China's industrial profits maintain growth from January to August, marking 0.5 percent increase year-on-year, driven by high-tech manufacturing, despite the challenges including extreme weather and a high-base effect.

The high-tech manufacturing sector, which includes lithium-ion batteries, semiconductors, and related equipment, led this growth with a 10.9 percent year-on-year increase during the same period, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on Friday.

China's industrial profits continue to maintain the growth trend observed since the beginning of the year, with new momentum industries represented by high-tech manufacturing experiencing rapid growth, said NBS statistician Yu Weining.

The industrial profit growth rate has dropped during the period, due to insufficient effective market demand and the severe impacts of natural disasters, including heat waves and floods in certain regions, coupled with a notably higher comparison base in August, Yu said.

Excluding factors such as high bases and extreme weathers, the slowing in industrial profit growth suggested the necessity to actively boost domestic demand, Tian Yun, an economist based in Beijing, told the Global Times.

As China is rolling out a series of policy support to boost its economy, more favorable fiscal policies are anticipated to be introduced in the fourth quarter, Tian said.

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting on Thursday to analyze and study the current economic situation and make further arrangements for economic work.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, presided over the meeting.

Concerning the death of the boy from the Shenzhen Japanese School, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday that the two countries agreed to maintain communication to prevent negative impact of individual case on the bilateral ties, and noted that both countries recognized each other’s effort to properly and calmly handle the tragic incident.

The statement was made in response to a question about the meeting between China’s Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong and Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tsuge Yoshifumi on Monday morning. The two sides exchanged views on China-Japan relations and issues of mutual interest, said Lin.

The two sides reiterated their stance of valuing and growing China-Japan relations and agreed to work together to deliver on the important common understandings between the leaders of the two countries, and comprehensively advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit, said Lin.

“We’ve learned that the case is still under investigation. The Shenzhen authorities released information on the progress made in the investigation. China will continue to provide as much facilitation and assistance as possible to the boy’s family in handling related matters,” Lin noted.

When asked to comment on the matter that the Shenzhen school had received over 1,000 bouquets of flowers in condolences of the boy, with most of the flowers coming from local Chinese residents, Lin said “Chinese people expressing their condolences of their own accord reflects their simplest sentiments of grief and their respect for life.”

The Chinese culture values kindness, credibility, justice and togetherness. It is a culture for peace and tolerance. Our tradition of welcoming all foreign friends with every sincerity and treating them as our equals will not change. And we will do everything possible to protect the safety and property of foreign nationals in China, Lin noted.

During the Mid-Autumn Festival holidays, one documentary film The Sinking of Lisbon Maru garnered widespread acclaim in China. The film not only recounts a relatively obscure episode of World War II but also serves as a vivid reminder of the cruelty of war and the bravery of ordinary Chinese people.  

As of 3 pm Tuesday, The Sinking of Lisbon Maru, which hit theaters on September 6, had earned more than 15 million yuan ($2.11 million) at the box office. The film has also earned a 9.3 rating on Douban, the Chinese equivalent of IMDb, with over 14,000 comments on the platform. 

Without a doubt, the documentary film is experiencing a reversal at the box office thanks to its strong word-of-mouth. It just garnered 3,670,000 yuan at the box office on its release day. Looking back at the film's box-office performance since its release, this "sunken ship," which has been "salvaged," brings a historical truth that refuses to be buried, striking a chord with everyone who has watched it.

Despite the "disadvantage" of decreasing showtimes, as more and more people have connected deeply with its message and its portrayal of a little-known yet significant historical event. 

At the heart of the story is the Lisbon Maru, an armed Japanese cargo ship used during World War II to transport more than 1,800 British prisoners of war (POWs) from Hong Kong to Japan, without bearing a sign indicating it was carrying POWs - a violation of the Geneva Convention. 

In October 1942, the ship was struck by a torpedo from a US submarine. 

What followed was an unimaginable tragedy: Japanese soldiers sealed the POWs below deck, leaving them to drown and even shooting at them as they attempted to escape. As a result, 828 POWs died.

When the ship approached the coast of the Zhoushan Islands in East China's Zhejiang Province, 384 survivors were fortunately rescued by local Chinese fishermen, who risked their own lives using wooden fishing boats to save the British soldiers from the water.

At the end of the film, many audience members did not leave until they had read all the names of the 1,816 British soldiers and 200 fishermen who participated in the rescue. 

This documentary serves as a memorial to their efforts. 

This is not only a significant example of China and Britain fighting together against fascist aggression during World War II, but also a historical story of the deep friendship formed between the people of both nations.

However, for decades, the Japanese government has avoided addressing its role in the events surrounding the Lisbon Maru. 

The film's director and producer, Fang Li, an expert in geophysical exploration and marine technology, heard the story from some fishermen in Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang Province in 2014 and later decided to make a documentary about it.

In an interview with the Global Times, Fang expressed the film's significance. "I made the film to reveal the truth, for the young men who died in the waters of the Zhoushan Islands and for the Chinese fishermen who helped rescue them," he said.

His determination has brought this story to light, despite the challenges of historical research. 

The film's attention to historical detail is another reason it has resonated strongly with viewers. 

Fang traveled extensively, conducting interviews with survivors, descendants of the POWs, and the families of the fishermen who took part in the rescue. 

"The descendants of the fishermen who participated in the rescue back then told me during interviews that whenever their fathers mentioned the incident, they would always say, 'We just did what we were supposed to do.' When the descendants of the POWs spoke about that part of history, they expressed their gratitude and respect for the fishermen of Zhoushan," said Fang. "These heroic, brave, yet humble and modest ancestors deserve to be remembered."

His journey spanned multiple countries, including the UK, Japan, the US and Canada. 

The result is a documentary that does more than recount the facts; it pieces together the fragments of history through the personal testimonies of those directly impacted.

According to Fang, they found more than 380 descendants of the survivors, interviewed over 130 face-to-face, and collected more than tens of thousands of historical photos.

In the film, as the survivors of the Lisbon Maru, the families of the POWs, the fishermen who participated in the rescue, and relevant personnel from Japan and the US recount their stories, fragments of history are pieced together. 

The realistic special effects in scenes vividly recreate the brutality of war, the cold-bloodedness of the invaders, and the heroic deeds of the Zhoushan fishermen.

What sets The Sinking of Lisbon Maru apart is that it goes beyond the retelling of a wartime tragedy. 

It emphasizes the love beyond borders: The courageous Chinese fishermen who, despite the risks, saw it as their duty to help others. 

The story of the Lisbon Maru, once nearly forgotten, is now being told to a new generation, ensuring that the ship's sinking - and the heroism of those who responded - will not be silenced.

The 2024 Latin American and Caribbean Music Festival kicked off in Beijing on Saturday, as part of the annual "Latin American and Caribbean Art Season."

The event features performances from bands from Mexico, Panama and Costa Rica, alongside a dance troupe from Chile, showcasing vibrant Latin American music and dance.

The festival opened with a performance by a Mexican band, featuring young musicians from orchestral theaters and showcasing diverse styles from metal and jazz to funk and pop. Then the stage welcomed a Panamanian band, followed by a Chilean dance troupe in vibrant costumes that celebrated Latin American culture. 

The festival concluded with a performance by Costa Rica's renowned rock music band.

Since its inception in 2013, the event has been a key initiative for cultural exchange between China and Latin America.

The Chinese national soccer team has embarked on the third stage of the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers campaign with a low-key approach as they look to make the most of their opportunity against Japan on Thursday. 

Without grand send-offs by fans at the airport or an entourage of officials from the Chinese Football Association (CFA), the team's low-key departure to Tokyo on Tuesday stood in stark contrast to previous years, reflecting a shift in strategy amid ongoing anti-corruption efforts within Chinese soccer, experts said. 

Head coach Branko Ivankovic has called up a full-strength squad, including star forward Wu Lei as well as three naturalized players, Jiang Guangtai, A Lan and Fei Nanduo.

CFA has not set any rigid targets for the national team this year, but the performance of the national team has always been a focal point for the public. China looks to fight for points against Japan before taking on Saudi Arabia on September 10 in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning Province.

Despite the gap in strength between China and Japan, the national team should aim high and show their character, Wang Dazhao, a Beijing-based sports commentator, told the Global Times on Tuesday. 

"Although the Chinese team may not be as strong as opponents like Japan or Saudi Arabia, representing China in the World Cup qualifiers is a significant responsibility. Whether or not the CFA sets a specific target, the team must establish its own goals and demonstrate a fighting spirit," Wang said. 

Wang also called on fans to handle the results of the game with a rational attitude and look on the bright side of the team's performance.

In the third stage of the Asian qualifiers, China was drawn in Group C alongside Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Indonesia. The top two teams from each group will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the third and fourth-placed teams will enter a play-off tournament.

Ivankovic expressed optimism ahead of the first match against Japan. 

"We will do our utmost to secure points in the game against Japan, and perhaps we might achieve an unexpected result, which would be the best reward for our fans. What's crucial is to avoid injuries and help the players quickly adapt to the rhythm of the competition," he said, according to CCTV News. 

Despite Saudi Arabia's higher ranking, Ivankovic had higher expectations for his squad on home soil. "Our real test comes on September 10 when we host Saudi Arabia. In this match, we must secure points and strive for an ideal outcome," said the Croatian coach. 

China's Zhang Shuai and France's Kristina Mladenovic advanced to the US Open women's doubles final after a hard-fought 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 victory over Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend on Wednesday. 

This marks Zhang's fourth appearance in a Grand Slam doubles final and her first US Open final since winning the doubles title with Samantha Stosur in 2021 in New York, the US. The pair will face the seventh seeds, Lyudmyla Kichenok and Jelena Ostapenko, in the final on Friday. 

Meanwhile, Zheng Qinwen concluded this year's Grand Slam journey with a US Open quarterfinal defeat to Aryna Sabalenka. Despite the loss, her deep runs to the major tournaments and historic triumph at the Paris Olympic Games this year have attracted widespread attention and sparked interest in tennis across China.

The success of Chinese players in international tennis tournaments has fueled a renewed wave of enthusiasm across the country. In return, the expanding tennis demographic is contributing to the emergence of young talents who are striving to make their mark on the global stage. 

The 21-year-old Zheng made history in Paris to become the first Asian-born player to win gold in a tennis singles event at the Olympics. She also achieved a runner-up finish at this year's Australian Open in January, making her the second Chinese player in history to reach a major final since Li Na won the Australian Open in 2014. 

At Paris Olympics, Chinese duo Zhang Zhizhen and Wang Xinyu claimed silver in the mixed doubles. The fact that they were only paired right before the mixed doubles event began due to the last-minute withdrawal of Zhang's original partner Zheng added gloss to their laurels.

Zheng's success follows in the footsteps of earlier Chinese tennis icons like Li, and her achievements have contributed to the increasing participation in tennis across the country. China continues to build a strong presence in global tennis, with more grassroots initiatives and investments in tennis infrastructure, making the sport more accessible to young players across various regions.

"She put a little seed in my heart that I also wanted to do that and to be like her... and even better," Zheng said during a Tennis Channel interview in 2023 about Li's 2011 Roland Garros victory.

According to the 2021 International Tennis Federation Global Tennis Report, China ranked second globally in tennis participation, with 19.92 million people involved in the sport, representing 22.9 percent of the world's tennis population. This positions China just behind the US. 

The report also highlights China's strong tennis infrastructure, with 49,767 tennis courts, the second-highest number in the world. These figures show the rapid growth and popularization of tennis in China, transitioning from a niche activity to a widely enjoyed sport.

In Zheng's hometown, Central China's Hubei Province, tennis training has been included in the city's youth sports summer camps since 2015. The number of children who have participated in free tennis training increased from 1,000 in 2015 to 2,600 in 2023. Over 100 primary schools in Wuhan now offer tennis programs, which has greatly boosted youth participation in the sport, according to Changjiang Daily.

Hubei's Jingshan city, known as "China's Tennis Hometown," has cultivated a strong tennis culture. About 80,000 residents, or 12 percent of its population, regularly play tennis. The small city's 286 tennis courts ensure that residents can reach one within a 15-minute walk from anywhere in the urban area. Jingshan also holds regular grassroots tennis events, including the China (Jingshan) Tennis Festival, making it a national model for tennis promotion.

Aiming to secure enough ranking points to qualify for the WTA Finals in November, Zheng is set to make her debut at the China Open scheduled from September 23 to October 6 in Beijing. 

This year's tournament featured the largest number of Chinese players ever to compete in the singles, reflecting the country's rapid rise in the global tennis scene. 

The increasing participation reflects both the expansion of tennis culture and government efforts to promote the sport. The growth is attributed not only to the success of Chinese tennis players but also to the expansion of tennis facilities and grassroots initiatives. The development of tennis infrastructure has made the sport more accessible to people across China.

Similar to how Li inspired Zheng, Zheng's victorious journey may have planted seeds in the hearts of many more children. 

Editor's Note:

Fifty years ago, not only the archaeological community but also ordinary people were stunned by the excavation of the Mawangdui Han Tombs. Among the findings is a remarkable discovery known as China's "Sleeping Beauty" (Lady Xin Zhui), an over 2,100-year-old lady who looks nearly as good as she did when she was buried after her death at the age of about 50, during China's Western Han Dynasty (206BC-AD25). The world has marveled at the mystery behind her body, as well as the numerous precious treasures unearthed from the tombs.

In this Mawangdui trilogy, the Global Times Culture Desk reaches out to experts who have been involved in the excavation field work, revisiting those moments when new discoveries were made or more cultural relics were unearthed. This is the second installment.
With all three tombs discovered at the Mawangdui Han Tombs, questions about their occupants have become the elephant in the room: Who were they? Which tomb was the earliest, and which was the latest?

When the archaeology team needed to address the chronological questions, Fu Juyou, one of the leaders of the Mawangdui site excavation, decided to consider stratigraphy as a key factor.

Shan Xianjin, one of the excavators of the Mawangdui Han tombs, was leading the team to implement the idea. He told the Global Times that the team applied stratigraphy into their practice to determine the chronological order of the three tombs.

"By digging with a bulldozer in the middle of the two mounds, a profile was created to study the stratigraphy. We could see different layers of the soil, and decided the order is No.2, No.3 and No.1," recalled Shan, now 88 years old.

However, the mystery surrounding the owner of Tomb No.2 remained unresolved.

"Wrapping up his work at the bottom of the coffin, He Jiejun went ahead to reach to the bottom of the wooden board," Shan said.

"With his swollen fingers, He got something hard. What could it be? He lifted it out, cleaned it a bit with water melt from the snow. It turned out to be a seal!

"The seal read 'Daihou Li Cang' [the marquis Li Cang]. Everyone was so thrilled at that moment! Now we knew the identity of the tomb's owner," Shan noted.
Details of the discovery

From many discoverers' point of view, the excavation stories of Mawangdui started from the story of "ghost fire." Shan told the Global Times that in December 1971, an air-raid shelter was under construction to be used by a nearby military hospital.

To speed up the process, the construction team utilized iron brazing to drill down, which released an unpleasant odor.

"Two soldiers took a break and smoked, and the marsh gas from the drilling caught on fire, emitting blue flames," Shan recalled.

The flames were believed to be "ghost fire," as the conventional saying goes, leading the team to halt the excavation.

News of the incident was relayed to Hou Liang, then head of the Hunan Museum. Hou immediately identified that the soldiers had likely uncovered an ancient tomb, locally known as a "fire pit tomb," renowned for its well-preserved artifacts.

After the female corpse was unearthed, medical workers ­performed an autopsy in December 1972 to thoroughly examine the integrity of the body and study ancient Chinese embalming techniques.

Medical experts from across Hunan Province were invited to perform the autopsy, with young surgeon Peng Longxiang leading the procedure.

"It can be said that all clinical departments participated, including radiology, dermatology, stomatology, obstetrics and gynecology, internal medicine, surgery, and otolaryngology. Everyone was joking, but we didn't invite pediatricians because she was an adult, so [almost] all clinical departments participated," Peng said.

Impacts on art, life

Hailed as one of the most important archaeological finds in China during the 20th century, the Mangwangdui site has garnered significant attention both within the country and around the world.

Professor Eugene Wang Yuejin, founding director of the Harvard FAS CAMLab, an art team, told the Global Times in an interview that the discoveries at Mawangdui have had a profound influence on the global understanding of ancient Chinese culture and its contribution to mankind's heritage.

Lü Chenchen, associate ­director of Harvard FAS CAMLab, told the Global Times that the medical texts discovered at ­Mawangdui are some of the earliest known manuscripts on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), providing insights into ancient practices of health, well-being, and holistic healing.

The texts, which cover treatments and medical theories, have left an everlasting impact on TCM and continue to influence people's life in modern times.

Through a series of provocative actions in the South China Sea in recent years, Japan, a country that does not have any claim in the region, has gradually revealed its ambitions to play a more influential role in the busy waterway.

In its latest move, Japan and the Philippines held their first joint military exercises in the South China Sea on August 2 in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, according to Reuters. The exercises came less than a month after the two countries signed a landmark military pact allowing the deployment of forces on each other's soil.

What is Japan's real plan in the South China Sea? How has it gradually been forming a strategy for the South China Sea? How could its involvement affect the regional situation?

Eager actions

The Japan-Philippines drill took place within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, Reuters said citing the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It closely followed similar exercises between Manila and Washington on July 31.

On July 8, Japan and the Philippines signed a key defense pact, the Reciprocal Access Agreement, allowing the deployment of Japanese forces for joint military exercises, including live-fire drills, to the Philippines. It also similarly allows Philippine forces to enter Japan for joint combat training, media reported.

The defense pact with the Philippines is the first to be forged by Japan in Asia. Japan signed similar accords with Australia in 2022 and with the UK in 2023, according to the reports.

Some Western media interpreted the collaborations between Japan and the Philippines as moves to push back against China's so-called regional assertiveness.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian reiterated at a press conference on July 8 that the exchange and cooperation between countries should not undermine the mutual understanding and trust between other countries in the region. It should not threaten regional peace and stability, target any third party, or harm the interests of any third party.

The signing of the agreement will help Japan further sell patrol ships, radars, and other military equipment to the Philippines, seizing the Philippine arms market, seeking greater economic benefits, and expanding military and political influence, Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times.

The US has always used the South China Sea issue as a means to contain China, and Japan has also continuously supported and incited the Philippines to cause trouble and provocations in the region. To put it more directly, the US wants Japan to be its strategic pawn, and Japan wants the Philippines to be its cannon fodder, Zhang said.

To Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, "assistant" is a more appropriate word to describe Japan's role in the deployment of the US' Indo-Pacific strategy.

Japan has apparently accelerated its pace of using military means to influence security affairs in the South China Sea in order to achieve a long-term presence in the region. The signing of the agreement with the Philippines and the immediate deployment of the exercises under the agreement are obvious examples, Chen noted.

At the same time, Japan has also enhanced support for military and paramilitary forces in regional countries. In May, Japan agreed to provide the Philippines with a 64.3-billion yen ($6.8 million) low-interest loan for the acquisition of five additional Japanese patrol vessels, in a bid to help it cope with "China's aggressive activities" in the South China Sea, the Kyodo News reported.

These moves are, in fact, extensions of the US' plan to achieve global maritime domain awareness, according to Chen.

The US has always attached great importance to enhancing its maritime situational awareness capabilities as a key component of its national security and maritime security strategy since the September 11 attack in 2001. Against the backdrop of the Indo-Pacific strategy, it is actively promoting the construction of a US-led maritime situational awareness network in the Indo-Pacific region with the participation of regional allies and partners, aiming to strengthen the maritime containment of China, analysts noted.

Aside from military-related moves, Japan has also been actively attending small US-led multilateral mechanisms in the Indo-Pacific region such as the US-Japan-Philippine and the US-Japan-South Korea mechanisms. It also tried to participate in the formulation of regional rules such as the definition of navigation freedom.

Japan's active moves and cooperation with the US show that it is seemingly quite willing to act as the US' assistant, Chen said.
The assistant's plots

The "assistant" is as willing as it has its own ambitions.

Japan's first priority is to use the South China Sea issue as a means to divert China's attention and spread out China's military presence in the East China Sea, where there are ongoing disputes between the two countries, Chen stressed.

In addition, Japan has a long-term goal of establishing itself as a political and military powerhouse. By leveraging the South China Sea disputes, Japan aims to extend its influence into Southeast Asia. Furthermore, Japan seeks to enhance its role in regional security by deepening cooperation with countries in Southeast Asia, he said.

Lastly, the South China Sea is a critical passage for Japan's energy and goods imports and exports. Therefore, Japan is certainly keen to strengthen its control over this vital lifeline, according to Chen.

According to the VOA, 90 percent of Japan's energy and trade flow passes through the South China Sea. Japan relies heavily on importing crude oil from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, while one-fourth of the nation's total trade in 2019 was from the European Union and members of ASEAN that also rely on the sea route.

Taking these ambitions into account, analysts noted that while Japan's strategic alignment with the US still exists, at the same time, there is also a trend of rising strategic autonomy in Japan's Indo-Pacific strategy.

"Through collaborations with India, the Philippines, and Taiwan island, Japan is actively playing a role in forming an island chain. This chain starts from the Japanese archipelago, goes all the way to Taiwan island, with South Korea in the north and the Philippines in the south, then continues through Malaysia to India in the Indian Ocean, connecting the entire southern border of China. The South China Sea is a crucial link for Japan in weaving this chain, constructing a semi-circular containment barrier targeting China," Chen said, stressing that "Japan has really huge ambitions in Indo-Pacific area."

Yang Bojiang, director of the Japan Research Institute at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, outlined the phased changes in Japan's South China Sea policy in a speech in November 2020.

According to Yang, Japan lost all overseas colonies after World War II and lacked a role in the South China Sea issue until the end of the Cold War. In the 10 years since then to the end of the 20th century, Japan entered "renewed attention" to the region. During this period, due to the existence of various political and legal restrictions, Japan mainly focused on observing and assessing the South China Sea issue, with few actual actions. In the 21st century, as Japan relaxed its self-imposed restrictions on military and security activities overseas, its South China Sea policy entered the "action" phase.

In 2016, then-Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe proposed Japan's version of the Indo-Pacific strategy as he was actively seeking a revival of Japan's international influence.

Abe's Indo-Pacific strategy was inherited and enhanced by the current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. During the Abe era, the concept emphasized that a maritime order was based on the rule of law, freedom, and openness as the foundations for stability and prosperity in the international community. The current concept of the Fumio administration is broader, with a wide range of topics and partners, and a strong emphasis on pan-security, making it a comprehensive international strategy that combines alliance, containment of China, security, and other global aspects, read an article published in March by the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations.

Japan started to make adjustment and try to achieve its own Indo-Pacific goals into the US' Indo-Pacific strategy since 2017 when former US president Donald Trump took office and established the Indo-Pacific strategy against China, in contrast with his predecessor president Obama's approach to seek economic, diplomatic, and security balance in the Asia-Pacific, according to experts.

The Japanese Indo-Pacific strategy has received some positive feedback and has increased Japan's visibility in international politics. However, its negative effects are also beginning to show.

Disturbed sea

Japan's intervention into the South China Sea has made Manila feel supported, becoming more reckless in South China Sea disputes, Chen pointed out.

The Philippines announced on Wednesday that it had launched two days of joint sea and air exercises with the US, Canada and Australia in its exclusive economic zone, Bloomberg reported.

In addition, since August 3, patrol boats and several Philippine fishing vessels have gathered near the illegally detained Philippine Coast Guard ship 9701 at the Xianbin Jiao (also known as Xianbin Reef). China Coast Guard (CCG) has been monitoring and effectively controlling the situation in accordance with the law, resolutely defending China's territorial sovereignty, the CCG announced.

Japan's intervention in the region would also expand the disputes between China and Japan in the East China Sea and the Taiwan Straits to the South China Sea, Chen warned.

Military competition in the region will be intensified. The risk of conflict between China and Japan in the South China Sea is also increasing, Chen noted.

The regional multilateral security mechanism led by ASEAN risks of being smashed and replaced by a fragmented security structure based on a US-led alliance system, according to Chen.

Regional countries should understand that they have more mutual interests with China than the US. And it is more beneficial to themselves to cooperate with China based on these mutual interests, rather than be used as a pawn in the US and its allies' geopolitical game, experts noted.

China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with Roberto Vavassori, president of the Italian Association of the automotive industry, in Italy on Saturday to discuss the European Commission (EC)’s tariff against Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) and cooperation between China and Italy in the EV sector, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Sunday.

The meeting came ahead of Wang’s closely watched visit to Europe. The MOFCOM announced on Thursday that Wang will meet with EC Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on September 19 to hold talks on the EC’s so-called anti-subsidy investigation and subsequent tariffs targeting the Chinese EV industry.

Experts noted that Wang’s trip will focus heavily on addressing the issue through dialogue and urged the EC to show sincerity in the talks. 

The priority of China and the EU is to establish effective communication channels, finding common ground in the EV sector, and both sides need to respect each other’s positions, Sun Yanhong, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday.

Wang’s visit aims to address the dispute over EC’s recent actions against China’s EV industry. As the EU steps up crackdown on Chinese EVs, there is an urgent need for dialogue to reach a new model of cooperation in China-EU trade, particularly given the evolving regulatory landscape, Sun said

The EU has shown a lack of sincerity in negotiations and has proceeded unilaterally with the introduction of punitive measures. Although the EU claims to be open to negotiations, it has shown no sincerity in addressing the issue through talks, Sun added.

The upcoming talks between Wang and Dombrovskis represent the highest-level dialogue between China and the EU over the EV issue. The meeting could provide a path to avoiding an escalation of trade tension, which could lead to a resolution both sides can accept, said Sun.

The EC is reportedly considering final tariffs of up to 35.3 percent on Chinese EVs, in addition to the standard 10 percent car import duty. These tariffs would need approval from a majority of the EU's 27 member states and could come into effect by the end of October, according to Reuters.

Reuters reported on Thursday that Chinese EV makers had proposed setting minimum import prices to avoid the tariffs, but the EC rejected the offer. This move has drawn criticism from Chinese officials and industries.

The MOFCOM on Friday responded to the decision, saying that the move shows the EC's lack of sincerity in addressing the dispute through dialogue and stressing China's firm determination to safeguard firms' rights and interests.

"If the consultations fail to reach consensus in the end, the responsibility lies entirely with the European side," the spokesperson said. "China has the greatest sincerity to properly resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, as well as the greatest determination to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises."