The Global Times Annual Conference 2025, themed, "Moving forward in Partnership: Resonance of Values between China and the World," is held in Beijing on Saturday. During a discussion on how to address the global security deficit, Kishore Mahbubani, distinguished fellow at the Asia Research Institute of the National University of Singapore and Singapore's former permanent representative to the United Nations, delivered a video speech stating that the West must adapt to a multi-civilizational, multipolar and multilateral world.
Mahbubani said that our world today is a troubled place, and the fundamental reason is that the world is experiencing three fundamental structural changes. The world is becoming multi-civilizational, multipolar and multilateral, he said. The multi-civilizational world is a natural result of the fact that we are moving away from the era of Western domination of world history. And we are seeing the return of many other civilizations especially in Asia, the Sinic, the Indic, the Islamic civilizations. While the US tries to stop the return and development of China, it cannot stop the return of such an old and resilient and strong civilization, Mahbubani emphasized.
Multipolarity is emerging because new powers are rising. Mahbubani believes that Russia is one of the great powers of the world, and the West must understand that 85 percent of the world's population have not imposed sanctions on Russia. The legitimate security interests of Russia must also be taken into consideration while also respecting international law, he noted.
Moreover, the world is becoming more multilateral, Mahbubani said. Regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, he said that the UN was constantly calling for a "two-State solution" between Israel and Palestine when the Cold War ended. The West had an opportunity to create a permanent two-State solution, it failed to do so. It allowed the problem to fester and grow, and so at some point, it had to explode, the scholar stressed.
Mahbubani believes that in the face of these conflicts, we have to find ways and means of bridging the divide. He is glad that China has taken some steps toward trying to improve the situation in the Middle East by organizing the meetings between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and by organizing a meeting of the Palestinian factions in Beijing. He thinks China and the other Asian countries can step up and do more to persuade the West to accept the fact that the West has got to adapt to a different world which is multi-civilizational, multipolar and multilateral.
Workers carve a big snowman in a public square in Harbin, capital of Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on December 15, 2024. Their work attracted numerous tourists, many of whom stopped to watch and take pictures. Photo: VCG
China's National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced on Tuesday that the permitted stay for foreign nationals entering China under the visa-free transit policy for purposes such as tourism, business, visits, and family reunions has been extended from the original 72 hours and 144 hours to 240 hours or 10 days, as part of the latest measures to further relax and optimize the visa-free transit policy. The policy takes effect immediately.
At the same time, the NIA announced that the number of ports eligible for the visa-free transit policy will be increased from the original 39 to 60, including Chengdu Tianfu International Airport Port in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province and Sanya Phoenix International Airport Port in South China's Hainan Province.
Also, as part of the latest policy announced on Tuesday, the permitted activity areas for visa-free foreign nationals will be expanded to 24 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities including Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hainan and Guizhou provinces from the original 19.
During their staying in China, foreigners who travel in transit without a visa can engage in activities such as tourism, business, visits, and family visits. However, those who want to work, study, or conduct news interviews and other activities that require prior approval still need to obtain a visa before coming to China, per the NIA.
So far, there are 54 countries that are eligible for the 240-hour transit visa exemption policy.
The latest data released by the NIA on Tuesday shows that from January to November 2024, there were 29.218 million foreign entries into China through various ports, an 86.2 percent year-on-year increase. Of these, 17.446 million entries were made visa-free, a year-on-year growth of 123.3 percent.
The US insisted on arranging Lai's "transit" to offer platform for "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, seriously violating the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiqués, undermining China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and sending a seriously wrong signal to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. China strongly protests this and has lodged a stern representation with the US, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a press conference on Friday.
Taiwan regional Leader Lai Ching-te is reportedly completing "transiting" through Hawaii and Guam and is scheduled to return to the island on Friday.
Lin said the Taiwan question is the primary, non-negotiable red line in China-US relations. The actions of "Taiwan independence" are incompatible with peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.
China urges the US to adhere to the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiqués, honor US leaders' commitments not to support "Taiwan independence," cease official exchanges between the US and the island of Taiwan, stop hollowing out or undermining the one-China principle, and cease any form of support or tolerance for "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and their activities and take concrete actions to stabilize China-US relations and maintain peace in the Taiwan Straits, said the spokesperson.
Any attempt to rely on the US for "independence" will hit a wall, and any efforts to use Taiwan island to contain China are bound to fail, Lin said.
In response to another inquiry on whether the mainland is planning to conduct more military exercises surrounding Taiwan island as Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te has completed "transiting" through Hawaii and Guam, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests and the foremost, non-negotiable red line in China-US relations. China's determination to defend its national sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering.
Previously some Taiwan local media claimed that the mainland military is poised to "encircle Taiwan proper in military exercise 'Joint Sword-2024C,'" as Lai returns from his visit to "diplomatic allies" in the Pacific via "transit" through Hawaii and Guam.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Palau on Friday, Lai claimed that the two sides of the Taiwan Straits are "not subordinate to each other," which Lin also refuted on Friday, saying that the separatist activities of the "Taiwan independence" forces and the connivance and support from external forces are the greatest threats to peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.
Lai and the DPP authorities have consistently used various pretexts to promote "Taiwan independence" separatism. Regardless of what they say or do, they cannot change the fact that Taiwan is a part of China, nor can they stop the historical trend that China will be and must be reunified. The attempt to rely on external forces for independence is doomed to fail, Lin said.
Also on Friday, Lai claimed that he is confident in deepening cooperation with the next Trump administration in the US. The day before, he had a phone call with US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson.
In response, Lin said that China has repeatedly stated its firm position on this matter. We urge the US to recognize the "Taiwan independence" separatist nature of Lai Ching-te and the DPP authorities, and the serious harm that "Taiwan independence" separatist actions pose to peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.
The US should adhere to the one-China principle and the three China-US Joint Communiqués, stop interfering in Taiwan affairs, stop meddling in China's internal affairs, and cease supporting or conniving "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, said Lin.
"It would be both "short-sighted" and "unwise" to write off China," the world's second-largest economy despite challenges at home and abroad, Senior Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong said when addressing a forum in Suzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province on Monday.
"China's development is an enterprise that will take 100 years. It has shown that it can take a strategic perspective to maintain consistent policies and direction over the long term, riding through transient ups and downs in its development journey," Lee said, Singapore-based CNA reported.
The Senior Minister Lee made the remark while delivering the keynote address at the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park High-Quality Development Forum, marking the park's 30th anniversary.
At the invitation of the Chinese side, Lee is visiting China from November 24 to 29.
The Chinese economy retains "considerable capacity" to grow, considering the untapped potential in its workforce and higher productivity from an increasingly urbanized population, he added, the CNA report said.
"We must never underestimate the Chinese people's determination for their nation to succeed and stand tall in the world. This is a driving ambition. Its impact cannot be captured in economic statistics, but it will make all the difference."
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng met with Senior Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong on Monday in Suzhou.
He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the two sides should focus on the new positioning of bilateral relations, make full use of cooperation platforms such as the Suzhou Industrial Park, and work together to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, Xinhua News Agency reported.
They agreed the two countries should give better play to the pioneering role of the park, deepen institutional reform, and work together to build a world-class science and technology park that is open and innovative. They also witnessed the signing of cooperation documents, the Xinhua report said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent congratulations to a UN meeting held on Tuesday to commemorate the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
Noting that the question of Palestine is at the heart of the Middle East issue and concerns international fairness and justice, Xi said the pressing task is to comprehensively and effectively implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions to end the war as soon as possible and ease the regional situation.
In 1977, the General Assembly called for the annual observance of 29 November as International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. On that day in 1947, the Assembly adopted the resolution on the partition of Palestine, according to the UN website.
Xi has sent congratulatory messages to the UN meeting in observance of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People for 12 consecutive years.
The fundamental way out is to implement the two-State solution and promote the political settlement of the question of Palestine, establish an independent Palestinian state enjoying full sovereignty on the basis of the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, and ensure the right of the Palestinian people to statehood, their right to existence and their right of return, Xi said.
Xi stressed that China has always been a staunch supporter of the just cause of the Palestinian people to restore their legitimate national rights, and has always supported all Palestinian factions in strengthening unity and implementing the Beijing Declaration on Ending Division and Strengthening Palestinian National Unity to realize internal reconciliation.
China firmly supports Palestine in becoming a full UN member and supports the convening of a more broad-based, more authoritative and more effective international peace conference, Xi added.
Xi said that China will continue to work with the international community to end the war and stop the killing, support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in continuing to provide humanitarian assistance to the Gaza people, and bring the question of Palestine back to the right track of the two-State solution to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement at an early date.
Wang Jin, an associate professor at the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies at Northwest University in Xi'an, told the Global Times on Tuesday that this demonstrates China's firm and consistent support for the Palestinian people's just cause and also shows China's responsibility to uphold justice and fairness in international hot spot issues.
"Chinese people have always been good friends and good partners of the Palestinian people, and our consistent stance on justice has widely won praise and support from the Arab world and the whole international community," Wang said
"The Middle East is still mired in conflict and bloodshed, so the voice from China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a country with international influence, will greatly contribute to international efforts to mediate the conflict and call for a ceasefire. It will boost the confidence of the international community to attain a two-State solution to the Palestine-Israel issue," Wang noted.
According to the Xinhua News Agency, Office of the People's Republic of China to the State of Palestine, through the Palestinian Mahmoud Abbas Foundation, organized a ceremony on Monday to distribute winter supplies to children in two refugee camps in Tulkarm, in the West Bank.
More efforts needed
According to AP, Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants began a ceasefire Wednesday in a major step toward ending nearly 14 months of fighting as a region on edge wondered whether it will hold. The ceasefire began at 4 am Wednesday, a day after Israel carried out its most intense wave of strikes in Beirut since the start of the conflict. At least 42 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities.
In response to the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire agreement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that China is closely following the current situation between Lebanon and Israel, and has always been calling on all parties to earnestly abide by UN Security Council Resolution 1701. We support all efforts conducive to deescalating the tensions and realizing peace, and welcome the ceasefire agreement reached by relevant sides.
In the meanwhile, China believes that the protracted fighting in Gaza is the root cause of this round of turmoil in the Middle East, and all parties need to work together to realize a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Gaza at an early date, Mao said.
The current situation in the Middle East remains concerning as conflicts have already escalated from the Gaza Strip to the Lebanon-Israel border, as well as other parts of the region, and hopes of a ceasefire are still fragile and uncertain, observers noted
"Last Wednesday, because of the single use of veto by the US, the Council's efforts for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza suffered another setback," Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said at the UN Security Council Briefing on the situation in the Middle East on Monday.
"The Gaza conflict is the biggest stress test the United Nations has ever faced in the Middle East. In our view, this stress test is first and foremost a test for Council members. It tests our ability to save lives and maintain peace. It tests our determination to uphold international rule of law and fairness and justice. It tests our willingness to safeguard the authority of the Council's mechanisms and resolutions," Fu said.
Calling for more actions, Fu added: "So far, due to the negative attitude of some country, the Council's past performance did not pass the test. We call on the individual country to face up squarely to its responsibilities and support the Council in using all options in its toolbox to take further actions to achieve an immediate ceasefire and restore peace."
The 11th batch of remains of Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) martyrs who died during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea returned to China on Thursday, as China paid the highest respect to these heroes upon their return.
Escorted by two J-20 fighter jets, a Y-20 PLA Air Force aircraft, also known as Kunpeng, carrying the remains of the 43 CPV martyrs, landed at Shenyang Taoxian International Airport on Thursday.
Since 2014, Shenyang has welcomed the return of remains of CPV martyrs for 11 consecutive years. The latest batch brought the total number of returned CPV martyrs' remains to 981, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Highest honors of the nation
As the remains flew back home aboard the Y-20 transport aircraft, two J-20 fighter jets escorted the flight, creating a three-plane formation which is the PLA Air Force's unique gesture of paying homage.
In a video released by Xinhua, a J-20 pilot said to the Y-20, "Welcome home, martyrs of the CPV! In this prosperous era, as you wished, we stand guard over this beautiful land and salute the fallen heroes." In response, the Y-20 captain said, "We thank the J-20 formation for escorting us, allowing us to carry the dreams of our predecessors toward new victories!"
This particular Y-20 aircraft, with the number 20048, is the one that was on display at the Airshow China 2024 in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, earlier this month.
"The Y-20 aircraft that participated in the airshow returned with great honor. It then went to South Korea to bring back the remains of the CPV martyrs, which itself is a highly respectful gesture," Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times.
On the other hand, as China's J-20 fighter jets have now entered mass production, these advanced weapons escorting the heroes highlighted the significant advancements in the PLA's military capabilities, Song said. "This offers great reassurance for the martyrs. Seeing their motherland becoming strong is what they cared about most, and is the greatest comfort to them," Song said.
Shortly after landing, the aircraft was greeted with a water cannon salute, the highest honor in aviation industry. The water arch, formed as the plane carrying the martyrs' remains passed through, symbolized profound respect for the fallen heroes and served as a gesture of welcome, honoring their return and washing away the dust of their long journey.
Following the water cannon salute, soldiers solemnly carried the caskets of the fallen heroes off the aircraft and a reception ceremony was held at the airport. After the ceremony, the caskets were transported by military trucks to the CPV martyrs' cemetery in Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning Province.
"Please believe that your sacrifices and devotion will never be forgotten. And please believe, that we are willing to become your eyes, to help you see the rivers and mountains of this beautiful land," Wu Qian, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said at a press briefing on Thursday.
Another tearful moment was "a gaze that transcends time and space" at the Shenyang People's Square. To welcome the heroes home, a national flag that once traveled to space with the Shenzhou-18 manned spacecraft was raised there. "This is the only spot where the procession carrying the martyrs' slowed down, just to allow the heroes a final, lingering gaze at this national flag," reported China Central Television.
To welcome the heroes back home, Shenyang has prepared extensively for the martyrs' return, including illuminating outdoor screens along their route to honor the martyrs. The city experienced its first snowfall of the winter on Tuesday, but the large screens on skyscrapers displaying the slogan "Mountains and Rivers Welcome Heroes Home" prominently against a red backdrop added a touch of warmth to the atmosphere.
Many residents took out their phones to take photos in front of the large screens, as they paid tribute to the heroes and eagerly awaited their return.
In addition, welcoming slogans are also displayed on buses, taxis, and at bus stops. The slogans and images, such as "Remember the martyrs, welcome the heroes home," can be seen all across the city, creating a heartwarming and unified tribute.
Shenyang has also lined the main roads with over 3,000 new national flags to honor the heroes. These meticulous arrangements highlight the city's deep respect and admiration for the martyrs.
'Momentous event'
The participation of the CPV Army in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea holds both a national and international significance. "It carried the significance of defending the homeland and supporting North Korea, as well as safeguarding world peace. It also demonstrated a great spirit of internationalism," Lü Chao, an expert on the Korean Peninsula issue at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.
Since an agreement to retrieve the remains of the fallen heroes was reached between China and South Korea, the event has been ongoing for a decade without any breaks. Even during difficult times, such as the THAAD issue and the global pandemic, this process has remained uninterrupted.
"This shows the South Korean government and its people's great respect to this event and the high importance they have placed on the event, which demonstrates the friendship between the two sides," Lü noted.
The event has also become a crucial part of patriotic education. Upon the martyrs' return, many local residents spontaneously waited along the roads where the fleet of the trucks carrying the remains passed through, Lü, who lives in Shenyang, told the Global Times on Thursday as he observed the touching scene.
"Large crowds flooded the streets today," Lü recalled, noting that it's "a momentous event" for the entire city. The atmosphere was solemn but filled with pride, especially considering that on Friday there will be the ceremony for placing the martyrs' remains in the cemetery, he noted. "Each year, this event is one of the most significant patriotic education activities for Shenyang. The fact that the entire city would voluntarily and consciously participate in such an activity every year is something quite precious," Lü said.
The activity has also prompted heated discussions on Chinese social media platforms. A netizen commented on China's X-like platform Sina Weibo that "whenever I see this scene [of the return of the martyrs,] I always burst into tears, because I feel they are my family."
Another netizen said that "Heroes of the people and the dearest ones of the motherland, you can finally come home … You are the pride and glory of our country and its people!"
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he would promote mutually beneficial Japan-China relations and communication at every level to build "constructive and stable ties" on Friday. Ishiba's remarks are welcomed, and if the words can be translated into actions, there is hope for a recovery in China-Japan relations, a Chinese expert told the Global Times on Saturday.
Ishiba delivered a policy speech in the Lower House on Friday that underscored his leadership of a minority government, and emphasized his intent to communicate with China at all levels, including leaders' summits, to promote a "mutually beneficial strategic relationship," according to Japanese media Asahi Shimbun.
Lü Chao, an expert on the East Asian studies at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Saturday that Ishiba's remarks are welcomed, and if he can actually do what he said, there is hope for a recovery in China-Japan relations.
"A thawing China-Japan relationship will not only benefit the two countries and but also greatly benefit the peace, stability and development of the Northeast Asia, especially to the development of China-Japan-South Korea cooperation mechanism," Lü noted.
"But we also noticed that there are still many hostile voices among Japanese politicians that call for closely following the US to contain and confront China, so when we look at Ishiba's latest remarks on his view to develop Japan-China ties, we should focus more on what concrete actions he will take," Lü said.
The Japanese prime minister expressed willingness to hold frank discussions with US President-elect Donald Trump in the policy speech. Ishiba said he wants to raise the Japan-US alliance to a higher level, according to NHK.
In his speech, Ishiba did not mention his pet projects of revising the Japan-US Status of Forces Agreement or creating an Asian version of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), said the Asahi Shimbun.
Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Saturday that Ishiba's remarks have reflected Japan's traditional stance of seeking economic benefits from China while standing close with the US for security.
"Japan's ties with China are deeply affected by the US policy toward China, and to what extent Ishiba can do to promote the bilateral relationship with China depends to how he could withstand and manage pressure and interruption from outside," Li noted.
How Washington will handle the US ties with China and Japan is key for us to observe to what extent Ishiba could do to promote Japan's ties with China, Li said, stressing that if Japan can stay away from interfering in China's domestic affairs and avid challenging China's national interests, especially core interests like the Taiwan question, the two countries will be able to build stable and constructive ties.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called on China and Australia to strengthen coordination and cooperation, and oppose protectionism.
In his meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Xi noted that both China and Australia are supporters and defenders of economic globalization and free trade.
He also urged the two sides to promote the sharing of opportunities and benefits among various countries via opening up, so as to realize common development.
China's Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) on Tuesday vowed to firmly deter major violent crimes, extreme crimes, and crimes that endanger public safety and "zero tolerance" for crimes that infringe on students' rights and threaten safety on school campuses.
The top procuratorate held a meeting to convey the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's recent important speeches and directives, and to review and implement strategies to resolve conflicts and risks while maintaining social stability, as well as strengthening the supervision of cases handled by the SPP, according to a release on the SPP's WeChat account.
The meeting also called for earnestly studying and implementing Xi's important instructions regarding the car ramming incident in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, placing the protection of the people's lives and social stability in a more prominent position, and ensuring measures are timely and effective, according to a release on the SPP's WeChat account.
The meeting urged maintaining a balance between strict enforcement of the law and leniency where appropriate. The "strict" approach must never be relaxed; for major violent crimes, extreme crimes, and crimes that threaten public safety, we must adopt a resolute attitude and punish offenders severely and swiftly in accordance with the law, thereby effectively deterring crimes, read the statement.
Handling cases strictly in accordance with the law is a means of preventing and resolving conflicts and risks, read the release, as the SPP vowed to promote judicial fairness, uphold equity and justice, and resolutely prevent new risks arising from irregular judicial practices and inadequate supervision.
The meeting urged resolving conflicts and disputes promptly at the grassroots level and addressing them early. This will effectively prevent potential hazards from turning into real risks and real risks from becoming actual harm.
School campus safety is crucial for the healthy growth of students and for social harmony and stability. We must maintain a "zero tolerance" for crimes that infringe on students' rights and threaten safety on school campuses, collaborating with relevant departments to conduct risk assessments and prevention measures around campuses, and making every effort to ensure the safety of campuses and students.
