Since last year, lawmakers, former officials and local officials from countries like the US, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Canada and the UK have been increasingly flocking to the island of Taiwan to make symbolic visits, expressing their "concerns" about the Taiwan question explicitly. 

These politicians' visits to the island of Taiwan are driven by various motivations, including ideological biases against China, strategic fantasies about using the Taiwan region to contain China or simply seeking personal gain and media attention. However, they all share one commonality: They either have fallen for the deception and manipulation of the "Taiwan independence" forces, becoming their pawns and pulling their chestnuts out of the fire, or aligning with Taiwan secessionists to pursue their own political interests at home by exploiting the Taiwan question, becoming troublemakers in the Taiwan Straits.

In 2018, the leader of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on the Taiwan island once said that the region can also be a "chess player" that "goes with the flow." There were even rumors in local media at the time stating that "Trump is Taiwan's pawn." In fact, Taiwan secessionist forces have repeatedly portrayed themselves as victims to gain the sympathy of some in the West. They have exploited the ignorance and greed of Western politicians to gain political "compassion and support," thereby destabilizing the situation in the Taiwan Straits.

In 2016, after regaining power on the island, the DPP learned from its past failures of a tough and urgent approach to gain "Taiwan independence" and shifted its strategy. They abandoned fabricating a legal basis for "independence" in an abrupt way and instead pushed for a concealed, flexible and pragmatic "incremental independence." This approach no longer openly backs independence and claims not to "provoke a conflict" or "act rashly," all while "maintaining the status quo." 

In reality, the DPP refuses to recognize the 1992 Consensus which embodies the one-China principle, aiming to make a breakthrough by "incremental independence." It steadfastly adheres to a "Taiwan independence" stance. With its comprehensive control over the island, the DPP actively disrupts the cross-Straits peace, development and exchanges, promoting "de-Sinicization" and intensifying an "anti-China" atmosphere within Taiwan.

Before Western societies, the "Taiwan independence" forces have explicitly displayed their false banner of "democracy and freedom," seeking to rely on external forces to pursue "independence" and resist reunification by force. It is because of these despicable methods in deception of these Western societies as well as their willingness to "play with fire" and cater to external forces' attacks on China's values that arrogant Western politicians are selectively ignoring the harmful nature of "Taiwan independence" and providing support and endorsement.

For example, in December 2016, the newly elected US president Donald Trump ignorantly spoke on the phone with Taiwan regional leader Tsai Ing-wen, which was exaggerated by the media in the Taiwan region as a "historic breakthrough in US-Taiwan relations." In fact, it is well known to those with insight both inside and outside Taiwan that the Taiwan secessionists are accustomed to deception. Many veteran politicians in Taiwan who support "Taiwan independence" have admitted that "independence" is simply not feasible. Western politicians, driven by their calculations to play the "Taiwan card," are actually using and being used by the DPP authorities.

Resolving the Taiwan question and achieving complete national reunification is the common aspiration of all Chinese people, including our compatriots in the Taiwan region. The historical trend of China's national reunification and great rejuvenation is unstoppable. Any force that tries to resist this trend is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Currently, China is comprehensively embracing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through the Chinese modernization, bringing significant development opportunities to countries around the world. In recent times, senior politicians from many countries and well-known multinational corporate executives among others have embarked on a wave of visits to China, hoping to share development opportunities with China and jointly create a blueprint for cooperation and win-win outcomes in the new era. These are wise and visionary people.

Those politicians who pay a provocative visit to the Taiwan region should wake up and recognize the overall trend of historical development. 

They need to abide by the one-China principle as a basic norm of international relations and do things that are truly beneficial to the stability of the Taiwan Straits, friendship and cooperation with China as well as the well-being of their own people.

US-based Stars and Stripes reported that in mid-September drills featuring the USS America amphibious assault ship along with warships from South Korea and Canada were "in response to continuing tension with North Korea." The same report noted that the US and South Korea have carried out a number of exercises this summer alone around the Korean Peninsula. 

However, nowhere in the article was there any mention of the source of this "continuing tension."

Following the drills, a reenactment of the September 15, 1950 "Operation Chromite" amphibious assault was conducted, linking the recent US-led military drills to the US-led Korean War of the 1950s. The persistent presence of foreign military forces on North Korea's borders, including frequent military exercises off its coasts, has driven tensions on the Korean Peninsula ever since the armistice was signed in 1953. 

The US military presence in South Korea as well as Washington's interference in South Korea's internal political affairs and what is essentially the political capture by Washington of Seoul, has artificially maintained distrust, distance and military tensions between North Korea and South Korea. 

Over the decades, when Washington has found itself distracted from East Asia, tensions between North Korea and South Korea almost always ease and in some cases, quite significantly, demonstrating just how central the US military occupation and political capture of South Korea are to driving tensions on the peninsula.  In fact, maintaining artificial tensions on the Korean Peninsula is a pretext for an enduring US military presence on China's doorstep across the Yellow Sea. 

Together with US military bases stretching across Japanese territory and now as far south as the Philippines, the US presence in South Korea is clearly just one part of a larger policy of encirclement and containment of China. While the US cites "continuing tensions with North Korea" as a pretext for its military presence in South Korea, it is clear the primary purpose for it is to encroach upon China. 

This is a long-standing US foreign policy objective stretching all the way back to the end of World War II. In fact, in a 1965 memorandum from then US secretary of defense Robert McNamara to then US president Lyndon B. Johnson titled, "Courses of Action in Vietnam," it was admitted that US' continued pursuit of war in Southeast Asia only "made sense" if it was "in support of a long-run United States policy to contain Communist China." 

The same memorandum also noted the three primary fronts the US would concentrate on in order to contain China including the "Japan-Korea front," along with India-Pakistan as well as Southeast Asia. From when this memorandum was written in 1965 to the present day, it is clear that the US government, regardless of who occupied either the White House or Congress, has pursued the containment of China across these three fronts and beyond. 

The containment of China does not benefit the nations along these three fronts, including South Korea. Seoul has been forced repeatedly to sign onto Washington's many anti-China projects including more recently the CHIPS Act which threatens South Korea's extensive cooperation with China regarding semiconductors. South Korea now finds itself on the losing end of Washington's broadening confrontation with China. Seoul, understanding it had no choice but to sign the Act, has since asked Washington for exceptions from provisions within it that would surely cripple South Korea's own semiconductor industry. The Act is clearly designed not only to hurt and hinder China's technological development, but also that of Washington's supposed "partners" including South Korea. 

Beyond semiconductors, China is actually South Korea's largest trade partner in terms of both imports and exports. Thus, each provocation Washington recruits Seoul into joining, such as hosting US nuclear-powered and armed submarines in its ports, is a provocation jeopardizing South Korean trade and its overall economic well-being. 

While the recent US-led drills in the Yellow Sea were conducted "in response to continuing tensions with North Korea," when one considers it is the US military presence in the region primarily driving those tensions, we see that the drills are creating the problem, not creating a solution. While the Western media attempts to portray South Korea as an ally or partner, considering the true nature of Washington's relationship with Seoul, it seems more appropriate to describe South Korea as a hostage.  

It is an added irony that China's large economic partnership with South Korea helps temper the worst impulses of a US-influenced Seoul. The stronger China becomes, the less likely the US will be able to continue holding the threat of chaos over the region's head to continue justifying its military presence, and all that it entails, across the region. 

The opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou, China on Saturday evening. Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony and declare the opening of the games. This is a big day for the whole of Asia. More than 12,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions across the continent are participating. It is the largest and most comprehensive Asian Games in history. First of all, it is a sports event in Asia with global influence. Athletes from various countries and regions in Asia fight hard on the field and compete with their best skill and spirit. It is not just a sports event. When the international situation is complex and tense, Asia cannot be an exception. The successful hosting of the Asian Games has made the world generally feel the appeal of unity and friendship, which has positive significance for the entire Asia and even the world.

Chinese people generally have special emotions and memories about the Asian Games. The three Asian Games represent the three important junctures for China as it embraced the world. The 1990 Beijing Asian Games was the first comprehensive international large-scale sports event held by China. It greatly inspired the patriotism and pride of Chinese society. Chinese people who experienced that era still remember it vividly. Twenty years later, at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, the world marveled at a highly open Guangzhou and China's economic miracle. Today's Hangzhou Asian Games fully demonstrates the maturity and steadiness of a big country in the concept of "green," "intelligent," "frugal," and "civilized." This is a manifestation of China's responsibility as a major country.

No one will doubt the level of organization and the splendor of the Hangzhou Asian Games. Last month, Chengdu successfully hosted the 31st Summer World University Games. Last year, Beijing successfully hosted the Winter Olympics. Before that, there was the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. The international sports events hosted by China at different times and in different cities have different local characteristics and flavor of the times. They show different levels of splendor, but leave the same deep impression on the world. "China-held" international sports events have become a well-known brand. It provides the best competition venues and environment for athletes from all over the world, and has left many scenes and records for the world that will be engraved in history.

This can also be seen as a new moment of unity in Asia. It brings together members of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and elevates the sense of Asian consciousness and unity to new heights. Unlike the Olympic Games, the Asian Games have carried the significance of Asian nations' sovereign independence and unity since the inception. Beyond competitive sports, they serve as a spiritual vessel for the most populous, vast, and diverse continent in the world to come together and move forward.

As a bridge for communication, reconciliation, and friendship, the Asian Games not only showcase the strength of the athletes but also provide strength for unity and cooperation in Asia and the world. This spirit and strength have been consistently supported by China and are worthy of collective appreciation by all.

In recent years, through the collective efforts of various countries and regions in Asia, the continent has achieved remarkable success in terms of peace and development. It cannot be denied that today, the overall environment for cooperation and development in Asia is facing unprecedented challenges. Under the incitement of external forces, there have been both evident and potential rifts within Asia, with signs of differentiation and division becoming increasingly pronounced. The looming shadow of a "new cold war" adds to the complexity.

Asia is currently at a crossroads and a pivotal moment in its history. The choices made now will determine the destiny of Asia in the future. The Asian Games, on its sporting stage, actually points to a promising path for Asia, which is one of striving for progress and unity in collaboration.

As the opening of the Asian Games approaches, many Chinese people once again sing the song "Asian Treasures" from 1990 when China hosted the Asian Games for the first time. "In our Asia, mountains are our heads high." The powerful lyrics and melody of "Asian Treasures" resonate strongly, providing a vivid and powerful summary of that era in Asia and an accurate vision of the future of Asia. The impact of the "Four Asian Tigers" and the "Four Asian Dragons" and the rapid development of China's economy truly exemplified the sentiment of "Asian Treasures."

While enjoying the exciting events at the Hangzhou Asian Games, let us also rekindle the courage and enthusiasm of the "Asian Treasures," allowing the spirit and influence of Asia to continue to resonate across the continent.

The "Super Golden Week," which combines the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day holidays, officially begins, as rail transportation of the holiday started on Wednesday. Before this, the festive atmosphere of the two combined holidays had been fully "preheated" in all parts of the country. On social media and in daily life, the destination of the holidays has become a hot topic of discussion and even greeting words among acquaintances during these days. Anyone who is in Chinese society, or who has crossed paths with it, can easily feel the Chinese people's eagerness and anticipation of this long vacation have formed a heat.

This heat is intuitively reflected in the tourism data of this long vacation. Judging from the existing statistics or predictions, this year's "Super Golden Week" presents four obvious characteristics.

First, China's domestic tourism is seeing "full bloom." Cities that go viral online, such as Hangzhou and Changsha, are highly popular, while remote areas, including Xinjiang and Xizang (Tibet), have also attracted a large number of tourists. In addition, "dark horses" appeared among tier-three to -five cities, such as Zibo, East China's Shandong Province, and Yanbian, Northeast China's Jilin Province.

Second, outbound travel has grown strongly, as places like Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Europe and Central Asia have seen a surge of Chinese tourists and it is hard to even find accommodation in some of these destinations.

Third, the proportion of long-distance travel has increased significantly. Data show that 37 percent of travelers plan to travel for six to eight nights, an increase of 3 percentage points from pre-COVID 2019. This has also become an obvious change in China's holiday tourism over the past three years.

Fourth, the trend of integration of culture, sports and tourism is obvious. In addition to traditional tourism programs, concerts, music festivals and camping attract many young consumers, and rural tourism routes, including the "Village Super League" and "Village BA," are getting hot.

Various data show that the scale of passengers during this "Super Golden Week" is likely to break a new record. The scale of the huge crowds counted in billions of people at a given time is unimaginable in most countries, and it probably only occurs during China's Golden Week holidays and Spring Festival, with a distinctly Chinese characteristics. Although tourism does not account for a large proportion of China's consumption, it is a wind vane, an important symbol of the improvement of Chinese people's quality of life, a reflection of the society's strong desire to pursue a better life, and one of the most important sources of China's strong economic resilience.

The bustling scenes of the "Super Golden Week" will, to a certain extent, help boost confidence in the Chinese economy. This is crucial. Throughout this year, there has been a crescendo of voices from the US and the West that badmouth the Chinese economy, searching for and piecing together materials. The true situation of the "Super Golden Week" will render most of these pessimistic arguments illogical and factually unsupported, essentially debunking themselves. The Golden Week will demonstrate the vitality and potential of China's economy and consumer market. However, it's important to note that the vigor and potential of China's economy and consumer market are not proven only by the Golden Week.

It needs to be emphasized that the "Super Golden Week" is more than just about the economy. From holidays, such the National Day and the Spring Festival, we can see the most authentic way of life and philosophy of the Chinese people: They aspire to lead good lives, advocate goodwill toward others, and have no interest in interfering with others' lives or being confrontational. This forms solid public support for China's path of peaceful development. Everything China does is aimed at providing a better life for its people and development opportunities for people worldwide.

China, with its advantage of a vast market, still possesses significant influence over the external economic environment. Many neighboring countries are looking forward to this Golden Week to boost industries related to their local tourism. This is precisely a concrete manifestation of how China provides development opportunities for other countries.

The more valuable significance of observing the "Super Golden Week" lies in the fact that it demonstrates that China, in every aspect, is far from reaching the peak of its modernization process. People's expectations for consumption and their pursuit of a higher quality of life are far from being fully realized. Vacations represent a way of life that should never be exclusive to developed societies in the West; Chinese people have every right to live such lives as well. The stronger this pursuit becomes, the greater the internal impetus to China's economic development is.

During the upcoming holidays that are about reunion and gathering, most Chinese people can temporarily set aside their demanding work and fully enjoy the relaxation of the holidays. This in itself showcases and accumulates the momentum for Chinese society to move forward.

The Philippines is regarded as a key component in the US Indo-Pacific Strategy. But compared to Tokyo and Canberra, which take on more aggressive roles, Manila, in the heart of Washington, is merely a stick used to muddy the waters of the South China Sea. In other words, the US aims to use the Philippines to continue escalating the China-Philippines dispute in the South China Sea and disrupt the friendly atmosphere of consultation between China and Southeast Asian countries on the South China Sea issue.

The Philippines on Friday condemned China, stating that a Chinese coast guard ship on Wednesday came within a meter of colliding with a Philippine patrol ship near Ren'ai Reef. It accused China of conducting "the closest dangerous maneuver."

Beijing and Manila have already had several rounds of clashes in the South China Sea in recent months. This time, the Philippines' actions have once again confirmed a concerning trend: It has joined forces with the US to stir up new troubles in the South China Sea, becoming a destabilizing force in the Asia-Pacific region.

Under the general context of the Joe Biden administration's push for military and political cooperation with the Philippines based on the US Indo-Pacific Strategy, Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr abandoned his predecessor's rather friendly policy toward China after he came to power. Instead, he focused more on using the enchantment of ties with the US to promote the development of his country's military capabilities, hoping to consolidate domestic support. In addition, by constantly provoking troubles with China in the South China Sea, Manila wants to test how strong the US-Philippines alliance is.

As tensions between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea grow, Washington and Manila kicked off Maritime Training Activity Sama Sama 2023 off the Philippine coast on Monday. The main character in these military drills that will run through October 13, in fact, is still the US, which is purely exploiting the Philippines' close geographic location to China and its South China Sea disputes with China. Under the pretext of "addressing a spectrum of security threats and enhancing interoperability," Washington is targeting  China through the Sama Sama drills.

Seeking to form more closed, confrontational minilateral mechanisms in the region similar to the Quad and AUKUS, Washington is glad to see Manila play a certain role in the vision of its Indo-Pacific Strategy. However, once the Philippines decides to tie itself up to the US' chariot, it will certainly go against the idea of ASEAN as a whole - These countries don't want the region to become a battleground for great power competitions, nor do they want to become proxies for great powers.

During the Rodrigo Duterte administration, the pragmatic and win-win cooperation between China and the Philippines has contributed much to the development of China, and the Philippines especially. If the Marcos Jr administration continues to drift off course in the South China Sea, turning the region into a sea of instability and driving China-Philippines relations into the vortex of conflicts, a disaster for the Philippines is inevitable, which will bring new uncertainties to bilateral ties and regional stability.

Chinese military expert Song Zhongping told the Global Times that if the Philippines, at the instigation of the US, turns into a bridgehead against China, it could become a battleground if the conflict escalates and this will plunge the country into the abyss of irretrievable losses. Therefore, the Marcos Jr administration needs to realize that the Philippines is only a pawn of the US and that Washington cannot be trusted. 

It is not China that has pushed the Philippines toward the US, but the US that has forced ASEAN countries, particularly those that have disputes with China, to pick a side. China has never and will never pressure any ASEAN country, including the Philippines, to make a choice between siding with China or the US. As a peace-loving country, it always pursues to set aside the disputes in the South China Sea. At the same time, the direct communications channel between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea issue is still open, while Beijing has shown willingness to proactively engage in dialogues with Manila.

China and ASEAN countries should carry on with consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, to strengthen bilateral cooperation and turn the South China Sea into a sea of peace, stability and win-win cooperation, instead of becoming a region of conflict and trouble under the constant involvement of extraterritorial countries.

The Maldivian presidential election concluded recently with Mohamed Muizzu winning 54 percent of the vote, making him the newly elected president of the Maldives. His campaign slogan, "India Out," has sparked extensive speculation in Indian media that he is pro-China, which could potentially harm India's strategic interests in South Asia and the Indian Ocean. India places great importance on its relationship with the Maldives. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described India's position in the Maldives as "pre-eminent," with relations extending to virtually all areas. However, the excessive focus on the newly elected Maldivian president reflects India's strategic self-doubt, as it has long emphasized the so-called Chinese threat in strategic terms.

When considering bilateral issues, India should do more self-reflection rather than fabricating a "Chinese threat" out of thin air. The "India Out" movement in the Maldives began as early as 2020, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction among Maldivians with India. 

Maldivians believe that India's longstanding military presence in their country is a threat to their sovereignty. India maintains a military presence in the Maldives to operate the Dornier aircraft and two helicopters gifted to Male in 2020 and 2013, respectively. In November 2021, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) had informed the parliamentary committee on security services that 75 Indian military personnel were stationed in the Maldives to operate the aircraft and choppers. 

In addition to its military presence, India has assisted in building a new police academy in the Maldives, which houses the Maldives National College of Policing and Law Enforcement. Some believe this could interfere with the Maldives' independent law-enforcement authority. 

The Maldives is also concerned about India's involvement in the development of Uthuru Thila Falhu, an island near the capital, Male, which is part of the two countries' defense cooperation. In 2021, the countries signed an agreement to develop and maintain a coast guard harbor and dockyard at Uthuru Thila Falhu. The island is a point to watch the incoming and outgoing traffic at the main port in Male, which has a highly strategic position.

While security cooperation between the Maldives and India has a long history, from the Maldives' perspective, such cooperation should be based on mutual equality, rather than actions that may infringe on national sovereignty. The strong call for "India Out" in the Maldives does not necessarily equate to "China In" as there has been no "China In" movement thus far. India views the Maldives as a strategic outpost in the Indian Ocean, but it is not necessary to always perceive China as an imaginary enemy. Such behavior only highlights a lack of strategic confidence.

China has long pursued cooperation with neighboring countries based on the principle of mutual benefit. China does not interfere in the domestic affairs and strategic autonomy of other countries. China's cooperation with the Maldives primarily focuses on improving livelihoods and social development, such as upgrading and constructing major international airports in the Maldives and building the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge.

India has maintained a "big brother" mentality in dealing with South Asian affairs, considering the region as its backyard. Whether India can treat South Asian countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal, the Maldives and Sri Lanka, as equals has been a question mark for a long time. On the surface, India follows a "neighborhood first" policy and plays a leading role in South Asian affairs. However, in reality, India leverages its geopolitical advantage and size in the region to compel South Asian countries to make choices that favor India on critical issues.

India is eagerly awaiting the "Indian Century." New Delhi has hosted numerous diplomatic events around the G20 summit this year, striving to present itself as a major global power with significant achievements. 

Meanwhile, India has been assertive in handling its diplomatic relationships, such as cracking down on Chinese companies in India and imposing obstacles for Chinese citizens to obtain visas. However, the excessive attention on the Maldivian election result reflects India's self-doubt from another perspective. India needs to adjust its mind-set. Strategic self-doubt and excessive suspicion of China do not benefit India's aspirations for a major global role.

Beijing Daxing International Airport had its fourth anniversary on Monday, having been put into operation on September 25, 2019. It had notched more than 80 million passenger trips as of Sunday, the airport said.

The airport has had a total of 682,900 flight takeoffs and landings, a passenger throughput of 82.48 million trips, and a cargo throughput of 557,300 tons, the airport added.

Daxing airport restarted international passenger flights in January this year, and has made efforts to expand routes to Europe, North America, Japan and South Korea, while continuously expanding into the Southeast Asian and Oceanian markets.

As of the end of August, the airport has opened a total of 202 routes, covering 185 destinations in 18 countries and regions.

The airport conducted 7.94 million passenger trips in the two months' summer travel rush that ended on August 31, up 163 percent from the same period last year and the best performance in the summer travel rush since the airport opened.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China is accelerating the resumption of outbound travel.

The number of international passenger flights per week has recovered to 52 percent of the 2019 level, and the number of countries with passenger flight connectivity has recovered to nearly 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels, the administration said earlier this month.

Editor's Note:

On Tuesday, Bakyt Torobaev, deputy chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, held a meeting with representatives of many Chinese businesses to boost trade and investment cooperation with China. Following the meeting, the Global Times reporter Wang Cong interviewed Torobaev. The following is an excerpt from the interview.

GT: What are the main goals of your trip to China? And what have been achieved so far?

Torobaev: At the invitation of the vice premier of China's State Council, we participated in the 2023 Global Sustainable Transport Forum. In my speech there, I said that we should further advance cooperation in the transport sector. Transportation is the same as the human blood circulation system. By developing transportation, we can increase trade cooperation. The directions of cooperation with Kyrgyzstan include the construction of railways, the construction of renewable energy power plants, the development of irrigation water technology, the development of education, etc. We hope to have closer cooperation with China in all fields.

GT: What are the top areas that have great potential for China-Kyrgyzstan cooperation?

Torobaev: Priority industries that need development are agriculture, high-tech fields, hydropower, and mineral resource development. We provide all conveniences for Chinese enterprises, and we hope that Chinese goods can be sold to other countries through Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union and has obtained the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) with 6,200 products that can be exported to Europe. We hope to become a dry port for Chinese products exported to other countries.