Two people were killed and another 21 were injured following a stabbing incident at People's Hospital in Zhenxiong county, Zhaotong, Southwest China's Yunnan Province on Tuesday. The alleged murderer surnamed Li, a 40-year-old male local villager, was apprehended by the local police in the county around 5 pm on Tuesday and the investigation is underway, said the local police.
The incident occurred at a local hospital at around 11 am and the alleged murderer was identified by local government as a villager in Poji county in Zhenxiong, Zhenxiong's public security bureau said in a statement.
The alleged attacker, surnamed Li, is arrested, according to a Beijing News report. Local officials said that Li used a knife as the lethal weapon and after injuring people and fled to a construction site surrounded by repair factories and abandoned houses with complex terrain and no surveillance.
The injured are receiving medical treatment, and an investigation is under way, the bureau confirmed.
A witness at the hospital told Red Star News that there were doctors injured in the act, and that he was still in a trance after witnessing the attack.
A doctor at the hospital confirmed to Southern Metropolis Daily that there were children injured during the accident.
A video shot by the witness shows multiple people bleeding on the hospital floor, with an elderly person trying to assist another bleeding old person.
It was reported that Xingfuli community recreation town in Zhenxiong, which is less than two kilometers from the scene of crime, issued an emergency notice to residents to remain vigilant for sightings of a person wanted by police, with police having taken control of the community's fire escape. Residents were reminded "not to stay outdoors, to lock the door to their home, and not open the door to strangers."
The accusation of “China's interference in Canada's internal affairs” is a baseless political fabrication, the Chinese Embassy in Canada said on Friday following Canada’s report claiming China “meddled in” its elections. Experts said on Saturday that Canada’s smearing was an attempt to shift its domestic blame, and as long as the country’s groundless accusations continue, there will be a lack of momentum to improve China-Canada relations.
Canada released an interim report on Friday claiming to have found evidence of foreign interference in its last two federal elections, and that China “stands out as a main perpetrator of such interference,” the BBC reported.
The report, which was the first of two expected by Canada’s Foreign Interference Commission, “confirmed” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's assertion that “China tried to meddle in the elections,” according to Reuters.
In response, the Chinese Embassy in Canada on Friday expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to Canada’s smearing, noting that the accusation of “China's interference in Canada's internal affairs” is a baseless political fabrication. “We have never meddled in Canada's internal affairs, nor do we have any intention to do so,” a spokesperson of the embassy said.
The spokesperson noted that Canada’s report is riddled with contradictions and ideological bias and lacks credibility. It uses terms like “may,” “might,” “potential” and other misleading words, claiming to derive conclusions from “intelligence” yet also states that “intelligence is not proven fact,” and that “not all of the information provided below necessarily has been corroborated or fully assessed.” Such contradictory statements undermine the report's validity and suggest a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, the Chinese embassy said.
“What Canada is doing is just like a thief calling on people to catch a thief. We urge the Canadian side to respect the facts, abandon ideological bias, and stop groundlessly attacking China,” the spokesperson noted.
According to Reuters, the Foreign Interference Commission was set up in 2023 by Trudeau's government under pressure from opposition legislators “unhappy about media reports on China's possible role in the elections.” The commission will release its final report by the end of 2024, media reported.
Cui Hongjian, a professor with the Academy of Regional and Global Governance with Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Saturday that Canada smeared over China “interfering” in their elections in order to shift internal conflicts outward.
“This could be interpreted as Canada's election strategy to shift blame, allowing the government to deflect numerous domestic criticisms by attributing to China, such as the dissemination of false information,” Cui noted.
Cui said Canada's persistent smearing tactics also serve the purpose of domestic political parties in Canada exploiting China-related issues to gain attention during elections.
Seeing itself as a so-called high ground of human rights, Canada has consistently voiced its opinions and criticisms of China, often taking a stance that reflects its own perspective, analysts said, noting that the emphasis on China-Canada relations in recent years has been generally lukewarm and is not back on track.
As long as Canada persists in making unfounded allegations of Chinese “interference” in elections and portraying China as an adversary, there will be insufficient momentum in bilateral relations, Cui said. Furthermore, as a result of Canada's negative portrayal, China will be more reluctant to engage in meaningful communication or collaboration with Canada, he said.
The first group of PLA Navy's female carrier-based aircraft pilots successfully completed their first solo flight training at a military airport recently, showing their ability to independently pilot an aircraft.
On the morning of April 25, when the Global Times arrived at the airport, the first phase of solo flight training for the female pilots had already concluded.
Amid a roar of engines, the aircraft landed in batches under the guidance of instructors. In the second phase of training, the pilots began their solo flights, which is the most challenging stage of non-technical command solo flying. It needs to be conducted according to standard visual flight route training.
When aircraft fly at low altitudes, they are significantly influenced by meteorological conditions. Any change requires pilots to quickly correct their course, placing high demands on the technical skills of the trainees and posing a significant psychological challenge. As the command was issued, the first female trainee swiftly took off in a fighter jet. On the screens inside the control tower, the information and various parameters of the aircraft kept changing, clearly displaying the aircraft's flight status. At the same time, the control tower echoed with the clear commands from the controller and responses from the pilots.
Before long, the first group of female trainees successfully completed their solo flight training according to the schedule, prompting cheers and applause at the scene.
Carrier-based aircraft pilots are the core of an aircraft carrier's combat capability. With the accelerated pace of China's naval development, the demand for talented naval aviators has become more urgent, the Global Times learned.
In recent years, the navy has vigorously promoted the training of carrier-based aircraft pilots, gradually expanding the training model. In 2023, the navy selected the first group of female carrier-based aircraft trainees from local universities for the first time. They are the first female pilots of the naval aviation force, all of whom were born after the year 2000 and were trained by the Naval Aviation University.
The university adheres to the principles of "carrier-based training, real combat teaching, standardized management, and intensive support," the Global Times learned.
The training program focuses on strengthening the trainees' theoretical foundations regarding aviation and enhancing their risk response capabilities, with the goal of minimizing human errors and maximizing their flying potential, thereby laying solid foundations for their rapid growth and technical improvement.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday in Beijing. Wang pointed out that although positive interactions in the bilateral relations have been increasing, negative factors in China-US relations continue to build up as China's core interests are challenged, warning that the US should not cross China's red lines on issues related to its sovereignty, security and development interests.
China and the US reached five points of consensuses on Friday following the Wang-Blinken meeting.
Both agreed to continue following the guidance of the heads of state of both countries, striving to stabilize and develop China-US relations. The parties affirm the positive progress made in dialogue and cooperation in various fields between China and the US since the meeting in San Francisco, agreeing to accelerate the implementation of important consensuses reached by the heads of state in San Francisco.
Second, both parties agreed to maintain high-level exchanges and contacts at all levels. They will continue to leverage the restored and newly established consultation mechanisms in diplomatic, economic, financial, and business sectors. They will continue military exchanges and further advance cooperation between China and the US in drug prohibition, climate change, and artificial intelligence.
Third, both parties announce that they will hold the first intergovernmental dialogue on artificial intelligence between China and the US, continue to advance consultations on guiding principles of China-US relations, conduct a new round of consultations on Asia-Pacific affairs and maritime affairs between China and the US, and continue China-US consular consultations. The China-US drug prohibition working group will hold a high-level meeting. The US welcomes Chinese Special Envoy for Climate Change Affairs Liu Zhenmin's visit to the country.
Fourth, both sides will take measures to expand cultural exchanges between the two countries, welcome students from each other's countries, and successfully hold the 14th China-US Tourism High-level Dialogue in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, in May.
Fifth, both parties will continue consultations on international and regional issues of concern, with special envoys from both sides strengthening communication.
Some Chinese experts welcomed the positive comments made by both sides on emphasizing cooperation, effectively managing differences and focusing on the importance of stabilizing bilateral relations, who also hailed the meeting as effective and constructive.
Last November, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden met in San Francisco, jointly outlining the San Francisco Vision. Under the leadership of the two heads of state, China-US relations have generally stabilized, Wang said.
In the current complex international situation, what are the next steps for China-US relations? A fundamental question needs answering: should China and the US be partners or adversaries? This is the first step toward the stable development of the relationship, Wang told Blinken.
If the US always regards China as its main adversary, China-US relations will only face continuous troubles and problems, Wang said.
Dialogue, cooperation, and positive interactions in various fields have increased, which has been welcomed by both peoples and the international community. However, on the other hand, negative factors in China-US relations continue to rise and accumulate, facing various disruptions and sabotage, with China's legitimate rights to development being unreasonably suppressed and China's core interests continually challenged, the top Chinese diplomat said.
Wang emphasized that whether China-US relations will adhere to the correct path of stability and progress or repeat the cycle of spiraling downward is a significant issue facing both nations, testing their sincerity and capabilities.
It remains to be seen whether both sides will lead in international cooperation to address global issues for mutual and multilateral gains, or oppose and confront each other, even to the point of conflict, leading to losses for all, he noted.
On the Taiwan question, Wang emphasized that it is the first and foremost red line in China-US relations. China demands that the US adhere strictly to the one-China principle and the three US-China joint communiques, not send the wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces in any way.
The US side should fulfill President Biden's commitments of not supporting "Taiwan independence," not supportinga two Chinas or "one China, one Taiwan," not using it as a tool to contain China, and stop arming Taiwan island, and support China's peaceful reunification, Wang said.
The US has implemented numerous measures to suppress China's economic and technological advancement, which is not fair competition but containment and encirclement, not risk reduction but risk creation, Wang told Blinken.
The Chinese diplomat said the US should act on its statements of not seeking to contain China's economic development, not seeking to decouple from China, and having no intention of hindering Chinese technological progress, stop promoting the false narrative of China's overcapacity, lift illegal sanctions on Chinese companies, and cease imposing tariffs that violate WTO rules.
Wang also stressed that China's attitude has been consistent, viewing and developing China-US relations from the perspective of building a community with a shared future for mankind, being responsible to the people, the world, and the future.
China's stance has been consistent, always adhering to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation proposed by President Xi, committed to promoting a stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-US relations, he continued.
China's demands have been consistent, always advocating for respect for each other's core interests. The US should not interfere in China's internal affairs, suppress China's development, or infringe upon China's sovereignty, security, and development interests, Wang said.
From the Chinese side, Wang further clarified that the constructive outcomes and a positive future for US-China relations hinge on respecting China's core interests. China's respect for US interests and legitimate rights has always been consistent, but US policy toward China has been characterized by a discrepancy between positive rhetoric and problematic actions, Li Haidong, a professor from the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Friday.
"Hence,Wang made it clear in his discussions with Blinken that the US must fully understand China's position on core issues such as the Taiwan question and the rights to China's development," Li said.
During the meeting, Wang stressed that the Asia-Pacific region should not become a battlefield for major powers. He hopes the US will make the right choice, move toward China, achieve benign interactions in the Asia-Pacific, abandon exclusionary practices, refrain from coercing regional countries to take sides, stop deploying land-based intermediate-range missiles, and cease undermining China's strategic security interests and the hard-won peace and stability of the region.
Blinken said during the meeting that the US-China relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world, and responsibly managing it is a common responsibility of both nations. The US continues to follow a one-China policy, does not support "Taiwan independence," seeks no change in China's system, has no intention of conflict with China, seeks no "decoupling" from China, and does not seek to contain China's development. A successfully developed China is good for the world, according to a readout released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The US senior diplomat is willing to move forward based on the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries in San Francisco, enhance dialogue and communication, effectively manage differences, avoid misunderstandings and misjudgments, and promote stable development of US-China relations.
The two sides also exchanged views on issues such as the Ukraine conflict, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the situations in North Korea and Myanmar.
Both sides agreed that the talks were candid, substantive, and constructive, and agreed to continue following the guidance of their leaders to stabilize and develop US-China relations.
They affirmed the positive progress in dialogue and cooperation in various fields since the San Francisco meeting, agreed to accelerate the implementation of the important consensus reached by the leaders in San Francisco, maintain high-level and various levels of contacts, continue military exchanges and consultations in various fields, further advance US-China cooperation on banning chemical weapons and artificial intelligence, and take measures to expand cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
"To some extent, this dialogue was a reassurance process, ensuring that both sides mutually align better in handling different issues, guaranteeing an effective relationship with more cooperation and a more positive direction," Li said.
As the US has often made issued verbal assurances in the past but has had many issues in action, this exchange helps the US overcome unfavorable factors and benefit from positive elements, building on a foundation of accumulated consensus and mutual interests to ensure a stable and long-lasting relationship, the expert noted.
It is also evident that both sides have high expectations for a stable, controllable, and constructive China-US relations and the aim of the exchanges was to ensure these expectations are met with actions, as a stable and cooperative bilateral relationship, based on respect for each other's development rights and core interests, nurtures a relationship that serves the common interests and demands of both sides, experts said.
The finals for the second "Beautiful Countryside" basketball league in Southwest China's Guizhou Province kicked off in Taipan village, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, on Wednesday. The grassroots organization, known as the "Village Basketball Association" or "VBA," has drawn wide cheers from enthusiastic audiences due to its down-to-earth style.
The finals, which will be broadcast live online to audiences across the country, will last until Saturday. The basketball league has organized more than 4,000 amateur basketball teams, with a total of 48,730 participants. A total of 11,455 games have been played, reaching 7.52 million people, according to the Qiandongnan authorities.
The group stages are being held on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by an opening ceremony and semi-finals on Friday. The finals for the championship will take place on Saturday, an official from the Guizhou provincial sports bureau told the Global Times on Wednesday.
Nine representative teams from Guizhou will participate in the competition, which is divided into two stages. Meanwhile, the participating athletes must be local residents aged between 22 and 45 years old, said the authorities.
The VBA has not only "boosted the growth of sports in the area" but has also contributed to "advancing rural revitalization, tourism, and local economic development," the official said. The local authorities hope to provide the public with excellent and diverse services that cater to the people's needs, encouraging more people to participate in sports and contributing to building a healthy China, he noted.
Distinctive Miao cultural performances are also being staged during intermissions.
The VBA may not have professional players, referees, or large-scale venues like the NBA, but the enthusiasm of spectators for basketball is very strong. Since July 2022, the grassroots basketball league gained popularity due to its lively atmosphere and videos that went viral online.
A three-day VBA in 2023 also attracted more than 180,000 tourist trips to Taijiang county in Qiandongnan, generating tourism revenue of 55.16 million yuan ($7.59 million).
A staff member surnamed Yang from the local Taijiang tourism bureau told the Global Times on Wednesday that the event has helped boost the number of tourists traveling to the region.
"The level of enthusiasm for and attention paid to basketball is high among the general public. Thanks to local grassroots initiatives, there is a high level of cooperation and participation in village basketball games," Yang said.
The VBA was originated in Taipan village in Taijiang county. A traditional rural basketball event in the village, it is held as part of the annual celebration of the Chixin Festival on the sixth day of the sixth month of the traditional Chinese calendar.
