China's Tianzhou-9 cargo spacecraft successfully docked with the rear port of the orbiting Tiangong space station's Tianhe core module at 8:52 am on Tuesday, according to the China Manned Space Agency. The mission delivered a wide array of supplies, including more than 190 types of food and 23 batches of scientific experiment materials.
According to China Central Television (CCTV), citing Liu Wei from the Astronaut Center of China, the Tianzhou-9 cargo vessel brought over 1.5 tons of food for the crew aboard the Tiangong space station. The food manifest includes more than 190 varieties, among which are over 90 types of side dishes—20 more than in previous missions.
New additions to the menu include homestyle Chinese favorites such as mapo tofu, tomato and egg stir-fry, stewed water chestnuts, vegetable medley, lotus root stir-fry, and cumin potatoes. "These dishes may seem ordinary on a typical family dinner table, but incorporating them into an astronaut's space menu requires extensive technological research," Liu said, as reported by CCTV.
"For example, mapo tofu is very delicate and typically breaks apart easily during stir-frying. But through technological upgrades and improvements in preparation techniques, we've now succeeded in bringing this dish to astronauts' dining tables in space," Liu explained.
This innovation aims to enhance astronauts' dietary experience and allow them to enjoy tastier food while in orbit. "We've moved beyond toothpaste-style food formats to provide staples, side dishes, ready-to-eat items, condiments, and even fresh fruits and vegetables—what we call the 'three staples and four categories' breakthrough," said Liu.
"Many people often ask whether space food consists of things they've never seen or eaten before. But in fact, what we strive for is to ensure astronauts can enjoy the tastes of ordinary life—even in space," Liu added, according to CCTV.
In addition to food supplies, the Tianzhou-9 spacecraft also carried a major batch of scientific experiment materials. CCTV reported that 23 payloads, totaling nearly 780 kilograms, were delivered for various research purposes, including a study aimed at finding new ways to counteract muscle atrophy in space.
Skeletal muscle atrophy observed in space closely resembles age-related muscle loss on Earth. Under microgravity, human muscles tend to shrink. One of the onboard experiments will investigate how skeletal muscle progenitor cells migrate under microgravity conditions, aiming to uncover molecular mechanisms behind muscle loss and identify key regulatory factors that could help prevent or reverse the process, CCTV noted.
The experiment focuses on understanding how skeletal muscle stem cells behave within cell culture units under microgravity, providing insights into maintaining healthy muscle function, CCTV reported.
When skeletal muscle cell homeostasis is disrupted, muscle atrophy occurs, said Ying Hao, a researcher at the Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Under normal conditions, skeletal muscle contains precursor cells or stem cells that can proliferate and differentiate to repair damaged tissue and maintain healthy muscle function. Understanding this process is key to developing better strategies to combat muscle atrophy, CCTV quoted Ying as saying.
Another major science payload onboard Tianzhou-9 focuses on the effects of spaceflight on the human nervous system. As astronauts often experience dizziness, sleep disorders, and even cognitive impairments during long-duration missions, researchers aim to better understand how space-related factors such as microgravity and radiation affect brain function, CCTV reported.
This neuroscience experiment will use the biotechnology experiment cabinet onboard the Wentian lab module to explore how space environments affect the human blood-brain barrier and brain function using organoid-on-a-chip models derived from human pluripotent stem cells.
According to CCTV, these biomimetic brain chips—about the size of a credit card—contain complex microvascular networks, neurons, immune cells, and structures that simulate the blood-brain barrier. They can replicate the intricate microenvironment of the human brain and its response to external stimuli.
With this kind of model, we can explore how space environments affect the structure and function of the human brain across multiple levels—from cells to tissues to organs—and uncover potential mechanisms, said Qin Jianhua, a researcher at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. This research will provide tools for risk assessment and intervention strategies to safeguard astronauts' health during long-term missions, CCTV reported.
A restaurant in North China's Shanxi Province has been offering a 1,078-yuan ($150.27) afternoon tea service featuring interactions with African lions, Jiemian News reported on Tuesday. In response, staff from the animal and plant division of the Shanxi Forestry and Grassland Bureau stated that zero-distance contact between animals and humans is prohibited, and the matter is currently being handled urgently.
According to Jiemian News, some recent social media posts showed patrons cuddling lion cubs during afternoon tea sessions at a Cantonese restaurant in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province.
According to online platforms, among the packages offered by the restaurant, there is one called "viral hit leisure afternoon tea set" for four people priced at 1,078 yuan. In addition to regular drinks, dried fruits, and desserts, the listed items in the set include a mascot petting service, marked with an original price of 1,592 yuan.
The restaurant's photo album on the platform includes pictures of lion cubs, while reviews mention there are many pets to interact with, including the chance to cuddle lion cubs, the report said.
Some posts confirmed that petting lion cubs is included in the afternoon tea package, along with interactions with other animals such as alpacas and deer.
"About 20 reservations are available each day, so it's necessary to queue early," one user commented.
Some netizens questioned whether the restaurant's breeding of lions and customers' close interaction comply with regulations. In response, a staff member said the restaurant primarily provides food services and has obtained animal breeding permits and employs professional handlers. "We operate like zoos — why can't lions be used commercially," the staff replied.
An official from the Shanxi Forestry and Grassland Bureau's animal and plant division said that zero-distance contact between animals and humans is prohibited, and that investigations are currently being implemented.
In June, the local forestry bureau in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality ordered an immediate halt to "wake-up call service" involving red pandas at a hotel and launched an investigation.
In a statement issued on Wednesday night, the Chinese Embassy in Colombia reminds Chinese citizens not to participate in, and to remain highly vigilant against becoming inadvertently involved in drug-related crimes.
Recently, a Chinese citizen was arrested and detained by Colombian police after cocaine was found in luggage they were carrying on behalf of someone else, the embassy said. It urges all Chinese citizens to remain vigilant and take extra precautions.
Drug trafficking and transportation are serious criminal offenses in all countries. Colombia is one of the world’s major sources of illicit drugs, with consistently high production of cocaine and marijuana, the embassy said. Chinese citizens traveling to Colombia for tourism or family visits must exercise heightened caution and avoid making any missteps that could lead to intentional or unintentional involvement in drug-related crimes, it noted.
The embassy said that criminal groups in Colombia often lure foreign nationals into smuggling drugs by asking them to “help carry luggage” or offering small incentives to have them transport suitcases or receive and forward suspicious parcels. Anyone who takes part in or assists with such activities – knowingly or not – may be treated as an accomplice and face prosecution, including possible imprisonment, it added.
The embassy reminded that if a person encounters such a situation, the person should firmly refuse and report it to the local police immediately.
Amid the "China Travel" trend, the number of international travelers visiting China continues to increase. Many international visitors are now turning their attention to China's efficient and distinctive healthcare system. From its advanced modern medical services and the global appeal of traditional Chinese medicine to the growing popularity of medical tourism, "Chinese Hospitals" has become a trending topic online, serving as a new option for many international patients.
In light of this, the Global Times is launching a three-part series titled "Healing in China," which will explore the various aspects of how the country's healthcare system is attracting patients from around the world and gradually transforming into a popular global destination for medical services. This is the third installment in the series.
As the "China Travel" trend continues to draw international attention, a growing number of foreign visitors are discovering a new dimension of the country - its thriving healthcare system.
From the bustling hospitals of Beijing and Shanghai to the tropical "special medical zone" in South China's Hainan Province, foreign patients are becoming an increasingly common sight. While many come for sightseeing and "city walk" tours, a rising segment of international travelers are now seeking out China's efficient and distinctive medical services.
Amid the rapid expansion of the global medical tourism market, which has long been led by countries such as Japan, Thailand and Singapore, China is emerging as a strong new contender.
With policy innovations such as visa-free policies, pilot programs for international hospitals, and dedicated medical tourism zones, the country is building momentum as a destination for high-quality, cross-border healthcare.
Meanwhile, local governments across the country are actively introducing supportive policies to promote medical tourism as a new growth driver within the tourism sector.
"Medical services are a key component of cross-border trade in services, and an important way for people from different countries to experience another society and culture," Liang Huaixin, a researcher at the Institute of National Security and Governance at the University of International Business and Economics, told the Global Times. "This not only allows people in neighboring countries to access China's advanced healthcare, but also promotes industry-level cooperation and fosters mutual understanding between peoples."
'They don't feel like hospitals'
Once known for hosting the Boao Forum for Asia, the coastal town of Boao in eastern Hainan is now gaining global attention for another reason - medical tourism.
Just 15 minutes from the local high-speed railway station, the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone emerges like a futuristic city, lined with sleek, high-tech hospitals, rehabilitation centers and research institutes. Approved by the State Council in 2013, it is the country's only special medical zone on the southern tropical island of Hainan, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
Today, more than 30 medical institutions have established operations in the pilot zone, including top-tier hospitals from Shanghai and East China's Shandong Province, as well as renowned healthcare providers from China and abroad.
Drawing upon its special policy advantages, the pilot zone has become a key gateway for the entry of global medicines and medical devices not yet approved elsewhere in China, according to the pilot zone.
The zone has developed a full-chain international medical tourism model - offering everything from advanced screening and treatment to wellness, rehabilitation, and cultural experiences.
Services include complex disease management, anti-aging therapies, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and personalized checkups. High-end patients can also enjoy Chinese cultural experiences such as guqin playing, incense ceremonies, and calligraphy, according to the pilot zone's administration.
Patients come from diverse regions, including Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and North America. Services are offered to both individual visitors and organized medical tourism groups.
"The hospitals here don't feel like hospitals, but they feel more like scenic attractions," said Novi Basuki, an Indonesian vlogger, after visiting a wellness center in June, the China News Agency reported.
Lina Panovkina from Russia experienced TCM diagnosis in Lecheng. "The service was very professional," she told the Global Times. "The integration of traditional and modern medicine is truly impressive."
Romualdo Ballovera Zamora, a foreign employee at a Lecheng-based medical institution, highlighted the strong interest in TCM from international visitors.
"Foreign visitors are especially curious about TCM. They've seen cupping and acupuncture in movies and want to try it themselves as part of the cultural experience," he told the Global Times. "The feedback has been very positive. Many said they felt like VIPs. Some even brought me souvenirs from their country when they left - it really touched me."
"China combines thousands of years of TCM with world-class modern technology. That's what makes it an ideal place for medical tourism," Zamora said.
In December 2024, a medical tourism group from Indonesia visited Lecheng and received a full range of services from checkups to rehabilitation and cosmetic care, with per capita spending exceeding 12,000 yuan ($1,650), Xinhua reported.
A mega medical city
Behind the growing appeal of China's medical tourism is the country's solid clinical expertise and increasingly open attitude toward international cooperation.
For the Lecheng pilot zone, this strength is matched with unique institutional advantages. As a special medical zone, the pilot zone enjoys fast-track access to international medical innovations through special permissions for clinical use, research, and cross-border partnerships. This allows the zone to offer advanced therapies and technologies well ahead of other parts of the country, according to the pilot zone.
So far, the pilot zone has collaborated with over 180 pharmaceutical and device companies from more than 20 countries and regions, bringing in more than 470 drugs and devices not yet approved for general use in China. Many of these offer new options for patients with rare or complex conditions, according to the administration of the pilot zone.
One such patient is Alexander (pseudonym), a Greek engineer who has lived in Haikou, Hainan Province, for years. In August 2024, he was diagnosed with glioma, a rare and dangerous form of brain cancer.
After exploring treatment options in the US and Europe, Alexander ultimately returned to China for surgery at a top hospital in Beijing. The operation removed over 90 percent of the tumor, which he described as "a miracle."
His search for follow-up treatment brought him to Lecheng in Hainan. There, he became one of the first patients in Asia to access Vorasidenib, an experimental drug newly approved in the US for his condition.
"I was afraid of the side effects of radiation and chemotherapy," Alexander said. "But I read about this new drug and felt it could give me a better chance. I'm lucky China made it available so quickly."
Vorasidenib had only recently been allowed into clinical use in the Lecheng pilot zone through a special import policy for urgently needed medicines. For Alexander, this meant access to cutting-edge treatment that wasn't even available in his home country.
"From the moment we arrived, everything was smooth. The staff were kind, the equipment was modern, and it felt hopeful," he said. "And most importantly, my condition has remained stable."
For Hu Lu, deputy general manager of the Hainan Boao Lecheng Cultural Industry Development Co, stories like Alexander's reflect the pilot zone's growing role on the global medical map.
"We aim to make Lecheng a global window into Chinese healthcare," she said. "That means not just bringing in international resources, but building a complete service system that integrates treatment, recovery, wellness and tourism."
With international patient numbers rising, Hu said the pilot zone is expanding its overseas outreach in Southeast Asia, North America and Russian-speaking countries, while also developing multilingual support, custom checkup plans and cross-border medical cooperation platforms.
Under a development plan for Lecheng issued in November 2019, by 2025, medical techniques, medical devices and pharmaceuticals used or developed at the pilot zone will be on a par with international best standards. By 2030, the area will become a world-class medical tourism destination and medical technology innovation center, according to the plan, Xinhua reported.
A new trend While Lecheng represents a concentrated model of China's international medical tourism ambitions, similar efforts are gaining traction across the country. From top-tier public hospitals to regional pilot zones, more Chinese cities are rolling out their own medical tourism strategies - combining advanced clinical capabilities with localized cultural and tourism resources.
According to Xie Yijiong, a supervisor at the Institute of National Governance at Peking University, international medical tourism is being carefully developed under a "pilot-first" approach.
"It reflects a country's comprehensive strength and global competitiveness in healthcare," Xie told the Global Times. "China's strategy is to expand cross-border services in a planned, orderly way - while always ensuring access for domestic patients."
In recent years, major cities have unveiled targeted medical tourism initiatives.
Beijing, for instance, promoted its "Happy Life, Healthy Travel" campaign. In South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the city of Fangchenggang has become a top destination for patients from Vietnam, thanks to streamlined 15-minute customs clearance and full Vietnamese-language services, according to media reports.
Liang Huaixin, an associate professor at the University of International Business and Economics, said that cross-border medical services not only promote trade, but also foster mutual understanding between nations.
"We need to release more institutional momentum," Liang said, "by creating more international exchange platforms, streamlining cross-border procedures, and cultivating global medical talent and multilingual service teams."
Xie added that medical tourism also helps promote talent development within China.
"It encourages Chinese physicians to step onto the international stage," he said. "It also attracts overseas clinical experts to work here, further enhancing the global standing of China's healthcare sector."
China looks forward to building consensus among all parties through the upcoming series of foreign ministers' meetings, with a focus on development and cooperation, and laying the groundwork for this year's East Asia cooperation leaders' meetings, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday.
The comments were made in response to a media inquiry regarding Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's attendance at the ASEAN Plus Foreign Ministers' Meetings in Malaysia.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on Tuesday announced that from July 10 to 11, Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Commenting on the current East Asia cooperation, spokesperson Mao Ning said that East Asian cooperation has generally maintained a stable and positive trajectory in recent years.
Regional countries, through mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit, openness, and inclusivity, have supported their own development, advanced regional integration, and brought benefits to the people of the region. However, amid growing global turbulence and the rise of unilateralism and protectionism, East Asian cooperation faces unprecedented challenges, Mao said.
China firmly supports ASEAN's centrality and remains committed to steadily advancing the development of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0, while promoting the building of a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, Mao stated.
China looks forward to working with regional countries to uphold true multilateralism and open regionalism, safeguard free trade and the multilateral trading system, implement the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement with high quality, expand cooperation in emerging industries, and jointly promote the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness, and inclusiveness, Mao added.
The spokesperson also called for building an Asian security model of shared security, seeking common ground while shelving differences, and resolving issues through dialogue and consultation, and jointly building a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful, and amicable home.
Hyped as the longest-ever, the island of Taiwan's annual Han Kuang drills kicked off on Wednesday, local media reported. While seemingly aimed at improving defense for the Taiwan authorities, the exercise only exposes the Taiwan military's lack of confidence and capability against the People's Liberation Army (PLA), and has become merely a political show, according to Chinese mainland military experts.
According to the island's defense authority, the 10-day, nine-night Han Kuang exercises from Wednesday through July 18 are twice as long as previous live-fire segments, which normally lasted five days and four nights, Focus Taiwan, the English-language version of the island's "Central News Agency," said on Wednesday.
The first three days of the drills will focus on how Taiwan's military collectively counters the Chinese mainland's "gray zone" tactics, and after that, the drills will move on to their "full-scale combat" phase from July 13 to 18, which will include joint anti-landing operations on July 13, coastal and beachhead combat on July 14, in-depth defense from July 15 to 16, and protracted warfare from July 17 to 18, according to the report.
The DPP authorities of the Taiwan island have stubbornly clung to their separatist stance on "Taiwan independence," recklessly inciting cross-Straits confrontation and wasting public resources to promote the notion of arming all civilians, forcibly tying Taiwan residents to the chariot of separatism, said Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, in response to media inquiries about Taiwan's Han Kuang drills.
Such moves, aimed at "seeking independence through military means" and "preparing for war to pursue independence," will only further undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and jeopardize the safety and well-being of people on the island, Chen said.
"'Taiwan independence' is a dead end, and reunification is unstoppable," he stressed. "No matter how much the DPP authorities bluff or indulge in military theatrics, their efforts are nothing but futile posturing. No amount of drills can change the doomed fate of 'Taiwan independence,' nor can they stand in the way of the inevitable trend of national reunification."
This year's Han Kuang drills include some slight changes, such as practices against the so-called "gray zone" tactics. Another change is the shift from coastal combat to in-depth defense and protracted warfare, which could also include practicing for the Taiwan regional leader's evacuation, said Wang Yunfei, a Chinese mainland military affairs expert. He indicated that this means the "Taiwan independence" forces are admitting that they cannot stop the PLA from landing and eventually taking control of the island.
Zhang Junshe, another Chinese mainland military affairs expert, told the Global Times that the scenario settings of the Han Kuang exercise show that the DPP authorities have a clear understanding of the outcome of "resisting reunification by force."
It also shows the "Taiwan independence" forces' plan for a last-ditch fight, attempting to prolong the combat and wait for external forces to come to their aid, Zhang said, adding that the DPP authorities also know well that the island of Taiwan heavily relies on maritime transport lanes, and in the event of a military conflict, these lanes would be cut off by the PLA.
The island's drills do not demonstrate any substantial capability to stand up against the PLA, while the PLA has displayed and honed its capabilities in multiple joint exercises around the island of Taiwan over the past few years. For instance, the PLA Eastern Theater Command conducted joint exercises from April 1 to 2 this year, organizing its army, navy, air and rocket forces to close in on Taiwan island from multiple directions. These drills mainly focused on sea-air combat-readiness patrols, joint seizure of comprehensive superiority, assault on maritime and ground targets, and blockade on key areas and sea lanes so as to test the joint operations capabilities of its troops, Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson of the PLA Eastern Theater Command, announced at the time.
It is a stern warning and forceful deterrent against "Taiwan Independence" separatist forces, and it is a legitimate and necessary action to safeguard China's sovereignty and national unity, Shi said.
During the PLA's drills, an H-6K bomber carried a YJ-21 air-launched ballistic missile. Zhang said that the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces' current air defense systems have no means of countering the hypersonic YJ-21 - in fact, there are hardly any forces in the world capable of effectively intercepting it.
So, exercises like Han Kuang are nothing more than a political theatre trying to boost the "Taiwan independence" forces' own courage, deceive people on the island, and mislead international public opinion, Wang said.
In response to reports on the Han Kuang drills, which are scheduled to feature many US weapons, Jiang Bin, a spokesperson at China's Ministry of National Defense, said on Tuesday that the Han Kuang exercise is nothing but a bluff and self-deceiving stunt by the DPP authorities to hijack Taiwan compatriots onto its "Taiwan independence" war chariot. The DPP authorities are harming Taiwan out of its selfish interests.
"We solemnly warn the DPP authorities that 'seeking independence by force' is a dead end. No matter what subjects they drill or what weapons they use, the PLA's resolute countermeasures against 'Taiwan Independence' will not be deterred, nor would the overwhelming and irresistible trend of China's national reunification be halted," Jiang said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on people working in the country's film industry to create more fine cinematic works that reflect the spirit of the times and express the people's aspirations.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a recent reply letter to eight veteran Chinese film artists, including 97-year-old famed actress Tian Hua.
More than 30 years ago, while working in Xiamen, East China's Fujian Province, Xi Jinping led the formulation of 1985-2000 Xiamen Economic and Social Development Strategy. It became a classic example of integrating top-level design with a "crossing the river by feeling the stones" approach, pioneering the practice of local governments drafting long-term development strategies spanning 15 years. The strategy continues to serve as a model for scientifically planning economic and social development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30).
For more than three decades, Xiamen has faithfully followed the direction laid out in the strategy, advancing step by step under a consistent blueprint across successive administrations. The city has grown from a small coastal garrison town into a modern, international metropolis known for its quality development and scenic appeal.
The strategy and the city, intertwined in time. A moment in time, a lasting blueprint.
The strategy not only charted a strategic course for Xiamen's development, but also conveyed deep reflections on the nation's future. It captured the pioneering spirit of reform and opening-up—tempered through trials—and reflected a sincere commitment to ensuring that all residents would share the tangible benefits of building the special economic zone (SEZ).
Strategize
Giant gantry crane pulleys glide slowly into motion as passenger buses are steadily hoisted onto a cargo ship. Not long ago, 130 Xiamen-made buses set sail from this very port, bound for Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. Today, Xiamen Port operates 98 shipping routes under the Belt and Road Initiative, connecting 63 ports across 20 participating countries and regions.
Forty years ago, not long after assuming his post in Xiamen, Xi visited this very spot. Facing the sea breeze, he gazed into the distance, then walked slowly to the foot of a towering gantry crane. Looking up at the colossal structure, he fell into deep thought.
While at the time, Xiamen Port had only two gantry cranes, each handling just 35,000 TEUs a year. In contrast, similar cranes in Hong Kong could process as many as 120,000 TEUs annually.
In June 1985, the State Council approved the expansion of the Xiamen SEZ to encompass the entire island and authorized the gradual implementation of select free port policies. That same month, Xi arrived in Xiamen to take up his new role as a standing committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Xiamen Municipal Committee, and executive vice mayor, marking "his first leadership position at the city level, his first direct engagement with reform and opening-up in a coastal region, and his first hands-on experience in urban development and governance."
At the time, Xi was also serving as deputy director of the city's commission for economic restructuring. His vision extended well beyond immediate concerns—he was thinking about Xiamen's long-term development. He mentioned that an economic development strategy must be grounded in foundational work and supported by both industry and urban planning.
With these considerations in mind, Xi proposed to the municipal Party committee and government the formation of a dedicated team to study specific free port policies and develop a strategic plan to guide the growth of the Xiamen SEZ.
With strong backing from the municipal leadership, Xi transferred personnel from the city's planning commission to the science and technology museum, where he established the office for strategic research on economic and social development, and personally took charge of the work.
Beginning in August 1986, Xi led the formulation of 1985-2000 Xiamen Economic and Social Development Strategy, a comprehensive document totaling nearly 250,000 characters, completed over the course of a year and a half.
For more than three decades, Xiamen has remained steadfast in advancing this vision, pushing forward with determination and gratitude, and making consistent, long-term efforts. From 1985 to 2024, the city's GDP grew at an average annual rate of 13.8 percent, 5.1 percentage points above the national average and 2.8 points higher than the provincial rate over the same period. Today, Xiamen has evolved into a modern, international city celebrated for its high-quality development and distinctive appeal.
Solicit opinions
In January this year, Xiamen University hosted a high-level think tank symposium, bringing together experts and scholars from institutions including the Development Research Center of the State Council and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Participants revisited the scientific principles and methodologies embedded in the 1985-2000 Xiamen Economic and Social Development Strategy, exchanged views on local development strategies for the 15th Five-Year Plan period, and offered forward-looking recommendations on strategic priorities for advancing high-quality development.
Experts and scholars from Xiamen University played an active role in the drafting of the 1985-2000 Xiamen Economic and Social Development Strategy, with many of its key themes later evolving into academic research projects, said Li Deguo, deputy dean of the School of Public Affairs at Xiamen University, who attended the symposium. Li said that offering insights and policy recommendations for national and local development strategies has since become a fine tradition at the university.
Many faculty members still recall that during the formulation of the 1985-2000 Xiamen Economic and Social Development Strategy, Xi frequently visited the university to consult with scholars and conduct research in the library.
A research team made up of more than a dozen institutions and over 100 experts, scholars, and practitioners conducted extensive fieldwork to gain a thorough understanding of Xiamen's local conditions, producing hundreds of thousands of words in research findings.
The process emphasized open consultation and collective wisdom, integrating top-level design with public input—an approach that has consistently characterized Xi's leadership, from the local level to the central government level.
From Liangjiahe in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province to Zhongnanhai in Beijing, Xi has remained firmly rooted in the people, consistently demonstrating deep concern for their well-being and attention to the smallest details of their lives-a commitment that has endured unwaveringly over time.
Pioneer
Building SEZs modeled on free ports was a clear goal set out in the 1985-2000 Xiamen Economic and Social Development Strategy.
As pioneers of socialism with Chinese characteristics, SEZs are tasked with opening new ground—moving forward without precedent, and confronting risks, contradictions, and complex challenges.
The initial step focused on establishing and improving bonded warehouse zones around the Dongdu port area to support re-export trade. This evolved into a broader free trade zone, expanding re-export activities and diversifying operations. Eventually, it envisioned a limited rollout of free port functions across the entire island.
Today, Xiamen's free trade zone represents a critical part of this strategy, actively exploring new ground for higher-level opening-up.
Guided by the principles of the 1985-2000 Xiamen Economic and Social Development Strategy, the Xiamen Free Trade Zone has pushed forward institutional openness and aimed to build a high-standard pilot zone. Since its launch, it has introduced 632 reform measures, including 153 nationwide firsts. Thirty-one of its innovative policies have been replicated across the country.
Xiamen built China's first airport funded by foreign government loans—Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport. It was among the first to reform state-owned asset management, with three local SOEs now ranking among the world's top 200. It also pioneered the three-in-one business license system, which later expanded into a unified multi-license model adopted nationwide.
For over three decades, Xiamen has led the way with a series of "firsts," each marking a leap forward in China's reform and opening-up. More than just transformation, the 1985-2000 Xiamen Economic and Social Development Strategy left Xiamen with the resolve to carve out a new path—one that defies obstacles and breaks through barriers.
Back then, launching the Xiamen SEZ was a bold and trailblazing move. Today, driving Chinese modernization is just as groundbreaking—it demands both exploration and innovation. China's path of reform has evolved from "crossing the river by feeling the stones" to blending grassroots experimentation of "crossing the river by feeling the stones" with top-level planning, moving forward with greater confidence and resolve.
Reform
Reform requires a correct understanding of the relationship between local areas and the overall situation.
Planning local development from the perspective of the whole, and serving the whole through the local, is both good governance and a strategy for reform.
Reform also requires clear-headedness and courage to face problems directly.
Problems include lagging infrastructure that fails to meet the demands of SEZ development, outdated structures in products, markets, and technology, and conflicts between the old economic system and the operating mechanisms of the SEZ economy.
The strategy analyzes both favorable conditions and restraint factors, with a clear problem-oriented approach evident throughout. This pragmatic attitude gives the strategy strong relevance and guidance.
From reform, to comprehensive deepening of reforms, and then to further comprehensive deepening of reforms, "we should firmly believe that China's path of reform and opening-up will surely succeed."
Commitment
"As leaders, we must focus not only on the present but also on the long term, willingly laying the groundwork and tackling unfinished tasks."
At Xiamen New Education School, the classrooms are modern, and the teaching philosophy feels fresh and inspiring. Principal Wang Yimin explains that the school embraces the idea of "providing a happy and complete educational experience," aiming to offer more children access to inclusive education. The students are mainly children of migrant workers. "To integrate new residents into Xiamen, we must first help their children integrate," he says.
It takes ten years to grow a tree but a hundred years to educate people. The 1985-2000 Xiamen Economic and Social Development Strategy states that "education in Xiamen is a vital foundational project in building the Xiamen SEZ," setting goals for basic education, vocational training, higher education, and adult education through 2000.
The strategy focuses on advancing urban-rural integration to ensure all residents share a better life; protecting the environment to guarantee a livable ecosystem for all; and prioritizing talent cultivation and attraction by placing education in a key strategic position.
The strategy emphasizes sustainable development and long-term planning, proposing precise policies and practical measures—all aimed at ensuring the people of Xiamen benefit more from the construction of the special economic zone.
Guidance
Guided by the strategy, Xiamen has rolled out a series of strategic initiatives. On the first working day after this year's Spring Festival, Xiamen launched a campaign themed "Strive and Lead," focusing on driving major project breakthroughs to build new industrial strengths and power future growth.
"Realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation is a relay race of history." From Xiamen's transformation to national governance, China has stayed committed to strategic planning as a key to progress, constantly opening new frontiers for socialism with Chinese characteristics.
As the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) nears completion, preparations for the 15th Five-Year Plan are underway.
To meet the next stage's challenges, China is setting clear goals, building strategies, and developing concrete plans—sector by sector—focused on building national strength and achieving national rejuvenation.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang delivered a speech on Sunday at the plenary session of "Peace and Security and Reform of Global Governance" of the 17th BRICS Summit.
The following is the full text of the speech:
Remarks by H.E. Li Qiang
Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China
At the Session on Peace and Security and Global Governance Reform Of the XVII BRICS Summit
Rio de Janeiro, July 6, 2025
Your Excellency President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva,
Colleagues,
First of all, congratulations on the successful opening of this summit. I thank President Lula and the government of Brazil for the work they have done in hosting this summit, and I welcome Indonesia as a full BRICS member.
Today, transformations unseen in a century are accelerating in the world. Geopolitical conflicts and economic and trade frictions keep emerging, flames of war continue to rage in some regions, international rules and order face serious challenges, and the authority and efficacy of multilateral mechanisms are weakening. All parties have come to see the growing necessity and urgency to reform the global governance system. And all are participating in and promoting the reform of global governance through various means, either on their own initiative or otherwise. China believes that in this process, one must firmly safeguard the shared interests of the international community and always stand on the right side of history. This is the only way to avoid taking a wrong turn or backpedaling, and to march forward in big strides toward peace, security, prosperity and sustainable development.
In 2015, President Xi Jinping put forward the global governance vision of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit, offering China's solution to the global governance challenge. Ten years on, this important vision has gained growing global influence. Given the interwoven changes and turbulence in the current international landscape, this global governance vision of extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit holds even greater value and relevance, here and now. In the face of heightened differences and disagreements, we need the spirit of equality and respect to enable more extensive consultation. The conflicts and disputes happening across the globe have their roots in the lack of trust and communication. Power politics and bullying are never the right way to solve problems. The security and development of all countries should be respected. There should be less arrogance and prejudice, and more sincerity and understanding. We need to look for the best answer that serves the interests of all through friendly consultation conducted on the basis of equality. In the face of deeply intertwined and shared interests, we need united and collaborative actions to enhance our joint contribution. Humanity lives in the same global village, and countries have increasingly become one community with a shared future. Whether it is tackling global challenges or promoting long-term development, no country can do it alone. Only by standing together in solidarity and working in close collaboration can we build a better home for us all. In the face of development opportunities where cooperation brings win-win results, we need wholehearted embrace of other's success as our own to expand shared benefits. Development should not be a zero-sum game where one profits at the expense of the other, but a win-win story where all can benefit through mutual assistance. Countries' development ought to be opportunities, not threats, to each other. When everyone is willing to share opportunities with others, there will be more opportunities and benefits to share.
Over the years, Global South countries have grown stronger and become champions of and contributors to the reform and improvement of the global governance system. Standing at the forefront of the Global South, we BRICS countries should uphold independence, act with a sense of responsibility, take bigger steps to build consensus and synergy, and strive to be the pioneering force in advancing global governance reform.
First, we should uphold justice and safeguard world peace and tranquility. Achieving fairness and justice is a persistent pursuit of BRICS countries and an important theme of BRICS cooperation. When international rules are being undermined and bullying practices are on the rise, we need to stand up for what is right and speak up for justice. We need to act as a positive and stable force for good in the world, promote dispute settlement by peaceful means, and seek solutions that address the root causes based on the true merits of issues.
Second, we should focus on development and bolster the driving forces of economic growth. China's journey of reform and opening up shows that in solving all problems, development is the foundation and key. It is true to big developing countries like China. It is also true to other countries of the Global South and beyond. With notable advantages in market, resources, industries and other factors, BRICS countries should play an active part in spearheading development cooperation, unlock the growth potential in emerging areas, and continue to explore new space for mutually beneficial cooperation. This year, China will establish the China-BRICS New Quality Productive Forces Research Center and the BRICS New Industry Golden Egret Excellence Scholarships, which will help BRICS countries train talents in areas such as industry and telecommunication, and pursue innovation-driven development.
Third, we should uphold inclusiveness and promote exchange and mutual learning among civilizations. Dialogue between civilizations can build bridges for peace and friendship and inspire wisdom for common development. With rich histories and cultures, BRICS countries should be advocates of harmonious coexistence of civilizations. We need to call for respect for cultural diversity in the world, and work to ensure that different civilizations inspire each other and prosper together.
China is ready to work with fellow BRICS members to make global governance more just, equitable, efficient and well-ordered, and build a better world together.
July 1, 2025, marks the 104th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Looking back on more than a century of striving, it is under the Party's strong leadership that the Chinese people have continuously turned the "impossible" into the "possible." The historic transformation of the Chinese nation - from standing up, to growing prosperous and becoming strong - has been fundamentally driven by the leadership of the CPC.
The book series of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China contains multiple important speeches on upholding and strengthening the Party's leadership. In the article "Maximize the Institutional Strength of CPC Leadership" included in Volume III of the book series, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, emphasized that governing a large country with more than 1.3 billion people, the Party must improve its leadership systems and mechanisms, give full play to the great strength of leadership by the Party, and shoulder the major responsibilities of carrying out our great struggle, developing our great project, advancing our great cause, and realizing our great dream. Only in this way can we ensure national reunification, uniform laws and policies and consistent market management, achieve economic development, clean political administration, cultural prosperity, social justice and healthy ecosystems, and smoothly advance the causes of Chinese socialism in the new era.
In Volume IV, Xi further stressed in the article titled "Speech at the Ceremony Marking the Centenary of the Communist Party of China" that the leadership of the Party is the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics and constitutes the greatest strength of this system. It is the foundation and lifeblood of the Party and the country, and the crux upon which the interests and wellbeing of all Chinese people depend.
Looking ahead, only by upholding and strengthening the Party's overall leadership can we fully build a great modern socialist country in all respects as scheduled and achieve the grand goal of national rejuvenation.
In the seventh installment of the special series "Decoding the Book of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China," the Global Times, along with People's Daily Overseas Edition, focuses on the theme: "Upholding CPC's overall leadership is China's greatest political advantage." We continue to invite Chinese and foreign scholars, translators of Xi's works, practitioners with firsthand experience, and international readers to explore the CPC's institutional strengths and real-world results in theoretical innovation, political development, organizational structure and its people-centered approach - and to collectively answer the question of our times: "Why is the CPC successful?"
