A US Navy patrol aircraft was reportedly spotted as a Philippine Coast Guard ship rammed into a China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel in the lagoon of China’s Xianbin Jiao in the South China Sea on Saturday, with experts saying the US plane serves as encouragement for the Philippines to conduct bolder and riskier provocations.

The Philippine Coast Guard ship MRRV-9701, which has been illegally stationed at China’s Xianbin Jiao, on Saturday lifted its anchor and conducted continuous maneuvers, stirring up troubles in the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao. CCG Vessel 5205 took measures including verbal warnings, monitoring and control in accordance with the law and regulations, Liu Dejun, a CCG spokesperson, said in a statement on Saturday.

In the process, the Philippine MRRV-9701 deliberately rammed into CCG Vessel 5205 in an unprofessional and dangerous manner, causing a collision for which the Philippines bears full responsibility, Liu said.

Liu demanded the Philippines to immediately withdraw its ship from the Chinese reef.

The CCG also released a video showing the Philippine ship sailing into the path of the Chinese vessel, causing the collusion.

The Philippines has repeatedly attempted to send supplies to the MRRV-9701 that has been illegally anchored in the lagoon of China’s Xianbin Jiao since April, first using ships then using a helicopter, marking serious violations to China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, as well as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

The latest movement by the MRRV-9701 showed that, unlike the Philippines’ old warship illegally grounded at China’s Ren’ai Jiao, the MRRV-9701 is capable of moving on its own, observers said.

Xue Chen, a research fellow at Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, told the Global Times that if the MRRV-9701 runs short of supplies, it should withdraw from Xianbin Jiao and return to the Philippines.

It exposed that the Philippine ship’s deployment at Xianbin Jiao is aimed at creating a false concept to smear China in the international community, with the aim of violating China’s sovereignty, Xue said.

During the incident, a US Navy P-8A maritime patrol aircraft was spotted on-site disrupting the CCG’s law enforcement operations, according to Yuyuan Tantian, a social media account affiliated with state broadcaster China Central Television.

A Beijing-based military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Sunday that the US military aircraft could gather intelligence and potentially carry out jamming on Chinese vessels.

The P-8A’s presence serves as an encouragement to the Philippines to conduct harder provocations, the expert said, noting that US aircraft could also serve as an aerial military “journalist” contributing to its scheme of throwing mud on China.

Such moves will only sabotage peace and stability in the South China Sea, experts said, predicting new rounds of provocations by the Philippines in near future, backed by the US.

The Embassy of Pakistan in China celebrated the 78th Independence Day of Pakistan in Beijing on August 14. Activities were hosted at the embassy. The friendship between China and Pakistan was also celebrated at an award ceremony.
In the early morning, officials and members of the Pakistani community participated in a flag-hoisting ceremony to celebrate the 78th Independence Day of Pakistan. Holding the national flag, Pakistani children smiled in the morning sunlight.

Messages from the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, as well as Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, were extended to those in attendance.

In his keynote speech, Pakistan's Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi said, "This day marks a celebration of our nation's enduring spirit, a testament to the sacrifices and unwavering resolve of our founding fathers, who paved the path for our freedom. As we unfurl our national flag today, let us reflect on the progress we have made and renew our commitment toward a prosperous and peaceful country."

The ambassador also stressed the importance of Pakistan-China friendship.

"Here in China, we are privileged to witness the blossoming of a friendship that has grown alongside our nation's journey. The bond between Pakistan and China, characterized by mutual respect and a shared vision, is unparalleled in inter-state relations," he said.

Moreover, the Embassy of Pakistan in China hosted a Pakistan Civil Award Investiture Ceremony. Two representatives who contributed to the bilateral ties were awarded - Sha Zukang, former permanent representative of China to the UN in Geneva, who also served as president of the China-Pakistan Friendship Association, and Nong Rong, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, who also served as the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan.

Ambassador Hashmi, on behalf of the President of Pakistan, conferred the prestigious "Hilal-e-Quaid-i-Azam" award.

In his remarks, the Ambassador extended heartfelt congratulations and paid a rich tribute to the contributions made by the two dignitaries. He highlighted the significant impact of their efforts on bilateral relations and beyond.

In a video interview with China Central Television on Monday, China's men's table tennis world champion, Fan Zhendong, said that he has been harmed by "fan culture," which also undermined Team China's solidarity.   

Fan was frank about the harm toxic fandom has brought. He said that some behaviors of out-of-control fans has made it difficult for athletes to train and that the hostile environment they have created has impacted athletes. 

"Fans over-focus on a lot of things off the court, creating a lot of pressure for us," said the player. As a result, he felt that it was not okay to lose a match, but it also seemed to him that things were still not right even if he won a match. 

After the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, some netizens speculated that Fan might retire. In response, Fan said, "I feel really tired after this season, and I need to take a good rest. So far, I haven't thought about the next Olympic Games yet. Leave it to time to see what the future holds," he said. 

On Saturday, China's Table Tennis Association issued a statement, saying the organization stands firmly with authorities in cracking down on illegal behavior in fan circles.

Regulating the illegal behavior of fans in sports can create a more inclusive environment for training and the lives of athletes, while fans can return to an appropriate, rational and positive culture, forming a benign online environment, as many netizens commented. 

The original children's play Black Eyes on the Plateau successfully premiered recently at the Nanluo Theater in Beijing. 

Set in the black-necked crane nature reserve in the Yushu Tibetan autonomous prefecture, Northwest China's Qinghai Province, the play follows the touching story of a Beijing boy named Xia Tian and his young companions from the region getting to know each other while forming deep bonds of friendship. Yushu is the home of Sanjiangyuan, or Source of the Three Rivers, which contains the headwaters of the Yellow, Yangtze and Lancang rivers. 

"Sanjiangyuan is truly a treasure, I had no idea that the water I drink every day comes from there. The scenery is so beautiful, and I want to help protect Sanjiangyuan in the future," one excited child in the audience said.

Chinese Commerce Ministry (MOFCOM) on Sunday blasted the US' sanctions on Chinese companies over their alleged involvement in Russia-Ukraine conflict as a typical example of long-arm jurisdiction and unilateral sanctions, vowing "necessary measures" to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.

On Friday (US time), the US imposed sanctions on more than 400 entities and individuals for allegedly supporting Russia in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, including Chinese companies, Reuters reported, citing the US State Department.

It said the Biden administration's sanctions include measures against companies in China allegedly involved in shipping machine tools and microelectronics to Russia. Meanwhile, the US also added 42 companies in China on its Entity List, forcing suppliers to obtain licenses before shipping to targeted companies, according to the report.

China firmly opposes the sanctions, a MOFCOM spokesperson said in a statement published on the ministry's website.

The practice is a typical example of long-arm jurisdiction and unilateral sanctions, which disrupts international trade norms and rules, impedes normal trade between countries, and impacts the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains, said the spokesperson. 

"We urge the US to immediately halt these misguided actions, and will take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies," the spokesperson said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday held phone talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Xinhua reported.

To strengthen the supervision and management of soccer activities, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) has appointed 41 individuals as social soccer supervisors, an initiative that aims to enhance transparency and promote healthy development of the soccer industry.

The first batch of supervisors consist of 21 social representatives, 10 fan representatives, and 10 media representatives, who are drawn from national media, fan organizations and representatives from disciplinary inspection and supervision departments.

Wang Dazhao, a soccer commentator from Beijing, told Global Times that while the intention behind establishing supervisors is good, its effectiveness remains uncertain. He said that the development of Chinese soccer largely depends on high-level directives and instructions, which are not easily influenced by social supervision.

The primary duties of these supervisors include attending briefings by the CFA on key soccer tasks, providing feedback and suggestions, and participating in the supervision of professional leagues, youth matches and referee assignments.

Their supervision work focuses on ensuring that soccer industry professionals abide by the law, maintain integrity and fulfill their responsibilities. Social supervisors are expected to report their findings to the CFA, highlight issues and suggest improvements.

Many fans have expressed a positive attitude toward the establishment of supervisors, seeing it as a crucial step toward the healthy development of Chinese soccer.

"As ordinary fans who love soccer, we are well aware of the problems and shortcomings in the current domestic soccer industry. Having more channels for supervision and feedback through the supervisor system to make the industry more transparent and fairer is a good thing," Zhao Yuting, a soccer fan, told Global Times.

During the selection process, media personnel had to obtain the approval from their organizations, while fan representatives were chosen from officially registered fan organizations approved by local soccer associations and sports administrative departments.

Despite the relatively cumbersome selection process, Wang said it is unlikely to reverse the decline in Chinese soccer. 

"In recent years, the overall level of Chinese soccer has declined, including the quality and behavior of fans. It will likely require additional measures to improve the situation," Wang said.

"Drafting standards and regulations is relatively easy; the challenge lies in whether the implementation mechanisms are strict, reasonable, effective and fair," Wang said.  

"In the CFA's appointment of supervisors and the handling of 'fake gambling and match-fixing' issues, while the regulations are detailed and clear, the key is practical implementation." 

Soccer commentator Fu Yayu also posted on social media that the role of social supervisors is more symbolic than practical, as it lacks effective mechanisms and channels. 

Despite many questioning voices, many fans like Zhao still choose to support this measure.

"For a long time, we have witnessed some opaque and unfair practices in the soccer industry, which have affected the enjoyment and credibility of the games. I hope supervisors can play a role in advocating for civilized behavior, creating a healthy and positive soccer culture," Zhao said.

"Good supervisors will help build a positive soccer culture. When that culture is in place, the level of Chinese soccer will naturally improve," Zhao added.

After the mixed doubles table tennis final match was held at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday, Chinese gold medalists Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha, North Korean silver medalists Ri Jong-sik and Kim Kum-yong, and South Korean bronze medalists Shin Yu-bin and Lim Jong-hoon, posed for a group selfie. This friendly interaction among these athletes has sparked widespread discussion.

When Kim, the North Korean female player, experienced a microphone issue at the post-match press conference, Wang took the initiative to check and gave a hand, showing a good sportsmanlike demeanor.

Despite being competitors on the field, athletes' ability to communicate and interact amicably on the podium demonstrates the deep friendship and mutual respect among them. The photograph of the three nations not only captures their moment of glory but also embodies the Olympic spirit's essential values of friendship and unity.

Sun expressed gratitude towards her partner Wang, stating that the Olympics is the most sacred and prestigious competition.

"Participating in an international competition and the Olympics for the first time, I feel both happy and a bit regretful," Kim said after the final match. 

"We have learned a lot from competing against the world's top-ranked Chinese team. We will train harder and aim to win the gold medal next time... the Chinese team are the world's top team, we did our best" she said.

Regarding Wang as an idol, Shin said, "At the Chengdu mixed team event, I went to ask for Wang Chuqin's autograph and took a photo with him. He was very friendly."

"I've faced Wang in mixed doubles many times. His strength is impressive, and it's difficult to return his shots. Every time I have to return his ball, I feel that it's a real challenge, a feeling of 'as expected of the world number one.'"

These interactions and mutual respect between athletes transcend national and ethnic boundaries, highlighting the sincerity and inclusiveness present in competitive sports, experts said.

The "emotional entanglement" between Chinese swimmer Pan Zhanle and Australian swimmer Kyle Chalmers during the ongoing Paris Olympics, which began with a misunderstanding but ended in friendship, has captured the attention of Chinese netizens over the past few days.

The story started when Chalmers did not acknowledge Pan's greeting before the men's 100 meters freestyle swimming competition, which Pan interpreted as "deliberate."

In a subsequent media interview, after Pan broke his own world record to win gold in the men's 100 meters freestyle, he expressed disappointment that Chalmers did not respond to his attempt at friendliness. Pan also remarked that some foreign swimmers lacked respect for Chinese athletes and coaching staff.

Pan's comments quickly went viral on Chinese social media, leading many netizens to criticize Chalmers for his perceived bad manners and arrogance.

Chalmers later clarified that he had not seen Pan's greeting and reached out to him personally afterward. He also sent a private apology to Pan, who responded positively by exchanging swim caps with Chalmers.

Chalmers shared photos on social media of the exchanged swim caps, including Pan's, and their handshake. They also exchanged contact information, and Pan said he is looking forward to showing Chalmers around Shanghai, the first stop of the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup 2024 in October.

As spectators cheered and celebrated Team China's exceptional performance at the Paris Olympics, the presence of foreign coaches has sparked extensive discussion among Chinese netizens, with many praising their dedication.

During the Olympics, Chinese rhythmic gymnasts made history to win the country's first Olympic group all-around gold medal in Paris. It was the first time a team from outside Europe has won Olympic gold since the event was introduced at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. 

Anastasia Bliznyuk, serving as coach of the Chinese rhythmic gymnastics team, played a pivotal role in this historic victory, earning recognition and praise from many Chinese netizens and gymnastics enthusiasts.

Bliznyuk, a two-time group all-around champion in rhythmic gymnastics from Russia, has been coaching the Chinese team since 2022. With the ban on Russian athletes by the International Olympic Committee, Bliznyuk has realized her Olympic aspirations through the success of the Chinese team, according to media reports.

A video shared by Chinese netizens depicting Bliznyuk and head coach Sun Dan nervously empathizing with the competing Chinese team in a previous competition has been widely shared and discussed by Chinese netizens, with many expressing gratitude for the Russian coach's support.

One comment stated that that's probably why the Chinese rhythmic gymnastics athletes could win, because the coaches on the sidelines appeared to be competing themselves. 

After she took on her role as coach in China, Bliznyuk began learning Chinese to improve communication. Nearly three months later, she could express herself in Chinese and started coaching her team members in the language, according to Russia Today.

Welcoming attitude to China

Throughout the Paris Olympics, the Chinese sports delegation was supported by a total of 34 foreign coaches across over 20 sports, such as boxing and skateboarding. Additionally, numerous foreign experts and medical personnel were engaged in the preparation for the games. 

These professionals not only contributed to enhancing the athletic performance of Chinese athletes but also fostered strong bonds with everyone during the coaching process, according to media reports.

In the 2022 Winter Olympics, the Chinese sports delegation included a total of 51 foreign coaches, making up over 65 percent of the coaches in the delegation. These coaches hailed from 19 countries and regions including the US, Canada, Russia, France and Japan. 

The Chinese delegation's impressive qualification for all seven sports and 15 disciplines, competing in 104 out of 109 events, including 35 events for the first time at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, can be attributed to the country's openness to international coaching teams. This welcoming attitude has been instrumental in driving the growth and success of winter sports in China, according to the Beijing Daily.

Innovative training methods

Wang Dazhao, a Beijing-based sports commentator, told the Global Times on Monday that the foreign coaches are not only highly professional, but also dedicated, with a strong work ethic.

"The foreign coaches are accustomed to sharing their international insights and successes to guide our athletes, offering them valuable opportunities to broaden their horizons," Wang added. 

In terms of the technique of the Chinese rhythmic gymnasts, Bliznyuk said that she believes that Chinese rhythmic gymnastics schools have their unique characteristics, as they are characterized by synchronization, graceful movements and a distinctive Chinese style. If the rhythmic gymnastics schools of Russia and China were to join forces, even greater results would be achieved. 

Meanwhile, the Chinese female boxers also clinched a total of three gold and two silver medals, representing the best Olympic performance for Chinese boxing. In the lead-up to the Olympics, the Chinese women's boxing team enlisted the expertise of a coaching team from Cuba to refine and sharpen the techniques and tactics of the Chinese athletes. 

Li Qian, one of the Chinese boxers, said that the Cuban coaches provided valuable and practical expertise. Their main focus was to work on offensive tactics, with a more aggressive approach, as reported by the media. 

In an interview, Coach Raul Fernandez Liranza mentioned that the results are a culmination of the collective efforts of many individuals. He highlighted that his team conducted extensive research and preparation in the initial stages, followed by multiple overseas training sessions, competitions and exchanges in the later stages. "I hope we'll be in the same position in the next Olympics," he said.

Italian coach Patrizio Antonio Parcesepe helped distance race walker Yang Jiayu improve her endurance and acclimate to hot weather conditions. Yang won gold in the 20 kilometers walk at the Paris Olympics.

Yang said that she gained valuable insights from Coach Patrizio, and she also received words of encouragement from her coach during the Paris Olympics competition.

Alongside the players' training and China's established training system, foreign coaches have introduced innovative training methods and techniques. When introducing foreign coaches, Wang Chunlu, a former short track speed skating world champion, emphasized the importance of continuously learning and comparing different coaching approaches to find the training methods that work best for China's athletes.

When considering the ongoing trend of sports transcending national borders and becoming increasingly globalized, Shen Yi, a professor on international relations at Fudan University, highlighted that this evolution reflects the advancement of human society. Sports exchanges have played a crucial role in the global movement of talent in today's era of globalization, Shen added.

China's inclusivity and magnanimity are evident in its open-minded approach. "As China welcomes talent from all corners of the globe, everyone is expected to fulfill their role," Shen said.