Path to peace lies beneath our feet; strength will not bring true peace: Chinese foreign minister

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday criticized the notion of "might makes right," questioning where rules and justice stand under such logic at a joint press conference in Paris with his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot. “Strength will not bring true peace; it may well open 'Pandora’s box'. How should countries lacking strength, especially small and medium-sized ones, find their place? Are they to be laid out on the table, left at the mercy of others?” said Wang.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, is visiting Europe from June 30 to July 6, at the invitation of High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the EU Kaja Kallas, Federal Foreign Minister of Germany Johann Wadephul, and Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Noel Barrot.

Responding to questions about China's stance on the Iran nuclear issue and the current situation in the Middle East, Wang said that the Iran nuclear issue could have been a model for resolving international disputes through dialogue and negotiation. However, it has now triggered a new round of crisis in the Middle East. Despite hearing the knock of peace, the door to peace remains shut. China deeply regrets this outcome and believes there are profound lessons to be learned.

Wang reiterated China's clear and consistent position on the Iran nuclear issue. “We value the repeated public commitments made by Iranian Supreme Leader that Iran will not develop nuclear weapons, and we also respect Iran’s right, as a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), to the peaceful use of nuclear energy,” he said. 

Based on this, relevant parties should accelerate negotiations to reach a new international agreement on resolving the Iran nuclear issue, placing Iran's nuclear activities fully under the strict supervision and safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Wang said. 

He emphasized that the path to peace lies beneath our feet, and history will question the sincerity of all parties involved.

The Chinese foreign minister said that military conflicts between Israel and Iran should not be repeated as war cannot resolve the Iran nuclear issue, and preemptive strikes lack legitimacy. The excessive use of force will only escalate conflict and breed more animosity, warning that the US’s brazen bombing of a sovereign country's nuclear facilities has set a dangerous precedent and if it leads to a nuclear disaster, the entire world will bear the consequences.

Wang also emphasized that the genuine resolution of the Iran nuclear issue cannot ignore the core issue in the Middle East, which is the Palestinian question. The humanitarian disaster in Gaza must not be allowed to continue. The Palestinian issue must no longer be marginalized. The legitimate aspirations of the Arab nation should be fulfilled as soon as possible, and the just voices of the broader Islamic world must be given due attention.

The "two-state solution" remains the only realistic path to resolving the chaos in the Middle East, and the international community should take more concrete and effective action to support this goal, Wang said.

Wang called for China and France, both as permanent members of the UN Security Council, to uphold justice and take responsibility by supporting conflict resolution through dialogue and negotiation, opposing double standards, and basing their positions on the merits of the matter itself. The UN and its Security Council should play their due role in promoting peace. China is willing to work with France to make unremitting efforts toward these goals.

Chinese FM spokesperson responds to French intelligence claims regarding Chinese embassies sowing doubts over Rafale jets

In response to a reporter's question about an AP report about French intelligence services claiming that after the India-Pakistan conflict in May this year, China used its embassies abroad to spread doubts about the performance of French-made Rafale fighter jets, aiming to undermine their sales, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday that she is not aware of the situation. 

Wetland monitoring helps transform a migratory stopover

On the southern bank of the Minjiang River estuary in Fujian province, a sprawling wetland sanctuary is proving indispensable to one of nature's great journeys.

The Minjiang River estuary wetland, encompassing roughly 2,382 hectares of protected land, has become a critical stopover post on the arduous East Asian-Australasian migratory bird flyway.

Its significance was formally recognized in 2022 when it was designated a Wetland of International Importance. For years, its value has been measured in the wings of countless birds finding refuge and food within its boundaries. Serving as a vital ecological hub, it supports biodiversity and safeguards endangered species along this crucial avian migration route.

Among the conservationists on the frontline is Guo Pingping, a dedicated member of the scientific monitoring division of the Minjiang River estuary wetland national nature reserve. Her daily work involves meticulous field surveys and protection measures, ensuring safe passage and habitat for the region's migratory guests.

"The Minjiang Estuary Wetland is a critical station for migratory birds and a home to many rare and endangered species," Guo said. "Migratory birds are the best indicators of whether the wetland is well protected and the ecosystem is improving."

The birds are indeed signaling positive change. Guo's data revealed notable population increases. Compared to 2021, counts of shorebirds, geese and ducks, and gulls recorded in 2024 surged by approximately 23 percent, 13 percent and a remarkable 198 percent respectively.

Furthermore, significant numbers of terns are now utilizing the wetland to complete essential life activities -- feeding, mating and breeding, a testament to its improving ecological health and value.

Years of continuous scientific research, including a major investigation from 2022 to 2023, have mapped the migration patterns and habitat preferences of the waterbirds. This sustained effort has yielded tangible results -- the recent survey documented over 70 more bird species than a similar one conducted in 2011.

This flourishing biodiversity underscores the wetland's improving condition. The area is now home to 1,378 species of wild animals and plants, with notable environmental improvements and balance of the local wetland ecosystem.

Whenever migratory birds glide freely over the wetland, or a new species is found breeding within its bounds, Guo feels proud and rewarded. As a woman working in ecological monitoring, Guo believes her perspective brings distinct strengths.

"The meticulousness, perseverance, and empathy help identify subtle issues in conservation work and offer solutions that are more humane and considerate," she said. "I hope my journey encourages more young women to pursue their passions with courage and determination." 

BRICS countries play a constructive role in de-escalating Middle East situation: FM spokesperson

When asked for comment on the "BRICS Joint Statement on the Escalation of the Security Situation in the Middle East Following the Military Strikes on the Territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran," issued by the BRICS Chair, Brazil, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that the BRICS countries are a progressive force in maintaining world peace and stability, as well as upholding international fairness and justice. 

In response to the current tense situation in the Middle East, the BRICS countries have issued a joint statement calling for a ceasefire, urging dialogue and consultation, while playing a constructive role in de-escalating the situation in the Middle East, Guo noted. 

"In the face of rising tensions with unpredictable consequences for international peace and security, as well as for the world economy, we underscore the urgent need to break the cycle of violence and restore peace. We call on all parties to engage through existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy, with a view to de-escalating the situation and resolving their differences through peaceful means," the statement said.

China is willing to work with the BRICS countries to continue making efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Middle East, Guo added.

Chinese FM and MND spokesperson reject NATO Secretary General's manipulation of China-related issues

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.

Boy rushes back to finish meal mid-quake; father teaches ‘lesson of life’

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.

Chinese researchers set new world record for flat-top pulsed magnetic field

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 meets Indian National Security Advisor

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.

Xi stresses pooling strength of working class for rejuvenation of Chinese nation

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.

Chinese envoy criticizes US of hyping S.China Sea issue at Security Council debate

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.