A Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson on Thursday expressed hope for China and India to seize the opportunity and the good momentum of the two countries' defense minister's recent positive and constructive meeting to make new progress in the military-to-military relationship.

Spokesperson Wu Qian made the remarks at a regular press conference on Thursday, when asked to comment about information on the website of the Indian Defense Ministry on November 20. Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh stated recently during his meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun in Vientiane, Laos, that a friendly relationship between India and China, the two most populous countries, will have a positive impact on global peace and prosperity, and the two countries should focus on cooperation rather than conflict.

Wu said that Dong met with his Indian counterpart in Vientiane, Laos, on the afternoon of November 20, and the meeting was positive and constructive.

The two sides agreed to deliver on the important consensus reached by the two state leaders and promote a stable development of the mil-to-mil relationship; to strictly abide by the recent common understanding reached by the two sides and make efforts to deescalate tensions in the border areas; to focus on enhancing mutual trust and conduct more exchanges and interactions between the two militaries, Wu noted.

"We hope our two sides can seize the opportunity and the good momentum to make new progress in the mil-to-mil relationship. We also look forward to a harmonious dance between the Chinese dragon and the Indian elephant with concerted steps," Wu said.

Customs authorities at Beijing Capital International Airport (BCIA) recently apprehended a foreign citizen who smuggled 123 cocaine pills weighing a total of 1,580.44 grams by concealing them inside his body. This is the largest case of body-packing drug smuggling intercepted during travel inspection by Beijing customs in the past five years, according to the WeChat account of the General Administration of Customs on Friday. 

During routine monitoring of inbound flights, customs officers in BCIA identified the individual, a male foreign passenger, as suspicious due to his nervous demeanor and lack of any declared goods. Further questioning and examination led officers to suspect body-packing drug smuggling.

During the on-site investigation, the suspect excreted four cylindrical objects wrapped in white plastic and rubber film, which initial tests confirmed as cocaine. Following his transfer to the Anti-Smuggling Bureau, the suspect was taken to a designated medical facility for further monitoring and detoxification. Over the following hours, he excreted additional drug capsules, which were later confirmed by a professional laboratory to contain high-purity cocaine.

Body-packing is a common method of drug smuggling, involving the swallowing of drug capsules wrapped in plastic film. However, such methods pose severe health risks as stomach acid can corrode the wrapping, causing leakage or rupture, leading to acute poisoning and potentially death. This method of smuggling also contributes to violent crime and other societal problems, seriously undermining public safety and social stability, said the General Administration of Customs.

Customs authorities remind the public that, under Article 347 of China's Criminal Law, "Whoever smuggles, traffics in, transports, or manufactures narcotic drugs, regardless of the quantity involved, shall be held criminally responsible and subjected to criminal punishment." Offenders face severe penalties, including lengthy imprisonment or even the death penalty.

On November 29, Lithuania's Foreign Ministry, without any reason, declared relevant diplomatic personnel of the Office of the Chargé d'Affaires of China in Lithuania "persona non grata" and demanded that they leave the country within the time required. China strongly condemns and firmly rejects this wanton and provocative action.

As many are aware, on issues concerning China's Taiwan region, Lithuania has been acting in serious violation of the one-China principle and breached the political commitment Lithuania made in the communiqué on the establishment of China-Lithuania diplomatic relations. This has caused severe difficulty for bilateral ties. Three years on since the downgrade of bilateral ties with China, Lithuania has again taken detrimental action that further exacerbates the relations.

China calls on Lithuania to immediately stop undermining China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and stop creating difficulty for bilateral relations. China reserves the right to take countermeasures against Lithuania. We hope the upcoming new government of Lithuania will follow the prevailing international consensus, abide by the one-China principle, and foster conditions for the normalization of China-Lithuania relations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for stepping up international governance and cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI), to make sure that AI is for good and for all, not a game of the rich countries and the wealthy.

Xi made the remarks at Session II of the 19th G20 Summit on Reform of the Institutions of Global Governance.

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Xi calls for building a world economy characterized by cooperation

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for improving global economic governance and building a world economy characterized by cooperation.

Xi made the remarks at Session II of the 19th G20 Summit on Reform of the Institutions of Global Governance.

As main creditors, international financial institutions and commercial creditors need to take part in debt reduction and suspension for developing countries, he said.

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Xi calls for building a world economy characterized by stability

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for improving global financial governance and building a world economy characterized by stability.

Xi made the remarks at Session II of the 19th G20 Summit on Reform of the Institutions of Global Governance.

Joint efforts are needed to keep the international financial market stable and prevent negative spillover of domestic monetary policy adjustments, and developed countries should fulfill their responsibilities in this regard, he said.

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Xi calls for building a world economy characterized by openness

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for building a world economy characterized by openness.

"We need to improve global trade governance and build a world economy characterized by openness," Xi said when addressing Session II of the 19th G20 Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

"We should press ahead with reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO), oppose unilateralism and protectionism, restore the normal functioning of the dispute settlement mechanism as soon as possible, include the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement into the WTO legal framework, and reach early consensus on the e-commerce agreement," he added.

Xi said that it is important to "avoid politicizing economic issues, avoid fragmenting the global market, and avoid taking protectionist moves in the name of green and low-carbon development."

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Xi calls for building a world economy characterized by innovation

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for improving global digital governance and building a world economy characterized by innovation.

He called for stepping up international governance and cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI), to make sure that AI is for good and for all, not a game of the rich countries and the wealthy.

Xi made the remarks at Session II of the 19th G20 Summit on Reform of the Institutions of Global Governance.

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Xi calls for building a world economy characterized by eco-friendliness

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for improving global ecological governance and building a world economy characterized by eco-friendliness.

He called for expediting the green and low-carbon transition of the world economy.

"Energy transition and energy security is a major issue. We should follow the approach of 'establishing the new before abolishing the old,' and replace traditional energy with clean energy in a stable and well-ordered way," Xi said when addressing Session II of the 19th G20 Summit on Reform of the Institutions of Global Governance.

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Xi calls for expediting green, low-carbon transition of world economy

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for expediting the green and low-carbon transition of the world economy.

"Energy transition and energy security is a major issue. We should follow the approach of 'establishing the new before abolishing the old,' and replace traditional energy with clean energy in a stable and well-ordered way," Xi said when addressing the Session II of the 19th G20 Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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Xi calls on G20 to support UN and its Security Council in playing greater role, support all efforts conducive to peaceful settlement of crises

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Xi calls for improving global trade governance, restoring normal functioning of dispute settlement mechanism

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for improving global trade governance and restoring normal functioning of dispute settlement mechanism as soon as possible.

"We should press ahead with reforming the World Trade Organization, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, restore the normal functioning of the dispute settlement mechanism as soon as possible," Xi said when addressing the Session II of the 19th G20 Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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Xi calls for de-escalating Ukraine crisis, seeking political settlement

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for de-escalating the Ukraine crisis and seeking a political settlement.

"To deescalate the Ukraine crisis and seek a political settlement, we should follow the principles of no expansion of the battlefields, no escalation of hostilities and no fanning flames," Xi said when addressing the Session II of the 19th G20 Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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G20 members should see each other's development as opportunities rather than challenges -- Xi

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday that G20 members should keep in mind that mankind lives in a community with a shared future, see each other's development as opportunities rather than challenges, and view each other as partners rather than rivals.

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Xi stresses urgency to stop fighting in Palestinian-Israeli conflict

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday that it is urgent for all sides in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict to stop fighting and end the war.

"The fighting in Gaza has inflicted deep suffering on the people. It is urgent for all sides to stop fighting, end the war, and provide support for easing the humanitarian crisis in the region and for postwar reconstruction," Xi said when addressing the Session II of the 19th G20 Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

"The fundamental way out of the cycle of Palestinian-Israeli conflict lies in the implementation of the two-State solution, the restoration of Palestine's legitimate national rights, and the establishment of an independent State of Palestine," he added.

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Xi calls for reaching early consensus on e-commerce agreement

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for reaching early consensus on the e-commerce agreement.

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Xi warns against politicizing economic issues, fragmenting global market

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that it is important to "avoid politicizing economic issues, avoid fragmenting the global market, and avoid taking protectionist moves in the name of green and low-carbon development."

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Int'l financial institutions, commercial creditors need to take part in debt reduction, suspension for developing countries -- Xi

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday that as main creditors, international financial institutions and commercial creditors need to take part in debt reduction and suspension for developing countries.

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Developed countries should prevent negative spillover of domestic monetary policy adjustments -- Xi

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday that joint efforts are needed to keep the international financial market stable and prevent negative spillover of domestic monetary policy adjustments, and developed countries should fulfill their responsibilities in this regard.

China is ready to continue its financial cooperation with Argentina and help Argentina maintain economic and financial stability, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday.

Xi made the remarks while meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Xi pointed out that since the establishment of diplomatic ties more than half a century ago, the two countries have adhered to mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

China's policy toward Argentina has always been oriented towards all the Argentine people, and China-Argentina cooperation also benefits them all, he said.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of China-Argentina comprehensive strategic partnership, and relations between the two countries stand at an important historical juncture of building on past achievements and forging ahead, Xi said.

China cherishes the traditional friendship between the two peoples, supports the Argentine side in exploring a development path suited to its national conditions through reform, he said.

China stands ready to work with Argentina to promote the long-term and stable development of the China-Argentina comprehensive strategic partnership and make a greater contribution to their respective development, said Xi.

Noting that the current world situation is undergoing profound changes, Xi said China and Argentina should continue to firmly support each other's core interests and major concerns, strengthen exchanges at all levels and in all fields, and promote people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, so as to make China-Argentina friendship more deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

The economic and trade structure between the two countries is highly complementary, and the prospects for cooperation are broad, Xi said.

He welcomed the Argentine side to seize the significant opportunities created by China's high-level opening-up and further expand its market share in China.

China is willing to work with Argentina to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, Xi said.

China is ready to deepen cooperation with Argentina in energy and mining, infrastructure, agriculture, scientific and technological innovation, digital economy and other fields, he added.

For his part, Milei said he was very pleased to meet President Xi, thanking China for the valuable assistance to Argentina in stabilizing its domestic economic and financial situation.

Argentina and China enjoy profound traditional friendship, Milei said, adding that Argentina hopes to be a reliable and stable partner of China.

Argentina firmly supports China's position on the Taiwan question and stays committed to the one-China principle, he said.

Milei said Argentina hopes to further strengthen cooperation with China in the fields of economy, trade, energy, mining and finance, welcomes more Chinese enterprises to invest and cooperate in Argentina, and stands ready to provide a sound business environment for Chinese enterprises investing in Argentina and protect their legitimate rights and interests in accordance with the law.

The Argentine side highly appreciates Xi's insightful proposals on global governance at the G20 Leaders' Summit and is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China, Milei said.

Argentina supports the further success of the China-CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum and is willing to play a positive role in promoting the development of relations between China and Latin America, he added.

China's manned space program has released a promotional video showcasing a series of recent advancements, including the first animated demonstration of taikonauts' "adventure" on the moon by 2030, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Thursday.

The video highlights that China's first manned lunar landing aims to leverage taikonauts' unique advantages in conducting exploration activities on the lunar surface, thus laying the foundation for China's future exploration of extraterrestrial bodies.

This feat is scheduled to take place before 2030, which includes conducting lunar scientific investigations and related technological experiments, the video showed. During the mission, it aims to master key technologies for manned round trips between Earth and the moon, short-term stays on the lunar surface and human-machine joint exploration.

The mission eyes to complete multiple tasks including lunar landing, orbiting, sampling, researching and retrieving, establishing an independent capability for manned lunar exploration.

Chinese researchers will also utilize pre-manned flight tests and the manned lunar landing mission to conduct large-scale space science experiments, with preliminary plans outlining nine scientific objectives across three fields - lunar science, lunar-based science, and resource exploration and utilization.

The video further noted that components for the lunar crewed landing are currently progressing as planned in the production of prototypes and related ground tests, including the Long March-10 carrier rocket, the Mengzhou manned spacecraft, the Lanyue lunar lander, the lunar spacesuit and the manned rover.

On Wednesday, Long March-10 carrier rocket completed a fairing separation test, marking another solid step forward in the rocket's prototype development.

Additionally, a batch of ground facilities and equipment to support these production tests has been completed and put into use, with construction of the Wenchang launch site in South China's Hainan Province also underway, the video disclosed on Thursday.

On the same day, the 6th Human Space Symposium kicked off in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province. Coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the successful launch of Shenzhou-1, China's first experimental crewed spaceship and the upcoming second anniversary of the completion of the Chinese space station, over 800 experts and scholars from the field gathered to exchange the latest cutting-edge academic research results and to look forward to the development of China's manned spaceflight program.

This is also the first academic conference held since the completion of the "three-step" strategic tasks of China's manned spaceflight program, marking the beginning of a new journey in space station applications and development, as well as manned lunar exploration.

The one-China principle is a basic norm in international relations and prevailing international consensus. The Lai Ching-te authorities' political manipulation activities and provocations using trips to countries having so-called "diplomatic ties" with Taiwan will lead nowhere, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday, in response to reports that Taiwan regional leader Lai will visit three Pacific island nation "allies" at the end of this month in his first overseas trip since taking office.

It will not shake the solid and strong international commitment to the one-China principle, or stop the overriding historical trend towards China's reunification, Lin said. 

"We urge relevant countries to see clearly the trend of history at an early date, and make the right decision that truly serves their fundamental and long-term interests," Lin told a routine press conference.

In response to whether China demanded the US not to allow Taiwan's Lai to "transit" in US territory when he travels to the Pacific, Lin said that Chinese President Xi Jinping in the meeting between Chinese and US Presidents in Lima stressed that the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués are the political foundation of China-US relations and they must be observed. 

Cross-Straits peace and stability and "Taiwan independence" separatist activities are irreconcilable as water and fire. If the US side cares about maintaining peace across the Taiwan Straits, it is crucial that it sees clearly the true nature of Lai Ching-te and the DPP authorities in seeking "Taiwan independence," handles the Taiwan question with extra prudence, unequivocally opposes "Taiwan independence," and supports China's peaceful reunification, Lin said.

Lin reiterated that China firmly opposes any form of official interaction between the US and the Taiwan region, firmly opposes any visit by the leader of the Taiwan authorities to the US in any name or under whatever pretext, and firmly opposes any form of US connivance and support for "Taiwan independence" separatists and their separatist activities. 

"We urge the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, act on its leaders' commitments, including not supporting 'Taiwan independence,' stop any official interactions with the Taiwan region, and stop sending wrong signals to 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces. China remains resolutely determined to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and oppose interference in our internal affairs by external forces," Lin said.

When responding to an inquiry of the commander of US Space Command recently saying that China is moving at a mind-boggling speed in developing a large number of different categories of space weapons, which is very threatening, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said on Friday that the US has been using the so-called "China threat in space" as a pretext to deploy weapons that target satellites. It is purely the distortion of facts and is like a thief crying "catch the thief." 

Zhang said that the US defines space as a "war-fighting domain," continues to expand its space forces, forms military alliances in this regard, and keeps militarizing the space. These acts pose grave threats to the common security and development interests in space of all countries, Zhang added.

Zhang noted that facts have proven that the US is the greatest threat to space security and the biggest instigator of space arms race.

The Chinese side advocates the peaceful use of space, opposes the weaponization of and arms race in space, and promotes the building of a community with a shared future for mankind in the field of space, said Zhang.

We urge the US side to stop spreading irresponsible remarks, stop expanding its arsenal and making war preparations in space, and contribute its due share to maintaining lasting peace and security of space, Zhang said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping held a series of bilateral meetings on Friday local time in Peru, on the sidelines of the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting hosted in the capital Lima. 

On Friday, President Xi met with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, Chilean President Gabriel Boric, New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, respectively. 

During Xi's meeting with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, he  said China stands ready to work with Thailand to carry forward the traditional friendship, strengthen the alignment of development strategies, deepen exchanges on governance experience, advance mutually beneficial cooperation across various fields, support the modernization of both countries and push forward the building of a China-Thailand community with a shared future, according to Xinhua. 

In meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Xi said that China is ready to join hands with Singapore and continue to march forward together on the road of modernization and open a new chapter of high-quality development.

Xi also called on China and South Korea to promote a sound and steady development of the strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries on Friday. 

During the meeting with Chilean President Gabriel Boric on Friday afternoon, Xi said that China and Chile should expand bilateral cooperation to more sustainable and broader areas with high-level free trade and more open industrial policies. 

In the next meeting with New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Xi said that China is ready to join New Zealand in building a bilateral relationship featuring mutual respect, mutual tolerance, cooperation and common development. Xi also urged China and New Zealand to regard each other as an opportunity and partner, rather than a challenge or threat.

Xi also told Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba that China-Japan relations are at a critical stage of improvement and development, and he is ready to strengthen communication and coordination with the Japanese prime minister to jointly push China-Japan relations along the right track and make steady and long-term progress.

Ishiba said that Japan has no intention of decoupling from China. He stressed that Japan's position on the Taiwan question, based on the Japan-China joint communique in 1972, remains unchanged

Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times that the intensive high-level meetings underscore China's recognized prestige and influence among other Asia-Pacific countries, highlighting China's role in promoting regional stability, safeguarding peace, and contributing to prosperity. 

The series of bilateral meetings shows that both China and relevant countries in the Asia-Pacific are eager to mitigate the uncertainties in the region's political, economic and social order. Closer coordination and cooperation are essential for ensuring sustained prosperity and stability, Li said. 

It is worth noting that most of the six countries are, commonly recognized as allies and partners of the US.

According to Li, the above fact may indicate apprehension among US allies regarding American policies in the region and in international trade, and they are seeking to enhance stability by strengthening ties with China to better protect their general interests.

These six countries share strong economic and trade ties with China. Therefore, the use of such an opportunity to hold high-level meetings advances shared interests and fosters consensus on regional stability and prosperity, Li said.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed the new Philippine Navy Flag Officer in Command, Rear Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta, to lead the naval force, amid tension in South China Sea, according to media reports. Chinese observers said the new Navy chief is likely to maintain the Philippine's policy of taking provocative actions against China, but China will firmly respond to any provocations from the Philippines with countermeasures as always.

Ezpeleta has vowed to sustain and further strengthen military might and presence at sea as part of efforts to deter attempts to subvert the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The new navy chief did not specifically mention China in his assumption speech on Friday, according to the Philstar.

Before becoming the new Navy chief, Ezpeleta was the Navy's 57th vice commander from August to November this year, its chief of staff from August 2022 to August 2024, and commander of the Naval Forces Southern Luzon from September 2019 to August 2022, the Manila Times reported. 

The new appointment is not expected to significantly impact the Philippines' policies and stance in the South China Sea, Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Sunday. 

Since the Philippines under Marcos Jr. is undergoing a strategic shift, and its South China Sea policy has become more assertive, a military officer who is close to Marcos Jr. will further bolster his governance foundation and back the implementation of his South China Sea policy, Chen said. 

Regarding the South China Sea issue, the Chinese side has consistently maintained an open attitude, expressing a hope for the Philippines to return to dialogue. Meanwhile, China will firmly respond to any provocations from the Philippines with a variety of measures, Ding Duo, a deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Law and Policy at China's National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Sunday. 

On the same day as the change of command in the Philippine Navy, the Philippine officials stated that its navy transported food and other supplies to the illegally grounded warship at China's Ren'ai Jiao (Ren'ai Reef) in the South China Sea without any confrontation with the Chinese side, according to media report.

With China's approval, the Philippines resupplied an illegally grounded military ship with living necessities at China's Ren'ai Jiao in the South China Sea via a civilian vessel on Thursday, the China Coast Guard (CCG) announced Friday.

The CCG conducted verification and maintained oversight throughout the process, said Liu Dejun, a CCG spokesperson, in a statement. 

The Philippines is aware that each provocative action it takes has been met with targeted countermeasures from China, leading it to assess whether it can afford to halt the provisional agreement reached regarding Ren'ai Jiao, Ding said. 

China has reached a provisional arrangement with the Philippines on managing the situation at Ren'ai Jiao in July this year, Chinese Foreign Ministry said.

Recently, the Philippine President signed the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act, attempting to solidify the illegal rulings of the 2016 arbitration case through domestic legislation. This move undermines regional peace, exacerbates tensions, while also inflicts damage on Philippines' own interests, according to Chen.

On Friday, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense urged the Philippines to return to the right track of resolving the South China Sea disputes through dialogue and consultation.

The Philippines, in collusion with external countries, carried out frequent military exercises in the South China Sea, disrupted peace and stability in the South China Sea, and undermined the interests and well-being of people in the region, spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said.