上海魔都后花园

Some in NATO, by playing up international and regional tensions and slandering China's normal military buildup, seek nothing but excuses to allow NATO to drastically grow its military spending, arbitrarily reach beyond its geographical scope and mandate, and advance eastward into the Asia-Pacific, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Thursday. 

We firmly oppose NATO using China as an excuse to "expand eastward into the Asia-Pacific" and urge NATO to reflect on its own behaviors, change course, and contribute more to global security and stability, Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, also stated on the same day.

These remarks were made in response to NATO chief Mark Rutte's claim on Wednesday that it's really important that NATO spends more, given factors including Russia-Ukraine conflict and so-called China's massive military buildup.

Guo noted that NATO countries already account for 55 percent of the world's total military spending in 2024. Yet they're still required to raise defense investment to 5 percent of GDP to build a "more lethal NATO." What exactly is NATO's objective behind this? NATO calls itself a regional organization, but it keeps reaching beyond the geographic scope defined in its treaty and into the Asia-Pacific by claiming that what happens there and in Euro-Atlantic are "interconnected". The world is not blind to NATO's calculations, and countries in the Asia-Pacific are certainly wary of it, said Guo. 

Guo stated that on Ukraine, China has all along been promoting talks for peace and actively pushing for a political settlement of the crisis. China has never provided weapons to any party to the conflict and exercised strict export control over dual-use articles. China's objective and impartial position and constructive role have been widely recognized by the international community, while NATO's disinformation cannot deceive people around the world. If NATO truly cares about the security of Europe and the world, it should stop adding fuel to the fire and instigating confrontation.

China acts as a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender for international order and a supplier of public good. On peace and security, China has the best track record among major countries. We call on NATO to examine its own behavior, listen to the just voice of the world and let go of its outdated Cold War mentality, bloc confrontation and zero-sum approach. Time for NATO to get its perception right about China and stop manipulating issues on China, Guo said. 

China will firmly uphold sovereignty, security, and development interests, and continue to do its part to make the world a more peaceful and stable place, Guo added.

When asked to comment on the NATO Secretary General's recent claims that NATO should strengthen its partnership with Indo-Pacific countries, citing so-called military challenges posed by China, Zhang stressed that China adheres to the path of peaceful development, and is committed to a national defense policy that is defensive in nature. China's military development is purely aimed at safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests. 

The claim that China is "providing Russia with key support during the Russia-Ukraine conflict" is complete nonsense, said Lü Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. "The root cause of the Russia-Ukraine conflict lies in the US long-term meddling in regional affairs. Europe, while being a participant in the conflict, is also a victim—yet under US pressure, it has been forced to go along with the situation."

The NATO Secretary General essentially serves as Washington's spokesperson in Europe, said Lü. As a product of the Cold War and the world's largest military alliance, NATO is gradually becoming a "zombie" organization in the post-Cold War era.

"In an attempt to justify its continued existence, it keeps exaggerating and fabricating so-called security threats, thereby aligning itself with US strategic objectives and pressuring member states to increase military spending," Lü added.

When an earthquake jolted Qingcheng district, South China's Guangdong Province, a child rushed back to the dining table mid-tremor, driven by a craving to finish his meal. He even tried to carry dishes away, only to be dissuaded by his father, who later taught him that life and safety come first.

A 4.3-magnitude earthquake struck Qingcheng district in Qingyuan city at 6:48 pm on Monday, with tremors felt across Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Foshan in Guangdong, according to Guangming Daily. 

A video clip circulating online captures a local boy experiencing the earthquake while dining with his father and his younger brother, quickly sparking widespread attention.

The clip shows when the quake hit, the father rushed outside carrying the toddler, the boy initially followed them to the doorway, but suddenly struck by the thought that his meal was unfinished, he scampered back to the dining table. 

Amid his father's repeated calls, the boy even spun the rotating table, clutched a platter in one hand and a bowl in the other as he bolted toward the door, the report said.

But his father stopped him, telling him to stop eating the dishes. He complied and ran downstairs with the rest of the family.

The boy's father, surnamed Li, later shared, "My eldest son has a natural knack for humor." He said he only realized how funny it was after watching the video. "I was panicking, yelling at him to run."

Recalling the moment his son tried to evacuate with the dishes, Li said he immediately told him to put them down: "We live on the 9th floor, and carrying food during an earthquake could cause a fall or injury."

The family safely evacuated to the ground floor, waited for about an hour, then returned home to resume their meal, Li said. 

He later taught the boy that life and safety come first, and material possessions can wait. "When earthquakes strike, evacuate immediately, safety comes before everything," Li told his son.

A Chinese research team has set a new record for a flat-top pulsed magnetic field (FTPMF) with a whopping 71.36 tesla, further consolidating the nation's international leadership in this field.

The achievement made on Friday by the research team led by Li Liang, a professor from the Wuhan National High Magnetic Field Center at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, surpassed the research team's own previous world record of a 64-tesla FTPMF set in 2018, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Sunday, citing a statement from the university. 

High magnetic fields are among the most critical extreme conditions in modern scientific experiments, offering unique opportunities for discovering new phenomena and uncovering fundamental laws. 

Researchers worldwide have been highly active in conducting experiments under high magnetic field conditions, creating numerous original and significant breakthroughs in fields such as physics, chemistry, materials science and biology. 

Flat-top pulsed magnetic fields represent a cutting-edge direction in high magnetic field technology. With the combination of the advantages of both steady and pulsed magnetic fields, they deliver high magnetic strength with sustained stability, enabling unique experimental conditions for research such as nuclear magnetic resonance. 

To overcome challenges in magnet structural stability and precise control of high currents under strong electromagnetic forces, the research team has achieved breakthroughs in both materials and control systems. As a result, they set a new world record with a 71.36-tesla flat-top pulsed magnetic field featuring high stability (0.39 percent stability over 12.11 milliseconds), surpassing the current international level by 19 percent. 

Tesla is the unit of magnetic induction or magnetic flux density. One tesla is equivalent to 20,000 times the Earth's magnetic induction. The stronger the magnetic induction, the greater its potential in applications. 

The high pulsed magnetic field experimental facility is a major national scientific infrastructure project developed by Huazhong University of Science and Technology. It provides experimental environments featuring strong magnetic fields, ultra-low temperatures and high static pressure. 

To date, researchers from over 141 universities and research institutes across over 30 countries and have completed more than 2,000 projects at the Wuhan National High Magnetic Field Center, China News Service reported. 

Among the five key indicators of high pulsed magnetic field facilities, the Wuhan National High Magnetic Field Center ranks second in the world with a peak field strength of 94.88 tesla, and leads the world in terms of other key metrics such as flat-top magnetic field strength, pulse repetition rate, measurement precision and magnet lifespan, according to China News Service. 

China's top diplomat Wang Yi met with Ajit Doval, India's National Security Advisor and India's Special Representative on the China-India boundary question, in Beijing on Monday.

Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, said that important consensus on improving bilateral relations was reached by the leaders of the two countries during a meeting in Kazan, Russia last year.

Wang said that China and India should adhere to the important consensus that they are opportunities for each other's development and pose no threat to each other, and that they are partners, rather than rivals.

Wang said that China and India should adhere to the direction of good-neighborliness and friendship, strive for a mutually beneficial and win-win prospect, demonstrate the historical wisdom of the two ancient civilizations, properly handle sensitive issues, and maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas.

Doval said that the important consensus reached by the two leaders charted the course for bilateral relations, adding that the strategic goals of India and China are aligned, with development being both nations' top priority.

India is willing to strengthen coordination with China in multilateral spheres, fully supports China, which is the rotating chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), in successfully hosting its summit, and believes that the two major Asian countries can make greater contributions to the international community, Doval added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for pooling the strength of the country's working class and working people and working hard in a down-to-earth manner to turn the grand blueprint of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation into reality.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a gathering to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions and honor model workers and exemplary individuals.

China is committed to working with the countries concerned to appropriately address sea-related differences through dialogue and consultation on the basis of respect for historical facts and international law. The so-called award in the South China Sea arbitration is illegal and invalid, and China does not accept or recognize it, Charge d’affaires Ambassador Geng Shuang said at the UN Security Council open debate on maritime security on Tuesday. 

The Security Council is not an appropriate place to discuss the South China Sea issue. Just now, in her statement, the US Representative mentioned the South China Sea issue. China firmly opposes it, Geng said. 

During the meeting, the US representative claimed to “stand with the Philippines” on the South China Sea issue, calling on China to abide by the so-called “2016 arbitral ruling,” according to the website of the US Mission to the UN.

“Here is a reminder to my US colleagues. I don't know if she realized that her speech is in stark contrast to other colleagues' statements. The statements made by the Secretary-General, as well as other colleagues, all focus on how to maintain maritime security and develop international cooperation,” said Geng. 

“The US, however, has taken the opportunity in its statement to attack and discredit other countries and to suppress them recklessly. We hope that the US can join other countries in playing a constructive role in maintaining maritime security,” said Geng. 

He noted that the US under the banner of freedom of navigation, has frequently sent its military vessels to the South China Sea to flex its muscles and openly stir up confrontation between regional countries. The US itself is the biggest threat to the peace and stability of the South China Sea. 

With the joint efforts of China and ASEAN member states, the current situation in the South China Sea remains generally stable. We have the determination and ability to build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship, and cooperation, said Geng, noting that “we hope that the US will abide by its commitment to the one-China principle.”

On Tuesday, the UN Security Council held a high-level open debate on "Strengthening Maritime Security through International Cooperation for Global Stability." The meeting, convened by Greece, the Council president for May, aimed to foster a strategic dialogue among member states on maritime security. 

Geng said at the meeting that oceans and seas nurture life, connect the world, and promote development. They are the common home of the entire humankind. Taking care of our common home, maintaining maritime security, and strengthening global ocean governance are of great significance to the promotion of world peace, stability, development, and prosperity, and a common responsibility of all countries. 

As a major maritime country, China is committed to the common guardianship of maritime homeland and the maintenance of common maritime security. We will always be a builder of global ocean governance, a promoter of sustainable development of oceans and seas, and a defender of global maritime security and stability. We stand ready to work with the international community to make unremitting efforts to promote the building of an ocean order of peace, tranquility, and win-win cooperation, and to build together a maritime community with a shared future, said the ambassador. 

"It feels so familiar," said Mohammadmahdi Tinaitehrani, deputy secretary for International Affairs of the Islamic Party of Iran, as he wandered through alleys in the ancient city of Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

"The architecture, food, language and dance here bear a lot of similarities to my hometown," he added. "To preserve the unique features of ethnic architecture so authentically is an achievement in itself."

Tinaitehrani is a member of a visiting delegation of nearly 200 political party representatives who participated in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization political parties forum last Wednesday and Thursday in Xinjiang's capital city of Urumqi. They toured Xinjiang after the forum.

From the rich cultural heritage of traditional villages and awe-inspiring natural landscapes to state-of-the-art factories and universities, the delegates explored a full spectrum of China's high-quality development and governance approach in this region -- a vivid snapshot of the nation's modernization journey.

"Hats off to everyone who has contributed to the development of the village," said Faiza Mir, an assistant professor in the Department of International Relations, University of Balochistan in Pakistan, as she marveled at the exquisite traditional musical instruments made in Jiayi Village of Aksu Prefecture in Xinjiang.

Famed for its handcrafted traditional musical instruments, the village has become a celebrated gem and is affectionately known as the "Village of Ethereal Music."

"This remote village has managed to revitalize itself through the production of musical instruments, music and dance performances, and has turned itself into a popular tourist destination," said Mir.

"I would not have imagined that a university nearly 4,000 kilometers away from the country's capital could be so modern," said Osamah Alabdulrahem, secretary-general of the Kuwaiti Progressive Movement, during a visit to Kashi University. "The most remarkable aspect of Chinese modernization is its ability to bring development to every corner of the country," he added.

"China's development is not the privilege of a few -- but a development for all the people and one that is balanced," said Ganesan Devarajan, general secretary of the All India Forward Bloc.

The modern production line of a local agricultural technology company in Kashgar left a deep impression on Mohamed Abohemila, secretary general of the Republican People's Party of Egypt and parliamentary leader of the Republican People's Party in the Egyptian House of Representatives.

Kashgar's innovative vitality testifies to China's path of high-quality development, with breakthroughs being achieved across almost all sectors, he said.

SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev, who is from Kazakhstan, shared similar sentiments, noting the tangible improvements in local living standards.

Yermekbayev told Xinhua that the year 2025 has been declared "The Year of SCO Sustainable Development" and that the organization will carry out activities in fields such as poverty alleviation, green development and industrialization. He expressed hope that China's Xinjiang could serve as a hub for exchanges and mutual learning among SCO member states.

"China's achievements in clean and green energy are truly impressive," said Irfan Ashraf, a journalist from Pakistan's Samaa TV, after he learned about Xinjiang's efforts to harness its abundant solar energy resources for hydrogen production.

"Under the Belt and Road Initiative, China has enhanced connectivity with over 100 countries, bringing benefits to people around the world," he said. "We should work together to achieve regional prosperity and jointly resist the forces that seek to reverse global progress."

The propulsion capsule of the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship separated from the return capsule successfully on Wednesday, according to the China Manned Space Agency.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday attended a welcome ceremony held by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni.

Xi arrived for a state visit to Cambodia, the third leg of his three-nation Southeast Asia tour.

A Chinese mainland official on Friday urged Taiwan business people and businesses to join hands in resisting external risks and challenges, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Friday. 

Song Tao, head of both the Taiwan Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, made the remarks during a meeting with representatives of Taiwan business people held in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu Province. 

Song said the mainland will address challenges facing Taiwan enterprises, introduce supportive policies, and promote deeper cross-Straits industrial integration. He added that Taiwan firms will be supported in tapping domestic demand and joining national strategies.

Delegates expressed confidence in overcoming current difficulties and said they are actively pursuing cross-Straits cooperation and new growth opportunities.