime safety and climate change adaptation also offer avenues for deeper collaboration. 

"These areas allow both countries to compartmentalize disputes and focus on mutually beneficial outcomes," Banlaoi said.

On the occasion of the anniversary, Manila should take further steps to advance China-Philippines cooperation, properly manage differences between the two countries, and return bilateral relations to the track of consultation and dialogue, Xu told the Global Times.

Japan's former House of Representatives speaker Yohei Kono, who served as president of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and foreign minister, passed away on Monday at the age of 89, according to Japanese media reports. He was widely known for issuing the landmark 1993 Kono Statement acknowledging Japan's wartime responsibilities and had been working for China ties.

Chinese experts noted that Kono represented a generation of Japanese politicians who were willing to confront historical facts and promote friendly ties with China despite huge domestic political pressure. At a time when China-Japan relations remain strained due to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks regarding Taiwan, Japan should reflect on Kono's political legacy rather than continue down a wrong path.

According to TBS News, Kono was born in 1937. In 1976, he left the LDP after criticizing the party's money-driven political culture and founded the New Liberal Club, before returning to the LDP. In 1993, as chief cabinet secretary in the Miyazawa Cabinet, he issued the Kono Statement.

The full text of the Kono Statement has been publicly released on the official website of Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The statement acknowledged the Japanese military's direct involvement in the establishment of "comfort stations" on the Korean Peninsula, in China and other places, as well as the coercion of local women into serving as "comfort women," and expressed apologies and remorse over the issue.

The Kono Statement, together with the 1982 Miyazawa Statement and the 1995 Murayama Statement, constitutes the most important set of official statements by the Japanese government reflecting on historical issues stemming from its wartime aggression.

"These three statements were particularly valuable given the broader political climate in Japan at the time, when much of the political establishment avoided confronting historical responsibility and remained reluctant to face their mistakes of the war," Lian Degui, director of the Center for Japanese Studies at Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times.

"The three statements represented the official position of the Japanese government. They constituted a rare and full official acknowledgment of issues related to Japan's war of aggression in the postwar era," Lian said.

Lü Chao, a professor at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that the statements demonstrated that there had once been a group of clear-minded and historically responsible figures within Japan's political establishment.

"The core of today's Japanese right-wing politics is characterized by extreme populism and narrow nationalism, while the three statements challenged such erroneous thinking from the very beginning," Lü said, adding that Japan should face history squarely. "Peaceful and friendly relations across generations remain the shared aspiration of the Chinese and Japanese peoples," Lü said.

Major Japanese media outlets reported on the death of the former LDP president, with some highlighting the significance of the Kono Statement in their coverage of his death. 

Japan's Mainichi Shimbun specifically referred to the Kono Statement on the comfort women issue and noted that Kono had issued the statement acknowledging the responsibility of the former Japanese military and apologizing over the matter.

Yomiuri Shimbun noted that Kono became speaker of the House of Representatives in November 2003 and served for 2,029 days. In September 2008, he announced that he would not run in the next House of Representatives election.  

International media coverage focused heavily on Kono's role in addressing Japan's wartime past. AP News ran the headline "Yohei Kono, who apologized for Japan's wartime sexual abuses of 'comfort women,' dies at 89," while noting in the article that Kono had placed great importance on promoting friendly ties with China, South Korea and other Asian countries that suffered Japanese atrocities before and during World War II.

The Kono Statement led to Japan's broader apology over its wartime atrocities in a 1995 statement by then prime minister Tomiichi Murayama. Both statements were regarded internationally as signs that Japan had come to terms with its wartime past, and they helped to improve relations with its Asian neighbors, according to AP. 

"But the statements have become unpopular among Japanese conservatives who say Japan should stop focusing on negative history to restore national pride," AP reported.

Beyond historical issues, Kono was also widely recognized for his longstanding commitment to improving China-Japan relations. After stepping down as the speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives, Kono devoted his efforts to strengthening Japan-China relations, Yomiuri Shimbun reported.

In 2018, Kono attended an event held as part of the third Understanding China Conference. According to the China Institute for Innovation & Development Strategy (CIIDS), which hosted the event, Kono said he had maintained ties with China for more than 50 years and had visited China many times.

The Mainichi Shimbun reported that Kono was serving as chairman of the Association for the Promotion of International Trade (JAPIT) and had planned to lead a delegation to China later this month. Meetings with senior Chinese officials were reportedly under discussion.

According to the report, official visits to China by major Japanese business organizations have largely stalled following erroneous remarks made by Takaichi regarding Taiwan in November last year. Had the association's visit taken place, it would have been the first such trip since those remarks.

Observers had been closely watching whether Kono's planned exchanges with the Chinese side could help ease tensions in bilateral relations, the Mainichi Shimbun reported.

A person who accompanied Kono on multiple visits to China told the Global Times that Kono was approachable and down-to-earth in daily interactions and devoted decades of efforts to promoting exchanges between the two countries.

The source said Kono made substantial contributions to bilateral relations and, because of his stance, he often faced attacks, smears and criticism from Japanese right-wing forces. Nevertheless, he consistently defended China-Japan relations in public settings.

The source recalled attending an event in Tokyo where a Japanese diplomat made inappropriate remarks about China. Kono immediately reminded the diplomat to "mind your words."

"At a time when bilateral relations have been severely damaged by Takaichi's erroneous remarks and by Japanese right-wing forces, it is even more valuable to have politicians in Japan committed to friendship with China, and continued to push back against the current anti-China tendencies within the Japanese government," Lü said.

"Kono was one of the most representative figures. He consistently advocated friendship with China, faced historical facts directly, and publicly apologized over sensitive historical issues such as the 'comfort women' issue. Such vision and sense of responsibility are rare in Japanese politics and stand in sharp contrast to the short-sighted approach of the Takaichi administration, which prioritizes short-term political gain over long-term regional peace," Lü said.

Lü added that China-Japan relations have now reached their lowest point since the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

"If Takaichi does not retract and apologize for her erroneous remarks concerning Taiwan, there will be no possibility of restoring China-Japan relations, " he said, adding that "this situation is also deeply saddening for the generations of Japanese politicians and people who have worked to promote China-Japan friendship and improve bilateral relations over the decades."

China has noted that Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. is still confusing black and white and launching smear attacks. His words and actions are not his self-proclaimed "defending national dignity", but rather a grandstanding show aimed at reaping personal political gain, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said in response to a foreign media inquiry on that according to a Reuters report, following China's imposition of sanctions against Teodoro and his relatives, Teodoro claimed on Friday that he will keep doing his duties in the face of China's "wickedness."

It is precisely the irresponsible and reckless actions of a handful of people like him that will lead to the escalation of China-Philippines disputes, the deterioration of bilateral relations, and ultimately harm the interests of the Philippines and its people, said Lin. 

Over the past 30 years, 89-year-old Lei Yueqin has created seven hand-drawn maps documenting the revival of the Guancheng River in Guiyang, Southwest China's Guizhou Province. Her oldest faded colored drawings still bring a sparkle to her eyes whenever she flips through them.

A national role model for ecological progress and an exemplary volunteer, Lei has spent decades patrolling the river on her own initiative. On her first map, drawn in 1994, she marked the Guancheng River in red to indicate pollution. In a 2004 drawing, the waterway was shaded gray and labeled as a "dead river." Between 2008 and 2015, she produced four more drafts, again depicting it as "dead river," with no sign of flowing water in the remaining stretches.

Her lifelong wish was simple: access to clean drinking water.

Stretching 7.5 kilometers, Guancheng River cuts 3.3 kilometers across old downtown Guiyang before feeding Nanming River. The Nanming winds 160 kilometers into Wujiang River, which travels another 540 kilometers to join the Yangtze River. Yet starting in the 1990s, rapid urban expansion and competing demands for land polluted the river, gradually burying it out of locals' sight. Authorities capped roughly 2,400 meters of its main channel with thick concrete slabs to build parking lots and food stalls, leaving merely 592 meters of open river.

In 2018, extra slabs were laid over tributary ditches amid central environmental inspections, turning most open water into a covered underground drain.

Officials faced a critical test of sound performance mindset: was this 7.5-kilometer tributary trivial or vital to Yangtze conservation? Would local governments keep hiding pollution under concrete or tear up covers for thorough restoration?

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, laid out clear guidance for promoting the development of Yangtze River Economic Belt: Ecological priority, green development, joint protection and no excessive development. No economic activities should cause any damage to the environment.

Guiyang kicked off river dredging in May 2019. The all black, odorous water along the basin was eliminated by November 2020. In September 2021, the city resolved to remove concrete caps over the main channel, and in January 2024, the long-lost Guancheng River flowed in open air again.

In 2025, Lei finished her seventh map, painting clear sparkling waters across the page.

Fixing flawed development ideas

Liu Zhu, a veteran urban planning official, recalled reckless urban expansion left insufficient sewage infrastructure. Guiyang built its first wastewater treatment plant only in 2003. Its karst terrain holds little surface water, mixing rainwater and raw sewage directly into rivers. Foul odors triggered heavy public complaints, prompting hasty capping as a quick fix around 2000.

The Guancheng River's main channel has limited flow capacity. To ease flood pressure, engineers built a diversion tunnel upstream, effectively shifting the problem downstream by channeling mixed sewage directly into the lower Nanming. The flood bypass became an open sewage outlet.

In 2017, a central environmental inspection found that 400,000 tons of untreated domestic wastewater drained into Nanming River daily. A 2018 national pollution audit listed Guancheng and five feeder trenches as severely contaminated, mandating urgent rectification.

"We looked into a complete fix - citywide sewer separation - but we were concerned about the massive infrastructure backlog and the high costs," admitted Zhong Tayong, then vice mayor of Guiyang in charge of environmental protection.

"At the time, the Guancheng River's main channel had essentially become a sewage conduit; many people didn't even think of it as a river anymore. Some proposed simply integrating it into the municipal pipeline network, covering it all up - that would have been the fastest way to meet compliance targets…" recalled an official involved in drafting the remediation plan.

In 2019, Guiyang's capped, diversion-based cleanup plan failed to get approval from the central government, making it the only provincial capital missing its national pollution remediation task.

Quick-fix capping and water diversion stemmed from formalism and misplaced performance mindset.

The priority was to root out a wrong mindset. With course correction made at the leadership level, remediation of the Guancheng River and its side channels was restarted.

Guiyang revised its renovation blueprint with expert reviews and third-party oversight. Workers cleared nearly 20,000 cubic meters of accumulated sludge upstream, inspected hundreds of drainage outlets, cut off pollution sources and separated rainwater from sewage. National inspectors confirmed full removal of black odorous water by late 2020.

Uncovering the buried channel

2021 marked the centenary of the CPC, when the CPC Central Committee launched a campaign on Party history learning and education among all of its members.

Ahead of that year's Spring Festival, President Xi visited the Liuchong section of the Wujiang River in Guizhou. Xi asked Guizhou to adhere to the two bottom lines of ensuring development and ecological progress, and strive to forge a new path of giving priority to ecological conservation and pursuing green development.

That September, Guiyang officially put the Guancheng River concrete-slab removal project on the agenda.

City officials, specialists and citizen representatives held dozens of workshops to solve core hurdles. Where does the treated water go? With scarce land available in the mountainous city, conventional wastewater treatment plants were not an option. Instead, Guiyang opted for a tailor-made solution: retrofitting the city center with an underground, compact water reclamation plant.

When does the money come from? The project pooled central special funds, eco-grants, bank loans and private investment.

In July 2022, the city adopted a comprehensive plan for the full "uncovering the river."

Construction started on the first 182-meter uncovered stretch on Taiping Road. The concrete slabs were a full meter thick. Regular saws bounced off; crews had to use high-pressure water jets laced with industrial diamond grit, chewing forward inch by inch.
On January 26, 2024, Taiping Road was thronged with local residents and tourists standing in dense layers of crowds. As the golden curtain covering the river was pulled aside, clean running water began to flow.

Standing amid the onlookers, 68-year-old Jiang Yu wiped away his tears quietly.

Jiang grew up right by the river. He still remembers the old days when long lines of villagers queued up on Longjing Bridge to fetch and carry river water. His 34-year-old son Jiang Jinwen lives at No.80 Guanchenghe Road. For a long time, though he crosses the river's route every single day, he had never laid eyes on an open river channel before.

As a resident representative, Jiang Jinwen took part in the unveiling ceremony. Once the event wrapped up, the father and son wandered back and forth along the restored riverbank.

Watching the running water, they felt as though a fresh spring was flowing through their hearts.

Refining urban development paths

The block upgrading was designed and advanced alongside the uncovering project of Taiping Road.

Full-scale large demolition and reconstruction, or refined micro-renovation?

"The initial proposal was impressive: full river navigability allowing boat cruises through the old town downstream past 24 riverside scenic spots," said Guo Jiesi, former head of the special working group for "One River, One Corridor and Two Historic Districts" in Yunyan District.

However, the proposal was rejected upon submission.

A mountainous city, Guiyang features sharp water level fluctuations; at least three ship locks would be required for waterborne traffic. To optimize sightseeing, the river channel had to be widened by an extra 200 meters. Docks, locks and scenic sites plus land acquisition would push total investment above 10 billion yuan.

"The plan far exceeded local fiscal capacity and ran counter to national regulations restricting large-scale demolition and construction," Guo said.

Authorities at Guiyang municipal and Yunyan district levels drew practical solutions from theoretical learning.

"President Xi's remarks enlightened us," said Liu Renhao, district head of Yunyan. The renovation along Guancheng River would avoid citywide large-scale investment and blaze a new trail of cultural empowerment and featured development.

Drawing wisdom from heritage to enrich modern life, local authorities finalized the blueprint: ecological foundation plus cultural empowerment via targeted micro-renovation, to carry forward urban heritage, upgrade block functions and elevate living standards.

Renovation of the river kick-started the district's urban renewal drive. Stretching 7.9 kilometers, the riverside footpath links Wenchang Pavilion and Cuiwei Garden historic quarters. The 37-project cluster of "One River, One Corridor and Two Districts" has forged a distinctive urban cultural precinct.

On weekends, open-air roadside concerts unfold beside the over-400-year-old Wenchang Pavilion.

Professional troupes interact closely with locals and tourists amid a blend of traditional charm and modern vibes. Over 600 performances have drawn more than five million visitors, birthing Guiyang's new cultural IP as a City of Music.

Unique local signature drinks - prickly pear coffee, houttuynia cordata beer and pitaya milk tea - have made Taiping Road a trendy landmark for out-of-town visitors and a testing ground for local youth to boost cultural confidence via national chic.

Having resided riverside for 69 years, Zhou Jinhua once endured messy surroundings. At community open-air forums, he voiced his wish for downstairs leisure green space; soon a pocket garden was built nearby. Micro-renovation covering 244,100 square meters of existing buildings benefited 628 households.

In March last year, the project was listed as a national exemplary urban renewal case. The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development commented: "Through innovative practice, the project has pioneered a sustainable urban regeneration path balancing livelihood improvement, cultural inheritance, economic revitalization and governance upgrade."

Anchoring sound performance in practical results
What lessons has Guancheng River's restoration brought?

"It's an eye-opening masterclass: genuine governance accomplishments are delivered for the people through down-to-earth work," said Wang Hong, Mayor of Guiyang.

Construction of Liuguangmen Underground Water Reclamation Plant required excavation of a 30-plus-meter pit; to spare nearby residents from blasting disturbance, crews relied on round-the-clock crusher work amid tough construction bottlenecks.

From a macro perspective, the plant constitutes a core component of comprehensive Guancheng River remediation, a concrete action to upgrade ecological protection and fulfill Guizhou's obligation to shield the upper reaches of the Yangtze and Pearl Rivers.

"We re-mobilized the team, kept daily site inspections and pressed full steam ahead," Li Wenyu said.

Dedicated onsite delivery spawned dozens of technical innovations, turning Liuguangmen into China's deepest fully underground reclamation plant and a national benchmark for green low-carbon development.

"The Party spirit serves as the decisive underpinning for fostering a correct view of governance performance. Since the 18th CPC National Congress, all rounds of centralized Party education have highlighted pragmatic delivery as core guidance," said Huang Chaochun, Party Chief of Guizhou Academy of Social Sciences. "Guancheng River's spectacular rebirth stands as vivid proof."

Once plagued by acid rain, Guiyang now ranks among China's top-performing 168 key cities for ambient air quality; 100 percent of provincial and national monitored surface water sections meet high-quality standards.

Lei Yueqin is a familiar sight by the revitalized river. The 85-year-old joined the CPC in July 2022.

"I joined the Party witnessing tremendous new-era progress, especially in ecological civilization. My lifelong wish of access to clean drinking water has come true," she explained.

Though initially burdened with grievance and pressure, Guancheng River's transformation has changed her perspective. Lei always bears Xi's words in mind as enlightening theories illuminate reality and guide forward-looking development.

The Adora Magic City, China's first homegrown large cruise ship, departed from Shanghai on Saturday, marking the launch of the country's first-ever cruise-to-nowhere voyage.

Unlike traditional cruises, the new itinerary involves the ship leaving from and returning to its home port, Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, without making any stops, cruising solely on the high seas.

The three-day, two-night voyage from Saturday to early Monday offers passengers a relaxed, immersive experience without the need to rush from one port to another.

"It feels very relaxing, and I don't have to take extra days off work. I am really looking forward to experiencing the homegrown large cruise ship," said a tourist surnamed Hu, a white-collar worker from Shanghai, as she stepped on board.

The operator has enhanced onboard entertainment, including a stand-up comedy show, magic performances, theme parties and late-night dining. To ensure comfort, the passenger load was capped at 80 percent, with an average age of 47, lower than the usual 55 on regular routes.

On Friday, Shanghai issued China's first entry-exit permit for such cruises. The following day, streamlined customs and border inspection services were in place for travelers.

Tong Danying, an official with the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission, said cruises to nowhere are not a simplified version of traditional cruises, but a brand-new product that turns the ship into the destination itself, creating a new consumption scenario.

Figures show that China has seen booming cruise tourism, with total cruise passenger throughput in 2025 surging 25.3 percent year on year.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has pointed out that interactions between civilizations provide the most solid foundation for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) development, and people-to-people exchanges provide the strongest driving force for the organization. Kyrgyzstan will host this year's summit, which marks the 25th anniversary of the founding of the SCO.

On May 27, the 2026 China-Kyrgyzstan Media Cooperation Forum, themed "Deepening China-Kyrgyzstan Media Cooperation for a Brighter SCO Future," was held in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan. Nearly 100 media representatives, officials from relevant departments, experts, scholars and business representatives from China and Kyrgyzstan attended the forum, engaging in in-depth exchanges and discussions on topics including economic and trade development, cultural exchange and media cooperation. The forum was jointly hosted by the People's Daily and Kyrgyz Tuusu Publishing House.

Media in unity, building consensus for development

"Amity and good-neighborliness are invaluable to a country." Linked by mountains and rivers, China and Kyrgyzstan are good neighbors, good friends and good partners enjoying close people-to-people ties. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the China-Kyrgyzstan comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era has maintained a strong momentum of development. Media outlets from both countries have played an active role in promoting the building of a closer SCO community with a shared future and a China-Kyrgyzstan community with a shared future.

Cui Shixin, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the People's Daily, said that holding the China-Kyrgyzstan Media Cooperation Forum is both an implementation of the important consensus reached by the two heads of state on deepening the China-Kyrgyzstan comprehensive strategic partnership for a new era, and a concrete action to create a favorable public opinion environment and lay a solid public foundation for the upcoming Bishkek SCO Summit. China and Kyrgyzstan are companions on the path to modernization. Media of both countries should build consensus on development to anchor mutual trust, boost mutually beneficial cooperation to pave the way for prosperity, deepen cultural exchanges to nurture the tree of friendship and consolidate institutional foundations to amplify the voice of the SCO. With a constructive attitude, they should build bridges of understanding, present a true, multidimensional and comprehensive picture of China-Kyrgyzstan cooperation, and tell vivid stories of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries.

Salkyn Sarnogoeva, Deputy Minister of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic, said that the friendship between China and Kyrgyzstan has a long history, and the spirit of the Silk Road has firmly bound the two peoples together. In the digital era, media are a bridge connecting the peoples of the two countries, and it is very important for the two sides to strengthen media exchanges and cooperation. At present, the SCO is in a period of vigorous development, and the media of both countries should jointly respond to the challenges posed by fake news and information disorder, learn from each other in areas such as artificial intelligence applications, creative industry development, and media platform building, and support the growth and development of young journalists.

Since its founding, the SCO has always upheld the Shanghai Spirit of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations and pursuit of common development. It has become the world's largest regional cooperation organization in terms of population, geographic area and development potential.

Galina Baitekerek, head of Kyrgyz Tuusu Publishing House in Kyrgyzstan, said that the SCO is becoming an important platform for different civilizations to strengthen dialogue and mutual respect. Strengthening cooperation between Chinese and Kyrgyz media in various fields will help establish an objective image of SCO member states internationally and is of great significance for promoting the development of the SCO. The two sides have broad prospects for cooperation in many areas, including promoting exchanges of experience between journalists and experts, creating joint media projects, advancing digital platforms and new media development, and increasing support for young journalists.

Sun Dapeng, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, said that media play an irreplaceable role in deepening mutually beneficial cooperation and promoting people-to-people affinity. Media cooperation is also a key direction of SCO cooperation and China-Kyrgyzstan cooperation. This forum is another important achievement of China-Kyrgyzstan media cooperation. He hopes that media from both countries will continue to deepen cooperation, firmly promote the Shanghai Spirit, introduce successful experiences in SCO development, show the bright prospects of cooperation among countries and tell the "SCO story" well.

Mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, broadening path of cooperation

Civilizations become colorful through exchange, and cooperation becomes profound through pragmatism. At the forum, guests from the tourism, aviation, logistics, automotive and technology sectors of both countries shared cooperation achievements and discussed future visions, painting a vivid picture of coordinated development and mutual benefit across multiple fields between China and Kyrgyzstan.

Eduard Kubatov, Director of the State Agency for Tourism Development of Kyrgyzstan, said that China-Kyrgyzstan relations are currently at their best in history, with political mutual trust, economic and trade investment, and cultural exchanges continuing to deepen. Tourism cooperation is an important part of the bilateral friendship. The two sides have already opened direct flights and are actively 8ancient city of Suyab), and will also work with Uzbekistan to build an international tourism hub. He said Kyrgyzstan is willing to take this forum as an opportunity to work with China to advance tourism and cultural cooperation and jointly promote the continued development of bilateral relations.

A representative from Air China's Bishkek office said that Air China will officially enter the Kyrgyzstan market. Earlier media reports indicated that Air China will launch a direct flight between Beijing and Bishkek starting July 17. The opening of this route will pave a smoother "air Silk Road" for personnel exchanges and economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, and the bilateral passenger flow is expected to exceed 200,000 for the first time this year.

Deputy General Director of "Kyrgyz Post" JSC, Uulzhan Masiyanova, said that Kyrgyzstan and China are engaged in close cooperation in political, economic, logistics, digital technology, information and communications, and cultural fields. In particular, cooperation in cross-border e-commerce and logistics has become one of the vivid examples of practical cooperation between the two countries. Their cooperation is reflected not only in the extension of roads and the growth of trade, but also in the integration of information spaces, mutual understanding in the media sector, and deeper awareness and understanding between the peoples of the two countries.

In his remarks, Lu Yunran, CEO of 212 Off-Road Vehicle Co., Ltd., shared the story of how 212 became a flagship independent Chinese off-road model. He said that China's complete industrial and supply chain system, the creativity of millions of engineers and the breakthroughs made by Chinese automobiles in the new energy and intelligent era have provided a solid technological foundation and a broad stage for Chinese brands to go global. At present, 212's global sales network covers more than 80 countries and regions. In the future, the company will deepen cooperation with partners in Central Asian countries and work together with all parties under a "Chinese technology + local market" model.

Ulanbek Satiev, General Director of the National Television and Radio Broadcasting Corporation of the Kyrgyz Republic (NTRK), said that while NTRK has been deeply cultivating traditional television media, it has also built a strong influence on new media platforms. At present, NTRK is also actively embracing cutting-edge technology and has officially introduced artificial intelligence to broadcast daytime news.

Li Dahai, CEO of Beijing MODELBEST Technology CO., LTD, said that artificial intelligence is not only a new round of technological revolution, but also a new development channel, and should become an inclusive infrastructure for common development among countries. Relying on key laboratories and an open-source ecosystem, ModelBest AI has already established the technical chain for "sovereign large models" and created a sample of an intelligent foundation. He looks forward to working with partners in Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian countries to make AI better understand local languages, be closer to local industries and better serve local people.

People-to-people exchanges, painting picture of future together
Ideas collide to gather wisdom, and dialogue deepens friendship. In the roundtable discussion session of the forum, guests engaged in in-depth exchanges on the topic of "Media building bridges of people-to-people exchanges and empowering cooperation and development between the two countries," sharing experiences, building consensus and offering suggestions to improve the quality and effectiveness of China-Kyrgyzstan media cooperation.

Guan Kejiang, President and Editor-In-Chief of the Global Times, said that language is a bridge for communication, and media can use each other's languages to better tell the stories of their own development, China-Kyrgyzstan cooperation, SCO cooperation and the Global South. This is the proper mission of the media.

Du Hua, Director of the Confucius Institute on the Chinese side at Bishkek State University, has worked in Bishkek for seven years. She said that Chinese brands can be seen everywhere in Bishkek, and the idea of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation has taken root in people's hearts. The media are witnesses and communicators of friendly cooperation, and young students can deepen their understanding of each other's cultures through the media.

Kurmanbek Mambetov, a commentator for Kyrgyz newspaper Kyrgyz Tuusu, said he hopes the media will focus more on practical cooperation projects between Kyrgyzstan and China, such as Chinese investment in Kyrgyzstan, technological cooperation and tourism exchanges, so as to enhance mutual trust and promote cooperation. At the same time, the media need to embrace new technologies to better meet the information needs of local audiences.

Ismail Dairov, an international commentator for Slovo Kyrgyzstana, has long promoted environmental protection ideas through the media. He said China has made great achievements in the field of new energy, and the prospects for cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and China are broad. The Kyrgyz side hopes to learn from China's technological experience to support local green development.

At the end of the forum, Kubat Chekirov, head of the "Kut Bilim" media center, told the Global Times that "as journalists, when we convey new knowledge, new trends and new developments from the other country to our own people, cooperation between the two countries will become closer, and mutual understanding will be further deepened."

As the tide rises over the Tianshan Mountains and the wind fills the sails, hearts and hands joined together move toward the future. Standing at the new starting point of the 25th anniversary of the founding of the SCO, the media of China and Kyrgyzstan will continue to carry forward the Shanghai Spirit, fulfill their media mission, and use the pen as a medium and the camera as a bridge to tell the story of China-Kyrgyzstan friendship and spread the voice of the SCO.

The Chinese national soccer team suffered a bitter second consecutive defeat in the World Cup Asian qualifiers as they were defeated by 10-man Saudi Arabia 2-1 on Tuesday in Dalian, Liaoning Province. 

The defeat means China now stay at the bottom of the six-team group after they conceded seven goals in the first match against Japan. Chinese players have yet to score a single goal in the series.

An own goal from the Saudi defender Ali Lajami in the 14th minute got the home Chinese fans cheering, followed by a red card to Saudi player Mohammed Kanno in the 19th minute, giving Chinese players a one-man advantage.

But it was Saudi player Hassan Kadish who pulled an equalizer in the 39th minute before adding another goal shortly before the final whistle, denying China's hopes for a point in the qualifiers. 

"It's really a pity that our team conceded two goals in set pieces. Our players did their best," said Branko Ivankovic, head coach of the Chinese team, through an interpreter at the post-match press conference. 

The Croatian rejected the idea of resigning. He said it is not up to him and the Chinese team still has chance to finish in fourth place in the group.

Disappointed Chinese fans were bemoaning the performance of the team after the match, but some were also voicing their support for the Chinese team as they chanted "Fight till the end."

Due to the Chinese national team's previous 7:0 defeat to Japan last week, many were concerned about the turnout for the home match against Saudi Arabia. But the venue attendance surpassed 48,000 in the 63,000-capacity Suoyuwan Stadium.

Fans in the southern stands even displayed a massive red tifo that stretched from the top of the stands to the front row closest to the field with the words "Fight for the Country" before the game. 

SOURCE / PRESS RELEASE
State Grid Taizhou Electric Power Supply Company's 'Vision-Intelligent Obstacle Avoidance Inspection Pioneer' System Put into Use to Enhance Work Efficiency
Published: Sep 16, 2024 07:28 PM

On September 9, staff from the Smart Operation and Inspection Center of State Grid Taizhou Electric Power Supply Company utilized the "Vision-Intelligent Obstacle Avoidance Inspection Pioneer" system mode mounted on drones to conduct inspection work on distribution network lines.
Previously, from July 4 to 7, this project was exhibited at the 2024 World Artificial Intelligence Conference. This conference, jointly hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Education, and others, had the theme of "Promoting Sharing through Joint Consultation, Promoting Good Intelligence through Good Governance," and attracted over 1,500 exhibits from more than 500 enterprises in fields such as large models, computing power, robotics, and autonomous driving.
In recent years, addressing the complex nature of distribution network inspection environments, State Grid Taizhou Electric Power Supply Company has researched a drone-mounted autonomous obstacle avoidance solution based on millimeter-wave radar and visual autonomous obstacle avoidance. This solution enables the identification of obstacles in distribution line corridors and the autonomous planning of obstacle avoidance routes, thereby avoiding situations where drones might collide with obstacles while flying outside the lines. Through deep learning and lightweight model technology, drones can detect trees and obstacles ahead in real-time during flight, and achieve optimal obstacle avoidance path planning through dynamic trajectory adjustment.

The "Vision-Intelligent Obstacle Avoidance Inspection Pioneer" system is equipped with purely domestically produced chips and ultra-strong computing power of up to 6T. Based on frontend recognition and autonomous obstacle avoidance technology, it can provide data support for the autonomous flight of drones conducting distribution network inspections. The system integrates three-phase orthogonal radar, enabling precise identification of details such as the main body of electrical equipment and transmission channels, and continuous identification of wires with a diameter of 1 centimeter within a 15-meter range, as well as potential hazards in the surrounding environment of the distribution network. By accumulating a database of defects and potential hazards, the system achieves iterative updates in algorithm types and depth, further enhancing the intelligence level and work efficiency of distribution line inspections.

Currently, this system mode has been used to conduct inspection work on 17 distribution network lines in the Taizhou region of Jiangsu province. After implementation, it has achieved good results, significantly improving the autonomy and intelligence level of distribution network inspection operations. This makes drone inspection operations safer and more efficient, reduces the labor intensity of operation and inspection personnel, and greatly lowers operation and maintenance costs.

A power supply company in Northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region has revolutionized the approach to power grid security with the integration of remote intelligent patrol technology. This advancement marks a significant leap in the surveillance and maintenance of substations, ensuring the reliability and safety of the power grid.
 
On August 12, Yang Mei, a maintenance worker at the Yuequan 110kV substation under the State Grid Ningdong Electric Power Supply Company, reported the successful operation of the intelligent inspection system, highlighting its seamless functionality. "The system is a testament to our commitment to innovation and safety," Yang Mei said.
 
At the core of this smart transformation is the intelligent inspection system, which employs high-definition cameras to monitor critical substation equipment. These cameras, positioned around circuit breakers, disconnectors, and other vital components, are programmed with preset points for equipment monitoring. This setup enables real-time surveillance, allowing operation and maintenance staff to issue inspection commands remotely, transforming the traditional inspection process.
 
The remote intelligent inspection technology has transitioned substation monitoring from reliance on human observation to an automated "electric eye" system. This shift has significantly increased the efficiency of risk identification and assessment, ensuring the equipment operates safely and stably, particularly during peak demand periods like summer.
 
Moreover, the system conducts frequent daily inspections of the substation's surroundings and internal environment, including the detection of floating debris, thereby enhancing the overall perception and security of the substation.
 
Looking ahead, the State Grid Ningdong Electric Power Supply Company is committed to expanding the use of remote intelligent patrols. This strategic move aims to elevate the quality and efficiency of power grid maintenance, solidifying the defense of power grid equipment and contributing to the continuous and stable delivery of electricity.
 
The integration of such technology not only fortifies the power grid against potential threats but also underscores the company's dedication to upholding the highest standards of safety and operational excellence in the energy sector.

In recent years, some Western politicians have intensified their rhetoric regarding "China's overcapacity." Meanwhile, some Western nations have embraced trade protectionism, imposing high tariffs on China's burgeoning green industries, such as new-energy vehicles (NEVs), photovoltaics and lithium batteries.

However, the strength of China's green industries stems from technological advancements, the clustering of industrial chains as well as robust domestic competition. As a matter of fact, the unfounded claim of "overcapacity" serves as a means to politicize and weaponize economic matters.

The development of China's green industries plays a crucial role in the global effort to combat climate change. China's industrial policies for green sectors adhere to the principle of competitive neutrality. In recent years, the policies have significantly driven the growth of the new-energy sector in China, while facilitating the development of new-energy industries in other countries too.

China was the key driver of the global decline in production cost for photovoltaics and wind turbines in 2022, with other markets experiencing a much more heterogeneous set of outcomes that saw costs increase, according to the report on Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2022, issued by the International Renewable Energy Agency.

From the perspective of sustainable development goals, global renewables production capacity still falls far short of market demand. In this context, China deserves recognition rather than criticism. The advancement of China's new-energy sectors has accelerated the global response to climate change, making it more efficient and less costly.

The issue of production capacity is a problem that arises amid the operation of the market. "Decoupling" and protectionist policies are not beneficial for resolving the issue. The US directly subsidizes domestic manufacturers through legislation such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), while discriminating against foreign manufacturers.

The green industry evolution in China is characterized by free and fair competition, and the Chinese market is steadily transitioning toward a more mature development phase now.

According to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, from January to July 2024, China produced 5.9 million NEVs, a year-on-year increase of 28.8 percent. During the same period, sales reached 5.9 million units, up 31.1 percent year-on-year.

The academic community has long pointed out that in promoting the use of clean energy, subsidies are needed to reduce the costs of new technologies and decrease market reliance on old technologies.

Researches by some countries have found that developed countries tend to use industrial policies more intensively. Goldman Sachs estimates that fiscal spending related to the US IRA will amount to $1.2 trillion, a figure three times more than what supporters initially claimed, according to media reports.

China emphasizes the importance of addressing the capacity issue and actively takes measures to promote global coordination on this matter. China adheres to a cooperative approach, continuously optimizing macroeconomic policies and achieving global policy coordination to enhance global macroeconomic governance. This approach aims to achieve better interaction between China's economic development and global economic growth.

The dependencies formed by trade relations are mutual, as the world relies on the Chinese market, and China equally relies on the world market. A healthy international division of labor and economic cooperation provide the foundation for the global economy to achieve faster recovery.

Protectionist policies will only increase economic costs and decrease economic efficiency for all economies, which cannot promote the balance of supply and demand on the market.

The development of China's manufacturing sector provides opportunities for cooperative development for more developing countries. Countries should strengthen cooperation and enhance mutual trust to jointly tackle global challenges, rather than exaggerating "threats" and adding instability.