In order to achieve the goal of landing on the moon by 2030, the crewed lunar rover has entered the initial prototype research and development (R&D) stage, with two teams under the state-owned space giant, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), winning the R&D contracts.
The two winners are the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST) and China Academy of Space Technology, both subsidiaries under CASC, The Paper reported on Tuesday citing company sources.
The solicitation for the crewed lunar rover proposals went through two rounds of selection, and the two finalists that received the contracts each have their own unique characteristics in terms of innovation and advancement, the SAST revealed. Subsequently, a comparison will be conducted at the end of the prototype development phase to determine a final development team for China's first crewed lunar landing.
Additionally, a naming campaign for the crewed lunar rover will be launched in 2025, The Paper report said.
Other relevant works for the manned lunar landing are progressing smoothly. Currently, the Long March-10 carrier rocket, the Mengzhou manned spacecraft, the Lanyue lunar lander and the lunar landing spacesuit are all in the initial sample production and related ground testing phases as planned.
Major tests have been completed, including the comprehensive airdrop of the spacecraft, the separation of modules of the lander, the testing of the three-engine power system the rocket and the high-altitude simulation test of the hydrogen-oxygen engine. A batch of ground facilities and equipment to support these production tests has also been built and put into use, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
The pre-mission flight tests and the overall plan for the scientific research objectives and supporting payloads for the mission have been essentially determined, and the systems for the launch site, monitoring and communication, and landing site are being developed and constructed in an orderly manner according to the plan.
Previously, at a press conference before the launch of Shenzhou-19 on October 29, China Manned Space Agency announced the 2030 target for this grand lunar landing mission.
The agency also revealed that the fourth batch of taikonauts will undertake the manned lunar landing missions. In May this year, the selection process for the fourth batch was completed, with a total of 10 reserve taikonauts being selected, including eight pilots and two payload specialists. They joined the training program in August.
Given that they will not only perform space station missions but also future manned lunar landing tasks, the training curriculum has been designed to focus on essential skills such as living and working in a weightless environment and maintaining health, as well as specialized skills like carrying out extravehicular activities, equipment maintenance and space science experiments.
Furthermore, the training aims to enhance taikonauts' capabilities for future manned lunar missions, including operating spacecraft, driving lunar rovers, identifying celestial bodies, conducting geological surveys and transitioning from weightlessness in space to walking under load on the lunar surface, the agency said.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Takeo Akiba, secretary general of Japan's National Security Secretariat, held consultations under the China-Japan high-level political dialogue mechanism in Beijing on Monday. The two sides reiterated that they will abide by the principles and consensus set out in the four political documents between China and Japan and commit to comprehensively advancing the strategic relationship of mutual benefit between the two sides, reaching agreement to maintain high-level intercourse, dialogue and exchanges in various fields, and send more positive signals to the outside world.
Noting that China-Japan relations are at a critical stage of improvement, Wang, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said the two sides should follow the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, stick to the right direction of improving and developing bilateral relations, and build a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship that meets the requirements of the new era, Xinhua News Agency reported.
Experts said the meeting shows that the Shigeru Ishiba administration recognizes the importance of Japan's relationship with China, and of handling it with a pragmatic and rational attitude, which will inject positivity and stability into bilateral ties. A stable China-Japan relationship is also beneficial for the governance stability of the Ishiba administration, they noted.
Wang said the Japanese side should establish an objective and rational understanding of China, honor its political commitment on the Taiwan question and earnestly safeguard the political foundation of China-Japan relations, urging the Japanese side to take concrete actions to implement the important consensus of "being each other's cooperation partners rather than threats," and promote the steady and long-term development of bilateral ties.
On the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, the two sides agreed to accelerate the follow-up and implementation of the bilateral political consensus.
It is hoped that all parties will jointly resist non-regional forces inciting confrontation in the area and take concrete actions to safeguard regional peace and stability, Wang added.
Since Ishiba assumed office, high-level interactions between China and Japan have become more frequent. On October 10, Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Ishiba on the sidelines of the leaders' meetings on East Asia cooperation held in Vientiane, Laos.
Before Monday's meeting, Wang and Akiba held a phone call on October 21.
Xiang Haoyu, a research fellow in the Department for Asia-Pacific Studies of China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times that since Ishiba came to office, China-Japan relations have achieved a relatively smooth transition, as the new Japanese cabinet has recognized the importance of China-Japan relations and adopted a relatively pragmatic and rational attitude.
According to Xiang, over the past year, China-Japan relations have continued to stabilize on the whole, but still face major problems including lack of political mutual trust, security suspicion, and weakening economic and trade cooperation momentum, which is related to Japan's negative perception of China, and also affected by great power competition and geopolitical conflicts.
Considering that the Ishiba cabinet is currently a in a relatively weak position at home and that great uncertainty lies ahead in Japanese domestic politics in the future, how to strengthen the predictability and certainty of bilateral relations through high-level exchanges has become crucial, said Xiang, adding that a stable China-Japan relationship is also beneficial for the governance stability of the Ishiba administration.
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Beijing on Friday.
Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Slovakia, Xi said that after three-quarters of a century of development, the traditional friendship between the two countries is full of vitality, and the cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries.
"We have decided to elevate China-Slovakia relations to a strategic partnership, which meets the future development needs of both countries and will inject new and powerful momentum into bilateral cooperation," Xi said, adding that China is willing to work together with Slovakia to open a new chapter in bilateral relations and lift their ties to a higher level.
In an era marked by unprecedented global transformations, the world stands at a critical crossroads, grappling with deepening deficits in peace, development, security, and governance. As humanity faces unparalleled challenges during this tumultuous period, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, has put forth a solemn call to action through the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI).
The three pivotal initiatives address the pressing issues of our time, offering viable pathways and robust support for the building of a global community of shared future. Rooted in the rich historical experiences of the CPC's century-long struggle and infused with the wisdom of China's traditional culture, these initiatives are expected to unite the world in the pursuit of common progress and stability.
To offer a deeper understanding of the GDI, the GSI, and the GCI, and elaborate on their significance on a global scale, the Global Times is launching a new article series featuring engaging stories and in-depth interviews to provide our readers with a comprehensive insight into the three initiatives.
When Tang Yunpeng took his usual drive to an archaeological site in Uzbekistan with local archaeologists one afternoon in 2019, a terrace, rising several dozen meters in height, subtly discernible on the horizon, grabbed his attention.
Tang and his colleagues surmised that this place had likely been chosen by ancient people as a settlement site. Ancient pottery fragments found scattered on the terrace proved their conjecture. The Chinortepa ruins site, offering precious first-hand materials for research on the Kushan Empire along the Silk Road, was rediscovered after around 2,000 years.
For thousands of years, people of China and Uzbekistan have maintained communication, trade, and cultural exchanges. Nowadays, they are now growing even closer through various exchanges that benefit both sides. From cultural events to tourism, the two peoples are continuing the close tie along the Silk Road. In 2020, the Chinese-Uzbek center for traditional medicine opened in the Uzbek capital Tashkent to promote traditional Chinese medicine in the Central Asian nation.
From ancient to modern times, China has been on the Silk Road for goods trade and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.
The stories along the Silk Road have been seen as a vivid reflection of cooperation and mutual appreciation, resonating with the spirit of the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), which was proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. The initiative, inspired by Chinese wisdom and principles of peaceful coexistence, focuses on respect for diversity, mutual learning, innovation, and people-to-people exchanges.
"The Chinese civilization has made significant contributions to the cause of human progress," Somsa Ath Ounsida, a member of the Provincial Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and vice governor of Khammouan Province, told the Global Times at a dialogue on traditional Chinese culture and cultural exchanges in Beijing in June 2024. "While inheriting China's fine traditional culture, China promotes cultural innovation, providing new ideas for the development of human civilization and the better promotion of dialogue and exchanges between Eastern and Western cultures."
"In today's era of globalization, all countries should uphold the concept of equality, respect each other, and coexist harmoniously. The culture of each country and nation is unique and independent, and together constitute the diversity of world culture. Strengthening cultural exchanges is important and crucial in promoting the prosperity of world culture," he said, while commenting on China's efforts in promoting exchanges.
As today's world grapples with threats and challenges, people with good intentions "must ensure that culture powers cooperation. The world must choose cooperation instead of tension and confrontation," former French prime minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin said in his video speech at the 2024 Beijing Culture Forum in October.
Boosting cultural vitality
People living in present-day Central Asia have gained a deeper understanding of their own civilizations and the significance of cultural exchanges, thanks to the work of Chinese archaeologists.
The Collaborative Research Center for Archaeology of the Silk Roads, where Tang works, brings together a team of the most experienced archaeologists in Shaanxi Province - the starting point of the Silk Road. Together, they have undertaken a series of archaeological projects in collaboration with local research institutes across Central Asia.
Liang Yun, a professor at the Academy of Cultural Heritage at Northwest University and a member of the archaeological team at the research center, told the Global Times that one of the most significant turning points and breakthroughs of research on ancient Silk Road was the discovery of Rabat Cemetery in Boysun City, Uzbekistan.
The excavation of the cemetery, led by Chinese archaeologists and assisted by Uzbek experts, sheds a light on the connotations of ancient culture in the region. The discovery of cultural relics showcasing a blend of diverse civilizations - featuring Chinese patterns and Mediterranean amulets - significantly demonstrates how cultural exchanges have contributed to the flourishing of local civilization, according to Liang.
"When local residents are reminded of the significance of their civilization through these ancient ruins and cultural relics, a deep sense of cultural pride and understanding of the significance of cultural exchanges wells up within them," said Tang, reflecting on his interactions with Uzbek locals.
"This realization serves as powerful evidence that our joint archaeological projects under the guidance of the core spirits of the GCI are revitalizing local culture," Tang observed. Cultural diversity, mutual respect
The GCI, proposed by Xi when he delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting in March 2023, is another major public product provided to the world by China after the GDI and the GSI, both put forward by Xi, in 2021 and 2022, respectively, as Xinhua reported.
The initiative has been seen as a gift to the world that will inject fresh and strong energy into the common development and progress of human society in a world fraught with multiple challenges and crises, as confirmed by international scholars.
An increasing number of practices and cultural products are now being embraced within the gift box known as the GCI, shared by the world including China.
United under the theme of exchanges and dialogues, the world has tasted the fruits of cultural diversity and mutual respect, important components of the GCI, through concerts, exhibitions, movies, meetings, and more.
Since the proposal from the Chinese leader, China and other countries have intensified efforts to promote cultural understanding and exchanges. Initiatives include collaborative heritage conservation measures utilizing digital technologies between China and Greece, as well as an exhibition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games highlighting the beauty of diverse civilizations through artworks, including China's esteemed Ru porcelain.
"Such healthy and positive interactions between civilizations offer opportunities for different cultures to grow and flourish through learning from each other. These civilizational interactive processes require expanded people-to-people exchanges aside from respect for cultural diversity," Zafar Uddin Mahmood, the former special envoy for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, told the Global Times, expressing his appreciation of the values espoused by the GCI that contribute to the healthy and positive development of the whole world.
The Pakistani scholar noted that the GCI demonstrates that China is a civilizational state which has a deep understanding of the importance of connectivity and interaction among different living civilizations. "China has undertaken arduous efforts to create networks for civilizational connectivity."
Ronnie Lins, director of the China-Brazil Center for Research and Business, visited Chinese cities such as Beijing, Kashi, and Urumqi. Through his observation, he noted that China manages to create a harmonious scenario where the preservation of its rich history complements the acceptance of technological innovations, allowing the old and the new to strengthen and enhance each other. The philosophy behind such harmony could benefit other civilizations too.
"The GCI offers an 'open-source platform' for civilizations to connect, where each culture represents a unique line of code that adds value to the global system, without one line of code being more important than another," he told the Global Times.
Global consensus
Over seven centuries ago, the young Venetian merchant and explorer Marco Polo embarked on a trailblazing journey along the ancient Silk Road that led him through Central Asia to China.
Amid the commemoration of the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo's death and the 20th anniversary of the China-Italy comprehensive strategic partnership, a grand exhibition titled A Journey of Knowledge: The Travels of Marco Polo and its Legacy between East and West, was launched at the China Millennium Monument in Beijing earlier this year.
Guicciardo Sassoli de Bianchi, an art historian and project curator with the Italian Institute of Culture in Beijing, described the Sino-Italian cooperation as "a symbolic way to explain how the exchange of civilizations happened."
Robert Walker, a fellow at the Academy of Social Sciences in the UK, told the Global Times that the world "is experiencing enormous tensions. We have to work together to solve common problems" as well as hosting events like the Beijing Culture Forum, a platform for people to share and communicate.
In contrast to the Western claims of the "superiority of certain civilizations and a clash of civilizations," China has called for the upholding of the principles of equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness among civilizations. It emphasizes the importance of cultural exchanges transcending estrangement, mutual learning transcending clashes, and coexistence transcending feelings of superiority.
Voices from all corners of the world resonate with the wisdom of the ancient Chinese about human civilization, encapsulated in the saying, "Yue Yin Wan Chuan" (literally, the moon shines on multiple rivers). This phrase reflects how the moon takes on countless forms on the surface of the water, just as human civilizations do around the globe.
With their unique histories, cultures, and customs, various civilizations have flourished. This rich diversity leads to exchange; exchange fosters integration, and integration drives progress. In this ongoing journey, the GCI acts as a powerful force for advancing the common growth of all human civilizations.
China and the Vatican have agreed to extend their provisional agreement on the appointment of bishops for an additional four years, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Since it was signed in 2018, the provisional agreement regarding the appointment of bishops between China and the Vatican was extended in 2020 and 2022 respectively. The achievements in the implementation of this agreement have been commended by both sides, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at Tuesday's routine press briefing.
The two sides, through friendly consultation, have agreed to extend the agreement for another four years. The two sides will maintain contact and talks in a constructive spirit and continue to advance the improvement of China-Vatican relations, said Lin.
Yan Kejia, director of the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Religious Studies, sees the extension [of the agreement] as natural progress after gradual development. The two sides can deal with more complex issues and situations and seek solutions in a timeframe longer than two years, particularly on cultural and social topics, Yan said.
The four-year extension is not simply a longer timeframe, but it means the two sides are moving steadily toward each other, consolidating existing achievements with a vision for the future, Yan said.
There may still be various forms of game, but the space for cooperation can be expanded with the extended timeframe, and this cooperation itself will become more constructive, Yan noted.
A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in May that "China is ready to work with the Vatican for the steady improvement of relations," in response to remarks from the Vatican's top cardinal that it would like to establish a permanent office in China.
In recent years, China and the Vatican have maintained engagement, had in-depth communication on bilateral relations and international hotspot issues and increased understanding and trust, the spokesperson said then.
China has officially launched a fresh round of population and family development survey aimed at understanding family dynamics and reproductive behaviors, ultimately providing data to enhance fertility support policies.
The survey will encompass 150 monitored counties and 1,500 communities, sampling a total of 30,000 individuals. It seeks to identify key factors influencing public attitudes toward childbearing, address the challenges families face and analyze the sentiments of reluctance and fear surrounding having children, ultimately providing scientific evidence to enhance fertility support policies and incentive measures, according to a statement by China Population and Development Research Center, a public institution directly under National Health Commission (NHC), on Thursday.
Song Jian, a demographer from the Center for Population and Development Studies of the Renmin University of China, told the Global Times that since the implementation of the three-child policy and its supporting measures in 2021, the government has established a fertility support policy system, and various regions have actively implemented these measures. We need to understand how families perceive these policies and what unmet needs still exist.
"A nationwide representative sampling survey will provide answers to these questions and help refine the policy framework with data support."
Regarding the extent to which this survey can effectively address the issue of young people "not wanting to have children" or "not daring to have children," Song noted that while the survey itself cannot solve the problem, it can reveal underlying issues and provide data to support solutions. The fertility support policies must be targeted and based on a deep and accurate understanding of family needs, she emphasized.
The last time a nationwide family and fertility survey was carried out was in 2021, according to the center. It said that in 2017, 2019 and 2021, the NHC conducted three national fertility and parenting surveys, providing in-depth analysis and research on population development across various regions, particularly focusing on fertility levels, willingness to have children and parenting needs.
Since 2022, influenced by multiple factors such as changing attitudes toward childbirth and a decrease in the number of women of childbearing age, China has experienced negative population growth, shifting from a phase of population increase to one of decrease. This demographic development is characterized by evident trends such as declining birth rates, an aging population and regional disparities in population changes.
By the end of 2022, the mainland population was 1.41 billion, having decreased by 850,000 from 2021, data released by the National Bureau of Statistics of China (NBS) showed. It is the first time the country's population has recorded negative growth in 61 years since 1962.
It took more than a year to prepare for this new round of survey and was activated following the approval of a comprehensive sampling plan by the NBS on October 11, 2024, the center said.
Song told the Global Times there are some prominent fertility supporting needs waiting to be addressed. For example, do financial subsidies effectively encourage childbirth? How does the fertility status vary across different demographics? And how do families perceive their childcare needs?
According to the center, to ensure high-quality survey results, the first training session for the survey was held in Xining, Northwest China's Qinghai Province from October 14 to15. More than 130 people from 34 monitoring counties in seven provinces and one municipality participated in the on-site training.
As autumn paints the landscape in hues of gold and crimson, a cherished tradition is unfolding across China - the Chongyang Festival, also known as the Double Ninth Festival.
The Chongyang Festival, celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month of the traditional Chinese calendar, carries profound meaning for Chinese people. In Chinese culture, the number nine, pronounced "jiu," is a homophone for another word meaning "longevity and good health," making this festival a heartfelt tribute to the elderly. This year, the festival fell on October 11, Friday.
Traditionally, families will come together on this occasion to honor their elders, expressing love and respect. They participate in activities such as gathering to admire the beauty of chrysanthemums, donning pieces of dogwood (Cornus officinalis), tasting traditional Chongyang cakes and taking refreshing sips of chrysanthemum wine.
In 1989, the Chinese government designated the Double Ninth Festival as Senior's Day, blending traditional customs with modern practices to express respect, love, and support for the elderly. In recognition of its cultural significance, the Chongyang Festival was recognized in 2006 as part of China's first batch of national intangible cultural heritage.
In recent days, communities across the nation have also been engaging in a series of activities designed to celebrate and care for their senior citizens, ranging from climbing mountains to organizing cultural performances and providing care services for the elderly. Official statistics show that China has entered a moderately aging society.
There were 297 million people aged 60 and above in the country at the end of 2023, accounting for 21.1 percent of the total population. The number of people aged 65 and above reached 217 million, accounting for 15.4 percent of the total population, according to a Xinhua News Agency report in September.During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the central government has been providing financial support for a program to enhance home- and community-based basic elderly care services.
To enhance services for the elderly, China is working toward creating a comprehensive support system that aims to significantly improve the quality of life for hundreds of millions of senior citizens, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Minister of Civil Affairs Lu Zhiyuan told a media conference in September that China will build an elderly-friendly society by improving its social security system, elderly care services and health support. He also noted that an elderly care services system with distinctive Chinese features is expected to become well-developed and smoothly functional by 2035, according to Xinhua.
If the US deploys a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system in Israel, the regional crisis and ongoing conflicts could worsen as the deployment could further break the balance of power in the region, analysts said on Sunday.
Washington is reportedly considering deploying the system to protect Israel as the US ally's bloody operations in the region have resulted in retaliations from Iran and other armed groups in the Middle East.
A US official told The Times of Israel that US President Joe Biden's administration is considering transferring the THAAD systems to Israel, "but adds that a decision has not yet been made," the Israeli media reported on Sunday.
Earlier, several Israeli reports claimed that the US will deploy the anti-ballistic missile system in Israel - including sending American troops to Israeli soil to operate it - as part of preparations for the "expected Israeli response to Iran's recent missile attack."
By attacking Iran and other anti-Israel forces in the region, Israel is purposefully building a dangerous security environment for itself and deliberately making as many enemies as possible. This will force the US to spend more resources to protect Israel and will win more support and supplies from the US. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is firm in his belief that the US will unconditionally protect Israel, which is why Israel has no concern about acting so aggressively, analysts said.
Currently, Israel is closely coordinating with the US, which shows Israel understands the US does not want to be involved directly in the ongoing crisis. Therefore, Israel is taking advantage of the US mind-set to bargain with Washington for more support, such as the THAAD system. Perhaps the reason why Israel is yet to attack Iran is that it is waiting for a US pledge of new support, Li Xinggang, a research fellow at the Institute for Studies on the Mediterranean Rim at Zhejiang International Studies University, told the Global Times on Sunday.
If THAAD is deployed in the region, Iran's deterrent toward Israel will be weakened and Israel will be able to conduct more direct and assertive actions against Iran and other regional countries without concern. This would break the balance of power in the region and will force Tehran to take actions to prevent this from happening, said a Beijing-based military expert who asked for anonymity on Sunday.
Now, US officials have dropped their calls for a cease-fire in the region, arguing that circumstances have changed, Reuters reported on Sunday. "We do support Israel launching these incursions to degrade Hezbollah's infrastructure so ultimately we can get a diplomatic resolution," US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told a press briefing on Wednesday.
The course change reflects conflicting US goals - containing the ever-growing Middle East conflict while also severely weakening the Iran-backed Hezbollah, Reuters reported.
Due to tolerance or support from the US, Israel's actions are becoming increasingly outrageous, said experts, as now Israeli forces are firing at UN peacekeeping forces in the region.
"Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fired on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon early Thursday morning," said the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, the mission operating along the Security Council-mandated "Blue Line" of separation between the two countries which they patrol, according to the UN.
"UNIFIL's Naqoura headquarters and nearby positions have been repeatedly hit," the UN mission said in a statement. "This morning, two peacekeepers were injured after an IDF Merkava tank fired its weapon toward an observation tower at UNIFIL's headquarters in Naqoura, directly hitting it and causing them to fall.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged the United Nations on Sunday to evacuate troops in its UNIFIL peacekeeping force from combat areas in Lebanon, Reuters reported.
The more one-sided the support the US offers, the more outrageously Netanyahu's administration will act, and the more dangerous, isolated and hated Israel will be in the region and among the international community, experts noted.
China’s first corgi police dog Fu Zai who has attracted people’s attention with his iconic happy face, cute short legs, and outstanding explosive detection skills, has officially transitioned from being a reserve police dog to a certified police dog, according to the public security bureau in Weifang in East China’s Shandong Province on Tuesday.
In accordance with the assessment standards and Fu Zai’s individual capabilities, police customized the evaluation to suit his abilities. Under the guidance of his trainer, Fu Zai successfully completed assessments on obedience, luggage searches, vehicle searches, room searches, and obstacle navigation.
The good news garnered significant attention from netizens on Chinese social media platforms, with many sending their best wishes to him.
After making his debut in March at the open day event held at a police camp in the city of Weifang, Fu Zai went viral thanks to his iconic smiley face, cute short legs, and impressive skills in bomb search, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
Fu Zai was spotted at just two months old as his previous owner took him to play in the park. A dog trainer at the police station was surprised to discover that Fu Zai met all the criteria for police dog selection.
