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The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy recently held a joint naval exercise with the Egyptian Navy in the Mediterranean Sea, with observers on Wednesday highlighting the PLA Navy's strides toward blue water operations and the deepening of friendships with its foreign counterparts.

After completing a five-day friendly visit to Egypt, the Type 052D guided missile destroyer Jiaozuo and the Type 903A comprehensive replenishment ship Honghu of the PLA Navy's 46th escort task group embarked from the Egyptian port city Alexandria on Monday local time and held a joint maritime exercise in the Mediterranean Sea with the Egyptian side, the PLA Navy said in a press release on Wednesday.

The joint exercise took place in waters to the north of Alexandria, as the Jiaozuo and the Honghu joined forces with the Egyptian Navy's FREMM multipurpose frigate Al-Galala and carried out training courses including communications coordination, formation maneuvering and maritime replenishment positioning, the PLA Navy said.

During the drill, the two navies' ships took turn to command in close coordination, and successfully completed all scheduled trainings before holding a flotilla separation ceremony, according to the PLA Navy.

During the Chinese warships' visit in Alexandria from August 15 to Monday, sailors from the two sides visited each other's vessels and took part in activities including professional exchanges and soccer friendly matches, as the visit significantly promoted exchanges between the two navies and deepened friendship between the two countries, the PLA Navy said.

Before visiting Egypt, the two Chinese naval vessels visited St. Petersburg in celebration of Russia's navy day, after which they held a joint exercise with the Russian Navy in the Gulf of Finland in late July, according to the PLA Navy.

The PLA Navy vessels' consecutive visits to Russia and Egypt and joint drills with them show deep friendships and high levels of pragmatic cooperation, a Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Observers noted the long distance the Chinese warships have sailed. The 46th escort task group set out from South China's Guangdong Province in February and conducted escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia, before sailing all the way to St. Petersburg and then Alexandria on the return voyage.

It reflects that the PLA Navy is capable of operating in distant waters for extended periods, the expert said, highlighting the PLA Navy's progress in its pursuit of building a blue-water navy.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will visit China from August 27 to 29, Chinese Foreign Ministry announced Saturday, and the two sides will hold a new round of China-US strategic communication. 

Observers said maintaining open communication channels at a high level between China and the US is crucial to avoiding misunderstandings in the current complex China-US relationship. The visit to China, the first by Sullivan, will also provide an opportunity to discuss urgent issues of concern and manage differences. 

Sullivan's visit is at the invitation of Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced on Saturday. 

The Financial Times described the visit as "part of a broader effort to stabilize the relationship between the two superpowers."

Sullivan's upcoming visit comes only months before the US presidential election. 

During recent discussions on drug control and financial stability, the overall atmosphere between the two countries was calm, with a focus on addressing specific and practical issues. However, tensions remain elevated due to actions taken by the Biden administration in areas such as economic and trade policies, in addition to national security. These actions have had a detrimental effect on the relationship between the two countries, Lü Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. "We may now find it very difficult to rely on a national security advisor to ease ties." 

However, China will remain open for discussion as long as it is conducive to developing situation in a stable direction.

Maintaining open communication channels at a high level between China and the US is crucial in preventing misunderstandings, and the visit will provide an opportunity to discuss pressing issues and address differences promptly, accurately, and effectively, Li Haidong, a professor from the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times.

As two major global powers, China and the US maintain that high-level visits are crucial for stabilizing the expectations of other countries. This is particularly true regarding the current and future development order and the handling of transnational issues, Li noted. 

Li believed that China will express core concerns to the US during Sullivan's visit. The US persistently interferes in China's internal affairs, including issues related to Taiwan and human rights. Recently, on the South China Sea issue, the US has been encouraging the Philippines to provoke tensions, reflecting its ulterior motive to create problems for China, Li said.

Such behavior clearly violates the basic principles of international relations and the UN Charter. The US defines its relationship with China as one of competition, which clearly goes against the objective reality that neither side can do without the other or change the other, Li said. 

In areas such as drug trafficking, climate change response, and the maintenance of the non-proliferation system, there may be progress, but whether both sides will have very practical measures to stabilize their strategic relationship remain to be seen, Li said. 

"The most important thing is to look at the actual actions of the US. The US talks big, but its actions could be very disappointing."

Wang Yi and Sullivan have met four times over the last year and a half, according to a recent AFP report. 

An official from China’s delegation for the Paris Olympic Games clarified rumors about the Chinese team bringing self-installed air conditioning and their own mattresses at an online press conference held Wednesday.

Zhang Xin, the secretary-general of the Chinese Olympic delegation, said that the Olympic Village can provide mobile air conditioning rental services. The delegation will consider renting based on the weather conditions. It is not true that the team had their own air conditioning installed, and it is also not true that the delegation brought their own mattresses, Zhang said, according to Xinhua News Agency.

The Chinese delegation and nearly 20 teams have already settled in the Olympic Village. Zhang said that at every Olympic Games, the International Olympic Committee and the event organizing committee provide excellent services for athletes from around the world. 

“Compared to previous Olympic Games, the accommodation and dining conditions, living environment, training, competition, venues, and transportation services in the Paris Olympic Village all have their own characteristics, but the basic standards remain consistent,” Zhang said.

Rumors about Chinese athletes in the Olympic Village installing their own air conditioning units and bringing their own mattresses are false. Each delegation is assigned accommodation with different cooling systems, and the Olympic Village provides rental services for portable air conditioners.

“It is not true that we brought over 300 air conditioners with us. The Olympic Village can provide portable air conditioning rental services, and the delegation will assess the weather conditions and the need for air conditioning,” said Zhang. If necessary, the delegation may consider renting portable air conditioners for specific teams, according to Zhang.

Regarding the rumors of bringing their own mattresses, Zhang said that there are a few athletes or staff members who may have their own sleeping habits, or they may be staying in official hotels outside the village. In order to better serve the athletes, they sometimes prefer to sleep on the floor in the village, so will prepare mattresses. 

“Interpreting one mattress as the entire delegation bringing their own mattresses, which is also inaccurate,” Zhang noted.

Chinese athletes “are not delicate flowers in a greenhouse, they can actively overcome various challenges and make timely adjustments. Currently, each team is focusing on pre-match training and preparing for the competition seriously,” Zhang said. 

Chinese gymnasts Zhang Boheng and Xiao Ruoteng won silver and bronze medals in the men's individual all-around final in gymnastics at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Thursday. This is likely Xiao's final Olympic appearance, as he bid farewell to the Paris Games in a post that night.

During the all-around final, team captain Zhang made an error on the first apparatus, the floor exercise. Commentators noted that the mistake was likely due to fatigue rather than technical issues.

For all-around athletes, the nearly three-hour competition across six pieces of apparatus is physically draining.

Despite the early setback, Zhang performed exceptionally well on his subsequent rotations. Although he staged a remarkable comeback, Zhang had to settle for silver, being beaten out for the gold by Japanese gymnast Oka Shinnosuke by the slimmest of margins.

Regarding his upcoming individual events, Zhang said, "Enjoy the competition, and there is nothing to regret. Life is about looking forward."

"I approach this as my final all-around event and final high bar routine in my Olympic career," Xiao stated before the final.

In 2016, Xiao was unable to compete in the Rio Olympics due to an elbow injury.

Xiao was set to retire after the Tokyo Olympics, but he continued through another Olympic cycle despite injuries to pursue his Olympic dream.

At the Tokyo Olympics, Xiao and his teammates won a bronze medal in the men's team event. He also secured a silver in the men's individual all-around final and a bronze in the men's floor exercise.

Unfortunately, at the Paris Olympics, he once again fell short of an Olympic gold medal and may not have another chance.

"I hope the spirit of facing difficulties and challenges, never giving up, and persevering until the end can help you!" This is the message Xiao aimed to convey in his farewell post to the Olympics.

Chinese weightlifter Luo Shifang wins women's 59kg gold at Paris 2024

China's deep-sea manned submersible Jiaolong conducted a deep-diving operation in Western Pacific Ocean on Sunday, with foreign scientists involved for the first time. 

Experts said the move indicated a new phase in China's deep-diving scientific research as well as its inclusive global mind-set. 

A scientific expedition team on board research vessel Shenhai Yihao (meaning Deep Sea No.1) arrived at the first operation site in the Western Pacific Ocean on Saturday around 10 pm Beijing time, according to a Xinhua News Agency report on Sunday.

According to Xinhua, Xu Xuewei, chief scientist of the mission, along with crew members Qi Haibin and Zhang Yi, completed the first dive at 11 am on Sunday Beijing time, signifying the successful completion of the 300th dive of Jiaolong.

According to Xu, the team is scheduled to conduct its mission in the Magellan Seamounts in the Western Pacific Ocean, which is regarded as a priority area for future deep-sea biodiversity conservation.

It is an incredible accomplishment to complete deep-diving operations in the Western Pacific Ocean given the sea conditions there, Yu Xingguang, a research fellow at the Third Institute of Oceanography of Ministry of Natural Resources, told the Global Times on Sunday. This proves that China's deep-diving scientific research has ushered into a new phase.

Xinhua said that Jiaolong is scheduled to make 18 dives to collect deep-sea organisms, seawater and sediments, so as to deepen the understanding of the unique ecosystems and environments of seamounts.

Yu noted that Jiaolong enjoys favorable capabilities, combined with its rich experience in deep-sea exploration. Jiaolong's significance, therefore, lies in its potential to contribute to the protection of biodiversity and marine ecosystems.

Tang Dongmei, a senior official of the Ministry of Natural Resources, said at the launch ceremony on Saturday that the China-led Digital Deep-sea Typical Habitats Program had gained the support and participation of 39 countries, Xinhua reported.

As the first international voyage under the program, the expedition also involves scientists from Canada, Spain, Colombia and other countries and regions, according to Xinhua.

This shows how the team members from different countries and regions can share experiences and learn from each other, and demonstrates that China's deep-diving research serves as an international research platform, emphasizing China's open-mindedness to scientific development, Yu said.

The UK government had given its consent to the Chinese government to purchase the Royal Mint Court in London for the use as the new Chinese embassy premises, and the embassy personnel are in the process of applying for planning permission, the Chinese Embassy in the UK responded on Thursday to media reports that China has resubmitted its planning application for the new embassy project to the Tower Hamlets Council. 

Some British media outlets reported on Saturday that China has revived plans to build a "super embassy" just miles from Westminster in London, and called it "an early test of the new government's approach to China." 

In response to media reports, a spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy in the UK said on Thursday that the Chinese government purchased the Royal Mint Court in London six years ago for use as the new Chinese embassy premises. The UK government had given its consent to this. Now the Embassy is in the process of applying for planning permission, said the spokesperson. 

According to media reports, the new embassy will be built on the former Royal Mint Court site near the Tower of London, covering a total area of about 576,000 square meters. 

The Chinese government reportedly bought the land for roughly $327 million in 2018 but had an initial proposal rejected in 2022 by the Tower Hamlets Council citing safety and security concerns. The proposal was then set aside after China failed to appeal in time, according to media reports.

On Thursday, the Chinese Embassy spokesperson said that the resubmitted planning application has taken into full consideration the UK's planning policy and guidance as well as opinions of all relevant parties, putting forward a high-quality development scheme. 

The Chinese Embassy in the UK is committed to promoting the friendship between the Chinese and British people and the development of bilateral relations between the two countries. Building the new embassy at an early date would help embassy staff better perform such responsibilities, the spokesperson said. 

The spokesperson also noted that host countries have the international obligation to support and facilitate the building of the premises of diplomatic missions. Both China and the UK have the need to build a new embassy in each other's capital, and the two sides should provide facilitation to each other, the spokesperson said. 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday, discussing the situation in the Middle East and Russia's role in de-escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. 

Analysts said Abbas' visit is to discuss the ongoing Gaza crisis and the intensifying spillovers, especially the conflict between Iran and Israel, while on the other hand, Russia's impact on Hamas may be constructive to strengthen the unity of Palestinian factions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized on Tuesday that Russia remains attentive to developments in Palestine despite the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, media reported.

"Of course, we are watching with great pain and anxiety the humanitarian catastrophe that has unfolded in Palestine. For our part, we are doing everything to support the Palestinian people," Putin said in a meeting with Abbas.

Putin reaffirmed Russia's commitment to a peaceful resolution.

"We believe that lasting, stable peace in the region requires full implementation of all United Nations resolutions, particularly for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state," he said.

Moreover, the Russian president added that they have sent tons of cargo of various kinds. 

Abbas expressed appreciation for the longstanding Russian-Palestinian cooperation, saying that his nation has benefited from Russia's support over the decades.

"Due to US pressure, the UN was unable to fulfill its mission of providing a solution or adopting a resolution that would secure the rights of the Palestinian people," said Abbas, Anadolu news agency reported. 

The meeting between Abbas and Putin came amid concerns over the aggravation of the conflict following Israeli's assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran on July 31. Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps on Sunday reiterated Iran's determination to retaliate against Israel, while the Israeli side vowed it would attack preemptively before Iran's promised action. 

According to Liu Zhongmin, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has become more complex, as it involves multiple levels of conflicts, not just between Israel and Hamas, but also between the Israel-US camp and Iran-Iranian backed resistance forces. 

Liu said the Abbas' visit to Russia was designed to garner more diplomatic support for Fatah, but the core concern of his visit is likely to be the conflict between Iran and Israel.

Abbas previously said the purpose of Haniyeh's assassination is to "prolong the war and expand its scope," which has a "negative impact on the ongoing negotiations to end the aggression and withdraw Israeli troops from Gaza," Al Jazeera reported. 

On August 5, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met with the visiting Secretary of Russia's Security Council Sergei Shoigu in Tehran. During the conversation, the Iranian president said that Iran in no way sought to widen the scope of the conflict and crisis in the West Asia region, but that Israel would definitely receive a response to its "crime and insolent" move.

"If the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, or even triggers a large-scale conflict, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict will become more complicated and more difficult to solve," Liu said, noting that Abbas is hoping that Russia could wield its influence on Iran to cool the current situation.

On the other hand, Liu said Abbas may also be seeking Russia's help in boosting unity within different factions in Palestine. 

Amid intensive and fruitful exchanges and cooperation between China and South Pacific island nations, Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka is scheduled to visit China from Monday until August 21. Analysts said the visit shows that the two countries are actively seeking closer ties and opportunities for cooperation.

During the visit, leaders of the two countries will have in-depth exchanges of views on China-Fiji relations and important issues of mutual interest, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday.

Fiji is the first Pacific island country to have established diplomatic ties with China. Over the 49 years of diplomatic ties, China-Fiji relations have continued to make new progress, with fruitful outcomes in exchanges and cooperation in various areas, bringing benefit to the peoples of both countries, the ministry said. 

Through Rabuka's visit, China hopes to take the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development to a new level and work with Fiji to build an even closer community with a shared future between China and Pacific island countries, stated the ministry.

During this upcoming visit, we can expect increased cooperation in addressing climate change and economic development given that South Pacific countries place great importance on those areas, Chen Hong, director of the Australian Studies Center at the East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Sunday.

Additionally, in areas such as new energy and desalination, China has advanced technologies that can directly translate into economic benefits for the South Pacific, which is exactly what these regional countries need, Chen noted.

Citing the previous China trips by some other Pacific island nation leaders who not only traveled to Beijing but also to other places in China, the expert predicted that the Fijian prime minister may also follow the same approach during his visit to conduct an in-depth bilateral interaction with China, indicating their desire to not only engage in dialogue and cooperation at the government level but also to deepen bilateral cooperation comprehensively.

While cooperation with China has brought tangible benefits to South Pacific island countries and their peoples, some politicians and media outlets from the US and some of its allies including Australia are trying to slander the cooperation.

For example, they tried to defame and mislead a policing cooperation between China and Fiji, citing the backdrop of a tussle for influence between China and the US in the Asia-Pacific.

After reviewing a policing cooperation deal with China for a year, Fiji in March decided to maintain the cooperation although Pacific Islands countries (PICs) are facing mounting pressure from some former colonial powers such as the US and Australia.

The police cooperation between China and PICs is rooted in the strong demand of those countries, Chen commented. The restored cooperation shows that the motivation behind the police cooperation is selfless and can genuinely help improve local social security, which will contribute to creating a favorable business environment for Chinese-funded enterprises and Chinese businesspeople in the area, representing a tangible mutual benefit, Chen added.

"Due to the long history of colonial rule by Western countries, the colonizers focused solely on exploitative governance, neglecting the well-being, economy and public governance of the local population. After these island nations gained independence, they were left with a mess in terms of governance and economy, often struggling to effectively address social security issues. In such circumstances, South Pacific island countries hope for cooperation from China," the expert said.

However, cooperation in social security has been misconstrued by the US-led West as a national security issue. 

Chen stressed that China has no military presence in the South Pacific island countries. Those former colonial powers including the US and Australia hope to firmly control the region politically, economically and in terms of security, reflecting a hegemonic mentality.

South Pacific island countries have no interest in getting involved in major power competition, experts said.  

For example, Fiji appeals to seek to strike a delicate balance between China and the US and its allies.

AFP reported Friday that during a visit to Australia last October, Rabuka said "Fiji's position is very clear. We are friendly with China, now, and the US, always, and do not want to be caught in the struggle between the superpowers."

With an ambitious zero-emission vehicle sales target, Canada needs to face up to the competitiveness of Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) and is advised to value and encourage the participation of Chinese EV makers, rather than erecting trade barriers that dampen their enthusiasm for the Canadian market.

Chinese EV maker BYD is looking to enter the Canadian automotive market, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing a regulatory document filed recently.

Separately, according to a report by Automotive News, BYD recently hired lobbyists to advise it on entering the Canadian market to sell passenger EVs, establishing a new business and responding to the possible imposition of EV tariffs.

As China's leading EV manufacturer, BYD's plan to enter the Canadian market showcases its confidence and optimism toward this market. Although Canadian officials are considering imposing tariffs on EVs imported from China, BYD's efforts indicate that it believes the Canadian market has promising growth potential and business opportunities. 

This confidence may stem from Canada's heightened emphasis on environmental protection, its ambitious 100 percent EV sales target and rising demand for EVs.

It is no secret that Canada is committed to achieving 100 percent zero-emission vehicle sales by 2035, including interim targets of at least 20 percent by 2026 and at least 60 percent by 2030, as announced in Canada's 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan. 

But carmakers in Canada appear doubtful about the targets. According to a Bloomberg report in June, executives at Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co expect that consumers will switch to EVs if they are more affordable, meet their range needs and are supported by sufficient charging infrastructure. But those conditions haven't been met. Under such circumstances, BYD's entry could be paramount for Canada to achieve the target. 

It would be regrettable if Canada were to replicate the US decision to impose new tariffs on EVs imported from China without considering the potential long-term benefits.

Given Canada's close relationship with the US, it is understandable that much of Canada's economic and trade policy has come under pressure to align with that of the US. But is it necessary for Ottawa to do it on all aspects and at the expense of its own economic interests?

For a country where the consumer market for EVs is still developing, putting up trade barriers will mean higher EV prices, increasing the economic burden of consumers and curbing consumer demand for and acceptance of green vehicles.

The US is a prime example. Demand for EVs in the US has grown more slowly than expected, according to media reports. Relatively high costs and insufficient charging facilities have impeded the growth of the US EV market, leading to multiple automakers scaling back production plans. This is a clear illustration of the detrimental effects that protectionism has had on the domestic industry.

Moreover, the protectionist approach conflicts with Ottawa's high hopes for the development of the EV industry. The Canadian government has signed agreements with automakers such as Honda Motor and Volkswagen to make EVs, batteries or components in Ontario, Canada's most populous province.

Some may believe that imposing new tariffs on Chinese EVs may prompt Chinese automakers to invest in Canada, instead of just selling cars. However, the problem is that the political implications behind the potential new tariffs could be magnified, which would be sufficient to weaken investment confidence among Chinese automakers.

If Canada were to follow the protectionist path of the US in the EV sector, it should carefully examine the problems facing the American EV market and be prepared to accept the even worse consequences of replicating American protectionist practices. 

China strongly opposes trade protectionism. If Canada continues to erect barriers, it will ultimately harm its own interests. China will protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.

Canada's ambitions for EV development are in line with the global trend toward sustainable transportation solutions. In this context, despite geopolitical undercurrents, it is crucial for Ottawa to remain strategically rational and keep an open mindset when it comes to formulating relevant trade policies, so as to avoid restricting natural competition and undermining Canada's appeal as a promising market.

Thanks to the collaborative efforts, China-Canada economic and trade relations are progressing steadily. It is imperative that we continue to enhance our cooperation, not backslide it.