The Philippines intends to buy intermediate-range missile launchers from the US, a move revealed by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, according to the Financial Times. A Chinese observer told the Global Times on Monday that a recent series of actions by the Philippines shows that it is on track to become a real troublemaker in the South China Sea.
Teodoro said Manila was looking at getting mid-range capability launchers, which the US brought to the Philippines in April for two bilateral military exercises, as reported by the Financial Times on Sunday.
According to the report, the deployment of the Typhon launcher in April remains in the Philippines after the exercises were finished. US media outlet The War Zone said that the Typhon system is in the Philippines for its inaugural Indo-Pacific deployment.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on September 19 that the US deployment in the Philippines is a move to turn back the wheel of history. It gravely threatens regional countries' security, incites geopolitical confrontation, and has aroused high vigilance and concerns of countries in the region. We urge relevant country to heed the call of countries in the region, correct the wrongdoing as soon as possible, stop inciting military confrontation, quickly pull out the missile system as publicly pledged, and avoid going further down the wrong path.
Philippine's potential purchase of US missile launcher came after the enactment by the Philippines of its "Maritime Zones Act" and "Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act" on Friday, which prompted the Chinese Foreign Ministry to summon the Philippines' Ambassador to China to make serious protests.
Xu Liping, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times that the Philippines should assess the situation in the South China Sea with a rational perspective, recognizing that the so-called purchase of any weapons will neither be helpful nor carry any significance.
Xu noted that in addition to the problems in the South China Sea remaining unresolved, the Philippines' actions could also exacerbate the current situation. In other words, the Philippines can be viewed as more than just a troublemaker, it contributes to regional instability.
The Philippines' actions are aimed at drawing the US into providing more aid, while also serving its own domestic political interests, by positioning itself as a so-called hardliner on the South China Sea to boost its domestic support, Xu said.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Monday responded to a statement by the US State Department supporting the Philippines in enacting the so-called Philippine maritime act, saying that over the years, for the sake of its geopolitical agenda, the US has been instigating the Philippines to engage in acts of infringement and provocations in the South China Sea, as if the area needed any more instability. This vicious intention is so clear for all to see.
While urging other countries to abide by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the US refuses to join it, which fully reveals its hypocrisy and double standards. The South China Sea arbitration in itself violates UNCLOS and is a political farce through and through, and the so-called arbitral award is illegal, null and void, Lin said.
Indian media have recently hyped Nepalese Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's reported visit to China as a sign of strained relations between Kathmandu and New Delhi.
However, rather than lamenting the choices of a sovereign nation regarding its diplomatic engagements, this so-called "break from tradition" should prompt India to reflect on why China is increasingly welcomed among South Asian countries, a Chinese expert said.
The upcoming China visit of Oli will focus on the implementation of past agreements and accords, the prime minister's party CPN-UML said on Saturday, The Kathmandu Post reported. Preparations for the visit to China have already begun, it added.
The visit, however, has not yet been confirmed by Chinese authorities as of press time.
Oli's scheduled visit to China has drawn attention from India, as Indian media, including The Hindu, said this visit will make Oli "the first Nepali leader not to visit India on his first bilateral visit abroad after taking over."
The Hindu cited experts as saying that Oli's visit is a symptom of strain in India-Nepal ties on a number of issues, including India's objection to Chinese investment or components in India-Nepal projects, as well as Nepal's pending request for additional routes for overflight from India for newly built airports that are running into losses.
The Indian Express also published an article on November 3, calling Oli's visit a "break from tradition."
India's excessive attention on the choices of state visit made by Nepal, an independent country, not only reflects India's disregard for Nepal's sovereignty but also demonstrates India's Monroe Doctrine mentality of treating South Asian countries as its backyard, Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times.
Qian said Nepal's visit to China does not necessarily indicate a change in its relationship with India; cooperation with China and cooperation with India are not mutually exclusive for Nepal.
"That I am visiting China first does not mean our relation with India is not good," said Oli, the Kathmandu Post reported. "We took a position while India imposed a blockade [in 2015-16], so they were not happy. There is no reason for them to be unhappy with us [now] as we will maintain friendly, balanced and good relations with both our neighbors."
China's cooperation with South Asian countries is based on mutually beneficial relationships without any restrictive conditions, Qian said.
In July, Ramesh Aryal, deputy director general of the customs department of Nepal's Ministry of Finance, said China is an important trade partner of Nepal, with their bilateral trade accounting for 17 percent of Nepal's total, according to Xinhua News Agency.
In 2023, China's foreign trade with Nepal reached 12.69 billion yuan ($1.78 billion), up 15.6 percent year on year. Among them, the value of trade between China's Xizang Autonomous Region and Nepal reached 2.77 billion yuan, representing over one-fifth of the total.
From the 2006 Lebanon-Israel conflict to the escalating tensions in 2024, Zhao Ying, an ethnic Chinese, has experienced it all as she chose to stay in Lebanon while refusing to evacuate twice. Currently, she serves as the president of the China Arab Association for Promoting Cultural and Commercial Exchange. Since arriving in Beirut in 2001 with her Lebanese husband, she has been engaged in tourism, trade, and cultural exchanges between China and Lebanon, with no consideration of leaving.
Despite the labels often attached to Lebanon - "war," "over two years without a president," "nation unable to repay European debt" - Zhao shared her experiences of life in Lebanon over the past 23 years, from which we can glimpse the real Lebanon beyond the headlines and see the Lebanese people who, despite facing misfortunes and tragedies, still hold onto their love for peace.
This story is also part of the Global Times' "Witness to History" series, which features first-hand accounts from individuals who were at the forefront of historic moments. From scholars, politicians, and diplomats, to ordinary citizens, their authentic reflections on the impact of historical moments help reveal a sound future for humanity through the solid forward steps taken in the past and the present.
'Every Lebanese is a politician'
In 2001, when I first arrived in Beirut, once known as the "Little Paris of the Middle East," with my husband, some media outlets described my move as "marrying for love and moving to West Asia." In my view, love requires fate, marriage requires courage, and marrying someone from afar demands "strategy." This includes having the bravery to face the challenges of different cultures, the ability to bear the risks of one's decisions, and the confidence to survive and take root in a foreign land.
Although Lebanon is an Arab country, there are no deserts here. After World War I, Lebanon fell under French mandate. From 1940 onward, Lebanon was successively controlled by the Axis powers of Germany and Italy, and then occupied by British forces. In 1943, Lebanon declared independence, but British and French troops did not completely withdraw until the end of 1946. Even now, although the official language is Arabic, the languages used in Lebanese schools are more often French or English. It is common to find multilingual residents in Lebanon.
Like many ordinary Lebanese families, my husband's family is large. His parents live in a small village in Northern Lebanon, where everyone shares the same last name. During the holidays, all my relatives and friends would gather together at home.
The main religions practiced in Lebanon are Islam and Christianity. Within Islam, there are sects such as Sunni, Shia, and Druze, while Christian denominations include Maronite, Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and others. Additionally, Lebanon has over 100 political parties and more than 40 militia groups. Therefore, even within the same family, relatives may belong to different political sects. Coupled with the tradition of "every Lebanese is a politician," it is common for people to argue passionately about politics one minute and sit down at the dinner table to laugh and enjoy a meal the next.
First Confucius Institute in Middle East
My husband studied Chinese and acupuncture for nine years in China and has been working as a manager and traditional Chinese medicine practitioner at a Chinese medical center in Lebanon since 2001. From 2007 to 2011, he also taught traditional Chinese medicine at Saint Joseph University in Lebanon.
In early 2006, the Confucius Institute in China urgently needed to find partner institutions in Lebanon. At that time, I was managing a language center and promoting Chinese culture through teaching Chinese. Upon hearing about this need from my home country, I immediately set aside the business of the language center and began to help connect the institute with Saint Joseph University in Lebanon, working hard to facilitate the establishment of the Confucius Institute program in the Middle East. Just as we were about to sign the agreement, the Lebanon-Israel conflict broke out.
Looking back on the Lebanon-Israel conflict in the summer of 2006, I still feel a sense of dread; it was my first experience of war. Every day, I could hear Israeli warplanes tearing through the sky, followed by the deafening sound of explosions. Each time, I worried about whether a bomb would fall on my head, and I had no idea how long the war would last.
The conflict lasted for 34 days, and the Chinese Embassy in Lebanon organized the evacuation of Chinese citizens in six batches, but I ultimately chose to stay in Lebanon. The reasons for this decision were twofold: First, the conflict had already shown signs of being geographically limited, with attacks primarily targeting Lebanon's infrastructure and areas inhabited by Shia Muslims, while the Christian neighborhood we were in was relatively safe. Although we faced issues like supply shortages and unstable electricity supply, and often heard the sound of bombing nightly, our lives were not in danger. Second, to maintain our source of income, my husband's clinic had to resume operations, and I was also worried about leaving him behind.
Fortunately, it only lasted a total of 34 days. After the conflict ended, the Confucius Institute at Saint Joseph University in Lebanon was officially established on November 2, 2006, becoming the first Confucius institute in the Middle East. In the first year after its establishment, Chinese became the most popular foreign language course at Saint Joseph University, with the highest number of elective students, second only to Spanish.
In my view, the success and growth of the Confucius Institute program in Lebanon can be attributed to the good development of the education sector and cultural inclusiveness in the country. In Lebanon, which covers just over 10,000 square kilometers, there are 41 universities. This solid educational foundation has made Lebanon a country rich in talent in the Middle East, and the long-standing harmonious coexistence of various religions has fostered a high level of openness and cultural inclusiveness in Lebanon. Functioning and surviving in war
When people hear about Lebanon, in the recent past, words like "war" and "national bankruptcy" often come to mind. Naturally, they also wonder how this country manages to function and survive.
Lebanese people are known for their entrepreneurial spirit, a trait that can be traced back to the ancient Phoenicians, who mastered shipbuilding and used Lebanese cedarwood to create vessels for trade in the Mediterranean Sea. Interestingly, one of Lebanon's three main pillars of its economy is remittances from the overseas Lebanese community. While Lebanon's population stands at roughly 6 million, there are over 15 million Lebanese people and their descendants living abroad. Despite migrating overseas, these individuals maintain strong ties with their homeland.
Since 2013, China has consistently been Lebanon's largest trading partner. As I have observed, many products on the Lebanese market originate from China, particularly clothing, shoes, bags, electronics, and machinery. In recent years, solar energy products and electric vehicles have also become increasingly popular imports. Lebanon exports products like Baci Perugina chocolate, Elie Saab's fashion, as well as olive soap and skin care products to China.
In 2011, a group of Arab businesses jointly established the China Arab Association for Promoting Cultural and Commercial Exchange, a non-profit and non-governmental organization. I was elected as its president. Since then, I've led delegations of Arab entrepreneurs to participate in events like the China-Arab States Expo and the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, while also assisting Chinese enterprises in expanding their reach and collaborating with partners in the Arab world. This strong trade relationship between China and Lebanon has also facilitated the faster integration of Chinese culture into Lebanese society.
A Lebanese mother once told me she wants her two-year-old daughter to learn Chinese. She said, "Language learning starts from a young age. Her father is doing business with China, and she'll inherit his work someday!"
Furthermore, tourism is one of Lebanon's three major industries, alongside finance and remittances. This is an industry I've been involved in since 2008 when I founded my own travel agency.
Lebanon was once a popular tourist destination in the Middle East, but suffered greatly during the civil war from 1975 to 1990. After the conflict ended, the Lebanese government made revitalizing tourism a key part of its reconstruction plan.
Statistics show that Lebanon's direct tourism receipts totaled $5.4 billion in 2023, accounting for about 25 percent of the country's GDP. However, the recent conflict between Lebanon and Israel has dealt a heavy blow to the Lebanese tourism industry.
Despite its small land area, Lebanon boasts six UNESCO World Heritage sites. Additionally, Beirut's central district showcases the city's transformation over millennia, highlighting its resilience after having been ravaged by six tsunamis.
The National Museum of Lebanon in Beirut houses numerous world-class artifacts that chronicle the evolution of multiple civilizations across this land for thousands of years. Many exhibits document the scars left by war. For instance, in the second floor's last display case, there are numerous rusted and deformed glass and metal artifacts. These were damaged during the Lebanese civil war when the museum was situated in a crossfire zone, leaving its walls breached and allowing rainwater to seep into the basement, submerging the artifacts for years. The museum utilizes this unique approach to remind the world of the importance of peace. Always prepared for the unexpected
Yet, this place, where people deeply despise war, repeatedly falls victim to it.
The summer of 2024 was supposed to be Beirut's most exciting time since the 2020 Beirut explosion. With over a dozen new restaurants and bars opening, and international musicians scheduled to hold open-air concerts, Beirut seemed poised to reclaim its former glory as the "Little Paris of the Middle East." It was expected to welcome a wave of tourists from around the world who would run along its beaches and shop for clothing and jewelry crafted by Lebanese designers.
However, this hopeful vision was shattered on July 30 when an Israeli airstrike targeted a residential building in Beirut. In response, Lebanon's concert organizers postponed upcoming events, airlines suspended flights, and several embassies issued travel advisories urging their citizens to avoid traveling to Lebanon.
This year, a young Chinese lady nicknamed Shasha came to Lebanon for the first time. She and her Lebanese boyfriend had planned to hold their wedding in a historic church in Beirut in late September, but due to the conflict, they had to move the ceremony to a restaurant in the mountainous region of Faraya in northern Lebanon.
While the South echoed with gunfire, the North celebrated with wedding songs and dances, in Lebanon, everyone does their best to overcome anxiety and fear, holding onto the hope that peace will ultimately prevail.
A man surnamed Gao in Datong, North China's Shanxi Province, used artificial intelligence (AI) technology to fabricate a story about his four-year-old child going missing in order to gain attention on social media. After investigating the case, local police detained him for spreading false information.
Gao posted four videos documenting his search for his child. In the video, he claimed his child accidentally went missing, and expressed deep anxiety and self-blame as a father, saying he planned to travel to Heze, East China's Shandong Province, to find his child.
The video sparked widespread sympathy among netizens. Many expressed support for the 'child-seeking father' and offered assistance in his search.
His video immediately drew the attention of local police.
"Through extensive checks and investigation, we found no recent reports of missing children in our district, confirming that this supposed case was fabricated," said a police officer surnamed Wang who is responsible for the case.
Further investigation by the police revealed that the photo he claimed as "the missing child" was actually an AI-generated image.
When questioned by police, Gao admitted his child was never missing. He used the AI-generated pictures to create a fabricated story and gain public sympathy, so as to increase his social media following and boost his live-stream sales.
Given that Gao spread misinformation online, disrupting public order, police detained him under public security measures.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspected the cities of Xiaogan and Xianning, central China's Hubei Province, from Monday afternoon to Tuesday morning.
Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar's recent remarks on border issues with China, hinting that further de-escalation will require reciprocal steps from the Chinese side, are primarily a response to domestic pressure, said Chinese analysts. They emphasize that joint efforts from both India and China are needed to overcome the mistrust accumulated over the past few years and implement the resolution on China-India border issues.
While addressing a press conference in Mumbai on Sunday, Jaishankar said that the disengagement of troops at two places in the border areas is the first step and the next step is de-escalation, which will not happen until India is sure that the same thing is happening on the other side as well, New Delhi Television reported, noting that Jaishankar was "obviously referring to China."
It is incorrect for Jaishankar to place unilateral blame on China for the border issue, or for the Indian side to suggest that China is seeking concessions from India. Improving relations requires genuine effort and sincerity from both sides, avoiding overreactions and the creation of new issues. Cooperation is essential, and it is unreasonable to place all demands solely on China, Long Xingchun, a professor from the School of International Relations at Sichuan International Studies University, told the Global Times.
Lin Minwang, deputy director at the Center for South Asian Studies at Fudan University, said that in response, Jaishankar's remarks on Sunday showed that, despite the agreements, there's still a lack of mutual trust between the two countries, and Jaishankar's stance serves to address domestic political pressure.
However, from China's perspective, it has consistently maintained equality and mutual respect during negotiations and has always honored agreements, Lin said.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Lin Jian said at a press conference on October 22 that over a recent period of time, China and India have reached resolutions on issues concerning the border area following close communication through diplomatic and military channels. China commends the progress made and will continue working with India for the sound implementation of these resolutions, he said.
In a significant move to enhance diplomatic relations, India and China are set to complete the military disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) by October 28-29, according to ANI.
The resolutions reached by both sides represent a breakthrough in addressing the border disputes since 2020. However, Jaishankar's remarks indicate that the mistrust accumulated over the past four years will take time and efforts to overcome, Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times on Monday.
The resolution, reached by China and India after numerous rounds of negotiations and dialogue, has put bilateral relations back on to the path of normalcy. However, the lasting progress depends on the faithful implementation of the agreement and the gradual strengthening of ties, Qian said.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Wednesday the world soccer governing body is willing to enhance soccer progress in China, highlighting the country's immense potential to become a powerhouse in the sport.
At a 2025 FIFA Club World Cup promotional event held in Shanghai, Infantino underscored that he looks forward to seeing a greater presence of Chinese soccer in global competitions.
"We are not satisfied with the way football has developed in the last couple of years [in China]. We need to change that," he told the Global Times. "We need to bring China back where China belongs on the top of the world."
He expressed aspirations for China to host the FIFA World Cups at both the club and national team levels in the future, seeing it as a pivotal opportunity to showcase the country's enthusiasm for the sport.
"I believe China could be a great host for any FIFA World Cup," the 54-year-old added, noting the potential for high-profile soccer events to inspire and cultivate local talent.
Addressing concerns about the current state of Chinese soccer, which has been underachieving for decades, Infantino acknowledged the challenges, but emphasized that hard work and determination are the key to overcoming them.
"There is no shortcut; the only formula that works is hard work," he told the Global Times.
He encouraged collaboration between FIFA and the Chinese soccer authority to establish a solid structure and organization to "restore" China's position in world soccer.
Ongoing projects include the soccer for schools program and a talent development scheme aimed at nurturing young players in China.
"We will support these initiatives, and I am looking forward to discussing further projects with the Chinese Football Association (CFA) leadership," said the Swiss man, who assumed office of FIFA president in February 2016.
Infantino is expected to meet CFA President Song Kai on Thursday to discuss further cooperation between the two bodies.
He reiterated FIFA's readiness to support Chinese soccer at all levels, from grassroots initiatives to elite competitions.
"Football is about working together. With collaboration, dedication, and investment, Chinese football can shine on the world stage," he said.
At Wednesday's event, he also highlighted the potential impact of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which includes 32 teams from various countries and regions, offering a platform for clubs to demonstrate their capabilities.
"We need to create opportunities for clubs from all over the world to showcase their brands and players, helping them grow and improve," he said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said China and Russia have found the right way for neighboring major countries to get along with each other which features non-alliance, non-confrontation and not targeting any third party, during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Kazan, Russia on Tuesday.
Xi said during the meeting that China-Russia relations have come a long way, and made a series of pioneering achievements.
Xi said that he expected to have an in-depth discussion with Putin and other world leaders over the future development of the BRICS cooperation mechanism, in a bid to win more opportunities for the Global South.
BRICS cooperation mechanism is a pillar force in promoting equitable and orderly multipolarization of the world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, Xi said.
Observers said cooperation between China and Russia not only plays a vital role in pushing for the development of BRICS, but it is also important in finding political solutions to international crises and helps improve global governance.
China, which has placed BRICS high on its foreign policy agenda, has made a remarkable contribution to push forward the organization's growth. China's economic strength has provided opportunities for members to achieve win-win cooperation, and its upholding of multilateralism plays a crucial role in enhancing the voices of Global South countries, experts said.
Xi arrived in Russia's Kazan on Tuesday for the 16th BRICS Summit, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Russian officials greeted Xi at the airport. Guards of honor lined up on both sides of a red carpet to salute the Chinese leader, and Russian youths dressed in national costumes welcomed him with traditional courtesy, the report said.
A Russian fighter jet was seen escorting Xi's plane, according to Xinhua.
Global Times reporters saw that Chinese nationals and students who live locally waited to greet Xi outside the airport and the hotel where he stays in Kazan. Some were seen chanting "welcome" in Tatar, the language spoken by Tatars in Kazan, the capital of Tatarstan.
China and Russia have maintained communication and coordinated positions on major international and regional issues, actively cooperating and closely aligning on hot topics such as human rights, global governance and regional conflicts. The China-Russia partnership not only provides strong support for the revitalization and development of both sides but also plays an important role in maintaining the balance of international strategic power, and ensuring regional and global peace and stability, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui told the Global Times.
China and Russia are pivotal forces in the development of the BRICS organization, serving as key pillars for the organization's growth. Continuous consolidation and strengthening of cooperation between the two nations is essential for BRICS to effectively represent the common interests of its member countries and a broader array of countries amid the complexities of the current international landscape, Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Tuesday, noting that such collaboration is crucial in promoting a multipolar world.
Furthermore, the partnership between Beijing and Moscow plays a vital role in seeking political solutions to ongoing crises and turmoil. As a result, the impact of their cooperation on stabilizing bilateral relations and improving the global governance is increasingly significant and urgent, said Li.
China's role in BRICS
BRICS, an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is literally called "gold bricks" in Chinese, indicating optimism for its great potential and shining future.
This optimistic view features prominently in Xi's engagement with the group. He has consistently placed BRICS high on China's foreign policy agenda. His first appearance on the multilateral stage as China's head of state was at the 2013 BRICS summit in Durban, South Africa, and he visited all other four BRICS countries during the first two years of his presidency, according to Xinhua.
China is undoubtedly one of the key drivers of the BRICS development. It was an initial founder of the group and over many years it heavily invested into the group's growth, including jointly launching the New Development Bank with its headquarters located in Shanghai and the recent enlargement of BRICS, Andrey Kortunov, Director General of the Russian International Affairs Council, told the Global Times.
China remains the top trading partner for most BRICS nations and is by far the strongest economic power within the group, Kortunov said.
In the first quarter of this year, China's imports and exports to BRICS countries increased by more than 11 percent year-on-year, according to Xinhua.
Chinese experts believe that China's commitment to the concept of peaceful development has significantly enhanced the appeal of BRICS for developing countries. They emphasize that Beijing's dedication to true multilateralism and its efforts to amplify the voices and influence of emerging markets and developing nations in international affairs play a crucial role in this dynamic.
China is pursuing the vision of a community with a shared future within the BRICS bloc. It is offering dividends for its development and devising instruments to share its prosperity, Shakeel Ahmad Ramay, CEO of the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development in Pakistan, told the Global Times.
Ramay believes that under a complicated world landscape, BRICS is a ray of opportunity for developing countries who are sharply losing their say in the global system, while rich countries exploit them in the name of openness and trade linkages. The developing world wants to break the shackles of the system and is looking for a fairer and more just system in global dealings.
In this context, the meeting is extremely important because BRICS believes in win-win cooperation and joint actions and promotes building a community with a shared future for mankind, said Ramay.
China expresses strong indignation and resolute opposition to the erroneous act that violates the one-China principle and interferes in China's internal affairs, and has lodged a solemn representation to the European side, said a spokesperson from the Chinese Mission to the European Union on Friday, in response to the European Parliament (EP) unilaterally passing a resolution related to China's Taiwan region.
The EP, disregarding China's strong opposition, maliciously distorted United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758. This is a distortion of facts, a violation of international law, and a blatant provocation against the post-war international order and established norms of international relations, said the spokesperson, according to the Chinese Mission to the EU.
Over the past few years, the EP has passed multiple resolutions against China, which indicates that it views China through a biased lens, Zhao Junjie, senior research fellow at the Institute of European Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Friday.
However, the EP holds certain powers, especially focuses on internal European affairs, and although it has adopted a somewhat tough stance on China, its actual influence is limited and does not play a decisive role, Zhao said.
Before the adoption of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, it was already a historical fact and an international consensus that the Taiwan island belongs to China. It serves as an important political premise for the passing of Resolution 2758, said the spokesperson.
The Taiwan question relates to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and is at the core of China's core interests. The one-China principle is a widely recognized fundamental norm in international relations and serves as the political foundation for China's relations with countries around the world and the European Union. It is a red line that cannot be crossed, said the spokesperson.
China urges the European side to adhere to its political commitments, implement the one-China principle, and exercise caution in its statements and actions regarding the Taiwan question, thereby safeguarding the political foundation of China-EU relations, the spokesperson noted.
We also urge those ignorant politicians to refrain from a futile effort and to abandon the illusion of using the Taiwan question to contain China's development and obstruct China's reunification, said the spokesperson.
China will achieve national reunification and Taiwan island will inevitably return to the embrace of the motherland. This is a historical trend that no one and no force can stop, the spokesperson said.
Despite that the EP has adopted a tough stance on China, the EU is not uniform in its approach. Member states have varying interests and positions, for instance, countries like Hungary and Germany have expressed differing views on issues such as high tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, Zhao noted.
