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President Xi’s Visit to Central Asia Guides Course for SCO Cooperation

In a packed schedule from September 14 to 16, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and attended the 22nd meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. During the period, President Xi attended nearly 30 events,featuring both multilateral and bilateral agendas, and covering both security and development issues.

Highlights and fruitful results of Xi’s Central Asia trip have strongly pushed the SCO expansion a new step forward and brought China’s relations with relevant countries to a new level. Xi’s trip adds more vitality to the Silk Road spanning through Eurasia, brings more stabilizing factors to the international and regional situation standing at a crossroads, and creates more favorable international conditions for starting a new journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects.

EXCHANGES

“The sea is the common home of humanity, and its protection and sustainable use is the shared responsibility of us all. ln sea voyages,the most crucial work is to keep to the right direction. China is ready to work with all parties to uphold the purposes of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), deliver its aspirations, and strive for higher-standard global maritime governance and greater maritime welfare of humankind.”

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at the“UNCLOS at 40: Retrospect and Prospect” opening ceremony on September 2, 2022.

“This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-lreland strategic partnership for mutually beneficial cooperation.Bilateral exchanges and cooperation have maintained strong momentum.On the basis of mutual respect,equality, and mutual benefit, China will continue to strengthen highlevel guidance with lreland, enhance political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation in various fields, and constantly push for new progress in China-lreland and China-EU relations.”

Vice Foreign Minister Deng Li made the remark on September 1, 2022 when he held the China-lreland political consultation with Deputy Secretary-General of the lrish Foreign Ministry Sonja Hyland via video link.

President Xi Jinping Makes State Visit to Kazakhstan

On the afternoon of September 14, President Xi Jinping arrived in Nur-Sultan and began his state visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

During the formal talks, President Xi pointed out that over the past three decades since China and Kazakhstan established diplomatic ties, the bilateral relationship has stood the test of the changing international landscape, achieving greater substance, attaining higher levels, and yielding more fruitful outcomes.

Xi recalled that the two countries have created many “firsts” in their relations, including the first in settling the boundary question, the first in laying cross-border oil and gas pipelines, the first in conducting international production capacity cooperation, and the first in building a permanent comprehensive strategic partnership.

He noted that China highly values its relations with Kazakhstan and firmly supports Kazakhstan in safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and in taking reform measures to preserve national stability and development. China will always be a trustworthy and reliable friend and partner of Kazakhstan.

Xi said that China is ready to work with Kazakhstan in firmly supporting each other’s development and rejuvenation, and helping each other achieve development and prosperity. The unbreakable friendship between China and Kazakhstan will contribute to the growth of positive and progressive forces in the world and to the building of a community with a shared future for humankind.

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the fact that President Xi chose to visit Kazakhstan on his first overseas trip since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic — and on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of China-Kazakhstan diplomatic relations — fully reflects the high degree of mutual trust between the two countries and the high-level nature of the Kazakhstan-China permanent comprehensive strategic partnership.

Kazakhstan will continue to firmly uphold the one-China principle and be a good partner and good friend that China can always rely on under all circumstances. Kazakhstan will continue to actively support and participate in the BRI.

President Tokayev expressed his appreciation of China’s valuable support to Kazakhstan in its battle against COVID-19 and pursuit of economic development. He expressed that Kazakhstan hopes to better synergize development strategies with China, intensify exchanges at various levels, and deepen cooperation across the board including economy and trade, infrastructure, and people-to-people engagements.

He also indicated that Kazakhstan stands ready to work with China to implement the Global Development Initiative and Global Security Initiative, enhance coordination and collaboration within frameworks such as the SCO, CICA, and China+Central Asia, and jointly safeguard security and stability in the region and promote common development.

Li Zhanshu Addresses 7th Eastern Economic Forum

On September 7, 2022, Chairman of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee Li Zhanshu attended the 7th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) and delivered a speech in Vladivostok, Russia.

Li Zhanshu noted that the theme of this year’s EEF “On the Path to a Multipolar World” is apt for the current times, adding that a multipolar world is the trend of history and the common expectation of the international community.

He said that since last year, President Xi has put forward the Global Development Initiative (GDI) and the Global Security Initiative (GSI), which received positive responses and support from international organizations including the United Nations and many countries,including Russia. The initiatives will inject stability and positive energy into the world and contribute Chinese wisdom and solutions to solving contemporary issues.

Li put forward a three-point proposal to intensify Far Eastern development and cooperation. First, the GSI should be implemented to maintain regional peace and stability. Second, the GDI needs to be carried out to promote regional openness and integration. Third, development strategies should be synergized to enhance China-Russia cooperation in the Far East.

Li Zhanshu also stressed that China stands ready to work with Russia and other countries in the region to deepen Belt and Road cooperation,write a magnificent chapter of regional cooperation in Northeast Asia, and make unremitting efforts to promote the building of a community with a shared future for humankind.

Wang Yi Addresses Symposium Marking the 50th Anniversary of Normalization of China-Japan Diplomatic Relations

On September 12, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi addressed the opening ceremony of the symposium marking the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan via video link.

Wang Yi noted that 50 years ago, with extraordinary strategic vision and political courage, leaders of the older generation of the two countries broke the ice of the Cold War against all odds and took the political decision of normalizing bilateral diplomatic ties. Over the past 50 years, the two sides have successively reached four political documents and a series of important consensuses, laying a political and legal foundation for bilateral relations and practical cooperation between the two sides in various fields.To achieve goodneighborliness and friendship,and to promote development and revitalization of Asia holds a close bearing on the future of China and Japan.

Wang Yi said that in the face of the turbulence and volatility in the world today, China-Japan relations have to press forward or they risk sliding backward. He then made the following five points for the two sides: honoring their commitments and safeguarding the political foundation of China-Japan relations; bearing in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relationship and keeping it pointed in the right direction;deepening cooperation, and striving for win-win results at a higher standard; fostering a positive and friendly mutual perception through more effective guidance; acting in line with the trends of the times and practice true multilateralism.Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said in his video address that over the past 50 years since the normalization of diplomatic ties,Japan-China relations have achieved tremendous development. The two sides should bear in mind the wisdom and courage of the leaders of the older generation, and jointly dedicate themselves to building a constructive and stable Japan-China relationship in the next 50 years.

“As part of the UN Secretariat, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights(OHCHR) must follow and uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, defend the sovereignty of member states, and refrain from interfering in their internal affairs.With the manipulation of the U.S. and other Western forces, the so-called assessment on Xinjiang of the OHCHR runs counter to these principles. UN member states should seriously hold it accountable. China will continue to steadfastly pursue human rights development with Chinese characteristics, and contribute more to the advancement of human rights in China and the whole world.”

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a regular press conference on September 2, 2022.

“Throughout her seven-decade reign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll devoted herself to advancing national development and the U.K.’s friendly exchanges with the rest of the world. She was the first British sovereign to visit China. She received multiple Chinese leaders on their visits to the U.K. and made important contributions to enhancing our two peoples’ mutual understanding and expanding our two countries’ friendly exchanges. We will continue to work with the British Royal Family and various sectors of the U.K. to advance our bilateral relations.”

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference on September 9, 2022.

ECONOMY/SOCIETY

Over the past decade, the number of newly created urban jobs in China has exceeded 13 million annually, providing employment for a total of 130 million people.

Over the past decade, China has built the world’s largest and fully functional social security system with Chinese characteristics.

ln 2021, the income of the basic old-age insurance fund for enterprise employees reachedRMB 4.4 trillion, and the expenditure arrived atRMB 4.1 trillion.

Currently, the accumulated balance of the basic old-age insurance fund for enterprise employees isRMB 5.1 trillion.

The national social security fund has a reserve of more thanRMB 2.6 trillion. The central departments have transferredRMB 1.68 trillionof state-owned capital to the fund.

Foreign Trade in Goods Up 10.1 percent in First Eight Months

China’s foreign trade in goods jumped 10.1 percent year on year to RMB 27.3 trillion (about US $3.95 trillion) during the first eight months of the year.

Exports rose 14.2 percent year on year to RMB 15.48 trillion,while imports increased 5.2 percent from a year ago to RMB 11.82 trillion, according to the General Administration of Customs.

From January to August, China’s trade with its top three trading partners — the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the European Union, and the United States — grew 14 percent, 9.5 percent, and 10.1 percent, respectively.

China’s trade with Belt and Road countries soared 20.2 percent year on year to RMB 8.77 trillion.

Exports of mechanical and electrical products expanded by 9.8 percent to account for 56.5 percent of the total, and exports of labor-intensive products jumped 14.1 percent from a year ago.

Private enterprises saw imports and exports increase 14.9 percent from a year ago to RMB 13.68 trillion in the first eight months, accounting for 50.1 percent of the country’s total.

China’s top 500 enterprises reported rapid growth in revenue and profit in 2021, an industrial ranking report showed.

The combined revenues of China’s largest 500 companies have generated RMB 102.48 trillion (US $14.83 trillion) in 2021, a rise of 14.08 percent from last year and exceeding the RMB 100 trillion mark for the first time.

Net profits of those companies totaled RMB 4.46 trillion last year, up 9.63 percent from the previous year. The growth accelerated from a rise of 4.59 percent registered in 2020.

More Mainland Universities on World Academic Ranking List

The academic research organization ShanghaiRanking Consultancy recently released the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2022, in which it published a list of the top 1,000 after assessing more than 2,500 institutions.

China’s mainland has 163 universities on the list, six more compared to the last year, including 71 top 500 universities and eight top 100 universities.Among them Tsinghua University ranked 26th, continuing to be the second best in Asia.Peking University is ranked 34th, and Zhejiang University was included in the top 50 for the first time.

Universities from the United States continue to dominate this year’s top 1,000 list, with 196 in the club.During the first half of the year, Ashare-listed companies reported combined operating revenues of RMB 34.54 trillion (about US $5.01 trillion), climbing 9.24 percent year on year. Their net profits reached RMB 3.25 trillion, up 3.19 percent

RMB 34.54 trillion

from the previous year.

Bio-Based Degradable Footwear

Chinese researchers have recently developed and produced bio-based degradable shoes which are stable for everyday use but can degrade rapidly under composting conditions.

The research team from Beijing University of Chemical Technology first developed a bio-based polyester rubber and used it as the material for the soles of the shoes,with other parts made from hemp fiber, bamboo fiber, and corn stalk latex.

The team, under the direction of Zhang Liqun, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering, has completed the 1,000-tonnescale pilot test production of the polyester rubber, which can also be used to produce bio-based degradable tires and oil-resistant seal rings. The team has started a smallscale production of such shoes and will work with enterprises to realize mass production.

The lack of biodegradable rubber material has limited the development of degradable shoes in China, and as many as one billion pairs of shoes are discarded every year, posing a threat to the environment, said Prof. Wang Zhao of the research team.

In the first half of this year, China completed additional 2,043.5 km of rail lines, including 995.9 km of high-speed railways. Nearly 1.95 billion tonnes of cargo were transported by train,up 5.5 percent over the same period of last year, and the transport revenue has grown by 9.6 percent yearon-year to reach RMB 234.4 billion.A total of 7,514 train trips were made between China and Europe,carrying 724,000 TEUs,representing an annual increase of two percent and three percent respectively.

Output Surge of Industrial Robots in 2021

China is the world’s largest market for industrial robots, with its production reaching about 366,000 units in 2021, a 10-fold increase from 2015, said Guo Shougang, an official with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, at a press conference on September 6, 2022.

The application of industrial robots covers 60 industrial categories of the national economy. In 2021, the density of manufacturing robots exceeded 300 units per 10,000 people, about 13 times the figure in 2012.

Service robots are widely used in such fields as catering, education, medical care, and logistics. Currently, there are over 439,000 service robot-related enterprises in China, among which more than 79,000 were newly registered from January to August this year, according to the corporate information provider Tianyancha.

Technology Boosts Eco-Conservation

At a recent press conference by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, an official disclosed that the application of technological advances has effectively bolstered China’s efforts in combating pollution and put China in a leading position globally in the fields of ultra-low emission by coal-fired power plants,waste incineration, and treatment of pollutants from coal burning. China has established a full industrial chain for ecological preservation, which covers the development of technology for pollution treatment and ecological rehabilitation, manufacturing of relevant equipment, project design, construction, investment, operation and maintenance, and consulting services. This sector is moving swiftly towards low-carbon, green, and circular development.

Meanwhile, new business modes, services, and technology are proliferating in the environmental protection industry, leading to higher efficiency in pollution treatment. Last year the industry registered RMB 2.18 trillion in business revenue, an increase of 11.8 percent over 2020.

CULTURE

NCPA National Day Concert

Beijing Symphony Orchestra Date: September 30-October 1, 2022 Venue: National Center for the Performing Arts

The presenter Beijing Symphony Orchestra, founded in October 1977, is one of the most influential orchestras in China, winning worldwide acclaim for its high professional standards,rigorous performance techniques,broad repertoire, and profound musical accomplishments. Tan Lihua is a famous Chinese conductor active in the international and domestic music scene. He has conducted dozens of outstanding international orchestras on invitation including the Russian National Orchestra and London Philharmonic Orchestra. He has been honored by the Western media as “a conductor with an elegant and fluent conducting sゃle.”

Childhood Projector

China Film Symphony Orchestra Date: October 5, 2022 Venue: National Center for the Performing Arts

As the only national professional orchestra with a festival orchestra sゃle in the country, China Film Symphony Orchestra pioneered the fusion of different music sゃles such as pop music, Latin music, folk music, Chinese operas, and symphonic music. The Orchestra’s diverse performing sゃles,excellent coordination, and virffhosぅhave received high praise from home and abroad. Zhang Bingbing is its permanent conductor. Western music crぃcs describe him as “a conductor with talking hands.” As a great Oriental conductor, he interprets the sゃles of works accurately, has high creativぅ,and appeals to the audience.

Giant Panda Cub Celebrates 2nd Birthday in the U.S.

Giant panda cub Xiao Qi Ji celebrated his second birthday at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C. on August 21.

The outside area of the renowned giant panda habitat was packed with visitors, who came to wish Xiao Qi Ji a happy birthday in the morning. Keepers made a cake with frozen diluted apple and pineapple juices for the cute cub, and decorated it with a red “2”as well as the cub’s favorite treats – sweet potato, apple,carrot, pear, sugar cane, banana, and bamboo. Xiao Qi Ji walked to the cake and began devouring it with joyful fans and visitors spontaneously singing together the birthday song for him and filming the moment.

Mei Xiang, Xiao Qi Ji’s mother, turned 24 years old in July and Tian Tian, the cub’s biological father, will have his 25th birthday this year. Giant pandas have been living in the Smithsonian’s National Zoo since 1972. Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Xiao Qi Ji are the three giant pandas currently living in the zoo.

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is celebrating 50 years of “unprecedented achievement in the care, conservation, breeding, and study of giant pandas.”

ON CHINESE MEDIA

Enhancing the Cyberspace Power

Outlook Weekly

Issue 35, 2022

Over the past decade China has accelerated the improvement of its digital information infrastrucffhre, promoting the integration of Internet in the fields of medical care, education, elderly care, and poverゃ alleviation.It has promulgated relevant laws to create a complete legal system for cyber securぅ and worked on a system for integrated Internet management. It has also promoted the building of a communぅ with a shared fuffhre in cyberspace and actively participated in global Internet governance. China is making great strides to become a cyberspace powerhouse.

Ancient Italian

Cultural Exhibition Opens in Suzhou

An exhibition featuring the Etruscan civilization,one of the most important civilizations in ancient Italy, opened in Suzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province on September 7.

There are a total of 332 cultural and archaeological items on display at the Museum of Wu. The threemonth exhibition shows five aspects of the lives of Etruscans, including their daily necessities, gold ornaments, statues, and urns.

Academic lectures,reading salons, and live streaming activities will be provided at the museum to create an academic feast of Chinese and Western ancient civilizations.

The exhibition is one of the celebrations of the China-Italy Year of Culture and Tourism, said Tiziana D’Angelo, consul general of the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai.

“Through the exhibition, we can jointly explore the historical and cultural roots of the birth of the Italian civilization and enhance cooperation between Italy and China in the cultural field,” she said.

Sino-Dutch Art Exhibition Marks Key Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations

Chinese and Dutch artists held an art exhibition in early August to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the Netherlands.

Co-organized by the China Cultural Center in The Hague and Pulchri Studio, the exhibition

features 50 artworks, with artists from each country contributing 25 pieces of art.

“I believe art can bring people closer – people from the East and the West, people from developing and developed countries, Chinese and Dutch,” Chinese Ambassador to the Netherlands Tan Jian said at the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

Bob Bonies, a renowned

Dutch artist and art educator,said that he enjoys appreciating the works of Chinese artists,which reflect Chinese cultural heritage and the accomplishments of the artists.

Dutch artists are interested in the artwork of Chinese artists, the exhibition’s curator Zhou Lesheng said, expressing the hope that

more similar exhibitions could be held in the future to further promote exchanges between Chinese and Dutch artists.

New Drivers of Consumption

Insight China

Issue 24, 2022

The promotion of consump-tion not only depends on the optimization of the supply chain,but also requires further impeffhs to consumer demands. It is necessary to adapt to the current consumption trends and stimulate consumption potential, thus ensuring stable operation of the economy.

Tracing Origins of Chinese Civilization

China Newsweek

Issue 31, 2022

The project to trace the origins of Chinese civilization has provided new knowledge of the origins and formation of Chinese civilization. Deploying modern science and technology and feaffhring a multidisciplinary research, this huge project focuses on finding the answers of who the Chinese are and their origins.