A total of nine Chinese cities were accredited as international wetland cities on Thursday during the opening of the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15) held in Zimbabwe's resort city of Victoria Falls, bringing the total number of such cities in China to 22, the highest in the world.
The nine newly accredited cities are Chongming in Shanghai, Dali in Yunnan Province, Fuzhou in Fujian Province, Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province, Jiujiang in Jiangxi Province, Lhasa in the Xizang Autonomous Region, Suzhou in Jiangsu Province, Wenzhou in Zhejiang Province, and Yueyang in Hunan Province.
Johane Chenjekwa, mayor of Kasane in Botswana, commended China for promoting wetland conservation, noting that Africa can benefit from cooperation with China in wetland management.
"We will see, as we interact, what we can learn from them. They are also willing to learn from how we do things here, so it's really a (great) experience to be mingling (together)," he said.
Chenjekwa added that as the world faces the common challenge of wetland degradation, joint efforts with China can help tackle its impacts.
In his opening remarks, Jay Aldous, deputy secretary-general of the Convention on Wetlands, noted that while urbanization brings tangible development progress, there is a need to ensure that it does not interfere with wetland preservation.
"Unplanned or poorly managed urban expansion has emerged as a global concern, contributing to the degradation of wetlands, loss of biodiversity, disruption of ecological balance, rising greenhouse gas emissions, worsening air and water pollution, and escalating the impacts of climate change," he said.
In response to these challenges and recognizing the pivotal role of cities and urban wetlands, the Convention on Wetlands launched the Wetland City Accreditation scheme to encourage the protection of urban wetlands and their integration into sustainable urban planning, Aldous said.
"By embracing the convention's principles of wise use, cities can harness the ecological, social, and economic benefits that wetlands provide, including climate adaptation and mitigation, flood regulation, cultural value, and improved human well-being," he said.
Held under the theme of "Protecting Wetlands for our Common Future", the COP15, which will conclude on July 31, has brought together contracting parties to strengthen international commitments to wetland protection.
The Chinese people and their armed forces will never allow Taiwan to be separated from China or tolerate any external forces in undermining the efforts for reunification, Chinese Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK) Zheng Zeguang said here Friday.
Both the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, issued by major victorious nations of World War II including China and the UK, stated in explicit terms that Taiwan is a territory that Japan had stolen from the Chinese, and shall be restored to China, he told a reception to celebrate the 98th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
"All countries having diplomatic ties with China must properly handle Taiwan-related issues, which is key to the smooth development of our bilateral relations," the ambassador said.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the recovery of Taiwan from Japanese occupation.
Thailand and Cambodia clashed for a fourth day on Sunday, despite US President Donald Trump warning them they are risking potential trade deals with the US. The US president said on Saturday the leaders of the two countries had agreed to meet to negotiate a ceasefire.
Since the armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers over disputed border areas broke out on Thursday, more than 30 people have been killed from both sides, and more than 100,000 people have been evacuated to safe areas, according to figures provided by the two countries, Xinhua News Agency reported.
Thailand's acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai said Thailand "agrees in principle to have a ceasefire in place" but "would like to see sincere intention from the Cambodian side."
Phumtham was responding in a Facebook post to a series of social media posts by Trump. Trump said he had spoken to Phumtham and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and warned them that he would not make trade deals with either if the border conflict continued, according to Reuters.
"Both Parties are looking for an immediate Ceasefire and Peace," Trump wrote as he gave a blow-by-blow account of his diplomatic efforts.
In the early hours of Sunday morning local time, Hun Manet thanked Trump and said that Cambodia agreed with "the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the two-armed forces."
A statement from Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it wished to see "sincere intention from the Cambodian side," which is similar to what Phumtham said.
However, fresh artillery clashes erupted on Sunday morning near two long-contested ancient temples in the frontier region between northern Cambodia and northeast Thailand that has seen the bulk of the fighting, according to Bangkok Post.
Cambodian defense ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata said Thai forces began attacking areas around the temples at 4:50 am, AFP reported.
Thai Army Deputy Spokesman Ritcha Suksuwanon said Cambodian forces began firing artillery around 4:00 am as the two sides battled for control of strategic positions, according to AFP.
Trump's involvement followed US calls for restraint on both sides. He said he spoke to each leader and relayed messages back and forth. However, Trump offered no details on the ceasefire negotiations he said Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to hold.
The US mediation effort is generally aligned with the direction of regional countries, including China and ASEAN members, in hoping that the two countries can swiftly end the conflict and return to the negotiating table, Ge Hongliang, deputy director of the College of ASEAN Studies at Guangxi University for Nationalities, told the Global Times on Sunday.
At a press conference on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that Thailand and Cambodia are both China's friendly neighbors and important members of ASEAN. Good-neighborliness and properly settling differences serves the fundamental and long-term interests of the two sides.
Guo added that we are deeply concerned over the ongoing developments and hope that the two sides will properly address issues through dialogue and consultation. Bearing in mind the common interest and concerns of regional countries, China upholds a just and impartial stance. We have and will continue to promote talks for peace in our own way and play a constructive role in promoting deescalation.
China may engage with the two countries through channels such as their embassies in China, Ge said. Based on historical experience, the conflict remains under control, he said.
The city of Foshan in South China's Guangdong Province on Tuesday reported a local outbreak of chikungunya fever caused by imported cases, confirming 478 cases.
According to a statement released by the health bureau of Shunde district in Foshan, after the epidemic was detected on July 8, the city immediately organized professional teams for case searches and testing. As of Tuesday, 478 confirmed cases have been reported in the district, primarily concentrated in three towns, and all are mild cases.
Chikungunya is a viral illness transmitted to humans by mosquitoes carrying the virus. Although rarely fatal, the disease typically causes fever, joint pain and fatigue. Symptoms are generally self-limiting, resolving within two to three days, and individuals who recover from it acquire lifelong immunity.
The statement said that as the current hot and rainy season leads to increased mosquito activity, it is the peak period for mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever and chikungunya, warning citizens to be more aware of mosquito biting and promptly seek medical treatment once experiencing any suspected symptoms.
When asked to comment on a Beijing court on Wednesday sentencing a Japanese man working for a Japanese pharmaceutical company to three years and six months in prison for espionage, and the Japanese side's claim that the verdict could impact bilateral ties, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday that China is a country governed by the rule of law, and its judicial authorities handle cases strictly in accordance with the law, ensuring the legal rights and interests of parties concerned.
In accordance with relevant international conventions and the China-Japan consular agreement, we provide convenience for the Japanese side to carry out consular duties, Lin said.
Lin noted that China has consistently supported China-Japan economic and trade cooperation, providing a favorable environment for the legitimate operations of Japanese enterprises and personnel in China.
"We welcome foreign enterprises to engage in economic and trade cooperation in China. As long as foreign nationals in China—or those coming to China—abide by the law and carry out their activities in accordance with the law, there is no need for concern or anxiety," Lin added.
Chinese people believe that letters are as valuable as gold. For thousands of years, letters, across mountains and oceans, have been delivering the writers' sentiments and conveying friendship and expectations.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, has managed to find time to reply to some letters from different sectors of the society and different parts of the world despite his busy work schedule.
Through his letters, Xi has corresponded with people from all walks of life on numerous occasions, part of a series of excellent stories of China in the new era.
Therefore, the Global Times traced and contacted some of the recipients of Xi's letters to hear the inspiring stories behind the letters and their communications with the Chinese President.
In this installment, villagers from a picturesque mountain village in Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region received a reply letter from Xi. In recent years, the village has stood out for its achievements in tourism, a collective economy, and ethnic unity, and Xi's words have further strengthened their resolve to build a better life in the new era.
As soft summer sunlight filtered through the branches of blooming peach trees in a highland village nestled beneath snowcapped peaks, the people of Galai village in Nyingchi, Xizang received a message that warmed their hearts even more than the season itself.
President Xi Jinping on June 29 urged residents of the village to uphold ethnic solidarity and create a happier and better life.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, put forward his expectations in a reply letter to residents of the village in Nyingchi, where he paid a visit in July 2021.
"Learning that the village has undergone new changes in recent years and villagers' incomes have increased, I feel happy for you," Xi wrote in the letter.
Xi also voiced his hope that the villagers will, under the guidance of the Party's policies to develop border areas and improve people's lives, do an even better job in protecting the natural beauty of the plateau region, developing the village's tourist brand, and contributing to building a prosperous and stable border area.
Previously, all residents of Galai village wrote a letter to Xi to report on the village's development and changes, and to express their gratitude and determination to forge ahead in creating an even better life, according to Xinhua.
A family's good life
"When he visited my home four years ago, it gave me lasting motivation to keep striving forward," Dawa Gyaltsen, a villager in Galai village, said. "Thanks to the Party's favorable policies to enrich and develop border areas, we now have more opportunities. With such good policies in place, we are more driven than ever to seize opportunities and improve our income."
In July 2021, Xi visited the village of Galai for the 70th anniversary of Xizang's peaceful liberation. He went to the home of Dawa Gyaltsen and chatted with the family in the living room, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Xi said the village epitomizes the economic and social achievements Xizang has made over 70 years since its peaceful liberation. He also hailed the village as a model of ethnic unity.
"When he visited my home, he asked very detailed questions about various aspects of our lives. I was surprised by his caring," Dawa told the Global Times, expressing his gratitude over Xi's tender care.
Galai village is situated at an altitude of 2,900 meters. Every spring, more than 1,200 wild peach trees bloom in succession, creating an enchanting landscape.
Leveraging this unique resource, the village has developed its tourism industry. In 2022, the village's tourism income reached 4.6 million yuan ($640,000), and all 33 households in the village received dividends, including Dawa Gyaltsen's family.
In addition to running a transportation business, Dawa Gyaltsen earned over 100,000 yuan from 27 acres of leased land and the sale of specialty agricultural and pastoral products from 40 heads of livestock. His family's total annual income reached 350,000 yuan ($48,000) that year.
Because he frequently drives goods to the urban area, Dawa Gyaltsen has witnessed the changes in the city's transformation firsthand. "The urban area is expanding rapidly, the streets are cleaner and better organized, and our wallets are getting heavier," he said with a smile. "Seeing how the city of Nyingchi has been revitalized, and knowing I took part in some of the revitalization process."
With a stronger family foundation and greater financial stability, the younger generation in Gala Village now has more opportunities to pursue their dreams.
The living room wall in their home is adorned with certificates and awards earned by his daughter and son, ranging from academic achievements to handwriting and sports competitions.
Dawa Gyaltsen's son, Phupa Tsering, has loved sports since childhood. In 2023, he was admitted to the Xizang Sports School. "We have great facilities for both study and training," he said. "There are excellent sports venues, and I get many chances to train professionally. My dream is to become a professional athlete, and I will make full use of what I have now to achieve it."
Welcome to our village
"Hot water is available 24 hours a day, and the Wi-Fi password is 66666597," Tseyang always reminds guests when they check in.
Her kitchen countertop is neatly arranged with modern appliances, including a rice cooker, an electric butter tea maker, a water boiler, and a gas stove. With practiced ease, she operates the electric machines.
"It only takes a few minutes to make fresh butter tea, which is a favorite among guests," she said.
In March 2021, Tseyang transformed 10 rooms in her home into the first homestay in Gala Village. "In recent years, the village has continued to invest in infrastructure - new skywalks and trails have been built, and the visitor center and parking areas have been upgraded," she said. "In the past, the roads turned muddy whenever it rained, and basic infrastructure was lacking. We had frequent water and electricity outages. Life was inconvenient." This situation not only made life difficult for villagers, but also discouraged tourists from coming.
Things began to change in 2020, when the local culture and tourism bureau in Bayi district launched a boutique homestay development project. Tseyang's home was selected. "After renovations, our facilities improved a lot, and we've welcomed more and more tourists," she said. The homestay now features private bathrooms, internet access, and 24-hour hot and cold water.
"We have planted many fruit trees in the courtyard - flowers bloom in spring, there's shade in the summer, and fruit in autumn. The beautiful courtyard itself has become a unique attraction," she added with a smile.
Like Tseyang, many villagers have benefited from the village's infrastructure improvements, which have opened the door to tourism and prosperity. In recent years, Galai village has actively promoted the "courtyard economy" and the idea of "tourism plus," encouraging families to make full use of their traditional Tibetan courtyards. All 33 households now grow fruit trees, and 13 have launched homestays, gaining tangible benefits from tourism.
In addition to tourism and fruit-picking experiences, Galai village has also grown its collective economy. In recent years, the village's annual income has exceeded 14 million yuan ($1.9 million). "As long as we work steadily, step by step, a happy future is within reach," said Tseyang.
Dedication on the plateau
"Galai" means "village under the white rock" in Tibetan.
It used to be halfway up a mountain and suffered from water shortages, explained Huang Haifen, a former resident official of Galai Village. "Thanks to the Party's policies, Galai Village was relocated to a spot beside the highway. It now sits next to National Highway 318 and is only 12 kilometers from the city center. The transformation of the village reflects how the economic and social development of Xizang has advanced under the leadership of the Party."
A native of South China's Guangdong Province, Huang arrived in Galai in 2021. One of her tasks was to help establish the village's exhibition center. "To create a proper exhibition, I had to understand the village's history," she said. To locate the original site of the village, she hiked rugged mountain paths repeatedly.
Her sincerity earned her the affection of many villagers.
"Whenever fruits in the village ripen, I'm always among the first to get a taste," she said. "And whenever there's something difficult to deal with, village officials still come to ask for my advice."
While stationed in the village, Huang learned that the success of the Peach Blossom Festival was closely tied to another aid official from South China's Guangdong Province, Sun Shihong. He had conducted multiple field surveys and proposed a development model that integrated tourism resources and promoted a village-wide approach.
With efforts from both local officials and aid teams, Galai was equipped with paved roads, a visitor center, and parking areas, and the peach blossom tourism industry was continuously upgraded.
Inspired by Sun's example, Huang became deeply involved in village development - helping standardize the management of homestays and launching cultural and creative projects themed around peach blossoms. She and her colleagues designed products such as peach blossom brooches and bookmarks, which have since become popular souvenirs for visiting tourists.
"Although I no longer live in Galai Village, I continue to follow its development closely," said Huang, who now works in governmental department of Bayi District, Nyingchi. "In the future, I will keep dedicating my youth to the snowy plateau and contribute to building a prosperous and stable border region for our country."
Preliminary findings indicate that the unusual odor in the tap water in some subdistricts of Yuhang District in Hangzhou, East China’s Zhejiang Province, was caused by sulfur-ether compounds produced by the anaerobic degradation of algae under specific natural and climatic conditions, the district government said in a statement on Saturday, apologizing to local residents for the inconvenience.
At 8:00 am Wednesday, Renhe Water Plant detected an unusual odor in its supply. Upon confirming the anomaly through tests, the plant immediately activated its emergency contingency plan, switching to an alternate source. Since then, water quality has been closely monitored and all output has met safety standards, according to the release.
According to media reports, starting from Wednesday morning, some areas in Renhe street and Liangzhu street of Yuhang district in Hangzhou experienced a noticeable odor in the tap water. The issue persisted for nearly 15 hours, and as late as around midnight, residents in several communities were still reporting foul-smelling water in their homes.
An investigation was launched at once, and a team of national and provincial experts was convened. Preliminary findings indicate that the odor was caused by sulfur-ether compounds produced by the anaerobic degradation of algae under specific natural and climatic conditions. Further trace-source investigations are ongoing, and results will be released as they are available, according to the district release.
The statement also noted that police have taken legal action against those spreading online rumors that the water was “sewage,” and urged the public not to believe or share unverified information.
“We deeply apologize for the impact and inconvenience this incident has caused and will continue to strengthen management measures to ensure the safety of the water supply,” said the district government.
China stands ready to deepen coordination and cooperation with the United Nations to jointly advocate for a more just and equitable international order, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said here on Tuesday.
Li made the remarks in his meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the 17th BRICS Summit.
Over the 80 years since its founding, the United Nations has made vital contributions to safeguarding world peace and tranquility while promoting common development, Li said.
Cautioning that the world is facing mounting unstable and uncertain factors, Li said that the UN needs to play a better role.
The vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind and the three major global initiatives, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, are highly consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, as they embody China's steadfast commitment and pragmatic approach to support multilateralism and the work of the UN, stressed Li.
The more complex the international situation becomes, the more necessary it is to uphold the authority of the UN, said Li, stating that China firmly supports the UN's central role in global governance and stands ready to work with all parties to practice true multilateralism and to better advance the UN's work.
As the global security faces grave challenges, China has made extensive efforts to promote dialogue for the political settlement of hotspot issues, and will continue to support the UN in playing its unique role in de-escalating tensions, he said.
The premier noted that all parties should prioritize development on the international agenda, work together to enhance global development cooperation, allocate resources first and foremost to key areas such as poverty alleviation, education, employment and capacity building, and revitalize the global development partnership.
China, as a responsible major developing country, will continue to firmly pursue opening-up, share its opportunities with the world and promote common development, said Li.
China supports the United Nations as the main channel in addressing the gaps in global governance in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, cyberspace, the polar regions and outer space, he added.
For his part, Guterres expressed appreciation for China's long-term commitment to multilateralism, as well as its firm support for the work of the United Nations.
The UN chief noted that the three major global initiatives proposed by President Xi dovetail with the goals of the United Nations.
The Chinese side, he said, has made important contributions to promoting the political settlement of hotspot issues, reforming the international economic and financial system, and safeguarding the interests of developing countries.
In the face of the current international situation, the United Nations looks forward to taking its 80th founding anniversary as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation with China, safeguard the authority of the UN Charter and international law, support multilateralism, oppose unilateralism, jointly address climate change and other global challenges, enhance global governance of artificial intelligence, and promote world peace and development, he added.
At the invitation of Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Ian Borg, Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, will pay an official visit to China from July 13 to 16.
In response to the US White House's extension of "national emergency with respect to Hong Kong," which constitutes an unreasonable interference in China's internal affairs, including Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) affairs, a spokesperson of the Commissioner's Office for the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR expressed strong condemnation and resolute opposition in a statement released via the office's WeChat account on Saturday.
The spokesperson emphasized that legislation safeguarding national security in HKSAR is both legitimate and necessary, in line with international norms. Since the implementation of the national security law in Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, social stability has been restored in Hong Kong, the business environment has improved, and investors from various countries have flocked to the region, as recognized by the international community, said the spokesperson.
Hong Kong ranks first among the world's freest economies, maintains its position as one of the top three international financial centers and has returned to the top tier in global competitiveness rankings. Its talent competitiveness has also re-entered the global top 10. The inflow of foreign direct investment ranks third globally, and this year, it leads the world in the amount raised. Additionally, the air cargo volume remains the highest globally. The HKSAR has become a hub of investment and business opportunities, said the spokesperson.
The spokesperson said that the US has distorted basic facts, disregarded public opinion, trampled on the spirit of the rule of law, and for the sixth consecutive time linked HKSAR to the "national emergency," continuing to impose "sanctions" on HKSAR. This is hegemonic behavior that that weaponizes economic tools, a political manipulation that interferes in HKSAR affairs, and a shortsighted action that goes against the historical trend, said the spokesperson. It fully exposes the hypocrisy, absurdity of its double standards and its bandit logic, according to the spokesperson.
The spokesperson reiterated that external interference cannot weaken the central and HKSAR governments' firm resolve to safeguard national security, cannot hinder HKSAR's vigorous progress from governance to prosperity, and cannot reverse the historical trend of the steady development of the "one country, two systems." We advise the US side to recognize the overall situation, face reality, abandon illusions, adhere to international law and the basic norms of international relations, respect China's sovereignty and HKSAR's rule of law, and immediately stop its political manipulation that interferes in China's internal affairs including Hong Kong affairs, said the spokesperson.
The HKSAR government on Friday strongly condemned the US government for wantonly smearing the work of HKSAR in preventing, suppressing and imposing punishment for activities endangering national security in accordance with the law under the pretext of extending the "national emergency," according to a statement posted on its official website.
The HKSAR government strongly demanded the US to immediately stop acting against the international law and basic norms of international relations and interfering in Hong Kong matters which are purely China's internal affairs, according to the statement.
