The National Healthcare Security Administration has dismissed recent hypes of a surge in Chinese residents abandoning basic medical insurance due to increasing fees. It stated that the current extent of the nation's medical insurance coverage remains largely consistent with that of the previous year.
Western media outlets have claimed over recent weeks that the number of participants in China's urban and rural residents' medical insurance has been continuously decreasing.
Many people cannot afford the personal payment standard which rose from 350 yuan ($48.36) in 2022 to 380 yuan in 2023, causing many to opt out of the insurance, resulting in a "dropout wave" in some rural areas, the media reports said.
Responding to such hypes, the administration on Thursday said at a press conference that per the latest data by the end of March 2024, China's medical insurance system has shown a stable landscape, and the vast majority of residents still have confidence in the country's basic medical insurance.
The total number of people covered by China's basic medical insurance reached 1.33 billion at the end of 2023, accounting for over 95 percent of the country's population.
The actual net increase in the number of insured individuals in 2023 stood at around 4 million, officials revealed at the conference. This figure considers the exclusion of nearly 40 million individuals with duplicate or invalid data within provincial-level regions, along with an additional 16 million individuals with duplicate insurance across provinces.
A total of 371 million people are covered by basic medical insurance for employees, while 963 million people are covered by basic medical insurance for residents, the administration said.
The number of employees covered by medical insurance increased by 9 million, accounting for 27.8 percent of all insured individuals, further optimizing the structure of insurance coverage.
In addition, medical insurance departments have provided assistance to nearly 80 million low-income individuals nationwide in 2023, alleviating their financial burden.
The rate of low-income individuals in rural areas covered by medical insurance has remained stable at over 99 percent, effectively safeguarding the interests of the vulnerable groups, the administration said.
In a separate development, it has become a trend for Hong Kong residents to seek medical treatment in the Chinese mainland, particularly in the neighboring city of Shenzhen in South China's Guangdong Province.
Many Hong Kong residents have shared tips for obtaining medical insurance in Shenzhen on social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu, also known as Little Red Book, while showing off the convenience and affordability of seeking medical care in the mainland.
According to Hong Kong media reports, in recent years, the tight medical resources and long waiting times in public healthcare institutes in Hong Kong have resulted in strong complaints, leading many Hong Kong residents opt for medical services in the mainland.
Apart from being affordable, easy to schedule, and with a comfortable environment, the short waiting times in Shenzhen have become a significant factor. Additionally, with an increasing number of insurance plans covering the Greater Bay Area medical network, seeking medical treatment in the mainland has become a better choice for Hong Kong residents facing healthcare challenges.
China's Supreme People's Court is soliciting opinions on the Marriage and Family section of the Civil Code, as Article 20 on divorce economic assistance sparks public debates.
According to the document, Article 20 states that if one party in a divorce cannot maintain the basic living standard with personal property obtained during the divorce, and requests appropriate assistance from the other party with the ability to bear the burden, the people's court should support the request according to the law.
That is to say, if one party is economically disadvantaged and has no housing after the divorce, the people's court may, upon request of the party, order the other party, being able to bear the burden, to provide assistance, which may include: a certain period of free use of the other party's house; a reasonable amount of house rent; establishing a certain period of residence right through judgment; and other practical ways.
Legal experts said that this clause specifically mentions that if one party has no housing after the divorce and cannot maintain the local basic living standard, the other party needs to provide living and housing subsidies. This can protect vulnerable groups to some extent and adhere to the principle of fairness, they stressed.
At the same time, many netizens believe that this clause is similar to the spousal support system in foreign countries, where one party needs to provide financial support to the other after divorce. Some netizens also believe that this clause may cause couples who have significant economic disparities to become reluctant to get married.
In response, legal experts stated that this clause only requires assistance to help the economically disadvantaged party to maintain the "local basic living standard," while the purpose of the spousal support system in foreign countries is to help the economically disadvantaged party maintain a "similar standard of living during marriage," which is significantly different. This clause emphasizes the protection of marital property and the interests of vulnerable groups, and will not create pressure for couples who want to get married, experts said.
During the divorce process, there are many ways to divide property, Zhu Wei, a vice director of the Communication Law Research Center at the China University of Political Science and Law, told the Global Times on Tuesday. For example, at the beginning, voluntary division of property is carried out, and if voluntary agreement cannot be reached, then the court will be involved in the division.
Generally, the principle followed is to benefit the party responsible for taking care of the children and the party without fault, he said. After the division, according to the relevant provisions of the Marriage Law, if one party is at fault, they may have to compensate the innocent party for damages, which is a compensatory division.
Assistance division is actually a method of division that has been mentioned in the Civil Code before, Zhu explained. After divorce, one party may not have a place to live and their standard of living may not meet the relevant standards of the city. If they are not provided with assistance, it may bring burden to society, other families and the children of the original family. "This also aligns with the traditional Chinese viewpoint, as even though the couple has separated, they should still fulfill their obligations to each other as they promised when they got married," he noted.
It is worth mentioning the way in which the court can now grant a certain period of residency rights, which is the first time it has been proposed, improving the previously controversial aspects, the expert noted.
The Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army organized a joint maritime and aerial combat patrol on Sunday in the South China Sea. All military activities that disturb the stability of the South China Sea are under control.
A total of 1,422 immigration administration police officers were honored with medals on Tuesday in recognition of their outstanding contribution to safeguarding national security and maintaining border stability.
The medals were presented by the National Immigration Administration (NIA) and its subsidiary immigration administration departments, and were established after being approved by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council.
According to the NIA, the police officers from China's immigration administration departments have faithfully fulfilled the responsibilities and missions, making a significant contribution to safeguarding national political security and border stability. Police officers from Xinjiang, Xizang, and Yunnan were awarded the medals, the NIA said via its official WeChat account.
"In the 20 years that I have spent guarding the border, I have always felt a strong sense of responsibility. This commemorative medal is not just an honor, but also a commitment. I see it as a new beginning, a chance to continue upholding and promoting the values of loyalty and dedication," said a police officer Liu Can from Southwest China's Yunnan Province.
The medals contain major elements including five stars, Great Wall passes, shields, olive branches and snowdrops. As per regulations, the medals will be awarded annually to immigration administration police officers who have served in remote and harsh areas of border regions. Officers who have given 10, 20 and 30 years of service will be awarded bronze, silver and gold medals respectively.
This marks the second time the country presented the medal, an honorary award for immigration administration workers. In April 2023, the national immigration authorities awarded medals to the first batch of 8,487 police officers in commemoration of their exemplary work and efforts in guarding China's border regions.
The situation in the South China Sea has further intensified due to the provocative actions of the US and its allies, Chinese analysts said over reports that Japan is slated to send its Maritime Self-Defense Force to conduct its first joint naval patrols with the US and the Philippines in the region later this year.
Chinese analysts warned that the trilateral exercises in the South China Sea, evidently designed and pushed by the US, only serve to incite greater crisis and conflicts in the western Pacific to help the US compete with China, secure the US leadership among its allies, and profit from the chaos just as it did in the Europe.
Citing US officials and other sources familiar with the matter, US news portal Politico reported on Friday that the US, Japan and the Philippines are slated to launch joint naval patrols in the South China Sea, while suggesting that the leaders of the three countries are expected to reach an agreement on the joint patrols at a trilateral summit in Washington on April 11.
Politico called the potential three-country maneuver "the most robust assertion" of the Biden administration's so-called Indo-Pacific Strategy hinged to rallying allies and partners to offset China's growing economic, diplomatic and military footprint in the region, while warning that such move would likely elicit a strong response from Beijing.
"Japan's decision to join the maneuver is a typical example of the US attempting to recruit more allies in a highly sensitive and conflict-prone area, in order to consume allies' resources and weaken China," Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Sunday.
Li also warned that US allies and partners including Japan and the Philippines should be aware that the US never heeds the demands of its allies, but rather to exploit the frictions between its allies and China to achieve a result where the US benefits. In the strategic view of the US, whether it's the Philippines or Japan, they are all pawns for the US to benefit from."
Ding Duo, deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Law and Policy at the China Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Sunday that the joint patrols conducted by the three countries in the South China Sea, as well as their political collusion, undoubtedly lead to the deterioration of the regional security situation.
They are clear destabilizing factors that pose a certain degree of threat to China's security, Ding said. "The provocative behavior of the US, Japan, and the Philippines in the vicinity of the South China Sea demonstrates the characteristic of 'originating from the US, with Japan's cooperation, and the Philippines' eager compliance'."
Japan's involvement also reflects the Kishida government's moves to make Tokyo a bigger player in regional security alongside the US that began with his announcement in 2022 of a doubling of the country's defense budget within five years, Politico reported.
The Financial Times also reported on March 25 that the US and Japan, with an eye on China, are planning the biggest upgrade to their security alliance in 60 years. According to the report, the plan, which will see the restructuring of the US military command in Japan, will be announced during Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit to the US in April. Tokyo's top government spokesperson said on Monday that the two are "discussing ways to strengthen cooperation in command and control in order to enhance interoperability and readiness."
Chinese experts have criticized the US-Japan alliance is evolving into an axis of evil that will pose more direct uncertainty and instability to the region and even bring destruction to the current peace in Asia.
Analysts also predicted that detailed plans of the joint patrols may be unveiled at the April 11 trilateral summit in Washington. However, they pointed out that these joint patrols can hardly unite the strengths of the participating countries, as once there is an intense conflict with China, the US is all too happy to let its allies make the biggest sacrifices.
The US has been encouraging the Philippines to incite chaos in the South China Sea. In the latest example, the US Indo-Pacific Command chief John Aquilino said at a US House committee briefing last week that the Philippines can invoke the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty if a sailor or a member of its military is killed as China continues "to execute belligerent, dangerous and aggressive" actions against Filipino troops and fishermen in the West Philippine Sea, according to media reports on Thursday.
"And that would put our policy decision makers in a place that would require really tough choices," he told the US lawmakers.
Li pointed out that the US has an interesting characteristic when it comes to its allies, which is to deceive them.
"It often appears to urge its allies to brave dangers, but in reality, it sacrifices them to meet its own selfish strategic demands. This is similar to the situation in Ukraine, where the US consumes Ukraine's resources, leaving Ukraine to fend for itself while weakening Russia, all while the US benefits," he noted.
The intentions of the US are clear, but in the implementation process, it lacks legitimate reasons and its own capabilities cannot meet its ambitions. "Therefore, the US uses its so-called allies and partners to generalize territorial sovereignty and maritime boundary disputes into regional security issues, disguising them as legitimate reasons to rally allies and partners to form small multilateral security organizations to exert pressure, interfere, and restrain China, thereby reducing its own pressure," Ding said. High alert
Facing malicious challenges brought by external forces in the South China Sea, Chinese analysts have proposed that the complex situation necessitates a comprehensive approach, combining both diplomatic and military efforts.
Targeting a number of objects at sea and in the air such as armed enemy fishing boat and enemy jet, a Chinese navy flotilla of the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) formed by warships including the Xueshan and Lushan carried out high-intensity and multi-course real combat training in South China Sea, according to the Command on Sunday morning.
The cross-day-and-night exercises, according to the Command, are designed to test the contingency response capabilities of officers and soldiers, their ability to actually use weapons and their command coordination in complex battlefield environments.
Training modules include dealing with complex and changeable enemy situations at sea and in the air - such as suspicious targets, armed enemy fishing boats, weapons threats, and other hostile elements.
The footage of the exercises that the Command released on Saturday shows that the enemy target was sunk after the PLA flotilla's powerful strikes.
"It is difficult to rule out the possibility that some regional and external forces adopt petty tricks to provoke China in the South China Sea, such as installing light weapons onto the fishing boats in order to achieve a surprise attack against Chinese vessels, so we have to be ready for that," Wei Dongxu, a military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Sunday.
Ding interpreted the PLA drills as a clear signal that regardless of whether the US, Japan, and the Philippines conduct joint patrols or other forms of actions, the PLA will be on high alert. Some analysts believe that the signal sent by the PLA Southern Theater Command suggests that "armed fishing boat" includes Philippine coast guard vessels if they violate China's sovereignty.
"No matter in which area of sea or at what time, the PLA will always maintain a high level of vigilance, take strong countermeasures, and we do not rule out taking some proactive actions to deter malicious forces," Ding said.
Apart from resolutely safeguarding China's territorial sovereignty and integrity, it is necessary to establish closer coordination and cooperation with more countries in the Asia-Pacific region to recognize the dangerous intentions of the US that is to promote division, confrontation, and conflict in the region, Chinese analysts said.
The Fujian Maritime Safety Administration, the Eastern Navigation Service Center of the National Maritime Safety Administration and the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration conducted a joint patrol activity in the waters west of the Taiwan Straits on Wednesday to further maintain the maritime navigation environment and order in the area, ensuring safety and the stability of water traffic.
According to Tu Tiekun, director of the command center at Xiamen Maritime Safety Administration, the Taiwan Straits and the coast of Fujian are areas where customary shipping routes overlap with traditional fishing grounds in the East China Sea. Combined with recent severe weather conditions such as strong winds and fog, the risk of collision between commercial and fishing vessels has increased.
This patrol aims to urge relevant vessels to take necessary risk prevention measures in adverse weather conditions, and to ensure that relevant companies strictly observe their responsibilities, and maintain the stability of water traffic safety, Tu said.
During the joint patrol activity, the Fujian Maritime Safety Administration's enforcement vessel Haixun 0802, the Eastern Navigation Service Center's vessel Haixun 16301, and the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration's vessel Haixun 01 formed a joint patrol fleet in the waters near the Jiuzhe Jiao, or Jiuzhe Reef, in Xiamen Port's main channel.
They conducted on-site patrols and inspections in key areas such as the waters west of the Taiwan Straits, Xiamen Port's main channel, anchorages, ship convergence areas, dangerous goods anchorage areas, important passenger ferry routes, and bridge areas. They focused on inspecting illegal aquaculture activities that obstruct navigation, illegal fishing operations, unauthorized occupation of waterways, navigation outside designated areas, dumping of waste and pollution at sea, and disruption of maritime communication. They also inspected maritime navigation aids, conducted comprehensive checks for navigation safety hazards, and promoted joint governance between commercial and fishing vessels to maintain safe and smooth navigation routes.
During the patrol, the Fujian and the Shanghai maritime safety administrations conducted exchanges on navigation and law enforcement in the middle to far seas and the Taiwan Straits, strengthening information sharing and coordinated response to enhance regulatory models and law enforcement mechanisms.
The Haixun 01 vessel, which undertook the joint patrol task, is the first large-scale patrol and rescue ship in the Chinese mainland with both maritime supervision and rescue functions.
Zhang Wensheng, deputy dean of the Taiwan Research Institute at Xiamen University, believes that strengthened patrols are related to the fatal boat incident near Kinmen on February 14, when Taiwan authorities chased a Chinese mainland fishing boat, leading to its capsize in waters near Kinmen Island, just a few kilometers off Xiamen city, Fujian Province, resulting in the deaths of two mainland fishermen.
Also, considering that the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) recently announced that live-fire drills will be conducted in April in locations including Kinmen and Lieyu, Zhang told the Global Times on Thursday that the mainland's strengthening of coastal fishing protection to maintain maritime security and order can be seen as a form of statement.
On Thursday, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MOD) made comments on a regular patrol on February 19 when mainland coast guard personnel boarded a Kinmen tourist boat in the Xiamen-Kinmen waters for the first time to conduct an inspection.
Wu stated that Taiwan belongs to China, and there is no such thing as "prohibited or restricted waters" in the Xiamen-Kinmen waters.
The mainland coast guard departments carry out regular law enforcement patrol operations, which is conducive to maintaining normal order in relevant waters and protecting the life and property of fishermen on both sides of the Straits.
In the collision incident near Kinmen, the DPP authorities trampled on human life and evaded responsibility, which has aroused the public anger of compatriots on both sides of the Straits, and they must give everyone a clear explanation, Wu stressed.
He noted that the PLA pays close attention to the maritime situation, makes full preparations to deal with emergencies, and resolutely maintains peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.
Japan's relentless pursuit of breakthroughs in military development has sparked strong concerns from its neighboring countries and the international community, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday, after Japan's cabinet greenlighted the export of new fighter jets it is developing with the UK and Italy.
The evident departure from Japan's postwar pacifist principles will pose a serious threat to the security situation not only in East Asia but also the whole world, experts warned.
The latest move will allow Japan to export, for the first time, lethal weapons it co-manufactures to other countries. According to AP, the contentious decision is "part of a move to build up the Japanese arms industry and bolster its role in global security."
The change comes as Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is planning a state visit to the US in April, where he is anticipated to stress Japan's readiness to take on a greater role in military and defense industry partnerships, the AP report said.
The new resolution opens the door for the direct export of advanced military equipment such as Japanese warships and submarines to third countries in the future, experts noted.
Lü Yaodong, deputy director of the Institute of Japanese Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Tuesday that Tokyo's decision has broken through the restraints of Japan's prohibition on exporting lethal weapons that has lasted for more than 70 years after World War II.
"Now, Japan is taking small steps, like salami slicing, to gradually break free from its own constraints, with the fundamental goal of shattering the postwar international arrangements and ultimately amending Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution to allow the Self-Defense Forces to engage in warfare," Lü noted.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian expressed grave concern over the decision at Tuesday's routine press briefing, noting that given Japan's not-too-distant history of militarist aggression, Japan's military and security moves are closely watched by its Asian neighbors and the international community.
In recent years, Japan has been drastically readjusting its security policy, increasing defense spending year after year, relaxing restrictions on arms export and seeking military breakthroughs. These moves trigger serious concerns among Japan's neighboring countries and the international community.
Lin urged Japan to earnestly respect the security concerns of neighboring countries, deeply reflect on its history of aggression, commit itself to the path of peaceful development and earn the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community through concrete actions.
The Japanese government claimed that it is limiting exports of lethal weapons to the jet for now, which will not be sold to those engaging in active wars. Potential buyers will be limited to the 15 countries that Japan has signed defense partnership and equipment transfer deals with, according to media reports.
"Although Japan has 'promised' not to sell fighter jets to countries at war, how can it be sure that it will not flow to those countries? A fighter jet with offensive capabilities, no matter how restricted, is always prepared for war and conflict," Lü said.
A violent incident at a concert venue on the outskirts of Moscow resulted in the death of at least 137 individuals and left over 100 injured. The assailants used automatic firearms during the incident and utilized an inflammable substance to start a blaze.
Analysts have noted that this is one of the most severe terrorist attacks Russia has faced in over a decade.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the capture of all four assailants responsible for the onslaught, stating that everyone involved in the act, from those who carried it out to those who organized and funded it, will face consequences.
More than 30 hours after the tragic event, those who experienced the ordeal are still deeply shaken. Several Chinese residents in Russia have shared their close encounters and emotions regarding the terror attack with the Global Times.
This story is part of the Global Times' series "Witness to history," which features first-hand accounts from witnesses who were at the forefront of historic moments. From scholars, politicians, and diplomats to ordinary citizens, their authentic reflections on the impact of historic moments help reveal a sound future for humanity through the solid steps forward taken in the past and the present. Moscow's streets on Friday night were bustling with traffic and crowded with people preparing for the upcoming weekend.
For Chinese student Chen Yiming, this was supposed to be a good opportunity to unwind in the Russian capital.
Chen is a student at Saint Petersburg State University. On that Friday, he returned from a short trip to Armenia and arrived in Moscow, ready to transfer back to Saint Petersburg.
He visited Crocus City Hall, a spectacular complex stretching 1.2 kilometers with four floors housing restaurants, entertainment, and shopping, bustling with activity in Krasnogorsk, in the northwest of Moscow. Chen intended to enjoy a meal at a restaurant on the fourth floor, unaware that the wheels of fate were already turning.
As he browsed the menu, pondering his meal choice, a deafening explosion shattered the peace, too loud to ignore, unsettling everyone around.
Chen sensed it might be a drone attack. With Ukraine's repeated drone strikes on Moscow, this thought was not unfounded.
However, the continuous sound of gunfire soon made him realize it was not a drone but actual shooting. Panic spread, and the crowd in the mall began to scatter in chaos, with no one knowing what exactly was happening or where to flee.
Following the crowd, Chen rushed outside, filled with fear and uncertainty, witnessing people falling, screaming, and some lying on the ground. He followed the crowd toward a nearby bridge, thinking it might be safer.
"The gunfire lasted about 10 minutes," he recalled.
About ten minutes later, through social media, Chen knew the truth - the mall's concert hall had been attacked.
After the initial shock, the gravity of the situation finally donned on him, as such terror attacks are extremely rare in Russia, only seen in movies.
Police quickly arrived at the scene, about 10 to 20 minutes after the incident. The sound of helicopters added to the tense atmosphere.
Chen took the opportunity to leave, fortunately catching a free taxi ride.
Chen was not the only Chinese person close to the attack.
A Chinese person surnamed He from North China's Hebei Province, was also right in the concert hall and witnessed the attack.
He, a pianist who won international competitions for China, had been invited to perform at the concert. He was sitting at the back, listening to the performance, when armed attackers disrupted the venue, causing chaos.
He immediately hid under his seat, trying to stay silent amid the turmoil and screams. He saw the attackers' entry through the gaps in the seats, hearing live gunfire for the first time in his life, according to a report published by Chongqing News.
After a period of chaos and tension, police took control, and he was then safely escorted back to his school.
Tragically, his Russian friend, a girl, was not so fortunate. It is reported that the girl left the concert hall to go to the restroom midway through the event, where she unfortunately encountered the armed assailant and tragically lost her life.
Other survivors also recounted their escape experiences through various means.
One survivor said that the security staff directed people into a boiler room where water tanks or fire hose boxes were stored, with about 50 people hiding there, The Beijing News reported.
The survivor said that they used water from the fire hydrants to wet their clothes to cover their faces, sat on the floor to remain as low as possible. He recalled that subsequently, rescuers broke into the boiler room, the survivors inside responded, and they all fled together.
Another survivor mentioned that she was injured and fell to the ground, managing to survive by playing dead. She waited until the terrorists left before crawling out of the concert hall.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday all four gunmen in the Moscow terrorist attack were arrested. Putin, addressing the nation, said that all those responsible for the deadly attack would be punished. He also ordered that March 24 be a nationwide day of mourning. Bonding of community
In the southwest part of Moscow, Xu Wenteng was live-streaming on TikTok as usual, sharing daily activities as a Chinese Volunteer Union in Russia.
However, that night turned out to be so different.
During the live stream, Xu, the president of the association, received a message about a terrorist attack in western Moscow. The sudden news disrupted the live stream's flow and Xu's peace of mind.
His live stream quickly turned from routine to a hub of urgent news update. With the help of the Chinese community in Moscow and Russian friends, he began to report the latest developments of the incident to his audience.
That night, his live stream became an information center, with the Chinese residents in Russia and netizens sharing information, helping each other understand the situation.
Despite the attack happening far from his residence in the southwest district, he immediately worried about his niece and family, and fortunately was relieved to learn of their safety.
The familiarity of the attack location deeply affected Xu. "It was a gathering of young people," he told the Global Times.
Nevertheless, during the live stream, he used his two-decade experience in Moscow to advise calmness, especially when the situation was unclear, recalling past incidents and emphasizing staying informed through official news sources.
Even though the intense discussion temporarily choked his live stream, Xu continued to communicate with the Chinese community in Russia through various channels, sharing real-time information and offering assistance.
After the attack, he saw increased security in Moscow, with more police at important sites like Red Square, but he remained vigilant, believing that the act was organized and deliberate.
Xu knew that such events could shock recent Chinese arrivals and those new to Moscow. He specially conveyed reassurance to anxious parents in China, urging them to avoid spreading panic and unfounded rumors, and to not spread anxiety to their children in Russia.
China strongly condemns terrorist attacks, and firmly supports Russia in safeguarding its national security and stability, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Saturday.
The spokesperson said China opposes all forms of terrorism, strongly condemns terrorist attacks, and firmly supports Russia in safeguarding its national security and stability.
Preciousness of national stability
Chen spent the following Saturday indoors in central Moscow, only going out to eat. He is still feeling tense but not seeking embassy assistance, considering his situation manageable.
For safety, his university in Saint Petersburg decided to suspend classes for the next week.
The attack also caused flight prices to spike. The prices of direct flights from Moscow back to China surged over the weekend. The direct flight tickets from Moscow to Beijing on March 24 were all priced at more than 10,000 yuan ($1,383), with only a small number of tickets available. Air China's Moscow-Beijing flight had only first-class tickets priced at over 50,000 yuan left, media said.
However, Chen had no immediate plans to return home. Despite the foreign environment and the sudden panic and chaos, he felt a growing inner calmness, choosing to stay in Russia to continue his studies and life.
Survivor He who escaped the concert hall has also resumed his studies at school, taking Russian language courses online. He, too, expressed his intention to stay in Russia to continue his education and to prepare for his dream of participating in the Chopin Piano Competition.
Moscow's streets, once lively, were shrouded in a thin layer of gloom. Following the attack, the city center, including the Red Square, was closed on Saturday, but tour groups still visited nearby, and some tourists took photos from behind the fences.
In a video clip Xu sent to the Global Times, a group of middle-aged and elderly tourists shouted together in front of the Saint Basil's Cathedral on Red Square, "Today is March 23rd, Moscow is very safe."
While going out, Chen noticed a significant reduction in traffic and pedestrians compared to the previous day's hustle and bustle, with increased police patrols. Some public places were closed, while some others are still open.
He remembered the scenes of helplessness, fear, and desperate attempts to escape during the attack, haunting his thoughts. However, as time passed, his fear was gradually replaced by rationality.
On Sina Weibo, he wrote, "The explosion last night is still fresh on my mind, reminding me of life's unpredictability and the preciousness of national stability and unity. I hope everyone stays healthy and safe."
Many netizens also expressed their concerns for his safety and wished him an early return home.
On Sunday morning, in a WeChat group of the Russian Chinese community, an elderly Chinese resident in Moscow posted a warning about the possible still-at-large terrorists, advising caution and reduced outings.
This message brought some reassurance to the community, knowing they were not alone and unsupported.
China is playing an increasingly important role in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project and it is due to the long-term attention and support of the country's industry and government to controlled nuclear fusion research, Duan Xuru, a senior expert on fusion who is also a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, told the Global Times. Especially through participation in the ITER project, the world's largest "artificial sun," the level of China's research in controlled nuclear fusion has been greatly improved, and the technological level has caught up and even surpassed those of other countries in some areas, said Duan, chief expert on fusion of the China National Nuclear Corp (CNNC).
The ITER is a tokamak that can generate large-scale nuclear fusion reactions, aiming to simulate the nuclear fusion process that generates light and heat like the sun. The experiment is jointly implemented by China, the European Union, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia and the US. China officially joined the plan in 2006. Since the implementation of the plan, China has always adhered to international commitments and contributed Chinese wisdom and strength to the smooth progress of the plan.
On February 29, the ITER organization signed a contract for assembling the vacuum chamber module with China Nuclear Power Engineering Co, Ltd of CNNC. This is the second time that China has undertaken the installation task of the ITER's core equipment, contributing wisdom and strength to the progress of this project, according to the CNNC.
The assembly of the vacuum chamber module is to integrate and assemble the main large components such as the toroidal field coils, vacuum chamber, and vacuum chamber thermal shield in the assembly hall, and then lift the whole assembly into the tokamak pit. Among them, the toroidal field coils provide a toroidal strong magnetic field for confining the plasma at temperatures of over a hundred million degrees, according to Duan.
Located in the central area of the device, the vacuum chamber supports the plasma confined by the magnetic field, providing the required high-purity environment for plasma formation and maintenance. The vacuum chamber thermal shield mainly provides thermal shielding for the superconducting magnets to ensure the stable operation of the low-temperature superconducting magnets. "The assembly of the vacuum chamber module is an important milestone for the ITER project, marking that the installation of the ITER main machine has entered the final sprint stage," Duan said.
China has undertaken the manufacturing tasks of 18 procurement packages of the ITER since 2008, involving core key components such as the magnet support system, magnet feeder system, power system, glow discharge cleaning system, gas injection system, and the first wall of the reactor core that can withstand extremely high temperatures.
"China's tokamak engineering construction and related physical experiments have entered the international forefront. The engineering technology and manufacturing processes of key components of fusion reactors have made key breakthroughs, and some technological levels are leading internationally. A group of enterprises, research institutions, and universities have cultivated talents in tokamak engineering construction, fusion reactor component manufacturing, and large-scale scientific project management, accumulating experience. China's international discourse power in the field of nuclear fusion research is increasing. In the fields of material production and large equipment manufacturing, China has gradually formed advantages in foreign countries, and these advantages will provide strong technical support for the high-level development of China's controlled fusion engineering technology," Duan said.
While participating in the development of ITER, China's independently constructed and operated new generation artificial sun China Circulation-3 has also continued to improve. In 2023, the device successfully achieved high-constraint operation mode under a plasma current of 1 million amperes and was opened to global scientists.
Asking about different roles of ITER and China Circulation-3, Duan explained that ITER is an experimental reactor, and its goal is to verify the scientific and engineering feasibility of fusion reactors under conditions where the fusion gain Q is greater than 10 within 400 seconds and greater than 5 within 3,000 seconds.
Meanwhile, China Circulation III is the largest and most powerful magnetic confinement nuclear fusion large scientific experimental device in China, aiming to provide preliminary verification and solutions for key scientific and technical issues of the experimental reactor, including core plasma operation, nuclear diagnostics, tritium engineering technology, divertor high heat load control, etc, serving as an important support for China's leapfrog development in fusion energy research and development, he said.
In the future, China Circulation III will strive for higher plasma operating parameters, gradually raise the comprehensive parameters of the fusion plasma core to the level of the core, create an internationally leading combustion plasma large scientific experimental platform, support China's deep participation in ITER experiments, better digest and absorb ITER research results, and lay the foundation for China's independent design, construction, and operation of fusion pilot engineering experimental reactors, Duan noted.
In Duan's view, climate change and energy security issues have become common challenges faced by the world. Considering this, nuclear fusion energy, as a future clean, safe, and efficient energy source, is of great significance for the sustainable development of human society.
Mastering the technology of controlled nuclear fusion means that people may have access to almost unlimited clean energy in the future, and the energy crisis may be completely resolved, Duan said.
But to realize the application of nuclear fusion energy, there are still some major scientific and technological challenges, mainly including the steady-state self-sustaining burning of deuterium-tritium fusion plasma, fusion reactor materials, and tritium self-sustaining, Duan said, stressing the importance of international cooperation to promote the innovation of nuclear fusion technology.
The world recently celebrated a splendid Chinese New Year, welcoming the Year of the Dragon.
During the holidays, Global Times reporters returned to their hometowns where they were reacquainted with old traditions and introduced to new post-pandemic experiences. To share their experience, we have launched the "Hometown Diary" series. Spanning from north to south, east to west, six articles will focus on different provinces, exploring the development and evolution from traditional to modern, and from economic to cultural dimensions.
This series is not only a comprehensive review of China's vast territory and diverse regional cultures but also a profound reflection of how different areas across the country maintain their identity and embrace changes.
Through the lens of hometown observations, we hope to touch the hearts of our readers, allowing everyone to find resonance in these stories and feel the warmth and vitality that hometowns provide, regardless of changes brought about by time.
This is the first installment in the series, in which we gain the perspectives of our reporters to understand how North China's Shanxi grabs cultural heritage to attract tourists after its green energy revolution, and how East China's Shandong strikes a balance between tradition and modernity amidst intense population mobility.
When it comes to North China's Shanxi Province, the first impressions are often "coal capital," "severe pollution," and "loess highland," with a perpetually dull skyline and miles of yellow soil. People have always believed that Shanxi was trapped in its monotonous identity as the "coal capital" and was unlikely to achieve innovation and reform.
However, recent changes have provided evidence to the contrary. Shanxi, my hometown, with its cultural traditions and ancient heritage, now boasts new calling cards.
A casual stroll will reveal historical relics in Shanxi. During the Spring Festival, while witnessing the bustling scenes of Shanxi's tourist attractions flooding the internet, I felt Shanxi's charm emerge from its enduring ancient glory that spans thousands of years. It is precisely the inheritance and continuation of tradition in Shanxi that is aiding its innovation.
Behind this lies the continuous efforts of the local government in environmental governance and high-quality tourism development.
New business cards drive new traffic
On February 8, my friend Li Bo and I visited the ancient picturesque village of Qikou located in western Shanxi's Lüliang, nestled along the banks of the Yellow River and once one of the most prosperous settlements in ancient China.
This ancient town does not rank among the top 10 famous tourist destinations in Shanxi, but its popularity was surprising in person.
The taxi driver told us that we were the sixth group of tourists he had driven to Qikou that day. The famous local noodle restaurant had a queue out the door as early as 11 am.
The village, with its traditional architecture nestled amidst rolling hills, exudes an aura of tranquility and timelessness. Travelers from all over the world pass through the ancient town, looking to experience the unique culture of the Yellow River Basin and the picturesque beauty of the ancient villages with distinctive northern characteristics. For example, 3D panoramic modeling vividly reproduces the classic patterns of Pingyao's lacquerware. Additionally, lifelike colored maidservant sculptures from the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279) at Jin Temple traverse time and space, gracefully dancing outside and interacting with visitors.
In order to protect them from flooding, many local houses, known as "yaodong" or "loess cave houses," have been physically carved into the steep hillside along the banks of the Yellow River.
On a slope that stretches for hundreds of meters and is inclined at a 40-degree angle, there are rows of cave dwellings arranged in layers, which are both scattered and unique in their own ways. Rock erosion over the years has created a form of beautiful "modern art."
In recent years, with enhanced efforts in cultural preservation, governments at all levels have continually increased investment in the restoration and protection of historical buildings and ancient residences in Qikou, promoting the integrated development of culture and tourism, and creating a "living ancient town." Ancient buildings such as tour guide agencies, pawnshops, and warehouses tell the story of the town's past prosperity.
During our visit, the scenic area had also launched traditional folk agricultural cultural performances, showcasing scenes of threshing, winnowing, and transplanting, vividly capturing the hardworking and agricultural spirit of their ancestors.
Yang Yanmei, 62, often uses her spare time as a tour guide along the paths of Qikou, telling stories of past generations. As a fan of traditional opera, she and her husband enjoy spontaneously singing Shanxi opera or local traditional melodies adapted from local stories.
When we arrived at her house, the audience attracted by her singing crowded the entrance, making it impossible to enter. She always wears a sincere and sanguine smile, impressing tourists with her simplicity and humor. My friend told me that this is the typical image of farmers living on the loess plateau in his mind.
Tour guides, guesthouse owners, restaurant owners, performers... more and more villagers have found their new passions through it. Some like Yang have even moved back to their ancestral homes in the mountains from the town, hoping to live a better and more vibrant life through tourism.
Local villagers told me that more than 5,000 people out of a population of about 30,000 in the town are engaged in the tourism industry.
"Entering the ancient town feels like stepping into a world of art, where some places resemble Western oil paintings, while others resemble Chinese ink paintings," said Li. "Shanxi is no longer the dull and gray place it used to be; it is much more colorful and vibrant than I imagined," exclaimed the guest.
The evolution of civilization has left Shanxi with over 28,000 ancient buildings, making it the province with the highest number of key cultural heritage sites in the country. Shanxi's cultural relics have a complete timeline and diverse categories, earning it the reputation of being the "treasury of ancient Chinese architecture."
It has many relic sites that include architecture, grottoes, houses, murals, and sculptures with distinct features. Pingyao Ancient City, a well-preserved 2,800-year-old ancient county-level city; Yungang Grottoes, with their 252 caves and 51,000 statues that represent the outstanding history of Buddhist cave art in China in the 5th and 6th centuries; and Mount Wutai, a temple complex that witnessed the 2,000-year history of Buddhism, are three major UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Shanxi Province.
Tickets to these attractions are hard to come by, with the average queuing time exceeding three hours during the just-concluded Spring Festival.
According to data from Ctrip, one of China's largest online travel agencies, tourism orders in Shanxi during the Spring Festival holidays increased 16-fold compared to the 2023.
Step to a bigger stage
Standing on the Loess Plateau in the Qikou ancient town, one can feel the unchanged spiritual core of Shanxi, which is still characterized by diligence, honesty, and humility. However, what has changed is their passion for innovation and their desire to promote their culture and heritage on both domestic and international stages.
Modern technology is widely utilized to support these ambitions. Some temples employ VR, AR, 5G, and other interactive technologies to present historical figures and stories in a three-dimensional (3D) manner to visitors.
In order to promote Shanxi's classical culture to the world, media reports indicate that from 2016 to 2020, Shanxi Province sent over 300 artists in 31 groups to more than 20 countries to engage in exchange activities, thereby expanding its overseas reputation.
Some of Shanxi's intangible cultural heritage brands have actively collaborated with foreign designers to create exquisite products that blend Eastern and Western elements, which have been well received in foreign markets.
Pioneer of clean energy
For children who grew up in the coal capital, "black mud lining the fingernails and nostrils" was our shared memory. But now, this is unimaginable for Li Bo. The Shanxi he sees is a pleasant place under the blue sky and white clouds, where people can leisurely experience the slow life of ancient cities.
Behind this obvious change lies the silent effort of the local government in environmental protection efforts.
In recent years, Shanxi has been forward-looking in developing future industries such as green hydrogen energy, new energy vehicles, and cutting-edge materials, gradually achieving a historic leap from being the "coal giant" to the "pioneer of the national energy revolution."
The renovation of old coal mines is also ongoing. Media reports show that Shanxi has built 118 intelligent coal mines, accounting for about 62 percent of the total coal production capacity in the province, greatly helping to improve local air quality.
According to government-provided data, by 2023, the province's ecological environment quality had significantly improved, ranking second in terms of improvement rate nationwide, reaching its best level in history. At the same time, the water ecological environment continues to strengthen, with 149.6 acres of artificial wetlands built and the proportion of excellent water bodies in the Yellow River Basin reaching 90 percent.
A beautiful picture of blue sky, green land, and clear water is slowly unfolding in the land of Shanxi.
The landlocked province is showcasing the beauty of time to the world with an understated and rustic charm. This energy-rich province, which supplies coal power to 14 provinces in China, is showing the world, in a softer way, that it can make many contributions beyond coal.
