Editor's Note:

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Chinese president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed that the environment concerns the well-being of people in all countries. During his many inspections, Xi has always emphasized the importance of ecosystems, spanning from cities to rural areas, and from enterprises to communities.

Under the guidance of President Xi Jinping's Thought on Ecological Civilization, China has been advancing the green transition of its economy over the last decade. Regions across the country are actively promoting the construction of an ecological civilization and advancing Chinese modernization featuring harmony between humanity and nature. These efforts go toward creating a "Beautiful China."

The coming five years will be critical to the building of a "Beautiful China." The Global Times is launching a series of stories to explore the progress of ecological civilization projects inspired by Xi's words, delving into the positive environmental changes occurring now, and offering valuable insights and references for both national and global efforts. Through this prism, we can see how Xi's thoughts on ecological civilization is being put into practice and further inspiring public action.

Recently, the Global Times reporter visited an island village in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang Province, delving into the secrets behind the village's success in achieving "net-zero carbon" goal and looking into how the coastal village is implementing Xi's concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." 

Upon entering the island village of Xinjian in Zhoushan, an archipelago city in East China's Zhejiang Province, the Global Times was welcomed by a picturesque rural scene of verdant mountains, babbling brooks, fluttering butterflies, and chirping birds, alongside impressive modern features such as photovoltaic panels adorning rooftops, electric sightseeing vehicles, and a state-of-the-art sewage recycling system.

Twenty years ago, this small village was unnoticed, impoverished, and isolated. The only link to the outside world was a rough, bumpy road. On rainy days, the road became so muddy that villagers hesitated to wear their new shoes. On sunny days, groups of villagers would trek up the mountain to chop down trees and haul them through the village via this road to sell to brick kiln operators to eke out a living. Due to poverty, most young adults left the village to find work elsewhere, leaving only a few senior citizens to tend to their old homes and the stream in front of their doors.

Was there a way out? What kind of life did the villagers want to live?

An innovative initiative dubbed the "Thousand Villages Demonstration and Ten Thousand Villages Renovation" project provided an answer. 

In June 2003, under the guidance of Xi Jinping, who once served as the provincial Party chief, Zhejiang launched the Green Rural Revival Program, which selects 10,000 administrative villages in the province for comprehensive improvement, and plans to turn 1,000 of them into demonstration villages of moderate prosperity in all respects. 

This project has created a large number of beautiful villages in Zhejiang, benefiting countless farmers and jumpstarting a new era of building a "Beautiful China." 

Xinjian village is one such example. 

A decade later, on May 25, 2015, Xi, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, visited Xinjian village for inspection, believing it to be a typical representative of a "beautiful economy" and a confirmation that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." Xi emphasized, "It is scientific and sustainable development that we should strive toward." 

Net-zero carbon, also known as carbon neutrality, refers to offsetting greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide generated by human activities through energy conservation and emission reduction, industrial adjustment, afforestation, and other forms of environmental conservation, ultimately achieving the goal of "net-zero emissions." 

During a recent field visit, the Global Times delved into the secrets behind the village's success in its "net-zero carbon" goal and gained a deeper insight into how this island village is effectively implementing Xi's concept that "A 'Beautiful China' is built upon beautiful villages. It is imperative that we steadfastly adhere to this path, ensuring that lucid waters and lush mountains yield continuous ecological, social, and economic benefits."

Power station in the sky

Under the guidance of Lu Haifeng, deputy secretary of the Xinjian village Party branch, the Global Times visited the Nandong Homestay Area in the village and heard an interesting story. At the beginning of construction, the branches of a plum tree reach toward the windows on the second floor of building No.9. Due to lighting issues, this tree was supposed to be removed. However, it was already a century old, so local villagers decided not to remove it. The designers then changed their approach and doubled the size of the windows on the side of the room, preserving the existing tree while ensuring adequate lighting.

During the construction process, local materials were utilized with idle old wood mostly being used to reduce material transportation. The entire homestay building is fitted with double-layer insulated glass, with the summer air conditioning demand being 63 percent less than that of buildings fitted with single-layer glass. The homestay building also has an exhaust heat recovery unit, which can recover energy from the air being exhausted outside, minimizing the loss of cold or heat sources indoors in summer or winter.

It is estimated that compared with Shanghai, the homestay building in the village can save up to 15.7 percent more energy than the hotel with the lowest energy consumption in Shanghai, according to data provided by Ge Linlu, a staff member at the publicity office of Ganlan township, Dinghai district. 

After leaving the Nandong Homestay Area, Lu took the Global Times reporter to see the wind power energy storage project. Walking to the parking lot, Lu pointed to the gray solar panel on a farmhouse rooftop, saying that this is a special "power station in the sky" that provides shade while being environmentally friendly. 

"This is the wind power energy storage project that we have started building since the development of clean energy," Lu told the Global Times. "The solar and wind energy resources in Dinghai district (which administers Xinjian village) are abundant, and by combining wind power equipment on mountain tops with installing photovoltaic equipment on the roofs of farmhouses, we can provide clean energy for the village's landscape facilities, electric vehicles, and more."

The photovoltaic rooftop panels also utilize roof space without taking up land resources, Lu added.

Among the completed projects, the average annual power generation of photovoltaic modules can reach 21,000 kW per hour, and annual carbon emissions can be reduced by about 12.14 tons.

At present, the village is working with an expert team from Tongji University in Shanghai to plan the construction of new energy projects in the Nandong reservoir, train station square, and other points, and realize the functions of heat insulation, lighting, and power generation through the introduction of green technology such as photovoltaic tiles, she said.

Disappeared foul-smelling ditch

Passing through the Nandong Daxi pit in the village, a bay of clear water flows gently.

"In order to prevent sewage from affecting the environment and promote water recycling, we dispose of domestic sewage and septic tank water centrally every day. After more than 10 treatment processes, the sewage is then used for irrigation," Lu said. "In this way, the once foul-smelling sewage ditch has disappeared, and a lot of water has been saved."

Not far away, the Global Times noticed that the water in the pit comes from the upstream reservoir. The water flows down in a step-like manner along the terrain, passing through ecological swimming pools, ponds, pits, and households, and is finally purified through the sewage treatment plant before being used for irrigation.

"Our sewage treatment plant can process 10 tons of sewage per hour, and operates 24 hours a day during peak season," said Lu. Along with Lu's introduction, the Global Times saw the water that had undergone multiple treatment processes flowing clearly from the outlet.

With the rolling out of the "Thousand Villages Demonstration and Ten Thousand Villages Renovation" project, villagers and tourists have gradually developed green living habits, and enhanced their environmental awareness.

Local villagers told the Global Times that they spontaneously participate in cleaning up garbage, dismantling pig farms, relocating outdoor manure pits, among other environmental improvements and infrastructure construction. "It's like participating in an 'ecological revolution' to protect the environment and change the appearance of the village."

"This is a natural oxygen bar, a 'beautiful economy,' confirming that 'lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.' We always keep Xi's words in mind," said Lu.

This is not an empty phrase.
On the embankment of the Nandong Reservoir, the Chinese characters "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" shine brightly in the sunlight, and on the walls of villagers' houses, Xi's quotes left during his inspection of the village can be seen everywhere.

Compared with the mainland area, the islands are relatively short of fresh water, energy, food, and other resources, and the economic and social development mainly depends on supplies from the mainland, so they are more vulnerable to the impact of climate change on water supply security, food security, tourism, local economies, and human health.

In 2019, Xinjian village was selected as the UN-Habitat "Net-Zero Carbon" rural planning case in China. At the forefront of addressing climate change, the exploration and practice of Xinjian village in achieving its net-zero carbon goal provide valuable experience for rural low-carbon development in other small islands and coastal areas.

Chinese experts on Thursday slammed India's plan to impose tariffs on some steel products imported from China, noting the move will backfire and further damage China-India economic and trade relations. They also urged the Indian side to take a correct approach to its cooperation with China, as the two countries' trade has strong complementarity.

According to Reuters, India will impose tariffs of 12 percent to 30 percent on some steel products imported from China and Vietnam in a bid to safeguard and boost the local industry, an Indian finance ministry order showed on Tuesday.

Welded stainless steel pipes and tubes from China, the world's largest producer of steel, and Vietnam will be taxed for the next five years, according to the order.

"India's move is intended to implement import substitution. The country hopes that with the improvement of its own technology, India's industry can achieve the replacement of Chinese products through trade protection measures, so as to develop the so-called Make in India initiative," Liu Zongyi, secretary-general of the Research Center for China-South Asia Cooperation at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, told the Global Times on Thursday.

However, raising tariffs doesn't guarantee that these products will flourish in India, Liu noted.

"The plan to impose tariffs... could adversely affect China-India economic and trade relations and have a long-term negative impact on India's industrial development, as raising import tariffs may increase production costs," Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Despite India's previous targeted crackdowns against Chinese companies since the conflicts between China and India in June 2020, China-India trade has shown overall upward momentum in the past three years, data from Chinese customs showed.

"The nature of China-India economic and trade relations is complementary. India mostly imports intermediate products from China, and after further processing or assembling, it then exports them to other countries and regions," Liu said, noting that by avoiding Chinese companies and trade with China, India's exports would be worse off.

The 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum kicks off on Thursday. The number and level of participants has exceeded all previous years, with over 500 official representatives from more than 100 countries and international organizations, as well as over 200 experts and scholars from both China and abroad. The forum comes at a time when China and the US are enhancing military exchanges, with foreign media outlets reporting that the US will send higher-ranking officials compared to last year. Despite the severe challenges currently facing global peace and prosperity, building trust and resolving doubts through dialogue and communication remain the overarching focus of the Beijing Xiangshan Forum.

The theme of this year's forum is "Promoting Peace for a Shared Future," with four plenary sessions that include topics such as "Security cooperation and Asia-Pacific Prosperity and Stability." There will also be eight simultaneous special sessions covering issues such as "ASEAN and Security Architecture of Asia-Pacific" and "Maintaining Northeast Asian Security." 

In addition to addressing current pressing global security challenges, the forum will also practice the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security. This reflects a pursuit of the "greatest common denominator" for global security concerns and aims to provide a Chinese solution for global security governance.

In the past, internationally influential security forums were predominantly dominated by Western countries, leaving the voices and concerns of developing and smaller countries easily overshadowed and ignored. 

In contrast, the Beijing Xiangshan Forum has always emphasized providing a platform for these nations to engage in equal dialogue and express their collective voices. Two main topics at this year's forum were "Multipolarity and the Evolving International Order" and "'Global South' and World Peaceful Development," offering more opportunities for the "Global South" to be heard. This aligns with the contemporary demand for replacing unilateralism with multilateralism and transcending zero-sum games through win-win cooperation.

This year's forum has further increased the participation of representatives from developed countries and emerging powers, with European and American scholars comprising about one-third of the foreign participants. This truly reflects China's advocacy for a more just and equitable international order, dedicated to creating more opportunities to strengthen South-South cooperation, promote North-South collaboration, and advance progress for all of humanity, demonstrating valuable inclusiveness. From guiding principles to topic selection, the Beijing Xiangshan Forum's approach to global security concerns is proactive and constructive, contributing positive energy to global security.

Currently, there is a general consensus in international community that "humanity once again stands at the crossroads of history." However, differing views exist regarding some specific issues surrounding this fundamental judgment. For instance, when it comes to maintaining global and regional security, should we employ collective deterrence or resort to dialogue and consultation? Should we prioritize "one country" or "a camp," or focus on the reasonable security concerns of all countries? These questions reflect varying perspectives on security. Countries generally share a common need to avoid confrontation through dialogue, but this dialogue must be equal, allowing nations of all sizes, wealth, and strength the opportunity to participate and express their concerns. This is also an important goal that the Beijing Xiangshan Forum is dedicated to achieving.

How military interactions between China and the US will unfold at this forum is also one of the most closely watched topics by the international community. This year, the two militaries have held multiple meetings. On September 10, Wu Yanan, Commander of the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army, held a video call with Samuel Paparo, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command. This marked the first video call between the theater commanders of the two countries and signified the restoration of all four military exchange and cooperation mechanisms agreed upon during the meeting between the two heads of state in San Francisco last November. 

Finding the correct way for China and the US to get along with each other through dialogue is not only a matter of considering the fundamental interests of both countries and welfare of their peoples, but also a response to the world's expectations.

Safety is the prerequisite for development, and humanity is an inseparable community of security. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. China has always been a steadfast advocate for peace and development, and a major contributor to regional and global prosperity. Therefore, we look forward to exploring a new path to security with countries around the world, one that features dialogue over confrontation, partnership over alliance, and win-win results over zero-sum game, under the guidance of the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. This is a challenge that all of humanity should respond to together, and it is also a key reason why the Beijing Xiangshan Forum has gained increasing influence and is becoming an important international public security platform.

"I truly benefited greatly from this training session for new employees. Not only have my skills improved, but I also had a chance to develop other personal qualities. This experience has filled me with anticipation for my future work life," said Pei Yanan, a new hire of the State Grid Qingdao Power Supply Company, on September 9, 2024.

During this new employee training, the State Grid Qingdao Power Supply Company developed a training program for its new hires in 2024. Through a two-way selection process, career mentors were assigned and individualized development plans were created, helping the new employees transition from "workplace novices" to "business pillars." This initiative also reflects State Grid Qingdao Power Supply Company's broader efforts in youth talent development.

To address issues such as an un-optimized talent structure and a lack of vitality among the work force, the company has established a "Talent Reservoir" focused on identifying and nurturing young talent. 

They emphasize the selection of top performers and have built a "reservoir" for young leaders and core staff members coming  from  all levels and stages. Focusing on team development, they reserve and cultivate talent, invigorate the cadre team, and improve support and tracking measures for young employees. Employees under 40 years old maintain individual growth records through a "One Person, One File" system called the "Young Employee Growth Archive," creating an efficient "young leader supply chain" to promote orderly mobility within the cadre team and ensure a steady flow of fresh talent.

 Additionally, they have established a mechanism to identify the capabilities and qualifications of young leaders relative to job requirements, incorporating methods such as tool-based identification and impression assessment to proactively and accurately recognize talent.

Inclusiveness builds an ocean. State Grid Qingdao Power Supply Company follows the principles of cadre development, employing a systematic mindset. They focus on critical areas such as selecting, cultivating, and deploying young cadres, building a comprehensive training system and enhancing relevant management mechanisms. This ensures that young cadres, who are politically sound, morally excellent, and academically  qualified, enter an optimal career ladder at the best age to maximize their impact. The company actively cultivates 'compliance + business' composite talents, thereby accumulating 'youth strength' for constructing a world-class power grid company.

The EU remained China's second-largest trading partner in the first eight months of the year, with bilateral trade posting growth of 1.1 percent during the period, slightly up from a reading of 0.4 percent in the January-July period, data from Chinese customs showed on Tuesday.

The data reflected the continued improvement of trade, after January-July data reversed a downward trend, underscoring the resilience and complementarity of the two economies, despite some recent protectionist measures implemented by the EU such as the bloc's hefty provisional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs).

Total bilateral trade reached 3.72 trillion yuan ($522.61 billion) in yuan-denominated terms between January and August, up 1.1 percent on a yearly basis, according to the General Administration of Customs. 

The data confirmed the improvement from the first half, during which bilateral trade declined by 0.7 percent year-on-year.

China's exports to the EU increased by 2.9 percent year-on-year to 2.44 trillion yuan while imports from the bloc decreased by 2.1 percent on a yearly basis to 1.28 trillion yuan, the GAC data showed. Trade with the EU accounted for 13 percent of China's total trade, unchanged from the January-July period.

The trade data came as the EU has increasingly resorted to protectionist measures in face of fierce external competition. The latest improving data showed that the economies of China and the EU are highly complementary, and that China's mega-market and the EU's single market can offer huge opportunities for each other's economic development, analysts noted.

Instead of resorting to protectionism, the EU should remain open and confident to create a fair competition environment to allow trade to flourish, they said. 

In August, trade reached 500.51 billion yuan,down from July's 503.3 billion yuan.

In the month, the bloc unveiled a draft decision to impose final countervailing duties of up to 36.3 percent on Chinese EVs.

Overall, China's foreign trade grew 6 percent during the first eight months. Auto exports value grew by 22.2 percent on a yearly basis to 540.84 billion yuan while imports of autos slid by 6.6 percent to 193.61 billion yuan. 

At the invitation of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay a state visit to Mongolia on September 2-3, with meetings between two sides would be devoted to key issues of bilateral relations and promising areas of cooperation. 

Analysts said Putin's visit is a continuation of Russia's "Pivot to the East" policy, and is aimed at enhancing economic cooperation, with neighboring countries, against the background of continued pressure from the West amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict. 

According to the Kremlin official, Putin will arrive in Ulaanbaatar on the evening of September 2. He will meet with Mongolia's President Khurelsukh, Chairman of the Great State Khural of Mongolia Dashzegviin Amarbayasgalan and Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene during his visit, according to TASS.

Yury Ushakov, the presidential international affairs aide, said that "Promising areas for interaction between our countries will be discussed, including cooperation in the sphere of industry, agriculture, energy and transport, including the railroad one. Naturally, international and regional problems will be highlighted."

Chen Yurong, an expert with the Beijing-based China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Monday that Putin's visit to Mongolia will see economic and political connections between the two countries strengthened, especially in the energy sector. 

Due to its unique location between China and Russia, Mongolia places great importance on its relations with both countries, according to Chen. 

Cui Heng, a scholar from the Shanghai-based China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation, told the Global Times that Putin's visit to Mongolia also marked the continuation of Russia's "Pivot to the East" policy.

He said the policy has promoted the industrialization in Russia's Far East region and helped forge closer cooperation between Russia and Asia-Pacific countries.

Over two months after two American astronauts were sent to the International Space Station (ISS) for an eight-day mission but ended up being stranded there, NASA finally "settled the case" with its sophistry.

The truth is, the two astronauts are stuck in space due to technical issues with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft and will have to wait until next year for a ride home with SpaceX, turning an eight-day "space trip" into an eight-month "star trek." However, NASA has refrained from acknowledging its predicament. In a press release at the end of August, it redesigned the tasks for the astronauts and commended the NASA and Boeing teams, as if everything were under control, downplaying the fact that there are still two astronauts trapped on the ISS.

The incident has not only exposed shortcomings within Boeing in its technology and management, but also reflects the limitations of NASA in today's American space industry, shedding light on a broader decline in US aerospace capabilities.

Boeing's problems are evident. Once a dominant figure in global aerospace, Boeing has faced a series of setbacks in recent years, struggling with both commercial aviation and space endeavors. 

The technical failure of the Starliner highlights problems in the company's manufacturing, management system, as well as its research and development (R&D). It relies heavily on government contracts which come with minimal market competition, hindering innovation and R&D investment. 

Additionally, under the banner of "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)," positions have been filled by individuals lacking the necessary technical expertise, leading to a decline in technical capabilities. 

As the leading agency in American space exploration, NASA also shares some of the responsibility. In recent years, NASA appears to be losing its efficiency and rigor in project management and oversight. In response to Boeing's repeated technical failures, NASA failed to implement timely remedial measures and instead exhibited a laissez-faire approach to critical projects, which only exacerbated the issues.

Moreover, there are criticisms regarding NASA's partner selection and resource allocation. Despite Boeing's long-standing history and experience in space, its innovation capacity and market responsiveness now clearly lag behind emerging competitors like SpaceX. Whether NASA should continue to rely heavily on problematic companies like Boeing is now being questioned.

These problems are not isolated to Boeing or NASA, but reflect a broader challenge for the American aerospace sector. 

First, the innovation capacity of the US aerospace industry is facing serious problems. The US, which used to be a global leader in technological innovation, now shows signs of stagnation or even regression in key areas. Boeing's struggle has demonstrated a troubled scenario of the industry as a whole. Long-term market monopolies and dependence on government contracts have hindered technological innovation and reduced competitiveness against emerging challengers.

Second, the US also finds itself in trouble in terms of industrial manufacturing capabilities. Boeing's problems are not merely about mismanagement, but also about a declining manufacturing capacity. Manufacturing is fundamental to a country's technological innovation and economic strength. Without a robust manufacturing foundation, the US' global leadership in technology will be inevitably weakened. A decline in manufacturing capabilities will directly impact national security and international competitiveness, especially in the aerospace industry.

Digging down to the roots, problems can be found in US policymaking and management systems. As the leader of national space endeavors, NASA's decision-making failures and management laxity have directly affected American space projects. Meanwhile, the US government lacks clear policies on supporting emerging enterprises and addressing the recession of traditional companies, leaving the industry as a whole without a clear direction in global competition.

The failure of the Starliner is more than just a technical malfunction; it offers a glimpse into the challenges facing the US aerospace industry. Once a global leader in space technology, the US now faces unprecedented challenges and urgently needs to reboot innovation, enhance manufacturing, and optimize management systems.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met with Liberian President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, who is in Beijing for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

With this year's Mid-Autumn Festival drawing near, China's tourism market is gearing up for another surge in travel and consumption activity, building on the strong momentum from a bustling summer travel season, industry insiders and experts said.

They predict that this year's Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, from September 15 to 17, will see sustained high demand for short-distance travel. Combined with the upcoming National Day holidays, this is expected to inject continued vitality into consumption, contributing to economic growth in the latter half of the year.

Data from China's online travel services platform Fliggy showed a double-digit increase in bookings for hotels, domestic car rentals, and tickets for this popular traditional festival compared to 2019. The overall booking volume for the Mid-Autumn Festival holidays is significantly higher compared to the Dragon Boat Festival, despite both having a three-day duration.

Hotel reservations have surged by around 50 percent from 2019 levels, with high-end and boutique accommodation accounting for 60 percent of total bookings, according to a recent report published by Fliggy.

Several travel service platforms in China have reported that the Mid-Autumn Festival travel trend is dominated by short to mid-distance trips, with "micro-vacations" to nearby cities and provinces being especially popular. Routes within a two-hour drive or three-hour high-speed rail journey are particularly busy.

According to Tuniu, an online travel platform, nearly 40 percent of travelers are planning short trips to local or nearby areas during the festival, with around 30 percent opting to start their journeys 1-2 days before the festival.

Experts attribute the strong travel demand to favorable weather, off-peak prices, and the traditional cultural significance of family reunions during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

"Emerging travel trends, including cultural tours, urban leisure, and sports tourism, not only reflect an expansion in the Chinese consumption preferences but also promise to inject sustained vitality into the domestic economy," Jiang Yiyi, vice dean from the School of Leisure Sports and Tourism at Beijing Sport University, told the Global Times on Saturday.

Tuniu's report revealed that theme parks, resort getaways, and traditional cultural tours are among the most popular bookings for this year. Another online travel service provider Tongcheng reports a 77 percent increase in searches for ancient towns and gardens over the past week.

Moreover, the buzz surrounding China's home-developed blockbuster game Black Myth: Wukong has highlighted the rich cultural heritage of North China's Shanxi Province, where many of its filming locations are situated. As a result, Taiyuan, Datong, and Shuozhou in Shanxi have recently become popular destinations.

Data from the travel platform Mafengwo indicated that Mount Wutai in Shanxi, a notable filming location for the popular video game, topped the list of favored 'moon-viewing' destinations for this year's Mid-Autumn Festival, per media reports.

Yu Jia, a tourism enthusiast from Changzhi in southeastern Shanxi, told the Global Times on Saturday that she has planned a driving holiday with two of her friends to Taiyuan and Datong, inspired by the cultural sites shown during the game.

China's recent summer travel season broke records for passenger volumes and saw strong growth in bookings and spending. Jiang expects this momentum to carry into the coming month, potentially boosting sectors like transportation, hospitality, and cultural products.

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said in a notice on Thursday that it determined that brandy from the EU has been dumped in the Chinese market, posing a threat to the domestic brandy industry.

It also found that there is a causal relationship between the dumping practice and the threat of substantial harm, the MOFCOM said in the notice on its official website.

Provisional anti-dumping measures will not be implemented in this case for now, according to the notice. 

Chinese experts said the probe complies with Chinese law and WTO rules, while the initial decision takes into account the overall China-EU economic and trade relationship, creating a relatively favorable atmosphere for the ongoing consultations over the EU's tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), and the EU should cherish China's sincerity.  

The decision not to impose provisional anti-dumping measures reflects a consideration of the overall economic and trade relationship with the EU. It is hoped that the EU will handle relevant trade friction in a compliant manner, Cui Hongjian, a professor at the Academy of Regional and Global Governance with Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Thursday.

While no measures are being taken now, China reserves the right to take further action if necessary, Cui said.

From the beginning, China has adhered to WTO procedures in addressing trade disputes with the EU. The investigation was initiated at the request of the domestic industry and conducted in line with WTO practices. This stands in contrast to the unilateral trade protectionism measures taken by the EU against some Chinese industries, Cui noted.

China's anti-dumping investigation into brandy from the EU, prompted by a complaint from the domestic brandy industry, neither targets any specific EU member state nor carries predefined findings, said China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao in April.

China will conduct the investigation openly and transparently in accordance with Chinese law and WTO rules, while fully safeguarding the rights of all stakeholders, added the minister.

The MOFCOM held an anti-dumping hearing on imported EU brandy on July 18, 2024 which covered industrial damage, cause and effect, and public interest in the anti-dumping probe of related brandy products. It aims to ensure that the investigation procedure is fair, just and transparent, the ministry said.

China started the anti-dumping investigation on January 5, following a request from the China Alcoholic Drinks Association on behalf of the domestic industry. The probe is expected to end before January 5, 2025, but may be extended for half a year under special circumstances, according to the MOFCOM.