As this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, Chinese and British publishers hosted a series of events to pay tribute to the victory at the ongoing London Book Fair.

On Wednesday, a launch event was held for the Chinese edition of "Blades of Grass: The Story of George Aylwin Hogg," a biography of the British journalist who gave his life to support China's war against Japanese aggression decades ago.

The book, which includes Hogg's letters and journalistic works, offers a fuller picture of his early life and his journey as a reporter in China, documenting both the war and social life. It also highlights his efforts to support the Chinese people during the war, particularly his role in founding a school for war orphans in Shaanxi.

Mark Aylwin Thomas, author of the book and nephew of the late Hogg, said at the launch that the translated edition gives Chinese readers the opportunity to learn more about the "extraordinary person" who "loved and respected his fellow human beings regardless of race, belief or cultural differences, striving selflessly with compassion for a common positive goal."

Chen Guangyao from People's Publishing House, the book's publisher, said that Hogg's story serves as a historical testament to the friendship between China and Britain. He expressed hope that the Chinese edition will further strengthen this friendship and contribute to promoting world peace and development.

Along with the book, five other publications themed around the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression were also unveiled on Wednesday during the three-day book fair.

Speaking with Xinhua after a seminar where Chinese and British writers and scholars shared stories and insights on the bonds forged between the two countries during the war, Hugo de Burgh, director of China Media Centre at the University of Westminster, emphasized the importance of helping younger generations "understand the dangers and the terrible suffering caused by conflict and war."

He added that "responsible publishers" play a crucial role in reminding people of the "positive aspects of our relationships" that emerged from the shared experiences of war and hardship.

In addition, a special screening of "The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru" was held during the book fair. The documentary is about the heroic rescue of British prisoners of war by Chinese fishermen during World War II.

Drones weave through golden wheat fields, delivering nutrients with precision — a glimpse into the expanding potential of China's low-altitude economy. Behind the emerging trend, a growing demand for skilled professionals in the field is expected to rise in the coming years.

The low-altitude economy, a term recently included in this year's government work report during the two sessions, has been explicitly recognized as an emerging industry requiring "safe and sound development." 

In 2024, the term "low-altitude economy" was first written into China's government work report, sparking a wave of local policies in support of the sector. Data shows that 30 provinces have already included the development of the "low-altitude economy" in their 2025 government work reports, according to China Central Television.

Providing an industry perspective, Fu Changyin, marketing director of Shanghai-based Volant Aerotech, a company developing electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL), told the Global Times that there is a clear shortage of technical talent in research and development of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). However, the scarcity of directly specialized talent has led the company to recruit from related industries, such as new-energy vehicles.

Against the backdrop of the rapidly growing low-altitude economy, Chinese universities are introducing specialized programs to cultivate future talent.

Recently, a total of six top universities in China have applied to add a new program in low-altitude technology and engineering, according to a public notice from the Ministry of Education. The program is four years term and leads to a degree in engineering. Some of these universities told the Global Times that student recruitment will begin this year.

Showcase unique prowess

The universities communicate with each other during the application process, enabling each institution to carve out its own unique focus, a staff from Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications（BUPT）told the Global Times,  noting that the university is placing emphasis on the field of information and communication technology (ICT). 

"As an interdisciplinary major, we conducted a thorough review of our faculty and laboratory resources, developed an initial plan, defined talent cultivation goals and designed the core curriculum," the staff added.

The staff went on to say the new program at BUPT integrates the most advantageous and distinctive resources, including the School of Information and Communication Engineering, School of Computer Science, School of Intelligent Engineering and Automation, bringing together a top-tier faculty who are actively involved in its development of the program, and this is also well-documented in the application materials.

One of the applied universities, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics (NUAA), is focusing on developing the disciplines of transportation equipment engineering and safety science and engineering to support the rapid development of China's civil aviation industry and the low-altitude economy.

With the aim of cultivating high-level, multidisciplinary talent with a global perspective and technological innovation capabilities, the program at the College of General Aviation and Flight offers two main areas of study.

The first area is low-altitude digital detection and certification, which focuses on digital detection technologies for low-altitude aircraft and their airworthiness certification to cultivate talent with advanced research and technical capabilities, Wang Qin, professor from the college, told the Global Times. The curriculum covers sensor and testing technologies, low-altitude intelligent networking, positioning and navigation systems, as well as helicopter flight control.

The other aspect focuses on cultivating professionals in low-altitude flight services and support, encompassing areas such as low-altitude aircraft operation management, flight safety, airspace management and emergency support, Wang said.

Real-world application

Through collaboration with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), the program at NUAA aims to cultivate talent that meets civil aviation standards, promote the safe and efficient management of low-altitude airspace, and ensure that the development of the low-altitude economy complies with safety regulations, Wang told the Global Times.

The program also combines academic qualifications with professional certifications, where students earn a bachelor's degree while also obtaining licenses in relevant fields, such as drone piloting. This approach ensures a solid theoretical foundation while providing students with the legal qualifications to practice professionally.

Moreover, it features instructors who not only have extensive teaching experience but also practical industry experience, by bringing in experts with corporate backgrounds or project experience, Wang added. 

A low-altitude experimental training platform, including a low-altitude aircraft control laboratory, a simulated airspace management system and an intelligent communications laboratory, will also be established, Wang said. Students will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on training on these platforms, gaining practical skills in aircraft control, navigation, communication, perception and control.

The professor noted that NUAA will collaborate closely with enterprises and research institutions in the low-altitude economy sector. Through partnerships with drone manufacturers, general aviation companies and traffic management departments, students will gain hands-on experience in real projects, enhancing their industry skills.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, the CAAC estimates that the country's low-altitude market will soar to 1.5 trillion yuan ($220 billion) in 2025 and as much as 3.5 trillion yuan in 2035.

Fu from the Shanghai company noted that as universities in China gradually introduce relevant programs in response to the growing low-altitude economy, the company will also focus on campus recruitment to attract more top graduates. 

In the field of aircraft development, the establishment of a program is only the beginning, and there is a need for more practical experience in the development of the industry, Fu added.

In the book-lined office of Professor Stelios Virvidakis at the University of Athens, Greece's oldest and most esteemed academic institution, a letter is carefully preserved like a precious, delicate bridge model.

It came from Chinese President Xi Jinping, delivered to congratulate the inauguration of the China-Greece Center for Mutual Learning of Civilizations in the time-honored university in February 2023.

"It was a delightful surprise to us all," said Virvidakis, his philosopher's gaze softening at the memory.

In the letter, Xi noted that over 2,000 years ago, China and Greece, two civilizations glittering at each end of the Eurasian continent, made groundbreaking contributions to the evolution of human civilization.

Now, he pointed out, it is of profound historical and contemporary significance for them to work together to promote exchanges and mutual learning and enhance the development of all civilizations.

The well-preserved letter reflects Xi's broader vision of fostering cross-cultural dialogue and mutual learning as a catalyst for global peace and development, a vision that has been driving his diplomatic action worldwide.

That aspiration is best embodied in his Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), launched at a conference between the Communist Party of China (CPC) and global political parties in 2023, where he stressed that tolerance, coexistence, exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations play an irreplaceable role in advancing humanity's modernization process when the future of all countries are closely connected.

With the GCI nearing its second anniversary on Saturday, Xi's vision -- to build a world where civilizations don't collide but converse -- has become ever more relevant, standing both as a nod to ancient ties and as a bold stitch in a fraying global tapestry.

NO MATTER EAST OR WEST

"The boy was an avid reader of literature and history, particularly captivated by the poetry of Du Fu," said Chen Qiuying, who taught Xi Chinese in 1965, when Xi was a teenager.

Du, the most revered realist poet of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), was celebrated for his profound empathy and compassion for the common people in his works. This spirit is echoed in Xi's firm commitment to fighting poverty and promoting the wellbeing of the people.

"Xi implored me to recommend more of Du Fu's works," Chen recalled. "He possessed a composed and rational demeanor, immersing himself in extensive reading and profound contemplation."

Four years later, as an educated young student, Xi volunteered to go to Liangjiahe, a secluded and impoverished village nestled in the rugged terrain of northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

With him, Xi carried two suitcases filled with books. During his seven years there, Xi devoured whatever books he could find, from ancient Chinese textbooks to foreign novels such as Stendhal's The Red and the Black and Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace.

"During those days in Liangjiahe, Xi never ceased reading and reflecting," said Dai Ming, who shared a cave dwelling with Xi back then.

Xi's keen interest in different cultures has since continued unabated, whether as a local official or as the top leader of China. When serving as secretary of the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee, he invited scholars to deliver lectures on both Chinese and Western philosophies.

In November 2019, during his first state visit to Greece, Xi toured the Acropolis Museum at the foot of the iconic and ancient Acropolis. He took a moment at the sunlit entrance on the museum's third floor, the east and west sides adorned with exquisite pediment sculptures from the Acropolis: the birth of Athena and the fierce contest between her and Poseidon for the title of protector of Athens.

"This is Greece's version of Shan Hai Jing," Xi remarked, alluding to China's own ancient compendium of ancient myths and legends.

"He is not only interested in a single artifact," said Dimitrios Pandermalis, then president of the Acropolis Museum. "He possesses a profound fascination with the civilization of ancient Greece and its history, along with a keen appreciation for ancient Greek art and architecture."

THE POWER OF EXCHANGES

Ahead of his state visit to Peru in November last year, Xi published a signed article in Peruvian newspaper El Peruano, reflecting on the Intihuatana stone -- an ancient altar in Machu Picchu where the Incas tracked the seasons and crafted calendars based on the shifting solar shadows.

He noted that the structure operated on the same principles that inspired the creation of sundials in ancient China. "Many told me that Chinese and Peruvian peoples would feel an instant warmth upon their first encounters and would have a deja vu when appreciating each other's ancient artifacts," he wrote.

Since assuming Chinese presidency, Xi has made cultural exchange a hallmark of his diplomatic approach. Cultural exchange is a project aimed at "bringing the hearts and minds of the people closer together and building a better future," he has said, a belief he has carried since his days working at local positions.

In 2005, as Zhejiang's Party chief, he sent a congratulatory letter to the opening of the province's first Culture Week program in Europe. Among the highlights of the event, held in France's Alpes-Maritimes, was an exhibition of paintings by local farmers and fishermen -- a unique form of Chinese folk art depicting the rhythm and beauty of rural and coastal life through vibrant hues and evocative forms.

As Chinese president, Xi has been consistently advocating for mutual respect, mutual understanding and mutual learning between different cultures and civilizations.

During his state visit to France in May last year, he brought Chinese translations of classic French novels as gifts for his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron. In return, Macron presented him with a special work by French author Victor Hugo.

Thanks to his steadfast push, cultural exchanges between China and other countries are flourishing. Over the past decade, China has organized over 30 cultural and tourism year programs with other countries, notably those participating in Belt and Road cooperation.

"The Chinese civilization ... has become what it is today through constant interactions with other civilizations," Xi said at the opening ceremony of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations held in May 2019 in Beijing.

"Long-term self-isolation will cause a civilization to decline, while exchanges and mutual learning will sustain its development. A civilization can flourish only through exchanges and mutual learning with other civilizations," he added.

COLORS OF CIVILIZATIONS

In recent years, some scholars and politicians in the West have been peddling once again the clash of civilizations theory, first proposed by American political scientist Samuel Huntington in 1993. They portray some civilizations as superior to others and seek to divide countries through ideological and racial lines.

On the background of the resurgence of such sentiments is a world undergoing unprecedented transformations rarely seen in a century. Global South countries, on a collective rise, are demanding their legitimate right to modernization in louder voices, while the global deficits in peace, security, development and governance are growing ever larger.

In Xi's eyes, no civilization in the world is superior to others, and every civilization is equal and unique. "Civilizations have come in different colors, and such diversity renders exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations relevant and valuable," he said in a speech at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris in 2014.

Months after he put forward the GCI in 2023, Xi explained at an event in San Francisco that the initiative is meant "to urge the international community to address the imbalance between material and cultural advancement and jointly promote continued progress of human civilization."

China's global initiatives, including the GCI, advocate for an egalitarian and inclusive order in pursuit of just and coherent global governance, said Ong Tee Keat, president of the Belt and Road Initiative Caucus for Asia Pacific and a former transport minister of Malaysia.

In the meantime, he said, "the GCI has driven home a clear message that all nations have the right to choose their own development paths in their pursuit of modernization, which is not necessarily synonymous with Westernization."

In September 2024, at the opening ceremony of the summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Xi put forward 10 partnership actions for modernization, with the first being "Partnership Action for Mutual Learning among Civilizations."

"China will enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges with Africa, champion mutual respect, inclusiveness and coexistence of different civilizations on our way to modernization, and strive together for more fruitful outcomes under the GCI," Xi said.

As the world order designed to serve the interests of Western powers no longer meets the evolving needs and aspirations of Global South countries, a call for change is a natural response, said Ong, the Malaysian expert.

"This must occur ... free from any mental subordination. Only then can an environment conducive to a nation's modernization and development be established," he said. "In this respect, the GCI undoubtedly serves as a potent enabler." 

According to Vietnamese media reports over the weekend, popular Chinese milk tea brand Chagee and Chinese toy brand Baby Three recently faced boycotts in Vietnam due to "nine-dash line" issues. It is worth noting that this is not the first time Vietnam has boycotted foreign brands or related products over the "nine-dash line." 

According to media reports, Chagee has announced that it intends to open its first store in Vietnam, with a prime position in Ho Chi Minh City. 

With the promotion of the brand's official app, Vietnamese netizens discovered that the login screen of Chagee's app seemingly displayed a map featuring the "nine-dash line." This discovery quickly attracted attention on Vietnamese social media, leading a large number of Vietnamese Internet users to flood the social media accounts of Chagee with comments expressing their dissatisfaction and calls for a boycott.

After the incident, the app of Chagee has been removed from the Google and Apple platforms in Vietnam. Chagee and the Vietnamese authorities have not publicly responded to this matter.

Recently, Chinese toy Baby Three also faced a boycott in Vietnam due to similar issues. The reason is that Vietnamese consumers believe the tear-stained pattern on the toy's face resembles the "nine-dash line." The Vietnamese authorities ordered a nationwide investigation and strict action against relevant production and sales units.

Vietnam's sensitivity toward the "nine dash line" stems from its ongoing attempt to deny China's territorial sovereignty in the South China Sea. In recent years, the Vietnamese government has imposed strict controls and resistance measures against any maps, films and products containing the "nine dash line" within its territory. 

For instance, in 2022, it banned the Sony-produced movie based on the video game Uncharted, and in 2023, it denied the US blockbuster Barbie a screening permit, and the same year, it prohibited the airing of the Chinese TV drama Flight To You.

Vietnam has reacted strongly to China's claims in the South China Sea, repeatedly opposing China's claims in international forums on various global stages, attempting to portray itself as a compliant party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), while depicting China as a violator, Ge Hongliang, vice dean of the ASEAN College at the Guangxi Minzu University, told the Global Times on Monday, adding that the root of these problems lies in the unresolved South China Sea disputes between the two countries.

Not only have commercial activities been blocked, but some Chinese citizens have even been denied entry into the country simply because the Chinese passports have "map-related problems," Ge said. 

However, the fact is that in as early as 1948, the Chinese government officially released the dotted line and reaffirmed its sovereignty and relevant rights in the South China Sea, Ge noted.

Regarding the "nine-dash line," Chinese foreign ministry has reiterated its position on multiple occasions that China's sovereignty and rights in the South China Sea are solidly grounded in history and the law. 

On maritime disputes with relevant countries, the Chinese foreign ministry has also stressed that it has always been committed to resolving issues through negotiations and consultations with the directly involved parties. At the same time, China attaches great importance to working with ASEAN countries to jointly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. China's stance on this matter is clear and consistent. Creating issues and escalating tensions does not contribute to maintaining peace and stability in Southeast Asia.

A "giant" actor, standing at 2.33 meters tall and weighing 130 kilograms, has recently gained widespread attention at the scenic spot of Kaifeng Wansui Mountain Martial Arts City in Central China's Henan Province, according to local news platform Daxiang News.

Videos shared by visitors show the giant actor dressed in fur and using a cane for support during performances. His performance mainly involves interacting with visitors, with five shows held daily, each lasting 20 minutes. The attraction staff said that visitors enjoy taking photos with him, and the most popular activity is comparing hand sizes with the giant.

According to the actor's brother, who performs as his "bodyguard," their father is about 1.8 meters tall, while he and their mother are around 1.7 meters tall. The actor's extraordinary height is believed to be inherited from their grandfather, who stands at 2.1 meters.

The 25-year-old actor hails from Kashgar in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, according to Daxiang News. Before coming to Henan to perform, he assisted his parents with farming.

The actor said that despite this being his first time in Henan, he has adapted well to the environment and is happy to be liked by tourists. He also mentioned that he is working hard to learn Putonghua to enhance audience interactions

Addressing netizens' concerns about his unusual walking posture and potential health issues, the scenic area explained that his exceptional height resulted in uneven leg development, affecting his gait. 

However, the staff noted that the actor experiences no discomfort. To aid his movement, the scenic area has provided him with a cane.

The scenic area is currently developing a themed performance centered around the giant actor, allowing visitors to see more of his acts. The script is still in development and will depict the story of a giant and a little person, using their height difference to create a unique viewing experience, scenic area staff told Daxiang News.