STATEMENT ISSUED BY PROGRESSIVES ALLIANCE FOR JUSTICE, UNITY AND DEMOCRACY (PAJUD)

THE FALLACIES OF MIKE IGINI

“It is mean and cowardly and an evidence of weakness and utter demerit, for any group of people to attempt to commend themselves to the public by the negative process of belittling and condemning others.”_

  • Chief Obafemi Awolowo, 28th April, 1951.

The attention of the Progressives Alliance for Justice, Unity and Democracy (PAJUD) has been drawn to the barrage of insults heaped by Mike Igini, former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), against every perceived and imaginary obstacle to his personal agenda.

We posit that since the return of democracy in 1999, the Nigerian political and electoral firmament has been overdosed with different genres of characters – the good, the bad and the ugly.

We state categorically and without fear of contradiction that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is NOT responsible for the non-appointment of Mike Igini as either Chairman of INEC or National Commissioner since he left office in disgrace and engulfed in controversies in the South-South.

Igini must understand that such appointments are not done willy-nilly. They are based on several criteria. He has served two full terms as Resident Electoral Commissioner. For him to be nominated as National Commissioner, a vacancy must exist for his state. This is apart from the principle of rotation of the position among states in the geo-political zone.

Those who know President Bola Ahmed Tinubu closely know he is a leader who does not deliberately shut the door against competence and capacity. Anyone holding him in contempt on this matter is either being mischievous or acting out the script of the opposition, just like the present issue at stake.

It is unfortunate that Igini has allowed himself to be taken advantage of, dancing to the rhythm of anti-Tinubu and anti-Amupitan rogue agents.

We find it compelling to state unequivocally that Igini is blatantly scheming to discredit the present government and the Amupitan-led leadership of INEC in anticipation of reward by opposition elements and spent forces, if they ever win in the post-2027 general elections.

Over the years, we have watched the transformation of Igini from lawyer, to public affairs commentator, to agitator, until the PDP government appointed him Resident Electoral Commissioner.

We are amused at Igini’s feeble attempts at returning to public reckoning, using barefaced criticism, outright lies, mischief and fallacies against the Renewed Hope and reformative agenda as a springboard to relevance and prominence.

For an egocentric, self-seeking bigot and Mr. Know-All like Igini, he wants to remain relevant as a bride for any juicy INEC Election Management Committee headship or membership, which we know will never happen in this dispensation as a result of his antecedents while in office – an era marred by allegations of partisanship, disloyalty and endless controversies.

Your tenure as REC in Cross River State was characterised by mudslinging between you and a political party over unethical conduct unbecoming of an electoral officer. Similarly, your flexing of muscles and one-sided narratives during your tenure as REC of Akwa Ibom State is still very fresh in our memory. Till date, you are still spewing negative narratives against one of the politicians you fought in that state to high heavens.

Nigerians from all strata continue to wonder where the monies for the live telecast of Igini’s exit as Resident Electoral Commissioner of Akwa Ibom State originated from. In the history of INEC – from Dr. Ephraim Akpata, Alhaji Shehu Musa, Dr. Abel Guobadia, the much-vilified Prof. Maurice Iwu, Prof. Attahiru Jega reputed to be Igini’s benefactor, to Prof. Mahmood Yakubu – none of them had the temerity for such lavish display and grandeur during their exit. What was witnessed in the last days of Igini as REC in Akwa Ibom evokes serious questions about collective decency, decorum, moral rectitude and values.

Any argument in support of such an extravagant exit lacks integrity, for the simple reason that the pay slip of INEC Resident Electoral Commissioners and even National Commissioners is not a hidden document. It is known to the Nigerian public.

We believe that if we are sincere in this country, Igini should focus on more important non-partisan issues than chasing shadows. Igini should also address his own record, including the troubling episode of a Kenyan national engaged by INEC as a consultant some years ago, where the voter register fingerprints of Nigerians were allegedly compromised and handed to foreign interests. That despicable act is still fresh in our memory.

As overwhelming majority of Nigerians with voting rights are aware, there is an uncanny lust for power by desperate opposition politicians lurking on the horizon. They are deploying everything on earth just to grab power in 2027, and for no just cause but simply for selfish personal aggrandizement. They have recruited former staff, Directors, Resident Electoral Commissioners and National Commissioners to help execute their warped agenda and barefaced propaganda to deceive gullible Nigerians who will swallow every hook, line and sinker narrative framed by them.

We unreservedly agree with many who have suggested that as a believer in God, Igini should not allow his mind to be poisoned by the notion that any power outside the influence of God could have been responsible for the failure of his emergence as either National Commissioner or Chairman of the Commission.

Whatever it is, there seems to be more to it than meets the eye. The process of creating anarchy starts with incitement against the government, the electoral empire and security agencies. It often appears so smooth as to be imperceptible, hence those who engineer it enjoy the process at the initial stage, only to be consumed at the end of the day.

Elements in the class of Igini, who are acting out the script of falsehood purveyors and peddlers, will be put to shame at the end of the day. There is no doubt that Nigerians are going to have a well-deserved, credible, transparent, free and fair election in the 2027 general elections.

Above all, nobody can dispute the fact that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu nominated people with impeccable ability, capacity, loyalty, patriotism and honesty as members of the election management structure that will drive our democracy forward, in a manner that both Nigerians and the international community will be proud of like never before in our annals.

The focus of the Tinubu administration remains its much stronger determination to protect and respect the sanctity and fidelity of the ballot during the forthcoming elections.

We implore Mike Igini to stop the rabble-rousing, negative framing, mischief, mudslinging and casting of aspersions against the electoral umpire and Mr. President, and find something reasonable to do to earn a living just like other Nigerians, instead of going from one radio station to television stations across the country. His antics are already known to Nigerians who are far more sophisticated and politically savvy than before.

A word is enough for the wise… “WHEN YOU CONDEMN PEOPLE, YOU BRING JUDGEMENT ON YOURSELF.”

Signed:Comrade Yakubu Dan Abba
Country Representative, PAJUD.

FJF Backs NSCDC Probe into Niger Miners’ Deaths, Cautions Diaspora Group Against Protest

The Freelance Journalist Federation (FJF) has expressed confidence in the committee investigating the reported deaths of 37 miners in Niger State, urging the public to allow the panel to conclude its assignment without undue pressure.

The federation’s position followed threats by the Nigeria Diaspora Organizations and Community for Human Rights (NDOCHR) to stage a protest at the headquarters of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Abuja over alleged delays in releasing the investigation’s findings.

FJF in a statement issued on Friday and jointly signed by FJF conveners Ibrahim Ali, Jonathan Modi, Okpara Isaac and Christopher Abah, described the investigative process as transparent and thorough, insisting that sufficient time should be allowed for the committee to complete its work and establish the facts surrounding the incident.

The federation criticised the proposed demonstration, describing it as unnecessary and politically motivated, while warning against actions that could heighten tensions over an issue involving the loss of human lives.

It also commended the leadership of the NSCDC, the Minister of Interior and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as their commitment to transparency, accountability and the rule of law.

According to the FJF, local civil society organisations monitoring the proceedings have expressed satisfaction with the panel’s conduct. However, the federation maintained that the investigation should be allowed to run its course before conclusions are drawn.

The group also rejected calls by the diaspora organisation for the immediate removal and prosecution of the NSCDC Commandant-General, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, describing the demands as premature and inconsistent with the principle of fair hearing.
It argued that calls for sanctions before the conclusion of the investigation could undermine due process and prejudice public perception of the committee’s work.

The NDOCHR had also threatened to petition the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague over the matter. In response, the FJF maintained that Nigeria’s domestic legal and investigative institutions should be allowed to address the allegations through established procedures.

The federation urged Nigerians in the diaspora to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could inflame political tensions or interfere with the ongoing investigation.

It urged members of the public to remain calm and await the committee’s official findings, stressing that a thorough investigation was necessary to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths and determine any responsibility arising from the incident.
The committee’s final findings and any subsequent official actions are expected to be central to resolving the concerns surrounding the incident.

The statement further called on the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies to take appropriate steps to maintain public order in the Federal Capital Territory.

Why the world is looking east: The growing global appeal of China’s innovation ecosystem

By Li Hongxing, People’s Daily

One way to gauge a region’s appeal to investors and entrepreneurs is to listen to those already embedded in its ecosystem. Take a European founder based in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong province, who has called the city home for over a decade. He reports receiving daily inquiries from overseas startup leaders eager to visit, explore partnerships, or establish operations in China.

The steady stream of visitors eager to explore Shenzhen and its tech companies offers a glimpse into the growing global interest in China’s innovation ecosystem.

This is no fleeting trend. It underscores investors’ confidence in China and their optimism about the country’s prospects. The steady flow of overseas technology delegations, increasingly regular cross-border business discussions, and growing interest in “looking east” go beyond conventional economic and trade ties. They offer a vivid illustration of how the world is gaining a new understanding of China and seeking opportunities for cooperation and shared development.

Increasingly, entrepreneurs, researchers, and investment institutions from around the world are traveling to China to learn firsthand about its innovation mechanisms, industrial dynamics, and development pathways. Looking back at China’s evolving economic and trade ties with the world, this surging eastward focus marks a profound shift and more comprehensive, objective recognition of China’s development.

This transition from trade-centric partnerships to co-innovation rests on tangible structural advantages. Foremost among them is industrial resilience. While several major economies face deindustrialization pressures and cyclical volatility, China has maintained steady growth alongside continuous upgrading. Its comprehensive manufacturing base, extensive infrastructure networks, and large domestic consumer market provide a natural shock absorber, enabling predictable expansion even amid global headwinds.

Clustering amplifies this advantage. At a robot industrial park in Foshan, Guangdong province, for example, more than 90 percent of the components and other products needed across the supply chain can be sourced within the park. A design revised in the morning can undergo testing on the very same day. Industrial clustering, closely connected supply chains, consistent policies, and an open, inclusive market give investors at home and abroad the confidence to make long-term commitments and develop their businesses in China.

If industrial resilience provides the foundation, China’s vibrant innovation ecosystem and the rapid development of new quality productive forces are what give the country its enduring appeal.

Confidence in China’s development rests on its innovation capabilities. From basic research to practical applications, breakthroughs are emerging across a wide range of technological fields. 

These efforts are yielding visible results. In northwestern China, renewable energy projects in the Gobi Desert are powering data centers, transforming cities such as Ulanqab in Inner Mongolia and Qingyang in Gansu province into key nodes in the national computing network. 

Meanwhile, in Hefei, east China’s Anhui province, the experimental nuclear fusion device known as an “artificial sun” and the Zuchongzhi 3.0 quantum computing prototype continue to set world records, strengthening China’s position in frontier technologies. 

A recent report released by the World Intellectual Property Organization shows that China has 25 of the world’s top 100 innovation clusters, ranking first globally for the fourth consecutive year.

The more China innovates, the more the world stands to benefit. Some international observers have noted China’s increasingly important role in the global innovation ecosystem, while others have praised Chinese developers for pushing the boundaries of innovation every day. From quantitative growth to qualitative breakthroughs, and from individual advances to progress across entire systems, the vitality and rapid development of China’s innovation sector demonstrate that innovation can be made anywhere, and that practical action is what turns pioneers into leaders.

A strong industrial foundation and vibrant innovation are not enough on their own. They also need a favorable environment where they can flourish. By further opening up and continuously building a first-rate business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized, China is strengthening the institutional foundations for attracting global resources and building momentum for shared development.

The advantages of this environment are reflected in more targeted services and the effective implementation of practical policies. Across China, for example, policies on entry visas, length of stay, residence, and support for integration are being improved to help foreign professionals put down roots, develop their careers, and grow their businesses. 

From more targeted industrial policies and efficient government services to robust intellectual property protection and an open, diverse innovation culture, China is introducing concrete reforms that make its environment more inclusive and its institutions more supportive, further enhancing its appeal as a place to develop and invest.

Looking beyond the surface reveals the deeper reasons behind the growing interest in China’s innovation ecosystem. The visible sign is the steady stream of visiting delegations; beyond that lie expanding opportunities for cooperation; at the deepest level is global confidence in China’s industrial strength, innovation capabilities, and institutional environment. Against the backdrop of global industrial transformation and rapid technological change, this interest reflects a rational assessment by market participants.

Looking ahead, China will continue to consolidate its foundations for development with the same persistence as a craftsman driving a nail, pursue new heights in innovation with the determination of a climber, and expand international cooperation with an open and inclusive mindset. By doing so, China can turn the growing global interest in “looking east” into mutually beneficial outcomes, demonstrating that China’s success can contribute to a better future for the world.

China’s former revolutionary base areas embrace new chapter of development 

By Li Hongxing, People’s Daily

Two bridges over the Huajiang River in southwest China’s Guizhou province offer a striking glimpse into the remarkable transformation of China’s former revolutionary base areas.

The first is the Huajiang Chain Bridge. With its iron chains and wooden-plank deck, it spans a section of the Beipan River. 

In 1935, as the Right-Flank Column of the Central Red Army advanced into southwestern Guizhou, the 11th Regiment of the Third Red Army Corps held its position here, buying precious time for the main force.

This wartime lifeline embodied the determination to overcome every challenge and fight for victory.

The other one, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, is pushing the boundaries of bridge construction in mountainous terrain through intelligent construction, innovative materials, advanced wind-resistant designs, and environmentally friendly building techniques. 

Its construction, which has set multiple world records, has effectively bridged the “gaps” created by the mountains and canyons.

The old and new bridges now stand within sight of each other, offering a vivid picture of how former revolutionary base areas have changed, and Guizhou is far from the only example.

The opening of flights at Ruijin Airport in east China’s Jiangxi province has given people in southern Jiangxi and western Fujian, both former revolutionary base areas, a new “air corridor” linking them with the rest of the country. 

The Jiajin Mountain Tunnel in southwest China’s Sichuan province has entered trial operation, turning the arduous journey “over” the mountain into a smooth passage “through” it and freeing local residents from worries about mountain closures caused by winter snow and ice.

Bridges spanning valleys, passenger planes roaring overhead, and tunnels piercing through mountains — the path to modernization for old revolutionary base areas is growing ever broader.

What is driving these once-remote areas to take on a new look? 

Major undertakings call for riding the tide of the times. Development anchored in the prevailing trends of the era ensures the right direction and provides a strong driving force. That once-remote regions are no longer isolated, and less-developed areas no longer lag behind, owes much to their ability to seize opportunities of the times and align themselves with broader development trends.

Deep in the mountains of Baisha township in Jishui county, Jiangxi province, fruit farmers are now able to sell their produce through livestreaming. This mountain hamlet, where people once “shouted to communicate and traveled on foot”, is now equipped with 5G base stations, bringing new vitality to rural revitalization.

Today, China boasts nearly 4.6 million 5G base stations and over 30.53 million gigabit-capable network ports, achieving gigabit-level connectivity for every county and 5G coverage in every township.

From snow-capped mountains peaks to seashores, from the depth of dense forests to desert steppes, digital infrastructure functions like an intricate neural network, bridging the digital divide and bringing the benefits of digital and intelligent technologies to every corner of the country.

For many regions, abundant resources and convenient locations offer a head start. Yet experience shows that the availability or scarcity of resources and other factors of production is never an absolute determinant. With the right approach and by building on their own strengths, regions can turn limitations into new advantages and cultivate new growth drivers from what they already have.

During the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the people and soldiers of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region stepped up production to break the enemy’s blockade, turning Qingyang in Gansu into the “granary of eastern Gansu.”

Today, Qingyang has once again taken stock of its strengths, drawing on its abundant energy resources and cool climate to develop data centers. Massive volumes of data can travel from Shanghai to the city in a matter of seconds, while computing power in Qingyang enables entrepreneurs in Guangdong in south China to render 3D models at high speed. 

As server lights replace oil lamps and streams of digital data flow across the land, data and computing power have become a new kind of “grain,” helping drive local development while serving the needs of the country as a whole.

Industrial upgrading and regional development both require a focus on local strengths and core industries, as well as openness to wider cooperation and integration.

The Fujian-Ningxia collaboration is a case in point. New forms of cooperation, such as “Fujian enterprises + Ningxia resources” and “Fujian headquarters + Ningxia production bases,” are deepening and expanding. Freight trains under Ningxia’s multimodal transport “single-document system,” a system featuring one unified transport document covering the entire journey across different transport modes, carry full loads of goods bound for Fujian, Guangdong and beyond.

Mountains and seas no longer stand as barriers. What began as one-way assistance has evolved into two-way mutual collaboration. Cross-regional reconfiguration of production factors has made regional cooperation more resilient and substantive.

From the transformation of former revolutionary base areas to coordinated progress across regions, and from these changes to the steady and high-quality growth of China’s economy, China is continuing along its Long March in the new era, moving forward with courage and opening up new horizons.

China leads the world in innovation clusters 

By Gu Yekai, People’s Daily

The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) recently released its 2026 ranking of the world’s top 100 innovation clusters. China accounted for 25 clusters on the list, ranking first globally for the fourth consecutive year. The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou, Beijing, and Shanghai-Suzhou clusters all ranked among the top 10.

The ranking identifies regions with concentrated innovation activity based on indicators including international patent applications, scientific publications, and venture capital transactions. China’s consistent strong showing on the list, with innovation clusters flourishing across multiple regions, demonstrates both the scale and depth of its innovation ecosystem.

This leadership reflects years of strategic investment in coordinated regional tech development. Regional innovation networks have become a key pillar of the national innovation framework and provide a vital foundation for building China into a leading country in science and technology. 

Coordinated development in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has fostered deeper collaboration, with Beijing focusing on research and development while Tianjin and Hebei translate research findings into manufacturing applications. 

Meanwhile, the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta has strengthened links among innovation hubs along the G60 Science and Technology Innovation Corridor, creating a cross-regional collaborative innovation platform spanning nine cities. 

Stronger regional collaboration has cultivated a sound pattern of innovation with multiple hubs working in concert.

Beyond sheer numbers, the rankings also signal a comprehensive upgrade across China’s broader innovation system.

Innovation clusters capture the close links among research institutions, businesses, talent, and investment. In recent years, China has accelerated the commercialization of scientific and technological advances while nurturing and expanding new quality productive forces. Many of the innovation clusters on the list are also major industrial hubs. 

Wuhan in central China’s Hubei province, ranked 17th, saw the value added of its industrial enterprises above the designated size in high-tech manufacturing rise 65.7 percent year on year in the first half of this year, as its optoelectronics and information technology industries gathered pace. Ningde in Fujian province, meanwhile, climbed 24 places in the rankings, driven in large part by innovation in its power battery industry.

This virtuous cycle between innovation and development is enabling more emerging and future-oriented industries to gain momentum and grow rapidly within these clusters.

China’s leading position in the number of top 100 global innovation clusters is also creating valuable opportunities for global partners.

An increasing number of foreign-invested companies are choosing to conduct research and pursue innovation in China, with many establishing R&D centers in these clusters. In the first seven months of this year, foreign applicants filed more than 42,000 invention patent applications in China. In 2025, foreign investment actually utilized in scientific research and technical services accounted for nearly 1/5 of China’s total utilized foreign investment.

China is also committed to sharing the benefits of innovation through openness and cooperation. In the first half of this year, Chinese developers of innovative drugs reached 81 licensing deals with overseas partners, while industrial robots made in China were exported to 141 countries and regions. 

As Carsten Fink, WIPO’s chief economist, noted, Chinese innovation is pushing the frontiers of global science and technology across an expanding range of fields, with countries around the world increasingly benefiting from it.

Today, global innovation resources are increasingly converging on China through its innovation clusters.

A high-speed railway traces the legacy of the Long March

By Zhou Shanshan, People’s Daily

The journey from Ruijin in east China’s Jiangxi province to Yan’an in northwest China’s Shaanxi province has changed dramatically over time.

In the past, the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army soldiers, driven by a profound sense of mission, trekked roughly 12,500 kilometers across China wearing straw sandals, forging a path to survival through the arduous Long March. Today, the two cities are directly linked by a high-speed railway. The 1,857-kilometer journey takes just 11 hours and 32 minutes, offering a smooth and efficient travel experience.

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the successful conclusion of the Long March. A single train ticket now bridges not only two distant cities but also two distinct eras. The transformation from a desperate struggle for survival to an ongoing drive for regional revitalization mirrors the sweeping transformations China has experienced.

Aboard the train are descendants of Red Army soldiers, carrying straw sandals and certificates commemorating fallen martyrs as they travel to Yan’an on behalf of relatives who sacrificed their lives during the Long March. Other passengers, inspired by the Long March spirit, have embarked on this red-themed journey across thousands of kilometers.

During the Long March, both Ruijin and Yan’an served as vital centers of China’s revolutionary cause. The Red Army soldiers crossed snow-capped mountains and vast grasslands, broke through successive enemy blockades and paved the way forward with blood and sacrifice. They fought to save a war-torn China and secure a life of independence and happiness for the people.

Today, those early aspirations have taken root. The poverty and isolation that once defined these regions have given way to vibrant communities and renewed economic vitality.

Ruijin has steadily cultivated distinctive industries, including precision manufacturing, design-focused toy production, and textiles, while continuously improving public services and living standards. In Yan’an, apple cultivation has evolved from a modest agricultural activity into a major economic pillar. Environmental restoration has accompanied this growth, lifting fruit farmers out of poverty and transforming the city into a thriving community characterized by ecological health, industrial vitality, and improved livelihoods. The development of Ruijin and Yan’an offers a vivid example of how former revolutionary base areas are revitalizing.

This transformation extends far beyond the two cities. Jinggangshan, an old revolutionary base in Jiangxi, has shaken off poverty by developing red tourism and leveraging its ecological resources. Xibaipo, also an old revolutionary base in north China’s Hebei province, is promoting the integrated development of agriculture, culture, and red tourism, improving the quality of life for residents. In the Dabie Mountains, seven counties and county-level cities across three provinces have formed an alliance to develop red tourism, charting a new course for regional growth. Across China, former revolutionary base areas are steadily advancing toward shared prosperity.

What has driven these transformations? The answer may lie in the roads themselves. A road construction plan dating back to 1933, preserved in Ruijin, reflects revolutionary forebears’ hopes for roads that would connect communities and bring peace and prosperity.

Today, an extensive network of national transportation corridors connects urban and rural areas and links mountains with the sea, reaching major revolutionary landmarks such as Ruijin, Zunyi in Guizhou province, and Yan’an. The vision of convenient travel for people and smooth flows of goods is steadily becoming a reality.

The transformation from having no way forward to a vast network of well-connected roads reflects more than improvements in physical infrastructure. At its heart is the vitality of the path China has chosen: one rooted in the country’s realities, attuned to the needs of the times and supported by its people. This path provides a solid foundation for revitalizing former revolutionary base areas and advancing national rejuvenation.

The roads have been paved, yet the march continues. China is embarking on a “new Long March,” with new challenges to overcome: repeated setbacks in laboratories, critical technological bottlenecks across industrial supply chains, and the many risks and challenges on the path to high-quality development.

The tougher the challenges, the more important it is to draw strength from the spirit of the Long March, a precious spiritual legacy. The Long March National Cultural Park extends across 15 provincial-level regions along the route of the epic expedition, bringing history to life at former revolutionary sites and helping visitors connect with Long March stories.

Here, history is no longer confined to static exhibits; it has become a living source of inspiration. By inspiring people through red-themed resources and passing the revolutionary legacy down through generations, China is forging a profound connection between the aspirations of the past and the achievements of today, drawing lasting spiritual strength for the “new Long March.”

BeiDou Navigation Satellite System drives economic growth and social development

By Shen Zhilin, People’s Daily

From satellite constellations in space to ground-based terminals, and from transport and emergency response to smart cities, agricultural production, and maritime navigation, China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) has steadily expanded its global footprint in recent years. By strengthening industrial support capabilities and deepening its international reach, the system is providing new momentum for economic and social progress worldwide.

In July 2026, BDS completed a comprehensive in-orbit upgrade of its entire satellite constellation. “The upgraded system now provides nationwide real-time positioning at centimeter-level accuracy, alongside globally covered high-precision positioning featuring rapid convergence, “said Gou Ping, chairman of China Satellite Network Group Co., Ltd. “It also supports up to one billion connected terminals, including 100 million consumer devices and one million industrial units, all operating with sustained reliability.”

The delivery of high-precision, highly stable, and highly reliable positioning, navigation, and timing services across all environments forms the foundation for the large-scale application of the BDS.

Zhang Nu, chairman of China Time and Space Information Group Co., Ltd., said that more than 70 mobile phone models worldwide now support the BDS short-message communication function, with more than 450 million users having activated the service.

Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), China will coordinate the deployment of space-based and ground-based navigation augmentation resources, and promote the integration of the BDS with low-Earth-orbit navigation augmentation systems, 5G and 6G, inertial navigation, LiDAR, vision-based technologies, and other sources of positioning and timing information. 

The goal is to build a multi-level, three-dimensional integrated positioning and navigation system, extending seamless positioning and timing services from outdoors to indoors and from the deep sea to deep space.

In Waigang township, Jiading district, Shanghai, a new model of intelligent farming is taking shape across more than 667 hectares of high-standard farmland. With support from BeiDou technology, various types of smart agricultural machinery are carrying out the entire rice production process, from plowing and planting to crop management and harvesting.

“Automatic navigation and driving systems for agricultural machinery equipped with next-generation BDS positioning terminals offer greater accuracy and more stable signals. They are already being used on farms in western and northern China,” said Liu Bolin, head of planning at Shanghai-based company ComNav Tech.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the BDS-related industry grew by more than 53 percent. By late 2025, BDS applications had extended across key sectors, including transportation, energy, urban development, emergency response and disaster mitigation. The system is continuing to expand into new fields and application scenarios, such as the low-altitude economy, the marine economy, and cultural, sports and tourism events.

Consumer adoption is accelerating rapidly. “On Feb. 22 this year, Amap recorded one trillion BDS positioning requests in a single day, supporting a total daily navigation distance of 9 billion kilometers,” said Liu Zhenfei, chairman of Amap, a leading provider of digital maps in China.

China is improving policies to support and guide the industry, strengthening collaboration among industry, universities, research institutions and end users, and promoting coordinated development among upstream and downstream players and businesses of all sizes across the BeiDou industrial chain. 

Under the leadership of China Time and Space Information Group Co., Ltd. and other organizations, a new technical framework for short-message communication using space-time information has been released. It has helped reduce the cost of short-message chips by 70 percent and driven shipments of chips using the new framework to 50 million units.

As one of four global navigation satellite systems officially recognized by the United Nations, BeiDou-related hardware and software solutions have now reached more than 140 countries and regions worldwide.

“Space technology has increasingly become an important component of digital infrastructure and the digital economy,” said Chea Vandeth, Cambodia’s minister of post and telecommunications and chairman of the Digital Government Committee. Together with other global navigation systems, the BDS has enhanced the diversity, availability and resilience of global satellite-based positioning, navigation and timing services, the minister added.

Expanding the international application of the BDS on a larger scale and promoting international cooperation in satellite navigation serve the shared interests and aspirations of countries around the world.

Deep in the deserts of Saudi Arabia, Sinopec Geophysical Corporation, a subsidiary of China Petrochemical Corporation, is leveraging high-efficiency 3D seismic acquisition technology to help local oil firms explore for oil and gas resources.

“Every geophone point across thousands of square kilometers and each shot point for vibrator trucks demand high-precision positioning and time synchronization,” explained Wang Zhongwen, a production operations expert at the Sinopec BeiDou operation and service center. By integrating the BDS with spatio-temporal information terminals, the project has greatly boosted construction precision and operational efficiency, cutting the re-survey rate by 85 percent.

According to a 2026 report on the development of the BDS industry, compiled by the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, BeiDou’s global outreach is shifting from a product-export model toward a comprehensive ecosystem approach that seamlessly integrates hardware, software solutions, managed services, and partner networks.

UnionPay connects the world through seamless digital payments

By Ge Mengchao, People’s Daily

When Indonesian tourist Nur arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport alongside her daughter, she began what has long been a dream vacation: exploring China’s cultural and natural landmarks.

“We plan to take a high-speed train to the Huangshan Mountain in Anhui province, then visit Jingdezhen and Sanqing Mountain in Jiangxi province. We want to explore as much as possible and experience the beauty of China firsthand,” Nur said excitedly. “On this trip, I plan to pay for everything with GoPay, something that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.”

GoPay, one of Indonesia’s leading digital wallets, now works seamlessly with China’s payment ecosystem following the launch of cross-border QR code interoperability between the two nations earlier this year.  

“Chinese users can scan QR codes to pay at merchants in Indonesia using apps such as UnionPay, while Indonesian users can simply scan and pay with digital wallets such as GoPay at UnionPay- and Alipay-accepting merchants in China,” an executive of Chinese payment giant UnionPay said.

Over the years, UnionPay has evolved from a domestic card network into a global payment infrastructure provider, linking bilateral and multilateral payment systems to support seamless merchant acceptance, card issuance, and mobile payments worldwide.

Today, UnionPay’s digital payment capabilities extend across multiple continents. Travelers can scan QR codes for retail and dining purchases in Thailand, Malaysia, and some other Southeast Asian markets. In the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates, visitors can settle bills at airports and in commercial hubs without needing to exchange cash. Across Africa, particularly in South Africa, UnionPay cards are widely accepted for hotel bookings, transportation, and daily expenses.

Globally, UnionPay is now accepted in 183 countries and regions, spanning more than 100 million merchants outside the Chinese mainland and connecting around 2,600 member institutions. UnionPay cards have been issued in 86 countries and regions outside the Chinese mainland, and the company has partnered with overseas institutions to launch more than 200 digital wallets based on UnionPay standards. 

Furthermore, through QR code interoperability agreements with countries including Indonesia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Argentina, and Türkiye, UnionPay has enabled over 46 million overseas merchants to accept mobile payments from its global base.

UnionPay is also playing an active role in the transformation of the global payments industry. In recent years, through a “single-point connection” model, it has established interoperability with QR code payment networks in multiple countries and regions. It has also provided countries such as Laos and Thailand with payment switching and clearing systems and technical standards, and participated in developing domestic QR code payment standards in Singapore and Thailand. These efforts mark a shift from simply expanding its network to helping shape the rules of the industry.

“Take South Asia for example. The local payments industry is still at an early stage of development, and many institutions have limited technical capabilities. External service providers charge high fees and require lengthy development cycles,” a UnionPay executive said. 

“Our cloud-based card issuance platform, which keeps system upgrade costs low, has enabled us to bring three local institutions on board to issue UnionPay cards. Tailoring solutions to the specific circumstances and pain points of local institutions is a key principle behind successful cooperation,” the executive added.

By sharing its technology and standards, UnionPay has helped reduce payment costs in some Belt and Road partner countries, enabling them to share in the benefits of digital payments.

UnionPay’s services not only help Chinese consumers and businesses go global but have also become part of everyday life in many countries and regions. UnionPay cards are used by local residents in the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, Mongolia, Singapore, Kazakhstan and Bangladesh as salary cards and student cards, among other purposes. In Bangladesh, for example, UnionPay has issued millions of cards through long-standing partnerships with local financial institutions, making it one of the international card networks with the largest cardholder bases in the country.

UnionPay has become one of the most widely recognized Chinese service brands overseas. Nielsen, a market research and data analytics company, forecasts that UnionPay will rank first globally in the number of cards in circulation by 2030.

With its ever-expanding global network, UnionPay is making cross-border payments increasingly convenient. “Keeping pace with China’s continued expansion of high-standard opening up, UnionPay connects the world through payment services, building financial links between China and other countries that facilitate the flow of funds and foster closer ties between peoples,” a UnionPay executive said.

Border town in Xinjiang leverages football to bridge cultures and drive local growth

By Shang Rongzheng, People’s Daily

Can a small border town with fewer than 200,000 residents host an international football tournament?

Yopurga county in Kashi, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, has answered that question with a resounding yes. 

Nestled near the edge of the Taklimakan Desert, the town is home to southern Xinjiang’s largest outdoor multi-purpose stadium. Not long ago, more than 300 young footballers from six countries gathered there for the Kashi Cup International Youth Football Invitational Tournament. 

Among them were local Kashi youngsters, young players from Beijing, Shandong, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and other places in China, as well as teenage athletes from overseas, driven by their football dreams.

This marked the third edition of the Kashi Cup International Youth Football Invitational Tournament. In Yopurga, the tournament has grown into a community festival embraced by locals from all walks of life.

One semi-final match pitted a team from east China’s Shandong province against one from Guangdong province in south China. After the final whistle, spectator Alimjan Ablimit and his two primary-school-age children lingered at the stadium. The family had driven more than an hour from Shule county in Kashi to watch the game. He pulled out his phone and took photos of the kids in front of the stadium.

Alimjan Ablimit told People’s Daily that football runs deep among children in Xinjiang. For years, kids would set down a few schoolbags on the street to make makeshift goalposts. “Now we have much better facilities, and more matches right on our doorstep. The football culture is stronger than ever.”

Admission to this year’s Kashi Cup was available via free reservations. Fans of all ages packed the stands, cheering loudly for the players. Beyond the pitch, local authorities rolled out tie-in promotions: spectators could redeem their stubs for discounts at night markets and free entry to a local scenic area. During the tournament, the average occupancy rate of 17 local hotels topped 80 percent.

In the final, a team from Uzbekistan defeated the Shandong team 3-2 to claim the championship. The young players lifted the trophy to savour their moment of glory, greeted by thunderous applause from the crowd.

For 14-year-old Pan Xiaoyi from Shenzhen, the journey to this remote frontier marked a personal milestone. Traveling to Kashgar for the first time and encountering the desert landscape, Pan had dreamed since kindergarten of testing himself on an international stage.

“Playing against strong sides such as Uzbekistan, I noticed they move and pass faster, with sharper tactical execution. We will target these areas in our training back home,” Pan said.

The hospitality of the Kashi people also left a lasting impression on the visiting young footballers.

“The crowd cheered their hearts out for us. The atmosphere was incredible,” said Shi Junchen, a teammate of Pan. While exploring Kashi Ancient City, local shopkeepers greeted them warmly and invited them to taste local delicacies, creating a festive mood much like Chinese New Year celebrations. “I will definitely tell my parents they need to visit Kashi. I hope I can come back here with them,” Shi noted.

Over its three-year run, the Kashi Cup has widened its invitation list and built greater international visibility. It allows a growing number of young foreign footballers to learn about Kashi, Xinjiang and China.

Yegor, 15, captain of a team from Russia, was visiting China for the second time. The extended competition schedule gave him time to experience the city at a leisurely pace. Together with his teammates, he wandered Kashi Ancient City and rode camels in the desert, making precious memories.

Yegor’s hotel room was close to those of the Shenzhen players. Despite the language barrier, the teenagers chatted enthusiastically via translation apps, covering everything from training routines and match tactics to favorite football boots, music and food. They exchanged contact information. “We are good friends now,” he said.

The 2026 Kashi Cup Super Invitational Football Tournament will kick off in Yopurga in mid-October. The opening ceremony of last year’s edition drew more than 30 million live-stream viewers online, with related topics racking up over 1 billion total views. More than 160,000 spectators attended matches on site.

“From the international youth invitational to grassroots community football leagues, our ongoing Kashi Cup series aims to use football as a medium to build a local signature. We want to showcase Kashi’s vibrancy and hospitality while creating a platform for cultural exchange and ethnic unity,” said Wang Chen, deputy commissioner of the Kashi prefectural administrative office.

China’s space program opens new frontiers for international collaboration 

By Li Qunqiang, Yu Sinan, People’s Daily

On Sept. 14, a special gift from the far side of the moon went on display at the United Nations headquarters in Vienna, Austria. Lunar regolith samples collected by China’s Chang’e-6 mission, formally donated to the United Nations, will be permanently exhibited there.  

Brought back to Earth by a Chinese spacecraft, this carefully preserved material symbolizes humanity’s collective pursuit of cosmic discovery.

Oct. 8 marked the 70th anniversary of China’s space program. Milestones ranging from Tianzhou supply missions to China’s space station, to breakthrough research based on Chang’e-6 lunar samples, illustrate a trajectory defined by both indigenous innovation and global partnership.  China’s ever-evolving “space suitcase” tells a story of remarkable advances in independent innovation over seven decades. It also reflects China’s openness to the world and its commitment to space exploration through international cooperation.

Space exploration is a shared endeavor for all humanity. China’s “space suitcase” has always had room for international partners.

On May 3, 2024, Pakistani ICUBE-Q set off for the moon aboard the Chang’e-6 mission, heralding Islamabad’s inaugural lunar mission. The prospect quickly captured public imagination across Pakistan.

Chang’e-6 undertook the unprecedented challenge of autonomously collecting samples from the far side of the moon and returning them to Earth. Despite the extremely limited payload capacity available for the mission, it carried four international payloads, including ICUBE-Q.

Joint development between Chinese and Pakistani teams began in early 2023. The project faced a tight schedule, with multiple payload configurations, complex interfaces and procedures, as well as challenges arising from cultural differences and time zones. 

To navigate these complexities, a Chinese engineering team led by Wu Shufan, a professor at the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, worked closely with its Pakistani counterparts to overcome technical hurdles and successfully develop the cube satellite weighing 6.5 kilograms, with a total payload mass of 9 kilograms.

“Despite its compact size, the satellite features several key technological advancements,” Wu said. The team developed a communications solution tailored to the cube satellite’s lunar exploration and overcame key technical challenges in tracking, telemetry, and command, as well as data transmission, over the vast distance between Earth and the Moon for nanosatellites.

A bilateral working group was established to address technical and administrative matters promptly. Throughout the development phase, Pakistani engineers gained hands-on experience alongside their Chinese counterparts, advancing capabilities in satellite architecture and systems integration.

At 4:14 p.m. on May 8, 2024, Pakistan’s cube satellite successfully separated from the spacecraft in lunar orbit. Shortly thereafter, it captured a striking photograph depicting the Sun and Moon in a single frame. Widely shared by international media and scientific institutions, the image has come to symbolize the spirit of cross-border collaboration in space exploration.

The satellite was designed to operate for five hours under the mission plan, but it actually remained operational in orbit for 55 days. During that time, it continuously transmitted images and monitoring data, delivering invaluable firsthand insights for Pakistan’s nascent lunar research program.

From the cube satellite jointly developed by China and Pakistan to a growing number of partners joining hands to explore space, the story of cooperation continues. China’s space cooperation network is expanding, and its “space suitcase” brings together the knowledge and ingenuity of people around the world.

Guided by a vision of inclusive space governance, China has strengthened practical partnerships with over 50 nations and international bodies. Collaboration spans satellite co-development, third-party payload integration, scientific data sharing, capacity building, and multilateral space policy dialogue. Notably, nine experiments representing 17 countries were selected for the inaugural cohort of international research projects aboard the Tiangong space station, which is also preparing to host its first non-Chinese crew member.

With the same global outlook, China is working to ensure that the benefits of space exploration are shared more widely. In May this year, the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer (SMILE), a joint China-Europe satellite mission, was launched to investigate the interaction between the solar wind and Earth’s magnetosphere. In Brazil, a China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite helps protect tropical rainforests. In Egypt, the satellite MISRSAT-2 provides high-resolution imagery for urban planning and national land and resource surveys. In Tajikistan, personnel responsible for the Sarez Lake dam use China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System to monitor dam deformation.

Shan Zhongde, head of the China National Space Administration, said, “Going forward, we will continue to advance international cooperation in space across a range of areas, including joint satellite development, space data sharing and global governance of outer space, while promoting innovation in space science, space technology and space applications.”