Pakistan takes "immense pride" in its unique and "time-tested friendship" with China. The two countries are not only connected by land, rivers, and mountains, but also by a heart corridor, founded on the shared values of mutual respect, trust, solidarity, and support, said Pakistani Ambassador to China Khalil-ur-Rahman Hashmi.

Hashmi also stressed that as Ambassador of Pakistan to China, he and his team are committed to "implementing the consensus reached between the two countries' leadership to fortify the strategic trust between the two countries, strengthen ties across multiple domains, and build an even stronger China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future in the New Era.

The Pakistani diplomat made the remarks during an event to celebrate the 84th National Day of Pakistan hosted by the Pakistani Embassy in Beijing on Monday. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong was also present at the event.

"China and Pakistan are good neighbors, good friends, good partners, and good brothers. The ironclad friendship between the two countries, deeply rooted in the hearts of the two peoples, remains rock solid and keeps growing from strength to strength," Sun said.

"China is glad to see that Pakistan's general election was smoothly held, and a new government has been formed. We sincerely hope that Pakistan will enjoy social stability and economic growth and open up a new prospect for national development," he noted.

According to Hashmi, Pakistan and China and the peoples of the two countries have overcome hardships and celebrated triumphs, standing shoulder to shoulder in good and difficult times, in the true spirit of the iron brotherhood.

"Our relationship remains a source of peace and stability in the region and beyond. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a crown jewel of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), stands as a shining testament of win-win cooperation," he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Hashmi also paid great tribute to Pakistan's Founding Fathers, especially Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Underscoring the significant strides the country has made over the decades across multiple fields, the ambassador highlighted the resilience and ability of Pakistan to bounce back stronger in the face of challenges.

He also recalled the groundbreaking diplomatic initiatives undertaken by Pakistan on the international stage for the promotion of peace, harmony, and development. The ambassador lauded the contribution of the Pakistani community in the promotion of China-Pakistan ties, while calling for further expansion of business and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

The event attracted several senior Chinese officials, resident ambassadors, diplomats, Pakistani community members, representatives of Chinese state-owned and private enterprises, intelligentsia, and leading media figures.

A troupe of Chinese and Pakistani children also performed at the reception, symbolizing the enduring bonds of friendship between the two countries. Pakistan is the fifth-most populous country with a population of 240 million people, and a rich and diverse cultural heritage spanning over five millennia. Some glimpses of this heritage were on display at the event.

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 inspections, Xi has always paid great attention to ecosystems, spanning from cities to rural areas, and from enterprises to communities.

Over the past decade, under the guidance of President Xi Jinping's Thought on Ecological Civilization, China has been advancing the green transition of its economy. Regions across the country are actively promoting the construction of ecological civilization and advancing the Chinese modernization featuring harmony between humanity and nature. These efforts are 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 that Xi is concerned with, delving into the positive environmental changes occurring now, and offering valuable insights and references for both national and global efforts. From these portraying, we can see how Xi's thought on ecological civilization is put into practice and further inspire public action.

In the first installment, the Global Times explores Xiamen in East China's Fujian Province, a key birthplace and early adopter of Xi's ecological ideas, to witness the green shift of this international Garden City. The "Xiamen solution" is a crucial component of the vision for building a beautiful China and the "Xiamen practice" has also contributed valuable Chinese wisdom to the global marine governance.
Over the Spring Festival holidays, Xiamen residents' beloved Yundang Lake was transformed into a dazzling display of lights and color, creating a festive atmosphere. Strolling along the lake trail, people were greeted by the harmonious blend of vibrant red lanterns and lush green trees, while the crystal-clear lake water mirrored the graceful movements of elegant egrets.

However, it is hard to imagine that just a few decades ago, Yundang Lake was a starkly different scene.

The once Yundang Port, spanning nearly 10 square kilometers alongside the East China Sea coastline, was drastically reduced to a mere 1.6 square kilometers of enclosed inner lake due to reclamation efforts and dike construction. Rapid urbanization and population growth in the surrounding area exacerbated ecological issues, placing immense environmental strain on Yundang Lake.

As paper mills, tanneries, breweries, and other factories sprang up along its shores, indiscriminately discharging industrial waste and sewage directly into the water, Yundang Lake transformed into a foul-smelling body of water, choked with sewage, littered with garbage, teeming with mosquitoes. People living nearby were left to endure the unbearable stench and suffer the consequences of this form of environmental degradation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping cherishes Xiamen deeply. From his post in the coastal city to leadership roles in Fujian and the central authorities, Xi's ecological protection initiatives on Xiamen have yielded significant results.

As a key birthplace and early adopter of Xi's ecological ideas, Xiamen has pursued systematicecological governance and contributed to high-quality development through marine ecological restoration for over 30 years, fostering harmony between man and nature.

Now, Xiamen has built a beautiful bay living environment, enhancing the ecological vitality of the coastal zone, and contributing the "Xiamen solution" to domestic and international urban marine ecological protection.

A splashing recovery

"It was a momentous occasion for Xiamen people to undergo a consciousness awakening."

Wang Yanyan, chief engineer at the Xiamen Municipal Administration of Parks and Gardens, still vivid remembers how tough the battle against environmental pollution was when it was launched in the city in 1988.

In March 1988, Xi, then serving as executive vice mayor of the city, set in motion a comprehensive strategy to revitalize the lake.

"The vice mayor personally spearheaded the ecological protection of a lake, and with unprecedented efforts, took out 10 percent of the city's annual infrastructure investment for two consecutive years - 10 million yuan - for lake governance," Wang told the Global Times.

Xiamen, as one of the first four special economic zones in China, was also in the critical stage of reform and opening-up in the late 1980s. Despite financial constraints, the city's leaders showed remarkable courage and commitment to the cause.

"The efforts put into the lake's restoration were truly exceptional for the time," Wang emphasized.

Since then, Yundang Lake has witnessed five major restoration projects, with a total investment of nearly 1.99 billion yuan ($270 million).

"Sewage interception is the key to restoring the beauty of Yundang Lake," Xie Xiaoqing, the general manager of Xiamen Municipal Urban Development and Construction Co, Ltd, told the Global Times, noting that over the years, Xiamen has taken bold steps to clean up the lake, shutting down 210 polluting factories, building top-notch sewage treatment facilities, and updating the rainwater and sewage disposal systems in over 800 communities.

"Previously, whenever raindrops fell on the ground in Xiamen, my heart would start to worry, because the rain would make the smell of Yundang Lake even worse. But now, we have improved the water quality in the lake basin from the source, so I can rest easy knowing that the lake is no longer a concern," Xie said.

Zhang Weipeng, the director of the Yundang Lake Protection Center, praised the current innovative use of natural sea tides to flush out lake pollutants as a decision rooted in science and foresight.

Thanks to these measures, Yundang Lake has undergone a remarkable transformation, blossoming into a vibrant hub of finance, tourism, and residential living in Xiamen.

The successful restoration of the lake serves as a shining example for future lake remediation projects in Xiamen, while also inspiring a collective commitment to ecological civilization across the city.

A great example

In January 1986, Xi emphasized at a meeting in Xiamen that "protecting natural scenic resources has far-reaching implications and great significance." But how to balance the relationship between ecological environment protection and development construction?

Xi's position is clear: Can we use partial destruction to achieve development on the other side? I think it is very clear to me that Xiamen cannot exchange development in other aspects at this cost.

In 1994, after gaining legislative power for economic special zones, Xiamen enacted its first substantive local regulation, the "Xiamen Environmental Protection Regulations." Since then, Xiamen has successively enacted more than 10 maritime regulations.

In addition to investing in governance and actively implementing legal safeguards, Xiamen has also implemented a series of institutional innovations, such as establishing the Municipal Government's Marine Management Office, pioneering the formation of a specialized marine cleaning team in China, strictly prohibiting the introduction of heavily polluting projects, and rationalizing the layout of industrial concentration zones.

The ecological protection of bay-type cities is a global issue. Problems such as dense population, industrial agglomeration, high pressure on resources and the environment, environmental pollution, and reduced biodiversity tend to restrict economic and social development.

In 2002, Xi, then deputy Party chief and governor of Fujian, proposed the idea of shifting Xiamen's urban planning from island-based to bay-based.

Since then, the city has undertaken a succession of comprehensive renovation and development projects in five bay areas, aiming to create a "beautiful blue bay" surrounding the city.

A closer look at the city's urban planning reveals the thoughtful "concessions" made to protect the environment: To protect over 500 trees, the Tianyuan Bridge in Wuyuan Bay takes a bend to avoid disturbing the Chinese white dolphins; the plan for the Xiang'an Cross-Sea Bridge was changed to a more costly and labor-intensive underwater tunnel; and Xiamen even built a mountain road with only three lanes to avoid any harms to reservoirs and plants.

Amid the bustling cityscape, Xiamen has set aside a 3-hectare natural reserve for the blue-tailed bee-eater (Merops philippinus), known as the "most beautiful bird in China." This sanctuary provides a safe haven for these majestic creatures to breed and thrive, making Xiamen their northernmost breeding ground in the world.

However, these "concessions" are not compromises. In Xiamen, the sea isn't just a backdrop - it's a way of life. The city's dedication to preserving its natural heritage serves as a shining example for bay cities around the world, showing that with careful planning and a deep respect for nature, economic and social development can coexist harmoniously with the environment.

Guided by Xi's ideas, over the past 36 years, Xiamen has pioneered the concept of comprehensive bay-area governance in domestic coastal regions and invested a total of 105.6 billion yuan in marine ecological protection and restoration, aiming to construct a bay city where humans and nature coexist harmoniously.

The impressive economic development achievements also complement the good ecological environment: In 2023, Xiamen's total economic output exceeded 800 billion yuan for the first time, reaching over 806.6 billion yuan.

The wetland restoration project in Xiamen has set a great example to the world for "making peace with nature," Peter Thomson, the UN Secretary-General's special envoy for the ocean, made the remark at the 2023 World Ocean Week in Xiamen, in November 2023.

Media reports said since 2007, the lessons of treating Yundang Lake have been included in the coastal governance training course of the Chinese government's foreign aid project, and such courses have been provided to more than 100 developing countries and nearly 2,000 officials and technical personnel around the world.
A rooted initiative

During the winter months, Xiamen becomes a haven for flocks of cormorants seeking shelter and sustenance in the tranquil waters of Xinglin Bay. The sight of these majestic birds soaring through the sky in unison is a breathtaking spectacle.

"Whether the ecology is good or not, the birds know best," said Guo Qiang, a member of the Xiamen Bird Watching Association, who eagerly captures the beauty of these overwintering birds with his camera.

With years of experience behind the lens, Guo said he felt lucky to see firsthand the positive impact of Xiamen's efforts to restore its marine ecosystem.

There are countless dedicated bird enthusiasts like Guo in Xiamen on hand to document the birds' behaviors and movements, serving as guardians of the city's precious ecological treasures.

The essence of Xi's thought on ecological civilization has truly taken root in the hearts of Xiamen residents, becoming a natural and heartfelt commitment for all,Zhang said, noting that currently in Xiamen, the focus on ecological protection has transformed from government-leading to active public action.

Zhang shared a heartwarming story about a recent incident at Yundang Lake. "During the cold wave a week ago, many people called to ask the conservation center to pay attention to the warm work of the birds. We immediately sent experts to the field and made emergency plans to respond to people's concerns," he said.

Zhang's WeChat account is a hub of activity, with groups dedicated to cleaning the lake, testing water quality, and managing the "Xiamen Yundang Blue Volunteer Service Team."

One inspiring member of this team is Chen Yajin, donning a blue vest after retiring at 65 to become the "citizen lake chief." He spends his days patrolling the lake, gathering feedback from the public.

On the picturesque ecological artificial island of Maluan Bay in Xiamen, the Global Times observed citizens actively participating in the "tree adoption activity." They rolled up their sleeves, bent down, and lovingly tended to the trees they had adopted, carefully placing nameplates, watering, and nurturing the once barren land that had been transformed by the hard work of local villagers.

One young mother, Zheng, shared her thoughts with Global Times as she participated in the activity with her children. "We bring our children here to plant trees, to show them that the beauty surrounding them is not easy to come by. President Xi brings ecological wealth and green well-being to Xiamen, which is extremely precious for us," she said. "We want to instill in them a sense of responsibility as caretakers of the environment."

"Most children now all know that the plants and animals in the sea and mountains of Xiamen are their good friends. With the companionship of these well-cared-for friends, they will grow up healthier and stronger," Zheng said.

Editor's Note:

"Cognitive Warfare" has become a new form of confrontation between states, and a new security threat. With new technological means, it sets agendas and spreads disinformation, to change people's perceptions and thus alter their self-identity. Launching cognitive warfare against China is an important means for Western anti-China forces to attack and discredit the country.

Some politicians and media outlets have publicly smeared China's image by propagating false narratives in an attempt to incite and provoke dissatisfaction with China among people in certain countries. These means all serve the seemingly peaceful evolution of the US strategy to contain China's rise and maintain its hegemony. The Global Times is publishing a series of articles to reveal the intrigues of the US-led West's China-targeted cognitive warfare, and expose its lies and vicious intentions.

In the ninth installment in the series, the Global Times reveals how the Philippines is intensifying its cognitive warfare against China by accusing Beijing of causing environmental damage in the South China Sea. The truth is, however, that it is the Philippines' "grounded" military vessel at Ren'ai Jiao (also known as Ren'ai Reef) that is causing significant harm to the marine environment. The Philippines, instigated by the US, disregards facts and continues to obfuscate while intending to mislead the international community. This approach is not conducive to the easing of tensions in the South China Sea, and the only way to resolve the dispute is through dialogue.
In the recent past, the Philippines has consistently promoted negative narratives about China, leveling accusations of environmental destruction in the South China Sea and mulling court action against China again. However, an investigation by the Global Times has revealed that it is actually the Philippines' "grounded" military vessel at Ren'ai Jiao that is causing significant harm to the marine environment and its biodiversity.

The Philippine military vessel, built during World War II and has long been in a state of disrepair, has been stranded on Ren'ai Jiao in the South China Sea for 24 years, continuously releasing a large amount of pollutants into the surrounding reefs and waters. Scientific studies have shown that the toxins from the paint on the hulls of military ships can cause irreversible damage to marine organisms and potentially harm human health.

However, the US has not only turned a blind to Philippines' destructive behaviors, but also continued to encourage the Philippines' provocative actions by aiming slander at China.

Chinese experts pointed out that in its sinister attempt to steal the Chinese territory, the Philippine government stranded a battered military vessel on the beautiful reef in the South China Sea and failed to keep its promise to tow it away for 24 years. As it was impossible for the country to carry out environmental protection and sewage treatment with regard to the vessel, they strongly slammed the Philippines for being "extremely irresponsible and uncivilized" for the discharge of a large number of naturally occurring and man-made pollutants into the surrounding reefs and waters.

Meanwhile, the experts warned that the US is merely using the Philippines as a pawn, as part of its attempt to rally allies to implement its Indo-Pacific Strategy to contain China.

If Manila thinks that the US will help the Philippines maintain its so-called national interests and security, it is engaged in a fool's errand.

Obvious damage

The Philippines' illegally "grounded" warship on Ren'ai Jiao was built by the US military during World War II. True to the workmanship of the time, the ship was covered in toxic paint, which can easily become a pollutant. Twenty-four-year stranding has resulted in the release of metal and paint corrosion, concentrated emissions from fossil fuel combustion, and domestic waste into the surrounding waters and reefs. These emissions and toxins continue to spread, causing irreversible and sustained damage to the surrounding marine life, Yang Xiao, deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Strategy Studies, China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times.

He emphasized that this not only leads to the death of marine animals such as fish and shrimp, but also causes cumulative harm to aquatic plants. Furthermore, through the food chain, it poses significant adverse effects on the marine ecosystem of the South China Sea and humanity by extension.

Previous cases showed that such environmentally detrimental ship painting practices have resulted in severe environmental pollution incidents and vehement protests from local fishermen.

For example, the Book called The Development of Japanese Warships: The Transitioning of Technology and Ships (1956), written by Japanese author Shizuo Fukui who was also an Imperial Japanese Naval and Japanese Coast Guard officer, cited a specific example from 1942 near Japan's Kure Naval Base, where the frequent passage of warships coated with highly polluting paints led to many fish dying, triggering mass protests from the surrounding community.

"These mobile warships already caused extremely severe pollution, let alone a dilapidated ship from the World War II era that remains stranded for an extended period," Yang suggested. "The pollution generated by a ship that remains docked for prolonged periods is more challenging to dilute in seawater."

A report by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2019 identified hull scrapings, marine coatings and anti-fouling systems as potential sources of microplastics to the oceans.

These toxic substances include mercury oxide, organotin compounds (TBT), and copper compounds among others. Ample scientific research indicates that these toxins can cause irreversible and pathogenic pollution to marine organisms. Moreover, these toxins have the potential to enter the human food chain, Yang explained.

The expert called for urgent scientific sampling, comparison, and analysis research by international organizations and environmental groups, with the consent of the sovereign state, to assess the potential risks posed by the stranded Philippine warship.

"The Philippine authorities have turned a blind eye to numerous domestic governance issues, and instead, have been focusing on stirring up tensions in the South China Sea. These actions not only waste resources but also burden the entire nation with the heavy economic costs of military competition. It is imperative for the Philippine government to prioritize addressing the significant environmental damage issues that have inflicted serious trauma on the Filipino people and future generations," Yang asserted.

In 2023, the Filipino people organized a series of protests against the severe environmental pollution and damage caused by the Philippine government's land reclamation projects, attracting international media attention.

The expert urges immediate action to mitigate the ongoing damage caused by the "grounded" warship and demands compensation from the Philippines for polluting Chinese territories and nearby waters.

Yang also proposes enhancing relevant environmental protection measures in the negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, in order to safeguard the environment and ecology of the region.
Black hands

The Philippines has been hyping up the coral damage in the South China Sea since September 2023 and exploring the possibility of pulling China into another international dispute settlement organ.

The spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded on September 21, 2023, stating "the Philippines' accusations have no factual basis," and went on to urge the Philippines to stop creating a fictitious political drama.

"If the Philippines truly cares about the ecological environment of the South China Sea, it should tow away the illegally 'grounded' warship on Ren'ai Jiao as soon as possible, stop it from discharging polluted water into the ocean, and not let the rusting warship cause irrevocable harm to the ocean," said the spokesperson.

"It seems that the Philippines is attempting to intensify the situation in the South China Sea by building a causal link between the damage and the so-called 'destructive fishing activities' of Chinese fishermen," Lei Xiaolu, a professor at the China Institute of Boundary and Ocean Studies (CIBOS), Wuhan University, told the Global Times on Monday.

Manila is exploring legal options against China over its alleged destruction of coral reefs within the Philippines' "exclusive economic zone (EEZ)."

"The Philippines asserts that the disputed waters are within its exclusive economic zone and invokes the 2016 ruling. However, China has consistently insisted that the 2016 ruling is null and void." Lei stated. "The two states have positively opposed point of view on the validity of the Arbitral Award, in this case, any new proceedings based on that Award can neither resolve the disputes between them, nor assist the parties to protect and preserve the marine environment."

It is more akin to a new 'lawfare' against China," Lei said.

Ge Hongliang, deputy director of the College of ASEAN Studies at the Guangxi University for Nationalities, also noted that while the aforementioned lawsuit may not have a substantial impact in practice, it does hold symbolic significance as it increases international pressure on China's actions in the South China Sea.

Yang also believes that the US has intensified its cooperative efforts with the Philippines in launching a second arbitration, with US think tank involvement.

"Their typical tactic involves US think tanks unilaterally quoting the Philippines' claims and creating so-called reports criticizing China. High-ranking officials from the US military and diplomatic sectors then amplify these claims on social media platforms to generate public opinion momentum, without mentioning any of China's various environmental protection activities in the South China Sea, including the conservation of the white dolphin," Yang explained.

"The South China Sea, with its breathtaking beauty, has been a cherished homeland for Chinese fishermen for generations. It also serves as a vital ecological and environmental barrier for the coastal countries in the region. Therefore, it is imperative that we prioritize the protection of its delicate ecosystem, just as we value our own eyes," Yang emphasized.

"In this advanced and civilized 21st century, we cannot allow a World War II-era vessel to continue emitting and discharging pollution, relentlessly destroying the ecological environment of the South China Sea, causing harm to its marine life and vegetation, jeopardizing the well-being of the surrounding communities, and posing a threat to the safety of future generations," he said.

China's efforts in environmental protection have been widely recognized and trusted by neighboring countries in the surrounding seas. To strengthen the ecological protection of the South China Sea and fulfill its responsibilities as a major country, China initiated a campaign to protect and restore Yongshu Jiao, Zhubi Jiao, and Meiji Jiao in the Nansha Islands, on January 1, 2019. These efforts also include regular surveys and assessments to gradually understand the evolution of the coral reef ecosystem, scientifically determine the areas that require priority protection, and implement targeted conservation efforts at coral reef ecosystem restoration work.

At a commercial building on the busy Nanjing Road West in downtown Shanghai, two groups of people almost come to blows over a lease negotiation dispute. The situation threatens to escalate as angry lessees and lessors consider seeking redress at the courts if the conflict isn't resolved promptly.

But the dispute is quickly resolved, thanks to the first-time intervention of local law enforcement agencies. After a thorough analysis and in-depth discussions on matters including the contract implementation and lease structure adjustment, the two sides, in the presence of police, market supervisors, and lawyers, gradually calm down, and bring negotiations eventually back on track.

During the process, authorities "made use of multi-party resources that complement each other's advantages, and paid much attention to the settlement of multiple disputes," said a Shanghai-based lawyer Xu Hongmei, who participated in this mediation in June 2023. "That provides a guarantee for enterprises to conduct business without distractions," Xu told the Global Times.

The Nanjing Road West case is a vivid example of the "three-party linkage mechanism" by the Shanghai police. The establishment of the mechanism, which means police stations, judicial offices, and law firms work together in resolving grassroots disputes, was promulgated by the Shanghai Municipal Public Security Bureau in 2023.

An article published by the People's Daily on January 4, in which reporters visited police stations, judicial offices, and law firms in Shanghai to see how the creative mechanism resolved conflicts and disputes among the people, expounded on the lessons that grassroots governance could be drawn from the mechanism.

Chinese experts on government affairs management said the "three-party linkage mechanism," which embodies the integration of law, principle, and human sentiment, is another innovative attempt in improving Chinese grassroots governance ability, which can effectively promote social harmony and stability.

Resolve disputes in the bud

In daily life, some seemingly small matters, such as neighborhood, property, and parking disputes, are actually major events in the minds of the public. Sometimes, dealing with these matters may create a knot in the hearts of the involved parties, and the cost of legal action can be high.

The "three-party linkage mechanism" in Shanghai is a creative attempt to solve this problem. To date, the mechanism has been established in all 353 police stations across this city, according to the People's Daily report.

The jurisdiction of the Nanjing Road West police station is one of the city's key CBD (Central Business District) areas. The 1.62-square-kilometer area gathers 31 commercial buildings.

Multipurpose real estate is of huge economic benefit to the city, but it can easily be a source of various kinds of contradictions and disputes, among which commercial consumption disputes account for more than 50 percent, said Chen Wei, director of the police station.

"Such disputes may escalate quickly if they are ineffectively managed and controlled in the initial stages," Chen told the Global Times.

Early in 2019, the Nanjing Road West police station set up an in-house legal public service station at a Shanghai landmark shopping mall, and invited local law firms to sign up to serve at the station.

Since then, with the guidance of the "three-party linkage mechanism" introduced later, all 30 legal service stations in this area have covered more than 400 enterprises and public institutions, providing offline consultations for 268 people, and helping resolve 144 disputes of various kinds, according to the Jing'an Branch of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau.

Deploying the mediation work in advance is one of the important concepts of the "three-party linkage mechanism" in Shanghai's grassroots governance. Through early detection, early intervention, and early mediation, contradictions can be nipped in the bud.

In downtown Hongkou district, for instance, quarrels on matters including greenery and the height of the walls used to regularly happen among residential community neighbors. "Some people even came to me with iron chains, asking for an explanation," local grassroots Party official Zhu Zhenyu told the People's Daily.

The local police station then launched the "three-party linkage mechanism." Under the joint efforts of the police, judicial mediators, and lawyers, residents of the two communities buried the hatchet. Moreover, residential developers tore down the old wall and replaced it with a new 2.5-meter-tall one, "and that satisfied all the residents involved."

"As society develops, our work is also changing," Chen Jinbiao, deputy director of the Public Order Department of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau, told the People's Daily. "If some conflicts and disputes are not resolved in time, they are likely to escalate into criminal cases. Therefore, we move from passive protection to front-end prevention."

"This is also our exploration of adhering to and developing the 'Fengqiao experience' in the new era," Chen noted.

The "three-party linkage mechanism" is an integrated social governance measure that can give full play to the strengths of the police station, law firm, and judicial office in the mediation of mass disputes, Xiong Yihan, vice-president of the School of International Relations and Public Affairs at Fudan University, told the Global Times.

Xiong noted that in the past, police and lawyers often stepped in at the end of a civil dispute when relations were tense.

"At present, various organizations are emphasizing the need to identify and solve problems in the bud, which is a proactive problem-solving thought and strategy," he said.

The public security department is playing to its strengths by offering a platform, mobilizing the resources of all parties, lawyers, and mediators to actively make mediation more effective, Xiong noted.
Joint effort of multiple parties

The implementation and promotion of the "three-party linkage mechanism" has not only resolved a large number of contradictions and disputes, but has also mobilized more resources to aid in its implementation, thus, constantly building a solid foundation for grassroots governance, said observers.

The resolution of the lease negotiation dispute, which took place at a commercial building on Nanjing Road West in June 2023, was an example showing the joint efforts of multiple parties in making the mechanism work. That day, before the two involved sides turned the verbal argument into a physical fight, local police rushed to pacify them, and judicial mediators and lawyers arrived within 30 minutes to help mediate the conflict. Then, the district's commercial commission hosted an online coordination meeting for the two sides, with local market supervisors also in attendance.

At the city level, the Public Security Bureau in Shanghai has adopted a lively approach to resolving disputes. They work closely with the Party committee, and various government departments including education, civil affairs, health, market supervision, housing management, and judicial professional committees. This collaboration has led to the establishment of a more effective mediation system, resulting in a significant improvement in resolving vexing problems for the public.

In addition, for problems in key industries such as real estate and labor relations, the Shanghai public security organs rely on "reminder letters" and "comprehensive treatment proposals" to give relevant departments suggestions to deal with, promoting the transformation from solving isolated cases to dissecting a universal difficulty in one field.

Since 2023, Shanghai has issued a total of 136 suggestions and reminders in several areas, which have provided substantial support in improving the overall management of local communities, greatly contributing to enhanced grassroots governance.
Integration of law and human sentiment

Resolving conflicts and disputes among the public and helping the parties involved find closure and satisfaction is no easy task. However, the "three-party linkage mechanism" has proven to be an effective approach that considers the legal, rational, and emotional aspects of these situations comprehensively.

In June 2023, for instance, late at night, a tenant surnamed Wei contacted Gu Xiaofen, a community police officer at the Pujin Road police station of the Minhang Public Security Sub-bureau in Shanghai.

"I will fight them to the end!" Wei declared. Wei was frustrated with a three-party rent dispute involving the landlord and sub-landlord, and firmly believed that a power outage had intentionally been caused by the landlord as a form of punishment.

Gu and Wei engaged in a lengthy conversation that night, joined by a mediator from the judicial office. Together, they aimed to understand the challenges faced by the sub-landlord and find a way to resolve the impasse. Gu also sought legal advice from a lawyer to clarify the nature of the contract between the parties involved.

Thanks to the "three-party linkage mechanism," this complex rental dispute, with conflicting interests and intense emotions, was successfully resolved in a short time.

"Sometimes, relying solely on the police is not enough to convince both parties. By involving lawyers and mediators, the people involved can not only experience the warmth of mediation, but also receive professional legal services, making it easier for them to rationally assess their interests and reach a consensus," Jin Jie, the director of the Guidance Brigade of the Grassroots Basic Work Division of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau, told the People's Daily.

To encourage the public to seek legal assistance proactively, the Shanghai public security authorities have also implemented more intelligent and information-based methods, such as online mediation services. Since 2023, they have had over 50,000 online legal consultations and conducted over 11,800 scheduled mediations. These efforts aim to provide accessible and efficient support to those in need.

The "three-party linkage mechanism" embodies the characteristics of Chinese-style urban grassroots governance and is conducive to promoting social harmony and stability, Xiong pointed out.

"China is a society with a large population, and in the process of governance, the relevant departments are exploring a model that is different from the Western society's pursuit of a single legal route, but a combination of self-governance at the grassroots level, virtue, and rule of law," Xiong noted.

Just like the "three-party linkage mechanism," it not only emphasizes procedural justice but also takes into account the simple justice views of ordinary Chinese people, ensuring both procedural justice and substantive justice, and striving to meet the diverse interests and demands of the public.

The integration of law, principle, and human sentiment, and the aggregation of multiple forces to address public concerns have made such modernization of governance in these mega-cities highly popular among the Chinese people, Xiong pointed.

Xiong also believes that in the future, the mechanism will be actively promoted and adaptively applied to different fields in other cities and rural areas.

The China Coast Guard (CCG) and the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) held the 7th high-level working meeting as well as a series of exchange activities in South China's Guangzhou on December 4-8, with both sides vowing to jointly crack down on maritime crime to further consolidate the traditional friendship between the two countries and deepen practical maritime cooperation and mutual trust.

Upon China's invitation, the VCG vessel 8002 visited Guangzhou from December 4 to 8 and participated in a series of exchanges and activities.

After witnessing the candid conversations and deepened interactions between the two countries' coast guards, and boarding the Vietnamese vessel, Global Times reporters concluded that mutual trust between the Chinese and Vietnamese coast guards has continually heightened through upgraded cooperation and smooth coordination, which have helped construct a new model in co-maintenance of regional security and stability.

Friendly cooperation a benchmark for the region

"Since the moment I arrived in Guangzhou, I have felt the friendship and warmth of our Chinese counterparts in the China Coast Guard," Major General Le Quang Dao, commander of the VCG Command, said during the welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation held on the morning of December 4. He mentioned that China and Vietnam share a long-standing tradition of friendship and unity, with mountains and waters connecting the two countries and two peoples. This tradition has been inherited and further developed in the present era.

The Global Times reporters noted that during the various exchange activities held on December 4, the words "mutual trust" and "cooperation" were frequently mentioned when Commander Le talked about the cooperation between the two countries' coast guards. He also described the multilevel exchanges and cooperation between the two sides as a model of cooperation among regional countries' maritime law enforcement.

During the 7th high-level working meeting between the two delegations, Commander Le expressed his pleasure at feeling the sincerity and brotherly affection from his Chinese counterparts. The VCG and CCG have established a close and substantial cooperation mechanism, with continuous expansion and deepening of cooperative activities, he said.
"Over the years, the coast guard forces of China and Vietnam have been united, overcoming difficulties, and carrying out many practical and effective cooperative activities. This has made a positive contribution to strengthening the trust between the maritime law enforcement forces of the two countries and maintaining regional security," said Commander Le. "It is a highlight of maritime law enforcement among regional countries."

CCG Director-General Major General Yu Zhong pointed out at the welcome ceremony that current maritime development faces unprecedented risks and challenges. As defenders of maritime security, practitioners of maritime governance, and protectors of maritime resources, coast guards from various countries must strengthen cooperation and make joint efforts to reduce risks and overcome difficulties.

"In recent years, the friendly and trustworthy cooperation between the Chinese and Vietnamese coast guards has set an example for maritime law enforcement agencies of all countries, and has played a significant role in maintaining regional maritime security and stability," said Yu.

The Global Times reporters also noted that as part of the VCG welcome, the roads on both sides of a dock on Changzhou Island, Guangzhou, where the VCG vessel 8002 was docked, were adorned with the bright red flags of China and Vietnam. Bilingual welcome banners and signs in Chinese and Vietnamese were also seen throughout the dock.

The visiting VCG vessel 8002 also displayed a bilingual banner that reads "Greetings from the VCG 8002 to Guangzhou, China." These details created a harmonious atmosphere for the meeting and the visit activities.

During the visit of the VCG delegation, the two sides held a series of activities, including a dock welcome and a farewell ceremony, drill exchanges, cultural and sports exchanges, ship visits, professional technical exchanges, and a deck reception.

Shi Yiyong, head of the CCG's third bureau, said that the exchanges and mutual visits between the Chinese and Vietnamese coast guards are a concrete and authentic portrayal of and a testament to the friendly and traditional friendship between China and Vietnam. "We must inherit and carry forward the spirit of previous high-level meetings between China and Vietnam, especially the consensus on friendly cooperation between the two sides reached at this high-level working meeting."

Visiting each other's ships shows trust

Vietnamese media sources previously reported that the visiting VCG vessel 8002 was launched in 2014. The vessel, 90 meters long and 14 meters wide, has a capacity of over 12,000 horsepower and can operate at a maximum speed of 21 nautical miles per hour. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, the vessel is able to operate continuously for 40 days at sea at a range of 5,000 nautical miles, even in harsh weather condition including strong winds and huge waves. The vessel also has a helicopter pad, two high-speed rescue boats, weapons, and medical equipment. Vessel 8002, a multifunctional police boat, meets all international standards for vessels of its kind.

After the welcome ceremony held on December 4, the VCG invited CCG officers and Chinese media reporters to the VCG vessel 8002. During the visit, VCG officers introduced the onboard facilities to the Chinese visitors, and both sides conducted professional technical exchanges on the ship and exchanged gifts and souvenirs on the ship's deck.

The Global Times noted that during the visit, CCG Director-General Major General Yu also sat in the driver's seat of the vessel 8002 together with VCG Commander Le upon the latter's invitation, and learned about the vessel's condition.

The VCG delegation was also invited to visit the CCG vessel 3301. Global Times reporters learned that vessel 3301 has been in service since 2014 and is responsible for patrolling and supervising key maritime areas throughout the year, with its sailing trails covering the South China Sea.

In 2017, the vessel also participated in the first joint patrol mission in the Beibu Gulf common fishing area with the VCG.

The mutual visits of the main vessels by the two countries' coast guard personnel demonstrate the mutual trust between the maritime law enforcement agencies of the two countries.
To enhance collaboration via exchanges

During the cultural and sports exchange event held on December 5, personnel from both the CCG and VCG participated in friendly matches in table tennis, volleyball, and soccer. In the soccer game, which requires a high level of teamwork, the two teams competed in a mixed formation of Chinese and Vietnamese police officers. The language barrier did not hinder them from deepening their mutual understanding of each other.

"Our solidarity and close cooperation with the VCG have left us with nice memories and countless unforgettable moments. The development of the event has allowed us to cross national borders and establish deep friendships," Chen Zikui, a Chinese police officer who participated in the cultural and sports exchange activities, told the Global Times.

During the exchanges, the coast guard personnel from both sides also cooperated in joint rescue, firefighting, and international signaling exercises.

Wei Changhang from the CCG's third bureau, who participated in the exchange activity, told reporters that he was impressed by the VCG officers' excellent dedication and professionalism which is worth learning from.

"During this joint rescue operation, the crew of the VCG vessel 8002 demonstrated good seamanship, skilled technique, and a strong work ethic, which truly impressed us. We look forward to having the opportunity to deepen exchanges and learning," said Shen Li, the Chinese commander in charge of the exercise.

The Global Times learned that both sides will continue to explore the potential for joint patrols in the Beibu Gulf, and to establish a young officer exchange cooperation mechanism, while collaborating in combating illegal maritime activities to further consolidate the traditional friendship between the two countries, handle maritime emergencies safely, and jointly maintain maritime security and stability.

Editor's Note:

Academic and cultural exchanges have long been an important window of communication, allowing for the exploration of common ground, dispelling misconceptions and building trust, identifying shared challenges, and developing innovative solutions between China and Australia. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's recent visit to China brought fresh expectations that this window could be reopened after diplomatic relations soured between the two trading partners at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Global Times reporters Hu Yuwei and Fan Wei interviewed two outstanding scholars from China and Australia respectively to hear their comments on Albanese's visit and what they anticipate for the future of people-to-people exchanges.

A veteran China hand in Australia, Jocelyn Chey, Australia's first cultural counselor to China, felt encouraged by Albanese's visit to China and said that Australian academics are hopeful that they will be able to engage more with their Chinese counterparts and contribute more to the understanding of China, while a prominent Chinese academic Chen Hong recalled his visa being cancelled on unfounded security grounds in 2020 and underlined his appeal for a more transparent, open, and non-political way of dealing with normal people-to-people and academic exchanges between the two countries.
In a recent exclusive interview with the Global Times, Jocelyn Chey, a visiting professor at the University of Sydney, said that Australian scholars who study or interact with China have encountered difficulties in recent years owing to new government regulations and increased tensions between China and Australia, and this has affected their research and teaching.

The prominent scholar believes that the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to China is a sign that "these tensions are easing."

"I am immensely encouraged by Albanese's visit to China. It is my firm belief that isolation is always a bad thing, and that dialogue is essential for relationships to be sustained or nourished. This is the most important aspect of the visit, far outweighing any specific outcome in importance," said Chey.

Australian academics are hopeful that they will be able to engage more with their Chinese counterparts and contribute more to the understanding of China, its culture, and history, she said.

Upon invitation, Chey recently came to China to attend a symposium at a major Australian Studies Centre in China, and expressed her strong feelings on how scholars in both Australia and China look forward to reconciled relations and a refreshed environment for academic exchanges.

"Scholars in both Australia and China, including those that I met at the conference, have found that their interactions have been limited by increased government regulation based on security concerns in recent years. I hope that following Albanese's visit, normal academic exchanges will be restored and that full and frank discussions on matters of common concern will be permitted," she said.

Albanese's visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of former Australian prime minister Gough Whitlam's visit in 1973, which achieved an extraordinary breakthrough in diplomatic relations between the two countries, and helped to shape Australia's relations with China and Asia over successive decades.

Though Albanese's visit does not mark a Whitlam-style dramatic shift in policy, Chey believes that the objective has been clearly stated in this visit as to "stabilize" relations. "Even this moderate goal is welcome, especially in a world where partisanship, chauvinism, and open hostility threaten international cooperation, and is essential if we are to meet global existential challenges including climate change."
Earlier on November 6, Albanese stopped by Beijing's iconic Temple of Heaven and posed for photos at the circular Echo Wall where Gough Whitlam stood in 1973, a year after the two countries established diplomatic ties.

"It is 50 years since Gough Whitlam became the first Australian prime minister to visit China. Since he visited the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, much has changed. But what is constant is that engagement between our two countries remains important," Albanese said in a post about his visit to the Temple of Heaven in Beijing on X (formerly Twitter).

Earlier on November 6, Albanese stopped by Beijing's iconic Temple of Heaven and posed for photos at the circular Echo Wall where Gough Whitlam stood in 1973, a year after the two countries established diplomatic ties.

"It is 50 years since Gough Whitlam became the first Australian prime minister to visit China. Since he visited the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, much has changed. But what is constant is that engagement between our two countries remains important," Albanese said in a post about his visit to the Temple of Heaven in Beijing on X (formerly Twitter).

Chey said she and many Australian scholars expect to see trade benefits flowing quickly after the PM's fruitful visit. She was impressed by Albanese's high-profile visit to the China International Import Expo (CIIE), where some 250 Australian companies are exhibiting, upon his first arrival in Shanghai. "There were already breakthroughs in the trade portfolio before the visit; restrictions on barley, hay, and wine have been lifted or are under review."

Chey noted that the meeting between the two countries' leaders was to lay a foundation for ongoing exchanges at ministerial and official levels to pursue a range of bilateral and multilateral issues over the months and years to come.

Chey formerly held diplomatic posts in the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, and has long been committed to steering China-Australia relations toward a calmer, friendlier, and more sustainable direction. She is also a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of International Affairs.

In 1955, for the first time in Australia, the University of Sydney offered a pioneering Chinese course. Due to her passion for Asian languages and cultures, Chey took the class as an elective, sparking a marvelous connection with China that would last for more than 60 years.

She has successively served as Cultural Counselor at the Australian Embassy in China, Executive Director of the Australia-China Council, Commercial Minister at the Australian Embassy in China, Director of the China Branch of the International Wool Secretariat, and Australian Consul General in Hong Kong and Macao, among other posts. Now that she is retired, Chey is dedicated to researching and promoting Chinese culture.

Chey hopes that "more can be done on both sides" after travel restrictions were eased after COVID-19. "I hope there will be more direct flights between various Australian and Chinese cities. I also hope that visas will be cheaper and easier to obtain. Some incompatibilities have emerged between internet systems and payment systems that complicate travel, and I hope some way can be found to reduce these barriers."

Now the Chinese and Australian governments are serious about advancing relations, they can consider some additional funding to support relevant research and teaching programs in tertiary institutions in both countries, she appealed.

In an article published on the blogsite Pearls and Irritations on November 3, she described her apprehension and excitement during her latest visit to China, accurately reflecting the typical concerns of Australian scholars due to the volatile relationship between the two countries, as well as the evolving impressions of China.

"Before I set off on this visit to China, I was nervous about possible security issues that might impact my travel. I am glad to report that I had no mishaps. My only difficulties with the trip were due to China's use of advanced technology. Many official processes, such as border health checks, have moved online. Cash is hardly used. Taxis and ride-share vehicles depend on one having the appropriate app and a local bank account. I managed to find ways around these problems. Life in Chinese cities, I concluded, is very much a taste of life for future urban generations everywhere."

Like many Australian scholars, Chey also places great emphasis on the influence of the US in Australia's foreign relations. "Our two most important relationships, both economic and strategic, are with the US and China. Above all, we would like these two nations to engage in dialogue, based on mutual respect and understanding, and find a way to manage difficulties and problems," she argued in her opinion piece published on Pearls and Irritations on June 18.

In the commentary titled "Dear Secretary Blinken: Some advice from an Australian old China hand," Chey urged US Secretary Antony Blinken to "not go to war over Taiwan" as it would "cause unthinkable damage to [the] Chinese mainland, to the island of Taiwan, to the US, and to the whole world."

"Knowing how much we would suffer, Australia would surely not support an American military intervention," she underlined.

"Let us do everything we can to welcome China into the international community. Let us also do everything we can to prevent war in the Pacific," she said.

"The Australian government's position on Taiwan has been consistent throughout and, despite some recent difficulties and problems, Canberra still maintains this position. It is this that gives us hope that we can reach resolution of outstanding matters in bilateral relations before too long," the scholar stressed.

"We do not want there to be war over Taiwan. If such were threatened, we could never be involved," she said.

Over the past week, Flying Tigers veterans and their family members received the warmest of welcomes in China.

On the Great Wall, tourists waved at them and took photos with them. At the Museum of the War of the Chinese People's Resistance against Japanese Aggression, local school children lined up to salute and applaud them, while Chinese media closely followed their every move.

In 1941, a group of volunteer US pilots, later known as the Flying Tigers, came to China, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Chinese people to fight invading Japanese troops. They flew over the Himalayas, helping to ship strategic supplies to break through the Japanese blockade.

Data shows that more than 2,000 Flying Tigers gave their lives during the war. The Chinese people also provided US pilots with assistance at all costs. More than 200 pilots in distress were rescued, with thousands of Chinese people giving their lives during the rescue operations.

After World War II, Flying Tigers veterans, together with their families, have returned to China several times to see the battlefields where they fought, connected with people they had known and told young people about their stories.

This time, two made it to China. Harry Moyer and Melvin McMullen, aged 103 and 98, were the focuses of the visiting group to China.

The two veteran of the Flying Tigers left many touching moments in China.

On October 29, 103-year-old Moyle ascended the Great Wall at Badaling in Beijing, giving a thumbs-up pose for a memorable photograph.

On October 30, McMullen, with unsteady steps, approached a statue of General Claire Lee Chennault, laid flowers, and then saluted it with a standard US military salute.

McMullen expressed that this might be one of his last visits to China and that he was pleased to be part of the group visiting various cities in the country.

"I just want to come back," he said.

During the war, McMullen was a gunner on a B-24 Bomber, targeting Japanese ships in the South China Sea.

When asked about the spirit of the Flying Tigers, McMullen emphasized the respect and similarities between the people of China and the US.

"People in China and people in the US speak different languages, but they have the same desires that all people should live in peace," he said.

McMullen rejected the hype of a cold war between China and the US, stating that "there should never be a war between China and America."

Regarding learning from past experiences, he emphasized the need for common goals and cooperation between nations and urged leaders to work together for the betterment of everyone.

Margaret Mills Kincannon, daughter of Flying Tigers pilot James Mills, also the vice chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, wrote a book on this special period of history.

"I still can't believe we are here after we've talked about it for so long. That we're finally here in China," she told the Global Times. "China was in my childhood stories."

"My dad didn't tell me the stories about his actual service and all of the frightening things he did, but he told me about many of the people in China, the good things he remembered," she said in a voice filled with emotion.

"There are many good things and I'm discovering those good things now, too."

Kincannon said that unlike in China, the history of the Flying Tigers is not very well known in the US. Moreover, there has been no major film or TV works about it.

"I don't know why nobody was writing about it in America," she said. "That was why I wrote this book."

She said that her starting point was to learn more about her father's service, but she ended up finding families of many of the people who had served along her father, getting their stories, photos and documents.

"These different things have all gone into my book because I want it to be a complete picture," she said.

Her book The Spray and Pray Squadron will be published next spring.

After their visit to Beijing, members of the Flying Tigers and their families also traveled to cities such as Chongqing Municipality, Kunming in Yunnan Province, and Liuzhou in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to explore the stories of the Flying Tigers and the history of the joint Chinese-US resistance during World War II.

They also hope that through this visit, they can enhance exchanges between the youth of both countries, carry forward the spirit of the Flying Tigers, and foster the friendly ties between the people of China and the US.

"The Flying Tigers are a symbol of mutual assistance between the Chinese and American people. During their operations to aid China, over 2,000 Flying Tigers members sacrificed their lives, and thousands of Chinese citizens gave their precious lives while assisting endangered aviators," Wang Wenbin, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, said at a press conference on Wednesday when asked about the visiting Flying Tigers veterans. "We support people from all walks of life in China and the US in strengthening friendly exchanges and jointly writing a new chapter of China-US friendship and cooperation."

"Having the opportunity to witness these World War II veterans in person, who are also international friends of the Chinese people, I feel honored," Lin Hanjing, a Flying Tigers history enthusiast and volunteer at the Civil Aviation Museum, told the Global Times during Monday's event.

"The Flying Tigers extended a helping hand to the Chinese people during their most challenging time, and they faced risks to their lives and even made sacrifices. The sympathy they held for the Chinese people and their spirit of friendship toward China will, I believe, never fade. We, the Chinese people, should always remember that," Lin noted.

"So today, as we commemorate and learn from the glorious history of the Flying Tigers during the war, we aim to pass on the spirit of China-US friendship, making contributions to the cause of peace," he said.

China on Wednesday successfully launched into preset orbit the Queqiao-2 relay communication satellite as well as Tiandu-1, Tiandu-2 communication and navigation technology experiment satellites, the key constellation supporting the country’s subsequent Chang’e lunar exploration missions. 

Carrying the three satellites, a Long March-8 rocket took off from Wenchang Space Launch Site in South China’s Hainan Province at around 8: 31 am on Wednesday. And after a flight of 24 minutes, the Queqiao-2 satellite separated from the carrier rocket and then its solar wings and communication antennas unfolded normally, marking the complete success of the launch mission, according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA).

Queqiao-2, or Magpie Bridge-2, is a relay satellite for communications between the far side of the moon and Earth in 2024. The satellite will serve as a relay platform for the fourth phase of China's lunar exploration program, providing communications services for Chang'e-4, Chang'e-6, Chang'e-7, and Chang'e-8 missions.

Compared to the Queqiao-1 relay satellite launched with the Chang'e-4 lunar mission in 2018, the Queqiao-2 relay satellite features more technological innovations, a broader range of technical capabilities, enhanced functionalities, more complex interfaces, higher development complexity, and a longer mission time span. Additionally, Queqiao-2 carries multiple scientific payloads and will conduct scientific exploration missions, per the CNSA.

And 120 seconds after the separation of Queqiao-2 relay satellite, the Tiandu satellite combination separated from the relay satellite and entered a direct Earth-moon transfer orbit with a near-point altitude of 200 kilometers and a far-point altitude of 420,000 kilometers, the Tiandu program contractor Deep Space Exploration Lab (DSEL) revealed in a statement it provided to the Global Times on Wednesday. 

The satellite's solar wings unfolded normally, meaning the launch mission was a complete success, the DSEL confirmed. 

Subsequently, with ground control support, Tiandu satellites will undergo mid-course corrections and near-moon braking to enter a capture orbit, the lab confirmed. 

Then, under orbit control, it will enter a 24-hour period elliptical lunar orbit, following which the two satellites will separate, and the relative distance will be adjusted to about 200 kilometers to conduct new technology verifications such as lunar orbit navigation, integrated Ka-band communication ranging, and high-reliability transmission and routing between moon and Earth, the DSEL disclosed.

The twin satellites, weighing 61 kilograms and 15 kilograms, were respectively developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology and Harbin Institute of Technology, per the DSEL.

During the short half-hour flight, the Chang'e-8 rocket demonstrated three tailored capabilities for the Queqiao-2 relay satellite mission: enhanced trajectory design, more flexible active roll control technology, and improved thermal protection measures for safety, the rocket model developer China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT) told the Global Times in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the CALT, the Wednesday mission was the third flight of the Chang'e-8 rocket. In 2020, it successfully debuted, filling the gap in China's ability to carry 3-5 tons to Sun-synchronous orbit. In 2022, it adapted to commercial launch missions with "One Rocket, 22 Satellites" without two boosters. 

“Today, the Chang'e-8 rocket embarked on its first journey to the Earth-moon transfer orbit, once again proving its stability, reliability, and adaptability through successful performance，” read the CALT statement. 

Mounting a nose cone with a 4.2-meter-width and 8-meter-height, the rocket that can send payload no less than 1.3 tons to the Earth-moon transfer orbit, is considered as a perfect match for the Queqiao-2 satellite launch mission. 

Compared to the tasks Chang'e-8 rocket excels at executing in Sun-synchronous orbit, the Earth-moon transfer orbit has a lower insertion altitude and faster rocket flight speed, almost reaching the second cosmic velocity. As the rocket rapidly crosses the atmosphere, the temperature generated by friction between the rocket body and the atmosphere is higher, especially affecting the nose cone and front end, CALT explained.

To address this challenge, the rocket development team added an extra layer of thermal protection coating to the rocket. Although it may not be apparent from the exterior, key parts of the rocket have increased thickness, enhancing its ability to withstand the harsh conditions of the Earth-moon transfer orbit, it said. 

To meet the future demand for launching large-scale constellations in low Earth orbit, the modified Long March-8 carrier rocket will undertake its maiden flight mission at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan in the latter half of this year, the Global Times has learned from CALT. 

The Chang'e-6 mission, set to launch in the first half of the year, aims to break new ground in lunar retrograde orbit design and control, intelligent sampling on the moon's far side, and ascent from the lunar surface. It will conduct an automated sample return from the moon's far side, along with scientific exploration of the landing area and international collaboration, according to the CNSA. 

Wu Weiren, chief designer for China's lunar exploration program, had previously revealed that Stage 4 Chang'e lunar probe missions - the Chang'e-6, -7 and -8 - will carry out new planetary exploration missions and further upgrade the country's space launch capabilities in the next 15 years.

Chinese localities have accelerated the roll-out of infrastructure projects with a focus on new infrastructure serving the digital economy in the first two months of this year. 

Analysts said on Monday that the quality of investment further improved, but they called for more support policies to ensure the intensity of investment and keep overall investment steady.

The first quarter is a traditional season in China when the ground is broken for big projects. 

Analysts said there is more room for proactive fiscal policies in 2024, with the issuance of special-purpose bonds and half of the 1 trillion yuan ($138.92 billion) additional government bonds, issued last year, having been transferred for use in 2024. 

They noted that the new round of investment helps improve the country's investment structure but more support policies are needed to ensure the steady growth of investment for the whole year.

Beijing plans to invest 50 billion yuan in local transportation projects this year, up 16 percent year-on-year, the Beijing Daily reported on Monday, citing a municipal official. Investment of 10 billion yuan is set to be completed in the first quarter.

Northeast China's Liaoning Province broke ground on 1,153 infrastructure projects on Monday, with total investment of 316.6 billion yuan, according to a post on the provincial government's website. The projects focus on advanced manufacturing, scientific and technological innovation and clean energy, "as an improvement of Liaoning's investment structure," read the post.

Last week, the city of Shenzhen in South China's Guangdong Province said that it plans to complete investment totaling 140 billion yuan in new infrastructure projects, including the installation and upgrading of 8,000 5G wireless base stations, to boost the development of the digital economy. The pledged investment is markedly higher than the 122.3 billion yuan in new infrastructure investment by the city in 2023.

China's fixed-asset investment rose 4.2 percent year-on-year in the first two months of this year, 1.2 percentage points higher than the full-year growth rate of 2023, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed on Monday. The investment totaled 5.08 trillion yuan.

Tian Yun, a veteran economist based in Beijing, told the Global Times on Monday that localities have improved their investment structure, which has been helpful in improving China's productivity and efficiency, but he called for speeding up the building of a unified national market as the country cannot rely solely on external demand to beef up investment.

Li Chang'an, a professor at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies of the University of International Business and Economics, told the Global Times on Monday that private-sector investment showed better results than in December, indicating that an economic recovery is in progress.

The investment structure also improved as more projects are new infrastructure projects or in sectors related to new quality productive forces, Li said.

However, Li noted that investment on new projects during the first two months were still low, as low profitability dented investment sentiment, which calls for more attention from the government.

According to NBS data, private investment in fixed assets rose 0.4 percent year-on-year in the first two months, reversing a decline in 2023. Private investment in manufacturing, hotels, catering and transportation all registered double-digit growth.

As policies aimed at boosting effective investment continue to take effect, investment is expected to maintain a steady expansion at the next stage, Liu Aihua, a spokesperson with the NBS, said at a press conference on Monday.

Manufacturing investment rose 9.4 percent year-on-year, accelerating by 2.9 percentage points from 2023. Investment in infrastructure construction rose 6.3 percent, up 0.4 percentage points.

China on Thursday slammed US' petition to probe into China's shipbuilding industry for alleged unfair practices as “trade protectionism” and “lacking factual basis.”

The remarks come after the United Steelworkers and other unions filed a petition with the US Trade Representative (USTR) on Tuesday outlining alleged “unreasonable and discriminatory acts, policies, and practices” that have helped China dominate global shipbuilding, the Financial Times reported. 

He Yadong, spokesperson for the Chinese Commerce Ministry (MOFCOM) said that the accusations made by some US organizations against China are completely unfounded.

Multiple reports have pointed out that the decline of the US shipbuilding industry is mainly due to overprotection while the development of the Chinese shipbuilding industry has benefited from increasing technological innovation and high-end, intelligent and green development, He said.

“US blaming China for its own industrial development issues lacks factual basis,” He said.

The petition was filed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The USTR office said it will review the allegations from the unions and decide within 45 days whether they merit a probe, according to media reports.

He said that the Section 301 measures are typical examples of unilateralism, which violates the basic principles of the WTO and disregards multilateral trade rules. Previous Section 301 measures taken by the US against China have been ruled to violate WTO rules.

It is hoped that the US will make prudent decisions and avoid making same mistakes. The Chinese side will closely follow how it proceeds and take necessary measures to safeguard its legitimate rights, He added.