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Editor's Note:

Chinese President Xi Jinping often quotes an ancient saying on many diplomatic occasions: "No mountain or ocean can separate those who share the same aspirations."

This powerful message underscores the undeniable force of friendship and cooperation in bridging hearts across nations, cultures, and civilizations. Inspired by President Xi's vision, people-to-people exchanges between China and the world have been flourishing.

The Global Times presents "Intertwined Destinies, Shared Paths," a series spotlighting the touching stories written by these "friendship ambassadors."

They are scholars pushing the boundaries of research, diplomats advocating for deeper cooperation on the global stage, artists igniting imaginations with their creations, and ordinary people extending heartfelt love beyond national borders driven by genuine sincerity.

The Global Times is publishing the second of two consecutive pieces featuring heartwarming stories of mutual assistance and love between the people of China and the US, showcasing the friendship, care, and affection that exists among the people. This is the second installment.

Chinese international student Simon never expected that his English name would become widely known among Chinese and American netizens within just a few days. During the past weekend, "an American girl finds her Chinese classmate in less than 24 hours," this hashtag has become a trending topic on various Chinese social media platforms, captivating millions of netizens who witnessed this heartwarming friend-finding journey.

The 21-year-old Katharina Scholze created an account on the popular Chinese lifestyle and sharing platform RedNote and posted a heartfelt video seeking out her long-lost Chinese friend "Simon." Her plea quickly garnering over 20,000 likes and thousands of comments. Within just 24 hours, thanks to the relentless efforts of Chinese netizens, she successfully located her long-lost friend.

This eye-catching reunion is emblematic of a growing trend on Chinese social media, where an increasing number of overseas users - often humorously dubbed "TikTok refugees" - are actively engaging with Chinese netizens, bringing constant happy laughters and cheerful voices. This surge in cross-cultural interactions comes at a time when TikTok's future in the US hangs in the balance. The app faced a temporary blackout late Saturday due to a law banning its use. After hours of shutdown, the app began restoring on Sunday US time. US President Donald Trump, on Monday, signed an executive order to delay the TikTok ban by 75 days.

We cannot predict the fate of TikTok for now, but we can see through countless reunions like that of Simon and Katharina on Chinese social media platforms, how the power of sincere exchange between the people of China and the US transcends borders, dissolving inherent prejudices and gradually forging connections that can withstand the test of distance and time.

'Reconnection across space and time'

Simon described his renewed bond with Katharina as a "reconnection across space and time."

Speaking to the Global Times, Simon, a junior at the Rhode Island School of Design, recalled that he was an exchange student at Regina High School in Iowa between 2017 and 2018. At that time Simon struggled with the language and had few familiar classmates. Fortunately, he met Katharina.

"We took art, history, and computer classes together. Whenever I didn't understand something, I would ask her, and she was always patient in answering," Simon said.

"We would talk to each other in class and text outside of school… It was a very pure friendship that I will cherish deeply forever," Katharina recalled.

The year went by quickly. After he returned to China in 2018, the two gradually lost contact due to limited avenues of communication.

Seven years later, the turning point came when Katharina, like many Americans, downloaded RedNote. Simon mentioned that a high school classmate sent him Katharina's post, which featured a low-pixel photo of a man his classmates thought resembled him. Initially skeptical, Simon soon recognized the authenticity of the post after reading it closely. "I remembered her name, and the details matched perfectly. In fact, she hadn't changed much at all; I recognized her immediately," he said.

After reaching out via direct message, the two quickly initiated a video call. "I think we have both matured since then, but our personalities and kindness are still the same. We will continue to be friends for a long time now that we can contact each other whenever!" Katharina said excitedly.

The phrase "incredible" is one that both Simon and Katharina mentioned to the Global Times.

Katharina said when she originally posted the video, she didn't think anyone would really see the video.

The American girl also noted that one comment that left a strong impression on her read, "If anyone could find my friend, it would be Chinese netizens." "That really struck me because I was so impressed by their efficiency," she said.

"Chinese social apps and the vibrant online communities they foster have broken down language and geographical barriers, even allowing people to find a sense of belonging in the digital age," Simon told the Global Times.

"After posting the video, I felt overwhelmed with joy from all the positive comments and was excited to meet so many new people," Katharina told the Global Times. "I have never felt so much love."

'Innocent heart of human communication'

Countless touching moments can be seen in posts on RedNote and Douyin that carry tags like "missing person notice" and "please help."

Li Xiangcan, for example, a retired Chinese scholar in his 80s, recently shared his experience of meeting US peers in person for the first time since the late 1980s on RedNote, with the help of his family. In his post, Li recalled how he learned English by looking up words in a dictionary under relatively modest study conditions during his youth, and how he participated in translating a professional book titled Blast Vibration Monitoring and Control.

Later, the original author of the book, American scholar Charles Dowding, visited the laboratory where Li worked in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, and they had a face-to-face conversation.

Within a day, many enthusiastic Chinese and US netizens helped reach out to Dowding. "Happy to reconnect with my many happy memories of our trip through China," Dowding wrote in an email in response to one of the netizens. Many excitied netizens expected that the two scholars may reunite in Wuhan in the future, and chat easily about academics and everyday life, just like old friends who haven't seen each other in years.

A Chinese netizen with the username "Travel enthusiast" shared on RedNote that she still keeps a one-dollar bill from 32 years ago, along with the name and address of an American girl who gave her this special gift.

"In July 1992, when I was in fifth grade, I met sister Ma Huiming while traveling in Emei Mountain, Sichuan Province. Her father is American, and her mother is from Guangdong. 'Ma Huiming' is her Chinese name. She gave me a dollar as a keepsake."

She expressed her desire to learn about Ma's current situation.

One netizen, with the username "Little Sweet Potato 678CB735" on RedNote, posted a message hoping to thank the ground staff who helped him during his layover at Austin Airport in the US in 2019. At the time, he only managed to take a hurried photo as a memento before rushing to catch his flight. He hopes to leverage the active presence of Chinese and American netizens on RedNote to find this staff member.

In response to his post, some users offered to keep an eye out for the staff member when they arrive at the airport, while others helped translate and share his search message on X.

"This quest for connection embodies a return to the 'innocent heart' of human communication: Kindness, honesty, and mutual support," Zeng Chi, a research fellow at the Research Center for Journalism and Social Development at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times.

Zeng emphasized that the Chinese young generation has been educated from an early age to embrace globalization. In this educational context, they are taught to anticipate the day they will meet a "foreign friend" and establish a friendship.

"Whether through the traditional face to face communication or the modern dynamics of social media, the underlying principle of cultural exchange and mutual learning is not unfamiliar for them," Zeng said.

'You have been so nice'
In this online party that facilitates making reconnecting with old friends, the willingness for open communication have given US people a more vivid and comprehensive understanding of China and its people.

More direct and interesting exchanges are taking place. "Is it really expensive to call an ambulance in the US?" "I live in rural America and want to know what rural China is like!""Why do the Chinese people love and trust their police and military instead of fearing them?"… With a natural sense of curiosity and interest, people from both countries are actively posting on Chinese social media, eager to learn more about each other.

This unexpected online interaction has allowed many US netizens to get a glimpse of the real China that is often overshadowed by demonization narratives prevalent in the West.

"I think that due to the education system and media sources in the US, I had a very incorrect view of Chinese people, especially the younger generation," Isabel Adelia, an American RedNote user, told the Global Times.

As some misunderstandings and barriers gradually diminish, social media platforms like Douyin and RedNote have become lively and engaging "tea parties" that effortlessly gather people from all walks of life in China and the US.

Over the weekend, NBA teams eagerly established official accounts on RedNote, attracting numerous basketball fans to subscribe. A US astronomy photographer shared images of the Andromeda Galaxy and Rosette Nebula, receiving an outpouring of appreciation in the comments. A US mother posted late at night to thank Chinese mothers for suggesting she make "salted boiled oranges" for her daughter with a stuffy nose, writing, "It works so well! She breathes much more easily now."

Zeng believes that through the recent wave of "internet dialogues" between Chinese and American netizens, it has become evident that China's younger generation is increasingly confident in navigating the cultural diversity. Meanwhile, their counterparts abroad face a greater cognitive dissonance.

"Authentic and sincere exchanges are undoubtedly beneficial in correcting misconceptions and dispelling biases," Zeng emphasized.

Countless touching moments like these have brought hearts across the ocean closer than ever, and the warmth and friendliness of Chinese netizens have left a great impression on people in the US.

"In case we are separated, I wanted to let the Chinese people know something," a US RedNote user with the screen name "Thomayo" wrote last week, amid much discussion about whether TikTok would resume service in the US. "You have been so nice to us in a way that most Western countries aren't, and I am very thankful to have had this experience. Much love to all of you."

China's first domestically produced high-voltage radiation-resistant silicon carbide (SiC) power device has completed space validation and in-orbit application in power systems. Compared with space power modules using traditional silicon-based power devices, the efficiency of space power modules using SiC increased to 95 percent from 85 percent, and the power-to-volume ratio improved by five times, Global Times has learned from the developers on Thursday.  

The SiC payload, jointly developed by the Institute of Microelectronics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization of the CAS, was launched aboard the Tianzhou-8 cargo spacecraft on November 15, 2024, beginning its in-orbit scientific experiment journey in the China Space Station.  

Power devices are the core components for electric energy conversion and control, often referred to as the heart of power electronics systems. They are among the most fundamental and widely used components. As the performance of silicon-based power devices approaches their limits, third-generation semiconductor materials represented by SiC offer unique advantages such as wide bandgap and high breakdown field strength, significantly improving the power and conversion efficiency of power systems, developers told the Global Times.  

After more than a month of in-orbit power-on testing, the SiC payload's test data was normal. The high-voltage 400V SiC power device has successfully completed in-orbit testing and application verification, with both static and dynamic parameters in the power system meeting expectations.  

In the future, SiC power devices will drive the upgrade of space power systems, providing a new-generation power devices for China's lunar exploration, manned lunar landing, deep space exploration and other missions, the developers said.

In response to the Philippines authorities’ arresting a Chinese national accused of “espionage activities” in the Philippines, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines stated on Sunday that the accusation is “baseless and defamatory,” adding that it has lodged a formal protest with the Philippine authorities, demanding consular access to the detained Chinese national.

A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy said that the embassy is highly concerned about the case and is in contact with the detained Chinese national’s family and providing consular protection and assistance. 

“We urge Philippine authorities to act based on facts, refrain from presuming guilt and avoid political speculation,” said the spokesperson.

The Chinese embassy urged the Philippines to handle the case according to the law and to honor bilateral consular agreement obligations by granting the embassy officials to consular access as soon as possible and to ensure the legitimate rights of Chinese nationals in the Philippines.

The Nanchang, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's first Type 055 10,000 ton-class large destroyer, on Sunday marked its fifth year of active service, with official media revealing that the warship has traveled more than 110,000 nautical miles, participating in missions across diverse sea regions.

On January 12, 2020, the Nanchang was commissioned into the PLA Navy, and adopted the historic hull number 101, originally used by the PLA Navy's inaugural destroyer.

The Nanchang is the first 10,000 ton-class large destroyer independently developed by China, and it achieved several milestones in the PLA Navy's history, China Central Television (CCTV) said on Sunday.

Since its commissioning, the Nanchang has covered over 110,000 nautical miles, during which it reached the Bering Sea, conducted combat cruises in the Pacific Ocean and exercises in the Xisha and Nansha waters in the South China Sea, successfully completing more than 10 major missions, CCTV reported. 

China Bugle, an official PLA media outlet, highlighted some of the key missions. The Nanchang escorted the aircraft carrier Liaoning in waters near the island of Taiwan in April 2021, participated in the China-Russia Joint Sea-2021 exercise in October 2021, and responded to close-in disruptions by a foreign aircraft carrier group when conducting a far seas training mission with a friendly aircraft carrier in the West Pacific in 2022.

The Nanchang effectively carried out its duty as an escort in an aircraft carrier group, China Bugle said.

"Long sail range, long detection range and long attack range. Now our vertical launch system can host a relatively complete selection of weapons, allowing us to carry out various combat missions. We can also form a formation on our own, command aircraft in the sky, warships at surface, submarines under water, and the Type 076 amphibious assault ship," Chi Jianjun, a crew member on the Nanchang, said in the CCTV report.

The Nanchang is a miniature of the PLA Navy's overall characteristics in the new era, Chi said, noting that PLA Navy vessels, as well as other PLA services and branches, now have routine presence in major sea regions.

Since the commissioning of the Nanchang five years ago, seven more Type 055 large destroyers have entered service with the PLA Navy, according to CCTV.

Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Sunday that the Type 055 large destroyer Nanchang boasts advanced capabilities in air defense, maritime assault, and land strikes. With active electronic scanning array radars and over 100 missile vertical launch cells, it can identify and engage targets at long ranges.

It can not only function as a key escort in aircraft carrier groups, but also lead combat formations alongside other destroyers and frigates in far seas operations, Zhang said, noting that the Type 055 is also expected to conduct sea-based mid-range missile defense missions.

The Nanchang ranks among the world's most advanced warships, and plays a crucial role in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and interests, Zhang said.

All counties in Fujian Province, including county-level cities and districts with frequent Taiwan-related interactions, have all set up their separate Taiwan affairs offices, a Fujian official said, which analysts interpret as a clear signal from the Chinese mainland to further deepen cross-Straits integrated development in 2025 and advance reunification efforts.

In a recent article published on WeChat account "China Institutional Establishment," an official magazine focusing on China's public sector reform, Zhou Qingsong, deputy head of the Fujian Provincial Party Committee's Organization Department, said that during the latest round of institutional reforms, Fujian authorities have made concentrated efforts to promote cross-Straits integrated development and have taken up their responsibilities.

Zhou said that in the latest round of institutional reform, counties (cities and districts) with frequent Taiwan-related interactions have all set up separate Taiwan affairs offices. 

Zhou also mentioned the need to ensure better access to schooling and employment for Taiwan compatriots in Fujian. For vocational schools recruiting teachers from Taiwan, public primary and secondary schools and kindergartens admitting children of Taiwan compatriots, and colleges, universities and scientific institutes recruiting students from Taiwan, they will be provided with adequate official staffing guarantees.

He also called for further building platforms for cross-Straits integrated development, and pointed out the need to further improve the management system and operation mechanism of Taiwan investment zones in Fujian.

Since 2023, the Chinese mainland has made significant progress on building a cross-Straits integrated development demonstration zone in Fujian, which has addressed numerous practical challenges in guaranteeing the lives, schooling and employment of Taiwan compatriots, Li Zhenguang, deputy director at the Institute of Taiwan Studies at Beijing Union University, told the Global Times on Monday.

In a document jointly issued by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council in September 2023, the central government said it will make Fujian Province a demonstration zone for the integrated development across the Taiwan Straits with 21 specific measures to deepen the cross-Strait integrated development in all fields.

In order to build the demonstration zone, Fujian Province has broken down the tasks for individual counties and cities, and the Taiwan affairs offices at the local levels mainly play a coordinating role in the implementation of these tasks, Li said. 

The establishment of more county-level Taiwan affairs offices means that Fujian are investing more manpower and resources in order to be more meticulous and targeted, and to give full play to their own local strengths at the county level in order to better promote integrated development, Li said. 

The article published coincides with the first anniversary of the implementation of the mainland's "10 measures" to add convenience for Taiwan residents living in Fujian and deepen the integrated development across the Taiwan Straits.

According to Li, by establishing more Taiwan affairs offices at the local level, Fujian is signaling its commitment to fostering conditions for peaceful reunification, and the mainland will continue to create conditions for peaceful reunification while maintaining a strong stance against "Taiwan secession" by advancing cross-Straits exchanges and integration.

A spokesperson of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office on Wednesday lashed out at Taiwan secessionists over a series of recent provocative remarks and actions by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, saying that the Chinese mainland remains unwavering in its resolve to punish secessionists, and also calling the vast number of Taiwan compatriots to firmly oppose the provocations of Taiwan secessionists and external interference, maintain peace in the Taiwan Straits, and foster cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation.

In response to the New Year speech by Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te, in which he continued to peddle the fallacy of "Taiwan independence" and advocate for the so-called "democracy against authoritarianism," Chen Binhua, a spokesperson of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a press briefing Wednesday that Lai's speech once again exposed his stubborn "Taiwan independence" nature and the malicious intent to escalate cross-Straits confrontation, revealing his disgraceful attempts to flatter and submit to external forces, as well as his schemes of seeking external support for 'independence' and seeking "independence" through military buildup. 

This kind of trick cannot deceive anyone and will never succeed, Chen said. 

Chen pointed out that the so-called "democracy" claimed by the DPP authorities is a facade of democracy orchestrated by the DPP to serve its secessionist agenda. For instance, under the banner of the "democracy," the DPP blatantly persecuted political parties, groups and individuals who advocate for cross-Straits exchanges and support reunification. They have recklessly ignored public opinion and welfare, stripping Taiwan residents of their legitimate rights and interests to participate in cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation. Additionally, the DPP has manipulated media, fabricated and directed its own "cognitive warfare," creating an "information cocoon" that misleads public opinion and incites "anti-China" sentiment.

The collusion between Taiwan secessionists and external forces in the provocations for "independence" is the primary cause of escalating tensions in cross-Straits relations and has undermined peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, Chen remarked. "In this regard, we will make no concessions, and we will not stop punishing and fighting against secessionists," he emphasized. 

The spokesperson stressed that "Taiwan independence" leads to a dead end, while reunification offers the only viable path forward. We hope that the vast number of Taiwan compatriots will, for the sake of the Chinese nation's righteousness and their own well-being, work with the mainland in the same direction, resolutely oppose provocations of "Taiwan independence" and foreign interference, jointly to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, promote cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation, and create a better future for cross-Straits relations and national rejuvenation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Botswanan President Duma Boko on Monday exchanged congratulations over the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

A total of 95 people have been confirmed dead and 130 others injured as of 3 p.m. Tuesday, after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted Dingri County in the city of Xigaze in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region at 9:05 a.m. Tuesday (Beijing Time).

After a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted Dingri county of Xigaze in Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Chinese President Xi Jinping made an important instruction, demanding utmost efforts to carry out search and rescue and provide medical treatment for the injured, and minimize casualties, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at Wednesday's routine briefing, introducing the rescue and disaster relief work in affected areas. 

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made an important instruction, urged prevent secondary disasters, properly resettle affected residents, and handle the aftermath effectively, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday.  

It is essential to strengthen earthquake monitoring and early warning, promptly allocate disaster relief supplies, expedite the repair of damaged infrastructure, ensure the basic needs of residents are met, and guarantee a safe and warm winter for all, Xi said.

In a Tuesday instruction, Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, urged efforts to organize all-out search and rescue operations and minimize casualties. 

Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, led a team to the quake site to guide the rescue and relief efforts.

The Chinese government has activated national level-II emergency response and disaster relief operations are proceeding efficiently and systematically, said Guo.

The first batch of central disaster relief supplies has arrived in the affected area. All earthquake-damaged road sections in Dingri county have been cleared, and power supply has been restored to Dingri county and several townships. Communication signals in the disaster-stricken area have been restored. Thanks to the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, we believe that the people in the affected areas will surely overcome this challenge and rebuild their homes, said Guo.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command on Wednesday released a music video to celebrate the New Year, with a scene showing a ginkgo leaf and a bird triggering netizens' associations to the alleged debuts of China's sixth-generation fighter jets that have been circulating on social media recently.

A number of videos and photos emerged on Chinese social media on December 26, showing alleged test flights of a new type of aircraft, shape of which resembles the ginkgo leaf. The term "ginkgo leaf" was first used by Chengdu-based Defense Times as an apparent metaphor for the new aircraft given their resemblance in appearance.

"It really looks like a leaf," the South China Morning Post reported on Friday, citing Defense Times' post on its Weibo account alongside an image of a ginkgo leaf.

Neither the Chinese military nor the Chinese defense industry has verified the videos and photos, or made any official announcement on the aircraft as of press time.

Shortly after the emergence of the large "ginkgo leaf" aircraft, another video circulated online on December 26, showing another new type of aircraft, seemingly smaller than the "ginkgo leaf" one, in an apparent flight test.

Since then, Chinese netizens and some overseas media outlets have been engaging in heated discussions about the two new aircraft.

Reuters reported on Friday that the two seemingly new Chinese military aircraft have stealth characteristics. Both designs are tailless, meaning they do not have vertical stabilizers to help maintain control. Such aircraft are typically kept stable by computers that interpret the pilot's control inputs.

The larger of the two designs is roughly diamond-shaped, with three air intakes for its engines - two alongside the fuselage and one on top. The smaller one has a more conventional layout, but no tail. Both lack the 90-degree angles typical of stealth shaping, which is designed to reduce radar detection, Reuters said.

According to US media outlet the Warzone, which cited unconfirmed accounts, the larger aircraft is from the Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, while the smaller aircraft is from the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. Chengdu builds the J-10 multirole medium fighter and the heavy J-20 stealth fighter, while Shenyang is responsible for the production of fighters such as carrier-borne J-15, heavy J-16 and stealth-capable J-35.

The Washington Times quoted defense analysts as saying that the two new fighters "appear to be Beijing's first advanced sixth-generation stealth fighters."

Despite the new Chinese aircraft garnering attentions overseas, not all mainstream large Western media outlets have covered them. The Washington Times noted that the Pentagon has remained quiet, with Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh saying on Monday that she had seen the news reports but declined to comment on the flight tests.

Reuters quoted an analyst as saying that as China modernizes its military, the designs "show the willingness of China's aviation industry to experiment and innovate." The analyst said, "They deserve kudos for that, and should shake off any lingering complacency that the US and its allies always set the pace."

The US is also developing its sixth-generation fighter jet. However, the US Air Force has decided to let the incoming Trump administration make its own decision on the path forward for its Next Generation Air Dominance fighter. This summer, the US Air Force paused its effort to develop and build a sixth-generation fighter amid concerns about its potential costs, US media outlet the Defense News reported on December 6.

The UK, Italy and Japan are also jointly developing an advanced stealth jet, meanwhile France, Germany and Spain are working on their own next-generation fighter project, Reuters reported on December 13.

Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the so-called sixth-generation fighter jet has become a key vantage point major powers have been contesting to reach.

In the past, it was usually the US that first developed and defined generations for aircraft, but the US' sixth-generation fighter jet has been stalled given huge risks in costs against the backdrop of the US' deindustrialization and its breaking of industrial chains, Fu noted.

Song Zhongping, another Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday that China's development of new aircraft, believed to be sixth-generation fighter jets - faster than the US, will buy China more precious time for its peaceful and stable economic development.

The US will likely accelerate its own projects, as it will not resign itself to losing technological hegemony. But China will continue to develop its national defense capabilities at its own pace, with the aim of safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, Song said.

On this aspect, both Fu and Song mentioned another recent milestone of China's military development, the launch of the world's first electromagnetic catapult-equipped amphibious assault ship, the Type 076 Sichuan on Friday.

Fu said that the concentrated debuts of China's military equipment is not a coincidence. It took China years of development at its own stable pace, and it is now that the country's weapon and equipment systems have reached a new level.