China must remain firmly committed to accomplishing the goals for this year's economic and social development. This was highlighted in the communique of the third plenum, a key meeting convened in Beijing to draw up the next blueprint for China's economy, among other key topics, released on Thursday.

Analysts said that they remain optimistic about achieving the annual social and economic development targets with incentives from the third plenum and anticipated policy introductions, which will greatly release China's growth potential.

The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) concluded its four-day third plenary session, also known as the third plenum, on Thursday with the release of a communique. At the session, an analysis of the present situation and the tasks we face was conducted, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

"It was highlighted that we must remain firmly committed to accomplishing the goals for this year's economic and social development. In accordance with the Party Central Committee's decisions and plans concerning economic work, we will ensure effective implementation of macro policies, strive to expand domestic demand, develop new quality productive forces in light of local conditions, move faster to foster new drivers of foreign trade, take solid steps toward green and low-carbon development, ensure and improve the people's wellbeing, and consolidate and build upon our achievements in poverty alleviation.

"We will review and assess the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) and make sound preparations for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30)," said the communique.

"It was stated that we must ensure both development and security. To this end, we will implement various measures for preventing and defusing risks in real estate, local government debt, small and medium financial institutions, and other key areas.

"We will make sure that responsibilities for workplace safety are strictly fulfilled and refine the measures for monitoring, preventing and controlling natural disasters, especially floods. We will strengthen the network for preventing and controlling public security risks so as to safeguard social stability."

"We will improve public opinion guidance and effectively deal with risks in the ideological domain. We will properly respond to external risks and challenges, strive to play a leading role in global governance, and actively work to foster a favorable external environment," read the communique.

The communique plays a considerably positive role in stabilizing expectations. This is a strong signal for successfully meeting the macroeconomic targets set at the beginning of the year, Li Chang'an, a professor at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies at the University of International Business and Economics, told the Global Times on Thursday.

The Government Work Report released in March proposed the main projected targets for development in 2024, including realizing GDP growth of about 5 percent, creating more than 12 million new urban jobs, and growth in personal incomes in step with economic growth.

China's GDP expanded 5 percent in the first half of 2024, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Monday.

"In the second half of the year, if China wants to achieve the economic and social development goals of the year, it must introduce stronger policies to stabilize economic growth, stabilize the property market, boost the stock market, support the development of the private economy, and improve the employment rate and income level of residents," Yang Delong, chief economist at Shenzhen-based First Seafront Fund, told the Global Times on Thursday.

The 5 percent year-on-year result in the first half of 2024, released just a few days ago, confirms that China can make it. The situation in the first six months was not particularly bright, but we all know that China is used to achieving its results and except for 2020, an annus horribilis for the world economy, it has always done so, Mario Boselli, president of the Italy China Council Foundation, told the Global Times on Thursday.

"We are convinced that it is all a matter of time: China will soon recover and the around 5 percent growth target will be reached in 2024. We must have confidence, because the results will come," said Boselli.

Li noted that the communique addresses the major issues China is facing and anticipates the bottlenecks in future economic and social development, and proposes targeted measures to address these challenges.

"This is crucial for smoothly achieving the annual economic and social development goals and for proposing better economic planning for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30)," said Li.

The second half of the year may still be affected by domestic demand issues. Although export growth was strong in the first half, the uncertainty of exports in the second half cannot be ignored.

Addressing external shocks, which could have significant impacts, remains another challenge, Cong Yi, a professor at the Tianjin University of Finance and Economics, told the Global Times on Thursday.

"The market is yearning for some policies to be introduced, including those concerning consumption tax, central and local fiscal reforms, social security, a unified national market and technological innovation," Cong noted.

China is witnessing a transformation in the mode of economic growth, shifting from resource-driven growth to the current innovation-driven development, Cong stressed.

"Facing both an industrial structural upgrade and a new wave of technological revolution, China's future strength fundamentally depends on the construction of an innovative system."

There is still a long way for Chinese automakers to realize internationalization of their operations in the Southeast Asian market, although the fact is that they have become increasingly competitive, and their rise has triggered a sense of crisis among competitors. 

Reuters reported recently that Honda Motor will halt vehicle production at its factory in Ayutthaya province in Thailand by 2025 as it plans to consolidate its output under the plant it runs in Prachinburi province. "The move highlights the tougher conditions Japan's second-biggest automaker faces in the Southeast Asian nation as Chinese brands aggressively seek to gain market share in Thailand and consumer demand for electric vehicles grows," Reuters reported.

It sounds like a variation of Western anxiety about the remarkable rise of China's electric vehicle (EV) makers, or, frankly speaking, another version of the "China threat" theory. As the competition escalates, some Western media outlets have increasingly focused on geopolitical games and have played up the "China threat" theory, but the narrative cannot help tap potential for mutually beneficial cooperation. It would instead only hinder normal business cooperation and disrupt the regional supply chain. 

Some statistics showed electric car sales neared 14 million in 2023, 95 percent of which were in China, Europe and the US. Although Southeast Asia has a great potential for future growth, it is still in its initial stage of development when it comes to EVs. In Southeast Asia, motorcycles are a popular mode of transportation due to their affordability, fuel efficiency, and ability to navigate through congested urban areas. The penetration rate of EVs in some Southeast Asian countries is less than 10 percent. 

China's EV sector has witnessed rapid growth. The competitiveness of made-in-China EVs comes from continuous technological innovation, high labor productivity, and complete supply chains. However, if Chinese EV makers want to further increase their presence in the Southeast Asian market, it may be not smooth sailing ahead, and in the process, setbacks are inevitable. A key barrier they face in some Southeast Asian countries is the absence of public charging infrastructure, which could hinder large-scale adoption of EVs.

Japanese cars hold a considerable share of new car sales in Southeast Asia. They have built up their presence in local production and sales since the 1950s. Chinese automakers cannot shake the position of Japanese companies overnight, especially in the non-EV sectors.

Of course, Japanese enterprises now face tougher competition from Chinese rivals as their advantages over Chinese companies have gradually waned. To take the example of Honda, Reuters said the company's sales in Thailand have been under 100,000 for each of the four years through 2023. However, if Japanese companies are going through difficult times, they should first find the reasons from themselves rather than blame normal commercial competition. Competition is not a bad thing. The auto and auto-related industries can only truly grow and get stronger through full competition.

A closer look into Asian industrial and supply chains shows that at a time when the US-led West has strengthened the crackdown targeting China's EV sector, the country is still closely connected to the Asian industrial chain, and supply chain restructuring has been accelerated. Some Southeast Asian countries are now at a critical stage of ramping up their manufacturing, and the EV sector is an industry with great potential.

China-ASEAN cooperation can help Southeast Asian countries to accelerate the transition to a green economy, and promote further development of their auto industries. China has advantages in these aspects. Our cooperation is not only mutually beneficial, but more importantly, it is more in line with the actual development needs of Southeast Asian countries.

The ASEAN market is large enough to accommodate local enterprises, and companies from China, Japan and other countries. There is great potential for cooperation in the auto and auto-related industries. 

Chinese battery producer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co (CATL) on Thursday evening dismissed a foreign media report claiming that the company is in talks with Russian company Nornickel to build a plant, together with several other companies, somewhere in China. 

The remarks were made in responding to question by jiemian.com, after Reuters reported on Thursday, citing three unnamed sources with knowledge of the matter, that Nornickel has approached several Chinese battery companies including CNGR Advanced Material and Brunp Recycling, a subsidiary of CATL, over plan to build a joint plant producing nickel material from Russian-semi-finished products. 

The metals giant is in the middle of trying to move significant amounts of production away from Russia to major consumer China, bidding to circumvent Western sanctions against Moscow over the Russia-Ukraine war, Reuters reported.

The plant would produce nickel sulphate, a form of nickel used to make batteries for electric vehicles, from Russian nickel matte, a semi-finished product, Reuters reported, citing another source.

CATL stated, in responding to Jiemian.com on this matter, that the corresponding reporting by Reuters was not true.

According to official information from CATL, the company has a global energy storage market share of 40 percent and has successfully implemented over 1,000 energy storage projects in more than 40 countries and regions. Its power battery system usage has ranked first in the world for seven consecutive years, and its energy storage battery shipments have ranked first in the world for three consecutive years.

According to official information from CATL, the company holds a 40 percent share of the global energy storage market and has successfully implemented over 1,000 energy storage projects in more than 40 countries and regions. Its power battery systems have ranked first globally in usage for seven consecutive years, and its energy storage battery shipments have ranked first globally for three consecutive years.

A panda-themed city, created by Chimelong Safari Park in South China's Guangdong Province to celebrate the 10th birthday of the world's only giant panda triplets, opened on July 13, as visitors are being welcomed with a series of panda-themed activities during summer vacation.

The city of panda triplets is a brand-new upgrade on the basis of the original panda village in the park, as reported by China News, featuring various interactive installations including panda newsstand, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in more panda-themed experiences and learn additional knowledge about pandas.

The park arranged for the media to visit Mengmeng, the eldest of the world's only living panda triplets, who gave birth to a female cub on June 18. The media also visited Mengmeng's cub, with both in good condition.

The cub had white fur growing out of her pink skin. Her eye circles, ears, shoulder stripes, and fur on her limbs have started turning black. Her weight has increased from 178 grams at birth to 940.6 grams, according to the report.

Giant panda triplets Mengmeng, Shuaishuai and Kuku also signed a contract with a media company on the same day, and will showcase their individual strengths to bring more joy and surprises to the public.

On July 29, the park will organize a grand birthday party to celebrate the 10th birthday of the panda triplets, inviting visitors to join in the celebration.

Both US President Joe Biden and former US President Donald Trump called for unity after the shooting at Trump's rally stunned the country. Some observers pointed out that the incident has demonstrated that the long-standing toxic and violent rhetoric in US politics has escalated into violent actions against politicians in recent years, and such violence is likely to become more frequent as the country is further polarized. 

The shooting also exposed the high degree of instability and unpredictability of US politics, further triggering doubts among its allies over Washington's leadership, said experts. 

Trump was in Milwaukee on Monday to make final preparations for the Republican presidential nomination later this week after narrowly escaping a shooting that injured him, Reuters reported.

Trump told the New York Post that he had "prepared an extremely tough speech" about Biden's "horrible administration. But I threw it away" for one he hopes will "unite our country".

In a prime-time address Sunday night, Biden also said that the political rhetoric in this country has gotten "very heated," and "it's time to cool it down."

"There is no place in America for this kind of violence - for any violence ... We can't allow this violence to be normalized," Biden said.

However, after the attack on Trump, many Republicans started looking to put the blame on "over-the-top" anti-Trump rhetoric.

As of Sunday, nearly a dozen lawmakers had pointed the finger at Biden and Democrats at large for the shooting Saturday evening, according to BBC.

Trump's Republican backers pointed specifically to a comment Biden made on July 8 as the president discussed his dismal debate performance in a meeting with donors. "I have one job and that's to beat Donald Trump," Biden said, according to a transcript of the call that Biden's campaign forwarded to reporters. "We're done talking about the debate. It's time to put Trump in the bullseye." 

It is clear for us to see that toxic and violent rhetoric has prevailed in US politics in the past decades, and the Trump rally shooting incident just demonstrated that this toxic trend has already escalated into violent actions against politicians, Lü Xiang, research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Monday. 

Lü predicted that this violence will increase in the future. "Although this [attack] was at the presidential candidate level, the pressure is mounting on those who engage in US political elections, as their security is weak until they got nominated."

Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, noted that by mentioning unity, Trump is now using the attack to gain political points. "US politics is extremely polarized. By utilizing the attack, Trump intends to portray himself as a person that is able to unite different parties."

Trump's allies believe the attacks will reinforce his electoral appeal, making the Republican base more determined to vote for him and drawing sympathy from independent and swing voters, Financial Times reported. 

Observers also said the identity and motive of the gunman will be crucial for the two parties during the election race. 

The FBI said on Sunday that the social media profile of the gunman, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, did not contain threatening language, nor have they found any history of mental health issues. They said he acted alone and have not identified a motive, Reuters reported.

Now the incident has been identified as a lone wolf attack, the debate over gun control, Trump's attempt to use the incident, and remarks from the Republican candidate, will bring more change and uncertainties to the looming election, said Shen Yi, a professor at Fudan University. "During the entire process, information about the gunman and his connection to both parties will be a crucial influencing factor."

Trump's shooting drew strong reactions from the US' allies. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, "I'm sickened by the shooting at former President Trump. It cannot be overstated — political violence is never acceptable. My thoughts are with former President Trump, those at the event, and all Americans."

Li said the incident once again sent a clear signal to US allies that the country's domestic politics is highly unpredictable and uncertain. "How can one expect such an uncertain country to show stability in dealing with relations with allies…the shooting will certainly trigger more suspicions over the US' leadership among its allies." 

The China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) issued a statement on Friday, saying that a recent interim review report released by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regarding 23 Chinese swimmers and their non-fault use of trimetazidine not only proves that CHINADA’s investigation and handling of the case were reasonable, but also discredits baseless accusations of a “cover-up” from the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), and some Western media reports.

On July 9, WADA released a review report by an independent Swiss prosecutor on the case of the Chinese swimmers.

The report said that there was no evidence suggesting any favoritism or special treatment by WADA in reviewing the CHINADA decision to close the cases of the 23 athletes without further action. It found no evidence of interference or intervention in WADA's review from any internal or external entities, including CHINADA, said the statement from CHINADA.

The investigation revealed no violations by WADA during its review of CHINADA’s decision. All internal and external factors indicated that WADA’s decision not to challenge CHINADA's determination of contamination was reasonable from a factual and regulatory standpoint.

The report discredits baseless accusations of a “cover-up” fabricated by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the New York Times, German TV channel ARD, and other media outlets. It also confirms that the existing global anti-doping system is open, transparent, and trustworthy for athletes worldwide, according to the statement.

Several US media outlets reported on July 4 that the US FBI and Justice Department have opened a criminal investigation into the case involving the 23 Chinese swimmers, who won three gold medals for China at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Among the 23, 11 are set to compete in the upcoming Paris Games.

In a statement released in April, USADA CEO Travis Tygart said it's "disappointing to see WADA stoop to threats and scare tactics when confronted with a blatant violation of the rules governing anti-doping."

CHINADA’s Friday statement said that given the indisputable and unquestionable compliance, objectivity, and fairness of the investigation and handling of this case, CHINADA sternly demands that USADA and media outlets such as the New York Times and ARD respect the facts, cease confusing the public, stop politicizing anti-doping issues, and refrain from undermining athletes’ confidence and trust in the global anti-doping system.

CHINADA also said that it will continue to adhere to the principles of independence, fairness, professionalism, and openness, firmly safeguarding the legitimate rights of athletes and the integrity of sports.

CHINADA also said it hoped to work together with all stakeholders to maintain the stability, unity, and progress of the global anti-doping system.

China urged Japan to play a constructive role in maintaining and promoting peace, stability, development, and not act as a "vanguard" of NATO's Asia-Pacific expansion, following Japan's new defense white paper, which delivers its strongest words yet on Taiwan island.

Observers said that such narratives smearing China expose Japan's real intention to demonize the Taiwan question and incite regional tension, serving to pave the way for its further introduction of NATO into the Asia-Pacific and its own aggressive defense policy of playing a more robust role in East Asian security.

Tokyo brought up Taiwan for the first time in its defense white paper in 2021, and has since increased the emphasis on this topic in the following years. In the latest version, Japan even cited China's recent military exercises around Taiwan island as part of "Beijing's invasion strategy" for the first time, Japan Times reported.

China expressed strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to the white paper, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian telling Friday's press briefing that "it blatantly interferes in China's internal affairs, rehashing the so-called 'China threat' and exaggerating regional tensions."

Lin emphasized that China's national defense policy is defensive in nature, and said its defense construction and military activities are legitimate and reasonable. Conducting joint patrols with other countries complies with international law and norms. 

Taiwan is an inseparable part of China's territory, and the fundamental reason for the recent tensions in the Taiwan Straits are the separatist activities of "Taiwan independence" elements, who, with the indulgence and support of external forces, are resorting to all means to promote separatism, Lin said.

Describing Beijing's justified reunification efforts with Taiwan as an invasion shows Japan's real intention of provoking regional tensions and demonizing the Taiwan question, serving to pave the way for its further introduction of NATO into the Asia-Pacific, Da Zhigang, director of the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies at Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Friday.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol during a meeting in Washington that Japan and South Korea will strengthen cooperation with the US, as well as NATO and Indo-Pacific partners. 

Lin said that the Asia-Pacific region does not need military blocs, let alone major power confrontations or the instigation of a new "small circle" Cold War, calling on Japan and South Korea to adhere to the right path of Asia-Pacific cooperation, play a constructive role in maintaining and promoting peace, stability, development, and not act as the "vanguard" of NATO's Asia-Pacific expansion.

Along with hyping threats from China, Japan also emphasized threats from North Korea and Russia, which have been utilized by the country to cater to the US' strategy of building an "Asian NATO," Da said. 

Japan plays the role of a bridge and springboard in helping NATO enter the East Asian region, Da said, noting that in addition to diplomacy and security, Japan has gradually cooperated with NATO in multiple fields.

When NATO enters the Asia-Pacific or Indo-Pacific in the future, Japan hopes to beef up its regional influence to favor its interests, Da said.

The new defense paper also said that the possibility of a "serious situation" in East Asia akin to Russia's invasion of Ukraine "cannot be ruled out."

The two situations are not akin to each other. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is rooted in the failure of European security governance, and is a result of continuous fueling by the US and NATO, Chen Yang, a visiting researcher at the Institute of Japan Studies, Liaoning University, told the Global Times.

The "severe situation" that East Asia is now facing is more of a result of provocations by both domestic countries including Japan and South Korea and external countries, Thus, as long as the relevant parties correct their ways, the so-called regional "severe situation" can be immediately resolved, Chen said.

In addition, these so-called challenges mentioned in the white paper have given Japan enough excuses to implement significant alterations in its defense strategy, such as increased budgets. 

The Japan Times said that the white paper for the first time has a chapter devoted specifically to defense capabilities and spending. Japan has committed to a goal of spending 2 percent of its gross domestic product on defense.

July 11 marks the 20th Maritime Day in China. It is the only holiday in China's maritime field approved by the State Council, the country's cabinet.  

At a press conference held on June 26, Yang Huaxiong, director of the Water Transport Bureau of the Ministry of Transport, said the theme of this year -- smart navigation and smooth future reflects the need to develop the maritime industry in the new era. China's smart navigation, smart ports, intelligent manufacturing, and other practical explorations are fully underway, and "smart" has become an important feature of the high-quality development of the maritime industry.

The theme is also in line with this year's World Maritime Day theme. By promoting the integration and innovation of new generation information technology in the water transport industry, China continues to empower the future transformation and upgrading of the maritime industry and contribute Chinese wisdom and strength to the development of the world maritime industry, Yang explained. 

July 11, 1405, is the day legendary Chinese navigator Zheng He first set sail to the "Western Oceans" during the Ming Dynasty  (1368-1644). Zheng led a large fleet westward, showcasing the spirit of an Eastern maritime power and opening the door for China's foreign trade.

Today, China has become the world's largest trading nation. From the ancient maritime concept of "a unified world" to the present concept of a global community with a shared future for mankind, what has changed is the increasingly powerful Chinese maritime industry, while what remains unchanged is the spirit of maritime exploration and friendly neighboring relations.

So far, China has built 21 automated container terminals, 28 automated bulk cargo terminals, and ranks first in the world in the number of automated terminals built or under construction. The fourth phase project of Taicang Port is the first automated terminal in the Yangtze River Basin, with an operating efficiency more than 25 percent higher than traditional container terminals and 10 percent higher than similar automated terminals, making it known as the "smartest" port along the Yangtze River.

At the same time, China has built the world's largest maritime security system. On December 26, 2008, the first escort fleet of the Chinese Navy set sail from a military port in Sanya, South China's Hainan Province, heading to the waters off the Gulf of Aden and Somalia to carry out escort missions, marking a new journey for the Chinese Navy into the deep blue sea. 

Over the past 16 years, the Chinese Navy has dispatched 46 fleets, more than 150 warships, and over 35,000 officers and soldiers to rescue or escort more than 7,200 Chinese and foreign ships, ensuring the absolute safety of the escorted ships. With practical actions, it has demonstrated the great responsibility of the Chinese military and won widespread praise at home and abroad. 

With the development of the maritime industry, the ocean is no longer the exclusive domain of explorers. Ordinary people can also travel on cruise ships to the open sea to enjoy romantic and free adventures. The Aida·Modu (Adora Magic City), China's first large-scale domestically built and operated cruise ship, embarked on its maiden commercial voyage on January 1. According to media reports in May, the Aida·Modu can accommodate nearly 150,000 passengers.

China's maritime power is also playing an increasingly important role in ocean exploration and marine scientific research. China's first independently built polar scientific research icebreaker, the Snow Dragon 2, participated in China's polar expedition for the first time in 2019 and successfully completed the 40th Antarctic expedition task in April this year. 

The Snow Dragon 2 is the world's first polar scientific research icebreaker to adopt bidirectional icebreaking technology at the bow and stern, with the ability to continuously break 1.5 meters of ice and 0.2 meters of snow at speeds of 2 to 3 knots in both directions. The ship is equipped with scientific winches, deep-sea shallow seismic profiling instruments, seabed seismometers, and other equipment to meet the needs of precise seabed measuring and fishery resource exploration.

China's maritime activities are also spreading China's goodwill to more distant places. On June 16, the Chinese Navy's Peace Ark hospital ship set sail from a military port in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, to carry out its 10th "Harmonious Mission-2024" task. With the hull number 866, the Peace Ark is the first domestically designed and built standardized ocean-going hospital ship in China. The ship is equipped with a remote medical consultation system, and its medical equipment configuration is equivalent to that of top level hospital in China, making it a modern mobile hospital at sea. 

Editor's Note:

The youth are the vanguards of our time, showcasing boundless energy and vibrant personalities.

Gen-Zers not only represent the makers of the future but also serve as agents of change in the present. With an open mindset and an international outlook, they actively integrate into the currents of globalization, engaging in deep exchanges, and collaborating with youth from around the world to explore pathways and strategies to address global challenges.

The Global Times has launched the "Voice from Gen Z" series, which focuses on the proactive actions and innovative achievements of young people in areas such as global governance, cultural exchange, environmental protection, and technological innovation. Through this column, we aim to showcase the unique charm and future leadership of global Gen-Zers.
At the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Museum and China Table Tennis Museum in Shanghai, Wu Yiman held Abigail Barr's hands, and taught her how to catch the ping-pong balls served by a training robot in front of her step by step.

The two offered a contrasting image of the sport. While Wu has played ping-pong for 16 years and is a postgraduate student at the China Table Tennis College, Shanghai University of Sport, Barr, a sophomore at the University of Virginia (UVA), barely has experience in the sport. Minutes later, at the museum, the two participated in a friendly table tennis match between Chinese and US youth as partners.

With the match set to start, Barr continually expressed her apprehension to Wu, and each time Wu reassured the rookie.

"It's just a game," Wu said to Barr in English. "Have more fun."

Wu's words were magical. Of the two matches they had that day, Wu and Barr won the first, better than they had expected.

Moreover, the Chinese and US youth formed a valuable bond of friendship in just two short days of being together. "This was a far more precious present for me compared to the match result," Wu told the Global Times.

A surprising victory

Wu first met Barr the night before the friendly match, at a welcome dinner at a hotel in downtown Shanghai. "She was so beautiful and graceful," said the 23-year-old, recalling her first impression of Barr. "My eyes were involuntarily drawn to her."

Barr was among a US student delegation that came to China in early January for a China-US youth ping-pong exchange.

As the first batch of US youth visiting China under the program meant to "invite 50,000 US students to China over the next five years," the inaugural delegation hoped to promote better understanding between the two countries' younger generations, similar to "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" 53 years ago, a milestone in the history of China-US relations.

The delegation consisted of 12 UVA students, and a few teaching and administrative staffers from the university. They visited Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai during their trip to China.

The friendly ping-pong doubles match was held in Shanghai on January 9, 2024. The young delegation members partnered with experienced local student players. They learned ping-pong skills from each other, and enhanced mutual understanding in cooperation.

Some of the US students have been playing table tennis for many years, while others, including the 20-year-old Barr, are newbies with little experience with the sport. In Wu's eyes, Barr was curious about table tennis, although she was reluctant to try at the beginning. "Barr told me that she was afraid she wouldn't play well and could 'drag me down' as a partner," Wu recalled.

That night after the welcome dinner, Wu wrote a letter to Barr to encourage her. "Don't be anxious about winning or losing the game," she wrote. "All I hope is that you can feel the friendship and the joy of sports."

The next day, before the friendly match, Wu took Barr to practice ping-pong in anticipation of their impending friendly match. The practice included trying the fancy training robot at the museum. Wu said she could feel that Barr was becoming increasingly positive about the match. "When she gradually discovered that she could intercept the ball by herself, she gained a sense of accomplishment, and her interest grew."

That day, when Wu and Barr won their first match, the two embraced joyfully and cheered, as though they had been partners for years. "We were very satisfied with this result," Wu told the Global Times. "It was a surprising victory."
Precious friendship

For Wu, the highlight of the friendly match was not their victory, but an impressive and friendship-filled moment at the end of the match.

That day, a few renowned former ping-pong champions, including Wang Liqin and Zhang Yining, were also present. Before the friendly match ended, when most members of the US delegation gathered around the champions for signatures, Barr came to Wu, inviting her to sign her new commemorative medal from the friendly match.

"I was almost moved to tears," said Wu. "I mean more to her than world champions."

Wu and Barr became good friends in less than two days of spending time together. They, as Wu said, are both extroverted and have a lot to talk about. Apart from table tennis, their topics ranged from family and growing up, to their respective universities and majors.

Barr told Wu that she once dreamed of being a top ballet dancer, and had spent much time on working toward this dream. "But unfortunately, she didn't realize this dream because of her injured knee(s)," Wu sighed.

Through these conversations, Wu was also delighted to find that Barr had much more interest in and knowledge of China than she had initially thought. Barr showed great command of intermediate Chinese and even had a Chinese tutor.

"Before meeting her, I spent a night cramming some professional English ping-pong terms, but later I only used a few of them," smiled Wu. "It's nice that we have no language barrier."

With family members living in China, Barr said she has been to China several times. On the day of the friendly match, Barr wore a mahjong-shaped earring, a Christmas present from her younger sister.

The UVA delegation left China in mid-January. Wu and Barr still keep in touch via WeChat and Instagram, sharing memes and fun details about their lives, and even sent each other best wishes over Chinese New Year.

Barr told Wu that she would come to China again. "I look forward to meeting her again in China soon," Wu said.

Vigorous envoys

In April 1971, the US ping-pong delegation conducted an ice-breaking visit to China at China's invitation. Prior to that, the two countries had had no official contact for more than two decades.

This was the start of the well-known "Ping-Pong Diplomacy," which paved the way for the normalization of China-US relations in those hard years filled with ideological confrontations.

Fifty-three years ago, young ping-pong players from China and the US jumpstarted the process of normalizing China-US relations in Beijing, hence the much-told stories of "the little ball being able to move the big ball" were shared by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a press conference on January 9, the day when the friendly ping-pong match was held in Shanghai.

Mao mentioned the UVA delegation's visit, praising it as "adding new chapter to the stories of China-US friendship that began with Ping-Pong Diplomacy and new impetus for people-to-people exchanges."

Echoing Mao, Wu thinks that Chinese and the US Gen-Zers are vigorous envoys of the people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. Compared to older generations, younger generations are more open and inclusive, have more innate goodwill, and are curious about each other, she said.

Wu recalled that one of the UVA delegation members received a small gift with Chinese elements from his Chinese ping-pong partner - a Spring Festival couplet. "He was so excited and intrigued, that he kept asking us the meaning of the Chinese characters on the couplet."

Wu had met many young people from the US previously. At the international summer camps annually hosted by the China Table Tennis Collage, Wu guides young ping-pong players and enthusiasts from all over the world, including those from the US. She described the overall impressions that US students gave her: "Confident, humorous, and it's relaxing to be with them."

"They are similar to our Chinese youth," Wu concluded. "We are not so different. We are equally confident, friendly, and conversable."

Having played a receptionist role during the UVA delegation's visit to China, Wu is pleased to serve as a window for the US youth to know more about Shanghai and China. "I believe that the future belongs to the youth," she told the Global Times. "I hope that we Gen-Zers can lay a good foundation for the promising future of China-US relations."

A fan of the US musical Hamilton herself, Wu said she is very interested in the history, culture, and people in the US. She also looks forward to visiting the US in the near future, and taking a closer look at the country and making local friends.

"It would be even better to meet Barr again there," she smiled.

Amid the bustling streets and towering skyscrapers across China, a profound transformation is unfolding within the steel beams and iron cores of China's industrial landscape, aiming to contribute to China's goals of achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality.

Meanwhile, as one of the world's largest producers and consumer of steel, China faces a colossal challenge: Reducing the carbon emission of an industry that is both a cornerstone of its economic might and a significant contributor to global emissions. So how should this be approached, and what progress has been made so far?

During an interview at the Shanghai Climate Week with the Global Times, Jen Carson, global head of industry at the Climate Group, shared her insights on China's green transformation, especially within the steel industry, and the potential for cooperation between China and Europe in the field of low carbon transition.

She highlighted the proactive steps taken by Chinese companies, particularly in the steel industry, toward a green transformation, reflecting a broader commitment to global ecological responsibility.

The Shanghai Climate Week, from April 22 to April 26, is designed to foster social engagement from diverse perspectives in support of China's dual carbon goals. It aims to tell the story of China's actions to address climate change to the world, convey the Asian voice of green transformation, increase international exchanges and cooperation in the field of climate change, and participate in international decision-making and leadership.

Efforts and actions

The ambitious strides taken by industry giants have underscored a significant commitment within China's steel sector, but also reflect a broader narrative of collaboration and sustainability. These efforts are pioneering a shift in the global approach to industrial practices, aiming to integrate deeper environmental responsibility into the core of industrial strategies.

During the interview, Carson recognized the efforts of major Chinese steelmakers which have embarked on remarkable initiatives to reduce their carbon footprints. These companies are not only vocal about their climate ambitions, but have also demonstrated their commitment through strategic partnerships with global automotive leaders.

For example, steel makers such as Baosteel, based in Shanghai, and HBIS, headquartered in Hebei Province, are already showing not only climate ambitions, but also climate commitments by having an MOU with the automotive international stakeholders. Baosteel has a MOU with Beijing Benz Automotive (BBAC) and HBIS has a MOU with BMW Group, Carson explained. "We are very interested to see these developments coming from the Chinese firms."

Further illustrating the impact of corporate concern on environmental sustainability, Carson highlighted the SteelZero initiative, which aims for 100 percent net-zero steel to be used by companies demanding steel by year of 2050. She pointed out the involvement of leading Chinese firms such as CIMC TCREA, one of the world's largest steel container manufacturer, and Hang Lung Properties from the real estate sector. Both companies have made Steel-Zero commitments, showcasing leadership and dedication to sustainable practices in both the shipping marine sector and real estate construction.

Three years ago, China made a solemn commitment to the world that it aims to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. Since then, the country has embarked on a fast track toward these goals, with highlights in areas including industrial upgrades, cleaner air, renewable energy capacity, and a world-leading position in solar panels, electric cars, and lithium battery production.

Initial results of industrial transformation have been achieved. Official data showed that China's crude steel output has declined by 40 million tons since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), according to the Xinhua News Agency.

China's energy consumption per 10,000 yuan (about $1,408) of gross domestic product decreased by 0.1 percent in 2022 from 2021, while CO2 emissions per 10,000 yuan of GDP fell 0.8 percent year-on-year, according to an official statistical communique.
Bridges and gaps

Europe is currently seeking to strengthen its cooperation with China, particularly in the realm of climate policy. Earlier in April, climate envoys from the European Union along with representatives from Germany, France, the Netherlands, and Denmark arrived in Beijing. Their mission is to enhance collaboration with China, aiming to forge stronger ties and joint efforts in addressing global climate challenges, according to reports.

In terms of China-Europe cooperation in the field of low carbon transition, Carson said that she sees many ample opportunities and there are obviously important trading partner relationships and close economic opportunities.

"We are looking forward to seeing more examples of partnerships between specific companies. We are also looking forward to more discussions on international standards," she stated.

Meanwhile, the Climate Group has been instrumental in organizing seminars and discussions aimed at bridging the gap between Chinese and European companies. "This is an area we would like to expand on and develop," she noted.

"Going forward, a key part of our work that we would like to work with others is to bring together and do similar seminars between European and Chinese stakeholders. There is a lot of opportunities across the entire value chain, looking at the demand side as we do, but also steel producers in steel makers and then into the energy infrastructure space," she said.

The organization held a seminar recently with the automotive sector, hosting companies including Volvo Cars, SKF, and also ThyssenKrupp AG, a German steel manufacturer to discuss how they are seeing the transition, playing out from the steel automotive value chain.

During her first visit to Shanghai, Carson expressed her admiration for the city's dynamic approach to sustainable development and urban transformation. "It is clearly the vital city and port, taking a leading stance on sustaining development and urban transformation," she remarked.

She is also keen on learning more about China's dual-carbon development strategies and corporate progress in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. She anticipates sharing these insights with Europe and other stakeholders to promote the collaboration and exchanges.

Challenges and prospects

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of steel, with steel production accounting for over half of the global share. The carbon emissions from the steel industry account for about 15 percent of the country's total carbon emissions, making it the industry with the largest carbon emissions among the 31 categories of manufacturing industries, according to public data.

As China has promised to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, the steel industry is making hard efforts in decarbonization, with many challenges to solve.

Carson said that while technologies to decarbonize steel are now available, steelmaking still accounts for around 8 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions.

"With demand for steel increasing as countries develop, the risk is that emissions will only rise further. It's crucial we work together to tackle this challenge," she said.

Carson stressed to the Global Times that the challenge in reducing carbon or achieving carbon neutrality in the steel industry is not just for China, but is a global dilemma.

"It's not just one country-by-country or even one company-by-company. When looking at these unique challenges, China has shown the great willingness to engage the world's largest investor in clean energy," she said.

As the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) officially took effect on October 1, 2023, China's steel industry has also faced more external market challenges. The CBAM is to put a fair price on the carbon emitted during the production of carbon intensive goods that are entering the EU, and to encourage cleaner industrial production in non-EU countries. The first batch of industries included in the CBAM are electricity, steel, cement, fertilizers, aluminum, and hydrogen, according to media reports.

According to Carson, currently their members in the initiative "SteelZero," including Chinese companies like CIMC TCREA, a supply chain company affiliated to the China International Marine Containers (CIMC) in the shipping sector, commit to procuring, specifying or stocking 100 percent net zero steel by 2050. Hang Lung Properties in the real estate sector and Volvo Cars in the automotive industry have previously made this commitment.

Industry observers said that the Chinese steel industry is actively responding to the country's commitments to climate change by adopting advanced energy efficiency improvement technologies, steel smelting technologies, and green transformation measures such as waste gas recycling.

At the same time, the industry is optimizing its energy structure to promote sustainable development.

The Chinese government has also introduced policies to support the industry's transformation, including tax incentives and green credit, providing important economic incentives for the industry.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang has signed a decree of the State Council, introducing new regulations governing carbon emissions trading. Effective from May 1, 2024, the regulations aim to provide a legal framework for the operation of China's carbon emissions trading market and ensure the effectiveness of related policies, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The regulations focus on the allocation of responsibilities, designating the State Council's ecological and environmental departments to oversee and manage carbon emissions trading. The regulations specify details including the products eligible for trading, trading methods, and the distribution of carbon emissions quotas, according to Xinhua.

Carson said that they have already been "impressed" by the Chinese government, in setting out a dual-carbon target and creating a road map.

According to her, an important way to address the challenges is to embrace key stakeholders from different countries across the value chain to undertake candid discussion so as to collectively generate feasible solutions.

"We would love to see that important discussion being developed further. For example, on the relevant standards and verification methods, we can have deeper understanding of the needs that look at the low carbon steel production," she said.

"We would work with the specific companies to understand how they best work with partners in the supply chain or financiers, banks, investors, and different actors to take forward projects that have low carbon technologies and products," she said.

"Steel decarbonization is an incredible challenge, which is why we're working with many stakeholders in the steel value chain… We can only make the best difference if we all move in the same direction. By coming together to share ideas, innovations, and commitments, we empower and challenge each other to take bold action toward a greener, more resilient world," she emphasized.