FOCUS

PHOTOS

Young Monks Train in Martial Arts at Shaolin Temple

Shaolin monks are conducting their daily practice of martial arts in front of the Grand Hall at the Simian Mountain Shaolin Temple in southwest China’s Chongqing,on May 14,2023.

A father and son visit the Language Museum with bilingual explanations of volunteers from the Beijing Foreign Studies University World Language Museum in Beijing on May 15,2023.

A group of people carrying a statue of Mazu,a sea goddess,during a folk parade in memory of the goddess which kicked off in Ningde City of Fujian Province on May 14,2023.

People are enjoying a barbecued meal in Zibo City of Shandong Province on the evening of May 3,2023.

With the graduation season approaching,graduates of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University take photos around their campus,leaving beautiful memories of their youth in Fuzhou on May 14,2023.

EXCHANGES

“President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to China is a complete success.China is ready to work with France to follow through on the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state,accelerate the advancement of exchanges and cooperation in various fields,and work for continuous development of the close and enduring comprehensive strategic partnership between China and France.The two sides should keep close high-level exchanges,expand exchanges at all levels,and continuously explore new areas of cooperation.Both sides should open markets wider to each other and build a more resilient China-France supply chain.The two sides should strengthen cooperation in international affairs and join hands to meet global challenges.China’s resolve to promote high-quality development and highstandard opening-up is unwavering,and China stands ready to work with France and other countries to make the pie of cooperation bigger and share development opportunities.”

State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang said when he held talks with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna in Paris on May 10,2023.

“China and Europe should stick to the positioning of a comprehensive strategic partnership,adhere to opening-up and cooperation,uphold multilateralism,and realize common development of Chinese modernization and European integration.”

Vice Foreign Minister Deng Li made these remarks while attending the Europe Day reception hosted by the EU delegation to China on May 9,2023.

Xi Jinping and Wife Peng Liyuan Send Congratulatory Message to King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Coronation

On May 6,2023,President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan sent a congratulatory message to King of the U.K.,Charles III and Queen Camilla.

In their message,Xi Jinping and Peng Liyuan noted that the world today is undergoing profound and complex changes,and the international community is faced with many unprecedented challenges.China and the U.K.,both permanent members of the United Nations Security Council,should take a long-term and strategic view to jointly promote the historical trend of peace,development,and win-win cooperation.China is ready to work with the U.K.to enhance the friendship between the two peoples,expand mutually beneficial cooperation,and deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges,so as to bring more benefits to the two countries and the world at large with a stable and mutually beneficial China-U.K.relationship.

Wang Yi Meets Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto

On May 15,2023,Wang Yi,a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee,met with the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto in Beijing.

Wang Yi appreciated Hungary’s friendly policy toward China,saying it is in line with the interests of Hungary and its people,the common interests of China and Europe,and the trend of the times.China’s development and growth are a boost for peace and an enhancement of global stability factors.He added that mutual respect,trust,understanding,and support between China and Hungary have propelled bilateral ties into their best period in history.

Wang Yi pointed out that China supports European strategic autonomy and China is willing to work with Hungary and other EU countries to uphold genuine multilateralism,advance democratization in international relations,and make the global governance system more just and equitable.

Szijjarto hailed China’s efforts to find a political settlement to the Ukraine crisis and said that Hungary-China and EU-China cooperation present opportunities rather than risks.Hungary welcomes China to increase investment in the country and is willing to enhance cooperation with China in various fields and push bilateral relations to a new level.

Qin Gang Visits Germany,France,and Norway

On May 10,2023,German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang in Berlin.

Scholz asked Qin Gang to convey his sincere greetings to Chinese leaders.Scholz said in the context of a multipolar world,the principle of equality of all parties should be upheld to jointly safeguard world peace.Germany attaches importance to China’s role and influence,and stands ready to strengthen communication with China on the Ukraine crisis and other major issues.

Qin Gang conveyed cordial greetings from Chinese leaders to Scholz.Qin said that there is something in common between President Xi Jinping’s strategic judgment about the“global changes unseen in a century” and Chancellor Scholz’s notion of global “Zeitenwende.” In the face of a world of change and disorder,the international community should step up cooperation and join hands to meet challenges.He noted that China and Germany are countries with important influence and comprehensive strategic partners,and that strengthening dialogue and cooperation between the two sides will help inject more stability,certainty,and positive energy into the world.China looks forward to working with Germany to achieve fruitful outcomes in the consultation.

During the visit,Qin Gang also met with German Chancellor’s Foreign and Security Policy Adviser Jens Plötner,and held talks with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.

On May 10,2023,Qin Gang held talks with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna in Paris.

Qin said that China has always regarded Europe as a comprehensive strategic partner,and consistently and unequivocally supported Europe in strengthening its strategic autonomy.He added that China is playing an active role in the international arena,advocating that the China-Europe relationship is not targeted at any third party,nor is it subjugated to or controlled by any third party.China,France,and the rest of the EU should pursue win-win cooperation by expanding two-way opening-up and build a more stable China-EU supply chain partnership of mutual trust.

Colonna said France-China relations are of vital importance.France attaches importance to its economic relations with China,believing that such relations are interdependent,mutually beneficial,as well as complementary,open,and transparent.France does not engage in bloc confrontation and holds that all countries should live in harmony and achieve common development.Colonna also said France is willing to strengthen communication with China on Ukraine and other major international and regional issues to seek more common ground.

On the same day,Qin Gang also met with French President’s Diplomatic Advisor Emmanuel Bonne,and the two sides exchanged views on China-France relations,the Ukraine crisis,and other issues.

On May 12,2023,Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre met with Qin Gang in Oslo.

Qin said that China values its relations with Norway and stands ready to work with it to strengthen communication,enhance mutual trust,and promote cooperation.China appreciates the Norwegian government’s firm adherence to the one-China policy,its practical and rational perception of China,and its commitment to growing bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect and equality.

Qin noted that China’s economy is recovering and growing at an accelerated pace,which will bring unprecedented opportunities to all countries in the world,including Norway.China and Norway should strengthen practical cooperation in such fields as economy and trade,maritime affairs,social welfare and green transition.

Jonas Gahr Støre said that though different in size and national conditions,Norway and China have a long history of exchanges and have maintained dialogue and communication.Norway attaches importance to cooperation with China and stands ready to strengthen exchanges with China at all levels to promote greater development of bilateral cooperation.

During the visit,Qin Gang also had a group meeting with members of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense of the Norwegian Parliament,and held talks with Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt.

“While appreciating the EU’s statement of not subscribing to a zero-sum game,we see its perception of China — the triptych of rival,partner,and competitor — as self-contradictory.ln fact,China and Europe have broad common interests with cooperation and consensus far surpassing competition and disagreements.We hope the European side will not be biased by ideological differences,rise above external disruption,uphold strategic autonomy,form its independent and objective perception of China,and adopt a positive and rational China policy.This best serves its interests.”

Foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin indicated at a regular press conference on May 15,2023.

“To maintain its hegemony,the U.S.has for some time been overstretching the concept of national security,abusing export control measures,and limiting exports to China.lt is not only China that the U.S.is trying to contain and bring down,but also a large number of other developing countries.The U.S.is taking away their right to scientific and technological progress and development that they deserve and keeping them at the lower end of industrial chains.Such selfish and bullying practices in science and technology are unjust and against international rules.They will destabilize global industrial and supply chains,hamper global economic development,and ultimately backfire on the U.S.itself.”

Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference on May 4,2023.

ECONOMY/SOCIETY

Digital Economy Drives China’s Steady Growth

ln 2022,the scale of China’s digital economy reached RMB 50.2 trillion,ranking second in the world.The number of netizens grew to 1.067 billion,and the lnternet penetration rate was 75.6 percent.

Age Structure of Netizens

Internet Penetration Rate in Urban and Rural AreasNumber of Internet Users and Internet Penetration Rate

The Scale and Proportion of Mobile Internet Users of All Internet Users

China’s Foreign Trade up 5.8%in First Four Months

China’s total imports and exports expanded 5.8 percent yearon-year to RMB 13.32 trillion in the first four months of 2023.

Exports grew 10.6 percent year-on-year while imports rose 0.02 percent in the period.

In U.S.dollar terms,total foreign trade came in at US $1.94 trillion in the period,down 1.9 percent year-on-year,according to the General Administration of Customs.In April alone,foreign trade increased 8.9 percent year-on-year.

Over US $10 Bln of Investment Signed at Central China RCEP Expo

A total of 113 projects with a combined investment of about RMB 75 billion (US $10.84 billion) were signed during a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) economic and trade expo held in Huaihua City in central China’s Hunan Province from May 4 to 7.

The four-day expo attracted over 600 renowned enterprises and more than 1,000 buyers from home and abroad,including 112 companies from 14 other RCEP member countries.

With diversified offline and online activities,the expo had more than 2,000 varieties of featured products from RCEP member countries on display in Huaihua City’s international convention center.

RMB 167.4 billion of railway investment

Fixed-asset investment in China’s railways has risen 6.3 percent yearon-year in the first four months of 2023,data from China State Railway Group Co.,Ltd.show.

The country’s railways saw a total investment of RMB 167.4 billion (about US $24.2 billion) in the first four months,advancing the construction of a modern railway infrastructure system at an accelerated pace.

China to Deepen Reforms to Bridge Urban-Rural Wealth Gap

China will step up its policy support to increase consumer spending and unleash the country’s purchasing potential,a key force that propels its economic recovery and underpins its endeavors toward modernization and prosperity,experts said.

The policy push,including the removal of administrative restrictions in the housing and automobile sectors,is among China’s priorities to revive its consumer market since the central leadership has identified insufficient domestic demand as an acute challenge facing the nation’s economic and social development,especially after three years of COVID-19 disruptions.

Policymakers are also expected to deepen reforms to boost household incomes and close the wealth gap between urban and rural residents,as President Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of expanding the country’s consumption demand supported by stable income growth.

Chinese Are Reading More

Recently,the Chinese Academy of Press and Publication released a report on its latest nationwide survey on reading.Last year,it collected feedback from nearly 1.5 million people residing in 165 cities across the Chinese mainland,with 74.6 percent being adults and 25.4 percent aged below 18.The results showed that 81.8 percent of them read books (59.8 percent),newspapers (23.5 percent),or magazines (17.7 percent)– 0.2 percentage points higher than in 2021.And 80.1 percent of the reading was through electronic means (i.e.Internet,mobile phones,e-readers or tablets)– an increase of 0.5 percentage points from 2021.

Last year,68.6 percent of urban residents surveyed read books,compared with 68.5 percent in 2021.In the countryside,the share was 50.2 percent,slightly higher than the 50 percent in 2021.The number of paper books they opened was 5.61 in the city and 3.77 in rural areas,both higher than the year before.

Medical Aid to Africa Marks 60th Anniversary

China has dispatched medical teams totaling 30,000 members to 76 countries and regions over the past six decades,providing 290 million diagnoses and treatments to those in need,according to a recent symposium held in Beijing.The International Symposium on the 60th Anniversary of Dispatching the First Chinese Medical Team to Africa was attended by about 60 people,including the ambassador of Algeria to China Hassane Rabeh,officer-in-charge of the WHO China Office,members of the China Medical Team,as well as experts and scholars from African countries.

In his speech,Fu Qiang,director general of the China National Health Development Research Center,said that Chinese medical teams were working at 115 sites in 56 countries,nearly half of which were in remote areas with harsh conditions,or dealing with instability.In the course of serving local communities,the Chinese Medical Team had brought the people of China and Africa closer.

Dispatching medical teams to African countries signifies China’s friendship with Africa and embodies its vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity,said Li Xinfeng,executive president of the China-Africa Institute.

In his speech,Ambassador Hassane Rabeh thanked the Chinese government and people for their cooperation and friendship with Africa in the field of public health over the past 60 years.The great nation of China has raised numerous outstanding sons and daughters who have worked indefatigably to help improve public health on the African continent,he said.

Carbon Footprint for Agriculture at“Basic and Survival” Level

China has managed to feed one-fifth of the world’s population with a relatively low amount of greenhouse gas emissions and its agricultural carbon footprint was at a “basic and survival” level,according to the 2023 China Agriculture and Rural Village Low-Carbon Development Report,released on March 31 at the China Agricultural and Rural Low-Carbon Development Forum held by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(CAAS).

Food production comprised 9.5 percent of the country’s GDP in 2014,according to the report.The year 2014 was the last time the Chinese government published a greenhouse gas emissions inventory as required by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

However,the equivalent of 825 million metric tons of carbon dioxide that was generated in the sector accounted for just 6.7 percent of China’s total emissions,said the report published by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.“The agricultural sector has created about one-10th of China’s GDP with one-16th of its carbon emissions,which is at the basic and survival level,” it said.

The report also said China’s per capita carbon footprint in agriculture was slightly less than one metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent,compared with more than 170 tons in the United States.China produces 19.7 percent of the world’s grain and 51.2 percent of its pork with just 13.6 percent of global agricultural carbon emissions.

The major sources of China’s agricultural emissions are nitrous oxide from fertilizers,methane from rice farming,and animal gut fermentation– which account for 30 percent,23 percent,and 25 percent of emissions respectively.

The report said that efforts by Chinese authorities to construct high-standard farmland– which is rolled out to advance large-scale mechanical farming and bolster agricultural resilience against extreme weather in recent years– has helped reduce the consumption of water for irrigation purposes and gas emissions that drive climate change.

Despite the continuous rise in grain output in China,the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by every kilogram of food dropped from 1.5 kilograms in 2004 to one kilogram in 2019,it added.

CULTURE

Vienna Symphony Orchestra Concert

Vienna Symphony Orchestra

Date: May 29-31,2023

Venue: National Center for the Performing Arts

With a rich history steeped in tradition,the courage to stand apart and an enduring joy of discovery,the Vienna Symphony Orchestra is the beating heart of Vienna — the metropolis of classical music.For 120 years,the orchestra shaped the special sound of its native city,forging a link between past,present,and future like no other.

Tosca

NCPA,Shanghai Opera House &Shaanxi Opera House

Date: June 13-18,2023

Venue: National Center for the Performing Arts

Premiering at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome on January 14,1900,the three-act operaToscais one of Italian Giacomo Puccini’s most important works.It not only earned him great fame,but is also a timeless masterpiece in Italian opera history.

It contains depictions of tor-ture,murder,and suicide,as well as some of Puccini’s best-known lyrical arias.

Exhibition Shows Fusion of Art between East and West during Victorian Era

An exhibition of the British Victoria-era arts and crafts opened at Guangdong Museum in Guangzhou,Guangdong Province,on April 28.the first of its kind in China.

The exhibition,“Splendor,Art in the Age of Victoria,” includes oil paintings,water color paintings,sculptures,garments,jewelry,and ceramic pieces.

Over 100 pieces of art from Britain’s National Museums Liverpool joined collections from Guangdong Museum,GuangzhouThirteen Hongs Museum,and China National Silk Museum.

The Victoria Era (1837-1901) marks the pinnacle of the British Industrial Revolution and allowed British culture and arts to flourish.Some items on display reflect the combination of Western and Eastern elements amid the burgeoning globalization of trade during that era.

“The exhibition explores fine and decorative arts from an extraordinary period of British history,the reign of Queen Victoria...Our trade and relationship with China is one that we cherish and one that is really important to us to continue into the modern day,” said Laura Pye,director of National Museums Liverpool in a video message at the exhibition’s launching ceremony on April 27.

During the Victorian Era,blue-and-white porcelain pieces were eagerly collected by influential British artists and soon became fashionable within a growing middle class.“From European objects to oriental porcelain,the exhibition collections also chart the history of cultural interactions between the East and West,” said John Houlihan,vice consul general of the British consulate general in Guangzhou.

The exhibition will run until August 20.

ON CHINESE MEDIA

Investing in China

China Newsweek

Issue 15,2023

Despite the uncertainties of the global economy,China is playing a stabilizing role with its strong resilience and huge potential.For China,foreign investment is important for its economic development in 2023.During the past three years,China’s actual use of foreign investment has increased from US$144.4 billion to US $189.1 billion.China has been constantly sending welcoming signals to foreign investment,creating a fair business environment,adhering to international economic and trade rules,and attracting high-quality foreign investment through high-standard opening-up.

New Vision for Digital China

Insight China

Issue 12,2023

In February 2023,the Chinese government issued a plan for the country’s digital development,proposing the overall strategy for the construction of digital China in the new era.It depicts a new landscape as China embarks on the new journey.

Building National Botanical Gardens

Oriental Outlook

Issue 8,2023

Last year,a plan for establishing the national botanical garden system was completed.Two such gardens have already been created,and more sites will be included in the system,with consideration given to local climate,vegetation and other factors.

Sino-French Painting Exhibition Unveiled in Shanghai

A Sino-French exhibition named “Painting the Essential– Surrealism and the East”opened to the public on April 29 at the West Bund Museum in Shanghai.

The exhibition is the latest outcome of the five-year exhibition cooperation project between the West Bund Museum and the Centre Pompidou.It will last until September 24.

In terms of exhibits from the French side,works of surrealist and abstract masters like Joan Miró,André Masson,and Zao Wou-Ki were brought together at the show,including Joan Miró’sConstellations– the treasure of the Centre Pompidou.

Meanwhile,the exhibition showcased a group of selected calligraphic works and paintings from the Shanghai Museum,such as masterpieces created by Bada Shanren and Dong Qichang,allowing visitors to more closely appreciate the oriental elements in modern Western paintings.In 2023,the West Bund Museum and Centre Pompidou will continue to update the permanent exhibition according to the Sino-French cooperation project,and simultaneously launch art education activities.

Orchid Awards Judges Visit CICG

International judges for the first Orchid Awards visited the China International Communications Group (CICG) on April 25.

Du Zhanyuan,president of the communications group,extended a warm welcome to the judges,who participated in the final evaluation meeting of the first Orchid Awards on April 27.

Du said that in the current complex and challenging international situation,cultural exchange and mutual learning among civilizations are more important than ever to eliminate differences and barriers.

The awards initiated by CICG aim at promoting exchanges and interactions between China and the world,as well as fostering mutual understanding among nations.Contestants demonstrate international vision and deep love for humanity,uphold the common values of humanity,and act on the vision of a global community of a shared future.

Du said he hopes that the joint efforts by Chinese and foreign judges will help promote cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries and advance mutual learning among world civilizations.

James Heimowitz,president of China Institute,speaking on behalf of the international judges said that dialogue at the governmental level is indispensable,but communication and interaction among peoples of different countries are even more important.He said it is necessary to encourage and promote in-depth communications and mutual understanding among peoples of different countries to eliminate estrangement and ignorance.

The first Orchid Awards collected submissions from more than 300 individuals and organizations,including those from the U.S.,Japan,Germany,the U.K.,France,Italy,Russia,Australia,and South Africa.