A card that foreigners can use to take public transportation and shopping, a portable terminal that combines multi functions including communication and payment ... The Global Times learned on Wednesday that Beijing is optimizing its services to facilitate international arrivals' stay and travel in China as the number of international arrivals kept climbing thanks to the country's increasingly relaxing visa-free policies.
According to the Beijing Municipal Administration of Government Services and Data Management, Beijing Service counters had been officially put into operation at prominent locations in the international arrival areas of both Beijing Capital International Airport and Beijing Daxing International Airport since January 1.
Each counter offers more than 20 most requested services in the fields of finance, communication, transportation, and culture and tourism. These counters aim to provide convenient and friendly experiences in one go for all foreigners at their first stops in the city, Chang Jun, a manager of the quality service department of the Capital Airports Holdings Co Ltd, told the Global Times.
For example, in the Payment Services area, services such as those concerning cash withdrawal with foreign bank cards and currency exchange, consultations about payment methods, and guidance to download mobile payment Apps are provided; in the Mobile Services area, services such as issuance of SIM cards for mobile phones and airport Wi-Fi access are provided. Promotional brochures for various cultural, sports, and business activities are also available at these service counters.
"The services are great. First of all, they're very near to each other. So if a foreigner comes here for the first time, then he can basically come here to buy a SIM card, and also ask information for transportation to his hotel. If they want, they have access to other services, like banking. So it's very convenient for foreigners. Especially the translation APP. This is very useful. They have more than 14 languages. So if someone doesn't speak English, it's also very helpful," a vlogger from Canada named Felix Bachand told the Global Times after experiencing the services at the Beijing Capital International Airport.
China has been expanding its visa-free policies in the past year. As of now, the country has implemented transit visa-free policies for 54 countries. It also exempts ordinary passport holders from 38 countries from visa to enter China and stay for no more than 30 days for business, tourism, family visit, exchange visit and transit purposes from November 30, 2024 to December 31, 2025.
These policies have largely facilitated travel to China and enhanced international exchange, leading to a China Travel craze around the world.
In Beijing, local ports processed visa-free entry for a total of 920,000 foreign visitors in 2024, issuing temporary entry permits of 144 hours and 240 hours to 64,000 foreign travelers who met the entry conditions, which are 4.9 times and 2.2 times higher than the same period in 2023, respectively, the People's Daily reported on January 2.
Among them, approximately 1.91 million foreign visitors entered through the Beijing Capital International Airport, with 710,000 enjoying visa-free entry. More than 28,000 foreigners benefited from the 144-hour and 240-hour transit visa-free policies at the port. At the Daxing International Airport, around 560,000 foreign visitors entered, with 210,000 enjoying visa-free entry, and 36,000 foreigners benefiting from the 144-hour and 240-hour transit visa-free policies at that port, according to the report.
"Eternal Memory: The Nanjing Massacre Documentary Exhibition" opened on Wednesday at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu Province. Over 500 pieces of historical materials are on display, with some being publicly unveiled for the first time, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
The exhibition showcases over 500 documentary artifacts and more than 60 photographs, highlighting the major achievements in the collection, research, and international dissemination of Nanjing Massacre historical materials since the National Memorial Day for Victims was established.
The display features rare materials collected from countries and regions including the US, the UK, Germany, Japan, and Canada. These include archives, diaries, letters, audio-visual recordings.
Many of the documents are being shown publicly for the first time including the wartime diary of a Japanese soldier from the 13th Division and registries of victims, survivors, and eyewitnesses of the Nanjing Massacre.
The exhibition is organized around three themes: documentary preservation, research, and dissemination.
One part of the exhibition features over 300 archival documents from victims, perpetrators, and third parties, including survivor testimonies, diaries from Chinese and foreign nationals in Nanjing during the massacre, and confessions and news reports from perpetrators.
Another part presents more than 170 works authored or compiled by Chinese and foreign scholars, including research monographs, essay collections, and think tank reports.
The Nanjing Massacre took place when Japanese troops invaded then-Chinese capital on December 13, 1937. In over six weeks, approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers were killed in one of World War II's most brutal episodes, according to Xinhua in a previous report.
In 2014, China's top legislature designated December 13 as the National Memorial Day for the victims of the atrocities. By the 2024 National Memorial Day, only 32 registered survivors remain alive.
The Chinese Embassy in South Korea on Saturday advised Chinese nationals residing in South Korea and Chinese tourists visiting the country to enhance their legal awareness and self-protection, according to a statement released on the embassy’s WeChat account.
The embassy asked them to stay away from local political gatherings and crowded areas, refrain from making public political statements, keep informed about traffic control caused by gatherings, and prioritize personal safety and travel security.
In accordance with the Immigration Act of South Korea, foreign nationals in South Korea (regardless of the type of visa they hold) are prohibited from participating in political activities, except in cases specified by law. Violating this regulation may result in severe consequences, including forced deportation, according to the Chinese embassy.
China's Foreign Ministry on Friday announced its decision to take countermeasures against seven US military companies and relevant senior executives over recent military assistance and arms sales to China's Taiwan region.
Recently, the US announced another substantial package of military assistance and arms sales to China's Taiwan region. Its "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025" includes multiple negative sections concerning China. These seriously violate the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, interfere in China's internal affairs, and undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, according to the Foreign Ministry's announcement.
Pursuant to Articles 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 15 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Countering Foreign Sanctions, China hereby decides to take the countermeasures against seven companies: Insitu, Inc., Hudson Technologies Co., Saronic Technologies, Inc., Raytheon Canada, Raytheon Australia, Aerkomm Inc. and Oceaneering International, Inc., and relevant senior executives, according to the statement.
Their movable and immovable properties, and other kinds of assets within China shall be frozen. All organizations and individuals within China shall be prohibited from engaging in transaction, cooperation and other activities with them, read the statement.
This decision will come into force from December 27, 2024, according to the Foreign Ministry.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press conference on Friday that seeking "Taiwan independence" is bound to fail. What the US has done to assist the "Taiwan independence" attempt by arming Taiwan will only backfire. Its relevant act containing negative articles on China is filled with Cold War zero-sum mentality and ideological bias.
Without factual basis, the US plays up the "China threat" narrative, trumpets for military support to Taiwan and finds pretext for increasing military expenditure and maintaining hegemony, which disrupts regional peace and stability, said Mao.
We urge the US to abide by the one-China principle and the provisions in the three China-US joint communiqués, especially the August 17 Communiqué of 1982, immediately stop arming Taiwan in any form, view China's development and China-US relationship objectively and rationally, not to implement these negative articles concerning China and stop wrong words and deeds that harm China's interests. China will continue to take all measures necessary to firmly safeguard our sovereignty, security and development interests, said Mao.
China's countermeasures against US military-industrial companies and their executives express a firm stance - China strongly opposes any violation of the three China-US joint communiqués through arms sales to Taiwan region and actions that undermine its national interests and threaten peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, Li Zhenguang, deputy director at the Institute of Taiwan Studies at Beijing Union University, told the Global Times on Friday.
As the US prepares for the presidential transition, China's countermeasures also serve as a reminder of the redline on China-US relations to the US side and to American companies of their responsibilities in managing ties with Taiwan island, said Li, adding that the US side should avoid destabilizing the Taiwan Straits and refrain from actions that undermine China-US relations.
Recently, different departments and ministries in China respectively refuted the US' signing into law of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 and its content related to China's Taiwan region. For example, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a regular press conference on Wednesday that Taiwan is China's Taiwan, and that the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affairs that will not tolerate any external interference.
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday commended the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) for its achievements over the past five "extraordinary" years.
Xi made the remarks while addressing a welcome dinner held by the SAR government on the eve of the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland.
Against the background of accelerating global transformation not seen in a century and the once-in-a-century pandemic, the fifth-term SAR government has rallied and led the people of all sectors in Macao to rise to the challenges, made results-oriented efforts, ensured a steady economic recovery and achieved progress in all undertakings, Xi noted.
Over the past five years, Macao has made new progress in appropriate economic diversification, and reached a new level in improving people's well-being, Xi said.
Macao's political and social foundation, rooted in love for the Chinese nation and love for Macao, is more solid and stronger, and its international influence and visibility have risen significantly, he added.
The remarkable achievements are attributable to the full and faithful implementation of the "one country, two systems" policy, to the vigorous support of the central government and the mainland, and to the active involvement of the international community, Xi noted.
They are also the result of the hard work and all-out efforts of people of all sectors in Macao united under the leadership of the Macao SAR government, he added.
Macao enjoys the unique advantages of "one country, two systems" and has laid a solid foundation for development, Xi noted.
Macao should proactively align itself with national development strategies such as building the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and seek to play a bigger role on the international stage, Xi said.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, is in Macao for the anniversary celebrations, the inauguration of the sixth-term government of the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), and an inspection tour of the SAR.
On Thursday, Xi also met with officials of the executive, legislative and judicial organs of Macao, met with representatives from all walks of life in Macao, met with Ho Hau Wah and Chui Sai On, former chief executives of Macao, met with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR John Lee, visited the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), and visited the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, according to Xinhua.
Xi also attended a gala marking the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland at the Macao East Asian Games Dome Thursday evening.
Integration into natl devt plan
The Chinese central government has taken into full consideration Macao's unique position and role, encouraging it to actively integrate into the national development strategy, Lao Ngai Leong, chairman of the Association of Returned Overseas Chinese Macao, told the Global Times.
Since its return to China in 1999, Macao has built a strong relationship with the central government and benefited immensely from the abundant resources and strategic opportunities provided under the "one country, two systems" policy, Lao said.
"Macao, with a land area of just over 20 square kilometers, urgently needed space for development." Lao recalled President Xi emphasized on many occasions that the original goal of establishing the Hengqin new area was to create conditions for the diversified development of Macao's economy, which greatly inspired him.
In 2015, the central government approved Macao's land reclamation plans and granted it administration over 85 square kilometers of surrounding waters. In 2021, an in-depth cooperation zone was established to deepen collaboration between Macao and Guangdong Province. This zone, located on Hengqin Island, spans more than three times the land area of Macao, implementing a new management system of "joint consultation, joint management, and shared benefits," expanding Macao's development space to 224.76 square kilometers.
Hengqin, located at the southern tip of Zhuhai in Guangdong Province, is separated from Macao by a narrow stretch of water.
The Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, once a desolate stretch of land, as Luo Weijian, a law professor at the University of Macao, recounted, has now been transformed into a bustling epicenter of academia with the establishment of the Hengqin campus of University of Macao.
Luo noted that geographically, the University of Macao is not located in Macao but in the Hengqin new area of Zhuhai, across the sea from Macao, and administered by the Macao Special Administrative Region. However, he noted that both mainland and Macao people, never consciously differentiate between Hengqin or Macao because they all live within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
The Hengqin line of the Light Rapid Transit (LRT), linking the Lotus Station in the Macao Special Administrative Region to Hengqin Station in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, has turned the "one-hour living circle" concept of the GBA from a mere aspiration into a tangible reality.
"Different social systems and administrative divisions have, under the principle of 'mutual promotion and mutual benefit' between Macao and Guangdong, been transformed into a "unified chessboard" development model in Hengqin, even in GBA," Luo noted.
As of September 2024, the cooperation zone has attracted 6,461 Macao enterprises and 16,539 Macao residents to move in. The deeply-integrated development between Guangdong and Macao is becoming a reality.
Economic diversification
On Thursday morning, Xi visited the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), where he was briefed on the development of two state-level key laboratories in the university - one on the quality of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the other on lunar and planetary science.
Hailing TCM as the gem of the Chinese civilization, Xi urged efforts to well inherit, develop and utilize it, and promote it to the rest of the world.
Talking about China's achievements in lunar exploration, he said Macao has proven to be capable of conducting cutting-edge world-class scientific research.
"In recent years, the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) industry in Macao has gradually became a new highlight for the moderate diversification of the economy. The Macao SAR government also considers it a new industry to be cultivated," Li Shaoping, deputy director of State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines at the University of Macao, told the Global Times.
Li pointed out that the development of TCM in Macao aligns with the needs of local social development. As a typical micro economy, promoting moderate economic diversification is an important cornerstone and strategic choice for maintaining long-term prosperity and stability.
"After Macao's return to the motherland, the SAR government has attached great importance to the development of the TCM industry, laying a solid foundation for the moderate diversification of Macao's economy. However, it still requires further concentration of efforts, focusing on national needs, and actively integrating into the national development," Li said.
In the past, Macao's economy, supported by the tourism and gaming industry, was impacted by the global financial crisis and the pandemic, highlighting the issues in its economic structure. How to achieve a "diverse" economic development has always been a test for Macao's people and the SAR government.
On November 1, 2023, the "Development Plan for Appropriate Economic Diversification of the Macao Special Administrative Region (2024-2028)" was announced. This is Macao's first comprehensive and systematic industrial development plan, proposing the "1+4" development strategy. The "1+4" appropriate diversification development strategy aims to enrich Macao's function as "One Centre" for integrated tourism and leisure, while facilitating the development of four nascent industries, namely: the "Big Health" industry; modern financial services; high and new technology; and convention and exhibition, sports, and the commercial and trade industries.
From building in-depth cooperation zone to the accelerated construction of the GBA, Macao continues to actively participate in the national broader regional coordinated development strategy, striving to play a more important role on a larger stage, Lao said.
A man with a total of 100 AirPods strapped to his abdomen attempted to enter the country via the Qingmao checkpoint, affiliated with the Gongbei Port in Zhuhai city, South China’s Guangdong Province, and was seized on the spot by customs officers recently, according to the General Administration of Customs of China.
While the man was entering from Qingmao on December 11, customs officers found that he looked nervous and deliberately covered his abdomen with a backpack, prompting them to stop him for inspection.
Upon further inspection, customs officers discovered a total of 100 AirPods wrapped in plastic film around his waist and abdomen.
If individuals attempt to hide, disguise, conceal, falsely declare, or use other methods to evade customs supervision, and transport, carry, or mail goods or items prohibited or restricted from entering or leaving the ports, it constitutes smuggling, customs officers said.
If the circumstances are serious enough to constitute an offence, individuals may face criminal charges under Chinese law, said the General Administration of Customs of China.
China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) warned on Monday about foreign spy agencies using internet users’ comments on Chinese social media to steal national secrets.
The country’s state security departments have discovered that some foreign espionage and intelligence agencies have exploited social media comment sections to steal national state secrets in recent years, disrupt cyberspace order, and pose a threat to China’s state security. Comment sections on social media platforms have increasingly become a primary venue for public social interaction, as they allow real-time discussions on diverse topics.
According to the MSS, foreign espionage and intelligence agencies often disguise themselves as enthusiasts of specific topics and lurk in online comment sections in terms of politics, economics, military, technology, and other subjects, using tactics such as questioning, debating, or making friends to probe for China’s state secrets.
State security investigations have found that certain foreign intelligence agencies employed methods such as manual screening or algorithmic detection to gather confidential and sensitive information – such as research equipment parameters, serial numbers, and information about R&D personnel – from the comment sections of videos related to China’s science and technology projects.
The MSS also found that foreign espionage and intelligence agencies recruit “paid posters” or use social media bots to fabricate and disseminate false statements in comment sections, aiming to discredit the Chinese government and its policies or distort China’s history to mislead the public.
Investigations by the MSS have revealed that some foreign intelligence agencies flood online comment sections discussing Chinese historical heroes with fabricated history, to defame and undermine China’s historical culture and iconic figures. Their goal is to undermine public admiration for these heroes and weaken recognition and pride in China’s historical and cultural identity.
Additionally, foreign espionage and intelligence agencies may create numerous accounts to shape public opinion on social media. They actively steer discussions by setting up specific topics, flooding comment sections, and controlling narratives to escalate conflicts and foster division, in a bid to skew public discourse and manipulate the direction of debates.
Investigations have uncovered instances where foreign intelligence agencies introduced sensitive topics and flooded discussions with inflammatory rhetoric, inciting dissent and amplifying public emotions in an attempt to provoke unrest and create chaos.
The MSS noted that in the face of actions by foreign spy agencies using the internet to steal state secrets and disrupt China’s cyberspace order, the Chinese public must remain vigilant and strengthen their awareness of state security and counter-espionage.
A woman in Panzhou, Southwest China's Guizhou Province, was detained for setting fire to a mountain in an attempt to collect plastic bottles which she planned to sell for money, according to a statement from the local government's official WeChat account on Monday.
According to the report, the woman, surnamed Luo, said that she believed people fighting fires in the mountains would leave behind many plastic water bottles, which she then planned to collect and sell for profit.
Luo was found out to repeatedly use a lighter to ignite the weeds in the mountain forest. She has been detained by the local public security bureau on suspicion of arson.
The Global Times Annual Conference 2025, themed "Moving forward in Partnership: Resonance of Values between China and the World," was held in Beijing on Saturday. During a discussion on the topic "Exploring the Path of Great Power Relations: Differences and Consensus," Fang Ning, chair professor at Sichuan University, stated that to observe US foreign policy today, it is essential to deeply understand the characteristics of US politics.
During the discussion, Cui Hongjian, professor of the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University and panel moderator, posed a question: "Despite the many challenges we face today, is it still possible for major powers to ultimately reach some kind of consensus and return to the direction of stable cooperation?"
In response, Fang remarked, "There is a general understanding or consensus that a country's foreign policy and international relations are greatly influenced by its domestic politics. I have studied four US presidential elections over more than a decade, and this time I've gained new insights. We often talk about fundamental issues or underlying logic. So, what is the underlying logic or fundamental issue in US domestic politics? It's essentially about elections, and about votes."
Fang further explained that observing US foreign policy necessitates studying the distinct characteristics of US political system, particularly voter behavior and attitudes. He noted that modern political science, shaped by US elections, also serves electoral needs. He identified this as a fundamental issue.
As agreed by China and India, China's Special Representative on the China-India boundary question, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi and India's Special Representative and National Security Adviser Shri Ajit Doval will hold the 23rd meeting of Special Representatives for China-India Boundary Question in Beijing on December 18, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian announced on Monday.
Not long ago, the Chinese and Indian leaders met in Kazan and reached important common understanding on making good use of the Special Representatives mechanism on the China-India boundary question. The two sides are in close communication on holding a meeting under the mechanism, Lin said previously during a regular Monday briefing.
Since China and India reached resolutions on issues concerning the border area, following the two leaders' meeting on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit, bilateral relations have emerged from the low point, with an evident improvement momentum, Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times on Monday.
China and India have reached resolutions on issues concerning the border area and China will work with India for the implementation of these resolutions in October.
Lin said at a regular press conference on October 22 that "Over a recent period of time, China and India have reached resolutions on issues concerning the border area following close communication through diplomatic and military channels. China commends the progress made and will continue working with India for the sound implementation of these resolutions."
On December 5, Director-General of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Hong Liang and Joint Secretary of the East Asia Division of the Ministry of External Affairs of India Gourangalal Das co-chaired the 32nd Meeting of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs in New Delhi, according to a readout released by Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affair.
The two sides positively evaluated the solutions reached by the two countries on border issues, and agreed to continue to fully and effectively implement the relevant solutions and take measures to further ease the border situation, according to the readout.
These interactions all indicate that both sides are actively engaging in positive diplomatic efforts and are working to implement the consensus reached between the two leaders in Kazan, with the goal of bringing China-India relations to a path of healthy development, Qian said.
