A China-US youth choir festival that brought together nearly 30 choirs from both countries with over 1,000 participants opened on Thursday in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian Province, where Chinese and American representatives said they have continued to reach out to each other despite geopolitical headwinds.
They called on young people to build on the ties of Kuliang and help write a new chapter of friendship. If China and the US can find harmony and share their voices, we will be much stronger together, they said, the Global Times learned at the event.
Zhang Qingwei, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. Zhang noted that under the personal care and promotion of President Xi Jinping, the story of Kuliang continues to be passed down, brimming with vitality. He expressed hope that Chinese and American youth would join hands, using the bond of Kuliang as a link, cultural exchange as a bridge, and youth friendship as a driving force, to jointly write a new chapter of people-to-people friendship between China and the US.
Centered on the theme "Sing for Peace," the "Bond with Kuliang: 2025 China-US Youth Choir Festival" is co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and the People's Government of Fujian Province.
This choir week has drawn nine youth choirs from the US, including groups from Utah, Chicago, and Fuzhou's American sister city Tacoma in Washington State. Among them are the renowned Brigham Young University Select Singers Choir, the One Voice Children's Choir, and the Pure N Heart Choir.
Over the coming days, these talented young performers will light up Fuzhou with a vibrant lineup of activities, from surprise flash mobs on the streets of the city and a grand concert to campus visits, fostering heartfelt connections with local residents and students alike.
"With singing, we celebrate the uniqueness of everyone's voice. Each person's voice is like a fingerprint. No two voices are the same. But when we unite our voices, we realize that we're more powerful together," Carla Canales, US State Department Arts Envoy and American opera singer, told the Global Times at the event.
"I think that's really the philosophical lesson for US-China relations right now: we need to learn from these young students that are sharing their voices. If the US and China can find a harmony together, can find a way to share their voices together, then we actually are much stronger together. I really am very moved to see this example through the youth for the rest of us to follow," Canales said.
Echoing Canales, Yang Wanming, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, remarked, "The beauty of choral art lies in the harmony and blending of different voices, and even more so, in the spirit of unity and cooperation it embodies."
"China and the US differ in their histories, cultures, and paths of development. Though there are differences, there is no hierarchy of superiority or inferiority. Just as the different parts of a choir, each has their own vivid expression, only by listening to one another, responding to each other, and cooperating for mutual benefit can we achieve beauty in diversity and jointly sing the harmonious melody of human society," he said.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul held the 8th round of China-Germany Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy and Security in Berlin on Thursday local time. The Chinese diplomat calls on the two countries to build a more reliable, stable, and predictable comprehensive strategic partnership.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the European Union, and also ushers in a new decade for the all-round strategic partnership between China and Germany. China-EU and China-Germany relations now stand at a crucial juncture, where the past is being carried forward and the future is being forged, Wang said, according to a readout on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The Chinese top diplomat emphasized that sound development of China-Germany relations will not only promote the overall improvement of China-EU ties, but also contribute significantly to global stability and development. As the world’s second and third largest economies, China and Germany shoulder important international responsibilities and expectations. The two sides should work hand in hand to reaffirm mutual trust, consolidate cooperation, and deepen bilateral relations, Wang said.
In the face of a volatile international landscape, which is marked by rising protectionism, anti-globalization sentiments, and unilateral bullying, China and Germany must strengthen strategic communication and coordination, Wang noted.
The stability of China-Germany relations can provide much-needed certainty to the world. Both sides should jointly uphold and practice multilateralism, safeguard the international system with the UN at its core, defend the international order based on international law, and maintain the basic norms of international relations underpinned by the UN Charter, he noted.
Together, China and Germany should strive to build a more reliable, stable, and predictable all-round strategic partnership, Wang said.
China-Germany relations have remained stable and resilient through the ups and downs of the international landscape. The most important lesson from this steady development is the adherence to mutual respect, seeking common ground while shelving differences, and pursuing win-win cooperation. This is the fundamental logic underpinning the continued growth of China-Germany ties. China and Germany differ in historical backgrounds, cultures, and social systems, and such differences are natural, Wang said, noting that what matters is enhancing mutual understanding and trust, and approaching divergences with calmness and reason.
China places great importance on its relations with Germany in the context of its overall diplomacy, and appreciates the new German government’s constructive and rational approach to developing ties with China. Just as China unconditionally supported Germany’s reunification, we hope the German side will, in turn, support China’s efforts toward complete national reunification and adhere strictly to the one-China principle, Wang said, noting that as a key member of the EU, Germany has played a positive role in advancing China-EU relations. We hope Germany will continue to make constructive contributions to the development of these ties.
Germany is willing to be a reliable and predictable cooperation partner for China. In a world full of crises and challenges, it is crucial for Germany and China to maintain close communication and coordination, the German Foreign Minister Wadephul said, per the readout.
The two countries share a long history of exchanges and a solid foundation for partnership. There is consensus on many issues, and at the same time, both sides are able to handle differences and disputes with mutual respect and a constructive attitude. Germany looks forward to deepening exchanges with China and strengthening bilateral cooperation, Wadephul said. The German government remains firmly committed to the one-China principle, he noted.
Following the dialogue, the two foreign ministers met with reporters together and called this round of the dialogue comprehensive, pragmatic, candid, and constructive.
The meeting enhanced mutual understanding and expanded areas of consensus between the two sides, and both parties agreed that the China-Germany all-round strategic partnership should continue to develop along the right track of mutual respect, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and achieving mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, according to another readout released by the Chinese foreign ministry.
And the two sides agreed to enhance exchanges and deepen cooperation to jointly accomplish three key tasks including consolidate the foundation of bilateral relations, enhance the quality of bilateral cooperation and uphold multilateralism.
China welcomes German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to China later this year, and both sides have agreed to hold the 8th round of China-Germany inter-governmental consultation at an early date. On Taiwan question, to ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, it is imperative to firmly oppose “Taiwan independence” and avoid sending any wrong signals to separatist forces, Wang said.
Strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation is a strategic choice for both countries, serving as the “ballast stone” of bilateral ties and aligning with the German government’s focus on economic development, Wang said. The two sides also had in-depth discussions on respective economic and trade concerns and agreed to establish a more stable, predictable, and trustworthy policy framework for practical cooperation.
On the China-EU relations, there are currently attempts to undermine China-EU relations — by exaggerating specific issues, securitizing economic and trade matters, or clinging to ideological bias against China while wrapping oneself in a cocoon of disinformation. However, denying past achievements only clouds one’s vision for the future, and failing to respect the efforts of predecessors amounts to denying one’s own present, Wang said.
Wang emphasized that the tide of the times and the momentum of progress are unstoppable. China-EU relations will only move forward — they will not stagnate, and even less so regress.
China’s policy toward Europe has always maintained stability and continuity. China firmly supports European integration, supports Europe’s pursuit of strategic autonomy, and supports Europe in playing the role of a key pole in a multipolar world, the Chinese top diplomat said.
Regardless of whether Europe is in times of prosperity or adversity, China’s policy has never changed. No matter how the international or European landscape evolves, China’s position remains consistent, Wang said.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk is now seeking advice from his followers on social media X that "When & where should we hold the inaugural American Party congress? This will be super fun!" after his announcement on Saturday that "the America Party is formed to give you back your freedom."
"Independence Day is the perfect time to ask if you want independence from the two-party (some would say uniparty) system," Musk wrote in the post announcing a poll he launched earlier in the week that showed strong support for a new political force. More than 65 percent of the 1.2 million respondents backed the idea.
Responding to the results on Saturday, Musk wrote, "By a factor of 2 to 1, you want a new political party and you shall have it! When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy."
Musk also wrote on his X post that "One way to execute on this would be to laser-focus on just 2 or 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House districts."
The move follows the passage of President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, which cuts electric vehicle incentives and increases federal spending. These are measures that Musk, whose company Tesla benefits from EV subsidies, has opposed, Xinhua reported.
Lü Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday that "Musk and President Trump have now split due to deeper conflicts over industrial interests, and the core clash lies in their policy differences. Musk vehemently opposes Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, which prioritizes protecting the US' traditional fossil fuel industries, whereas Musk seeks to solidify his standing in the industrial sector by riding the wave of new energy.
If Musk chooses to get involved in any competitive congressional races in 2026, it could make a significant difference in a close contest, CNBC News reported.
There was no immediate comment from US President Donald Trump or the White House on Musk's announcement, according to multiple media reports.
From a legal standpoint, Musk is ineligible to run for president, but there are no barriers under US law to him forming a new political party, Lü noted. Given his financial resources, he could swiftly establish a national party. Musk's objective is clear - while he may not yet be eyeing the 2028 presidential election, the 2026 midterms are just around the corner. If his new party fully commits to the race, even securing just two Senate seats and 10 House seats could position it as a decisive minority capable of tipping the balance of power.
In the short term, his goal aims at weakening the influence of Republican Party in next year's midterms. His long-term ambition, however, aims at reshaping the US' two-party system, as he views the current political structure not only incapable of addressing national crises but also exacerbating social inequality and moral decline, Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times.
"While US law poses no barriers to forming a new party, the real challenge lies in operationalizing it, and how to leverage political influence within the constraints of a two-party system and produce tangible impact," Li stressed.
It's unclear to what extent Musk has taken steps to legally form the party, which would be required to register with the Federal Election Commission. The most recent FEC filings showed no indication that has happened, according to CNN.
Expert noted that if Musk's plan gains traction, it would heighten the uncertainty of the 2026 midterms but it is unlikely to fundamentally disrupt the two-party system. After a century of development, both Republicans and Democrats maintain overwhelming advantages in public mobilization, organizational infrastructure and resource consolidation, Li noted.
Consequently, Musk's party is more likely to serve as a "balancer" by leveraging influence in closely contested races rather than replacing either establishment party, expert noted. For Americans who feel politically homeless in the current system, this new force may offer an alternative identity and choice. Yet it is crucial to recognize that politics remains an arena of hard-nosed calculations and entrenched systems cannot be uprooted by idealism alone, Li said.
When asked to provide specific examples of the Philippine's former senator Francis Tolentino's misconducts that led to Chinese sanctions, and further details as well as the reasons behind the sanctions, following an earlier announcement the same day by the Chinese Foreign Ministry that China had decided to impose sanctions on him, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated on Tuesday that the website of Chinese Foreign Ministry had already published the decision to impose sanctions as well as the relevant details, which you can refer to.
"I have nothing more to add. I want to stress that actions that harm China's interests will inevitably come at a cost," said Mao.
China's top diplomat Wang Yi on Wednesday met with European Council President António Costa. Wang called for enhancing understanding and mutual trust, adding that the more severe and complex the international situation becomes, the more China and Europe need to strengthen unity and coordination, firmly serving as stabilizing forces in a turbulent world.
China and the European Union (EU) are due to hold their 13th Strategic Dialogue on Wednesday in Brussels, according to an EU press release and local media reports.
During his meeting with European Council President António Costa on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that at the beginning of this year, President Xi Jinping had a phone call with Costa, marking the start of the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and EU.
Both sides agreed to uphold the partnership, pursue mutually beneficial cooperation, safeguard multilateralism and properly handle differences, setting the direction for China-EU relations, Wang said.
Wang said that China views Europe as a key pole in a multipolar world and maintains consistency and stability in its Europe policy. Regardless of Europe's circumstances, China firmly supports European integration and welcomes the EU's efforts to enhance strategic autonomy and play a greater role on the international stage.
China is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with the EU, prepare for the next leaders' meeting, and open up new prospects and inject new momentum into the comprehensive strategic partnership, Wang added.
Wang said that today's world is intertwined with changes and upheaval, with unilateralism and acts of bullying severely impacting the international order and rules. As two major powers and two major economies, China and Europe adhering to dialogue and cooperation prevents the formation of bloc confrontations; China and Europe choosing openness and mutual benefit ensures that the tide of economic globalization will not be reversed; China and Europe jointly practicing multilateralism keeps the world from descending into chaos.
The more severe and complex the international situation becomes, the more China and Europe need to strengthen unity and coordination, firmly serving as stabilizing forces in a turbulent world. It is essential to truly respect each other's core interests, enhance understanding and mutual trust, and achieve mutual success to bring light to the world, Wang noted.
Costa said that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between EU and China, providing an important opportunity for further development of their relationship. Both Europe and China support multilateralism, and in a world with increasing uncertainties, both sides bear the responsibility to jointly send clear and strong signals on critical issues, injecting stability, confidence, and positive expectations into the world.
While there are differences between Europe and China, the European side is willing to work with the Chinese side in a spirit of mutual respect, to transcend differences, enhance understanding, and join hands in addressing global challenges. Europe looks forward to concerted efforts from both sides to ensure the success of the next Europe-China leaders' summit. The EU will continue to firmly adhere to the One-China policy, Costa said.
Wang is touring Europe from June 30 to July 6. He will make stops in Brussels at the EU headquarters before heading to Germany and France. Prior to the engagement with the bloc, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever met with Wang on Tuesday.
Marking the half a century of ties between China and the EU, Wang's visit, which includes not only the EU headquarters but also the bloc's two core member states, highlights that China-EU relations stand at a critical juncture. If both can properly manage existing issues, their relationship is poised to grow stronger and closer; failure to do so, however, risks triggering prolonged friction in areas such as trade and tariffs. At this pivotal moment, direct high-level engagement is particularly crucial, Zhao Junjie, senior research fellow at the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday.
The last high-level strategic dialogue between China and the EU took place in 2023. This meeting marks the first round of communication on strategic security issues and the macro-level framework of China-EU relations since the transition of the European Commission. It is expected that the Chinese side will adopt a more direct and candid approach to express its commitment to safeguarding shared interests, Dong Yifan, an associate research fellow at the Belt and Road Academy of Beijing Language and Culture University, told the Global Times.
Shifting global dynamics, particularly the Trump administration's "America First" policy, which has strategically sidelined Europe, have given the EU greater room to pursue strategic autonomy, Zhao said.
Yet, the future trajectory of China-EU relations remains fraught with uncertainties, the expert noted. On one hand, US influence is still disrupting Europe's policy choices. On the other, the rise of far-right forces within Europe could introduce new variables. Against this backdrop, the current high-level dialogue represents an opportunity to steer relations toward a more stable path, Zhao noted.
Ties between China and the EU are still facing a number of complexities, and over the past few months, the European Commission has been wavering on just how tough its stance on Beijing should be - a wobbly position that has left businesses scratching their heads, Euractiv reported.
The issue of rare earths has recently drawn widespread attention. The European side has complained that a decline in rare earth exports from China is affecting European businesses "very, very badly." During the G7 Summit in Canada, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen even brandished a rare earth magnet, accusing China of "weaponizing" rare earths and calling on "like-minded partners" to join forces to counter the so-called "China shock."
Yet in May, the EU leader said the bloc is "willing to deepen its partnership with China, strengthen exchanges and cooperation, uphold the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter, jointly tackle common challenges and promote world peace, security, prosperity and sustainable development."
Dong noted that while Europe recognizes its need for China amid global turbulence, it fails to objectively understand China, attempting to leverage various tools to maximize its own economic benefits. It reflects the insufficient communication between the two sides, and the China-EU high-level strategic dialogue presents a crucial opportunity to strengthen mutual understanding and trust.
The "Global Times Overseas China Week and Global South Dialogue: Seminar on Relations between China and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) countries, and the Mutual Perception of Public Opinion" were held in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, on Monday local time. Political, business, academic, think tank, and media circle representatives from China and Argentina gathered to engage in in-depth exchanges on deepening mutual understanding, strengthening the public support foundation, and promoting mutual learning among civilizations between China and LAC countries.
The Overseas China Week and Global South Dialogue series is an exchange platform for implementing Chinese President Xi Jinping's cultural thought and promoting dialogue among media establishments and think tanks from Global South countries. The hosting of the event in Latin America this time was a proactive effort to practice the Global Civilization Initiative and promote the construction of a China-LAC community with a shared future.
The diversity of civilizations is the natural state of the world. As key members of the Global South, China and LAC countries share broad common interests and vast cooperation potential across numerous fields. At the Fourth Ministerial Meeting of the China-CELAC Forum held in May, President Xi profoundly stated, "Facts have shown that China and LAC countries are advancing hand in hand as a community with a shared future." He emphasized that China stands ready to join hands with LAC partners to launch five programs of solidarity, development, civilization, peace, and people-to-people connectivity, charting the course for building a China-LAC community with a shared future in the new era. During the seminar, more than 10 participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the survey on the mutual perception of public opinion. The discussions focused on three key topics: Mutual perceptions and public sentiment between China and Latin America, diverse drivers of positive China-LAC relations, and the role of media in shaping mutual perceptions.
The seminar, which was co-organized by the Global Times, CLACSO, and the Center for Chinese and Latin American Studies (CECLA), aimed to use media exchanges and think tank cooperation as a starting point to foster consensus through candid communication, continuously enhance people-to-people ties between China and Latin America, and cultivate strong public support for building a China-LAC community with a shared future. Fan Zhengwei, President and Editor-in-Chief of the Global Times:
Today, China and Latin America have entered a "fast track" of multi-channel and multi-level exchanges and cooperation in the humanistic sphere. The Global Times is committed to serving as a messenger for civilizational dialogue and mutual learning. This collaboration, which includes conducting a survey on the mutual perception of public opinion between China and Latin America and hosting the seminar, is a practical effort to build a bridge for scholars, the media, and societal figures from both regions to enhance exchanges and dialogue, provide intellectual support for advancing China-Latin America cooperation, and contribute to the future development of Global South countries. Wang Wei, China's Ambassador to Argentina:
Mutual respect and trust align with public aspirations, with people on both sides increasingly viewing each other as good friends and partners who treat each other with respect and equality. Mutually beneficial cooperation resonates with public opinion, and the consensus on advancing together and achieving mutual success has become widely shared among the Chinese and Latin American public. Solidarity and collaboration meet public expectations, as the peoples of both regions jointly uphold world peace, stability, and a multilateral trading system, with a growing willingness to push for reforms in global governance. Pablo Vommaro, General Director-elect of the Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLACSO):
We are convinced that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) can mean new cooperation opportunities to strengthen ties and promote exchanges based on mutual learning. For LAC countries, we have much to learn from China's experiences, such as in development and poverty alleviation, but we also know that China can learn from the experiences and the cultural, social, and natural diversities of the LAC. Jorge Taiana, General Director of Centro Internacional de Estudios Políticos (CIEP):
In the international and multilateral arena, there exists a significant number of institutions facilitating cooperation between the LAC and China. Initiatives launched by China, such as the BRI in 2013, are crucial for understanding specific cooperation between China and LAC countries. These efforts, among many others aimed at enhancing development quality, have laid the groundwork that fosters deeper collaboration. Gabriel Merino, Coordinator of the working group "China and the map of world power" at the CLACSO:
The LAC region has a historic opportunity to emerge as an autonomous actor in this increasingly multipolar and transitioning world, moving beyond its former role as the "backyard."
The perceptions and opinions of Chinese and Latin American people reflect a growing closeness despite obstacles, challenges, and external pressures, forming a solid foundation to deepen development cooperation, reduce inequalities, and jointly work toward a more just, democratic, and equitable new world order. Patricio Conejero Ortiz, Director of the Latin America-China Observatory (OLAC) at University of Buenos Aires:
Currently, young Argentine scholars show a higher interest in learning Chinese, with the main motivation stemming from positive expectations for future career development. Strengthening Chinese language training and optimizing the construction of academic exchange platforms between China and Latin America will be key measures to promote the continuous deepening of bilateral understanding and cooperation. Daniel Filmus, Director of the Ibero-American Center for Research in Science, Technology, and Innovation (CIICTI):
It is essential to review public and media discourses on current relations with China, overcoming the inherited stereotypes from the Eurocentric and North American perspectives that are still dominant in our region.
In the field of science and technology, we can contribute to generating new representations that align with the current consolidating bond and to energizing the understanding of Chinese culture from its central role in scientific and technological production. Alejandra Conconi, Executive Director of the Argentine-Chinese Chamber of Production, Industry and Commerce:
In a global learning process, thousands of executives and technicians leave China for the first time each year and arrive in Latin America, while thousands of Latin Americans begin to engage with a society that still feels distant to them.
In the business sphere, we work to build concrete bridges that improve communication and understanding, convinced that all forms of trade and cooperation are processes that lead to peace and friendship among nations. María del Carmen Alarcón, Coordinator of the Sovereign Foreign Policy Commission at the PATRIA Institute:
The BRI, launched by China, is a model project capable of promoting inclusive growth, especially for countries of the Global South. We have been going through turbulence, but we continue to work toward discussing and solidifying the construction of a multipolar, fair, and orderly world. China plays a very important role in this process, as it provides a factor of certainty amid the change.
Nicolas Schonfeld, Executive Director of Televisión América Latina (TAL):
Public media - beyond merely amplifying official narratives - are called upon to weave meaning, to link diverse perspectives that, while preserving their identity, can recognize each other through exchange. They are tasked with building new forms of empathy.What we propose is to create conditions for Chinese and Latin American narratives to meet, engage in dialogue, and mutually transform. Néstor Restivo, Founder and Journalistic Director of DangDai Magazine:
The world is undergoing a transition in the global power system. China and Latin America, as part of the Global South, are participating in the construction of what is to come. The democratization of communication - exposing those who feign press freedom to uphold an unjust and unequal order - will be an essential task, just as vital as laying new foundations for an information and communication system that serves the people, their liberation, and their happiness.
China and Ecuador signed a cooperation plan on promoting the Belt and Road Initiative in Beijing on Friday.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Ecuadorian counterpart Daniel Noboa witnessed the signing of the inter-governmental document after their meeting at the Great Hall of the People.
A Chinese envoy on Friday called for international efforts to promote talks to ease Israel-Iran tensions.
As the Israel-Iran military conflict enters its eighth day, it is distressing to see the conflict has resulted in a large number of civilian casualties and damage to facilities on both sides, said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.
If the conflict escalates further, not only will both sides suffer greater losses, but regional countries will also be severely affected, he warned.
Israel's actions violate international law and the norms of international relations, jeopardize the sovereignty and security of Iran, and undermine regional peace and stability. China unequivocally condemns this, he told an emergency meeting of the Security Council.
At this critical juncture, the international community should further forge consensus and make every effort to promote talks to ease tensions, he said.
Fu said there must be an immediate ceasefire and an end to the fighting. The use of force is not the right way to resolve international disputes. It will only exacerbate hatred and conflict. The sooner a ceasefire is in place, the less damage will be done. The situation in the region cannot be allowed to slide into an unknown abyss, he said.
"The parties to the conflict, Israel in particular, should cease fire as soon as possible to prevent the situation from escalating and to avoid any spillover of the fighting."
He stressed that the safety of civilians must be ensured.
The red line for civilian protection in armed conflict must not be crossed at any time, and the indiscriminate use of force is unacceptable. The parties to the conflict must strictly abide by international law, resolutely avoid harming innocent civilians, refrain from attacking civilian facilities, and facilitate the evacuation of third-country nationals, he said.
The current conflict has interrupted the negotiation process on the Iranian nuclear issue. The attacks on multiple Iranian nuclear facilities set a dangerous precedent and could have catastrophic consequences, said Fu. "We must not waver in the general direction of a political settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue, and we must persist in returning the Iranian nuclear issue to the track of a political solution through dialogue and negotiation." China welcomes the talks in Geneva between the Iranian foreign minister and his counterparts from Britain, France, Germany, as well as the EU foreign and security policy chief, said Fu.
The Israel-Iran conflict has led to a sudden escalation of tensions in the Middle East, and has had a serious impact on global security. Recently, the foreign ministers of 21 Arab and Islamic countries issued a joint statement, calling for a ceasefire, resuming talks on the Iranian nuclear issue, and maintaining lasting peace in the region. China fully supports the statement, he said.
The international community, especially major countries with special influence on the parties to the conflict, should make efforts to cool down the situation, rather than doing the opposite, said Fu.
The Security Council, as the primary body responsible for maintaining international peace and security, should play a greater role in this regard. China supports the council in taking necessary actions in a timely fashion, he said.
China stands ready to continue to strengthen communication and coordination with all relevant parties, build synergies, uphold justice, and play a constructive role in restoring peace in the Middle East, said the Chinese ambassador.
When asked about Iran's parliament reportedly endorsing closing the Strait of Hormuz and about China's comments and whether China has held talks with Iran regarding the issue, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday that the Persian Gulf and its surrounding waters are vital channels for international goods and energy trade.
Safeguarding security and stability in the region serves the common interests of the international community, the spokesperson said. China calls on the international community to intensify efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent regional instability from having a greater impact on global economic development, Guo said.
When asked whether China has raised or plans to raise the issue with Iran, and how China intends to play a role in mediation after Reuters reported that US Secretary of State Macro Rubio on Sunday called on China to encourage Iran to not shut down the Strait of Hormuz, Guo said on Monday that he has answered the question about the Strait of Hormuz earlier and that China has maintained communication with Iran on the current situation.
A few days ago, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, and China is willing to strengthen communication with Iran and other relevant parties to continue to play a constructive role in promoting de-escalation of the situation, the spokesperson said.
Seven Chinese departments, including the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), Ministry of Public Security, have jointly issued a new regulation governing terminal devices that connect directly to satellite services, aiming to further promote and regulate the healthy development of direct satellite connection services for terminal devices, safeguard national security and the public interest.
Direct satellite connectivity for terminal devices has become an emerging trend in the global mobile communication field, with products and services rapidly gaining popularity and attracting widespread attention, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) said on Wednesday.
The regulation provides guidelines for terminal devices connecting directly to satellite, covering equipment, service and management, supervision, and legal responsibilities, the Administration noted.
The regulation will come into effect on June 1, 2025.
Terminal equipment [covered in this regulation] refers to civil handheld terminals, portable terminals, fixed terminals, and terminals mounted on vehicles such as aircraft, ships, and vehicles that can connect to satellite communication systems for voice, text, or data transmission, according to the CAC.
Direct satellite service for terminal equipment refers to using such devices to connect directly to communication satellites via wireless signals, without intermediary devices, for voice, text, or data transmission, the related official from the CAC said.
The official further explained that the purpose of the regulation is to promote and standardize the healthy development of terminal devices connecting directly to satellite services.
It highlights "the dual emphasis of both development and security, combining innovation with governance in accordance with law," the official added.
The regulation also specifies support measures for the research and development of direct satellite connection technology for terminal devices, infrastructure construction, integrated innovation, application ecosystem, standard formulation, and talent cultivation.
The regulation supports research on terminal devices direct satellite connection technology, promote the integrated development of satellite communication and ground mobile communication, explore new applications and business models for technological integration, and build a comprehensive industrial ecosystem.
The regulation encourages the use of direct satellite connection services via terminal devices to expand China's network coverage and promote applications in disaster prevention and relief, workplace safety, field operations, and search and rescue.
The regulation also support the lawful development and utilization of relevant data and encourage equal, mutually beneficial international cooperation.
Additionally, the regulation emphasizes that providing direct satellite connection services for terminal devices within China must obtain proper permits and approvals, and comply with obligations related to network security, data protection, and illegal content management.
Service providers must obtain licenses and approvals under applicable laws and administrative regulations, and only connect to satellite communication systems that operate legally within China, according to the official.
Regarding international communications, the service must be conducted through international communication entry and exit points approved by the State Council's telecommunications authority, the official added.
