Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Sunday met with U.S. Senator Steve Daines and some American business people, who are here to attend the China Development Forum 2025.
Noting that the development of China-U.S. relations has reached a new important juncture, Li said that history has proven that both China and the United States stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. Both sides should choose dialogue rather than confrontation, and choose win-win cooperation instead of a zero-sum game.
It is hoped that the United States will work with China to engage in candid communication, and build trust and clear up misgivings in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. They should deepen pragmatic cooperation, and work together to promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of relations, he said.
Li pointed out that economic and trade cooperation is an important foundation of China-U.S. relations. Over the past few decades, the fruitful economic and trade cooperation achieved between China and the United States is the result of joint efforts of both sides and should be cherished.
The more difficulties bilateral relations face, the more important it is to safeguard and develop China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation, said the premier.
Li said that nobody has to gain from a trade war, and no country can achieve development and prosperity through imposing tariffs. He called on the two countries to solve problems, such as trade imbalance, by making the pie of cooperation bigger.
"China always welcomes companies from all over the world, including the United States, to share development opportunities in China, and will actively address their legitimate demands, treat domestic and foreign companies as equals, and continue to foster a sound business environment," Li said.
People from the American side said that great changes have taken place in China in recent decades. U.S. companies actively participate in and support China's development, and are willing to continue investing in China, strengthen dialogue and cooperation to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results, and strive to promote the sustainable development of b
Chengdu police in Southwest China's Sichuan Province announced on Thursday that six people were administratively detained for staging a matchmaking video by fabricating facts, recruiting participants, and falsifying identities.
Previously, a matchmaking video involving a man claiming to "work in a provincial-level government agency with an annual income of 350,000 to 400,000 yuan ($55,265)" was circulating on the internet, attracting public attention.
According to the police statement, a legal investigation confirmed that the video was fabricated by a company from another province to generate online traffic. The company planned and produced the fake content by fabricating facts, recruiting participants, and falsifying identities. The company's legal representative, a 28-year-old man surnamed Liu, organized and wrote the fake script, recruited a 37-year-old company employee surnamed Li, and paid him to play a fictional role. He also instructed employees, including a 26-year-old man surnamed Li, a 24-year-old man surnamed Yan, another 24-year-old man surnamed Xu, and a 28-year-old surnamed Zhang, to stage the video in Chengdu, handle post-production, and upload it online.
The individuals involved in the case fabricated identities such as civil servants, residential addresses, and income levels with the aim of directing traffic to a certain matchmaking platform to earn referral commissions, severely misleading the public and causing negative social impact. Their actions constitute the fabrication of facts and disruption of public order, the statement said.
Currently, the public security authorities have imposed administrative detention penalties to the people involved based on the Public Security Administration Punishment Law of the People's Republic of China. Liu has been penalized with 10 days of detention, Li seven days, and employees Yan, Xu, Zhang, and Li got five days each. The case is still under further investigation.
The police have urged the public that cyberspace is not a realm beyond the law and no organization or individual is allowed to fabricate or spread false information to disrupt public order. Public security authorities will work with relevant departments to continue deepening the comprehensive governance of cyberspace, severely crack down on various online illegal activities in accordance with the law, and effectively maintain a clean and healthy online environment.
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US envoy Steve Witkoff late Thursday to discuss the details of an American-proposed 30-day ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, asking him to relay Moscow's perspectives to Washington, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov announced on Friday, the Associated Press (AP) reported. This follows Putin's remarks Thursday that Russia is "in favor" of the 30-day ceasefire plan proposed by the US and Ukraine, but nuances exist.
Peskov indicated that a potential phone call between Putin and US President Donald Trump to address unresolved ceasefire issues could be arranged once Witkoff delivers Moscow's messages to Washington, according to the AP report.
He [Witkoff] was received by President Putin late last night, providing additional information to Russia. Through Witkoff, Putin conveyed messages and further signals to President Trump, Peskov explained, as reported by TASS. However, the Kremlin spokesman refrained from disclosing the specific topics covered during the meeting.
A TASS source noted that Witkoff departed Moscow around 11 a.m. local time on Friday.
Witkoff landed in Moscow for talks and presented the ceasefire plan on Thursday. The ceasefire proposal gained traction earlier this week when Ukraine, following talks with a US delegation in Jeddah, expressed support for an "immediate, interim 30-day ceasefire," according to a joint statement released on Tuesday.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Putin remarked, "We agree with the proposals to stop hostilities, but we proceed from the fact that this cessation should be one that would lead to long-term peace and eliminate the original causes of this crisis," according to the Xinhua News Agency.
Putin highlighted the difficulty in monitoring ceasefire violations along the 2,000 km contact line of the conflict and raised the issue that Ukraine might use the temporary ceasefire for mobilization and weapons supplies, according to the report.
Putin also indicated that he might call Trump to discuss the issue, adding that Russia will negotiate the next steps to end the conflict and reach acceptable agreements based on the situation "on the ground," according to Xinhua.
Wan Qingsong, an expert at the Center for Russian Studies at East China Normal University, told the Global Times that Putin's statement continues Russia's previously expressed openness to peace talks while reaffirming that any negotiations must address the root causes of the conflict. Furthermore, Putin is also signaling an intent to sustain the thawing momentum of Russia-US relations that has already begun.
Mixed reactions
US President Donald Trump said on social media Friday that "We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday," and there is a very good chance that "this horrible, bloody war" can finally come to an end.
Also in response to Putin's statement, President Trump said earlier that there have been "good signals" coming out of Russia. Speaking at the White House alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump said, "Putin put out a very promising statement, but it wasn't complete," the AP reported.
"Now we'll see if Russia follows through. If they don't, it'll be a deeply disappointing moment for the world," Trump reiterated, stressing the urgency of ending the conflict, according to AP.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky struck a "pessimistic tone" in his evening address to Ukrainians on Thursday, the New York Times said.
Zelensky said Putin's response to the ceasefire proposal was "very predictable." He added that Putin has set so many preconditions "that nothing will work out at all, or that it will not work out for as long as possible," according to the media report.
Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times that all parties are exercising diplomatic flexibility to signal to their domestic populations and the international community that they are not the ones impeding peace or exacerbating the conflict.
Nevertheless, their reactions also underscore profound disagreements over arrangements for enduring security, presenting formidable obstacles to a comprehensive resolution of the Ukraine crisis, Li said.
Li noted that the peace plan put forward by the US does not adequately account for the demands of all stakeholders. The ceasefire proposal, laden with temporary measures, lacks the foundation for long-term stability, raising the risk of a superficial "ceasefire for ceasefire's sake."
According to Wan, the parties involved may still be engaged in a phase of mutual probing. "Within the US-Ukraine joint statement issued Tuesday, the US pledge to resume military aid and intelligence sharing to Ukraine stands in apparent contradiction to the very objective of securing a ceasefire."
The UN Secretary-General's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Thursday that the UN will welcome any potential ceasefire in Ukraine, hoping that it will be concluded and lead to a lasting peace, according to Tass.
"On the Ukraine crisis, China has all along followed the four points proposed by President Xi Jinping on what must be done, namely, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be observed, the legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously, and all efforts conducive to a peaceful settlement of the crisis should be supported," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday.
"We hope relevant parties will reach a fair and durable peace deal that is binding and accepted by all the parties concerned through dialogue and negotiation. China stands ready to work with the international community and continue to play a constructive role in resolving the crisis and realizing lasting peace," Mao said.
Based on 'new realities'
Meanwhile, ministers from G7 countries are holding meetings in Canada, seeking unity amid both US tariff pressure and the followup of the Ukraine crisis.
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, who opened the formal G7 meeting, said she hoped to find ways to "continue to support Ukraine in the face of Russia's illegal aggression." Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged the G7 to avoid "antagonistic" language toward Russia, saying it would hinder US diplomacy that could end the conflict, according to Deutsche Welle.
According to a communique draft seen by Reuters, there is no mention of possible new sanctions on Russia. However, it stressed the need for "robust and credible security guarantees" so that a ceasefire would be respected and that Ukraine would be able to "deter and defend itself against future aggression."
As the US envoy landed in Moscow on Thursday for talks on an American-proposed 30-day ceasefire, Russia's Defense Ministry announced the same day that its forces had retaken the key town of Sudzha in Ukraine-held Kursk region, following President Putin's visit to Kursk.
Putin said on Thursday that Russia is in full control of the situation in the Kursk Region and the Ukrainian combat group is completely blocked, per TASS.
Earlier on Thursday, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov told media that the ceasefire plan proposed by the US and Ukraine is a "temporary respite" for Ukraine's military, according to Xinhua. Ushakov said in a TV interview that Moscow is striving for a "long-term" peaceful settlement that takes into account Russia's legitimate interests.
Negotiations with Moscow are unlikely to yield progress if the US and Ukraine fail to take into account the new battlefield realities and Russia's core demands for resolving the conflict, Wan said.
Territorial issues will clearly influence whether peace negotiations can achieve substantive progress, noted Wan, adding that as Russia gains the upper hand on the battlefield, its demands are likely to escalate, leaving less room for compromise, rather than merely accommodating US' preferences.
Since the publication of the first volume of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China in 2014, the book has garnered widespread recognition globally, becoming a key resource for political figures, scholars, and experts in many countries. It stands as the leader's work with the most published languages, the widest coverage, and the greatest global influence, opening a "window of thought" for understanding China in the new era.
To offer global audiences deeper insights into Xi Jinping: The Governance of China and the key concepts it contains, including perspectives on development, civilization, security, human rights, ecology, international order, and global governance, the Global Times is launching the "Decoding the Book of Xi Jinping: The Governance of China" series. Through themed columns such as "Scholars' Perspectives," "Translators' Voices," "Practitioners' Insights," and "Readers' Reflections," this series will feature perspectives from Chinese and international scholars, translators of the work, practitioners of its concepts, and overseas readers. It aims to share what they have seen and understood about China's philosophy, values, and wisdom through the book.
For the first installment of the "Readers' Reflections" column, we invite Zoon Ahmed Khan, a Pakistani researcher and journalist based in Beijing, to share her insights from reading the volume 4 of the book and her perspective on China's democratic system. During reading Xi Jinping: The Governance of China, I felt China's whole-process people's democracy is unique as a model of governance; it is responsive, effective, and focused on achieving results from a genuinely people-centered perspective. The country's democratic system emphasizes dialogue, results, accountability, and grassroots participation. It's a "living democracy."
Having lived in China since 2015 and studying and working as an international relations researcher and journalist, I have had the opportunity to visit numerous rural villages, urban communities, and legislative bodies. I found there is a deep focus on tangible improvements in people's lives. Government officials in local communities are responsible for bringing sensible improvements through not only their expertise but also by engaging with the people, and this is a significant difference.
We foreigners are here in China because we see opportunity, progress and a welcoming environment. We have also been involved in visiting different areas of the country and having our suggestions on improvements heard by the governments. Everyone who lives here has a space to contribute, regardless of their background or age.
At the invitation of China, Prime Minister Mark Brown of the Cook Islands will attend the Closing Ceremony of the Asian Winter Games in Harbin from February 10 to 16, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Thursday.
Premier Li Qiang will meet with him in Harbin. Prime Minister Brown and his delegation visited Shanghai and Shandong, Guo said.
The spokesperson noted that Cook Islands is China's cooperation partner in the South Pacific. Since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have respected each other, treated each other as equals, and sought common development.
"In 2018, our relationship was elevated to comprehensive strategic partnership. Our friendly cooperation is rooted in profound public support and delivers tangibly to the two peoples," Guo said.
"Through Prime Minister Brown's visit, China stands ready to have an in-depth exchange of views with the Cook Islands on our relations and work for new progress in bilateral relations," Guo said.
According to the website of the office of the Cook Islands Prime Minister, this marks the first state visit by a prime minister from the country to China in the last decade and presents an opportunity to enhance cooperation across key sectors.
In a statement published on his office's website on Wednesday, Brown said that his conversations in China "have opened the door to new areas of collaboration," including expanding the Cook Islands' marine research capabilities through partnerships with the China Ocean Sample Repository and the National Deep Sea Center, both located in Qingdao in Shandong Province.
The collaboration also includes "exploring aquaculture opportunities with Qingdao Frontier Ocean Seed Company," as well as enhancing "national climate resilience efforts, particularly in weather forecasting and climate change adaptation, through cooperation with global experts," read the statement.
The expanding cooperation between China and the Cook Islands in addressing climate change, agriculture, and fisheries is expected to contribute to the South Pacific country's robust economic development and provide substantial momentum for improving people's livelihoods, Chen Hong, executive director at the Asia Pacific Studies Centre of East China Normal University, told the Global Times on Thursday.
Chen noted that China-Cook Islands bilateral cooperation is a microcosm of that between China and the Pacific Island countries (PICs), which is beneficial for bilateral relations and for the prosperity of the region.
"Just like the Cook Islands, many PICs can boost their economies through cooperation with China, which will not interfere in their domestic affairs nor impose political conditions on them, but fully respects the sovereignty and independence, the will and the ethnic and cultural traditions of the PICs and their efforts to seek strength through unity," Chen said.
China maintains stability and coherence in its policy toward the US and will not easily flip-flop, demonstrating the strategic resolve and credibility expected of a major power, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said Friday at the 61st Munich Security Conference (MSC).
Our policy is based on the three principles proposed by President Xi Jinping: mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, Wang said in response to questions regarding China-US relations after delivering a keynote speech on "China in the World."
Wang further elaborated on the three principles, saying the different social systems of China and the US reflect the choices of their respective peoples, and it is unrealistic to seek to transform or overturn each other. Mutual respect is the premise for China-US interactions. Peaceful coexistence is also a natural course of action as China and the US must not come into conflict; otherwise, the world will suffer. Win-win cooperation is essential because the international community expects China and the US to collaborate, and global challenges require both countries to join hands. This is also an international responsibility that China and the US should shoulder.
China stands ready to build a stable, healthy, and sustainable bilateral relationship with the US based on these three principles, Wang said, adding that "We hope the US will meet China halfway. However, if the US insists on suppressing China, China will stand its ground to the end."
China will steadfastly defend its national sovereignty, dignity and legitimate rights of development. This commitment also serves to uphold international fairness and justice, and to maintain the basic norms of international relations, Wang said.
"Chinese people have never believed in superstitions and are not afraid of ghosts. The new China has developed and grown amid overcoming various difficulties and obstacles," Wang said. An old saying in China reads "As the Nature changes vigorously, a man of virtue should strive continuously to strengthen himself." Another vivid sentence goes as "Let him be strong, and the breeze caresses the hillocks; let him be peremptory, and the moon shines on the great river. This reflects the temperament of the Chinese people and the character of the Chinese nation."
Wang said that "We are confident in the future of the world, and also the future of China-US relations. There is only one direction that we should strive toward - the three principles I repeatedly mentioned, which is also the biggest expectation of international community."
Lü Xiang, an expert on US studies and research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Saturday that Wang's remarks are mainly reiteration of China's consistent basic stance on China-US relations, showing great importance China attaches to this relationship.
It remains to be seen how the new US administration's China policy will take shape and how the two countries can engage with each other, the expert said.
Wang's remarks can promote the world's understanding of China's stance in this regard, which can lay the foundation for high-level interactions in the future, Lü said.
At MSC, US Vice President JD Vance vented at European leaders Friday, telling them that the biggest threat to their security was "from within," rather than China and Russia, CNN reported.
Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times that the new US administration is reshaping its relations with the world, which could be an opportunity for China and the US to explore room for cooperation.
It is hoped that China and the US, in this adjustment period, can discuss more about common interests, Li said.
Upholding the three principles, China's handling of China-US relations will seek more positive results, but that does not mean concession of its own interests, according to analysts.
In his keynote speech, Wang stressed it is important to advocate equal treatment; respect international rule of law; practice multilateralism in the face of emerging global challenges; and pursue openness and mutual benefit.
Protectionism offers no way out, and arbitrary tariffs produce no winners. Decoupling deprives one of opportunities, and a "small yard with high fences" only ends up constraining oneself. It is important to pursue open cooperation, and support an equal and orderly multipolar world with a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, Wang noted.
Wang, when meeting with Graham Allison, a professor at Harvard University, said that in face of acceleration of unprecedented transformation and international landscape with turbulence, China will first of all manage its own affairs and vigorously promote the Chinese modernization; second, it will shoulder responsibility of major power and inject more certainty into the world; third, it will join hands with like-minded countries to uphold the basic principles of international relations based on the United Nations Charter, advance the democratization of international relations, and advocate for a stable and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization.
China's US policy remains consistent and stable, and will uphold the three principles to navigate changes and developments in bilateral ties, and promote a healthy and stable relationship, Wang said.
Allison said that China's foreign policy is rational and coherent, particularly the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by President Xi, which is full of philosophical wisdom. He hopes that the US and China, as two major powers, can engage in effective cooperation and play an important role in addressing international and regional hotspot issues such as the Ukraine crisis, according to a press release from Chinese Foreign Ministry.
An international team of scientists led by Peking University has developed a new method of hydrogen production that eliminates direct carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Published in Science on Friday, the study offers an environmentally friendly and economically viable solution for the hydrogen industry.
Traditional methods of hydrogen production through ethanol reforming typically require high temperatures ranging from 300 to 600 degrees Celsius, consuming vast amounts of energy and generating significant CO2 emissions. The new process, however, uses a novel catalyst to produce hydrogen by reacting bioethanol -- derived from agricultural and forestry waste -- with water at a temperature of only 270 degrees Celsius.
This new bimetallic catalyst, developed by the research team over the past decade, overcomes the technical challenges of conventional ethanol reforming. It reduces the reaction temperature by precisely regulating the active sites, altering the reaction pathway entirely.
"Our research proposes a new pathway for efficient hydrogen production without CO2 emissions," said Ma Ding, a researcher at Peking University.
The study also reveals that the new method co-produces acetic acid, an organic chemical widely used in food preservation, manufacturing, and pharmaceuticals.
"The co-production of high-value acetic acid presents significant economic potential for the industry," Ma added.
Further analysis shows that the new hydrogen production method is scalable and demonstrates potential commercial viability at an industrial level.
"Finding sustainable ways to produce the products we need for daily life while meeting future net-zero emissions targets is a key challenge for the chemical industry, and hydrogen is widely recognized as a key solution," Ma said.
The research team believes their innovative catalytic technology could play a pivotal role in advancing the green hydrogen economy and achieving global carbon neutrality goals.
The study was a collaboration between researchers from Peking University, the University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Cardiff University in the U.K., and other institutes.
In response to a question regarding China's hope or potential role in a peace agreement to resolve the Ukraine crisis, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday that regarding any dispute or conflict in the world, China has always advocated for dialogue, negotiation and political settlement.
Our position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict remains consistent. China is neither the creator nor a direct party to the Ukraine crisis, but we have not stood idly by or sought to profit from it, Guo said.
The spokesperson noted that from the outset of the crisis, China has expressed the hope that it would be resolved through dialogue and negotiation. Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed four principles to prevent the Ukraine crisis from spiraling out of control and to restore peace at an early date. We have followed the principles to actively conduct diplomatic mediation, including initiating the "Friends for Peace" Group on the Ukraine Crisis with countries in the Global South such as Brazil.
Developments have proven that China's proposals are objective, fair, rational and pragmatic, reflecting a broad consensus within the international community, Guo said.
Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th US president on Monday, becoming the second president to serve nonconsecutive terms. According to the NBC News, Trump plans to sign more than 50 executive orders - and possibly more than 100 - on the first day of his second presidency.
Trump and Biden arrived at the US Capitol for the inauguration after riding together in a limo from the White House, CNN reported. Trump's inauguration took place indoors due to dangerously cold temperatures in Washington on Monday. The media said it will likely be the coldest Inauguration Day since 1985.
Trump was sworn in at the Capitol Rotunda by Chief Justice John Roberts.
Throngs of Trump supporters who descended on the city to watch the inaugural ceremony on the West Front of the Capitol from the National Mall would be left to find somewhere else to view the festivities, the AP said.
The guest list included political leaders, former presidents and influential billionaires, including Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. The Clintons, the Bushes and the Bidens also attended the inauguration ceremony, along with former president Barack Obama.
Future ties
Before Trump's inauguration, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, who is set to attend Trump's inauguration ceremony on Monday as Chinese President Xi Jinping's special representative, met with JD Vance on Sunday local time.
During his meeting with Vance, Han first conveyed Xi's greetings to Trump and congratulated Vance on his election.
Han said that China is ready to work with the US to adhere to the strategic guidance of the head-of-state diplomacy and follow through on the important consensus reached between Xi and Trump, so as to push for the steady, healthy and sustainable development of bilateral ties.
He noted that Xi recently had an important phone call with Trump, during which the two leaders reached many important consensuses on the development of China-US relations in the next stage.
Noting that China and the US are both great countries, and that the Chinese and the Americans are both great people, Han said that the two sides are currently working hard to achieve their respective development goals and dreams.
As long as the two sides uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, they will contribute to each other's progress, bring benefits to the two countries, and make important contributions to world peace and development, said Han.
Economic and trade relations are important issues of common concern to both sides, he noted.
Despite differences and frictions between China and the US, they share huge common interests and space for cooperation, and the two sides can strengthen dialogue and consultation in this regard, Han added.
For his part, Vance asked Han to convey Trump's sincere greetings to Xi. Vance said Trump had a phone call with Xi a few days ago, in which they had good communication on important issues regarding bilateral ties. Economic and trade relations, he stressed, are important to both the US and China.
Noting that China is playing an increasingly important role in international affairs, Vance told Han that the US is willing to develop an enduring and fruitful relationship with China, strengthen dialogue and cooperation with China on international and regional issues, and jointly promote world peace and stability.
Learn from the past
"Trump is now becoming much more sophisticated compared to his first term when handling foreign affairs, especially on China-US relations, the most significant but also complex and sensitive bilateral relationship on the planet," Lü Xiang, an expert on US studies and research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.
Trump has told advisers he wants to travel to China after he takes office, the Wall Street Journal reported, quoting people familiar with the discussions. Trump has expressed interest in traveling to China in his first 100 days in office, the report said.
In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday that "China stands ready to work with the new administration of the US, under the strategic guidance of the presidents of the two countries and in the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, to maintain communication, enhance cooperation, properly manage and control differences and secure greater progress in China-US relations from a new starting point."
In addition to media report on Trump's plan to visit China, Trump is also seeking a solution to maintain Tik Tok in America. "This is a positive signal, and we can cautiously expect that, at least in the early part of his term, Trump administration will make efforts to not only stabilize but also develop ties with China," he noted.
Diao Daming, a professor at the Renmin University of China in Beijing, said the phone call between Xi and Trump on Friday, which took place a few days ahead of the latter's inauguration, as well as the attendance of the Chinese vice president at the inauguration ceremony of the US president, are all unprecedented activities in the interactions between the two great powers.
"This proves that China and the US are able to stabilize bilateral ties. The Trump administration should recognize that cooperation will benefit both sides while conflict and struggle will make both sides suffer," Diao said.
Trump will be put under very limited pressure from the opposition Democrats in the Congress, so he will have more space for making decisions on policies about China than in his first term, Lü said.
It would be unrealistic to expect all problems to be removed in China-US ties, and to what extent the Trump administration can fix ties is a question that requires long-term cautious observation, and the international community, including China, will pay close attention to and prepare for changes that Trump may bring to the US, Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's first Type 054B frigate, the Luohe, was officially commissioned on Wednesday. The 5,000-ton-class warship features advancements in stealth, combat command systems and integrated firepower control.
The first Type 054B frigate of the PLA Navy was handed over and commissioned at a naval port in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province on Wednesday morning, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
At the naval port, the Luohe hoisted full ceremonial flags, and officers and soldiers stood in formation with high spirits. At about 10 am, the commissioning and flag-giving ceremony began. Attendees sang the national anthem as the Five-Starred Red Flag was raised slowly. The honor guards escorted the August 1 military flag and the naval flag and marched to the rostrum. The flag-raiser of the Luohe hoisted the flags on the fore and aft decks of the ship. The ceremony ended with the military song of the PLA, according to the report.
With the hull number 545 and a displacement of about 5,000 tons, the Luohe is a new generation of frigate independently developed and built by China. It has made breakthroughs in vessel stealth technology, combat command systems and firepower integrated control, among other aspects, significantly enhancing its performances, said Xinhua.
The ship possesses strong comprehensive combat capabilities and diversified military mission capabilities, which are of great significance for improving the overall combat effectiveness of naval warship formations. It is an important piece of equipment for the transformation and development of the Chinese navy, according to Xinhua.
Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the new Type 054B frigate has undergone significant upgrades across its systems compared with its predecessor, the Type 054A.
The Type 054B is larger than the Type 054A, allowing for enhanced firepower and the ability to carry larger utility helicopters such as the Z-20, Song said.
Many of the most advanced technologies, including those applied on the Type 055 large destroyer, have likely been incorporated into the design of the Type 054B, Song believed.
Defender of nation
The Type 054B frigate was reportedly launched in 2023. In response to the reports, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson at China's Ministry of National Defense, said at a regular press conference in August 2023 that it is a normal arrangement addressing national security needs and the overall naval trend of the PLA Navy developing equipment including main combat vessels according to related plans.
The goal is to defend national sovereignty, security and development interests, and better safeguard world and regional peace and stability, Wu said, noting that China always follows a path of peaceful development, and unswervingly adheres to a national defense policy that is defensive in nature.
The Type 054B features extended endurance, enabling operations in both coastal and far seas environments. It is expected to take up the missions of the small Type 056 corvettes in coastal waters and join the Type 055 large destroyers in far seas missions, Song said.
The expert expected the Type 054B to be mass produced like the Type 054A.
Zhang Xuefeng, another Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the PLA Navy could build a large number of Type 054B frigates to address diverse maritime threats. He highlighted the frigate's balanced capabilities in anti-submarine, anti-ship and air defense missions, as well as its cost-effectiveness through the use of advanced technologies.
It is one of the most advanced frigates in the world, Zhang Xuefeng said.
Chinese naval expert Zhang Junshe noted that the Type 054B can also operate as part of aircraft carrier and amphibious assault groups, providing escort in air defense and anti-submarine roles.
The first Type 054B is commissioned in Qingdao, which is the homeport of the aircraft carrier Liaoning, Zhang Junshe said that this is conducive to the vessel's joint training with the Liaoning aircraft carrier group. Since the PLA Navy has an aircraft carrier homeport also in Sanya, South China's Hainan Province, it is likely that the Type 054B frigate could be deployed there in the future as well.
Zhang Junshe told the Global Times on Wednesday the commissioning of the Type 054B frigate demonstrates the PLA Navy's progress in equipment development and manufacturing, significantly enhancing China's national defense. "With advanced warships like the Type 054B, the PLA Navy will strengthen its comprehensive combat capabilities in far seas, better safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests," he said.
