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. 

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. 

China passed the revision to the Law on National Defense Education on Friday, stressing national defense education on campus and the assisting role of military organs in students' military training. 

The revised National Defense Education Law consists of six chapters. It was passed at the 11th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing.

The revision improves provisions regarding students' military training and adds provisions stating that national defense education on campus should be aimed at raising awareness among students of their legal obligation to perform military service.

When conducting military training for students, universities and schools must follow the manuals - jointly written by education departments under the State Council and relevant units of the Central Military Commission - so as to strengthen the training of military skills, hone the quality of students' will, enhance their sense of discipline, and raise the level of military training, the new amendment reads. 

The local military organ is required to assist universities and schools in carrying out students' military training, such as arranging training teachers and offering training venues and facilities, according to the amendment. Some members of the Standing Committee said doing a good job in school national defense education is the basis for recruiting high-quality soldiers.

Xu Guangyu, a Chinese military expert said that entering the new era, many new changes have taken place in the international and domestic environment, which means putting forward new and higher requirements for national defense education is necessary. China's practice conforms to the international trends of enhanced national defense education, Xu said. 

The Law on National Defense Education was passed in 2001 and amended in 2018. The newly revised law will be implemented on September 21 this year.

China stands ready to work together with the Pacific Island countries (PICs) to build a more professional law enforcement team to ensure high-level security guarantees for high-quality development and achieve lasting security in the region, Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong said on Wednesday at the third ministerial dialogue on police capacity building and cooperation between China and the PICs.

Thanks to the cooperation between China and the regional countries, overall law-enforcement capability has significantly improved, which has been warmly welcomed by the local authorities and people. At the same time, improving social order and stability has ensured a favorable business environment, which in turn benefits China's economic cooperation with these countries, Chinese observers said. 

The ministerial dialogue was held in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian Province, which Wang co-chaired with Fiji's Minister for Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua, Xinhua News Agency reported on Thursday.

The PICs' eagerness to collaborate with China indicates a strong mutual desire, highlighting a stark contrast to the Western approach of transplanting their own systems, Chen Hong, executive director at the Asia Pacific Studies Center of East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Australian media outlet ABC claimed on Thursday that "Chinese state-backed hackers attacked the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)." 

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning refuted on Thursday the claim as "politically motivated disinformation," noting that the PIF Secretariat didn't link the hacking to China. 

Mao said the move aims to drive a wedge between regional countries and China.

"I truly benefited greatly from this training session for new employees. Not only have my skills improved, but I also had a chance to develop other personal qualities. This experience has filled me with anticipation for my future work life," said Pei Yanan, a new hire of the State Grid Qingdao Power Supply Company, on September 9, 2024.

During this new employee training, the State Grid Qingdao Power Supply Company developed a training program for its new hires in 2024. Through a two-way selection process, career mentors were assigned and individualized development plans were created, helping the new employees transition from "workplace novices" to "business pillars." This initiative also reflects State Grid Qingdao Power Supply Company's broader efforts in youth talent development.

To address issues such as an un-optimized talent structure and a lack of vitality among the work force, the company has established a "Talent Reservoir" focused on identifying and nurturing young talent. 

They emphasize the selection of top performers and have built a "reservoir" for young leaders and core staff members coming  from  all levels and stages. Focusing on team development, they reserve and cultivate talent, invigorate the cadre team, and improve support and tracking measures for young employees. Employees under 40 years old maintain individual growth records through a "One Person, One File" system called the "Young Employee Growth Archive," creating an efficient "young leader supply chain" to promote orderly mobility within the cadre team and ensure a steady flow of fresh talent.

 Additionally, they have established a mechanism to identify the capabilities and qualifications of young leaders relative to job requirements, incorporating methods such as tool-based identification and impression assessment to proactively and accurately recognize talent.

Inclusiveness builds an ocean. State Grid Qingdao Power Supply Company follows the principles of cadre development, employing a systematic mindset. They focus on critical areas such as selecting, cultivating, and deploying young cadres, building a comprehensive training system and enhancing relevant management mechanisms. This ensures that young cadres, who are politically sound, morally excellent, and academically  qualified, enter an optimal career ladder at the best age to maximize their impact. The company actively cultivates 'compliance + business' composite talents, thereby accumulating 'youth strength' for constructing a world-class power grid company.