China's pilot projects on industrialization of genetically modified (GM) corn and soybeans have shown promising results in terms of increased production and reduced costs, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) said on Tuesday.
China launched the pilot projects in 2021, and by 2023, the projects expanded to cover 20 counties in five provinces including Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Jilin, Sichuan and Yunnan, Pan Wenbo, a senior official from MARA, provided an update on the country's pilot projects for the industrial application of GM corn and soybeans on Tuesday.
Compared with conventional varieties, the GM corn and soybeans have generally demonstrated superior performance in terms of yield increase, cost reduction, and efficiency enhancement, according to Pan.
MARA had approved several GM corn and soybean varieties based on the national biological breeding plan and relevant regulations and standards. Additionally, 26 enterprises were granted licenses for the production and operation of GM corn and soybean seeds.
The ministry requests that the planting areas for those varieties comply with China's arrangements for biological breeding industrialization, Pan said.
Pan noted that the MARA will thoroughly review the experiences gained from the pilot projects, improve supporting technologies and management measures, and steadily and cautiously promote relevant works under strict supervision and risk control.
The ministry will also strengthen technical reserve, enhance supervision and management, and expand the scope of application in a standardized and controlled manner as required, Pan said.
MARA has given licenses for 37 GM corn varieties and 10 genetically modified soybean varieties, involving 26 enterprises, in December 2023, marking the first group of GM corn and soybean seeds in China to obtain production licenses, which brings GM varieties a step closer to commercial cultivation.
In 2023, China achieved a record-high grain output of 695.41 million tons, increased of 8.9 million tons compared with the previous year. The expansion of soybean and oilseed cultivation has yielded notable results, with the soybean planting areas reaching 10.47 million hectares, achieving a record-high output of 20.84 million tons.
China said it will increase investment on technological innovation to bolster strategic emerging industries, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council (SASAC) said on Wednesday, in a move to accelerate country's technology advancement and foster new productive forces.
Zhuang Shuxin, a spokesperson for the SASAC, said on Wednesday that China's central SOEs completed 2.18 trillion yuan ($307.8 billion) of investment in strategic emerging industries in 2023, rising 32.1 percent year-on-year.
Zhuang noted that the SASAC has initiated a number of new projects in photovoltaic hydrogen production, carbon fiber manufacturing and automotive chips, set up new enterprises in laser technology, quantum communication and satellite internet, in addition to reorganizing and merging companies in the areas of electronics, new energy, environment protection and vehicle production.
Regarding the extremely cold weather patterns this winter, the SASAC said it will further enhance the development of new energy sectors, including hydrogen and nuclear power, power storage and virtual power plants to ensure energy security.
As the end of September last year, the asset scale of 383 listed companies owned by central SOEs reached 53 trillion yuan, of which 154 were in emerging industries.
"The SASAC would urge central SOEs to increase the proportion of revenue and value added across strategic emerging industries to facilitate more companies to turn to an innovation-driven growth pattern, and help foster new productive forces," said Yuan Ye, an official with SASAC.
Editor's Note: Despite facing a complex international situation and multiple headwinds, China's economy expanded by 5.2 percent in 2023, surpassing the target. However, a new wave of very negative narratives about China's economy has emerged in the Western media lately, attempting to undermine investors' confidence in China's future. To counter Western media's malicious distortions that clearly deviates from the real state of the Chinese economy, the Global Times (GT) invited Jeffrey Sachs (Sachs), a world-renowned American economist, to provide his perspectives.
GT: How do you view the 5.2 percent growth of China's economy in 2023, the first year of the post-COVID recovery amid global gloom?
Sachs: This is a very respectable performance. US growth was about 2.5 percent. Remember too that the US population is growing about 0.5 percent per year, while population growth in China is essentially zero, so China's growth advantage is even greater when expressed in per capita terms.
GT: Mainstream US media and well-known economists criticized the performance of the Chinese economy in 2023 as being "weak." Many headlines claimed that the "Chinese economy encountered trouble and various indicators fell short of expectations." What is your perspective on that?
Sachs: The US government is actively trying to slow the Chinese economy through erecting trade and technology barriers. The US has put up barriers to China's exports to the US through both formal means such as tariffs and informal arm-twisting of US companies. The US has also introduced technology and investment barriers.
The US government and therefore the mainstream media are promoting the view that China's economy is in trouble. This is a bit of an echo chamber. One reporter close to the government writes it, and then other reporters repeat the same exaggerated story. They don't know much about China or about the deep strengths of China's economy, including major advances in technology, global export competitiveness, and high saving and investment rates.
US attempts to weaken the Chinese economy may have some modest short-run consequences (mainly slower export growth by Chinese companies and modest displacements of investments from China into ASEAN countries) but the adverse effects will not be large, in my view. The US government's mischief will fail, as it should.
GT: There were many new bright spots in China's economy in 2023. Exports of the "new three items" - electric vehicles (EVs), lithium batteries and solar cells - for the first time exceeded the 1 trillion yuan ($140 billion) mark. China became the largest EV exporter in 2023. How do you view these new growth engines?
Sachs: China is the world's low-cost producer of most green and digital technologies, such as EVs, photovoltaic systems and 5G equipment. This will put China in a strong global position for the coming decade, since the world needs to make a major energy transition and China will be a key provider of the new low-carbon infrastructure, connectivity and appliances.
GT: China's economic work is increasingly focused on expanding domestic demand. How do you view the advantages of China's large home market, and what suggestions do you have for fully tapping the potential of domestic market in China?
Sachs: I believe that China should still strive for export-led growth, but now more to the emerging market economies (BRICS, African Union, Latin America, Western Asia, Central Asia) than to the US or the EU. China should be the key provider for the green and digital transformation of the world's emerging economies. This will be good for China, for China's trade partners and for global environmental protection. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) remains very important in this regard. China should continue to champion the BRI as a very important initiative for global transformation, global growth and China's economic growth.
GT: What do you believe will be the key driving factors for China's economy in 2024?
Sachs: The key factors will be China's successful promotion of global growth in the emerging/BRICS economies, as well as China's continued dynamism in technological advancement - in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, zero-carbon energy, battery technology, precision medicine, precision agriculture, low-carbon transport (shipping and aviation), high-speed rail and other areas.
GT: How do you evaluate the current economic situation of China? How do you view China's economic prospects in 2024? Which areas do you think offer the greatest opportunities?
Sachs: As I've said, I believe that China's growth will be quality-based, mainly through technological upgrading, digital applications and the green transformation. This will happen within China and also between China and its major trading partners in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Of course, I hope that the US stops its trade war with China, which violates the WTO and is bad for the US and unhelpful for China.
GT: Global growth is projected to slow for the third year in a row - from 2.6 percent last year to 2.4 percent in 2024, the World Bank said. In a world battling economic uncertainties, how should major economies jointly tackle challenges and promote global growth rather than politicizing economic issues?
Sachs: The main solutions to the world economy are to stop the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, reduce trade tensions between the West and China, and cooperate on building an efficient digital, green global economy. All of this is possible through diplomacy.
The US should stop immediately trying to expand NATO to Ukraine, thereby ending the war in Ukraine. The US should stop arming Israel, thereby ending the war in the Middle East. And the US should abide by agreements with China regarding the Taiwan island, so as to reduce the tensions over Taiwan. In the 1982 US-China Communique, the US promised to phase out arms sales to Taiwan. The US should honor its agreements, leading to peaceful relations and a reduction of tension.
GT: How do you view the global significance of the steady and positive development of China's economy?
Sachs: China's economic progress has been extraordinarily positive for the Chinese people and very good for the world. Economic progress anywhere, including in China, is a win-win proposition for the world. The US mistakenly thinks that the world economy is a "zero-sum" struggle, in which China's progress is somehow bad for the US. This is a badly mistaken view.
China's stock markets staged a miraculous turnaround on Thursday, with the Shanghai Composite Stock Index regaining the psychologically important 2,800 points and closing at 2,845.78.
Analysts said the market is expected to stabilize and return to normal operations along with the country's sustained economic recovery, calling for stepped-up policy support to bolster the economy and beef up investors' confidence.
In the morning session on Thursday, the Shanghai Composite Index broke the 2,800 points and set a record low since May 2020. However, the Shanghai Composite Index closed up by 0.43 percent to end at 2,845.78 and the Shenzhen Component Index rose by 1.0 percent to 8,847.
"The recent fall in both A-share and Hong Kong stock markets reflects the pessimistic sentiment of investors. Once market expectations improve, domestic capital markets will gradually rebound," Yang Delong, chief economist at Shenzhen-based First Seafront Fund Management Co, told the Global Times on Thursday.
In 2024, China's stock market may display a path from decline-to-rise in 2024, Yang said.
Intensified macro-policies are needed to drive up investment, consumption and the property sector to enhance investors' confidence, he said, noting that institutional investors are expected to enter the A-share market to explore opportunities at the moment.
"Along with the continuous upswing in the country's economic recovery, bearish news will gradually disappear. As a result, the stock market is expected to stabilize and return to normal operations," Dong Shaopeng, a senior research fellow at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times on Thursday.
Dong said that financial regulators need to strengthen communications with investors to avoid investors' misinterpretation of regulations. In addition, authorities should strictly crack down on illegal behaviors in the field in accordance with laws.
Following the Central Financial Work Conference in October, a key meeting held on Tuesday reiterated building China into a country with great financial strength. Financial oversight needs to have "teeth and thorns" and be sharp-pointed, the meeting stressed, pointing out that law enforcement should be strict in market access, prudential oversight and behavioral regulation.
China's GDP expanded 5.2 percent year-on-year in 2023, higher than the target of about 5 percent set at the beginning of the year, official data showed.
In my opinion, China should set an economic growth target of 5 percent or above for 2024, as the global economy is projected to slow this year.
The reason is that the recovery of China's economy in 2023 was driven by increased consumption - that is, largely by putting existing capacity back to work. But the investment in China's economy in 2023 was not strong enough.
Fixed-asset investment reached 50.3 trillion yuan ($6.9 trillion), only up 3 percent year-on-year, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics.
This means that, given that an economic recovery has already been taking place after the COVID-19 downturn, it is likely that capacity constraints will begin to appear unless fixed-asset investment increases during 2024.
If the rate of growth of investment increases, which is necessary if capacity problems are not to be encountered, growth of a bit above 5 percent is possible. But it is not possible to guarantee in advance that fixed-asset investment will increase - this will depend on policy.
It would be unwise to definitively set a target "above 5 percent" - although that would be desirable. Falling below 5 percent would, however, have strongly undesirable economic and social consequences. I would therefore formulate it as "5 percent or above."
The highly anticipated World Economic Forum, also known as the "Davos Forum," will be held in Davos, Switzerland, from January 15 to 19. More than 2,800 representatives from over 120 countries and regions are gathering together to explore the future of the world economy under the theme of "Rebuilding Trust." Chinese Premier Li Qiang will attend the opening ceremony of the forum and deliver a speech as an invited leader.
This year's forum is held against the backdrop of the most complex geopolitical and geo-economic situation in decades, summarized by Western media as the four "C"s: conflict, the new cold war, climate, and chaos. The international community has high expectations for the forum, with over 300 dignitaries in attendance, including more than 60 heads of state and government, hoping that Davos will become an accelerator for promoting cooperation. China's active participation and demonstration of an open, cooperative attitude undoubtedly represent a positive signal that all participants hope to see, as it is the greatest certainty and reliable force amid geopolitical and global economic uncertainties.
Since its first participation in the annual meeting in 1979, China has been an active participant in the Davos Forum, which has also become the best witness to China's integration and mutual development with the world. Today, the Davos Forum has become an important occasion for Chinese leaders to clarify China's development concepts to the outside world, and representatives from all parties hope to hear China's voice here. From the speech by the Chinese premier to the discussions on China's economy and sustainable development in various events of the forum, this Davos Forum will continue to demonstrate China's firm attitude toward deepening opening-up and supporting globalization, and continue to write the story of China's integrated development and mutual achievements with the world.
As an important annual occasion to check the pulse of the global economy, this year's Davos Forum not only continues last year's main tone of "Cooperation in a Fragmented World," but also once again issues an early warning about the dangers of division and confrontation in the world. It points directly to the serious trust crisis, a core issue facing the world today. The forum hopes to provide new opportunities for growth and create new conditions for development for the world economy, which is struggling to recover, by discussing the basic principles of rebuilding trust. As executive chairman of the World Economic Forum Klaus Schwab noted, the current level of pessimism is unprecedented and rebuilding trust in the future is crucial. "These holistic narratives require global, national, and local cooperation."
In terms of promoting the world in rebuilding trust and accelerating economic recovery, Davos and China share a consistent stance of advocating the resolution of major crises through unity and cooperation, abandoning zero-sum games and returning to win-win cooperation, and opposing "decoupling" and "small courtyard with high walls." In particular, the core topics discussed this year, such as creating growth and employment for the new era, promoting economic and social development with artificial intelligence, and implementing long-term climate, natural and energy strategies, are in line with Chinese modernization that China is currently promoting. The narrative of promoting countries to work together to respond to challenges, achieve common prosperity, and build a global community with a shared future is what China has been working hard to advocate and implement. The alignment between China and Davos Forum illustrates the mainstream of the world and the aspirations of the people.
It is necessary to emphasize that in the current environment of continued weak global economy, rebuilding trust can never be achieved through the so-called "de-Sinicization." It can only be achieved by continuously deepening cooperation with China and starting with truly understanding the inseparable integrated development of China and the world. In the future-oriented economic framework, a multi-dimensional, diverse and dynamic China, as well as a China that is steadfast in deepening opening-up and supporting globalization, is for sure a development opportunity and partner for all countries in the world.
The organizers of the Davos Forum raised this question about the outlook for this annual meeting on their official website: Will the coming year be a period of "permacrisis"? Or will 2024 be a time for resolution and recovery? Regarding this issue, the positive signal sent by China, the world's second largest economy and where the opportunities for future prosperity of the global economy lie, is exactly what Davos wants to hear the most, and it is also what the world wants to hear the most.
The Working Group on Enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s between China and the US was successfully launched on Friday via video conference with officials from the two sides engaging in in-depth and friendly discussions on key areas of cooperation, including energy transition, methane, circular economy, low-carbon provinces or states and cities.
This conference took place as part of a series of interactions between China and the US in various sectors at the beginning of 2024 amid efforts to implement the consensus reached during the top leaders' meeting in San Francisco last year and to further stabilize bilateral relations, analysts said. However, they also cautioned about potential negative factors from the US side that could impact the relationship, including the US' recent interfering in the Taiwan regional leader election.
The Friday video meeting was co-chaired by Xie Zhenhua, China's special envoy for climate change, and John Kerry, US special presidential envoy for climate. The two sides have agreed to maintain close communication, exchange and mutual learning, and carry out practical cooperation under the working group mechanism, in accordance with the consensus of the Sunnylands Statement on Enhancing Cooperation to Address the Climate Crisis, according to China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment.
The Friday meeting is a continuation of a series of exchanges between China and the US in different fields. On Thursday, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held a phone call with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. On Wednesday, Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong met with US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas via video link.
China and the US started this intensive cross-departmental exchange at the beginning of the year, which indicates that both sides are earnestly implementing the consensus reached at the San Francisco summit, Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times.
The frequent interactions are positive and demonstrate that at the beginning of this year, on the basis of broad communication and exchange, China and the US are actively managing their differences, said Li, noting that all these communications are also beneficial for both sides.
However, whether this trend can last and China-US relations can be further stabilized depend crucially on whether the Biden administration shows leadership decisiveness and takes concrete actions to prevent negative factors or extreme forces within the US from damaging the bilateral relationship and ensure that US policy toward China does not deteriorate sharply due to domestic political factors, said Li.
Lü Xiang, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, noted that the US still perceives China as a competitor, indicating the potential for confrontation between the two sides. Moreover, the US has not ceased its provocations, especially on the South China Sea and the Taiwan question, necessitating China's heightened vigilance, Lü told the Global Times.
For example, according to media reports, the Biden administration will dispatch a delegation comprised of former senior officials to the island of Taiwan shortly after the island's regional leader election to be held on Saturday.
China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday that the US leaders have repeatedly expressed their adherence to the one-China principle, not supporting "Taiwan independence," and not seeking to use the Taiwan question as a tool to contain China.
"We hope that the US side will abide by its commitments, handle Taiwan-related questions carefully and properly, cease official exchanges with the island of Taiwan, refrain from sending any wrong signals to the separatist forces advocating 'Taiwan independence,' and refrain from interfering in Taiwan's regional elections in any form," said Mao.
If the US side genuinely wishes to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, it should clearly oppose "Taiwan independence" and support China's peaceful reunification, said the spokesperson.
The US' tactics of saying one thing and doing another is shown in not only the Taiwan question but also other issues, and this is one of the cruxes of the bilateral relations, Li said.
The Taiwan question is the most serious and core issue of China-US relations at any time and China has put priority on it in dealing with its relations with the US, Li said, urging the US to fulfill its commitments on the Taiwan question and work in the same direction in promoting bilateral relations instead of damaging it.
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chief Executive, John Lee Ka-chiu (Lee), led a high-level delegation of 70 people to participate in the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held in Beijing from October 18 to 19. At the forum, he invited entrepreneurs to Hong Kong to set up belt and road offices. After the forum, he sat down with the Global Times (GT) reporters Xie Wenting and Bai Yunyi for an exclusive interview, sharing his insights on Hong Kong's role in the BRI and Hong Kong's strengths on the global stage. Lee also touched on the "competitive role" of the Hong Kong-Singapore relationship, noting that as long as the "pie" of development is made big enough, everyone can also get a larger share.
GT: You led a high-level delegation of 70 people to Beijing on your latest visit to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, including several high-ranking government officials as well as individuals from the business, academic, and scientific communities. What was the consideration behind this? What is Hong Kong's role in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)?
Lee: I hope to use this platform of the forum to better promote Hong Kong and seek business opportunities. Many of our delegates have also established personal connections with entrepreneurs from various regions, giving them the opportunity to personally introduce Hong Kong's advantages and services, which will be more persuasive.
Hong Kong is a participant, promoter, and beneficiary of the BRI. In the joint construction of the BRI, Hong Kong has its own unique advantages. We boast the position of "eight centers," namely, an international financial center, an international trade center, an international shipping center, and an Asia-Pacific international legal and dispute resolution service center, as well as four emerging centers: An international innovation and technology center, a Chinese and foreign cultural and art exchange center, an international aviation hub, and a regional intellectual property trading center. I believe that Hong Kong can play its role in promoting financial connectivity, attracting international investment, and promoting the internationalization of the Chinese currency renminbi (RMB).
GT: We noticed that not long ago you visited three Southeast Asian countries: Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. How do you evaluate the prospects for cooperation between Hong Kong and Southeast Asian countries under the framework of the BRI? Which are the areas that hold the greatest potential? In the past, people have often said that Hong Kong is a "bridge" between the East and the West. In the future, do you think Hong Kong will play a similar role between the Chinese mainland and Southeast Asia?
Lee: Hong Kong has a unique status granted by the central government and the One Country, Two Systems policy is implemented in the city. As one of the few cities in the world that can concentrate both China's advantages and international advantages, we are very lucky, and should therefore make good use of this advantage.
First, Hong Kong can help enterprises in the Chinese mainland go global, including in terms of financing, introducing talents, and scientific and technological cooperation. We can give full play to Hong Kong's functions as an international city. This is the "capital" we have accumulated over the years.
Second, Hong Kong attaches great importance to regional cooperation and hopes to have good relations with our neighbors. The ASEAN is Hong Kong's second-largest trading partner, after the Chinese mainland. This is why one of my two official trips this year was to the three ASEAN members, and I will also take time to visit other states.
In addition, the ASEAN is also an important force in helping Hong Kong join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (RCEP) as soon as possible. I am very happy that when communicating with ASEAN states this time, many of them expressed their support for Hong Kong's joining of the RCEP. In the future, we will continue to promote regional cooperation with the ASEAN.
GT: Many people view Singapore as Hong Kong's "competitor" and believe that Singapore has the potential to replace Hong Kong as Asia's international financial center. What's your opinion on this view? Will Hong Kong be replaced by Singapore? Are Hong Kong and Singapore in competition, or do they have more room for complementarity and cooperation?
Lee: Hong Kong and many places have dual competitive and cooperative relationship. Competition is a good thing. Only with competition can we make progress. Healthy competition is beneficial. In fact, I have a very good relationship with Singapore's leadership. We often discuss how there is a lot of room for cooperation and development.
I think the most important thing (for a city) is to compete with itself. Competing with competitors is important, but it is likely that one day you will have surpassed your competitors. Will you not have goals then? So, every day we have to be the object of our own competition, to surpass what we accomplished the day before, and apply this philosophy to the future as an effective long-term goal.
Therefore, I often tell my colleagues that Hong Kong needs to compete and cooperate with other regions, taking advantage of their strengths and compensating for their weaknesses. This is beneficial for our own development. Cooperation between Hong Kong and all countries and regions is aimed at mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
Relationships that only benefit one side are not sustainable. Maybe this time you gain more and I gain less, but next time I gain more and you gain less, and that's good.
In the end, what is the most important goal of competition? Is it the development of the economy or improving the lives of the people? As long as the "pie" of development is made big enough, everyone can also get a larger share. This is our ultimate goal.
GT: Some international media outlets have claimed that Hong Kong's international status and international attractiveness have declined in recent years. How do you respond to this claim?
Lee: Hong Kong is attractive in many aspects. In world rankings, Hong Kong holds many top positions: Our investment environment is ranked first globally, our offshore RMB trading volume is the highest in the world, and we are also the world's longest-living city. Hong Kong's public transportation system is ranked first among over 60 advanced cities, and we are the only city with an area of only 1,100 square kilometers that has five "Top 100" universities. Hong Kong also ranks second in many indicators worldwide: economic freedom, government efficiency, and innovation environment are all ranked second globally. Hong Kong has many aspects that other regions in the world envy.
The epidemic in the last few years has indeed slowed down Hong Kong's development in some areas. Some places in the world relaxed epidemic control measures relatively early, and therefore have a time advantage, but I think this advantage (relative to Hong Kong) is only temporary. Since resuming customs clearance, Hong Kong has fully integrated with the world. We are also "catching up with time" in different fields. Now, the work of the HKSAR government is all results-oriented, and many citizens also believe that many things are progressing faster this year than before. I think these are all positive factors for Hong Kong (in terms of international attractiveness).
GT: This year alone, you have visited many places in the Chinese mainland, from Beijing to Guangzhou, Shenzhen to Hainan, and Chongqing to Guizhou, among others… As the head of HKSAR, why do you visit the mainland so frequently? During these trips, what made a particularly profound impact on you?
Lee: I visited different places (in the mainland) to gain understanding. In fact, the main reason was I felt it imperative to do. Hong Kong's biggest opportunity lies in the country's development. It is most beneficial to Hong Kong to fully and proactively integrate into the overall development of the country.
At the end of 2022, I established the Steering Group on Integration into National Development to strengthen the integration of the entire HKSAR government and the entire society into the overall national development. This means that we need to develop close relations with different provinces and cities to work together for mutual benefit and win-win results. I attach great importance to this aspect and will continue to establish cooperative relationships (between them and Hong Kong) in different places.
Hong Kong now has different cooperation mechanisms and systems with many provinces and cities. I also often share my ideas with the leaders of various places in the mainland, that is, our cooperation must be "one plus one equals two." Hong Kong will put its best foot forward and so will our partners. This is "invincible."
GT: Not long ago, you expressed your confidence that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will develop into one of the most dynamic and competitive regions in China and even the world. What makes you so confident about the prospects of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area? The idea of the Greater Bay Area has been proposed for many years. Do you think the construction of the Greater Bay Area will usher in some big breakthroughs in the next year or two?
Lee: I believe that the Greater Bay Area is one of the most promising regions for development in the country. Currently, Hong Kong and Shenzhen have already achieved a high level of integration, and have formed strong cooperation ties with the entire Guangdong Province. With nine cities and two special administrative regions, each with its own advantages, it is no longer just a case of "one plus on," but rather the synergy of all 11 entities working together, resulting in significant collaborative efficiency.
Hong Kong has a lot to contribute to the Greater Bay Area and the country. First, there is a wealth of talent in Hong Kong. The city is able to attract international talents, with its highly internationalized universities that are among the top in the world.
Additionally, there are scholarships and exchange programs available, such as the "Belt and Road Scholarship," further enhancing the internationalization of Hong Kong's talent pool. Hong Kong's professionals in fields such as accounting and engineering are also highly aligned with international standards.
Second, Hong Kong has a strong advantage in scientific research. In the current complex global (geopolitical) environment, many researchers who had previously left Hong Kong or the Chinese mainland are now looking to return and conduct research in Hong Kong.
Third, Hong Kong implements the common law system, which is similar to the legal systems of many developed countries. As a result, these countries are more familiar with and trust Hong Kong's legal system. This can attract more international partners for cooperation and also make Hong Kong a preferred arbitration venue for international trade disputes.
The entire Greater Bay Area has a population of 86 million and its GDP is equivalent to the 10th largest economy in the world. It is larger than many countries, so the Greater Bay Area can compete strongly with other countries as a whole.
I feel very happy and proud that Hong Kong has the opportunity to contribute to the development of the Greater Bay Area, and Hong Kong will also benefit greatly from it, injecting strong momentum into its own economic development.
A recent public opinion survey conducted in Dubai targeting Arab youth revealed that eight out of 10 respondents consider China an ally, marking the highest number of respondents to hold this view in four years.
According to data from the United Nations Population Fund, the Arab region is characterized by a substantial youth population, with those under 30 years old constituting about 60 percent of the total population. As a result, numerous international media outlets have shown particular interest in this survey's results, which demonstrate an increasing trend of positive sentiments among Arab youth toward China.
The Global Times reporters found that with the advancement of internet technology and the expansion of avenues for people-to-people exchanges, Arab youth possess richer media exposure to China compared with previous generations. They also have more opportunities for face-to-face interactions with Chinese individuals, leading to a more diversified and contemporary understanding of China.
Moreover, Arab youth approaches the development of different nations worldwide with more pragmatic attitude and are eager to learn from the success stories of other countries.
Experts told the Global Times that further broadening the scope and depth of face-to-face exchanges between young people from China and Arab nations in technology, education, culture, and other domains should be a goal. An urge to strive forward
Strolling through shops across various Middle Eastern countries, one can find an array of everyday consumer goods from China, such as data cables, power banks, and phone cases.
During the Qatar World Cup in 2022, Global Times reporters visited Doha and found that the backs of each World Cup souvenir item bore the familiar "Made in China" label. Ahmed, a shop assistant at a World Cup souvenir store in Doha, confirmed that many of their products were imported from China, as the wide variety and good quality of Chinese goods are favored by consumers.
Liu Zhongmin, Director of the Middle East Studies Institute at the Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times that the positive perception of China held by youth from Arab countries is largely influenced by the bilateral economic and trade exchanges, particularly since the cities of Guangzhou in South China's Guangdong Province, Yinchuan in Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and Yiwu in East China's Zhejiang Province, became windows connecting China and the Arab world.
China is the largest trading partner of Arab countries, with bilateral trade volume reaching around $430 billion in 2022, a historical record.
When asked about their impressions of Chinese people, 21-year-old Algerian Nura Omri revealed that she had previously held a rather stereotypical view, believing that the Chinese were subject to arduous labor and were uninterested in engaging with the outside world. However, Nura's perception of Chinese people has significantly changed as she got to know more Chinese friends through learning the Chinese language.
Nura, a master's student majoring in Media and Geopolitics at the University of Algiers 3, secured second place in the Chinese Bridge Competition in Algeria this year after studying Chinese for over a year. Nura stated, "The Chinese nation is a wise one; the Chinese people, just like us, are warm and hospitable, and delight in helping others."
Liu commented that in the realm of culture and society, the influence of Chinese TV dramas and films on the Arab region is gradually increasing. According to media reports, Arabic-dubbed versions of Chinese TV dramas have been aired in multiple Arab countries.
Abdel-Rahman, a 23-year-old graduate from Qatar University, specifically chose to get an internship at a construction project under a Chinese enterprise in Doha. He told the Global Times that he often saw videos on the internet showcasing China's rapid infrastructure development, and this time he finally had the opportunity to see it for himself.
The most profound impression left on him was the efficient project organization and management by Chinese companies, as well as the excellent work capability of his Chinese colleagues. "I feel like every Chinese colleague is an 'all-rounder'; whenever there is a shortage of staff due to vacation or other reasons, they can seamlessly take on other roles."
Similarly, in the job market, Ferial Hamdi from Algeria also favors Chinese companies. Born into a Berber family in the eastern Bouïra Province, Farida received a quality education and is fluent in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Berber. After graduating from university, she chose to work at a local Chinese company rather than a Western or an American one.
She told the Global Times that people often jest that the Chinese are like "robots," but she embraces this culture. She believes that it is this tenacious spirit that has enabled the Chinese nation to achieve remarkable feats in the world. Working with Chinese colleagues continually sparks her urge to strive for more.
More diverse, positive attitude
Favorable sentiments expressed toward China by people in Arab countries began in the 1950s and 1960s when New China steadfastly and selflessly supported the national liberation efforts of Arab countries, generously providing assistance and winning the goodwill and appreciation of Arab nations.
Global Times reporters have visited with or interviewed a number of older scholars and statesmen from Arab countries, and found well-worn copies of Selected Works of Mao Zedong that bear the mark of time.
Al-Rawda, an 18-year-old freshman at Egypt's Suez Canal University, told the Global Times that "Since childhood, my elders have told me about China's achievements in various fields, as well as its history and culture. It is because of this understanding that I chose to study Chinese."
Zou Zhiqiang, a research fellow at Fudan University's Middle East Research Center, told the Global Times that while the older generation in the region holds a friendly attitude toward China, their knowledge of China is not comprehensive. In their impression, China is depicted as having a large population, relatively underdeveloped, and of average product quality.
"However, the younger generation is less influenced by traditional thinking and stereotypes, and holds fewer ideological burdens," Zou said. "Their views on China are more diverse and positive, impressed by China's economic achievements and advanced national development. They regard China as a global technological and economic leader, and view it as a valuable model for Arab countries to learn from."
Resentment against US' hegemony
Against the backdrop of the comprehensive strategic partnership relations established between China and Saudi Arabia, the Global Times public opinion center recently conducted an online survey titled "China-Arab Relationship in the Eyes of Saudi Arabian Youth," which was carried out through online questionnaires targeting young people aged between 18 and 35 in Saudi Arabia, from July 4 to 11. A total of 300 valid questionnaires were collected.
The data shows that over 70 percent of the respondents have a positive impression of China, while only 47 percent, that is, less than half of the respondents have a positive impression of the US. Additionally, more than 70 percent of the respondents were aware of the cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia in fields such as infrastructure, trade, and energy, and over two-thirds of the respondents stated that they personally felt the tangible improvements in people's lives brought about by this cooperation.
The US has had significant influence in Arab countries for quite a long time. Some governments in the region still harbor hopes of financial assistance from the US to drive their economic and social development, while some of their citizens have been greatly influenced by American culture and education. However, the US' hegemonic actions, including frequently interfering in other countries' internal affairs and meddling in Arab countries' affairs, have resulted in growing resentment among people in Arab countries, analysts said.
After the 9/11 attacks, the US accused Saudi Arabia of supporting terrorists, while continues to suppress Arab countries under the pretext of human rights violations and religious freedoms in these countries, which has led to a deteriorating impression of the US among many people in Arab countries.
This trend was reflected in a survey conducted by a Dubai-based public relations firm in July, which included face-to-face interviews with 3,600 youth aged 18 to 24 across 53 cities in 18 Arab countries, according to a report by CNN.
In the survey, 80 percent of respondents considered China to be an ally to their country, and the US ranks seventh among "friendly" nations, compared with China, which ranked second in the Arab Youth Survey.
Arab countries rely more heavily on US in military security, Liu told the Global Times. However, in a broader sense of partnership, the youth in these countries now see China as more of a partner and an "ally," as the US consistently places its own interests ahead of those of its allies, while China's cooperation with Arab countries in various fields is based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, Liu said.
"Unlike the US, which makes empty promises and attaches many stringent political conditions to its aid to Arab countries, China is the most trustworthy country in the world today. China keeps its promises and is a good friend, which has done many good things for Arab and African countries," AL-Labib, a young Egyptian, told the Global Times.
Face-to-face communication
China and the Arab world have a historical foundation of friendly exchanges, and the relationship is further supported by strong practical factors.
China emphasizes exchanges and mutual learning between different civilizations to promote people-to-people connectivity. Recent years have seen many achievements in youth exchanges between the two sides.
Among the eight major initiatives by China-Arab practical cooperation put forward at the first China-Arab States Summit in December, 2022, the seventh is the cooperation initiative on youth development.
In July, the China-Arab youth friendship ambassadors 2023 program was inaugurated, with nearly 100 young representatives from Arab countries coming to China for exchanges. The China-Arab Cultural and Tourism Cooperation Research Center was also established on August 1. The training and exchange program for young sinologists initiated by the Chinese government has also attracted active participation from many students from Arab countries. This series of projects helps enhance mutual understanding and consolidate goodwill between China and Arab countries.
Compared with government-level cooperation, Zou believes that face-to-face exchanges among young people are more direct, emotional, and free. When young people from China and Arab countries travel or study in each other's countries, they can make local friends and engage in in-depth conversations, which will help to enhance mutual understanding and deepen friendships between the people of the two sides in a subtler and more impactful ways.
Zou believes that in the future, deeper and wider youth exchanges between China and Arab countries should be increased in fields of science and technology, education, and culture. Youth from Arab countries have a strong interest in China's emerging technologies, and this group is also a key force for government-level technological cooperation. Chinese technology and gaming companies can expand into the Arab market and increase their popularity among youth from Arab countries, which in turn can also help Arab countries cultivate young scientists and innovative talents.
"For this surgery, we have prepared for more than half a year," Xiao Yuehai told the Global Times when talking about the first laparoscopic surgery carried out in Solomon Islands.
Xiao is an urologist from the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University (AHGMU) and a member of the second group of Chinese medical workers dispatched to the Solomon Islands.
We reused the laparoscope machines and organized a new one. This helped us save at least 4 million yuan ($548,320), Xiao said proudly.
The first laparoscopic surgery was conducted by Solomon Islands doctors under the guidance of Chinese medical staff. As of August 22, two such surgeries had been conducted.
"In the past, local doctors had to make an opening of 15-20 centimeters on the patient's torso when they conducted the surgery. The patient would lose a large amount of blood and have to be hospitalized for about one week before leaving the hospital. But now, they can leave the hospital two days after the surgery is completed," Xiao said.
Meaningful exchanges
This is not just happening in the Solomon Islands, but the whole South Pacific Islands region.
According to a fact sheet on cooperation between China and Pacific Island Countries (PICs) the Chinese Foreign Ministry released in May 2022, China has sent a total of 600 medical workers to PICs, who have treated 260,000 local patients, provided free medical services on over 100 occasions, and donated a significant amount of both medical machines and medicines. They have helped improve local residents' health and local medical service capacity.
In 2014, the China-assisted Navua Hospital opened to the public in Fiji, bringing benefits to over 30,000 local residents, according to the sheet.
In January 2016, the China-Australia-PNG Malaria Prevention Program was officially launched in Papua New Guinea (PNG), effectively enhancing the ability of malaria prevention and treatment. In October 2017, the Shenzhen municipal government helped launch malaria elimination program in the Kirivina Islands of PNG, reducing the local community's vulnerability to?malaria, the sheet noted.
After the start of COVID-19, the two sides have been helping each other combat the disease. China has held more than 10 bilateral or multilateral public health expert meetings via video link with PICs, which have established diplomatic relations with China, to share experience covering disease prevention, control, treatment and diagnosis. China has actively provided vaccines, supplies and financial assistance to PICs, helping the latter build quarantine cubicles and other facilities. As of May 2022, China had provided PICs with 590,000 doses of vaccines and over 100 tons of supplies, according to the sheet.
Restricted by their geographic location, medical standards across Pacific Islands Countries and the connectivity between the countries remains low, meaning local residents have difficulty in accessing treatment when faced with serious health issues.
China's medical support not only brings medicines and equipment to the region, but also advanced technologies, which have helped improve the development of local medical care and bolster the development of the friendship between China and the entire region.
The Chinese medical team also helps the Solomon Islands to organize an emergency medical team for the upcoming 2023 Pacific Games that is scheduled to be held in Honiara, Solomon Islands, between November 19 and December 2.
Chinese doctors' selfless contribution has won respect and recognition of local governments and residents.
In July, as Vanuatu celebrated the 43rd anniversary of its independence, Vanuatu President Nikenike Vurobaravu awarded nine members of the first Chinese medical team with state medals in recognition of their significant contribution to improving local medical standards and consolidating the China-Vanuatu cooperation in medical treatment and public health.
Teaching a man to fish
Apart from providing medical services directly to local residents, Chinese medical teams also train local medical staff "how to fish" through lectures, clinical practice and training sessions, which serve to enhance local medical capacity.
According to the Xinhua News Agency, from 2002 to July 2023, Chinese medical teams to Papua New Guinea held more than 11,000 training courses and held at least 70 lectures to local medical workers. They also provided training for the use of 240 technologies that had never been available in the country.
Medical teams in the Solomon Islands are delivering similar outcomes, despite only being active in the country for two years.
On August 14, AHGMU and the Ministry of Health and Medical Services of the Solomon Islands signed an MOU on medical cooperation. The two sides agreed on support and assistance in upgrading tertiary hospital care at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in the Solomon Islands as the center of teaching, treatment of complicated cases and major referral center.
According to the MOU, the AHGMU will select senior doctors to be part of the China Medical Team in Solomon Islands, providing medical services to local communities. The Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Center and Minimally Invasive Urological Surgery Center will be established at NRH in the near future, in which both sides will work closely on medical equipment and instruments donated to NRH. Doctors, nurses, and administrative personnel will have opportunities to receive training and postgraduate education at AHGMU and related medical technology supports will be provided to the centers to assist NRH medical staff master specialized skills.
Growth in TCM
The arrival of Chinese medical teams also generated new awareness over traditional Chinese medicine in the South Pacific region.
"Thank you, China Medical Team, especially Doctor Jack Lei for giving much of your time with your experiences and techniques in delivering acupuncture treatment to me as one of your patients," commented a local resident on the Facebook page of the Chinese medical team.
In less than half a year, Lei, an expert in traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture from the medical team, has changed the local people's attitude toward acupuncture from "never heard of" to "pure magic."
Now the Chinese medial team is also teaching acupuncture and other TCM knowledge to local doctors and nurses and the team also hopes to send some local doctors to China to study acupuncture in the future.
Chinese naval hospital ship Peace Ark also visited the Solomon Islands in August during its "Harmonious Mission 2023."
During its visit to the Solomon Islands, Peace Ark provided free medical service to local people and overseas Chinese. It also dispatched multiple medical teams to deliver medical care, critical disease consultation and academic exchange.
In addition to the TCM consultation room's seven beds, some patients were seen with "cups" on their backs, or needles inserted in various acupuncture points on their legs, while other received moxibustion treatment on their feet. A local woman told the Global Times that she came to the hospital ship for treatment because she heard that Chinese medicine is famous and effective for foot pain.
"I feel very good. Chinese doctors are very good!" she said.
