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.

After the tweet "guys, isn't this just how the world is supposed to be?" garnered 7.8 million views on X, families of the story's protagonists, US netizen Brecken Neumann and Chinese netizen RongRong (pseudonym) are both no longer satisfied with online communications. On Wednesday, Brecken shared his booked flight tickets to China on RedNote, and told the Global Times that " RedNote and new friends have elevated his plans to visit China on his priority list."

Recent days have seen lots of American internet users flocking to RedNote as US TikTok users anxiously await the fate of TikTok prior to the US Supreme Court's ruling on January 19.

On January 14, a "Hello" on RedNote connected Rong's family from Shanghai with Brecken's family from the southern US state of Mississippi. Rong told the Global Times that after chatting with Brecken on RedNote, she soon discovered that they hit it off, and so they added each other on WeChat. At Rong's suggestion, Brecken's wife also registered for WeChat. Now the four of them have a WeChat group chat called "World Family."

The four of them are actively engaged in their group chat, sharing breakfast ideas for their babies, daily parenting experiences and work meals. They also compare the cost of living in their respective countries and exchange stories about their pets. 

"We're around the same age, so we have a lot in common to talk about. It really feels like we're good friends," Rong told the Global Times.

"It feels amazing because it just shows how many of us are really here to enjoy this short life we have on this Earth together and with our families and kids," Brecken told the Global Times. It is great to form new friendships that no one ever thought were possible, Brecken said.

On Wednesday morning, Brecken shared a photo of his family's booked flight tickets to Shanghai, expressing his excitement by saying he will be seeing Rong and her family at the end of March. Rong also mentioned that both families love Disney, so they have already made plans to visit Shanghai Disney Resort together, while other activities are still being planned.

In sync with Brecken's excitement, Rong said she always knew that both families would meet one day. 

"I didn't know what to expect before coming to RedNote, but everyone is warm and welcoming," said Brecken, adding that with all different kinds of countries and people coming together now, it certainly is a global village.

Rong said that it's not just their story, she feels happy that people from different countries are communicating with each other on RedNote. "The platform built by RedNote has broken down the invisible walls between countries, allowing for a more genuine and deeper understanding of each other," she noted.

"You and me, From one world, Forever we are one family," just like the lyrics say, the world should be like a family. "Because we are born for love and peace," Rong said.