Premier of the State Council Li Qiang will attend the 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions (AMNC) in Tianjin from June 24 to 25. Premier Li Qiang will attend the Opening Plenary and deliver a special address, meet with foreign guests, and have a conversation with representatives of the foreign business community.
President of Ecuador Daniel Noboa, Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Adylbek Aleshovich Kasymaliev, Prime Minister of Senegal Ousmane Sonko, and Prime Minister of Viet Nam Pham Minh Chinh will attend the AMNC. Over 1,700 representatives from the political, business, academic and media communities from over 90 countries and regions will also take part in the AMNC.
The UN Charter laid the foundation for the modern international order and established the basic norms of contemporary international relations, but at present, the cause of international peace has been severely challenged - the military strikes launched by the US and Israel against Iran violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and the US withdrawal from treaties and divestment have severely impacted multilateralism, Chinese envoy to the UN office at Geneva Chen Xu said on Monday.
Speaking at a side event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the UN Charter hosted by the Group of Friends in Defense of the UN Charter during the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Chen said China advocates practicing true multilateralism, adhering to resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, upholding peace to promote development and human rights, and supporting the United Nations in steadily advancing reforms.
The Group of Friends for Defending the UN Charter is an advocate for supporting multilateralism, upholding fairness and justice, and opposing unilateral sanctions. China is willing to work with members of the Group and the international community, continue to uphold the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence - mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence - firmly safeguard the role of the United Nations, make positive contributions to maintaining world peace, promoting common development, and realizing human rights for all, and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, Chen noted.
The meeting was chaired by Alexander Yánez Deleuze, the permanent representative of Venezuela to Geneva. Permanent representatives or senior diplomats from countries such as Iran, Cuba, and Russia delivered speeches on current international situations, human rights, security and other topics. More than 40 countries including Belarus, Eritrea, Honduras, and Panama sent representatives to attend the meeting.
When asked about the phone call between US President Donald Trump and the Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine crisis on Monday, after which Trump said Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations for a ceasefire, while Putin said that Russia would "continue to work with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum on a potential future peace treaty outlining a number of positions," without reaching an agreement on unconditional ceasefire, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that China supports all efforts conducive to peace.
"We support direct dialogue and negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and a political solution to the crisis. We hope all parties can reach a fair, lasting, and binding peace agreement that is acceptable to all sides through dialogue and negotiation," Mao said.
In response to another question on whether China would support or consider participating in Russia-Ukraine negotiations, as several locations — including the Vatican — are being considered as possible venues for negotiations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that on the issue of Ukraine crisis, China supports all efforts conducive to peace.
"We are willing to work with the international community, in accordance with the wishes of the parties concerned, to continue playing a constructive role in resolving the crisis and achieving lasting peace," the spokesperson said.
When asked to comment on the EU and the UK's announcement on Tuesday of a new round of sanctions against Russia - targeting its energy, military, and financial sectors and also including Chinese and UAE companies on the sanctions list, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated on Wednesday that China has consistently opposed unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law and are not authorized by the UN Security Council. She expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to the EU's unjust sanctions against Chinese companies.
Mao emphasized that China has always been committed to promoting peace talks and de-escalation regarding the Ukraine crisis. It has never provided lethal weapons to any party involved in the conflict and strictly controls the export of dual-use items. She also noted that most countries, including those in Europe and the US, continue to conduct trade with Russia. Normal interactions and cooperation between Chinese and Russian enterprises should not be disrupted or interfered with. The EU should stop applying double standards on economic and trade cooperation with Russia and refrain from harming the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. China will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard its lawful rights and interests, said Mao.
China has postponed the return of the Shenzhou-19 crewed spaceship, originally scheduled for Tuesday, due to unfavorable weather conditions at the Dongfeng landing site in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the China Manned Space Agency said.
The weather conditions failed to meet mission requirements, the agency said, adding that the operation will be rescheduled in the coming days to ensure astronaut safety and mission success.
Question: Recently, there have been various comments in the UK regarding the government's takeover of British Steel. Several politicians took the opportunity to attack all Chinese companies and the Chinese government. What's your comment?
Embassy Spokesperson: The anti-China rhetoric of some individual British politicians is extremely absurd, reflecting their arrogance, ignorance and twisted mindset. Regarding the issue of British Steel, I'd like to share a few basic facts.
1. The Jingye Group is a private Chinese enterprise that makes business investments in the UK on the basis of market principles and conducts operation on its own.
2. It is well-known that British Steel had been losing money for many years before its acquisition by Jingye in 2020 and actually went into compulsory liquidation in 2019. After taking over, Jingye put in substantial funding to keep the company afloat to this day. Had it not been for the involvement of this Chinese company, British Steel workers might have already faced the risk of unemployment.
3. It is understood that under the UK government's net zero strategy, steel companies that use iron ore to make steel must achieve net zero emissions by 2035. To that end, British steel companies including British Steel have all negotiated with the government to find a path to decarbonisation transition. Among them, the Port Talbot Steelworks in Wales closed its blast furnace in July 2024. British Steel's plan to close its blast furnaces and build electric arc furnaces is a normal decision, and it is understandable that the company conducted negotiations with the government on investment for the transition.
4. Generally speaking, Chinese companies in the UK have operated in compliance with law and achieved steady progress. They have made positive contributions to the local economy. According to statistics available, Chinese companies in the UK have contributed over 115 billion pounds to the UK economy and created nearly 60,000 jobs.
5. At a time when the US is wielding the tariff stick against all countries, the UK included, and engaging in unilateral and protectionist trade bullying, those British politicians just keep slandering the Chinese government and Chinese enterprises instead of criticizing the United States. What on earth are they up to?
6. Any words or deeds that politicise or maliciously hype up business issues will undermine the confidence of Chinese business investors in the UK and damage China-UK economic and trade cooperation. We urge the British government to follow the principles of fairness, impartiality and non-discrimination and to make sure that the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies in the UK are protected. At the same time, it is hoped that the British government will continue to engage in consultations and negotiations with Jingye to actively seek a solution acceptable to all parties. We will continue to follow the development of this situation.
Cradling the blind box in her hand, Yang Hailun gave it a gentle shake, hoping the faint clatter inside might offer a clue to the surprise sealed within. Eventually, she picked this one and headed to the store’s counter to pay.
When she unveils a Minnie Mouse figurine – her top pick – she’s all smiles, ready to hunt for more.
Yang, a Beijing resident born in the 1990s, often meets her friends at various shopping malls after work or on weekends.
Besides dining out, she and her companions are avid visitors of stores that sell blind boxes, anime figurines, and collectible cards. These types of shops are becoming increasingly popular in Chinese malls.
“Whether it’s for my favorite cartoon characters or a pretty design, I’ll pay for it,” Yang told the Global Times. “I display them at home or in the office as decorations. Seeing them makes me happy.”
Today in China, for many consumers like Yang, spending money for the sake of such “happiness” has become routine. Trendy blind boxes and anime figurines now decorate office desks, bringing joy to young people.
This type of consumption – driven by psychological experience and the need to satisfy emotional desires – is known as emotional consumption. According to a latest study released by the China Consumers Association (CCA), emotional release is becoming a major factor influencing the purchasing decisions of the younger generation, the Xinhua News Agency reported in March.
Data from multiple research institutions shows that China has nearly 500 million users who engage with ACG (animation, comics, and games) content. The “ACG-style” consumption market exceeds 100 billion yuan ($13.8 billion) in size, Economic Information Daily reported in July 2024.
Young people are the most dynamic driving force in the market as the core consumer base ranges from those born in the 1980s and 1990s to those born after 2000 and even 2010, according to the Economic Information Daily.
This trend not only draws back large numbers of emotionally driven consumers, but has also introduced a new concept of consumption and kept shopping malls lively.
Value of emotion
An annual report released by CCA in May 2024 said a new phenomenon was emerging in China’s consumer market, where people are spending money in pursuit of emotional or psychological satisfaction, the China News Service reported.
The report cited several examples: the overwhelming popularity of certain tourist destinations, a surge in live performance attendance with fans traveling across cities, the resurgence of some domestic brands, and the continued rise of interest in Hanfu, traditional Chinese clothing. These booming consumption trends, it noted, are largely driven by a desire for emotional comfort and spiritual joy in specific scenarios.
In shopping malls in several cities across China, the Global Times reporters found that many popular products on the market today are especially attuned to expressing the emotions young people experience in their life.
For instance, plushie toys featuring capybaras occupy prominent spots in many stores. In recent years, the image of the capybara has gone viral across China. To local consumers, this South American mammal, known for its calm and gentle demeanor, has come to symbolize an ideal laid-back lifestyle.
Another popular franchise, LiPU Friends, which could be described as a cartoon version of the film Office Space starring small animals and a carrot, has also won over young consumers in 2025 with its blind boxes and related merchandise. Its appeal lies in the way it captures a range of workplace states many can relate to – confusion, exhaustion, anxiety, and, at times, a sense of fulfillment.
“The prevalence of emotional consumption reflects a new value system centered around experiential feelings, which transcends the level of basic needs and emphasizes deriving satisfaction from emotions and sensations,” Zhang Yiwu, a professor at Peking University, told the Global Times on Wednesday, noting that once material needs are met, people increasingly prioritize emotional experiences and personal pleasure, making this a broad consumer trend.
“Moreover, emotional consumption has influenced traditional consumption models, driving the market toward a greater emphasis on emotional connections and experiential consumption,” Zhang said.
New trends on the block
In recent years, the retail landscape of shopping malls across China has undergone a notable transformation. The traditional model, once dominated by clothing stores and dining outlets, is gradually being reshaped by a wave of distinctive specialty retailers.
These include chains such as Pop Mart, known for its original IP-based designer toys, Miniso, which offers merchandise from well-known franchises such as Disney, Pokémon, My Little Pony, and the current popular film Ne Zha 2, and the “goods” stores, which specialize in ACG merchandise.
These stores not only diversify product offerings in malls but also draw large foot traffic –particularly among younger consumers – through unique and immersive shopping experiences.
After picking out an acrylic stand figure of a favorite character at an ACG store in East China’s Shanghai, 24-year-old Lin Yi would instinctively pose with it in front of the store’s intricately designed display wall for social media – a ritual that has become second nature to her and many of her peers.
“I used to think visiting malls was a waste of time because most shops sold the same clothes,” Lin said. “But when my friend told me about these anime-themed specialty stores popping up in local malls, reminiscent of Akihabara in Tokyo, I went out of curiosity. Now, it’s my go-to weekend activity.”
This influx of young consumers has also significantly revitalized some commercial districts.
According to China News Service, an old shopping mall in Beijing’s Wangfujing area, which closed in 2020, was relaunched in 2023 with a new identity as a “New Chinese Style Shopping Center,” aiming to better resonate with younger shoppers.
China on Wednesday deployed a giant self-developed tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the construction of the world's longest underwater highway TBM tunnel.
The new machine, named "Jianghai," has a maximum excavation diameter of 16.6 meters. It is approximately 145 meters long and weighs an impressive 5,000 tonnes.
The machine is used in the construction of the Haitai Yangtze River Tunnel in east China's Jiangsu Province. The tunnel is a key project to forge a major trans-river road link under China's longest river, connecting Haimen in the city of Nantong with Taicang in the city of Suzhou.
Following the US' imposition of 104-percent tariffs on Chinese goods, China responded with a raft of measures on Wednesday, including lifting the additional tariffs on products imported from the US to 84 percent, and adding a number of US companies to its export control list and unreliable entity list.
China will lift the additional tariffs on products imported from the United States to 84 percent, effective from 12:01 p.m. Thursday, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced Wednesday. The announcement follows the US decision to raise the "reciprocal tariffs" on Chinese imports from 34 percent to 84 percent, a move that is "going further down the wrong path and seriously infringes on China's legitimate rights and interests," according to the commission, Xinhua reported.
Measures announced on late Wednesday also include an addition of 12 US entities to the country's export control list and 6 US firms to the unreliable entity list and filing a lawsuit over the latest US tariff hikes at the WTO, according to Xinhua News Agency.
China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism on Wednesday issued a risk alert for Chinese tourists traveling to the US on its official website, citing the recent deterioration in China-US economic and trade relations as well as the domestic security situation in the US. The ministry urged Chinese travelers to carefully assess the risks and exercise caution when planning trips to the US.
China's Ministry of Education issued the first study abroad alert for 2025 on Wednesday. According to the ministry, the state of Ohio in US has recently passed a bill on higher education that contains negative clauses related to China and imposes restrictions on educational exchanges and cooperation between colleges and universities in China and the US. The Ministry of Education reminds all students to make a good security risk assessment and enhance their awareness of precaution when choosing to study in the relevant states in the US in the near future.
Resolute response
The prompt and multi-pronged response from China to the latest US tariff hike underscores China's firm stance against US trade protectionism and unilateralism, as well as China's resolute determination to uphold the fundamental principles of the multilateral trading system and protect its own development interests, a Chinese expert said on Wednesday.
"The Chinese people have never been intimidated by coercion or cowed by pressure," Cui Fan, a professor from the University of International Business and Economics, told the Global Times on Wednesday. The expert noted that "China is committed to deepening reform and high-level opening-up, and stands ready to collaborate with all countries to jointly advance the development of an inclusive and mutually beneficial economic globalization."
Earlier in the day, China stated its position on China-US trade and economic relations in a white paper, titled China's Position on Some Issues concerning China-US Economic and Trade Relations, noting that the relations are mutually beneficial and two sides can resolve differences through equal-footed dialogue.
The white paper clarified facts about the ties between the world's two largest economies and made clear China's stance on relevant matters, according to Xinhua. It said China-US economic and trade relations are mutually beneficial and win-win in nature, and cooperation benefits both sides while confrontation harms both. It said that China has scrupulously honored the Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement while the US side has failed to meet its obligations.
The document, released by the State Council Information Office, stressed that China upholds the principle of free trade and strictly complies with WTO Rules, and that unilateralism and protectionism undermine China-US economic and trade relations.
Altogether, imports from 86 countries were now subject to higher tariffs ranging from 11 percent to 84 percent. China is being hit with a new 84 percent tariff, as part of an overall tariff rate of 104 percent on its exported goods to the US, according to CNBC.
When responding to media inquiries on the US' 104 percent tariffs on Chinese goods, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday that "We will not let anyone take away the Chinese people's legitimate right to development. We will not tolerate any attempt to harm China's sovereignty, security and development interests. We will continue to take resolute and strong measures to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests."
Regarding the white paper, China's Ministry of Commerce also said on Wednesday that with firm will and abundant means, China will resolutely take countermeasures and fight to the end if the US insists on further escalating economic and trade restrictive measures.
Resilience and strength
China's response to the US unwarranted tariffs, including the over 20 countermeasures taken so far, is reasonable and justified, a Chinese expert said.
Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times that the sweeping US tariffs - targeting not just China but many trade partners - are tightening supply chains and creating instability in key sectors.
"We're already seeing earlier signs of the impending chaos caused by the tariffs, such as shortages of everyday goods like eggs in the US and consumers' stockpiling of goods," Zhou noted. "The American people have already started paying the price for the trade and tariff war launched by the US government. Corporations based in the US will be the next in line to face the chaos of higher costs and logistical disruptions, inflation and recession fears."
The expert believes that as US' tariff abuse pushes the world into more uncertainty, China is in better positioned to navigate the quagmire created by the global trade war initiated by the US, while the US may face serious backlash due to the economic damage it has inflicted upon itself.
Despite that the Chinese economy will also face pressure caused by US steep tariffs, experts interviewed by the Global Times on Wednesday have confidence that the Chinese economy is prepared to deal with the challenges brought by tariffs impact.
Zhou said China's exports sector will face pressure, however, the country has built a resilient manufacturing base and is capable of adapting, which is the most desired quality in times of turbulences and challenges.
Wang Huiyao, founder and president of the Center for China and Globalization, said that as the US launches a global trade war, the rest of the countries in the world are in the same boat.
"The current global trade chaos could be an opportunity for China to further play its role as the anchor of stability in safeguarding the multilateral trading system and global trade, as well as a chance to deepen regional economic integration with like-minded countries," Wang said.
Internationally, the US' tariffs continue to draw wide criticism and countermeasures from its trading partners.
The European Union on Wednesday approved its first set of retaliatory measures to counter tariffs imposed by the US on steel and aluminum, CNBC reported.
The US tariff policy is met with opposition from within the US. According to the Pew Research Centre poll released on Tuesday, a majority of Americans surveyed said US levies on China in particular will be bad for the US (52%), according to USA Today.
A separate poll, conducted by Reuters/Ipsos, showed that 73 percent of Americans expect price surge under current government's tariffs.
