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Wu Yankun, chairman of Kunshan Zhongka Agricultural Products Trading Co, has just returned from a visit to Kenya organized by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT). 

"It was a very fruitful visit," Wu told the Global Times on Thursday, as the company has initiated a procurement plan for 1,000 tons of Kenyan coffee beans. During the visit, the company also established links with 10 Kenya-based coffee enterprises on site, with four agreeing to send samples and pursue deeper cooperation, and two planning to visit Kunshan, East China's Jiangsu Province in the near future. 

Wu also held in-depth discussions with the CEO of the Kenya Coffee Board and multiple relevant departments on specialized topics, including the joint establishment of a Kenyan coffee tasting center, the promotion of coffee trade, and industrial chain cooperation. These engagements aim to drive the formation of practical and tangible cooperation outcomes, Wu added.

Wu is one of a delegation of Chinese entrepreneurs organized by CCPIT to Kenya and South Africa in late March. 

Taking advantage of China's forthcoming implementation of zero tariffs on 100 percent of tariff lines for African products, the visit aims to promote practical economic and trade cooperation between China and South Africa, and to "turn China's vast market into major opportunities for Africa," the Global Times learned from CCPIT.

Effective May 1, China will implement zero tariffs on 100 percent of tariff lines for products from 53 African countries with diplomatic ties. This policy covers all product categories, with no quota restrictions or additional political conditions, according to China's Foreign Ministry.

The new policy also marks a further expansion of the existing tariff arrangement, under which China, since December 1, 2024, has granted zero-tariff treatment to 100 percent of tariff lines for products from 33 least developed African countries with diplomatic ties to China.

Observers say the move will strengthen China-Africa economic cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), helping Africa shift exports from raw materials toward high value-added products. Such a win-win cooperation model also offers the world a paradigm of equality, mutual benefit, and common development, they said.

Unlocking the Chinese market

Shang Xiangmin, co-founder and vice president of Chagee Holdings Limited, is also among a Chinese business delegation visiting Africa in recent days. The Global Times learned that the company, well known for its fresh milk tea products, has carried out field research on local tea varieties, processing techniques, prices, and production capacity during the visit.

During the visit, the Chinese retailer held discussions with five tea factories, whose main products are black tea, with some also producing white and oolong tea. The Chinese company will continue to follow up on these opportunities. 

Likewise, more African agricultural products are now bracing for new opportunities in the vast Chinese market - driven by the zero-tariff arrangement, the country's rising middle-income group and a consumption upgrade trend.  

On March 23, the first export consignment under the zero-tariff arrangement was officially flagged off at the Standard Gauge Railway Terminus in Nairobi, Kenya. The consignment contained fresh avocados, avocado oil, hides and skins, coffee, and green beans, according to a statement on the website of Kenya's Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry. 

North African country Morocco will launch the "Morocco Pavilion" in Chinese e-commerce platform JD.com in June, aiming to establish an official online destination for Moroccan products, a consultant at the Moroccan Embassy in Beijing told the Global Times on Thursday. The pavilion mainly sells cosmetic products, clothing such as leather bags and shoes, as well as processed sardines and exotic fruit products, and will introduce more specialty products of Morocco such as wine in the future.

Toumert AI, former general secretary of the China-Morocco Friendship Association and secretary general to the Morocco-China alliance of innovation, told the Global Times on Thursday that under the zero-tariff policy, Africa's export expansion to China will likely move beyond raw materials toward high-potential and high-value-added categories. 

For example, in line with China's growing middle-income demand for health, traceability, and authenticity, more African premium agricultural and food products will be exported to China, such as argan oil, olive oil, specialty coffee, cocoa derivatives, fish and processed foods, according to Toumert. He also cited examples of expanding exports such as semi-processed and value-added industrial goods, "particularly in sectors where Africa can leverage regional industrialization policies."

Diversified, value-added integration

Toumert noted that with the implementation of the zero-tariff policy, he expects the trade and economic relationship between China and Africa to move from "traditional resource-driven exchange" to "diversified, value-added integration," which is aligned with the blueprint of BRI high-quality development.

Yoro Diallo, a 2024 Recipient of the Chinese Government Friendship Award and former first counselor of the Embassy of Mali to Beijing, told the Global Times the further opening of the Chinese market will bring valuable export opportunities for millions of cotton farmers, mining workers, as well as Mali's agricultural and mineral products.

"Mali is a major cotton producer and the third-largest gold producer in Africa. Currently, Malian goods mainly enter the Chinese market through two major hubs of Yiwu, East China's Zhejiang Province and Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province. This is a direct result of the deepening cooperation between China and Mali under China's opening-up policy," he noted.

Analysts believe the zero-tariff initiative will act as a two-way opening channel. On the one hand, it enables African countries to expand their export scale and accelerate industrial upgrading and value chain enhancement. On the other hand, more high-quality African products — those with local processing capabilities and brand value — will enter the Chinese market with greater cost-effectiveness, further enriching consumer choices and achieving mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

The initiative will also resonate with other BRI flagship projects in Africa, including basic infrastructure projects such as roads, railways, bridges and electricity, as well as capacity-building platforms such as the Luban Workshop, analysts pointed out. This synergy will enable Africa not only to better serve its domestic market but also to accommodate and integrate more deeply into the global industrial chain.

As the capital city sheds its daytime bustle, rhythmic footsteps echo across a quiet track under the cover of night. This weekend, a group of unusual "runners" took to the course for adaptive training ahead of next week's half marathon event held in Beijing Economic-Technological Development Area (E-Town). 

However, these "runners" are not the human athletes, but the humanoid robots conducting real-world simulations to familiarize themselves with the race route.

The night drill, organized in Beijing E-Town, simulated the full competition process, including route navigation, scheduling coordination, multi-device collaboration, and emergency response. More than 70 teams participated, including four international entrants, with both autonomous-navigation robots and remote-controlled robots tested side by side, local authorities told the Global Times via a statement.

Now in its second edition, the event is widely regarded as the world's first humanoid robot half marathon. In last year's inaugural race, the Tien Kung Ultra robot, developed by China's National and Local Co-built Embodied AI Robotics Innovation Center, was crowned champion with a time of around 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Analysts note that the public expectations for this year's race have surged, fueled by a string of high-profile breakthroughs in embodied artificial intelligence (AI) since the beginning of 2026. From diverse humanoid robot performances at the 2026 Spring Festival Gala to advanced martial arts demonstrations and coordinated group control displayed by Chinese firm Unitree Robotics, the sector has captured widespread attention. Observers are now looking to the upcoming race for further "jaw-dropping" demonstrations of real-world capabilities.

Significant upgrade

Footage released by CCTV News on Sunday shows multiple robots accelerating rapidly from the starting line upon command. Engineers and maintenance staff had to follow on electric carts or motorcycles to keep pace. One robot was even seen smoothly navigating a turn before accelerating again to chase a competitor ahead.

Videos circulating on Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu reveal stark differences in robot designs, including variations in size, stride frequency, and arm movement used for balance. Some models lean forward with fluid arm swings, closely resembling human running posture.

The 2026 Beijing E-Town Half Marathon and Humanoid Robot Half Marathon will officially kick off on April 19. Compared with the last edition, the number of participating teams has surged nearly fivefold to over 100, with close to 40 percent competing in the autonomous-navigation category, according to Beijing E-Town.

The large-scale debut of autonomous navigation technology stands out as both a highlight and a key challenge. In complex and dynamic environments, robots must process real-time perception and decision-making tasks, placing enormous demands on computing power, said the statement by the local authorities. 

Competition rules have also been adjusted to favor autonomous systems. Autonomous teams are ranked based on actual completion time, while remote-controlled teams face a 1.2 coefficient penalty. Operators in the remote category are restricted from unnecessary intervention, with rules discouraging human accompaniment, in a clear push toward full autonomy, according to previous reports. 

Chen Jing, vice president of the Technology and Strategy Research Institute, told the Global Times on Sunday that this shift of competition rules marks a critical upgrade, with embodied AI moving from "remote-controlled puppets" in laboratories to autonomous "silicon-based agents" capable of operating in open environments. 

While remote control limits robots to pre-set trajectories, autonomous navigation enables them to function as general-purpose mobile platforms adaptable to real-world scenarios such as warehouse inspection, disaster response, and industrial manufacturing, according to Chen.

"The scaling of autonomous navigation signals that the 'brain' of embodied AI is finally catching up with the 'body,'" Chen noted, adding that the sector is approaching a commercialization inflection point.

Long-distance running imposes stringent requirements on robots' endurance, energy management, dynamic balance, and gait control. High-speed sprints and sharp turns further demand adaptive locomotion and millisecond-level posture correction. To encourage breakthroughs, the competition has introduced specialized awards in categories such as endurance, gait, design, and perception.

Some teams predict that finishing times could approach those of elite human runners, reflecting rapid gains in short-distance speed and overall system performance. Observers believe the targeted rule design will accelerate innovation in key areas such as energy efficiency, motion stability, and autonomous control, providing a precise boost to the embodied AI industry.

Running faster

On Saturday evening, Unitree Robotics announced a new world record in humanoid robot sprint speed via a video clip, which showed that its H1 robot reached a velocity of around 10 meters per second. The speed approaches the peak human sprint speed of 10.44 meters per second achieved by Jamaican legend Usain Bolt during his 9.58-second 100-meter world record.

Wang Xingxing, CEO of Unitree Robotics, previously said at the 2026 Yabuli Entrepreneurs Forum that humanoid robots could break the 10-second barrier in the 100-meter dash by mid-2026, potentially surpassing human limits, according to the Beijing-based Securities Times. The company has not yet confirmed whether it will participate in this year's humanoid half marathon competition.

Chen said the breakthrough signals a generational leap in power and control systems, driven by advances in dynamic motion algorithms, motor power density, and lightweight structural design. 

According to the video clip, the H1 robot features a combined thigh and calf length of 80 centimeters and weighs around 62 kilograms -parameters comparable to an average human. 

"Such specifications enable the robot to sustain an exceptionally high stride frequency while maintaining stability, effectively addressing the global challenge of bipedal robots being prone to imbalance at high speeds," Chen said. 

China's rapid progress in humanoid robotics is underpinned by its expanding industrial base. Data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) shows that by 2025, the country had more than 140 humanoid robot manufacturers, with over 330 models released.

Leveraging its manufacturing strengths, China is scaling up production while driving down costs. 

A production line in South China's Guangdong Province, built by Leju Robotics, has achieved an annual capacity of over 10,000 units, with a new robot rolling off the line every 30 minutes. In October 2025, Chinese robotics firm Noetix introduced its consumer-grade "Bumi" humanoid robot priced at 9,998 yuan ($1,464.27), accelerating consumer adoption.

To ensure healthy industry development, MIIT established a technical committee of Humanoid Robots and Embodied Intelligence Standardization in late 2025, followed by the release of the standard system for the humanoid robots and embodied AI on March 1, 2026, which marks China's first top-level framework covering the entire industrial chain and lifecycle, signaling a transition toward standardized growth. 

Against the backdrop of expanding application scenarios of humanoid robots, Chen emphasized that endurance races for humanoid robots such as half marathons are far from symbolic. They provide a dual test of peak performance and sustained operation under complex conditions, evaluating both speed and robustness.

"Different robot types are expected to serve distinct roles. Slower models are well suited for static scenarios such as warehouse inspection and guided tours, while faster, explosive humanoid robots could play critical roles in disaster response, hazardous material handling, and border patrol, where speed can be decisive," he said. 

As humanoid robots prepare to line up alongside human runners next week, the race is shaping up to be more than a technological spectacle; it is a high-stakes proving ground for the next phase of embodied AI commercialization, Chen noted. 

Since the eruption of the war, China has remained in communication with all relevant parties and has been actively promoting peace and preventing escalation of the war, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press briefing on Thursday, in response to media inquiry over the White House's claims that the US and China had high level talks on the Iran issue.

In response to another question asking does China believe Lebanon should be included in the ceasefire agreement that has already been reached, Mao said that China hopes all parties concerned will seize the opportunity of reaching this temporary ceasefire arrangement to resolve the dispute and extinguish the flames of war through political and diplomatic channels.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Tuesday criticized a recent hate rally targeting China in Seoul's Daerim-dong, saying such actions damage the country's reputation as a model democratic nation. He instructed relevant authorities to implement strong measures to prevent discrimination and human rights violations against migrant workers, foreigners and vulnerable groups, The Hankyoreh reported on Tuesday.

Speaking at a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan, Lee said, "Recently, hatred, discrimination, and violence against foreigners or the socially disadvantaged have often become an issue." 

Lee referred to the incident in Daerim-dong not long ago, where a hate rally in front of a Chinese diplomatic mission used abusive languages and violence that went beyond the boundaries of freedom of expression. 

"We should think about how the Republic of Korea would be perceived if such scenes occurred in another country... Such behavior is by no means befitting of Korea's status as a model democracy that values diversity and inclusiveness," Lee said.

Lee urged the authorities to prepare institutional safeguards if necessary to address such issues.

Prior to Lee's address, South Korean police had launched an investigation into the social group that recently insulted China during a demonstration near the Chinese Embassy in South Korea, the Yonhap News Agency reported on Sunday.

According to Yonhap, the Namdaemun Police Station in Seoul summoned members of the right-wing group "Freedom University," which supports former president Yoon Suk-yeol, to appear for questioning on Monday. 

At around 8 pm on July 22, the group held a rally near the Chinese Embassy in Seoul's Jung District, which it claims to be aimed at condemning election fraud. During the rally, they carried out unfriendly activities towards China, including insulting the Chinese embassy, Yonhap reported.

During a visit to The Hankyoreh on August 7, Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing expressed concern over the anti-China conspiracy theories propagated by some individuals in South Korean society. He emphasized that as important neighbors, China and South Korea should actively engage in exchanges and cooperation to continuously advance their friendly relations.

China has become one of the top risers in passport attractiveness in the past decade, climbing 34 places from 94th to 60th since 2015, an achievement that is "particularly impressive" thanks to its "significant move toward greater openness," according to the  Henley Passport Index, a widely followed ranking of global passports, in its annual release on Tuesday. 

Titled "Asian Nations Dominate Passport Power Ranking as US and UK Continue to Decline," the latest release suggests that Asian nations continue to lead the global mobility race, with Singapore holding the top spot as the world's most powerful passport, and Japan and South Korea sharing second place. A strong European contingent occupies the rest of the Top 5.

The Henley Passport Index is powered by exclusive Timatic data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and ranks all the world's passports based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without a prior visa.

According to the latest report, China has been at the forefront of a passport power shift. The fast rise of its passport power is "particularly impressive," considering that, unlike other top risers, China has not yet gained visa-free access to Europe's Schengen Area.

The Chinese Ministry of Public Security revealed in a press conference on Wednesday that during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), China expanded its visa-free transit policy to cover 55 countries. In 2024, the number of entries made by foreign nationals to China reached 32.539 million, with 20.115 million entries made under visa-free policies, marking year-on-year increases of 80.7 percent and 112.3 percent, respectively.

China's rise has been assisted by its significant move toward greater openness, the index said. As of May, China had signed mutual visa-exemption agreements with 157 countries, covering different types of passports. In November 2024, it extended the visa-free entry stay period to 30 days, per data released by Xinhua News Agency.

Under the latest visa facilitation policy, China's mutual visa-exemption agreement with Malaysia officially took effect on July 17, further expanding its visa-free travel arrangements. Also, starting on June 1, China's unilateral visa-free program was extended for the first time to Latin American and Caribbean countries, raising the number of countries given unilateral visa-free entry to China to 43. 

Once among the most powerful passports in the world, the UK and US now rank 6th and 10th, respectively. Notably, the US is now on the brink of exiting the Top 10 for the first time in the index's 20-year history, it said.

As of June 30, Chinese travellers visa applications for summer vacations on Trip.com Group, one of the largest online travel agencies in China, for European countries like Italy, Norway, and Germany have increased by over 80 percent compared to the same period last year. Short-haul destinations such as Japan and South Korea remain popular, with South Korea experiencing a nearly 50 percent year-on-year increase in summer visa applications, the Group told the Global Times on Wednesday.

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.