Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday said that China and the European Union should uphold openness and cooperation, and properly manage differences.
Xi made the remarks when meeting with President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, who are here for the 25th China-EU Summit in Beijing.
History and reality show that interdependency is not a risk, and convergent interests are not a threat, Xi noted, pointing out that boosting competitiveness should not rely on building walls or barriers, as decoupling and severing supply chains will only result in self-isolation.
Xi said that "reducing dependency" should not lead to reducing China-EU cooperation. The bilateral economic and trade relationship, which is by nature complementary and mutually beneficial, can indeed achieve dynamic equilibrium through development, he said.
China's high-quality development and opening-up will provide new opportunities and potentials for China-EU cooperation, Xi noted, calling on both sides to strengthen green and digital partnership, and boost mutual investment and cooperation.
It is hoped that the EU can remain open in trade and investment market, refrain from using restrictive economic and trade tools, and foster a sound business environment for Chinese enterprises investing and operating in the EU, Xi stressed.
In 2025, a series of high-profile technology conferences in China, including the International Advanced Air Mobility Expo and the 2025 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, have drawn significant attention from global media, attracting numerous foreign delegates and exhibitors eager to explore China's advancements in AI and the burgeoning low-altitude economy.
The International Advanced Air Mobility Expo is held in east China's Shanghai from July 23 to 26, where nearly 300 exhibitors display their low-altitude infrastructure as well as manufacturing and supporting services, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
During the event, over 30 forums were organized, making it a focal point for the low-altitude economy sector this year. The expo showcased a vibrant and diverse landscape. New energy and intelligent industries, represented by drones and electric vertical takeoff and landing applications, shone brightly, with numerous renowned companies participating.
Leading enterprises in traditional general aviation from both China and abroad also gathered at the expo to display their latest achievements. Additionally, the event highlighted the deep integration of new technologies, materials, energy sources, and innovative finance with the low-altitude industry.
At the venue, a welcoming string ensemble intertwined with a drone "flash mob" performance, creating a spectacular fusion of technology and art. The Shanghai Services Federation, in collaboration with Shanghai Handong Machinery Technology, illuminated the night sky with a three-minute drone formation performance.
In terms of practical applications, the expo comprehensively showcased low-altitude products and solutions across various scenarios, including public safety, firefighting, emergency response, aerial mapping, agricultural and forestry protection, and drone formation performances.
As a new productive force and a strategic emerging industry, the low-altitude economy has received significant national attention in recent years, having been included in the Chinese government's work report for two consecutive years since 2024. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China also outlined clear requirements for its development. Against this backdrop, the 2025 Expo actively responded to national strategies, establishing a high-level dialogue platform with an international perspective.
On July 23, the 24th China Internet Conference opened in Beijing. Themed "Data-Driven New Quality, Intelligence-Created Future," this conference focused on accelerating the qualitative leap of internet technologies. Artificial intelligence, as a strategic technology leading the new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation, has become a key driver of new productive forces. In recent years, the rapid evolution of AI technology has injected new momentum into various industries, continuously fostering new business models and promoting a more intelligent, efficient, green, and sustainable society, analysts said.
Meanwhile, the 2025 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai has also garnered global attention. A spokesperson of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Thursday that the theme of this year's conference is "Global Solidarity in the AI Era." China has invited high-level representatives from over 40 countries and international organizations.
We hope that participating parties will have in-depth discussions on three major topics, namely deepening innovation cooperation and unleashing the intelligence dividend, promoting inclusive development and bridging the digital divide, and strengthening collaborative governance and ensuring AI for good, said the spokesperson.
Under global gaze, China and the United States are set to hold a new round of economic and trade talks in Sweden.
At a time of growing global uncertainties and instability, efforts by the two countries to foster dialogue for consensus and seek mutually beneficial outcomes not only align with their common interests but also respond to the expectations of the international community.
In recent months, China and the United States have worked to bring their trade relations back on track after a period of strain. This encouraging progress highlights a fundamental truth: deepening communication to enhance understanding, reduce misperceptions, and expand cooperation are vital to ensuring the healthy, stable and sustainable development of bilateral ties.
After the economic and trade talks in Geneva, the two countries have significantly reduced bilateral tariff levels. Following the economic and trade talks in London, the two sides have maintained close communication, confirming the details of the framework established in London and advancing its implementation. China has reviewed and approved applications for the export of eligible controlled items in accordance with the law, and the United States has removed a series of restrictive measures imposed on China early July.
These concrete steps have sent positive signals of growing trust, helping to spur a recovery of bilateral trade.
Data from China's General Administration of Customs showed that following positive progress in recent economic and trade talks in Geneva and London, trade between the two countries recovered to over 350 billion yuan (about 49 billion U.S. dollars) in June from less than 300 billion yuan (about 42 billion dollars) in May.
The essence of China-U.S. economic and trade relations lies in mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. While China approaches the new round of economic and trade talks with sincerity, it will firmly uphold its principles and core interests.
The path from Geneva to London has been far from smooth. Long-standing differences and tensions between the two sides remain, and resolving them will take time. China welcomes deeper dialogue, but is also fully aware of the long-term, complex and challenging nature of bridging gaps between the two countries.
However, the presence of disagreements does not preclude the possibility of identifying areas of shared interest on key issues, nor does it prevent the two sides from demonstrating the responsibility expected of major countries.
The upcoming round of economic and trade talks represents a pivotal opportunity to inject much-needed stability and confidence into the global economy. Despite challenges ahead, managing differences and seeking cooperation through dialogue remains the only viable path forward.
Only by upholding equality and respecting each other's concerns can China and the United States achieve a truly win-win outcome.
Chinese President Xi Jinping laid out the overall requirements, key principles and priority tasks for urban work at a key conference held in Beijing from Monday to Tuesday.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech at the Central Urban Work Conference, which was also attended by members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi.
China, a traditionally agricultural country, has seen its urbanization pick up after the reform and opening-up drive began in the late 1970s. More than a decade ago, the country's urban population exceeded the rural population. By 2024, the proportion of permanent urban residents had risen to 67 percent.
From 2013 to 2024, China created more than 150 million new urban jobs.
The meeting said that since the Party's 18th National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee has adhered to developing cities of the people, for the people, and by the people. Historic achievements have been made in urban development, it added.
China's urbanization is shifting from rapid growth to stable development, and urban development is shifting from a stage of large-scale expansion to one focused on improving the quality and efficiency of existing urban areas, it noted.
The meeting outlined the overall requirements for urban work at present and for the foreseeable future, including the construction of modern cities of the people that are innovative, desirable to live in, beautiful, resilient, culturally advanced, and smart, thereby forging a new path for urban modernization with Chinese characteristics.
Greater emphasis must be placed on adopting a people-oriented approach, fostering distinctive features, enhancing governance capacity, and strengthening coordination, according to the meeting.
Key priorities for urban development include optimizing the modern urban system, building vibrant cities powered by innovation, and creating comfortable and convenient living environments, as well as promoting green, low-carbon, and beautiful urban spaces, according to the meeting.
The priorities also include enhancing urban safety and resilience, fostering cities that uphold moral integrity and social civility, and advancing the development of convenient, efficient and smart cities, the meeting said.
The meeting emphasized that building modern cities for the people requires strengthening the overall leadership of the CPC over relevant work.
Li Qiang delivered a concluding speech at the meeting.
In response to remarks by the nominee for US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz, who claimed on Tuesday that China's growing influence in the organization will be "top of mind" for him if he is confirmed for the position, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday that these remarks reflect the typical ideological bias and Cold-War and zero-sum mentality of some US politicians.
"We urge the US to view China and this bilateral relationship objectively and rationally, and make concrete effort to promote the steady, sound and sustainable development of China-US relations, instead of doing the opposite," Lin said.
Waltz, a retired Army Green Beret and former Republican lawmaker from Florida, is one of the last major Trump nominees awaiting likely confirmation by the US Senate. He appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday as part of that process. Waltz repeated long-held US criticisms of the UN that Washington pays too much into the 193-member world body, that it is anti-Israel and that China is building too much influence, according to a Reuters report.
"We have to block and tackle Chinese influence," Waltz said. "America must have a strong voice and, if confirmed, I'll work with Secretary [of State Marco] Rubio to challenge this influence."
Waltz also called it "absurd" that China, the world's second-largest economy, was still "treated as a developing nation" and that most UN agencies continued to give the country favorable status, according to the South China Morning Post.
Waltz was Trump's national security adviser until he was ousted on May 1 after he was caught up in a March scandal involving a Signal chat among top Trump national security aides. Trump then promptly nominated Waltz as his UN ambassador, Reuters reported.
Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, dismissed Waltz's remarks, saying that they reflect an obsession with great-power rivalry.
Driven by anti-China mindset, some US politicians smear any efforts that boost China's global influence or benefit the international community, Li noted, adding that they have brought toxic US political tactics into the UN, fueling a relentless campaign to demonize China.
The latest remarks by Waltz once again underscore how Washington's approach diverges sharply from the expectations of most countries. Some US politicians continue their efforts to politicize and weaponize the UN, fostering division and alliance-based rivalry. This is an approach that poses a serious threat to the UN's role as a platform for multilateral cooperation and global governance, Li told the Global Times.
Li said the UN needs reforms that serve the security and well-being of all nations, promote global stability and prosperity, and uphold the principles of inclusiveness, mutual benefit, and respect. Some US politicians, however, clearly have a different agenda. He noted that they aim to reshape the UN into a vehicle for advancing the US' own interests, imposing its will and asserting its dominance, thereby turning the organization into a platform for bloc politics and geopolitical confrontation.
On Tuesday, Waltz also "reiterated US support" for Taiwan's "meaningful participation" on the global stage. However, Waltz also noted that the US has long committed to a one-China policy and that "unless directed otherwise, that is the policy I will execute if confirmed as ambassador to the UN," according to the South China Morning Post report.
Waltz's remarks on the Taiwan question once again lay bare some US politicians' hypocrisy. While claiming to uphold the one-China policy, they continue to try to elevate Taiwan island's "international profile" and deepen ties, treating the island as a geopolitical pawn. This double standard is both self-contradictory and deceptive, Li said.
The call for Taiwan's "participation" in international affairs is merely a pretext to undermine the one-China principle, fueling division and confrontation and increasing the risk of regional and global instability, the expert said.
Since July, the number of high-temperature days in the Huanghuai, Jianghuai, Jianghan, and Jiangnan regions of China has generally ranged from five to eight days, with some areas experiencing continuous high temperatures for nine to 13 days, the People's Daily reported on Thursday, citing data from the China Meteorological Administration (CMA).
On Thursday morning, the National Meteorological Centre (NMC) continued to issue an orange alert for high temperatures. It is expected that during the day of Thursday, most areas from the Guanzhong of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province to the south of the central and western parts of the Huanghuai region, most of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and the western part of North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region is expected to experience temperatures above 35 C.
In the past two days, this round of high temperatures entered its peak phase, with 1,400 national meteorological observation stations in 29 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) recording temperatures above 35 C, said the CMA.
The maximum temperatures in Xi'an, Xianyang, Baoji, and other locations in Shaanxi exceeded 42 C, while the Dongkan National Meteorological Observation Station in Turpan, Xinjiang recorded temperature of 45.7 C.
Over the past two days, maximum temperatures at eight national meteorological observation stations broke historical records, according to the CMA. In the first week of July, more than 100 national meteorological observation stations across the country broke nighttime temperature records. For example, in Jinan, East China's Shandong Province, the daily minimum temperature stood at 29 C, the administration said.
Against the backdrop of global warming, the baseline temperatures in most regions of the country have already risen by over 2 C. Compounding this effect is the stable high-pressure system formed by the merging of subtropical and continental warm highs - also known as a "heat dome," Sun Shao, a senior researcher at Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday.
Once a heat dome develops, areas under its influence are prone to prolonged and extreme high temperatures, Sun noted.
In addition, the frequency of extreme temperatures related to climate change has increased, significantly exacerbating the negative impacts on human health, according to a Chinese research team.
In response, local governments have implemented measures to cope with the heat.
Such as in Yuncheng, North China's Shanxi, the local city environmental sanitation department intensified the spraying efforts on the roads to suppress dust and lower the temperature. The local city service stations are open to the public for free 24 hours a day, where outdoor workers can go to the service stations at any time to replenish water, escape the summer heat and rest.
The meteorological observatory of Shanxi predicts that on Thursday, the high-temperature weather will continue, with the highest outdoor temperature in some areas of southern Shanxi reaching 42 C, according to China Central Television.
According to the forecast of the NMC, in the coming week, high temperatures above 35 C will persist in southern and central parts of north China's Hebei Province, Huanghuai, Jianghan, Jianghuai, Jiangnan, Guanzhong, and the Sichuan Basin, with the maximum temperature in some areas reaching 39 to 42 C. The heatwave is expected to ease starting from July 21.
A one-year-old police dog from the Chuxiong Public Security Bureau's police dog base in Southwest China's Yunnan Province recently helped locate an 80-year-old man who had gone missing in the mountains, following a search operation that lasted over 30 hours.
An 80-year-old man from Sanjie town failed to return for an extended period after going up the mountain to collect firewood, prompting his family to report to the police for help. In response, the local police dog base dispatched an experienced trainer along with four police dogs in a joint rescue effort. Among them was Barton, a one-year-old police dog, The Paper reported.
Days of continuous rainfall had left the mountain paths muddy and slippery, with extremely low visibility. Coupled with the complex and hazardous mountain forest terrain, the search operation faced considerable challenges.
During the mission, Barton sustained a foreleg injury when accidentally pierced by sharp branches while navigating dense underbrush. His trainer Li Xiaohua administered emergency treatment before resuming the search.
About 35 hours later, at the sound of Barton's bark, the rescue team spotted the elderly man in a deep ravine, the Paper reported. Police officers successfully rescued him and conducted a preliminary examination, confirming he was in stable physical condition.
Barton was born on May 20, 2024, and transferred to the police dog base for training in September of the same year. He passed the assessment and officially started duty at the start of 2025, The Paper said.
Though only one year old, Barton is a seasoned veteran, having participated in 43 search and rescue missions and successfully rescued six people, according to the report.
China will launch the "Digital South" initiative under the framework of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), and over the next five years, will host 200 training programs on the digital economy and artificial intelligence (AI) for countries of the Global South, Premier Li Qiang announced during the plenary sessions of the 17th BRICS Summit, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
On Monday and Tuesday local time, Premier Li attended the second and third sessions of the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro and delivered speeches on key topics including strengthening multilateralism, artificial intelligence, environmental and climate change, and global health. Leaders of BRICS member states, partner countries, guest nations, and representatives of international organizations attended the meetings, according to Xinhua.
The current international economic and trade order and the multilateral trading system are under severe strain, and the global economic recovery remains challenging, Li said, noting that the Greater BRICS cooperation should uphold its founding purpose, meet the needs of the times, safeguard and practice multilateralism, promote the establishment of a fair and open international economic and trade order, and unite the strength of the Global South to make greater contributions to global stability and development, according to Xinhua
He emphasized the need to open up new blue oceans for economic growth by expanding cooperation in emerging areas such as the digital and green economies, leveraging AI to empower a wide range of industries and benefit countless households, and helping Global South countries enhance their capabilities.
China will host 200 training programs in digital economy and AI for Global South countries over the next five years. China also welcomes all countries to attend the World Artificial Intelligence Conference to be held in China this July, Li said, according to Xinhua.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Wednesday that China and Egypt, as important members of the Global South, should further strengthen strategic coordination to safeguard their common interests, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
Li made the remarks after landing in the Egyptian capital Cairo for an official visit to the Middle East country, Xinhua said.
This visit comes at a critical moment as the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership entered its second golden decade. As such, the visit is expected to deepen China-Egypt cooperation across political, economic, strategic, and cultural dimensions, and to further advance the building of a shared future between the two nations, a Chinese expert said.
Through the visit, China hopes to work with Egypt to carry forward our traditional friendship, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, advance China-Egypt relations toward the goal of building a community with a shared future for the new era, and build a China-Arab community with a shared future at a higher level, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, told a recent press conference.
On one hand, economic and trade cooperation is expected to upgrade from traditional infrastructure development to a full industrial chain collaboration focused on new quality productive forces, Song Wei, a professor at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Wednesday.
In the past, China and Egypt have engaged in deep cooperation in infrastructure, with China supporting the establishment of economic and trade cooperation zones and industrial parks in Egypt. Looking ahead, China will strengthen cooperation in areas such as new energy and high-tech industries in response to Egypt's needs for industrial transformation and digital economic development, Song noted.
In recent years, China and Egypt have jointly achieved several "firsts": Chinese companies constructed Africa's tallest skyscraper in Egypt, built Egypt's first electrified light rail, and supported Egypt to become the continent's leading fiberglass base. Chinese technology has also enabled Egypt to become the first African country with full satellite assembly and testing capabilities, Xinhua said.
Ahmed Moustafa, an Egyptian economist and director of Asia Center for Studies and Translation, told the Global Times on Wednesday that this visit is expected to strengthen economic ties between the two countries. "Discussions will focus on advancing their comprehensive strategic partnership, established in 2014, and aligning Egypt's Vision 2030 modernization plan with China's Belt and Road Initiative," Moustafa said, noting that the collaboration could lead to significant projects in renewable energy, high-speed rail construction and other infrastructure developments.
There are some key areas of cooperation including energy and technology, infrastructure development, trade and investment, culture exchange, he said. For instance in energy and technology, the two countries could enhance collaboration in renewable energy, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to drive sustainable growth.
The China-Egypt partnership has significant implications for the Global South, the Egyptian economist said. The partnership demonstrates a model for mutually beneficial collaboration between developing nations, enhances economic and security cooperation in the Middle East and Africa, and contributes to the development of new infrastructure and industries in Egypt and beyond, Moustafa said.
The China-Egypt cooperation model offers valuable insights for Global South countries, Song said. Their exploration of de-dollarization through local currency settlement and technology transfer represents a path toward independent development free from external dependency. This model embodies the spirit of equality, mutual benefit and coordinated development, setting a positive example for international development cooperation, she noted.
Within the BRICS framework, closer China-Egypt cooperation contributes to advancing global financial governance reform and enhancing the representation and voice of Global South countries in international affairs, Song told the Global Times.
"Also, their collaboration in addressing regional hotspots and global climate challenges highlights the constructive role such partnerships can play, underscoring both the current feasibility and future potential of Global South nations working together to tackle shared challenges," she added.
When asked to comment on reports that an Irish regulator helping to oversee EU data privacy has launched an investigation into TikTok over the alleged "transfer of European users' personal data to servers in China," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday that the Chinese government attaches great importance to and protects data privacy and security in accordance with the law. It has never and will never require enterprises or individuals to collect or store data in illegal ways.
According to Reuters, the new inquiry by TikTok's lead regulator in the EU, as its European headquarters is located in Ireland, will look specifically at the storage of data in China.
"China hopes that the European side will earnestly respect the principles of market economy and fair competition and provide a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for enterprises from all countries," Mao said.
Recently, European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen made several accusations against China on issues related to market access, subsidies, government procurement, export controls, and overcapacity in a speech.
In response, He Yongqian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), on Thursday sharply rebuked the criticisms, calling the EU's allegations on overcapacity, market access and other issues "unfounded."
"In fact, the relevant remarks made by the EU leader do not truly reflect the current state of China-EU economic and trade relations, nor do they reflect the positive progress made in the dialogue and communication between the economic and trade authorities of the two sides," He said.
The MOFCOM spokesperson also urged the EU to view bilateral economic and trade relations without emotion and prejudice, with fewer accusations and more communication, less protection and more openness, less anxiety and more action, and less labeling and more consultations.
China is willing to work with the EU to mutually expand two-way market access, strengthen dialogue on government procurement and export controls, deepen supply chain cooperation, and promote WTO reforms, in a bid to inject more stability, certainty, and positive energy into building an open world economy, He said.
