President Xi Jinping has encouraged the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) to focus on high-quality development and further improve its capability in providing humanitarian services.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a letter to the RCSC on the occasion of its 12th general congress, which opened in Beijing on Wednesday.

Delivering performances in several Chinese cities like Beijing and Xiamen, East China's Fujian Province, Spanish jazz pianist Marco Mezquida recently made his debut in China featuring a solo piano concert in Beijing on September 9. 

At the Beijing show, the Spanish artist has delivered a music repertoire which included an improvisation piece featuring multiple instruments and a reinterpreted piano piece of John Lennon's "Imagine." 

A jazzy interpretation on a 1970s Chinese song, "I Love Beijing Tian'anmen," was performed by the artist as a special gift engaging on-site audiences to hum along with his piano flow. 

Mezquida told the Global Times that he learned the song in only a few hours after arriving in Beijing. He noted that approaching Chinese songs with a new twist helps him "to connect deeply to the indigenous cultures he experiences." 

"When I finished the show, I will go taste some nice Beijing food and visit museums that have nice textile pieces," he told the Global Times. While noting the difference existing between music traditions of Spain and China, the artistic observance of Mezquida has made him able to grasp inspirations, such as the sounds in temples, from Beijing. 

"I know the music culture here has thousands of years of histories. I felt something really special about the city when I arrived here," Mezquida told the Global Times. He has also revealed that how his unique music was created starting from "hearing the sounds, and recording it and then transcribing it into the language of music."  

Before his Beijing performance, Mezquida played at the JZ Club in Shanghai, a renowned venue with over 20 years of history, serving as a key gathering place for Chinese jazz enthusiasts and professionals from across the country.

"I can feel the passion of audiences in China and I think in 20 and 30 years of time, there will be more great Chinese musicians in Jazz for sure," Mezquida told the Global Times. He added that he is looking forward to collaborating with classic and jazz musicians across the country. 

Born in 1987, Mezquida is a prolific artist who has taken part in the recording of more than 50 albums. He is known for his talent in giving original music expressions through fusing different genres.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the China Film Group Corporation jointly launched the 2024 Netherlands Film Festival in Beijing on September 12.

The film festival selected 10 high-quality Dutch films in recent years to show Chinese audiences the real and vivid social landscape of contemporary Netherlands and the unique Dutch customs and practices. All of these films are premiered in China.

The 10 films screened are from various genres, covering a wide range of topics including the inspirational growth of teenagers, the emotional expression of senior citizens, the social concern of vulnerable groups, and family education. The movies interpret the true meaning of "love" from multiple emotional aspects such as family, love, and friendship.

Arriving at the ceremony by bike, André Haspels, the Netherlands Ambassador to China, said that in both China and the Netherlands, bicycles are far more than just a means of transportation. They also symbolize sustainability, health, team spirit, and a common commitment to building an inclusive society.

After the opening film was screened, director Camiel Schouwenaar and screenwriter Job Tichelman also visited the scene to share wonderful behind-the-scenes stories. Many audiences expressed their love for the film and were touched by the real power of persisting in dreams.

The Film Festival will run until October 31 and will be screened in seven major cities in China including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Chengdu, and Nanjing.

A new exhibition at the China Art Museum in Shanghai is the first to systematically display the academic lineage of Chinese painting at the China Academy of Art, Jin Yibin, the Party chief of China's top fine art academy, said Monday.

The Ever Glow, Exhibition for Works from School of Chinese Paintings at the China Academy of Art, which runs until October 27, presents more than 200 works from masters like Huang Binhong, Lin Fengmian and Pan Tianshou to the latest students at the academy. 

According to the exhibition's curator, Sheng Tianye, the exhibition takes "the Academic Lineage" as its core, "Time" as the axis, and "Academic Tradition" as the background. It displays the academic lineage of Chinese paintings through four major sections: Approaching Cloud, Charming Wind, Searching for God and Asking. 

"It is the century-old shaping journey of Chinese paintings, from experience to academic theory, which gradually connects the spiritual and practical clues," said Sheng. 

Among all the paintings is the Endless Rivers and Mountains in Painting that Chinese painting master Li Keran created in 1982, which reminds visitors about Li's wish and ambitions to "create a biography of the mountains and rivers of the motherland." 

With his strong and advanced creativity, he transformed personal possessions into the possessions of the times as well as art. 

"Chinese painting has always been not only a type of painting, but also related to the inheritance and development of Chinese culture," Jin said. 

"We can discover the poetic roots of integration between China and Western cultures and the endless innovation of Chinese paintings in the past century," he noted.  

A Chinese envoy on Thursday called on all Somali parties to keep up the momentum, strengthen dialogue and unity, and stay committed to resolving differences through dialogue.

In remarks at the UN Security Council briefing on Somalia, Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, noted that in recent years, Somalia has made important headway in national reconstruction and peace and security, and both the UN and African Union (AU) missions have entered a critical transition period.

"At this important stage, the support and assistance of the international community cannot relax," Dai said.

He emphasized three points -- maintaining the overall situation of political stability; strengthening the foundation of security transition; and advancing UNSOM (UN Assistance Mission in Somalia) transition in an orderly manner.

Underscoring that the Somali federal government has maintained communication with the governments of federal member states and reached important consensus on the constitution, elections, and political parties, the ambassador said, "We expect all Somali parties to keep up the momentum, strengthen dialogue and unity, and stay committed to resolving differences through dialogue."

He stressed that China has consistently supported the efforts of the Somali government to safeguard national unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and called on the international community to support the country in exploring a development path that suits its national conditions, and provide guarantees for Somalia to embark on the path of long-term and stable development.

Dai noted that in the next phase, ATMIS (African Union Transition Mission in Somalia) will transition into a new AU mission, and expressed the hope that Somalia, the AU, the UN, and others will strengthen their communication and coordination to reach consensus on new mission arrangements and to ensure the smooth progress of the relevant work.

"Under-funding is an important challenge to AU missions' mandate performance," he said, calling on the European Union and other traditional donors to maintain their funding for the new mission and continue to contribute to the security and stability of Somalia. Dai also urged the Security Council to respond to the initiative of the AU and actively study various effective options to provide sustainable and predictable financial support for the new mission.

Noting that the Somali government has repeatedly called for the transition of UNSOM to a UN country team, and has recently submitted a two-year transition proposal to the Security Council, the ambassador called on the council to use this as a base and, in line with Somalia's national development priorities, adjust and streamline UNSOM's mandate, with a view to ensuring a smooth and orderly transition.

"China supports the peace and development process in Somalia, as well as the enhancement of Somalia's capacity for autonomous development, counter-terrorism, and stability. We will continue to provide support to international peacekeeping operations in Somalia," Dai said.

For the global business community, including US companies, no one wants to "decouple" from China, as cooperation remains the mainstream, and mutual benefit is the goal, Wang Linjie, spokesperson from China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) told a press conference on Sunday.

Wang's remarks were in response to recent restrictive measures taken by the US against China, including raising the Section 301 tariffs on certain Chinese goods and strengthening export restrictions on technologies such as quantum computing and semiconductor manufacturing.

Wang said that the US has continuously outstretched the concept of national security, violating the principles of the market economy by politicizing and weaponizing economic, trade, and technological issues.

The WTO has already ruled that the US Section 301 tariffs violate WTO rules. The US tariff measures are typical examples of unilateralism and protectionism. These actions have disrupted the stability and smooth functioning of global supply chains, including those in the semiconductor and other technology manufacturing industries, and have seriously harmed the legitimate rights and interests of relevant countries and enterprises, Wang noted.

During the recent third meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council for 2024, representatives from the Chinese and the US business communities emphasized the importance of keeping supply chains open, cooperative, and non-discriminatory, while ensuring supply chain policies comply with WTO rules and avoid distorting trade and investment, according to Wang.

Recently, the US-China Business Council released a survey on China's 2024 business environment, with participation from 140 member companies. 77 percent of the companies have been operating in China for over 20 years, with 40 percent reporting revenues exceeding $1 billion in China in 2023.

The survey revealed that American companies in China have stabilized their revenues over the past year, with 80 percent of respondents achieving profitability. These companies plan to reinvest profits generated in China this year, indicating a continued commitment to the Chinese market. The general consensus among the surveyed US businesses is that the Chinese market is a crucial component of their global strategy, according to Wang.

"This reflects that for the global business community, including American companies, no one wants to 'decouple' from China, as cooperation remains the mainstream, and mutual benefit is the goal," Wang noted.

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.