Editor's Note:

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

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

In the 18th installment of the series, the Global Times focuses on a recently passed act by US Congress, which is widely regarded as a funding mechanism for the US to badmouth China in the international community. As a latest case in the US’ high-profile cognitive warfare against China, this article discusses in detail the aspects of China that this act may seek to defame and slander, as well as where the substantial sum of $1.6 billion will ultimately be directed.

Spending vast amounts of taxpayer money to discredit another country seems inglorious, yet it has appeared more than once in public official documents of the US. Recently, the US Congress passed the H.R. 1157 to authorize more than $1.6 billion in five years to badmouth China, which has sparked questions and criticism both within the US and internationally.

According an act passed on September 9, the Congress authorized appropriations for the “Countering the People’s Republic of China Malign Influence Fund,” which planned to appropriate $325,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027 - $1.625 billion in total - to counter the so-called “malign influence” of China. Or in other words, to counter any aspects that the US perceives as unfavorable from China.

For many years, the US government has expended vast human and material resources globally to support so-called “independent media” and civic organizations, inciting anti-China sentiment due to a deep sense of crisis and fear regarding China's rapid development, said Wang Yiwei, a professor at the School of International Relations at Renmin University of China.

“American politicians are desperate to maintain a world order in which they are the hegemonic monopoly, even if this order exists only in the discourse and propaganda narratives they construct,” Wang told the Global Times.

A widely questioned bill

$1.6 billion is a staggering amount, allegedly double the annual operating expenditure of a major media outlet in the US like CNN.

Behind the huge amount, content of the act is filled with clichés attacking the China’s political system under the guise of threatening US’ “national security” “economic security” and disrupting “international order.” Specifically, it mentioned the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) as a main target, saying some of the money will be used in supporting civil society and independent media to counter against BRI’s “malign influence.”

The term “malign influence” is vague and subjective, leaving a lot of room for interpretation, said Diao Daming, a professor at the School of International Studies, Renmin University of China. “Additionally, this act involves a massive funding arrangement spanning several years, suggesting that [the US] is planning a big layout to suppress, contain and discredit China on a global scale in the coming years,” Diao told the Global Times.

Unsurprisingly, some scholars and opinion leaders within the US have questioned and criticized the act. Marcus Stanley, director of studies at US think tank Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, said the definition of “malign influence” in the bill is extremely broad. “For example, program funds could support any effort to highlight the ‘negative impact’ of Chinese economic and infrastructure investment in a foreign country,” Stanley wrote in his article House passes $1.6 billion to deliver anti-China propaganda overseas on September 11.

In a September 27 opinion piece titled Wars, Propaganda Wars and Funding Them, US novelist and journalist Eve Ottenberg said that China’s BRI connects the world through beneficial infrastructure investments, while the US does something vaguely similar though far less helpful with its 800 foreign military bases.

“…the contrast between the two approaches at planetary linkage has reflected rather poorly on Washington in the Global South,” wrote Ottenberg. “Hence this target in the US propaganda war: take down BRI, no matter how much good it’s doing, because it’s a bad look for Uncle Sam.”

In addition, the transparency of this bill has also been widely questioned.

This just passed act authorized to appropriate $325,000,000 “for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027,” it required an annual summary “not later than September 30, 2023” and “annually thereafter for five years.” It suggested the fund had been put into use probably as early as October 2022, long before it was officially allowed to.

The act doesn’t seem to contain any requirement that US government financing to foreign media be made transparent to citizens of foreign countries, Stanley pointed out. Thus, it’s possible that the program could in some cases be used to subsidize covert anti-Chinese messaging, he said.

Where the money flows to?

H.R. 1157 didn’t explicitly mention who would operate the massive fund.

Nonetheless, based on the act itself, some analysis of US scholars, and open documents of certain US institutions, it is likely that the money has flowed, or will flow, to a few infamous US government affiliated or backed organizations, such as the State Department’s Global Engagement Center (GEC), and federal agency the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which may use this money to support the overseas media and organizations engaged in anti-China activities.

USAID has been reported to fund subversive and opposition forces in many countries. The agency is largely involved in the $1.6-billion fund, as the act directly mentioned that the administrator of USAID must designate a senior official as the “assistant coordinator” of the program.

USAID’s website shows that making grants to foreign media and civil society organizations is a key part of its efforts. Under this guise, USAID was found to have repeatedly funded both domestic and overseas groups to smear China.

In November 2023, for instance, a research lab at US-based William & Mary’s Global Research Institute named AidData released a report slandering the BRI. AidData’s website shows USAID is its major partner and funder.

According to a document from the US Department of State in April 2020, GEC is an institution set to “lead, synchronize, and coordinate efforts of the Federal Government to recognize, understand, expose, and counter foreign state and non-state propaganda and disinformation efforts aimed at undermining United States national security interests.”

At a congressional hearing in March 2020, Lea Gabrielle, the US special envoy and coordinator of GEC, bluntly said that their efforts include “increasing awareness of the problematic aspects of the Belt and Road Initiative,” and they had programs “to build global resilience to PRC disinformation through media training and support to investigative journalists.” She also mentioned the US government-back media literacy programs that support pro-US media outlets and individuals.

Ironically, a main way GEC supports and trains overseas media and journalists to counter “China disinformation,” is by paying them to create and spread lies attacking China.

In September 2021, Zimbabwe’s largest daily newspaper The Herald revealed that the US was funding and training local reporters to write anti-China stories and discredit Chinese investments, the Xinhua News Agency reported in October that year.

Noting that a local workshop drawing about a dozen private media journalists was held on 14-15 September 2021, The Herald article said that the journalists were asked to portray Chinese companies as “causing harm to communities, environment and workers,” and to produce and spread such content in the media, receiving payment of $1,000 per story from the US embassy through its proxy.
Carefully woven delusions

H.R.1157 was introduced by Republican Barr Andy, a member of a so-called House select committee on the strategic competition between the US and China.

Diao believed that introducing such an act is an attempt by some anti-China some politicians to take credit, and also a sort of an “exam answer sheet” submitted by the committee to assert itself. “After all, it is not certain that there will be such a committee in the next Congress,” he told the Global Times.

This was not the first time in recent years that the US allocated a large budget for cognitive warfare against China. In the Strategic Competition Act of 2021, Congress authorized $1.5 billion over the five years for a “Countering Chinese Influence Fund,” to globally counter the so-called 'malign influence' of China.

Wang pointed out that in the information age, when most people in many countries struggle to discern the truth among vast amounts of information, the US government attempts to spread false information in the international community, manipulating public opinion to discredit China, having a detrimental impact on the international discourse environment.

Yet these slanders are not as effective as some in the US hope they would be, with an increasing number of global visitors coming to see a real China in person today under the recently loosened entry policy?

The US has launched too many absurd public perception campaigns for the international community to ignore, Wang said. “Many countries have already seen through the true nature of the US and are beginning to resist its rampant behavior. The delusions carefully woven by the US will no longer succeed as easily,” he told the Global Times.

As the world's second-largest and one of the fastest-growing economies, China has a vibrant and vast market, and continues to provide new opportunities for the world through new developments. As China continuous to develop, its biomedical industry is undergoing an important phase. Strategic opportunities are attracting more multinational pharmaceutical companies to expand their footprint in China, demonstrating the strong pull of the country's market. Following Bayer's first innovation center's establishment in Beijing in 2023, Bayer Co.Lab China, a global life sciences co-creation platform, celebrated its grand opening in Shanghai on September 26. At this point, Bayer's "innovation double engine" in China's cutting-edge life sciences sector has been officially completed, giving the Chinese market a "vote of confidence" with its actions, marking a new step forward in Bayer's innovation strategy in China.
Guests unveiled Bayer Co.Lab China, from left: Friedemann Janus, Senior Vice President, Head of Regional Business Development & Licensing, Co.Lab and Divestitures, Pharmaceuticals Division at Bayer; Wu Qiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Pudong New Area Committee, Deputy Governor of Pudong New Area, and Deputy Director of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone Administration; Sebastian Guth, Chief Operating Officer of Bayer Pharmaceuticals; Zhu Zhisong, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee, Secretary of the CPC Pudong New Area Committee, and Director of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone Administration; Juergen Eckhardt, Head of Business Development, Licensing and Open Innovation at Bayer AG's Pharmaceuticals Division; Seth Ettenberg, President and Chief Executive Officer of BlueRock Therapeutics; and Gustavo Pesquin, Chief Executive Officer of AskBio.

The "Bayer Yizhuang Open Innovation Center" aims to deepen the integration of production, academics and research. It seeks to accelerate pioneering fields of the biomedical industry, such as cell and gene therapies, and help upgrade the local biopharmaceutical industry. As part of Bayer's global strategic innovation ecosystem, the Bayer Co.Lab co-creation platform will provide exclusive space and tailored support services for Chinese startups, promote open innovation and collaboration in the biotech ecosystem and play an important part of Bayer's efforts to promote local R&D and innovation throughout the whole chain. Bayer Co.Lab China will empower eight to 10 start-ups, focusing on state-of-the-art innovations, including cell and gene therapies, oncology and new technology platforms. Previously, Bayer Co.Lab has been strategically deployed in innovation hotspots around the world, such as the United States, Japan and Germany.

Open collaboration empowers source innovation in whole chain

Bayer Co.Lab China relies on the dominant position of China's local pharmaceutical industry cluster and the resources of the whole industry chain. It is located in Shanghai Innovation (SH-INNO), which hosts first-class universities and top scientific research institutions. With the open, shared and collaborative innovation of the industrial ecosystem around SH-INNO, Bayer Co.Lab will provide end-to-end full-chain support for residents, helping local companies improve their sci-tech innovation-sourcing capabilities in advanced areas, such as cell and gene therapies, and empower local innovation.

Co.Lab China will not only provide an ideal co-creation space for residents but will also leverage Bayer's global R&D network and expertise to help biotech startups connect to a global innovation collaboration network, providing international perspectives and resources. Bayer Co.Lab China hosts a wealth of internal and external expert resources to accelerate innovation transformation through professional guidance and consultation. As an important component of Bayer's open innovation strategy, Co.Lab China will not only inject new momentum into Bayer's global R&D and innovation but also will become an important window for the globalization of China's innovation.

"China has become an important source of innovation in global life sciences," said Juergen Eckhardt, Head of Business Development, Licensing and Open Innovation at Bayer AG's Pharmaceuticals Division. "We are honored to bring the Bayer Co.Lab platform to China, and we hope that through multiparty collaboration, we can quickly identify and drive early-stage innovations to jointly explore solutions to major health problems and unmet medical needs, so that more ideas can be put into practice in China."
Expand footprint, dive into innovation and development of China's pharmaceutical industry

Bayer has long regarded the Chinese market as one of the most resilient growth engines in the world. With more than 140 years of experience in China, Bayer has continued to expand its innovation footprint. In 1995, Bayer Pharmaceuticals established a production and packaging plant in Beijing - the company's first of its kind in China - and continued to invest heavily in expansion, greatly increasing the Beijing site's production capacity. In 2009, Bayer established a global R&D center for prescription drugs in Beijing. Through this R&D center, China is included in more than 80 percent of Bayer's pivotal multicenter clinical trials, including early and late-stage clinical development programs. After nearly 30 years of development, Bayer is the only biomedical company in Beijing with an output value exceeding 10 billion yuan （$1.42 billion） for 11 consecutive years. It is also one of the few foreign-funded enterprises in Beijing that has both a "world-class product supply center" and a "global R&D center".

In addition, by deepening its strategic partnerships with well-known local academic institutions, especially Tsinghua University and Peking University, Bayer is committed to accelerating the transformation of basic research results into new drug R&D, and helping to improve China's pharmaceutical R&D and innovation capabilities. To date, Bayer has carried out more than 100 joint research projects with these two universities. These partnerships have become a model of collaborative development and innovation of "industry-university research" in China's domestic pharmaceutical and medical sectors.

The scale of China's biomedical market ranks second in the world, and the pipelines of pharmaceutical innovation ranks among the top of the world's second echelon. Its drug research and industrial development are entering a new stage of innovation and are consequently leapfrogging. As for cell and gene therapies, oncology and other innovative areas, China has shown great potential and innovative vitality, and occupies an increasingly important position in the global pharmaceutical industry chain.

Based on a deep understanding of China's pharmaceutical innovation potential and a strong recognition of local innovative forces, Bayer's Co.Lab's growth in China marks another major move by Bayer to increase its investment in innovation in the country, demonstrating its firm determination to take root in the Chinese market. Bayer will continue to enhance local collaboration to accelerate innovation and co-creation in China, work with more local companies to promote innovation and development in the medical and health industry in China and even the world, further stimulate the innovative vitality of China's pharmaceutical industry and attain a stronger footing in the global pharmaceutical innovation stage.

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About Bayer

Bayer is a global company with core competencies in health and agriculture in the life sciences sector. The company is committed to helping people and the planet thrive through products and services that help people overcome the major challenges posed by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to driving sustainability and making a positive impact on its business. At the same time, the Group is also improving profitability and creating value through technological innovation and business growth. Globally, the Bayer brand stands for trustworthiness, reliability and quality. In fiscal 2023, Bayer will have approximately 100,000 employees and sales of 47.6 billion euros. R&D investment, excluding special projects, amounted to EUR 5.8 billion. See www.bayer.com for more information.

China's Shanghai Composite Index surged more than 100 points, closing above 3,000 points on Thursday, the first time above the key benchmark since July 2, following a series of pro-growth policy measures rolled out by policymakers that help lift up investor confidence. 

The rally came after a key Communist Party of China (CPC) leadership meeting on Thursday that stressed the need to boost the country's capital market, while actively promote medium- and long-term funds to enter the market, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee held a meeting on Thursday to analyze and study the current economic situation and make further arrangements for economic work. It was noted at the meeting that the fundamentals of the Chinese economy and the favorable conditions such as a vast market, strong economic resilience and great potential have remained unchanged, Xinhua said. 

All three major stock indices for the A shares posted gains of over 3 percent, with the Shanghai Composite Index rising by 3.61 percent, the Shenzhen Component Index up by 4.44 percent, and the ChiNext Index rising by 4.42 percent. 

This marks the third straight day that all three indices finished with gains.

Trading volume at the Shanghai and Shenzhen bourses reached a total of 1.1625 trillion yuan ($165.6 billion) on Thursday, 5.1 billion yuan higher than a day ago.

More than 5,100 stocks reported gains in prices, with more than 100 stocks reaching their daily upper limit. The real estate companies led the rally, followed by liquor, food, banks and securities companies. 

"With multiple favorable policies being released, we are witnessing a remarkable rally in market expectations. Three consecutive days of gains suggest the A-share market is now entering a new upward phase," Yang Delong, chief economist at Shenzhen-based First Seafront Fund, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Chinese financial regulators on Tuesday released a slew of favorable policies to support the capital market which has lifted investor confidence.

China will issue a guideline to encourage medium and long-term funds to enter the capital market, the country's top securities regulator said on Tuesday. The China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) plans to release six measures to promote corporate mergers and acquisitions, and work with various parties to facilitate the circulation of private equity and venture capital funds.

And, China's central bank, the People's Bank of China, will introduce new monetary policy tools to support the stock market's growth. The central bank will set up a swap program allowing securities, funds, and insurance companies to secure liquidity using asset collateral, said Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People's Bank of China, on Tuesday.

China-Australia relations have seen positive progress with more recent high-level exchanges, and observers noted that strengthened communication between the two sides can effectively avoid amplifying differences. The two countries' top diplomats met on Tuesday, meanwhile the fourth China-Australia Strategic Economic Dialogue is scheduled to be held in Beijing.

According to Xinhua News Agency on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, told Wong that both sides should continue to build a more mature, stable, and fruitful comprehensive strategic partnership.

Both sides should properly handle the issues in bilateral exchanges and not define China-Australia relations from the perspective of differences, Wang said, hoping Australia joins hands with China to ensure that bilateral relations go on the right track and achieve more results.

Wong said Australia is ready to work with China to strengthen economic and trade cooperation, engage in constructive communication on issues of differences, and promote the stable development of bilateral relations. The Australian side's adherence to the one-China policy has not changed, Wong said.

Chen Hong, executive director of the Asia Pacific Studies Center at East China Normal University, spoke positively of the meeting, stressing that during the gradual improvement of China-Australia relations, increased high-level communication between the two sides has been beneficial in steering the overall direction of their relationship, highlighting the importance both parties place on enhancing ties. 

With the US election due in November and an Australian federal election next year, shifts in the political landscape may lead to policy uncertainties especially when it comes to China policy, making it even more crucial for China and Australia to deepen and strengthen high-level dialogue, as it can help avoid misunderstandings and misjudgments, Chen noted.

Analysts have also set high expectations for Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers' upcoming visit to China.

On Wednesday, China's National Development and Reform Commission announced that according to the agreement between China and Australia, Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers will visit China from Thursday to Friday. During this visit, Zheng Shanjie, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, will co-chair the fourth China-Australia Strategic Economic Dialogue with Chalmers.

As the treasurer, Chalmers oversees Australia's economic direction, Chen pointed out.

His visit to China is expected to not only promote bilateral economic and trade relations but also to enhance the overall bilateral relationship, Chen noted.

Additionally, there may be opportunities for breakthroughs in cooperation between the two nations in new areas, particularly in addressing climate change and clean energy initiatives, Chen said.

However, experts also warned that the recent negative dynamics in the Quad leaders' summit regarding China are not conducive to the steady and healthy development of China-Australia relations.

A new exhibition on ancient Chinese clothing was held in German capital Berlin. The exhibition traces the history of Chinese clothing, highlighting how the Confucian core value of “ritual” is expressed in Chinese clothing culture.

Set to run until October 9, this exhibition on ancient Chinese clothing culture is part of the 2024 Confucius international cultural exchange series.

“Chinese clothing culture has evolved over different historical periods, forming a comprehensive system of development. It reflects the transmission of civilization and encapsulates historical moments,” said Sun Qinhang, director of the China Cultural Center in Berlin.

“We hope this exhibition serves as a bridge between the ancient and modern, East and West, fostering exchanges and enhancing mutual understanding between civilizations,” Sun noted.

The exhibition features a special selection of heirloom garments from the Confucius temple back in Qufu, Shandong Province. These ancient Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) outfits, renowned for their vibrant colors, exquisite craftsmanship, and unique designs, vividly showcase the splendor of Ming Dynasty clothing culture, while also deeply reflecting the lasting influence of Confucianism on social life.

During the live clothing display segment, models dressed in traditional Chinese attire brought the elegance of these ancient garments to life. As they gracefully walked through the exhibition hall, guests eagerly took photos with them, capturing the charm and beauty of the ancient clothing.

"This exhibition allows our German friends to experience up close the beauty and intricacy of ancient Chinese garments, as well as the Confucian values embodied in the clothing, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture," said Hua Jingang, the curator of the exhibition.

The opening ceremony also featured interactive activities and a display area for cultural and creative products related to intangible cultural heritage. Visitors could try on ancient Chinese Hanfu clothing and pose for photos and, under the guidance of heritage artisans, learn traditional crafts such as Lu Embroidery, fabric knotting, and rope art.

The 2024 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) concluded in Beijing on Monday, achieving some 1,000 practical outcomes in deals and investments, with more than 20 percent of its on-site exhibitors being international companies.

Multiple foreign-funded enterprises showcased their latest innovations at the expo, while expressing confidence in exploring the Chinese market.

The outcomes achieved during this year's CIFTIS include transactions and investments in fields such as construction, finance and business services. During the event, 56 sessions were held, including international cooperation project negotiation and promotion meetings, according to the organizer.

A total of 111 enterprises and institutions, including Fortune Global 500 companies and industry leaders, announced 219 achievements in the fields of digitalization, artificial intelligence, healthcare and more, an increase of 80 compared with the previous edition, Piao Xuedong, head of the Beijing Municipal Commerce Bureau, said at a press conference on Monday.

The fruitful results of the CIFTIS demonstrate China's firm determination to boost high-quality development through high-level opening-up, and these results reflect a broad, important consensus on deepening the global services industry and services trade cooperation, and reflect outstanding achievements in the innovative development of services trade, Wang Bo, an official of the Ministry of Commerce, said at the conference.

"This is our first time to participate in the CIFTIS and we had many conversations surrounding our environmental services and learning from the experts in attendance about the opportunities in providing ESG-related services," Frank Hammes, global CEO of Swiss air quality technology company IQAir, told the Global Times on the sidelines of the CIFTIS.

China is one of the most dynamic economies in the world. Intense competition among companies within China and a growing internal market has made China highly competitive in nearly every product category. As a foreign enterprise in China, this situation is both an opportunity and a challenge, Hammes said.

"China will continue to be an important part of our business," he said.

Jiang Lei, general manager of French pilot training center operator Simaero, noted the fast growth of the company's business amid China's continuous opening-up process.

"Our company provides training services for civil aviation pilots with a simulation cockpit, and our revenues and business scope have expanded at a great speed since the establishment of our first joint venture in China in 2021," Jiang told the Global Times.

"There is a long list of Chinese localities that we plan to expand our business cooperation with to meet the growing demand of China's fast-growing civil aviation industry."

China's National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic planner, recently issued the 2024 negative list for foreign investment access, with restrictions on foreign investment in the manufacturing sector to be completely lifted, in a latest effort to promote wider opening-up to the outside world.

This past week, the legendary Monkey King, Sun Wukong, has re-emerged from ancient scrolls, enchanting the world with his timeless adventures. As Black Myth: Wukong takes the gaming world by storm, conversations are shifting beyond the gameplay to uncover the rich cultural treasures woven into its fabric - like the breathtaking ancient architecture and intricate statues that breathe life into this epic tale.

On Tuesday, the Chinese gaming industry hit a major milestone with the global release of Black Myth: Wukong, a AAA action RPG. Created by Game Science, this epic adventure draws from the legendary Journey to the West, letting players step into the shoes of a destined hero on a wild, perilous journey.

Within just hours of its launch, the game shot to the top of Steam's most-played list for a single-player game, sparking a frenzy of excitement across social media.

But it's not just the game- play that has everyone talking. Black Myth: Wukong stands out for its stunning, lifelike portrayal of ancient Chinese architecture and cultural heritage.

With 36 in-game locations meticulously modeled after real-world sites, including 27 in North China's Shanxi Province - known for its rich historical relics - the game offers players a visually immersive experience like no other, the People's Daily reported.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, to crafta truly immersive, world-class game, the game company Game Science spent years capturing foot- age from historical and cultural sites across China. They used real-world scanning technology to upload digital models of ancient buildings, statues and sculptures into Unreal Engine 5, a real-time 3D creation tool, laying the foundation for an ultra- realistic experience.

The impact of Black Myth: Wukong has gone be- yond the screen, creating a ripple effect in cultural tourism.

The heritages shown in the game have seen a surge in interest. Shanxi's tourism search volume jumped by over 10 percent on launch day, with his- torical sites like Xiao Xi Tian Temple and Yuhuang Temple becoming must-see destinations for fans eager to explore the game's real-world inspirations.

In a savvy move, tourism boards across regions like Shanxi are now rolling out "Follow Wukong" travel campaigns, inviting gam- ers to experience the beauty and history that inspired the game.

With millions of "Monkes" joining the journey, Black Myth: Wukong has unleashed Sun Wukong's legendary power, turning him into a magic force that is propelling China's ancient wonders into the spotlight.

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Friday criticized the European Commission (EC)'s rejection of price offers from Chinese electric vehicle (EV) producers, saying the move shows the EC's lack of sincerity in addressing the dispute through dialogue and stressing China's firm determination to safeguard firms' rights and interests.

"The EC ignored the Chinese industry's sincerity and efforts, and without further communication, said it would reject the Chinese industry's proposal of flexible solution. The Chinese side is deeply disappointed with this," a spokesperson for the MOFCOM said.

The remarks came after the EC, the executive body of the EU, said on Thursday that it had received offers from Chinese EV makers for minimum import prices into the EU market and had rejected all of them, according to Reuters.

The EC's rejection of relevant proposal without thorough evaluation not only undermines the confidence of the Chinese industry in continuing cooperation, but is also inconsistent with the expectations of some EU member states, and is inconsistent with the EC's public statement that it hopes to resolve this case through dialogue, the MOFCOM spokesperson said.

The spokesperson also pointed out that China has made great efforts, including proposing flexible solutions, while the EC lacked sincerity in meeting China halfway.

"If the consultations fail to reach consensus in the end, the responsibility lies entirely with the European side," the spokesperson said. "China has the greatest sincerity to properly resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, as well as the greatest determination to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises."

The MOFCOM has announced that Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao will visit Europe and hold talks with EC Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on September 19 to discuss the EU's anti-subsidy case against China's EVs.

Experts also noted that the Chinese industry's proposal is another example of the Chinese side's commitment to properly resolving the dispute through dialogue and consultation. However, China will firmly safeguard its interests, if the EC refuses to meet China halfway.

The EC should strengthen dialogue and communication with China, show the same sincerity as China in the process, and actively seek solutions that are consistent with WTO rules and acceptable to both parties, Wang Yiwei, a professor at the School of International Relations at Renmin University of China, told the Global Times.

"Both parties are in negotiations, and it would be best if a mutually acceptable outcome can be reached. However, if it touches on China's core interests, no concessions will be made," Wang Yiwei said.

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.