FOCUS

10 Years On,BRl Pioneers High-Quality Cooperation for Global Prosperity

Chinese President Xi Jinpin poses for a group photo with various foreign heads of states, governments,and international organizations attending the opening ceremony of the Third Belt and Road Forum for lnternational Cooperation at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on October 18, 2023.

1.Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a keynote speech titled “Building an Open, Inclusive, Interconnected World for Common Development” during the opening ceremony of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on October 18, 2023.

3.Over 1,000 representatives,including foreign government officials, representatives of international organizations and institutions, heads of foreign business associations, and leaders of well-known Chinese and foreign enterprises,attend the Belt and Road CEO Conference held in Beijing on October 17, 2023.

2.Many entrepreneurs take part in the signing ceremony of the Belt and Road CEO Conference held in Beijing on October 17, 2023.

4.People pass by a statue of the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation near China National Convention Center in Beijing.

“China and the United States have recently carried out a series of highlevel contacts, and bilateral relations have shown a momentum of stabilization, which has been welcomed by the two peoples and the international community.We hope that the United States will work together with China to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state in lndonesia's Bali, overcome disturbances and remove obstacles,lengthen the positive list and shorten the negative list, and truly respect China’s core interests and major concerns to bring bilateral ties back to the track of stable development.”

Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the remarks during a phone conversation with U.S.Secretary of State Antony Blinken on October 14, 2023.

“President Xi Jinping has explicitly pointed out that we must conduct all cooperation under the sun, jointly combat corruption with a zerotolerance attitude, and jointly build a clean Silk Road.Over the past 10 years, we have pragmatically advanced international anti-corruption cooperation and joined hands to build a stable, open, and transparent business environment following the rule of law, demonstrating the clean side of the Belt and Road lnitiative.”

Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Xu Feihong made the remarks when addressing the Thematic Forum on Clean Silk Road of the Third Belt and Road Forum for lnternational Cooperation on October 18, 2023.

Xi Jinping Meets United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

On the evening of October 18, 2023, President Xi Jinping met with United Nations (UN)Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, who is in China to attend the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.

Xi noted that the purpose of his proposal to build a community with a shared future for mankind is to find the right path for countries to jointly address various global challenges.The Belt and Road Initiative and the Global Development Initiative that he put forth are aimed at gathering and accumulating more positive energy, promoting the common development of all countries, and supporting the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to ensure that no country is left behind.

Xi Jinping said that the United Nations is an important partner in jointly building the Belt and Road.China is ready to work closely with UN agencies to promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road and contribute to global peace and development.China supports the work of the UN and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and is ready to enhance cooperation with UN agencies to promote multilateralism, build a multi-polar world, and make global governance more just and equitable.

Guterres said that the Belt and Road Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping has provided a crucial and effective way to help developing countries achieve sustainable development and set a good example of South-South cooperation.

Guterres said that the eight major steps announced by President Xi Jinping at the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation are fully in line with the purposes and principles of the United Nations and can help developing countries to accelerate development.The UN highly appreciates China's firm commitment to upholding multilateralism,supports the three major global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping, and is firmly committed to deepening cooperation with China.

Xi Jinping Meets U.S.Senate Delegation Led by House Majority Leader Charles Schumer

On the afternoon of October 9, President Xi Jinping met with the bipartisan delegation of the U.S.Senate led by Majority Leader Charles Schumer at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

President Xi underlined that the China-U.S.relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world.How China and the U.S.get along will determine the future of humanity.China maintains that the common interests of the two countries far outweigh their differences, and the prosperity of both China and the U.S.presents an opportunity,rather than a challenge, to each other.

Xi said that the “Thucydides Trap”is not inevitable, and the world is vast enough to accommodate the respective development and common prosperity of China and the U.S.Given the high degree of integration between the Chinese and U.S.economies and their closely entwined interests, both countries stand to benefit from each other’s development.A postpandemic global recovery, meeting the climate challenge, and resolving international and regional hotspots all require China-U.S.coordination and cooperation.

Xi indicated that China welcomes the visits of more U.S.Congress members to gain a better understanding of China’s past, present, and future.It is hoped that the two legislatures will have more interactions, dialogues, and exchanges to increase mutual understanding and make a positive contribution to the stabilization and improvement of the China-U.S.relationship.

Senator Schumer and other members of the delegation noted that the U.S.side does not seek a conflict with China, nor does it seek to decouple.The U.S.is willing to enhance dialogue and communication with China in an open and candid manner based on mutual respect, responsibly manage the bilateral relationship,and stabilize and strengthen U.S.-China relations.

“China’s position on the growth of China-Australia relations is consistent and clear.A sound and stable China-Australia relationship is in the interest of both countries and peoples.lt is also conducive to peace and stability in the region and beyond.China stands ready to work with Australia to continue to improve and grow the bilateral relationship and bring more benefits to the two peoples.”

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin highlighted at a regular press conference on October 11, 2023.

Wang Yi Holds the 12th Round of China-EU High-level Strategic Dialogue with Josep Borrell

On October 13, 2023, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and foreign minister, with Josep Borrell, high representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, held the 12th round of China-EU High-level Strategic Dialogue in Beijing.

Wang Yi said the China-Europe relationship has its own internal logic and is not influenced or interfered with by third parties.This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership.The two sides have resumed exchanges at all levels and successfully held high-level meetings in the green, digital, economic,and trade fields, resulting in new consensus and outcomes demonstrating the resilience and vitality of China-EU relations.

Wang Yi said that economic issues should not be politicized, and both sides should jointly uphold free trade and maintain the principle of fair competition.

Borrell said the EU has no intention of closing its doors to China, engaging in a trade war, or restricting China’s development.

Borrell said the EU looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China in areas such as climate change and seeks to establish a more balanced and equal economic and trade relationship in order to accumulate tangible achievements for the EU-China leaders’ meeting and provide a fair and just business environment for enterprises.

“China is closely following the escalating conflict between Palestine and lsrael.We’re deeply saddened by the civilian casualties and oppose and condemn acts that harm civilians.We oppose moves that escalate the conflict and destabilize the region, and hope fighting will stop and peace will return soon.The international community needs to play an effective role to jointly help cool down the situation.To end the cycle of conflict between Palestine and lsrael, it is essential to restart the peace talks, implement the two-state solution, and settle the Palestinian question fully and properly through political means at an early date so as to take care of each party’s legitimate concerns.China will continue to work relentlessly with the international community towards this end.”

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference on October 12, 2023.

China’s Service Trade Continued to Grow During the First Eight Months

According to the Ministry of Commerce, China’s service trade continued to maintain a growth trend from January to August in 2023.

E-Commerce Activates Rural Market

From 2014 to 2022, China’s rural online retail sales increased from RMB 180 billion to RMB 217 trillion, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce.

Driven by rural e-commerce development and other factors, rural consumption has accelerated.Data show that in August this year, the rural retail sales of consumer goods reached RMB 495.9 billion, a year-on-year increase of 6.3 percent; from January to August, the rural retail sales of consumer goods reached RMB 3.99 trillion, a year-onyear increase of 7.6 percent.

A three-year action plan for county commerce (2023-2025) jointly issued by nine departments proposes to establish a rural commercial system centered around county seats, focusing on improving the supply chains, logistics distribution, access of goods and services, and selling of agricultural products out of villages.It aims to promote resources and production factors to tilt towards the rural market, in a bid to increase the income of farmers and boost rural consumption, and in the end comprehensively promote rural revitalization.

China’s R&D Funding Keeps Increasing

The 2022 statistical bulletin on national science and technology investment was released jointly by the National Bureau of Statistics, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Ministry of Finance recently.According to the bulletin, in 2022, China’s research and experimental development (R&D)funding continued to grow rapidly, maintaining doubledigit growth for seven consecutive years.

China, as the world’s second largest economy in R&D funding, has reached new highs in basic research investment.

Figures show that in 2022,the total amount of R&D investment in China reached RMB 3,078.29 billion, an increase of 10.1 percent compared to the previous year.The national financial expenditure on science and technology reached RMB 1,112.84 billion, an increase of RMB 36.17 billion with an increase of 3.4 percent compared to the previous year.The intensity of R&D investment (compared to GDP) was 2.54 percent,an increase of 0.11 percentage points compared to the previous year.The R&D expenditure of enterprises reached RMB 238.786 billion, an increase of 11.0 percent compared to the previous year.

RMB 487.3 Billion

The signing ceremony of the 20th China-ASEAN Expo was recently held in Nanning,Guangxi.The contracts for 470 investment and cooperation projects were signed at the Expo, with a total investment of RMB 487.3 billion, of which manufacturing investment accounted for over 65 percent.

Manufacturing Convention Promotes Investment

The 2023 World Manufacturing Convention was jointly hosted recently by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Commerce, and other agencies in Hefei City, Anhui Province.

About 1,200 guests from both domestic and foreign countries were invited to attend and discuss the path of high-end,intelligent, and green development in the global manufacturing industry.

The conference facilitated the signing of 587 cooperation projects, with a total investment of RMB 342.5 billion and a contract investment of RMB 312.8 billion.Among them, there are 534 manufacturing projects with a total investment of RMB 306 billion and a contract investment of RMB 279.4 billion.

The 2023 Top 500 Chinese Manufacturing Enterprises list was also released at the convention.

Emissions Down,Efficiency Up

As of the first half of this year, China’s installed power capacity had reached 2.71 billion kilowatts, of which the capacity of renewable energy,at 1.32 billion kilowatts, for the first time exceeded that of coal-fired power, marking a three-fold increase over the past decade.

During his address at the 2023 International Forum on Energy Transitions, Zhang Jianhua, head of the National Energy Administration, said that China has made remarkable progress in reducing pollution and carbon emissions over the past decade.From 2012 to 2022 the share of non-fossil fuel in China’s energy consumption rose from 9.7 percent to 17.5 percent, and the growth in energy consumption was kept below 3 percent while annual economic growth exceeded 6 percent.Energy consumption for per unit added value dropped by 37 percent in larger industrial enterprises.

China has built the world’s largest power supply system and clean energy production system, leading the world in the output of hydro power, wind power, photovoltaics, biomass power, and the number of large capacity nuclear plants under construction, Zhang added.

China Now the World’s Largest Ship Owner

China has become the world’s largest ship-owning country in terms of gross tonnage according to a press conference of the North Bund Forum held in Shanghai in late September.The country has established sea transport routes with more than 100 countries and regions, and the fleets of Chinese shipowners now total 249.2 million gross tonnes.

Shipping plays an important role in the transportation of essential materials like food and energy, and is critical for maintaining the safety, stability, and smooth operation of domestic and international supply chains.About 95 percent of China’s foreign trade is transported by sea.

In 2022, the cargo throughput at China’s ports was around 15.7 billion tonnes and the container throughput totaled 296 million twenty-foot equivalent units.Both figures have ranked first globally for years.China has also topped the world in terms of the cargo volume of inland shipping and the length of inland waterways open to navigation.

Marked progress has also been made in making water transport smarter.China has built 16 automated container ports and is working on a dozen more, together marking the largest number in the world.

RMB 4,000

China recently raised its ceiling for state-subsidized student loans by RMB 4,000.Starting this fall semester, undergraduates can borrow up to RMB 16,000 annually in state loans while graduate students can borrow up to RMB 20,000.Interest rates for student loans have been further cut to 60 basis points below the Loan Prime Rate (LPR) — a marketbased benchmark lending rate— of the same class and same term, from the previous 30 basis points.

China Leads in S&T Clusters

Each year, the World Intellectual Property Organization’s(WIPO) Global Innovation Index (GII) ranks the toplevel innovative capacity of countries and economies around the world.This year,the GII identified 24 science and technology (S&T) clusters in China, up from the 21 last year, as the country boasts the greatest number of clusters,with Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou, Beijing, and Shanghai-Suzhou among the top five.

The S&T Cluster ranking of the GII identifies local concentrations of world-leading science and technology activities.S&T clusters are established through the analysis of patentfiling activity and scientific article publication, documenting the geographical areas around the world with the highest density of inventors and scientific authors.

During recent years, China has introduced several strategies for integrated regional development, especially in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region,the Yangtze River Delta, and the Yangtze River Economic Belt.It also supports Beijing,Shanghai, and the Guangdong-Hong Kang-Macao Greater Bay Area in building S&T innovation centers of global prestige.As a result, these efforts have boosted innovation in all areas across the nation.

Aida

NCPA Opera

Date: November 1-5, 2023

Venue: National Center for the Performing Arts

A masterpiece of Giuseppe Verdi,Aidahas always been favored by opera lovers worldwide for the vivid three-dimensional characterization and passionate melodies.The creative team of performers is joined by Italian set designer Ezio Frigerio and costume designer Franca Squarciapino, who were members of NCPA's production of Nabucco.

Aidawas premiered in 1871.The plot focuses on the love story between an Ethiopian princess Aida and Egyptian hero Radames.When faced with the choice of love or loyaltyto the country, the couple is indecisive.The opera is full of strong contrasting emotions:Aida passionately loves her motherland and Radames, Radames celebrates victory and decides on an “unjust act,” and the Egyptian princess Amneris has an overbearing desire for Radames.The moving story leaves people lamenting for this beautiful love.

Christian Thielemann &Staatskapelle Dresden

Staatskapelle Dresden

Date: November 5-7, 2023

Venue: National Center for the Performing Arts

Since the 2012/13 season, Christian

Thielemann has been principal conductor of the Staatskapelle Dresden.He is an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Music in London and holds honorary doctorates from the Franz Liszt University of Music in Weimar and the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium.He was awarded the Richard Wagner Prize by the Richard Wagner Society of the city of Leipzig, the Prize of the Semperoper Trust, and an honorary award of the state of Salzburg.

Founded by Prince Elector Moritz von Sachsen in 1548, the Staatskapelle Dresden is one of the oldest orchestras in the world and steeped in tradij,ition.Over its long history, many distinguished conductors and internationally celebrated musicians have left their mark on this onetime court orchestra.

Shanghai Ballet Returns to Amsterdam with New Take on Swan Lake

Six years after it was last performed in Amsterdam,Swan Lake, which was created more than a century ago and is one of the best-known ballets in the world, has made its eagerly awaited return with the Shanghai Ballet that features a new look.

The dance troupe is once again enchanting audiences with their performance of“The Greatest Swan Lake in the World,” as part of a 45-day tour that kicked off in Amsterdam.It’s the Shanghai Ballet’s fourth European tour with this acclaimed show, which premiered in 2015 in Shanghai under the artistic direction of choreographer Derek Deane.

This time at the RoyalTheater Carré in Amsterdam,the performance had a unique twist.There were 48 swans fluttering across the stage,whereas traditional performances only had 20 or so.Bringing to life the work of English choreographer Derek Deane, the dancers seek to fully embody the graceful aquatic birds.

“Acting is our first priority.We are actors and actresses telling a story through our movements and the language that is ballet,” said dancer Qi Bingxue,who takes the lead role in the performance.

Xin Lili is the artistic director of the institution.She said her goal is to bring the magic of Chinese ballet to the international stage.“During the show,we want to present the audience with our unique artistic style, and show the excellence of each department of the Shanghai Ballet.An exquisite elegance that is like Chinese porcelain,”she added.

“The Chinese dance productions, originally created by Chinese artists, are mostly inspired by China’s cultural heritage,such as traditional performing arts, as well as popular culture.We try to infuse Chinese cultural elements into the ballets,”Wu said.

ON CHINESE MEDIA

The 10th Anniversary of the BRI

World Affairs

Issue 19, 2023

Over the past decade, the Belt and Road Inij,itiative(BRI) has withstood a series of tests and challenges.It has become the largest and most popular platform for international cooperation.China and its BRI partner countries have continued to deepen international cooperation in the fields such as infrastructure,development strategies, trade and investment, and people-to-people exchanges to further promote global development.

For the Common Value and Dignity of Humanity

Outlook Weekly

Issue 40-41, 2023

China has continued to address the root causes of poverty,built the world’s largest systems of education, social security, and healthcare, and guarantee the rights of vulnerable groups.In doing so, it has made great contributions to the development of the global human rights cause.

China’s Consumption Trends

People’s Tribune

Issue 18, 2023

With life returning to normalityin China after a few difficult years,consumption levels and markets have fully recovered.Service consumption has shown huge poten-tial, while green consumption is also rapidly going mainstream.In addij,ition, new consumption trends incorporating digital technology have become a new growth driver.

Macao’s Newspaper Joins Portuguese Media to Introduce Chinese Culture

Macao Daily, a major newspaper in China’s Macao Special Administrative Region, has joined hands with the Global Media Group in Portugal to introduce Chinese culture in Portuguese.

The first special section of Chinese culture was published on September 28 on the media group’sDiario de Noticiasnewspaper, introducing the Mid-Autumn Festival,a traditional Chinese festival for family reunions that fell on September 29 this year.

A total of 52 editions of the special section are planned to be published on Thursdays, covering historical and cultural relations between China and Portugal, renowned figures in the history of cultural exchanges between China and the West, as well as China’s philosophical thoughts, festivals, and intangible culture heritage.

Chui Chi Tou, editor-inchief ofMacao Daily, said they hoped to leverage the unique role of Macao in the cultural exchanges between China and the West during the past centuries to report on Chinese culture to Portuguese-speaking audiences, and better tell the stories of China and Macao.

Marco Galinha, chairman of the board of directors of the media group, said the strategic partnership withMacao Dailypresents an opportunity to expand readership ofDiario de Noticiasand step up the group’s strategy of going international.

Fifth International Daoism Forum Opens in Jiangsu

The fifth International Daoism Forum opened at the Maoshan Mountain in east China’s Jiangsu Province on Septembers 24.The event also saw the inauguration of the World Federation of Daoism.

China’s top political advisor Wang Huning sent a congratulatory letter to the forum and extended his greetings to the guests at the event, which was jointly hosted by the Taoist Association of China and the China Religious Culture Communication Association.

In his letter, Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC)Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, said that the theme of the forum, “Revering the Dao and Upholding Virtue, Moving Forward with the World,” demonstrates the joint aspiration of sharing the achievements of human civilizations and building a better homeland for humanity.

Wang noted that the inauguration of the World Federation of Daoism represents the shared aspiration of the international Daoist society.The federation serves as a new platform for exploring the values of Daoist culture in the present times and is bound to promote the exchange and mutual learning among various civilizations, he said.The Chinese government will continue to support indepth and friendly communications between Chinese and overseas Daoist communities to make contributions in promoting enduring world peace and shared prosperity, Wang said.

During the forum, the inaugural meeting of the World Federation of Daoism was held.Initiated by the Taoist Association of China, the federation currently consists of 52 founding members from 20 countries and regions.