In response to certain US politicians once again pushing forward legislation that smears Hong Kong's autonomy and rule of law while calling for the revocation of privileges for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETOs) in the US, or even their closure, a spokesperson for the Commissioner's Office of Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) expressed strong condemnation and firm opposition on Wednesday. 

The spokesperson emphasized that the HKETOs in the US are official institutions representing the HKSAR and play a positive role in promoting economic and trade exchanges and practical cooperation between Hong Kong and the US. 

Their legitimate functions must not be unreasonably questioned, the spokesperson said. 

Certain US politicians, driven by their own political self-interest, have blatantly smeared and slandered Hong Kong's trade offices, not only undermining normal HKSAR-US exchanges and cooperation, but also exposing their malicious intent to see Hong Kong unstable and unsuccessful, the spokesperson noted. 

US lawmakers reintroduced a bill on Tuesday that could close Hong Kong's representative offices in America if the White House determines that Beijing has undermined the city's autonomy, an effort that failed in the previous congressional session, the South China Morning Post reported on Wednesday. 

The bill would amend the US State Department's annual review of Hong Kong's semi-autonomous status to require the US president to explain to Congress why the three HKETOs in the country should retain or lose diplomatic privileges, the SCMP said. 

The spokesperson stressed that China urges these US politicians to immediately pull back from the brink and stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs at once. If the US side insists on going its own way, it will face a resolute countermeasure from the Chinese side, the spokesperson said. 

Chinese experts have slammed the rhetoric of India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, who called the US' reciprocal tariffs an "opportunity of a lifetime" and blamed China for the current turmoil in the global economy. Analysts said India's concessions will only prompt the US to demand even greater compromises from India to offset the US-India trade deficit. 

"We stand at a moment in history where India is well poised to convert the current situation into an opportunity," India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said at the India Global Forum in Mumbai. "We have an opportunity of a lifetime," he added, per Bloomberg's report. 

In his remarks, Goyal blamed China's joining of the World Trade Organization almost 25 years ago for the current turmoil in global economy. 

"If somebody was to ask me what would be the trigger point of where we are today and why we are going through this churn, the starting point of this actually goes to the beginning of 2000 when China was admitted as the member of the WTO," Goyal said. 

"The Indian minister, by shifting all the blame onto China, is trying to gain exemptions from the US," Long Xingchun, a professor from the School of International Relations at Sichuan International Studies University, told the Global Times.

Xie Chao, an assistant professor on Indian studies at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times that Goyal's statements show an opportunistic mindset, seeking trade compromises with the US while looking for opportunities to benefit from the competition between China and the US. 

The Indian politician's remarks merely to echo US' rhetoric to discredit China, hoping to gain favor with the Trump administration and pave the way for upcoming India-US trade negotiations, Xie said. 

There are significant trade deficit problems between the US and India. Trump administration frequently publicly criticizes India, and his desire to gain exemptions from the US is also an unachievable task, Long said. 

Washington last week announced 26 percent tariffs on US imports from India.

Faced with US' reciprocal tariffs, a few countries have, in retaliation, imposed additional tariffs on US goods, escalating trade tensions. India has, however, refrained from any such move as both countries are actively working on a trade pact, the NDTV said. 

On US tariff impacts, Goyal had assured, "We had a series of engagements, all of which are going in the right direction. We are covering a wide area of subjects and products. I can assure businesspeople across the country that we are keeping India's best interests at the forefront... "

Judging from US' harsh responses to similar statements from Vietnam, the EU, and others, India's concessions will likely prompt the Trump administration to demand even greater compromises from India to offset the US-India trade deficit, escalating the maximum tariff pressure India faces from the US, Xie said.

On the surface, India claims to be fully capable of handling the situation and views it as an opportunity. The reality is that India also faces severe impacts during the process of raising tariffs, Chinese expert said.

Goyal played down any immediate hit to the economy, even though analysts see a 20-40 basis point growth drag following the tariffs, the Bloomberg reported. 

Amid the fierce competition between China and the US, India seems to be attempting to take advantage of the situation, Xie said.

Even if China and the US face trade restrictions and high tariffs, India cannot seize the market that China leaves behind, Long believed. He explained that India's production capabilities are lacking, and its production costs are high. Furthermore, Indian manufacturing also heavily relies on China's supply chain. 

Facing US' reciprocal tariffs, spokesperson of Chinese Embassy in India Yu Jing had called on India to stand together to overcome these difficulties.

In a social media post on X on Tuesday, Yu posted that facing the US abuse of tariffs, which deprives countries, especially Global South countries, of their right to development, the two largest developing countries should stand together to overcome these difficulties.

Trade and tariff wars have no winners. All countries should uphold the principles of extensive consultation, practice true multilateralism, and jointly oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, Yu wrote in her post. 

China's annual national commemoration event for human organ donation was held in Shenyang, Northeast China's Liaoning Province, on Tuesday. Health officials announced at the event that China has seen a year-on-year increase in organ donation and transplants, with over 7.05 million people registered as organ donors in the country.

The event, held ahead of the Qingming Festival - a traditional holiday for honoring the deceased - featured stories of organ donors and their families, transplant recipients, and donation coordinators. It also included a memorial ceremony for 26 donors, with a moment of silence and floral tributes. Attendees included officials, family representatives of the donors, and medical students.

To date, over 7.05 million people have registered as organ donors in the country, according to the event. There have been more than 58,000 organ donations, 63,000 body donations, and 110,000 corneal donations, restoring sight to 100,000, saving over 170,000 lives and supporting medical education and research.
"Through long-term and tireless efforts from all parties, the number of organ donations and transplants in China has significantly increased," said Gao Guangming, deputy director of the Department of Medical Emergency Response at the National Health Commission, during the event. "In 2024, China recorded 6,744 cases of organ donations and 24,684 transplant surgeries in 2024, representing year-on-year increases of 4.5 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively, marking a new historic breakthrough."

This national annual commemoration, guided by the Red Cross Society of China and the National Health Commission and organized by the China Organ Donation Administrative Center (CODAC), is also a promotional activity for organ donation.
The publicity ambassador for human organ donation in China, Zhang Dingyu, was appointed to the role in March. A recipient of the national honorary title "The People's Hero" in 2020, Zhang was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal and incurable disease, but he remained on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, he made the decision to donate his body for future research on ALS.

Speaking about his current condition on Tuesday, Zhang noted that the condition of his lower limbs has gradually grown more severe, while his upper limbs, fingers, and lower back occasionally experience cramps and spasms. However, he emphasized that his overall physical condition remains relatively stable and said he is not a typical ALS patient.

Becoming a donor was only natural for him, Zhang said. While the traditional view is that our bodies belong to our parents, Zhang said he believes they also belong to society and humanity as a whole.

Zhang currently still serves as a medical worker at Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology and Hubei Jiangxia Laboratory.

"We are conducting gene knockout research and seek collaboration to advance studies on gene-knockout organisms, including pig organs such as kidneys and hearts, as part of an effort to explore potential alternatives to organ donation. Through these studies, we strive to better meet clinical needs and enhance service to the public," Zhang told the Global Times.

Currently, more than 280 memorial sites for organ donors have been established across the country. Within a week, various provinces in China held a series of organ donor commemorations, including East China's Jiangsu, Northwest China's Gansu, East China's Fujian, and South China's Guangdong, with the purpose of expressing gratitude and respect to organ donors and their families, and raising public awareness about the significance of organ donation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and rotating Chairperson of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zeljka Cvijanovic on Thursday exchanged congratulations over the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Thursday disclosed a case in which a personnel from a Chinese overseas institution was targeted and coerced by an overseas espionage agency through a carefully staged “romantic drama,” reminding individuals to enhance security awareness in foreign exchanges, which is not only a safeguard for national security but also a responsibility for personal safety.

Zhang, a personnel stationed at a Chinese overseas institution, regularly visited upscale venues known for extravagant entertainment and social gatherings during his time abroad. During a banquet, Zhang met Li, a member of an overseas business association, and their relationship quickly deepened. Li invited Zhang to various gatherings under different pretenses, quickly strengthening their relations and gaining Zhang’s trust, according to an article released by the MSS via its official WeChat account on Thursday.

As their friendship grew, Zhang subtly expressed to Li his interest in “special entertainment venues” during one of their meetings. Li, picking up on this information, promptly reported it to the “superior.” Then a meticulously crafted “romantic drama” designed for Zhang had quietly begun to unfold, according to the article.

Following instructions from the overseas espionage agency, Li took Zhang to a local adult entertainment venue. Unaware of the setup, Zhang was caught soliciting prostitution by “local law enforcement.” Faced with the evidence, Zhang could only turn to Li for help. Li pretended to comfort him while secretly contacting a reliable “brother”—a personnel from an overseas espionage intelligence agency. The “brother” quickly arrived at the scene and, after several negotiations, managed to secure Zhang’s “freedom,” said the MSS.

Unaware that he was being manipulated, Zhang did not realize that every moment, from raising a toast to his arrest—had been meticulously recorded by the espionage agency’s cameras. They used these as leverage to force Zhang to become a pawn, to be used for their purposes, said the MSS.

Shortly after the incident, Li’s “brother” met Zhang again, revealed himself as an intelligence operative, and blackmailed Zhang into providing internal information. Under the pressure of threats and temptations, Zhang agreed to the “cooperation” and, taking advantage of his work position, provided a large amount of confidential internal information to the overseas espionage intelligence agency through various means such as printing, photographing, writing, and verbal communication, in exchange for money, according to the MSS. 

Before returning to China, Zhang even signed a “commitment letter” agreeing to continue spying after his return, further endangering national security. 

Following an investigation by national security authorities, Zhang was placed under criminal detention upon his return to China. Zhang was severely punished for leaking state secrets to an overseas espionage agency, according to the MSS.

A man who offers climbing companionship services at Mount Taishan scenic area in Tai'an, East China's Shandong Province, claimed to have earned over 300,000 yuan ($41,400) last year, sparking debate. Some of his peers said that this job is very meaningful, while others question his salary, claiming that it has been exaggerated.

Zhang, a 26-year-old sports graduate, works as a professional hiking companion on Mount Taishan. In an interview with the Beijing News, Zhang shared that he climbs Mount Taishan twice daily, providing services during both day and night. 

Zhang's responsibilities include route planning, safety guidance, backpack assistance, photography, cultural interpretation, and checkpoint support for hikers. For exhausted visitors, Zhang may provide physical assistance, including carrying them on his shoulders, offering piggyback rides, or supporting them by the arm—especially during night-time climbs, when safety risks are higher.

The service costs 600 yuan during the day, increasing to 700 yuan at night due to safety considerations. His customer base predominantly consists of females aged between 20 and 35.  

Zhang acknowledged that while the job is physically demanding, he finds it rewarding and enjoyable. He said that accompanying climbers not only keeps him fit but has also helped him forge friendships with like-minded people. However, he emphasized that the role isn't for everyone—it requires strong physical stamina and communication skills.

"My job is very meaningful," said Yang, another Mount Taishan hiking companion.  "Some tourists arrive feeling stressed or down, but as we chat, laugh, and share stories, their mood improves," Yang said, adding that the experience can be therapeutic and relaxing.

Zhang claimed that his Mount Taishan hiking companion service earned him over 300,000 yuan last year.  

However, Yan, another hiking companion, questioned Zhang's reported earnings. Yan noted that completing two climbs a day brings in about 1,300 yuan. "Even without a single day off monthly, we will make at most 40,000 to 50,000 yuan, but no one can sustain that," said Yan.

While Yan considered the 300,000-yuan claim exaggerated, he admitted that an annual income of 150,000 to 200,000 yuan is realistic. 

Employees of Voice of America (VOA) are placed on leave on Saturday, after US President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order to gut seven federal agencies, including VOA's parent company, Reuters reported.

On Friday night, shortly after Congress passed its latest funding bill, US President directed his administration to reduce the functions of several agencies to the minimum required by law, according to the Time Magazine. That included the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which houses VOA. USAGM also terminated its grants to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia, per Reuters.

News outlet such as VOA has long been viewed as one of the US government's propaganda mouthpieces. Chinese experts said it is a typical cold war mindset to spend money to promulgate so-called value of democracy and freedom in order to conduct color revolutions and even overthrow other countries' governments, the US should not immerse itself in anymore.

According to Reuters, more than 1,300 VOA employees, including journalists, producers and assistants, were placed on administrative leave on Saturday. Founded in 1942, VOA now reportedly reaches 360 million people a week. As a group, USAGM employs about 3,500 staff and has an $886 million budget for 2024, according to its latest report to Congress, Reuters reported. 

An email from human resources at USAGM was sent Saturday placing VOA journalists on administrative leave, the POLITICO reported. The journalists were also told not to access the USAGM premises or any of the agency's systems, according to a copy of the email viewed by the POLITICO.

According to a VOA journalist, some VOA employees received the email as they were en route to their studios to record shows Saturday morning, the POLITICO reported.

On Saturday, the website of the White House published an article titled "The voice of radical America." The article cited a former VOA journalist as saying that VOA "has essentially become a hubris-filled rogue operation often reflecting a leftist bias aligned with partisan national media. It has sought to avoid accountability for violations of journalistic standards and mismanagement."

"VOA was established during World War II as a propaganda broadcasting agency for foreign audiences and its prime time is during the Cold War. Since its primary focus and goal were ideological warfare, it did not prioritize the truthfulness of news. The social ethics, morals and responsibilities that a news agency should uphold were not within its scope of concern," Kang Qiujie, Associate Professor at the Institute of International Journalism, Communication University of China, told the Global Times.

Kang said that the biased and even factually incorrect way of communication will indeed face increasing controversy, coupled with their declining influence, it seems historically logical to reduce their budgets, cut large numbers of staff or even shut these organizations down entirely.

"However, this does not mean that the US will cease its ideological war against countries [it views as foes]. They will adopt other methods, because the previous approaches no longer meet the needs of today's information warfare. Many tricks were done too superficially and have been completely exposed. Therefore, using these institutions, with now notorious reputations, to continue this task may no longer achieve the desired outcomes," Kang noted.

RT reported that USAGM oversees the state-owned Voice of America, along with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Radio Free Asia, which are separate not-for-profit entities that are also fully funded from the US budget. All three claim to provide unbiased news to audiences in around 100 countries, but are widely seen as propaganda outlets, per RT.

"VOA served as an official media outlet and an important propaganda mouthpiece for external communication, but it has published many reports that do not align with the values that current US administration identifies, such as profit-making, white dominance and serving Americans themselves. Therefore, the US government believed it must be downsized," Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times.

Spending money to promulgate so-called value of democracy and freedom in order to overthrow other countries' governments and conduct color revolutions is typical cold war thinking, which the US should not immerse itself in anymore, Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University of China, told the Global Times.

Li said that many lies about China's governance originated from VOA. It has continuously hyped topics related to Xinjiang and Hong Kong, but facts have proven these narratives to be false.

It's time for the US to return to reason and reality — being objective and fair and listening more to the voices of the American and Chinese people to benefit bilateral ties, Wang said.

China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) published an article on Monday through its official Wechat account, revealing details about four members of the "Information, Communications and Electronic Force Command" (ICEFCOM) linked to "Taiwan independence" forces. A technical expert from the Chinese cybersecurity company Qi-Anxin Group told the Global Times that APT organizations from the island of Taiwan have been persistently deploying various cyber weapons in large-scale attacks.

The MSS said that, in recent years, state security authorities have rigorously monitored and investigated cyberattacks and infiltration activities taken by ICEFCOM, and identified multiple individuals involved in planning, directing, and executing these operations, the MSS said.

Through years of surveillance and tracing, Qi-Anxin has identified "Poison Vine group" (APT-Q-20), a Taiwan-based organization, as actively targeting government, military, defense, and scientific research institutions in the Chinese mainland. This organization employs spear-phishing emails and watering hole attacks, among other methods, to carry out APT attacks. 

A recent report released by Qi-Anxin indicates that from 2018 to 2025, the APT-Q-20 has engaged in large-scale imitation of the most commonly used social software, email systems, as well as government agency websites, military websites, and university websites on the Chinese mainland. The goal is to amass personal data for subsequent intelligence theft in the mainland, the report stated.

The report details two primary attack vectors: phishing website attacks and phishing email attacks. In email attacks, the organization impersonates entities such as professionals from think tanks, military-civil fusion industrial parks, military magazines, civil service recruitment agencies, and defense contractors.

The report further shows that over 30 percent of vulnerabilities exploited by APT organization in attacks on Chinese mainland devices involve weak passwords in routers, cameras, smart home devices, and firewalls. Qi-Anxin emphasized the urgent need for individuals and enterprises to strengthen device security, particularly by adopting complex passwords. 

A Qi-Anxin technical expert told the Global Times that Taiwan's APT attacks are relatively unsophisticated, relying on simple network weapons and even brute-force attacks on weak passwords across various network devices in the mainland.

But the APT organization has been registering new domain names and buying servers to carry out phishing attacks for 15 years, Qi-Anxin said. With rising geopolitical tensions, the frequency of APT attacks aimed at espionage and intelligence theft is expected to increase. 'We must remain vigilant against the ongoing threat posed by Taiwan-based APT organizations,' the expert warned.

The Chinese Spring Festival's recognition as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage has sparked a renewed global interest in the festival's rich traditions. The extended holidays for the 2025 Year of the Snake have given tens of millions of Chinese families more time to reconnect and celebrate. While some worry that the traditional new year customs are fading, the Global Times reporters found through people from various walks of life during the holidays that, while traditional customs remain cherished, the festival is embracing new forms of celebration, becoming a vibrant mix of the old and the new.

Half reunions, half getaways

One of the most striking trends this year is the rise of "travel-style" celebrations. Thanks to the 8-day extended holiday, many in China have adopted a half-and-half approach - splitting their time between cozy family reunions and adventurous getaways to new destinations.

This shift has fueled a boom in both domestic and international travels. Intangible cultural heritage tours, winter sports and sunny retreats have become the three "pillars" of this Spring Festival travel season, Trip.com, Chinese online travel service giant, told the Global Times.

China's ice and snow tourism fervor has taken center stage during the festival season. Located in China's northernmost province of Heilongjiang, the Harbin Ice-Snow World, a breathtaking ice-themed park known for its dazzling ice sculptures, has become one of China's hottest tourist destinations during the Spring Festival holidays, with over 610,000 trips made to the park, the Xinhua News Agency reported. 

Meanwhile, ski resorts in the northern parts of the country, including Northeast China's Jilin and Heilongjiang, North China's Hebei and Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, have attracted large number of ski enthusiasts. They also leveraged ice and snow resources to create a comprehensive "snow + hot springs + folk culture" experience. In the south, Yunnan Province has also made waves by offering unique winter experiences, such as high-speed rail tours to snow-capped mountains, attracting many Southeast Asian tourists.

According to statistics from Trip.com, cross-border travel bookings surged by 30 percent during the Spring Festival holidays, said The Paper. Overseas popular destinations included Japan, Southeast Asia, Australia, the US, as well as Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. 

Zhao, a resident from Beijing, shared with the Global Times that this year she chose to have the traditional New Year's Eve reunion dinner at home before setting off on a family trip to Vietnam. 

"By taking just two extra days off, I could enjoy an 11-day holiday. This year's Spring Festival break gave us working folks plenty of time to recharge," she said. Zhao's family had planned to go skiing in Xinjiang, but due to the surge in prices caused by the winter tourism boom, they decided to head to Southeast Asia instead, where the weather is warm and the costs are lower.

Inbound tourism has also thrived, fueled by global fascination with Chinese culture and the "China Travel" hit. Social media platforms like Xiaohongshu, or RedNote, have also played a key role, as inbound tourism sees a staggering 180 percent increase in ticket sales and a 60 percent jump in hotel stays, the travel agency told the Global Times.

Ethan, a traveler from the US, shared a video of his lavish dim sum experience in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province, where each dish costs just $1-2. The exquisite flavors quickly won him over, he said. In the video, he expressed his intention to stay a few extra days to experience how Chinese people celebrate the Chinese New Year, and encouraged his followers to come to China for the festivities.

Lively ICH traditions

Being the first Spring Festival to be inscribed as Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) by UNESCO, destinations featuring ICH attractions and experiences have seen a big surge in popularity compared with last year, data released by multiple travel agencies revealed. 

Activities such as lantern shows and folk performances are among the hottest trends. Culturally rich experiences, including admiring lantern displays, attending temple fairs, wearing Hanfu, making rice cakes and setting off fireworks, have dominated the Spring Festival holiday, according to Fliggy, a leading online travel agency. Tourism activities involving folk performances saw a 36 percent year-on-year increase in participation, it said. 

On Trip.com, searches for lantern shows doubled during the holidays. Overseas, ticket sales for ICH-related activities surged by 7.5 times.

What's more, family-friendly "multi-functional chartered tours" also gained traction, offering experiences like Yingge dance, Sichuan face-changing opera, deity parades, puppet shows and iron-flower fireworks.

Museums and cultural venues also became highlights of local tourism markets. Beijing, with its rich cultural atmosphere, topped the list of popular destinations, followed by Guangzhou, Shanghai and Xi'an. The Palace Museum, Temple of Heaven and Yonghe Temple drew massive crowds, according to travel agency Mafengwo.

The China National Arts and Crafts Museum in Beijing, in particular, saw a 115 percent increase in popularity, thanks to its Spring Festival-themed exhibitions featuring over 120 ICH items and 300 national and provincial-level works.

"In previous years, I always felt that Beijing lacked some of the traditional festive atmosphere during the Spring Festival. So, when I heard about the ICH exhibition at the China National Arts and Crafts Museum, I decided to check it out. It turned out to be incredibly lively and vibrant! For the first time, I gained a deeper understanding of the historical roots of the Spring Festival, something that Chinese people often take for granted," a Beijing resident surnamed Ma told the Global Times.

Ma said she also got to appreciate the similarities and differences in customs between the north and south of China. For example, there were Shandong's intricate dough sculptures, Shanxi's "Wanghuo" (prosperity fire) and Zhejiang's dragon boat lanterns - each showcasing unique ICH traditions.

The 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC) closed on Sunday, with rifts emerging within the transatlantic alliance over the course of the three-day meeting. Yet the way China presented itself with a spirit of cooperation and a constructive stance was evident.

During the conference, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks while addressing the "China in the World" session of MSC. China will remain a global stabilizing factor and a constructive force in the transformation of the world, he said. 

Chinese foreign minister also held a series of meetings with EU's new foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno, Argentine Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, among others.  

During his meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Saturday, Wang Yi said China is pleased to see Germany playing a significant role in a multipolar world and is willing to deepen comprehensive cooperation with Germany to advance bilateral relations in a positive direction, safeguard global peace and stability, and provide greater certainty to an increasingly turbulent world.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic ties, Wang Yi said, adding that the two sides should enhance complementary advantages and deepen pragmatic cooperation to jointly usher in the next 50 years of even stronger China-EU relations.

Scholz pledged to enhance exchanges, dialogue and cooperation with China. 

The same day, Wang Yi said China and France should uphold their tradition of independence and self-reliance, adhere to openness and win-win cooperation and act as stabilizing forces in maintaining international order and promoting global growth, during a meeting with his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot. 

Barrot said France appreciates China's firm and clear voice in support of multilateralism at the Munich Security Conference and values China's role as a stabilizing force in global governance. He added that France and China should work together to play a leadership role in upholding multilateralism and improving international governance.

Wang Yi also held a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha on the sidelines of the MSC on Saturday at the latter's request, during which Wang said that China has always been committed to promoting peace and talks.

This year's MSC has underscored the complex challenges facing Europe and the urgent need for the continent to define its strategic role in an increasingly volatile global landscape, said an article of Xinhua News Agency on Saturday.

From the persistent conflict in Ukraine to rising uncertainties in the transatlantic alliance, as well as mounting pressures on the EU's vision for the international order, the conference focused on the multiple crises Europe faces. It also highlighted the need for the continent to navigate these complexities and assert its place on the world stage.

As the global landscape is increasingly defined by crisis, Europe's ability to determine its role and strategic path will be of paramount importance, Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University of China, was quoted by Xinhua as saying.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Foreign Minister of Japan Iwaya Takeshi, and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea Cho Tae-yul met on Saturday in Munich on the sideline of MSC. 

The joint statement following their meeting read that the three countries "emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity for the international community." 

The joint statement also claimed to support "Taiwan's meaningful participation in appropriate international organizations."

Seen from the statement, the small clique of the US, Japan, and South Korea attempts to interfere in China's internal affairs and attempts to "use Taiwan question to contain China." Their statements stand in striking contrast to China's firm, composed, and confident diplomatic stance at the Munich Security Conference, Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Sunday.

Li elaborated that China has always maintained a consistent position on regional and global security issues, with its words and actions aligned. In contrast, certain countries demonstrate inconsistency and a fundamental lack of coherence in their foreign policies, whether in Europe or the Asia-Pacific. 

Stabilizing force

"Let him be strong, and the breeze caresses the hillocks; let him be peremptory, and the moon shines on the great river. This reflects the temperament of the Chinese people and the character of the Chinese nation," Wang Yi said in a conversation with MSC Chairman Christoph Heusgen after delivering his keynote speech on Friday. 

This is a quote from celebrated late novelist Jin Yong's The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre, published in the 1960s, to reflect the Chinese philosophical thinking of overcoming rigidity with softness and following nature, the South China Morning Post reported on Saturday. 

In his speech, titled "A Steadfast Constructive Force in a Changing World," Wang shared his views on "multipolarizaion," the title of Munich Security Report 2025, the discussion starter for the conference. "Will multipolarity bring chaos, conflict and confrontation? Does it mean domination by major countries and the strong bullying the weak? China's answer is, we should work for an equal and orderly multipolar world… China will surely be a factor of certainty in this multipolar system, and strive to be a steadfast constructive force in a changing world."

China has been contributing as a "steady hand," and this is the most important role in an environment in which there is considerable flux, Warwick Powell, adjunct professor at Queensland University of Technology and former advisor to former Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd, told the Global Times.

Sun Chenghao, a research fellow at Tsinghua University's Center for International Security and Strategy, who is also participating the MSC, shared his experience with the Global Times. He had spoken with European scholars and representatives from the Global South and they found China's statements inspiring, providing much-needed certainty in an uncertain world, and expressed hope for China to play a more active role in the future, particularly in global security and development. 

Sun noted a detail of his observation. In a panel of discussion on supply chains and economic security. The attendees were CEOs from well-known European companies. Over the past period, the EU's de-risking efforts were mainly pointed toward China, but the discussion during the MSC raised the question of whether the US should also be considered part of Europe's de-risking strategy. This shift is quite significant. "Participants noted that China's market remains stable and discussed whether Europe should engage with China more." 

"We need to hear more about the Chinese view of the world. I hope they continue to come and send even more people in the future," Charles Grant, director of the Center for European Reform, a London-based thinktank, told the Global Times.