China-Africa cooperation has been very helpful in terms of "giving the financial boost that Africa needs" when there are constraints in terms of the FDI flows from the Western countries, Nardos Bekele-Thomas, the Chief Executive Officer for the Africa Union Development Agency-New Partnerships for Africa's Development (AUDA-NEPAD) stressed on Saturday on the sidelines of a financial forum.

Following the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) which concluded in Beijing on Friday, a forum co-hosted by the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI) and the African Union (AU) was held next day, with the theme of "Building Bridges: Cooperation for Growth between China and Africa Multilateral Financial Institutions."

Over the decades, partnerships between China and African multilateral financial institutions (AMFIs) have grown stronger, achieving fruitful cooperation in driving economic transformation across the African continent.

Nevertheless, the West has viewed cooperation between China and Africa through the lens of a cold war mentality. The Western media has portrayed the development financing provided by China to Africa as a "debt trap."

"This is not a reality. Some people decided to see the things in a different way, but it does not mean that is reality." Albert Muchanga, commissioner for Trade and Industry of the African Union Commission, responded to Western "debt trap" allegations during the forum. The reality on the ground is that there has been a substantive collaboration between Africa and China, and African countries and China are committed to moving in that collaboration to higher levels. That's what matters for the benefits of the people of Africa and the people of China, it's a win-win collaboration, Muchanga noted.

With regard to the truth of the debt issue in Africa, Bekele-Thomas explained that at the time when Africa was expanding in terms of economic growth, COVID-19 came, and then the Ukraine crisis which disrupted supply chains and created inflation, not only in Africa, but in the world.

As a strategic partner, China is coming out to help some Africa countries to lift them out of their debt crisis. And that's very helpful. Most importantly, building the economy and making it to be strong enough to withstand shocks is critical. So we're very happy and we're very proud that our path now is for China and Africa to come together and make out plan that is concrete with results, Bekele-Thomas told the Global Times.

A lot of Chinese investments have flowed into Africa, almost into every African country which has diplomatic relations with China. They are generating jobs, and promoting value addition, which is critical to the industrialization of Africa, Muchanga said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that China stands ready to work with Africa to implement 10 partnership actions to jointly advance modernization.

To implement the 10 partnership actions, the Chinese government will provide 360 billion yuan of financial support through the next three years, Xi said.

It means that the money is going to be used productively. And certainly, the flows that will come from China are going to be used by member states to increase the levels of investment in the economies, so that promote higher levels of inclusive growth and sustainable development across the African continent, Muchanga explained.

The vision is that China-Africa cooperation is going to grow with the dynamism, and it will continue moving forward, he added.

The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) concluded in Beijing on Friday. The three-day event saw leaders from China and African countries gather under the theme "Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future" to celebrate friendship and chart the way forward for cooperation.

This marks another grand reunion for the big China-Africa family following the 2006 Beijing summit, the 2015 Johannesburg summit, and the 2018 Beijing summit of the FOCAC. It is also the largest diplomatic event that China hosted in recent years, with the highest attendance of foreign leaders, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

A declaration on jointly building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era and an action plan for the FOCAC covering the next three years were adopted Thursday at the summit, Xinhua reported.

The event is a major gathering for China and Africa.

In the forum venue, the Global Times reporters observed lively discussions between African representatives and their Chinese counterparts, exchanging ideas and expectations for the summit. This gathering felt like a grand reunion of the big China-Africa family, radiating warmth and fostering connections, particularly among the youth. The venue was adorned with the national flags of the 53 African countries that have established diplomatic ties with China, alongside the African Union flag, symbolizing the significant unity and enduring friendship between China and the African continent.

Many journalists from African countries had traveled long distances to cover this important summit. The FOCAC media center offered multilingual services in Chinese, English and French, including consultation, reservation, material distribution, and equipment borrowing. Through the on-site LED screens, journalists could access live broadcasts of multiple meetings with simultaneous multilingual interpretations.

The center also embraced cutting-edge technology, offering an AI-powered "digital news anchor" system that journalists could use to create their own personalized broadcasts featuring Beijing landmarks and summit backdrops. Additionally, an interactive humanoid robot named "Xiao Qi" assisted staff in responding to journalists' inquiries, receiving widespread praise.
Beyond technological wonders, the media center showcased rich Chinese cultural elements. African journalists experienced traditional Chinese crafts such as Chinese cloisonné, kite making, and Beijing Opera mask painting. During the summit, participants were also able to experience cutting Chinese seals and practice calligraphy, leaving their marks on summit memorabilia.

Some young African journalists expressed great interest in China's philosophy of governance. The media center featured an array of multilingual books in Chinese, English, and French to help African participants gain deeper insights into China's development path, governance, and principles. Additionally, special displays such as the "Double Olympics" commemorative newspaper (highlighting the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and the 2022 Winter Olympics) and a hand-drawn map of Beijing's hutong offered attendees a glimpse into China's cultural heritage and modern achievements.

Theophile Niyitegeka, a reporter from Rwanda, shared his impressions with the Global Times.

"My initial impression of China is that it is a global powerhouse, characterized by impressive infrastructure and towering skyscrapers. Prior to my visit, I had seen media reports on China's development, but I could hardly believe it until I witnessed it firsthand," Niyitegeka said.

He also emphasized the strong relationship between Rwanda and China, highlighting cooperation in sectors like education, technology, and agriculture. Recently, 71 Rwandan students were awarded scholarships to study in China, further strengthening the bond between the two countries.

China's top public security and cybersecurity authorities have attached great importance to attention grabber and have asked internet platforms to jointly develop a clean cyberspace environment, CCTV news reported on Wednesday.

CCTV news said some video platforms have explicitly asked users not to profit improperly by taking advantage of smash-hit topics and imitating the people or brands involved to chase clout.

Douyin recently released tough rules that for the accounts to latch on to, the platform will resort to methods including banning the account and withdrawing live-streaming privilege, and in serious cases, Douyin will report to the public security organs. The rules are now on trial and will go into effect on October 1.

In addition, to effectively curb the toxic fan culture in sports, multiple internet platforms and companies have continued to strengthen efforts to conduct specialized campaigns including strengthening penalties for accounts that violet rules and enhancing user guidance, CCTV news noted.

According to The Paper, a Shanghai-based media outlet, Douyin, during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, cleaned up more than 38,000 pieces of videos concerning undesirable fan culture in sports, and 445 accounts were suspended temporarily or permanently based on conditions. Sina Weibo, China's X-like platform, said on August 4 that over 12,000 pieces of offending content were scrubbed in two days, and more than 300 accounts were banned for vicious posts.

Mobile phone shipments in China totaled 24.2 million units in July, up 30.5 percent year-on-year, data from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT) showed on Wednesday. 

Amid a recovery in the consumer electronics market, mobile phone shipments soared by 15.3 percent year-on-year to 171 million units in the January-July period.

Analysts said that the robust figures mirrored a general consumption recovery, especially in digital and green products. 

The fast-growing China market has been vital for global smartphone brands such as Apple, which is ramping up production for the release of its new iPhone 16 series on September 9, while domestic brands dominate the stage with highly competitive offerings and progress made in the high-end segment, analysts said.

In the second quarter, Apple was edged out of the top five smartphone vendors in China, as competition from domestic brands including Vivo, Huawei and Xiaomi intensified, according to global research firms such as IDC and Canalys. It was the first time that domestic vendors dominated all the top five positions in one quarter.

Boosted by optimism in the strong growth in the first half of 2024 amid a consumer demand recovery and artificial intelligence (AI) features in the global mobile phone market, IDC lifted its full-year growth forecast to 5.8 percent, at 1.23 billion units, from the previous 4 percent.

The China market, growing twice as fast, will remain one of the most vital markets for global smartphone and component makers, analysts said. 

"The strong recovery in the domestic market came after a long period when consumers delayed new purchases. The recovery was also coupled with new demand for better hardware such as memory and computing power in the era of AI," Fu Liang, a veteran industry expert, told the Global Times. 

"As domestic players roll out more low-end offerings to ride the trend, shipments are poised to grow further in the second half of the year," said Fu.

Shipments were led by 5G handsets, which reached 20.65 million units with a surge of 37.2 percent year-on-year in July, according to the CAICT.

In the first seven months, shipments of 5G handsets were up 23.6 percent year-on-year, accounting for 84.8 percent of all smartphones delivered in the period.

The Chinese Embassy in Thailand on Wednesday addressed concerns regarding the trade imbalance between China and Thailand, emphasizing that the trade relationship is market-driven and influenced by supply and demand. The embassy clarified that China does not aim to build a trade surplus with Thailand. Instead, it has consistently provided support and convenience for Thailand's exports to China.

China and Thailand enjoy a complementary trade structure that is mutually beneficial. The embassy pointed out that prior to 2019, Thailand maintained a trade surplus with China. Starting from 2020, the trend shifted to a surplus for China, reflecting natural adjustments in market conditions.

The embassy stressed that trade surpluses or deficits should not be seen as winning or losing in the international market, but should be evaluated based on whether they align with the needs of each country.

The statement came in response to inquiries from multiple Thai media outlets about the economic relationship between China and Thailand, including questions about China's economic policies, the trade imbalance, the role of Chinese businesses in Thailand, and cross-border e-commerce.

Approximately 80 percent of China's exports to Thailand consist of capital and intermediate goods that are necessary for Thailand's local manufacturing and exports. The embassy noted that much attention has been drawn to inexpensive Chinese goods, such as consumer products, food, and clothing, but these account for less than 10 percent of China's total exports to Thailand.

"The Chinese government has consistently asked Chinese enterprises and citizens to operate in accordance with laws and regulations in their economic activities, and we support the Thai government in strengthening supervision and correcting and eliminating irregularities in accordance with the law," the embassy stated.

The embassy underscored the strong economic ties between the two nations, noting that China remains Thailand's largest trading partner and its main market for agricultural exports.

Last year, over 40 percent of Thailand's agricultural exports went to China, with durian exports alone reaching $4.57 billion, according to the embassy.

China is also a key source of foreign investment in Thailand. There are over 1,000 Chinese companies operating in Thailand, and in the past two years, Chinese businesses have launched 588 investment projects worth nearly $7 billion, focusing on sectors such as electric vehicles, the digital economy, renewable energy, and modern manufacturing, all of which align with Thailand's development strategies, said the embassy.

China continues to be the largest source of foreign tourists for Thailand; 11 million Chinese tourists visited Thailand in 2019. This year, Thai authorities expect to receive around 8 million Chinese tourists, contributing over 350 billion baht ($10.2 billion) in tourism revenue, the embassy stated.

According to the General Administration of Customs, trade between China and Thailand has continued to grow. From January to July this year, bilateral trade reached 539.8 billion yuan ($75.8 billion), an increase of 5.6 percent compared to the same period last year.

Chinese tech firm Alibaba Group has completed a three-year rectification under the supervision and guidance of the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), according to a statement on the top market regulator's website on Friday. Industry observers said the move marked a phased development of Chinese platform businesses. 

As one of China's largest internet firms, Alibaba's completion of the rectification process shows that the industry as a whole is "returning to the right track" of compliant development under guidance and regulation, a departure from the previous rampant model of expansion that created disorder and heightened risks.

Also, it sends a resounding signal on Chinese authorities' great emphasis on boosting the platform economy and encouraging attitude to drive its innovative and healthy growth - on the basis of a balance between supervision and development, analysts said.  

In April 2021, SAMR imposed an administrative penalty on Alibaba for the monopolistic practice of "forcing merchants to choose one of two platforms." Alibaba was ordered to cease its illegal activities, conduct a comprehensive self-examination and rectification, and submit a self-examination compliance report to SAMR for three consecutive years. 

SAMR added that the company's rectification efforts have achieved positive results.

Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Friday that the move demonstrates the Chinese government's unwavering support for and encouraging attitude on boosting platform businesses, which will greatly rally and reinforce market confidence. 

"The end of the rectification also means that the company is now in compliance with regulations, and is thus conducive to creating a better, fairer and market competitive environment," Wang said. He also called for relevant platform enterprises to play a bigger role in China's economic upgrade.

Japan and Australia will hold a "two-plus-two" security meeting in Australia on Thursday, aiming to strengthen defense and security cooperation, which Chinese analysts warn would be disruptive and detrimental to the regional stability and exert significant impact to push the Asia-Pacific region into security dilemmas or traps.

Japanese media outlet Jiji Press News reported on Friday that Japan will be represented by Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, and Australia by Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defense Minister Richard Marles.

Jiji noted that Tokyo and Canberra are expected to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening collaboration, citing China's behavior in the region. 

According to analysts, the promotion of Japan-Australia cooperation came as the US launched the so-called Indo-Pacific Strategy and stepped up its pressure to push forward the coordination among allies and partners in an attempt to contain China and undermine its peaceful development.

Since the Australia-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), a treaty that provides a framework for each country's forces to operate in the other's, came into force in August 2023, how to further deepen and cooperate with each other based on the agreement could be a matter for discussion during the upcoming security meeting, said Chen Hong, executive director of Asia Pacific Studies Centre at East China Normal University.

With Japan also hyping up the Taiwan question and the Diaoyu Islands issue and stirring up trouble over the South China Sea issue, it is believed that Australia may conduct some cooperative actions under the guidance of US' anti-China strategy, according to Chen.

"It cannot be ruled out that Japan and Australia may propose joint military exercises, or even rope in a third party, such as the Philippines, to join," Chen said.

Also, considering that Japan might one day in some capacity join the AUKUS, an Australia-UK-US security partnership, related discussions are expected to be covered during the Japan-Australia security meeting, as they want to form a circle of deterrence around China, Chen noted.

The expert warned that as the Asia-Pacific is the engine of the world economy, undermining peace and stability in the region is actually a threat to world peace, security and development, which is also a serious concern for the international community.

After the robust micro-drama industry intrigued young Chinese viewers with romance shows, it is now experiencing a notable surge in popularity among middle-aged and elderly audiences, evolving from a niche medium into a mainstream entertainment phenomenon. These short, melodramatic shows, often featuring middle-aged protagonists in fantastical scenarios, have captured the imagination of an older demographic. However, this burgeoning trend also brings to light significant challenges, particularly concerning content homogenization and the need for stricter regulation.

The appeal of micro-dramas to older demographics is significant. According to the 2024 China Micro-Drama Industry Research Report by iResearch.com, users aged 40-59 constitute 37.3 percent of the micro-drama audience, with those aged 60 and above accounting for 12.1 percent. This shift highlights a broader trend: Digital entertainment is increasingly catering to an aging population. With China's elderly consumption potential projected to soar from 40 trillion ($5.6 trillion ) to 106 trillion yuan by 2050, the market for such content is both expansive and lucrative.

The success of micro-dramas among older viewers is evident from their prominence on various platforms. Data from DataEye and WETRUE reveals that micro-dramas featuring middle-aged protagonists frequently top the charts, reflecting their widespread appeal. Shows like The Flash Marriage at Fifty, which features a wealthy CEO marrying a middle-aged woman, have resonated with viewers seeking both escapism and relatable narratives. The dramatic plots, marked by themes of instant romance and personal transformation, offer a stark contrast to the everyday realities faced by many elderly viewers.

Experts suggest that as the internet and mobile media become more prevalent among older adults, these platforms increasingly serve as substitutes for diminished social support. Micro-dramas, particularly those exploring family dynamics and emotional conflicts such as "mother-in-law issues," "divorces," "flash marriages," and "reconciliation," provide emotional compensation and a sense of connection.

However, concerns about content homogenization are growing. Many micro-dramas rely on repetitive and formulaic elements, such as "villainous female characters" and "hasty marriages," which can lead to viewer disengagement. Additionally, the stereotypical portrayal of family conflicts in these dramas may exacerbate negative perceptions of real-life disputes, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and potentially increasing emotional strain for older audiences.

For instance, the emergence of themes like "tyrannical CEOs" and "sweet romances" has become predictable, with many new dramas offering little beyond superficial variations of these tropes. This homogenization risks reducing the genre's appeal as viewers may grow tired of repetitive plots and characters.

Monetization practices within the micro-drama sector further complicate matters. Reports indicate that many platforms employ aggressive and often deceptive tactics to extract money from viewers, including hidden fees, automatic renewals, and misleading pricing structures. These practices place a substantial financial burden on consumers, particularly elderly viewers, who may struggle with the complexities of digital payments and subscription models. Many elderly individuals find themselves facing unexpected charges due to poorly disclosed fees and manipulative marketing strategies, exacerbating their financial strain and sense of exploitation.

As highlighted by recent user experiences, elderly individuals often find themselves unwittingly spending significant amounts of money on micro-dramas due to poorly disclosed fees and manipulative marketing strategies. Such issues are compounded by a lack of adequate support and recourse for resolving disputes, leaving many viewers feeling exploited.

To address these challenges, the National Radio and Television Administration has implemented new regulations that went into effect on June 1. Dramas are managed based on their investment levels: Projects with high amounts of funding are overseen by national and provincial bodies, while lesser funded projects are handled by the online platforms. Furthermore, unapproved and unregistered micro-dramas are prohibited from being disseminated online.

As micro-dramas continue to captivate older audiences, addressing the issues of content quality and regulatory oversight will be crucial in ensuring that this genre remains both engaging and ethically responsible.

Young Chinese athletes born after 2000 have made their mark at the Paris Olympic Games, securing 10 out of the country's 13 gold medals as of Friday Beijing time, capturing the global attention with their athletic talent and spirited demeanor. 

Among these rising stars, 17-year-old Huang Yuting and 19-year-old Sheng Lihao clinched China's first gold in the 10m air rifle mixed team event in Paris. Meanwhile, 20-year-old swimmer Pan Zhanle shattered his own world record to win gold in the men's 100m freestyle, underscoring the new generation's prowess on global stage.

Deng Yawen, 18, also a first-time Olympian, won gold in the women's park final of cycling BMX freestyle, as the Gen-Z athletes aim for medals in emerging Olympic sports such as breakdancing, sport climbing, skateboarding, and surfing. 

In addition to their athletic achievements, these young talents have made their mark in the global sporting showpiece through their unique demeanor and relaxed attitude, which has captured the attention and admiration of spectators worldwide.

Sheng, known on China's X-like platform Weibo by the username "only by eating," quickly gained widespread attention. His nickname, when combined with the Chinese phrase "duo guan" (win the championship), humorously transforms into "Winning the championship just by eating."

Netizens also noticed that Huang frequently carries adorable soft toys and often shares pictures of cute dogs on her social media account.

"Young athletes should have their own personalities. I like their relaxed attitude," a netizen said on Weibo.

Yang Hao, who won gold in the men's synchronized 10m platform diving with teammate Lian Junjie, appeared in the post-match press conference wearing glasses with the iconic Olympic rings.

The average age of the Chinese sports delegation at the Paris Games is 25.

The 11-year-old skateboarder Zheng Haohao, who is the youngest member of the Chinese delegation, made history by becoming China's youngest Olympian. 

Zheng told the Xinhua News Agency that the Olympics will be the least stressful part for her. 

"Participating in the Olympics means more people will get to know me. I started skateboarding just to make new friends and have fun," she said. 

The Gen-Z athletes' attitude and demeanor have turned people's focus from counting the number of gold medals to the excitement of sport and the Olympic spirit.

The Ministry of Public Security of China released details of four cases of combating and rectifying illegal activities related to toxic fan culture in sports on Thursday. Since the Paris Olympics, the cybersecurity departments of the Public Security Bureau have been paying close attention to this issue and have been combating related illegal activities.

Among these cases, a suspect, He, was found to have posted defamatory content about table tennis players and coaches on social media, causing significant social harm. The Beijing Public Security Bureau took criminal compulsory measures against her on August 6. 

Another suspect, Wang, was found to have repeatedly posted abusive and defamatory content about table tennis players and coaches on social media, causing significant social harm. The Guangzhou Public Security Bureau took criminal compulsory measures against her on Tuesday. 

Suspects Gai and Xu were found to have created and widely spread an article questioning a Paris Olympic champion on social media. This article caused negative social impact. The public security bureaus in Shandong and Hebei respectively have imposed administrative penalties on them. 

Another suspect, Yang, was found to have publicly abused a gymnastics athlete on social media, causing a negative social impact. The Henan Public Security Bureau has imposed administrative penalties on her.

These posts are malicious and false, posing significant risks. Recent actions have led social media platforms to clean up thousands of posts related to controversial discussions and malicious attacks.

“Most of these so-called fans do not understand or appreciate the professional skills or talents of famous athletes. Instead, they tend to focus solely on the athlete's image and appearance,” Wang Dazhao, a Beijing sports commentator, told the Global Times.

To support their idols, fans in this toxic culture see no teammates, only enemies. Anyone who hinders their idol's pursuit of victory becomes a target for attack, Wang noted.

Recently, some toxic fans have been aggressively leading discussions and attacks on various social media platforms, organizing and spreading derogatory comments, even fabricating scandals and spreading conspiracy theories.

“Those who invade others’ privacy should be punished, while those who do not violate criminal laws should be guided and warned through positive and healthy education,” Wang said.

Previously, some irrational fans were detained by the police for posting inflammatory and defamatory comments against Chinese athletes and coaches after the women's singles table tennis final at the Paris Olympics. The General Administration of Sport of China and the Chinese Olympic Committee condemned these comments, and the impact was limited.

The intrusion of toxic fan culture into the sports arena is not new and is not limited to summer sports; winter sports also face similar issues.

“In the past two years, there has been a phenomenon of sports becoming fan-centric, which has caused significant distress to some athletes,” Yang Yang, China's first Winter Olympic gold medalist, noted in a recent interview.

Table tennis player Fan Zhendong has also faced harm from toxic fans, including illegal intrusion into hotel rooms, exposure of personal information such as ID cards and phone numbers, and harassment at the airport.

Not only athletes but many sports enthusiasts and even viewers are harassed by these toxic fans for merely mentioning or commenting on their favored individuals.

“I faced cyberbullying because I mentioned an athlete’s poor performance online,” a person who was once targeted by extreme sports fans told the Global Times on condition of anonymity.

The anonymous victim expressed concern that such online behavior could lead to real-world violence. “I was worried that I might be ambushed when going out one day and was also concerned that my family might be harassed,” he noted.

Chinese swimming champion Pan Zhanle, who recently broke a world record at the Paris Olympics, disbanded his only fan group on Monday. 

He previously mentioned in a CCTV interview that many people were waiting downstairs at the hotel to get his autograph. 

The 20-year-old swimming prodigy is using his own way to say “no” to toxic fan culture.

“Be more low-key and keep things quiet,” Pan advised his fans.