Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged east China's Anhui Province to apply the new development philosophy on all fronts and leverage its role in multiple national development strategies to write an Anhui chapter in Chinese modernization.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks during an inspection tour in the province from Thursday to Friday.

On Thursday afternoon, Xi inspected Tongcheng City, where he visited the Liuchi Alley, a historical cultural site known for a story from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The story -- of an official and his neighbor both moving back their walls by a meter to resolve their disputes over property boundaries -- is an example of neighborhood comity and harmony.

At the site, Xi urged efforts to strengthen the protection of history and culture, develop advanced socialist culture, promote revolutionary culture and carry forward fine traditional Chinese culture.

He told local residents and tourists that the alley demonstrates the wisdom of ancient Chinese in resolving disputes. He called for efforts to leverage its educational function to carry forward the traditional Chinese virtues of comity and peace.

At his next stop, Xi visited the Hefei Binhu Science City, where he examined an array of major sci-tech innovations attained by the province and exchanged views with researchers and corporate executives.

Xi took a close look at high-tech products in the fields of intelligent connected vehicles, new-generation information technology, new energy, artificial intelligence, and health and life science.

Noting that sci-tech innovation is an essential path to Chinese modernization, Xi called for accelerated efforts to achieve greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and encouraged sci-tech researchers to be more innovative in helping build the country's strength in science and technology.

On Friday morning, Xi was briefed on the work of the CPC Anhui provincial committee and the provincial government, and made instructions for the province's future work.

He urged efforts to expedite sci-tech innovation, accelerate industrial transformation and upgrading, expand international exchanges and cooperation in science and technology, and establish mechanisms that support comprehensive innovation.

He stressed the importance of developing new quality productive forces in light of local conditions while accelerating the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries and fostering the growth of strategic emerging industries.

Xi emphasized the need to push for in-depth reform and pursue high-standard opening up, calling for fostering a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized.

He also called on Anhui to actively engage in advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and redouble its efforts to attract and stabilize foreign investment.

Highlighting the need to focus on creating a new pattern of integrated urban-rural development, Xi said it is important to expand the coverage of such services as education, medical and elderly care, social security and public culture in rural areas.

Xi urged efforts to further promote the integrated development of culture and tourism, and build cultural tourism into a pillar industry.

While stressing the need to uphold Party leadership and consistently strengthen Party building, Xi also demanded all-out efforts on the economic work in the fourth quarter to achieve the economic and social development goals for the whole year.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning announces:

At the invitation of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, from October 14 to 17, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council will attend the 23rd Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to be held in Islamabad and pay an official visit to Pakistan.

Lai Ching-te continued to propagate the "two-state" rhetoric by claiming in his speech that the two sides are "not subordinate" to each other, fabricating fallacies about "Taiwan independence," advocating separatist views, and inciting hostility and confrontation across the Taiwan Straits, Chen Binhua, a spokesperson of the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, said on Thursday, slamming Taiwan regional leader Lai who trumpeted secessionism in his provocative "Double Ten" (October 10) speech on Thursday morning.

This clearly demonstrates that Lai stubbornly adheres to the stance of "Taiwan independence," is filled with confrontational thinking, continuously provokes and stirs up trouble, and deliberately creates tensions across the Taiwan Straits, severely undermining peace and stability, Chen said.

Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and the people of Taiwan are part of the Chinese nation. The Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China is the only legitimate government of the whole of China, including Taiwan region. China has always been the motherland of all Chinese people, and upholding the one-China principle has always been a common consensus in the international community, Chen noted.

"Double Ten Day" is a public holiday on the island of Taiwan originally meant to commemorate the 1911 Revolution, which began on October 10, 1911. Yet, it is seen by observers as another farce staged by the secessionist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities that serves to promote secessionist fantasies.

In his speech, Lai said that The People's Republic of China has no right to represent Taiwan and they are "not subordinate to each other." He stressed determination to safeguard "national sovereignty" through enhancing "national defense."

Analysts said that Lai's speech, which repeatedly contrasted China and Taiwan and did not reflect any notion of the one-China principle, was extremely confrontational.

Taiwan has never been a country and will never be a country, and thus has no so-called sovereignty, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday.

"There is but one China in the world. Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China," Mao said on Thursday in response to Lai's secessionist speech, stressing that the attempt to seek independence and make provocations will lead nowhere.

Lai's words attempt to sever the historical connections between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits. He is again peddling various versions of "Taiwan independence" narrative, such as "China and Taiwan are not subordinate to each other" and "Taiwan has sovereignty," Mao said.

Wang Yingjin, director of the Center for Cross-Straits Relations Studies at Renmin University of China, told the Global Times that Lai's speech is a further endorsement of his new "two-state" rhetoric, which is absurd and deceitful.

From his speech, we can see that Lai remains unchanged in his secessionist stance, confrontational attitude, and hostility toward the mainland, Wang said. 

Lai continues to peddle his new "two-state" rhetoric to confuse the international community, internationalize the Taiwan question, and seek more external support for his advocacy of "Taiwan independence," Wang noted, adding that Lai's deeds are seriously damaging cross-Straits relations and are a provocation to peace and stability. 

"There is no doubt that Lai will continue to push for Taiwan secession, and people should not have any illusions about him," Wang noted.

Lai's speech also provoked opposition on the island of Taiwan. According to a poll conducted by pro-DPP media and released on Wednesday, Lai's approval rating has slipped 3 percentage points from September to the lowest since July, with 32.4 percent of respondents clearly expressing dissatisfaction.

Eric Chu, chairman of the Chinese Kuomintang Party (KMT), urged the DPP and Lai to "abandon the narrow ideology of Taiwan secession" as it is a dead-end that creates a dilemma for Taiwan, and it is opposed by the international community. 

Former KMT chairperson and former Taiwan regional leader Ma Ying-jeou announced on Wednesday that he would not attend the "Double Ten" events, as Lai's advocacy of the new "two-state" rhetoric and pursuit of secession will put Taiwan people in danger. 

Ma said that Taiwan and the mainland are not two countries but two regions that can coexist peacefully with each other. Ma described Lai as an 'unadulterated troublemaker.'

Taiwan's opposition Labor Party also criticized Lai's speech in a media release sent to Global Times as a "wrapped up secessionist stance with the new 'two-state' rhetoric of resisting China and rejecting reunification." The party also called on the Taiwan people to uphold the principle that the two sides of the Taiwan Straits belong to one China, and oppose all kinds of erroneous viewpoints intended to perpetuate cross-Straits confrontation. 

Zheng Jian, a professor at the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University, told the Global Times that Lai's speech ignored both the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan against secession and people's wish for peaceful development across the Straits, and misinterpreted the international community's demand for peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits and the universal adherence to the one-China principle. 

It's an outright high-intensity provocation no matter how it is disguised in rhetoric, Zheng noted. 

Some Taiwan-based analysts said that with unfavorable developments in conflict zones in the Middle East and Ukraine, it cannot be ruled out that the Biden administration will try to shift the focus by playing the "Taiwan card." 

The US should honor its pledge not to support Taiwan secession, so as to avoid creating a situation in which secessionists get out of control and cause a great catastrophe to the peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits, or even drag the US down with it, experts said.

There were 5,358 companies listed on the Chinese domestic stock market by the end of August 2024, according to the China Association for Public Companies.

The stock exchanges in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing had 2,268, 2,839 and 251 listed firms, respectively, by end August, data from the association showed.

State-owned holding and non-state-owned holding companies accounted for 27 percent and 73 percent, respectively, of these listed firms, with manufacturing and information transmission/software/information technology services, as well as wholesale and retail, being the top three sectors in terms of the number of listed companies, the data revealed.

Three provinces, namely Guangdong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, contributed 42.48 percent of the total number of companies listed on the Chinese stock market.

Nine companies made initial public offerings on the domestic stock market in August, raising a combined total of 5.33 billion yuan (about 761 million U.S. dollars), while 17 companies were delisted.

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced on Tuesday that it has submitted a consultation request to Turkey at the WTO over Turkey's additional tariffs and import license measures against electric vehicles (EVs) and other vehicles.

In a statement, a spokesperson for MOFCOM said that Turkey's additional tariffs and import license restrictions are discriminatory and violate WTO rules, and amount to typical protectionist practice. 

"We urge Turkey to abide by its relevant commitments at the WTO and immediately correct its wrong action," the spokesperson said, adding that "China will take all available means to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of domestic industries."

Turkey has imposed an additional tariff of 40 percent as well as import license restrictions on EVs and other vehicles imported from China, reports said. 

The Turkish move was aimed at protecting its domestic carmakers and halting a possible deterioration of the country's current account balance, Reuters reported in June. The additional tariff was set at a minimum of $7,000 per vehicle, according to the report. 

The move has drawn harsh criticism from the Chinese side. Following Turkey's announcement in June, MOFCOM said that the Turkish tariffs were only imposed on passenger vehicles from China, which constitutes discrimination against Chinese products and seriously violates the principle of most-favored-nation treatment.  

"China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this," a MOFCOM spokesperson said at the time, noting that the move undermines cooperation between companies in the two countries. It also exacerbates Chinese firms' concerns over Turkey's business environment, hurts their confidence in investing in Turkey, and will ultimately result in more losses than gains, the spokesperson said. 

In July, however, the Turkish government said the additional tariffs on imported Chinese EVs would be eased, and that carmakers making investments in the country would be given an exemption from the tariffs, Turkish news outlet the Daily Sabah reported at the time, citing a presidential decree. 

The report said that Turkey has long been trying to attract carmakers to invest in the country, especially Chinese companies. 

Over the past 75 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), the status of women and children in China has undergone tremendous changes, and their health has significantly improved, Xinhua News Agency reported on Friday, citing data from  the National Bureau of Statistics. 

The report, part of a series highlighting the country’s socioeconomic development since the founding of the PRC, said that the strengthening of maternal and child healthcare system has contributed to the improvement of health among Chinese women and children. 

Since 1950, China has gradually established a maternal and child healthcare system unique to the country, centered around maternal and child health institutions in local areas, and supported by primary healthcare facilities, and specialized departments in large general hospitals and research institutions. 

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the maternal and child healthcare network has become an integral part of China’s medical security system, serving 1.4 billion people and connected to a three-tier healthcare system that covers both urban and rural areas.

The number of maternal and child health institutions in China grew from 426 in 1950 to 3,031 in 2022. The number of children's hospitals rose from 25 in 1983 to 151 in 2022. And thanks to these achievements, China has been recognized by the World Health Organization as one of the 10 high-performing countries in maternal and child health.

Over the past 75 years, China has also witnessed steady development in the capacity for maternal and child healthcare services. In 2023, the prenatal care coverage, hospital delivery rate, and postpartum home visit rate were 98.2 percent, 99.95 percent and 97 percent, respectively, marking significant improvements from 1996. The management of newborns and children has also shown dramatic improvement over the years.

As a result of China’s ongoing efforts, by 2020, the average life expectancy of women in China has reached 80.88 years, an increase of 11.61 years compared to1981. The maternal mortality rates have steadily decreased, with the gap between urban and rural areas narrowing. The maternal mortality rate dropped from 88.8 per 100,000 in 1990 to 15.1 per 100,000 in 2023. The disparity between urban and rural maternal mortality rates fell from 1:2.2 in 1990 to 1:1.4 in 2023. The neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality rates have all declined significantly.

Moroccan Ambassador to China Abdelkader El Ansari hosted a welcome ceremony at the Moroccan residence in Beijing on September 6 for the cyclist Karim Mosta, who had successfully cycled from Casablanca, Morocco, to Beijing.

Celebrating Mosta's cross-continent cycling journey, the Ambassador lauded the determination of the 70-year-old Moroccan cyclist, saying that the ride is so amazing that it is a vivid example of friendly people-to-people exchanges between Morocco and China.

Riding the entire route, Mosta also went through a number of countries that have joined the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Ambassador said that the BRI has promoted the interconnection and economic development of these countries through the construction of infrastructure including roads, airports, ports and rail. Through his journey, Mosta witnessed the fruitful results of the joint efforts. 

Ambassador Ansari said that the two countries have a long history of friendly exchanges. In the 14th century, Ibn Battuta, a famous Moroccan traveler, visited China along the ancient Silk Road. It took him many years to reach China by camel, boat and on foot. In the 21st century, when airplanes, automobiles, trains and other means of transportation have been widely used, Mosta's bike ride from Casablanca to Beijing is a testament to his strong willpower and determination.

The Ambassador noted that this ride has many positive implications.

The Austrian Cultural Forum at the Embassy of the Republic of Austria and its cultural center in Beijing launched a double solo exhibition of Austrian artists Stefan Pani & Stefan Reiterer, from September 14 to October 6, 2024, in Simulacra, a gallery in Beijing. 

Stefan Pani, who lives and works in Vienna, graduated from the University of the Arts Vienna in 2009. His work is a construction of so-called subversive situations, a cultural mechanism in a dissecting mirror: Without innovation, he attempts to subvert the new perspective of "absolution."

Born in 1988 in Waidhofen an der Thaya, Austria, Stefan Reiterer reflects on the existence of digital images and the conversion process from analog to digital through painting. He uses both computer animation and classical painting.

Tourism is a comprehensive industry and a significant driving force for economic development. A dish, TV drama, or other forms of entertainment can make a city an overnight sensation nowadays. As internet-famous cities take turns in the spotlight, many cities are vying to join the club that included Rongjiang, Zibo, Harbin and Tianshui. However, does a surge in visitor traffic inevitably signify robust business?

Zhangjiajie City in Hunan Province, renowned for its stunning natural beauty and listed as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, received 20.64 million domestic and international tourists in the first half of 2024, a year-on-year increase of 9.28 percent. 

Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang Province in Northeast China, saw a total tourist volume increase of 41.4 percent in 2023, while the total tourism revenue was up 7.4 percent that year compared to 2019.

2023's hottest internet-famous city, Zibo, located in the central part of Shandong Province, witnessed its annual GDP in 2023 grow by 5.5 percent compared to the previous year, which was caused by booming visitor traffic. There is still room for further growth as this was below the average growth rate of 6 percent for Shandong Province.

While tourism volume is booming around the country, there are still means to further improve the tourist experience and turn it into business figures.

Firstly, the absence of differentiation due to insufficient innovation has led to subpar experiences. Glass skywalks, high-altitude swings, and river rafting have become standard attractions in many scenic areas. Visitors are disinterested in experiencing them again just in a different place. In addition, many tourists have commented on social platforms that there is a significant discrepancy between online and offline experiences in some internet-famous cities, with a strong commercial atmosphere and high prices at tourist attractions.

Secondly, pursuing "value for money" is affecting tourism revenue growth. Many young tourists who visit internet-famous cities focus on getting the most out of their travel experience with the smallest budget. No wonder there has been the rise of special forces-style tourism and city walks in recent years.

Thirdly, failing to create a "long-tail effect" is a common dilemma. Massive internet traffic comes and goes quickly. While this mode of communication can quickly gather a lot of attention and traffic, its popularity is often fleeting. Once a new hotspot emerges, the former can easily be replaced, leading to a rapid decline in tourist traffic and attention.

Besides this, the industry structure needs more diversity. Harbin, Zibo, and Tianshui are all traditional industrial cities. While the tourism industry can bring a certain economic vitality and visibility to the city, it may limit revenue growth potential if the consumption structure is singular without diversified consumer experiences. Urban economies' diversification and sustainable development require the collaborative development of multiple industries. 

How can the traffic be sustained and monetized over the long term?

To begin with, it is essential to extend the industrial chain, increase investment in infrastructure and public services, and continuously optimize the product structure by integrating the cultural and tourism industry with other industries to maximize economic value. The charm of a cultural tourism city stems from the comprehensive and in-depth integration of culture, tourism, cuisine, performing arts, and sports activities. This multidimensional collaborative development builds a unique and enduring appeal.

Innovation based on local culture is critical to creating a unique experience and ensuring that a city's originality is not easily replicated. For instance, by revitalizing historic districts and cultural heritage through modern design and technology, cities can preserve their historic charm while also integrating it into contemporary life. This approach can attract tourists interested in history or seeking innovative experiences.

Taoxichuan Market, located in Jingdezhen, a small city famous for its ceramic industry in East China's Jiangxi Province, was transformed from an old factory into a modern urban art district. It has introduced unique businesses such as pottery training and music education and regularly hosts markets, exhibitions, and concerts to attract visitors. It has now become a calling card for Jingdezhen.

In addition, it is important to establish a community culture in marketing. Cities must create online and offline community platforms centered around their uniqueness to connect tourists and residents with shared interests. They must also boost their overall popularity and consumption through regular activities and interactions, increasing the connection between visitors and the travel destination. This "bottom-up" approach not only strengthens the sense of belonging for participants but also contributes humanity and sustainability to urban development.

Being an internet sensation is just the first step. Turning one-time visitors into repeat patrons is a long-term endeavor that requires high-quality services, products, and experiences, as well as support from relevant policies and creating an overall social atmosphere. Relying on history and culture to expand the development of tourism is vital. When the tide of traffic in internet-famous cities recedes, the competition of industries, innovation, internal strengths, and deep cultivation has just begun.

Over the past 75 years since the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), the status of women and children in China has undergone tremendous changes, and their health has significantly improved, Xinhua News Agency reported on Friday, citing data from  the National Bureau of Statistics. 

The report, part of a series highlighting the country’s socioeconomic development since the founding of the PRC, said that the strengthening of maternal and child healthcare system has contributed to the improvement of health among Chinese women and children. 

Since 1950, China has gradually established a maternal and child healthcare system unique to the country, centered around maternal and child health institutions in local areas, and supported by primary healthcare facilities, and specialized departments in large general hospitals and research institutions. 

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the maternal and child healthcare network has become an integral part of China’s medical security system, serving 1.4 billion people and connected to a three-tier healthcare system that covers both urban and rural areas.

The number of maternal and child health institutions in China grew from 426 in 1950 to 3,031 in 2022. The number of children's hospitals rose from 25 in 1983 to 151 in 2022. And thanks to these achievements, China has been recognized by the World Health Organization as one of the 10 high-performing countries in maternal and child health.

Over the past 75 years, China has also witnessed steady development in the capacity for maternal and child healthcare services. In 2023, the prenatal care coverage, hospital delivery rate, and postpartum home visit rate were 98.2 percent, 99.95 percent and 97 percent, respectively, marking significant improvements from 1996. The management of newborns and children has also shown dramatic improvement over the years.

As a result of China’s ongoing efforts, by 2020, the average life expectancy of women in China has reached 80.88 years, an increase of 11.61 years compared to1981. The maternal mortality rates have steadily decreased, with the gap between urban and rural areas narrowing. The maternal mortality rate dropped from 88.8 per 100,000 in 1990 to 15.1 per 100,000 in 2023. The disparity between urban and rural maternal mortality rates fell from 1:2.2 in 1990 to 1:1.4 in 2023. The neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality rates have all declined significantly.