上海魔都后花园

"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.

US media on Monday voiced concerns about the future of the US' sixth-generation fighter jet F-47, after China on Friday announced to implement export controls on certain medium and heavy rare earth-related items, including resources critical for avionics which could deal blow to the F-47 project.

China's export controls on rare earth-related items could hit hard on US defense industry, countering the US' so-called "reciprocal tariffs," a Chinese expert said on Tuesday, noting that the US' military industrial capabilities will very likely be affected.

Export restrictions China has imposed on its rare earth element exports to the US include resources critical for avionics which could deal blow to American plans for the F-47, US media outlet the Newsweek reported on Monday.

In accordance with the country's Export Control Law and other relevant laws and regulations, China's Ministry of Commerce, together with the General Administration of Customs, published an announcement on Friday regarding the implementation of export control measures on seven categories of medium and heavy rare earth-related items, including samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium. These measures are effective from the date of the announcement.

As Newsweek reported, China's export control comes only two weeks after the US government announced that Boeing had secured the contract to develop the F-47 which is designed to succeed the F-22 Raptor and form the backbone of the US Air Force's next-generation fleet.

But stealth aircraft like the F-47 depend on rare earth elements such as neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium for high-performance magnets, actuators, and radar systems, Newsweek quoted the consultancy SFA Oxford as saying.

From stealth coatings and radar systems to high-thrust engines and advanced avionics, sixth-generation platforms rely on a secure and resilient supply of rare earth elements and strategic metals SFA Oxford noted.

Yttrium is one item on the latest export control list of rare earth-related items. Yttrium is essential for high-temperature jet engine coatings, high-frequency radar systems and precision lasers, the publication Cleantechnica.com reported. It also allows thermal barrier coatings on turbine blades to stop aircraft engines from melting mid-flight, according to Newsweek.

Critically, around five percent of US use of rare earths goes on defense applications, according to the Congressional Research Service, Newsweek reported.

Bloomberg said on Friday that the controls are expected to have broad impacts on US companies because the elements are used in optical lasers, radar devices, high-powered magnets for wind turbines, jet engine coatings, communications, and other advanced technologies.

Two industry sources told Reuters that Chinese export restrictions on some rare earths are a concern for some US aerospace manufacturers because they are sole-sourced from China for use in avionics.

China has a near lock on the rare-earths industry as the world's dominant miner, refiner and producer of rare earth magnets, which are critical for a range of military and civilian technologies, including electric vehicles, according to The Wall Street Journal on Saturday.

China's export control measures on rare earth-related items strike directly at a core spot of the US, Song Zhongping, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Medium and heavy rare earths are extensively used in many military fields such as missiles, radar, and permanent magnets. They are also more expensive and harder to mine, Song said. 

China's export control measures on the certain rare earth-related items, effective immediately on Friday, aim to better safeguard national security and interests and fulfill non-proliferation and other international obligations, a commerce ministry spokesperson said, Xinhua News Agency reported on Friday.

These materials have both military and civil uses, imposing export controls on them is a common international practice, the spokesperson said, adding that the move reflects China's consistent stance in firmly maintaining world peace and regional stability as a responsible major country.

Question: It is reported that the US Secretary of Defense reiterated US commitment to the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty to counter “China threat” on his visit to the Philippines. During his visit, the Philippines, the US and Japan conducted a joint patrol in the South China Sea. Recently, the US approved selling F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines. Do you have any comment?

Zhang Xiaogang: On the pretext of honoring bilateral treaties, the US is meddling in the South China Sea issue, undermining China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and attempting to threat and coerce China. This approach will simply not work. It needs to be pointed out that the Philippine side has repeatedly made infringements and provocation against China. Outside countries led by the US have made continued efforts to destabilize the South China Sea through playing up tensions and providing weapons. It fully exposed their true intention of making troubles in the region. To the Philippine side, “relying on foreign support to make waves at sea” will backfire and a pawn will only be used and discarded. We urge the Philippine side to give up unrealistic illusions and come back to the right track of dialogue and negotiation at an early date.

The China-Cambodia Ream Port Joint Support and Training Center was officially inaugurated and put into operation on Saturday, which will support joint operations between the two militaries in areas such as counterterrorism, disaster prevention and relief, humanitarian assistance, and training, China's Ministry of National Defense announced in a statement.

A military affairs expert described this as a new model of cooperation between the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and foreign militaries, with both sides jointly building, utilizing, and maintaining the center.

Necessary personnel from both countries will be stationed at the site to ensure smooth operations, per the statement.

The center's establishment and operation are based on mutual respect and equal consultation between China and Cambodia. It complies with the domestic laws of both countries, relevant international laws, and established norms. The center is not aimed at any third party and aims to further strengthen practical military cooperation, enhance both militaries' capacity to fulfill international obligations, and contribute to global public security, according to the statement.

Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Saturday that based on the information from the Ministry of National Defense the center has two core functions: joint support and joint training.

The center will provide logistical support for counterterrorism, disaster relief, and humanitarian assistance operations undertaken by both sides, fulfilling international obligations and contributing to global public security, Zhang said.

The center will also host joint training exercises to enhance coordinated military operation capabilities of the two militaries, enabling them to jointly address regional security threats and uphold peace and stability, the expert said.

Responding to some claims that the center is the PLA's second overseas base after Djibouti, Zhang said the two are not exactly the same.

"Unlike the Djibouti support base, which is used and maintained by the PLA independently, the China-Cambodia joint center in Ream Port is built and used by both sides, and its smooth operations are maintained by both sides. In addition to logistical support, it also includes joint training functions, which help advance Cambodia's military modernization. This counters rumors from certain Western countries alleging that China is secretly building a PLA-exclusive naval base in Cambodia," Zhang noted.

However, both the Djibouti base and the Cambodia center share one key trait, they are both established based on mutual respect and equal consultation between China and the related country, and are conducive to regional peace and stability, the expert said.

The center can also support PLA's overseas humanitarian rescue and disaster relief operations. In the event of sudden disasters such as an earthquake or tsunami occurring in ASEAN countries near Cambodia, the PLA would be able to respond more rapidly and efficiently.

Zhang cited the example of the Djibouti base. After it entered operation, it effectively supported the PLA Navy's escort missions against piracy in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia, as well as evacuation operations. During evacuation missions from Yemen and Sudan, PLA naval vessels also carried foreign nationals, providing public safety services to the international community. "It is foreseeable that the China-Cambodia joint center can also play a positive role in regional security affairs."

Based on the experience of the PLA's first overseas support base, the China-Cambodia Ream Port Joint Support and Training Center will not pose a threat to any country. On the contrary, it will contribute to regional peace, stability, and development, Zhang noted.

In response to the accusations from some countries, including the US, Japan and the EU over the Chinese People's Liberation Army's joint exercises around the Taiwan island, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that such claims made by a handful of countries and organizations disregard facts, distort right and wrong, and interfere in China's internal affairs. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition.

According to media reports, the EU accused China of increasing cross-strait tensions by holding military drills around Taiwan, and called on all parties to "exercise restraint." 

A US Department of State spokesperson claimed that there is no justification for "China's irresponsible threats and military pressure operations" near Taiwan island. 

The Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair and allows no external interference. What undermines peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits are the separatist activities of "Taiwan independence" forces and the indulgence and support of external forces, Guo said.

If these countries and organizations genuinely wish to see peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, they should follow the prevailing international consensus of upholding the one-China principle, honor their political commitments to China, respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and oppose any form of "Taiwan independence," Guo said. 

Guo emphasized that advocating "Taiwan independence" and supporting separatist forces constitutes interference in China's internal affairs. Condoning "Taiwan independence" activities undermines peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits. 

The joint military exercises conducted by the PLA are a firm countermeasure against the provocative separatist attempts by the Lai Ching-te authorities, a stern warning to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces seeking to undermine cross-Straits peace, and a responsible action to safeguard national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity. No external forces have any right to make irresponsible remarks on this matter, said Guo.

Guo stated that as long as "Taiwan independence" provocations continue, countermeasures to oppose "independence" will not cease. China will never allow anyone or any force to separate Taiwan island from China in any way. The country will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Guo. 

China expanded its greening efforts in 2024, adding 7.67 million hectares through tree planting and land restoration, advancing afforestation and high-quality development, according to a bulletin released by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Wednesday, which is the 47th National Tree Planting Day in China.

A total of 4.446 million hectares of forest were planted in the country, exceeding the 3.998 million hectares afforested in 2023, about 3.224 million hectares of degraded grassland were restored, and 2.783 million hectares of sandy and stony land were treated, bringing the national forest coverage rate to surpass 25 percent and total forest stock volume beyond 20 billion cubic meters, according to report.

In 2024, afforestation enhanced urban and rural landscapes, making cities and villages greener and more livable with more than 6,200 pocket parks around urban areas built, and over 7,300 kilometers green belt in cities constructed. The country also promoted the improvement of rural living environment by setting up farmland shelterbelt networks. While more than 50,000 kilometers of highways were greened last year, the nationwide railway greening rate reached 85.9 percent.

Efforts to protect and restore ecosystems intensified, with 27 projects of the holistic protection and land restoration during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period promoted. More than 5 million hectares of land underwent ecological restoration.

In a significant step toward combating desertification, around 3.80 million hectares of sandy and stony land were rehabilitated last year as part of the effort in promoting the construction of the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, a large-scale afforestation project covering 4.069 million square kilometers in the northeastern, northern and northwestern regions of China, which is close to half the size of the country and is the world’s largest desertification control project.

As advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) continue to unfold, robots are emerging as a transformative force in the elderly care industry across China. With innovations ranging from feeding robots to those designed for rehabilitation and hygiene assistance, an increasing array of age-friendly tech products is being introduced to support seniors.

These cutting-edge solutions are complementing traditional family-based care models, heralding a new era in the way we approach elder care.

Recently, cities such as Shanghai and Xi'an in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, have launched innovative smart elderly care initiatives aimed at fostering the coordinated development of elderly care services and related industries. This move came in response to the rising interest in smart elderly care.

Many nursing homes in Chinese cities are now integrating intelligent care robots into their operations. For example, at a home care center in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian Province, a group of seniors averaging 86 years old are enjoying a more convenient and vibrant lifestyle thanks to the introduction of "smart nannies." Among the cutting-edge technologies being deployed to assist seniors with disabilities are robotic "caregivers," multifunctional transfer bed-chairs, and fall-detection alarms. These advancements are designed to ease the burden on human caregivers.

In 2024, a resident from Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, surnamed Xia, invested nearly 30,000 yuan ($4,145) in a toileting care robot for his 80-year-old bedridden grandfather. The care robot primarily serves bedridden elderly individuals with disabilities. It can automatically sense needs and perform fully automated processes such as suction, washing, drying, and sterilization. Since its introduction, this toileting care robot has greatly alleviated the caregiving burden on family members. "It's much less exhausting now. When the drain water tank is full, we just empty the wastewater and refill it with clean water," Xia told CCTV.

He expressed hope for more walking-assist robots, noting that the high cost of current models remains a barrier for many families.

In February, a Shenzhen-based tech company partnered with the Mount Tai Scenic Area in Shandong Province to unveil an exoskeleton robot designed to assist with hiking, garnering significant attention. This exoskeleton robot can also be utilized for fitness, daily walking, and climbing stairs, according to CCTV.

Chen Zhengxiang, an AI model trainer based in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province, has conducted research in many nursing homes across the country. He told the Global Times that current robots on the market still have shortcomings in human-robot interaction. For instance, they struggle to recognize commands spoken in local dialects, and their emotional interactions remain at a superficial, programmed response level.

Chen envisions that with the advancement of AI large models, future elderly care robots will possess the ability to perceive, understand, and respond to human emotions, thereby better meeting the psychological needs of seniors and providing personalized care and companionship.

"It should be like having an 'AI child' by your side; that's the true warmth of technology," he said.

In recent years, China has introduced a series of policies to encourage the development of intelligent elderly care devices, including robots. For example, China's State Council released guidelines in 2024 encouraging companies and industry participants in sectors such as accommodation, healthcare, tourism and financial consultancy to optimize services and products for the elderly.

Currently, there are two main types of elderly care robots on the market: rehabilitation robots, such as those that assist bedridden individuals in standing and walking, and daily care robots, which include devices for toileting and bathing assistance.

To further address the safety and emotional needs of seniors living alone, more robots are being developed. For instance, a smart elderly care robot created by a tech company in Wuxi, Jiangsu, can remind seniors to take their medication, eat, and rest, while also providing services like news updates and online shopping.