Chinese Premier Li Qiang announced that negotiations on the Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA) have achieved a substantial conclusion in his opening remarks addressing the 27th China-ASEAN Summit on Thursday. Experts said that as protectionism is on the rise, deeper market integration between China and ASEAN countries is essential for fostering economic growth on both sides. Furthermore, they argue that a comprehensive and robust economic partnership could enhance security relations between China and the bloc.

Li said that the market has become the scarcest resource in the current economic development, and market resources are the most prominent advantage of China and ASEAN amid rising global uncertainties and instability, according to Xinhua News Agency.

In his opening remarks addressing the 27th China-ASEAN Summit, he noted that the global economic recovery remains lackluster, and problems such as insufficient global aggregate demand are becoming more prominent.

The markets of China and ASEAN are still expanding and increasing their opening up, the premier added.

Li also said in his opening remarks that he is happy to announce with leaders of the ASEAN countries that the Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA) negotiations have achieved a substantial conclusion.

"This upgrade to the FTA is an important move, especially in this time of growing protectionism in the world," Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said during the 27th China-ASEAN Summit in Laotian capital Vientiane, media reported. 

"It will send a very clear and important message to everyone on the importance of free trade and win-win market cooperation," said Wong. 

Amid rising protectionism, further market integration and freer trade between China and ASEAN countries are mutually beneficial for both sides, Peng Nian, director of the Hong Kong Research Center for Asian Studies, told the Global Times on Thursday. For China, it can further integrate ASEAN countries into its production and supply chains to offset the negative effect of the crackdown by Western countries; and for ASEAN countries, China's advanced technology can help them accelerate their pace of digital transformation, said Peng. 

When addressing the 27th ASEAN Plus Three Summit in Vientiane on Thursday, Li said that China is ready to work with ASEAN, Japan, South Korea and other Asian countries to uphold the Asian consciousness, carry forward the Oriental wisdom, and steadily move forward toward building an Asia of peace and tranquility, common prosperity, openness and interconnectivity.

China, Japan and South Korea are the three major driving forces behind Asia's economic development, Zhao Weihua, director of the Center for China's Relations with Neighboring Countries at Fudan University, told the Global Times.

Zhao said that cooperation among the three is beneficial for the prosperity of the entire Asian region. Therefore, even in situations where political relations between China and Japan, as well as between China and South Korea, are relatively cool, the leaders of the three countries can still recognize the importance of their economic cooperation. From this perspective, it also sends a relatively positive signal for the future development of bilateral and multilateral relations.

Disruptive voices

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. mentioned the South China Sea issue at the ASEAN Summit on October 10, media reported as he "called on all ASEAN member states not to turn a blind eye to the aggressive, coercive, and illegal actions of an external power against an ASEAN member state, for such actions undermine their claims of genuine adherence to our core values."

In response, Mao Ning, spokesperson from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that with the joint effort of China and ASEAN countries, the situation in the South China Sea is generally stable. China remains committed to settling maritime differences with countries concerned through dialogue and consultation on the basis of respecting historical facts and international law. Meanwhile, China firmly opposes any infringement activities and provocations, and firmly safeguards its own territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

China will continue to work with ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, actively advance the consultations of the code of conduct in the South China Sea, and jointly make the South China Sea a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation, Mao added.

Gu Xiaosong, dean of the ASEAN Research Institute of Hainan Tropical Ocean University, told the Global Times that certain country's hyping of South China Sea issues during the summit appears aimed at amplifying tensions with China and seeking international pressure on Beijing. However, this approach risks distracting the development goals of ASEAN nations; moreover, escalation of the South China Sea dispute will also disrupt cooperation and exchange in other fields, said Gu.

Leaders of ASEAN countries on Wednesday discussed progress toward the code of conduct in the South China Sea and agreed that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) should be the bloc's basis for settling sea disputes, a Thai official was quoted by media as saying.

Reaching a consensus on code of conduct in the South China Sea has always been a common aspiration of China and most Southeast Asian countries, and significant progress had previously been made, said Zhao. However, in recent years, the process of reaching agreement on the COC has faced considerable obstacles due to the influence of a few Southeast Asian countries and the intervention of external powers, he noted. 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Laos on Thursday for the East Asia Summit, where he has the Myanmar situation and South China Sea issue on the agenda, media reported.

US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink told reporters that a number of China-related issues would come up during Blinken's trip, including its "escalatory and irresponsible steps designed to coerce and pressure many of the South China Sea claimants."

Peng said that whenever China and ASEAN countries seek to enhance cooperation, noises hyping so-called China threat tend to emerge. These claims come from a few ASEAN countries as well as from the US in an attempt to undermine the cooperation between China and ASEAN. In reality, an increasing number of ASEAN countries are willing to engage in security cooperation with China.    

As economic cooperation becomes increasingly close, the security cooperation between China and ASEAN will gradually expand in breadth and depth, reaching a level that is coordinated with economic and trade cooperation, thereby improving security collaboration between China and ASEAN, said Peng. 

The EU voted on Friday to impose definitive countervailing duties on imports of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) from China. 

An European Commission (EC) statement indicated that its proposal to impose the tariffs obtains the necessary support from EU member states during a vote on Friday. The tariffs will last for five years.

Citing diplomats, AFP reported that 10 countries, including France and Italy, supported the imposition of tariffs of up to 35.3 percent, in addition to the existing 10 percent tariff. Five countries, including Germany and Hungary, voted against the proposal, while 12 countries abstained.

“This outcome is disappointing. Such trade protectionism undermines the principle of mutual benefit and the win-win results that have characterized China-EU economic and trade relations over the past decades,” Yang Chengyu, an associate research fellow at the Institute of European Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Friday.

Experts believe that the divided attitudes within the EU reflect concerns that protectionist practices, which limit competition, could have adverse effects on related sectors within the bloc, impacting technological innovation, the green transition, and consumer interests. Moreover, such measures could affect perceptions of the EU's commitment to market openness and free trade. This situation underscores that, instead of industry and economic considerations, a range of political factors have influenced the tariff decision, Cui Hongjian, a professor at the Academy of Regional and Global Governance with Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Friday.

The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU on Friday expressed deep disappointment with this voting outcome and is strongly dissatisfied with the EU's adoption of protectionist trade measures. The Chamber strongly encourages the EU to approach the final measures with caution, delay the implementation of these tariffs, and prioritize resolving disputes and trade tensions through consultations and dialogue, according to an announcement sent to the Global Times.

Such tariffs will not strengthen the resilience of local industries in Europe or other markets; instead, they risk deterring Chinese investments, undermining the competitiveness of the European market, and diminishing the vitality of the global EV supply chain, the Chamber said.

The tariff vote has also drawn opposition from member states and the vehicle industry.

German carmakers Volkswagen and BMW on Wednesday urged Germany to oppose EU's tariff plan for Chinese EVs.

IG Metall, the powerful German labor union, along with employee representatives from the nation's major carmakers, said in a statement on Thursday that Germany should vote against the introduction of EU tariffs on Chinese EVs.

"We say unequivocally: tariffs are the wrong approach because they will not improve the competitiveness of the European automotive industry," they said in a joint statement.

Besides Germany, Spain has urged the EU to seek a compromise and negotiate with China. 

Instead of imposing tariffs, the EU should "keep negotiations open ... beyond the binding vote" to reach a deal on prices and the relocation of battery production to the bloc, Spain’s Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo wrote in a letter to European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, as reported by Reuters.

In parallel, the EU and China continue to work hard to explore an alternative solution that would have to be fully WTO-compatible, adequate in addressing the injurious subsidization established by the Commission's investigation, monitorable and enforceable, the statement from the EC said.

In addition to concerns about the long-term effects of tariffs on the EU's auto industry, there are growing concerns regarding their impact on China-EU economic and trade relations, which have already been strained by ongoing trade tensions.

In fact, trade tensions between China and the EU are not limited to electric cars; investigations launched by Brussels are also targeting Chinese solar panels and wind turbines.

Experts believe that  it seems unreasonable for China to have no response to EU's such protectionist moves. Cui called to prevent a detrimental cycle of mutual retaliation when articulating China's position. “We need to express our opposition to the EU's approach while also emphasizing our commitment to the broader framework of economic and trade cooperation between China and the EU,” he said. 

The 2024 ASICS Junior Tennis Tour Finals recently concluded in Shanghai. Coinciding with the Shanghai Masters, ASICS athlete Novak Djokovic made a surprise appearance at the ASICS Shanghai flagship store, marking his return to the Chinese court after five years. Through an inspirational dialogue, he encouraged young players to bravely pursue their dreams. With his remarkable influence in the tennis world, Djokovic joined forces with the brand to inspire more tennis enthusiasts. In the future, ASICS will continue to focus on developing original events and collaborating with top athletes to drive the growth of China's sports industry.

As a distinguished and active player with 24 Grand Slam titles, Djokovic won the gold medal during the 2024 Paris Olympics, achieving the coveted Golden Slam. During his appearance at the ASICS Shanghai flagship store, Djokovic had a heartfelt conversation with young Chinese players from the ASICS Junior Tennis Tour. This meeting reflected the brand's dedication to youth sports development, offering a unique opportunity for these players to engage with one of the world's top athletes.

"The most important thing is finding balance, such as between technical training and physical fitness, and building a strong foundation for sustainable growth with professional guidance," said Djokovic. He shared valuable training advice based on his extensive experience, emphasizing the importance of maintaining passion for the sport.

"Stay patient and move forward steadily; this will provide endless motivation on the road to your dreams."
The event included a performance of a traditional Chinese shadow puppet show, during which attendees were invited to relive Djokovic's Grand Slam and Olympic victories. To welcome Djokovic's return to China and celebrate cultural exchanges, Dr Tsuyoshi Nishiwaki, chairman of ASICS China and senior managing director of ASICS Greater China, presented him with custom ceramic sneakers, commemorating his glorious moments on the court.

During the event, a reporter asked, "As a sneaker sponsor, how has ASICS' support improved your performance in past games?" Djokovic responded, "For tennis players, next to the racket, shoes are the most important piece of equipment. Having the right shoes is crucial, especially given the different movement styles. I have an aggressive style on the court - I slide a lot and rely on speed, balance, changes of direction, and acceleration. ASICS tennis shoes are the best in the world for me. I'm quite biased and subjective, but ASICS is known for its advanced technology, not only in tennis but also in running shoes, so I can confidently confirm that."

Regarding advice for young tennis players transitioning from entry level to professional development, Djokovic said, "There are many things I could share, but I think the most important is to stay passionate about what you do and keep connected to your love for tennis. Surround yourself with experts who have deep knowledge and experience in tennis - they can pass on valuable insights that will influence your growth. Also, try to balance your professional life with your personal life. This is especially important for young people, including school and everything that comes with it. Finding that balance is key, and keep in mind that you will change in two, five, or 10 years. Always stay open-minded and curious to discover what you need to implement in both your life and career to become the best version of yourself."

ASICS remains committed to empowering China's tennis industry through its involvement in tournaments. Since 2022, ASICS has hosted its own branded event, the ASICS Junior Tennis Tour, providing Chinese youth with access to world-class tournament platforms. In 2024, the event was officially upgraded to a "China Tennis Junior Tour" Category B event. In addition, ASICS, in collaboration with the Samaranch Foundation, created a tennis cultural exhibition to highlight key moments from Olympic tennis for the participating players.

ASICS has consistently focused on youth tennis through various initiatives, such as professional gear, dedicated tournaments, and scientific training guidance. Djokovic's visit to China not only provided valuable exchange opportunities for young players, but also fostered closer ties between Chinese and international tennis circles.

Looking ahead, ASICS will continue its commitment to the sports and health sectors. By promoting its philosophy of physical and mental balance, offering a professional product lineup, and leveraging top-tier domestic and international sports assets, the brand aims to drive the development of Chinese tennis and enhance the cross-cultural exchange in sports.

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.