The number of visitors to new properties and second-hand houses increased after a series of policies and measures boosting the real estate sector were released in rapid succession during the past week.
"Inquiries for new houses and second-hand houses have increased, with about 30 percent more visits on Saturday and Sunday compared to the previous week," a sales manager surnamed Hao at a Beijing branch of Lianjia, a leading housing agency in China, told the Global Times on Monday.
As one of the latest moves, the People's Bank of China (PBC), China's central bank, on Sunday night released four major policies regarding the real estate sector, including lowering the interest rate on mortgages, lowering the down payment ratio, improving refinance for low-income housing, and extending the duration of some real estate financial policies.
The adjustment in the pricing mechanism for mortgage rates indicated a significant reduction in mortgage rates for existing home loans, with an average estimated reduction of 0.5 percentage points, CCTV reported.
Also on Sunday night, first-tier cities such as Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzen released policies easing house purchases to help boost the market.
Guangzhou, the capital city of South China's Guangdong Province, announced the cancellation of various restrictions on households buying homes in the city on Sunday, effective from Monday.
Stocks related to the real estate sector surged on Monday, with some stocks surging to reach their daily trading limit.
CITIC Securities said in an analysis report published on Monday that the new housing policies are expected to release improved demand actively, optimize the stock, and promote the real estate market to reverse the downturn and stabilize. The construction of the new model of the real estate market and the recovery of the real estate market demand will coexist.
China and Brazil, together with a number of countries from the Global South, have established a "Friends of Peace" platform on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly, in a bid to seek peace amid the Ukraine crisis, which has been dragged on for more than two years.
The move is another step forward after China and Brazil jointly issued a six-point consensus on their common understanding of the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis in May.
Ever since the Russia-Ukraine conflict started, Global South countries have avoided taking sides in the conflict. They also don't see eye to eye the way the Western countries deal with Russia in an international system that has long been dominated by the US-led West. The Global South countries, represented by China and Brazil, have delivered a message that is different from the self-centered West.
Historically speaking, Global South countries were beset by the dominance of the Global North through political and economic exploitation and had long been outside the center of international political arena. In other words, they were in a weak or even marginalized position. But in recent years, Global South countries have emerged and their voices can be heard clearly on the world stage. Even Western countries have taken notice of this trend. This is because Global South countries think independently and have the courage to pursue a fair and just international order.
The root cause of the Ukraine crisis is clear. So is the reason why it is dragging on for so long. The US and the West, with their inherent arrogance and self-righteousness, have been pushing forward NATO's eastward expansion without taking into account the special historical and geographical sensitivities of Russia and Ukraine, which ultimately led to the situation being out of control. As the initiator of the conflict, the US would rather prolong the conflict than end it, only to sustain its hegemony. During the more than two years' time, many opportunities for peace have been missed.
This time, again, the US has tried to dismiss the efforts made by Global South countries. When asked about the latest peace proposal, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken resorted to the old-fashioned cliché of China's "support" to Russia.
Cui Heng, a lecturer from the Shanghai-based China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation, believes this reflects the paucity of the US' diplomatic rhetoric.
"The US only wants to shirk its responsibility in the Ukraine crisis. Few countries now buy the 'China responsibility' rhetoric," said Cui.
Cui noted that if the US were in the situation of Russia, it could have kicked NATO out of its sphere of influence.
"In an international order dominated by the US, there is no such a thing as fairness and justice. In this context, why can't Global South countries push forward changes?" he asked.
The Ukraine crisis is a tragedy of international politics and tragedy of the world. In the past, when faced with major regional conflicts or international conflicts, it was often Western countries that decided the final direction or ultimately played a role. But this time the situation is different. Unlike Western countries that choose sides, most countries in the Global South uphold a balanced and neutral position and champion peace.
The emergence of Global South countries is offering hope to the Ukraine crisis. Perhaps the US and the West should ponder why they only bring war but the Global South could create conditions and atmosphere for peace talks.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi had discussions on the Ukraine crisis, among other issues, with his counterparts from Russia and Ukraine when Wang met them separately on Wednesday.
Chinese analysts said the positive response and appreciations from the two conflicting parties toward China's contribution just prove that accusations from a few countries over China's stance on the crisis are nonsense and laughable.
China's exchanges and interactions with Russia and Ukraine at the UN have also exposed that some Western countries, especially the US, are not standing for peace, and don't care about the Ukrainian and Russian people who are suffering from the war; instead, they have selfish hegemonic interest in this issue, experts noted.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Thursday, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha separately on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly.
Wang said at the meeting with Ukraine's top diplomat that China is willing to work with Ukraine to maintain the momentum of stable development in bilateral relations. Wang emphasized that China has always advocated for peaceful resolution of conflicts, and this remains true for the Ukraine issue.
China has been closely monitoring the humanitarian situation in Ukraine, and has provided four batches of humanitarian aid so far, and is ready to offer additional assistance based on Ukraine's needs, Wang said. China is also willing to maintain communication with all parties including Ukraine, in an effort to achieve peace at an early date, he noted.
At the meeting with Wang, Sybiha reiterated Ukraine's adherence to the one-China policy and expressed the willingness to build a strong partnership with China, adding that Ukraine highly values China's stance on the crisis and its efforts for peace, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
During his meeting with the Russian top diplomat, Wang said China will always stay true to the original aspiration of establishing diplomatic relations with Russia and continuously enrich their comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era for the greater well-being of people of both countries.
Lavrov said at the meeting with Wang that Russia is willing to work with China to push for greater development of bilateral relations. The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukraine crisis, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Chinese analysts said China has always kept close communication with both sides since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, and is still making great mediation efforts to try to stop the conflict and restore peace. This has already proven that China's stance for peace is undoubtable, but a few countries, especially the US, have kept blaming, accusing and distorting China's stance on the Ukraine crisis when they are trying to add fuel to the flame. These few countries are also spending huge amounts of their' taxpayers' money to prolong the deadly war.
Wang said on Tuesday at the UN headquarters while attending a UN Security Council high-level meeting on the situation in Ukraine that "any attempt to blame, attack or smear China on the Ukraine issue is irresponsible and will not succeed."
Selfishness, incompetence exposed
The US has frequently smeared and attacked China on the Ukraine issue. However, when Ukraine said it highly values China's stance on the crisis and its efforts for peace, the selfishness and hegemonic interest of Washington in the Ukraine crisis has completely been exposed.
Zhang Hong, a research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday that an effective and sustainable solution of Ukraine crisis should be based on reality and the respect to the reasonable concerns of both sides, but the one-sided support from the US-led West to Kiev has made the conflict to escalate.
"The past two years have proved that the military support from the West to Ukraine has failed to promote peace but has extended and escalated the conflict time and again," Zhang noted.
By preventing the war from ending, the US military-industrial complex can keep earning money from the massive military aid and Washington can keep its influence over the EU and maintain pressure on Russia, so when the US trashes China's stance, it's laughable and nonsense, said experts.
Nonetheless, the US attacks and smears China's stance in order to sow discord between China and the EU over the Ukraine crisis, Zhang said. "This kind of trick has just exposed the incompetence and selfishness of Washington in handling this crisis."
Wang Yi on Wednesday also met with Josep Borrell, high representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. Wang expressed his appreciation for Borrell's commitment and effort as the EU's top diplomat on promoting mutual trust and cooperation between the two sides.
Borrell, for his part, said China's rise is an unstoppable historical trend. China is already a strong country and will continue to grow stronger. The world needs China and Europe should strengthen cooperation with China.
The world is not peaceful as challenges are growing and conflicts keep cropping up, and countries need to work together to maintain peace and security, said Borrell. The two sides also exchanged views on the crisis in Ukraine.
Cui Heng, a research fellow with the Center for Russian Studies of East China Normal University, said that the US' attempts to sow discord between China and EU members by smearing China's stance on the Ukraine crisis did affect some EU members, but major countries like Germany and France still maintain strategic autonomy, and that's why the EU clearly understands that it needs to work together with China.
Be realistic
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday rejected the China-Brazil peace proposal during his speech as the UN General Assembly, while Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva advocated on Tuesday at the same event for a plan for talks between Russia and Ukraine to end their conflict, Reuters reported.
Zhang said Zelenskiy has high expectation to the peace plan. Yet, to be realistic, Ukraine needs to understand that the higher expectation it has, the more difficult it will be for all parties to reach a feasible plan. The conflicting parties can at least stop the conflict first and solve other complicated issues by negotiations, but if the conflicting parties refuse to do so, the war will be maintained in long term.
Another reason is that Ukraine is unable to make decisions on its own, as the US is the real key player behind this war. So, before Washington believes that it's time for a talk with Moscow to stop this war in Ukraine, we might not be able to see Ukraine make a clear decision and accept any peace proposal. However, China and Brazil, as well as other members who are calling for peace among the international community, will keep on working toward stopping this endless war, said experts.
On September 19, State Grid Aksu Power Supply Company successfully achieved, for the first time, the one-click "full stop and full turn" of the entire 110 kV Sunshine distribution network load through power distribution automation. The successful application of this technology will elevate the practical level of distribution automation in the Aksu region to new heights. The one-click "all-stop-all-turn" technology for the entire distribution network load station refers to a sequence control technology that enables one-click initiation and sequential execution of batch distribution network switch operations. The application of this technology is of great significance for improving power supply reliability, optimizing power system operation, and improving customers' electricity experience.
It has been reported that the traditional load transfer method for the whole station often involves complex processes and lengthy operations for transferring the distribution network load of four 10kV lines. The conventional on-site load transfer requires 8 operating points and 16 people, with simultaneous operations taking at least 30 minutes, which not only increases operational risk, but also negatively impacts on the user experience. However, by utilizing the one-click "full stop and full switch" technology for the entire distribution network load, four 10 kV lines can be operated through a single power adjustment and switching action. It only takes 1 minute to achieve "full stop and full rotation" of the entire station's distribution network load, an approach that greatly improves work efficiency and reduces operational risks.
To successfully complete this load transfer work, State Grid Aksu Power Supply Company planned and prepared in advance, organizing coordination among various disciplines, such as dispatching, mode, protection, automation, and local county companies. They conducted on-site terminal location verification, remote control preset, switch status verification, and remote signaling checks to ensure the smooth completion of the one-click "full stop and full turn" task for the 110 kV Sunshine Transformation and Distribution Network Load Station.
The successful application of this technology not only enhances the "zero perception" of customers' electricity consumption during operations, improving their overall electricity experience, but also paves the way for Aksu's distribution network to quickly adjust and cope with large-scale maintenance operations.
Next, State Grid Aksu Power Supply Company will continue to promote the functional innovation and construction of the distribution automation master station system. They will keep promoting the one-click "all-stop-all-turn" working method, achieve lean dispatching empowerment through automated means, and continue to pursue high-quality development to meet people's electricity needs for a better life.
The ongoing China-Russia joint military exercise has entered its second phase, in which warships from the two countries are scheduled to hold live-fire drill sessions in the Sea of Japan, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.
Taking place simultaneously with a China-Russia joint coast guard exercise and patrol, the China-Russia military maneuvers once again highlighted a high level of security and defense cooperation between the two countries, experts said.
The opening ceremony of the Northern/Interaction-2024 joint exercise was held at a Russian naval port on Saturday, after which warships from the two navies set out and maneuvered toward the exercise zone, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy said in a press release on Saturday.
Forces from the two sides will hold joint drill sessions over objectives including maritime and air escort, alert and defense, air defense and anti-missile, and live-fire shooting.
A Chinese commander said at the opening ceremony that the Northern/Interaction series of drills has developed a mature mechanism with standardized procedures, and the drill scenarios are becoming closer to real combat, per the release.
A press release from the Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday that the joint detachment of ships set out from Vladivostok and would hold exercises in the waters of the Sea of Japan during the week.
The Chinese naval forces including destroyers Xining and Wuxi, frigate Linyi and supply ship Taihu rendezvoused with their Russian counterparts on September 9 and held the first phase of the drill in waters and airspaces of the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk until September 15, according to previous releases by the PLA Navy.
The drill is separated into two phases because the first phase was held concurrently with Russia's Ocean-2024 strategic exercise, and the second phase is a standalone session, a Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Sunday.
Zhang Junshe, another Chinese military expert, told the Global Times that consecutive military interactions show that the two countries are boosting strategic cooperation. This is conducive to global peace and stability as the two countries are both permanent members of the UN Security Council.
Besides the military drill, the two countries' coast guards held a joint drill near the Peter the Great Bay from September 16 to 20, and started a joint patrol in international waters of the North Pacific on September 21, according to the China Coast Guard. This showed a high level of security and defense cooperation, which includes military and law enforcement. This is conducive to the maintenance of international maritime order and the advancement of ocean governance, experts said.
The first batch of lunar samples from the far side of the moon, collected by China's Chang'e-6 mission, is expected to be distributed to domestic scientists by the end of 2024, with availability for international researchers to follow. These samples are anticipated to further deepen mankind's understanding of the moon.
The CCTV news reported on Tuesday that the Chang'e-6 lunar scientific research samples will be distributed by means through an open application system. Researchers can access information and apply for the samples through the Lunar and Deep Space Exploration Scientific Data and Sample Release System on China's Lunar and Deep Space Exploration website.
Scientists around the world are keenly interested in this only batch of lunar samples, which are expected to update mankind's understanding of the Moon, Li Chunlai, deputy chief designer of the mission told the CCTV news.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told the Global Times in July that China published the Announcement of Opportunities for the Chang'e-6 Mission, which was available to the entire world. We also welcome countries around the world to take part in the study of lunar samples, Mao added.
The remarks made after NASA has once again resorted to its "sour grapes" rhetoric upon seeing China's successful retrieval of fresh lunar soils from the far side of the moon, by claiming that China did not directly invite its scientists to participate in the lunar soil research.
Li noted that the Chang'e-6 mission team has completed the unsealing, partitioning, processing, preparation, and preliminary analysis of the samples.
During the process of assembling the samples, the team observed that the lunar samples brought back by Chang'e-6 had more spalls than those from Chang'e-5. After preliminary analysis, scientists believe this is likely due to the fact that Chang'e-6's sampling point is located on the edge of an impact crater, which bears some relation to the spatter generated by the collision, Liu Jianjun, deputy chief commander of the ground application system of the mission, told the CCTV news.
The samples also contain a greater variety of minerals than those collected from the Chang'e-5 lunar samples, and they are of a finer texture, Liu added.
Considering that the lunar samples are very valuable, to ensure the safety of them, the security measures for the storage room are comparable to those of a vault, and the entire outer layer of the room is covered with steel plate structure, said Zhou Qin, a deputy chief designer of the ground application system of the mission.
The storage facility is a high-level clean room, where all air flowing into is purified by a filter cartridge. The room also meets high environmental requirements, maintaining a constant temperature and humidity environment, Zhou mentioned.
Chang'e-6 - China's latest leap of moon exploration - has claimed full success, as the returning capsule of the craft, carrying the first batch of lunar samples collected from the far side of the moon in human history, safely touched down in designated landing site in the Siziwang Banner, in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on June 25, and the returner of the Chang'e-6 lunar probe was opened at a ceremony in Beijing on the following day, with key technical indicators examined, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
"Read ten thousand books, and your pen will be guided as if by the gods" is an ancient Chinese idiom that can be seen in students' textbooks. China's Ministry of Education has published an action plan to further promote reading among students across the nation. With new and diverse book recommendations, the reading scene is expected to be revived not only at schools, but also across society.
To contribute to this endeavor, the Global Times launched the "My Reading Life" essay contest for middle school students.
Please pick up a pen and share your stories with us at reading@globaltimes.com.cn Participants will be rewarded once the article has been selected.
When it comes to Journey to the West, the first thing that comes to my mind are the stone benches in the shade of tall willows overlapping with green and flowing in the humid summer breeze.
Accompanied by the noisy chirping of cicadas, the fascinating stories of Sun Wukong, or the Monkey King, were told to youngsters by their elders. It is a very enjoyable childhood moment. Looking back on those days, there is no doubt that these imaginative and beautiful stories are full of curiosity and longing.
As a kid, I longed for a day when I could have the power of Sun Wukong, also known as the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. Like him, I would freely "climb up to the top of the heaven to capture the moon, and down to the deep oceans to catch turtles." With an invincible ability like him, I would be able to resolve all my worries.
But as I grew older, my life was no longer carefree. My once omnipotent idol seemed to have lost his power. Even when I thought of him, I would ask myself, "If he is truly omnipotent, why would he still be misunderstood? How could he be impatient and unable to defeat his enemies?" With these questions in mind, I reopened this book.
Reading this novel again made me see all the characters from a different perspective. I saw Sun Wukong's concern for his fellows, and his willingness to cross out the list of the King of Hell in the underworld in order to improve the lives of his monkeys. I also felt indignant about the devaluation and suppression of Sun Wukong by the immortals.
During his rebellion in the Palace of Heaven, I saw his frankness and courage to resist the imperial power. No matter if he was powerful or not, he always pursued freedom for himself and his fellows. .
The most interesting plot for me was undoubtedly the three fights against the White Bone Demon. The White Bone Demon disguised itself as humans three times with different character of a beautiful girl, an old woman, and an old man each time, attempting to eat the immortal flesh of Xuan Zang, a Tang Dynasty (618-907) Buddhist monk. Despite it was detected by Sun Wukong all three times, the demon managed to escape. On the third occasion, Zhu Bajie became dissatisfied with Sun Wukong's "killing" of this "beautiful girl" and falsely accused him of assaulting her. And no matter how Sun Wukong explained it, Xuan Zang did not trust him, and eventually had to leave him and sever the master-disciple relationship with him. Sun Wukong felt helpless in the face of their doubt.
So he returned to Huaguo Mountain, his residence. Later, Sun Wukong ultimately went to rescue his master out of concern for his safety. He cleared up the misunderstanding and restored their relationship with Xuan Zang. The journey of obtaining scriptures from the Western Heaven was not solely about the scriptures, but also the journey itself. The repeated dangers tempered Wukong's personality, elevated his qualities and spirit, and gradually changed his impulsive and impatient personality to make him a true hero.
The more times I read this book, the more facets of the characters I see. For instance, when it comes to Xuan Zang, I used to see his unprincipled compassion, inability to distinguish between the wise and the foolish, and his narrow-minded side.
But now I realize that as a mortal, Xuan Zang studied hard in his youth and obtained the qualifications to embark on the path of seeking scriptures. Faced with the demons that were eyeing him on the road, he never wavered in his belief in obtaining the scriptures and always adhered to his faith despite countless difficulties and obstacles. I even saw that while Zhu Bajie was lazy and could sometimes be untruthful, he also improved himself and changed his bad habits during the journey.
Each character is like a living person with their own personality, strengths and weaknesses, but they never give up their determination to learn, never abandon their vulnerable mentor, and never let malice dominate their conscience.
Their quest reminded me of my life. The road to growth sometimes feels like being trapped at the foot of Five Finger Mountain, helpless and confused, and I may even temporarily forget my goal. But one day I will break through this obstacle and become strong enough to continue moving forward. I remember the breakthroughs I have made in difficult situations. Without the obstruction of reefs, it would be impossible for a running river to stir up enchanting waves.
A feathered eagle, without stormy combat, cannot achieve the freedom to spread its wings and fly high. A person's life is destined to experience the baptism of wind and rain in order to grow up.
Just like Sun Wukong, the day we overcome eighty-one perils is the day we will achieve immortality.
The author is a student at Beijing Zhongguancun Middle School Zhichun Branch.
On Thursday, at 11:23, an Air China C919 aircraft with the registration number B-919X, landed smoothly at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing. It taxied slowly through a water cannon salute, as it was welcomed at the airport. Air China's first C919 aircraft has now officially joined the fleet. The C919 aircraft is an important milestone in the development of China's large aircraft industry. As the country's national carrier, the introduction and operation of the C919 is part of Air China's continued mission in the new era, and is a vivid example of transforming the company into a world-class enterprise.
Air China has consistently prioritized safety while introducing the C919. It has established four professional groups with the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) in terms of aircraft maintenance, personnel training, ground support, and operation control. It also selected business linchpins to participate in aircraft selection, production supervision, personnel training, and operation preparation.
In addition, Air China established a pilot team. The team completed the first round of high-quality pilot conversion training, completing the systematic training of dispatchers, flight attendants, safety officers, and ground support personnel, solidly promoting the creation of maintenance support capabilities, and comprehensively creating service quality risk management and operation service standards. This process directly contributed to the smooth introduction of C919, as well as safe and efficient operations.
Air China had a considerable selection of the C919 aircraft. The aircraft is an extended-range aircraft with a loose two-class layout of 158 seats, including eight business class seats and 150 economy class seats.
It has adopted domestically produced seats with full functionality, created exclusive cabin entertainment programs and safety instructions videos, and provided customized in-flight supplies and other exclusive configurations to provide passengers with a better travel experience.
Air China will work intensively, efficiently, and in an orderly fashion to complete various tasks including the testing of ground support, route verification flights, on-site training, emergency evacuation procedure demonstrations, and new model operation certification to ensure the first C919 is successfully brought into commercial operation.
Air China has long been committed to supporting the development of domestically produced large aircrafts. In July 2020, Air China's first ARJ21-700 passenger aircraft was brought into operation. So far, Air China has introduced a total of 29 ARJ21 passenger aircrafts, with more than 70,000 safe flight hours.
In April 2024, Air China signed a purchase agreement with COMAC for 100 C919 aircrafts, which are scheduled to be delivered to Air China in batches from 2024 to 2031.
In the future, Air China will actively work with partners such as COMAC to consolidate the aircraft operation guarantee system, give full play to its route network advantages, strengthen market promotion, and select high-quality routes, in a bid to lay a solid foundation for the large-scale operation of the C919.
In 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping for the first time raised the principles of "zhen shi qin cheng" for China's Africa policy in a speech at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Center in Tanzania, meaning sincerity, real results, amity and good faith.
Many years have passed since that momentous day in the history of China-Africa ties, but the principles endure. They have not only underpinned China's engagement with Africa in numerous fruitful cooperation projects, but also helped people get closer and closer through exchanges and deepening friendships.
From wild elephants to rare plants, China and Africa have been working together to maintain the world's biodiversity, contributing to the world with their solutions and experience. In this issue of the special coverage of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Global Times reporters Ji Yuqiao, Dong Feng and Xu Liuliu introduce more details of this cooperation and joint efforts.
The size of the African elephant is something that profoundly impressed Bu Guijun when he engaged in anti-poaching efforts in Zimbabwe.
"Did you know African elephants can walk without making any sound? Once while we were focused on testing our equipment, we suddenly felt something unusual behind us, and then turned around with terrified faces as the giant creature, around five meters tall, stood just two to three meters away from us," he recalled in the interview with the Global Times.
After taking part in the efforts, Bu also became more keenly aware of the survival dilemma the largest terrestrial mammal faces.
"Before 2017, there were at least 1,000 elephants killed by poaching just in Zimbabwe," Bu said. At that time, due to limited equipment and manpower, local park rangers had to spend a large amount of time patrolling around the 2,900-square-kilometer Mana Pools National Park, which had only a minimal deterrent effect on the crimes committed against the wild animals.
Since 2015, dozens of Chinese volunteers, organized by the Beijing-based non-profit organization Peaceland Foundation and furnished with advanced equipment such as delta wings and night-vision devices, lent a hand to the national park to protect these creatures from the threat of poachers. Bu was one of them.
Four years later, poaching in the national park was virtually eliminated.
Also in 2015, more than 20 abandoned African elephant calves were rescued and brought to China through the joint efforts of relevant authorities in China and Zimbabwe. They have been settled at the Qingyuan National Ex-situ Conservation Base of World Endangered Flora and Fauna in South China's Guangdong Province.
Chinese breeders built a home suitable for the elephants' growth according to expertise on the species' habitual nature. The first of the second generation of these special "immigrants" was born in 2022, and by August 2024, a total of 10 baby elephants have been born at the base. The family is thriving.
Be it on the vast African savanna or at the breeding grounds in South China, the population of African elephants has been regaining vitality through Chinese cooperation with African countries. This return mirrors the current situation of other species on the African continent.
An initiative to strengthen China-Africa cooperation for green and sustainable development was launched in Beijing on August 27 before the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) with the aim of sharing the best practices in areas such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and environmental pollution management. Additionally, the initiative facilitates collaboration in standards and technologies.
Before that, a series of efforts aimed at environmental and biodiversity issues had been launched. For instance, the China-Africa Environmental Cooperation Center, a platform for broad environmental policy dialogue, information exchange, capacity building and cooperation on green development, was officially established at the 7th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit held in 2018.
Experts pointed out that China and Africa are enhancing collaboration in the burgeoning area of biodiversity preservation.
"This partnership can be seen as a model for how countries can work together to address global environmental challenges. By sharing resources, knowledge, and expertise, China and Africa can enhance their capacity to protect endangered species and ecosystems," Edward Mungai, chief editor of Africa Sustainability Matters based in Kenya, told the Global Times. Population rebound
All 10 elephant calves have survived and are in a healthy state since the first was born in 2022, the Chinese breeding base told the Global Times in a statement, emphasizing that "All baby elephants are raised by their mothers. As these are orphaned elephants, which did not receive any instruction on survival and nurturing from the elephant herd, them being able to raise their own young can be seen as a miracle."
Now, even the two youngest elephants are gaining one to 1.2 kilograms in weight per day.
To maintain the herd's health and capability to reproduce, Chinese breeders spent lots of time searching for a suitable environment for the elephants to live in. They also hired people to plant 300 acres of elephant grass and other varieties of trees in the mountains as food for the herd.
"In the beginning, we already had experience taking care of Asian elephants, which helped us take care of these young African elephants. At present, the African elephants have their own healthy menu for their diet, and breeders have established a firm rapport with the herd by caring about their mental state at the same time," the statement said.
As the African elephant herds' needs change across different stages of their lives, the base is mulling whether it will be best to send these elephants back to their homeland that would be more suitable for them.
"This progress highlights the potential of ex-situ conservation, where species are maintained and bred outside their natural habitats. The successful breeding of 10 baby elephants is evidence of the effective management and care provided at the center. It demonstrates how human intervention, when properly executed, can contribute positively to the survival and propagation of species at risk of extinction," Mungai commented.
The success at the breeding base highlights the potential for further collaboration in other areas of biodiversity conservation, such as the protection of other endangered species, habitat restoration, and the development of sustainable wildlife management practices, Mungai explained.
Data from international organizations also indicate that some progress has been made in efforts to preserve biodiversity in Africa.
With joint efforts, mountain gorillas are also making a comeback. The species based in Virunga Massif, an area of about 450 square kilometers straddling the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Uganda, saw an increase in numbers, which jumped from 620 individuals in 1998 to 1,063 today.
The African rhino population has also been growing. Ahead of World Rhino Day in September 2023, African authorities estimated that there were 23,290 rhinos across the continent at the end of 2022, 5.2 percent more than in 2021.
Experts emphasized that there is plenty of room for China-Africa cooperation on biodiversity conservation to further increase the population of these endangered species.
Song Wei, a professor at the School of International Relations and Diplomacy, Beijing Foreign Studies University, highlighted China's active role in its commitment to the international convention on biodiversity. China was among the first to sign the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), considered to be the key document for supporting global sustainable development. Chasing hope
In recent years, the Chinese government has reinforced wildlife protection laws, launched major biodiversity conservation projects, banned the trade of ivory, and taken a strong stance against the illegal trade of wildlife products like elephant and rhino parts. China has also been proactive in international wildlife protection cooperation, signing agreements with African nations such as South Africa and Kenya.
Furthermore, China has supplied container monitoring systems and wildlife protection gear to countries like Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, while also assisting in training efforts. This support has significantly boosted these African countries' law enforcement capabilities and efforts to protect their wildlife.
All of these endeavors aim to create a safer and more suitable environment for wildlife so as to maintain their population.
Without the threat of poachers, the African elephants living at the Mana Pools National Park have been flourishing.
What contributed to this result is the sea-land-air three-dimensional protection model jointly established by local patrolmen and Chinese volunteers like Bu.
Bu told the Global Times that the volunteers recognize the idea that rather than giving someone a fish, it is better to teach them to fish, so they sent various tools for patrolling, including gliders, delta wings and speed boats designed for shallow water territory to the park, aiming to enlarge patrolling areas and enhance efficiency.
Chinese volunteers worked hand in glove with local rangers almost every day and took part in patrols with these rangers. During this process, they tried to teach rangers to use various advanced equipment such as night-vision devices and thermal cameras.
"At the beginning, local people queried whether we sincerely wanted to help them fight poachers, but time has proven our commitment. After taking helicopters, boats and vehicles together on patrols and sharing our food with each other, we became friends," Bu said.
Even today, Chinese volunteers back home remain in touch with the African rangers. "They still look forward to us visiting the park," Bu said.
Even though volunteers have left the national park, the foundation still delivers supplies such as hay to support the conservation efforts.
There have been some institutions concentrating on talent cultivation and scientific research, including the Sino-Africa Joint Research Center approved by Chinese Academy of Sciences. Based at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology of Kenya, the center has built long-term cooperative relationships with over 20 universities and scientific research institutions in more than 10 countries in Africa. Meanwhile, it has provided scholarships to more than 140 students from Africa to pursue master's or PhD degrees while over 160 scientists and senior technicians from 13 African countries have also been trained since the inception of the center.
"China has been regulating Chinese enterprises in their investment and operations in Africa. Take protecting local biodiversity for instance. While building the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway [SGR], Chinese organizations attached great importance to ensuring the migration of animals was not affected," Song added.
Sharing her outlook on China, a responsible major country, Song said that the Chinese government will continue to regulate Chinese organizations to protect biodiversity and promote green development.
She also foresees that China will continue its commitment under the framework of the UN and its support for the CBD as well as provide necessary development funds for the international convention.
"China will work with developing countries to improve their capabilities in biodiversity protection, raise awareness among the people and offer financial and technical support," said Song.
As the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) unfolds, global attention turns to the strengthening partnership between China and Africa. As China and Africa discuss the path of Global South modernization, artworks have showcased the deep emotional and cooperative ties between them.
The relationship between China and Africa is not a distant concept. From infrastructure projects to healthcare improvements and entrepreneurship, the collaboration between the two sides has expanded into an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era that goes beyond politics and economics and encompasses the emotional and psychological integration of the people of China and Africa.
Close Friends Across Continents, a three-episode documentary created by CCTV that recently aired, paints a vivid picture of the intertwined destinies of both regions through the lens of people-to-people exchanges, while also highlighting a robust, enduring partnership based on mutual respect and shared development goals.
Since the 20th century, China has played a key role in Africa's infrastructure development, a sector that remains crucial today. Projects like the Magufuli Bridge in Tanzania stand as symbols of this partnership. Spanning Lake Victoria, the bridge is set to eliminate commuting barriers for millions of people and strengthen social and economic ties between communities.
For the engineers and workers who built it, this project was more than just a job - it was a commitment to creating a more connected and prosperous Africa. Across the continent, Chinese construction teams are building roads, railways, and bridges that not only increase economic opportunities but also enhance the quality of life for African communities.
Public service improvements, such as healthcare and education, are equally central to the China-Africa relationship. One standout example is the African Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, constructed with China's assistance. This state-of-the-art facility, along with Chinese-built hospitals, has become a pillar of Africa's healthcare infrastructure. These healthcare projects do more than save lives; they foster a sense of community and shared destiny between China and Africa.
The future of China-Africa cooperation lies not only in infrastructure and public service, but also in business in a variety of fields. In the past few years, the two regions have explored new models of cooperation in industries like renewable energy, healthcare technology, and more. Chinese companies have helped establish solar power plants and electric vehicle battery factories in Africa, promoting the sustainable development of the continent.
Joint ventures in medical testing technology have also modernized healthcare systems, helping Africa transform from a developing region to an emerging leader in high-tech industries. This shift is not just about economic growth, it is about empowering Africa to stand as a global leader, contributing to solutions that benefit both the continent and the world.
Ultimately, the connection between China and Africa is humanistic. The phrase "Miles apart, yet close at heart" perfectly captures the emotional and cultural bonds that have formed between the people of these two regions. As a global communication scholar, I deeply feel that the cooperation between China and Africa is based on the interactions of ordinary people - engineers, doctors, entrepreneurs - who aim at not only improving their lives but also creating lasting friendships.
We need to focus on the two-way interaction and multilateral development between China and Africa, especially the role that media in this era assigns to each of us. Building a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future and promoting the modernization of the Global South are the tasks and practices in which we must actively engage.
The author is a professor and deputy dean of the Institute for A Community with Shared Future at Communication University of China in Beijing, and vice chair of the International Communication Section of International Association for Media and Communication Research.
