Nigeria Times

The international community must see through Japan’s nuclear facede

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

The 11th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) concluded at the United Nations headquarters in New York on May. 22.

At this important multilateral gathering, Japan, which has increasingly revealed ambitions related to nuclear armament, expanded its nuclear capabilities and deepened military ties with external forces, attempted to portray itself as a champion of non-nuclear principles.

Such hypocrisy is reprehensible, and the international community must remain highly alert to Japan’s dangerous intentions.

Japan’s nuclear pursuits violate both international and domestic law. Binding instruments including the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, mandate Japan’s complete disarmament and prohibit remilitarization — unequivocally forbidding nuclear weapons development.

As a non-nuclear-weapon state party to the NPT, Japan is obligated to uphold the principles of not accepting, manufacturing, possessing or proliferating nuclear weapons.

Domestically, Article 9 of Japan’s pacifist constitution permanently renounces war and bans “war potential,” while its Atomic Energy Basic Act restricts nuclear energy to peaceful purposes.

Parliament-mandated Three Non-Nuclear Principles further constitute Japan’s solemn international commitment. Compliance with these obligations remains the true measure of Japan’s dedication to peaceful development.

As the only country in the world to have suffered nuclear attacks, Japan should be the nation most acutely aware of the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons and the staunchest defender of the global non-proliferation regime. Yet in recent years, Japan has repeatedly sent a string of troubling signals on nuclear issues.

In November 2025, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi gave an evasive answer in parliament when questioned about whether Japan would continue adhering to the Three Non-Nuclear Principles.

The following month, a senior official in the Prime Minister’s Office of Japan publicly advocated pro-nuclear views. Japan has also moved to strengthen extended deterrence, pursued nuclear sharing arrangements, looked into developing nuclear-powered submarines, and pushed for the return of external nuclear forces on its territory.

These actions hollow Japan’s pacifist constitution, violate international legal obligations, and undermine both the non-proliferation regime and post-WWII international order.

More alarmingly, Japan’s nuclear ambitions rest on formidable foundations. It maintains weapons-grade plutonium stockpiles far exceeding civilian needs, operates full nuclear fuel cycle facilities, and possesses mature technologies for nuclear delivery systems. As one U.S. expert noted: “Japan needs only to turn a screwdriver to possess nuclear weapons.” This capability stems from Japan’s persistent evasion of its wartime history and reluctance to accept its postwar status.

Japan’s persistent efforts to push the boundaries of nuclear policy stem from its failure to thoroughly reflect on its history of aggression during World War II and its enduring reluctance to fully accept its identity as a defeated nation.

In recent years, Japan has accelerated revisions to its three security documents and the three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology. Its military budget has increased for 14 consecutive years, with the 2026 defense budget surpassing 9 trillion yen ($56.56 billion), further clearing the way for the development and export of offensive weaponry.

This nuclear policy shift aligns with broader re-militarization efforts aimed at dismantling postwar constraints. The resurgence of neo-militarism threatens regional and global stability, necessitating urgent international attention.

The international community must not be misled by Japan’s nuclear disguise. The NPT is the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime and a vital pillar of the postwar international security architecture. In the face of increasingly aggressive nuclear ambitions among Japanese right-wing forces, the international community must not become complacent or tolerate such tendencies.

Instead, the international community must firmly opposed all forms of nuclear-related provocations. Through multilateral mechanisms such as review conference on the NPT, countries should strengthen consensus-building and enhance regular verification and oversight of Japan’s nuclear facilities, nuclear materials and nuclear technology activities, using binding international rules to restrain Japan’s nuclear ambitions.

What the surge of visits to Beijing says about China’s approach to cooperation

By He Yin, People’s Daily

China’s diplomatic outreach has gained remarkable momentum in recent months. Starting from May, heads of state from Tajikistan, the United States, Russia, Pakistan and Serbia have paid successive visits to China. Over the past half year, leaders from France, South Korea, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Vietnam and many other countries have also traveled to China.

This vibrant diplomatic activity spans major Western countries, Global South nations, neighboring states and partners across the globe. The surge in high-level exchanges involving China has emerged as one of the most prominent trends in current international diplomacy.

International media commented that China now plays three pivotal roles on the world stage: a diplomatic bridge connecting different parties, a provider of development frameworks and a stabilizer for global strategic dynamics. For months, leaders across the globe have been paying visits to Beijing. These trips are motivated by both commercial interests and the search for a reliable partner in an uncertain world. Generally speaking, foreign media interpret this diplomatic momentum from a cooperation perspective and regard China as a trustworthy and steady partner.

Such widespread recognition is no coincidence. It reflects both a growing international consensus and the accumulation of tangible results. The willingness to cooperate is important, but the ability to turn that willingness into concrete outcomes matters even more. China’s robust cooperation capability lies precisely in its ability to transform shared aspirations into practical achievements, and the continued stream of foreign leaders visiting China once again demonstrates that capability.

This capability is rooted in the steady momentum of its development. This year marks the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). While advancing high-quality development, China is also expanding high-standard opening up, presenting the world with a clear and growing list of opportunities.

During the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. President Donald Trump, Xi encouraged U.S. business leaders accompanying Trump to strengthen cooperation with China, and stressed that China will open its door still wider.

According to the latest edition of the American Business in China White Paper released by the American Chamber of Commerce in China, 52 percent of U.S. companies operating in China expect to turn a profit in 2025, up six percentage points from the previous year.

This year has also seen a constant influx of foreign business executives into China, alongside a string of major foreign-invested projects breaking ground nationwide. For many global companies, investing in China is no longer simply an option; it has become a strategic necessity. A stable and steadily developing China is creating ever more opportunities for businesses worldwide.

China’s capacity for cooperation also stems from its philosophy of seeking harmony without uniformity. In front of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven, Xi explained to Trump the idea that Heaven is round and Earth is square and the the view on the universe and guiding philosophy of the Chinese people.

At the Huaigu Pavilion in Dujiangyan, southwest China’s Sichuan province, Xi and visiting French President Emmanuel Macron enjoyed tea by the waterside, drawing insights on relations among major countries from the Chinese wisdom of achieving harmony between human and nature embodied in ancient water management practices.

China does not pursue bloc confrontation or draw ideological lines. Instead, it builds bridges of understanding through dialogue among civilizations, enabling countries with different systems and cultures to reach cooperation through mutual respect. This approach, transcending differences while focusing on win-win outcomes, is precisely the kind of certainty China brings to an increasingly turbulent world.

China’s capacity for cooperation is further reflected in its commitment to multilateralism and its sense of responsibility as a major country. Today’s world faces mounting instability, with unilateralism and hegemonism posing serious threats and raising the risk of a return to the law of the jungle in international relations. Under such circumstances, solidarity and cooperation have become necessities for the international community.

More than ever, the world urgently needs major countries to uphold equality, the rule of law, cooperation and good faith, and firmly safeguard the international system with the United Nations at its core and the international order underpinned by international law.

China and Russia recently issued a joint statement on promoting a multipolar world and a new type of international relations. The two sides also reached 20 cooperation agreements in other fields, underscoring the two countries’ commitment to maintaining global strategic balance and improving the international relations system.

China has consistently practiced true multilateralism, firmly upheld the international order, and contributed to improving global governance through good governance at home. The wave of foreign leaders visiting China reflects growing international recognition of China’s clear position and responsible role. Such cooperation not only stabilizes bilateral relations, but also benefits the world.

Across the globe, “looking East” has increasingly become a prevalent consensus. China’s capacity for cooperation has become a much-needed global resource, and the opportunities China brings through cooperation have become valuable, rare global public goods.

Facts speaks for themselves: partnering with China means embracing opportunities; standing with stability means standing on the right side of history. In this era marked by turbulence and transformation, China will stay committed to openness, inclusiveness, and mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, providing the world with greater stability and positive energy through its own steady development.

China’s coastal regions forge new paths for prosperity from the sea

By Cao Wenxuan, People’s Daily

From the breakwater of the Changjiang nuclear power plant in south China’s Hainan province, one can look out over rows of aquaculture cages swaying gently on the blue sea. A closer look reveals young shellfish, each no bigger than a palm, attached to the nets.

Few people know these waters have become a breeding ground for Pinctada maxima, a species under second-class national protection, producing precious South Sea pearls.

The striking scene showcases harmonious coexistence between large-scale nuclear facilities and delicate marine creatures. It embodies a locally adaptive development model that strikes a fine balance between industrial progress and ecological conservation.

For nuclear power plants, handling industrial waste heat is an unavoidable challenge. Transferring excess heat to nearby industrial parks often leads to energy loss during transmission, while releasing overly warm water back into the sea can trigger eutrophication, threatening marine ecosystems and even affecting the safe operation of power units.

The shift to Pinctada maxima farming demonstrates a strategic understanding of natural systems. As filter feeders, these oysters require no manual feeding and actively mitigate seawater eutrophication, yielding both ecological and commercial value.

Earlier attempts to raise the species in the waters off Sansha in Hainan in pursuit of exceptionally clean seawater. But the lack of algae and natural nutrients there slowed oyster growth and affected quality.

In contrast, waters around the Changjiang nuclear power plant maintain a steady year-round temperature of around 25 degrees Celsius. Clean water, gentle currents and abundant plankton create an optimal growing environment that fully meets the species’ strict survival needs.

Today, the thriving oysters have transformed industrial byproducts into economic assets. This synergy between nuclear power and pearl cultivation underscores a vital lesson: whether resources becomes limitations or advantages hinges on vision and strategy. By transcending conventional thinking, regions can harness unique conditions to drive high-quality development.

Across Hainan, similar efforts to rethink traditional marine industries are already taking shape. “Living off the sea” no longer refers only to fishing, shipping or tourism. The value of marine resources is being continually redefined and expanded.

Qingshui Bay in Lingshui Li autonomous county, for example, sets a perfect example. This popular seaside tourism destination has become home to China’s first commercial underwater data center.

By using naturally cold deep-sea water for cooling, the facility consumes significantly less energy than traditional land-based data centers, providing support for the development of digital economy for the Hainan Free Trade Port.

Elsewhere in Hainan province, the Nanshan Port in Sanya has transformed itself from the province’s smallest cargo port into one of the world’s busiest home ports for scientific research vessels. By opening its resources to research institutes, universities and expedition fleets nationwide, the port accommodated more than 2,100 scientific expeditions in 2025, seeing rapid business growth.

Over the past three years, Hainan’s marine economy has consistently ranked among the fastest-growing in China. Behind this momentum lies a simple but important principle: marine development cannot rely on one-size-fits-all models. Only by building on local resource endowments and pursuing innovation suited to local realities can regions continuously cultivate new growth drivers and spur new industries.

Beyond Hainan, this broader shift toward transformation and upgrading has become a shared path for many of China’s coastal regions as they foster new quality productive forces.

In Rongcheng, east China’s Shandong province, local industries have moved away from densely packed nearshore aquaculture toward a three-dimensional marine farming model featuring algae in upper waters, shellfish and abalone in mid-level zones, and artificial reefs and fish habitats near the seabed. The approach has boosted output while helping restore marine ecosystems.

In Yancheng, east China’s Jiangsu province, leftover cold energy generated during liquefied natural gas (LNG) gasification at coastal ports has been turned into a graded cold-energy supply system. It supports cold-chain storage, cold-water aquaculture and freeze-drying industries, allowing previously wasted energy to create new economic value.

Tech-driven innovation, ecological priorities and resource utilization tailored to local conditions are opening up new avenues for value creation and providing fresh pathways for developing new quality productive forces.

Ultimately, “living off the sea” is no longer about extracting resources from the ocean without restraint. It now focuses on building sustainable, harmonious coexistence between humans and marine ecosystems.

By understanding local coastlines, marine conditions and ecological foundations, and by planning carefully, innovating boldly and developing thoughtfully, China’s coastal regions are discovering that the ocean can offer an even more abundant future.

Chinese technology powers historic AI integration at 2026 FIFA World Cup

By Liu Zhonghua, People’s Daily

As the 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup prepares to launch across the United States, Canada and Mexico, industry experts recognize this tournament as a watershed moment: the first global implementation of artificial intelligence at professional football’s highest level. Dubbed by media as the inaugural “AI World Cup,” the event marks technology’s transition from laboratory testing to full-scale pitch deployment.

During recent visits to FIFA’s Zurich headquarters, People’s Daily observed cutting-edge systems powering the tournament, with Chinese innovations playing pivotal operational roles.

Hisense display technology dominates FIFA’s lobby, foreshadowing its critical tournament role. As official Video Assistant Referee (VAR) display partner, Hisense’s RGB-Mini LED televisions will equip all video review centers. Their ultra-high color accuracy delivers unprecedented match detail clarity, enabling more precise refereeing decisions.

“Hisense establishes new innovation benchmarks that directly enhance the experience for players, officials, and teams,” stated FIFA commercial partnerships director Nick Brown. FIFA chief business officer Romy Gai added the technology represents “a quantum leap in football presentation.”

If advanced display technology serves as the “eyes” of the tournament, then AI architecture acts as the “brain” supporting the competition behind the scenes.

Beyond visual systems, artificial intelligence forms the tournament’s operational backbone. FIFA will debut its football AI platform — a generative knowledge trained on millions of historical match data points. This system supports national teams in tactical analysis, opponent simulation, and personalized strategy development.

Through partnerships with multiple tech firms, AI now actively participates in officiating, match interpretation, and tactical evolution — transcending its traditional analytical role.

As FIFA’s official technology partner, Lenovo embeds its hybrid AI architecture throughout tournament operations. The company’s infrastructure will support critical functions including event management, referee assistance, and fan engagement.

Alexander Metzlaff, ICT (Information and Communication Technology) project and service coordinator of FIFA, said that during the World Cup, FIFA will deploy 10,000 Lenovo computers and more than 200 engineers across all 16 stadiums to provide technical and logistical support.

Beyond hardware, Lenovo’s AI solutions also include AI-powered “digital twin” technology.

Inside a 3D-scanning booth resembling a large locker room, a full-body data scan can be completed in just one minute. And then a personalized 3D digital avatar will appear on screen, creating an experience that seems straight out of a science-fiction film.

Santiago Manso, Lenovo’s director of sports and entertainment, said that 28 such 3D scanning booths will be deployed during the World Cup to create digital avatars for all participants. The collected data will be integrated into FIFA’s database.

These virtual replicas will be capable of recreating match situations through 3D animation and are expected to provide centimeter-level and even millimeter-level precision in offside decisions and key officiating calls.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino noted that Chinese companies have consistently remained at the forefront as FIFA expands into new areas of innovation. He said the partnership between Lenovo and FIFA for the upcoming 2026 World Cup is expected to generate remarkable AI-driven breakthroughs that will enhance officiating technology, strengthen match analysis capabilities and create unprecedented fan interaction experiences.

In recent years, Chinese companies have steadily moved deeper into the technological core of major international sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA European Championship and the Olympic Games, earning growing recognition from event organizers, industry institutions and global audiences.

Guy-Laurent Epstein, UEFA events SA marketing director, said Chinese companies are no longer simply commercial sponsors purchasing advertising space. Instead, they are bringing some of the world’s most advanced technological innovations directly into UEFA’s competition systems.

“The cutting-edge expertise Chinese companies offer in fields such as green mobility and advanced display technology align perfectly with our vision of building modern and sustainable sporting events,” he said.

International media outlets including Reuters have also observed that Chinese companies are undergoing a major transformation in their role at top-tier international sporting events, evolving from peripheral merchandise suppliers into key providers of core technological infrastructure.

As Chinese companies deepen their participation in the world’s premier sporting competitions, more Chinese technologies and solutions are likely to appear on the global sports stage, becoming an increasingly important force in advancing the development and accessibility of sports internationally.

Chinese teen climber shatters speed record at IFSC World Cup

By Zeng Huafeng, People’s Daily

Seventeen-year-old Zhao Yicheng made sporting history on May 10, 2026, by setting a new men’s speed climbing world record of 4.54 seconds at the IFSC World Cup event in Wujiang, Suzhou, east China’s Jiangsu province.

The Chinese athlete’s explosive performance drew thunderous applause from spectators, with many expressing disbelief at his vertical velocity. “That didn’t look like climbing — it looked like flying up the wall,” one audience member remarked.

During the semifinal, Zhao faced American world-record holder Samuel Watson in a near-synchronized ascent. Displaying exceptional fluidity and composure, Zhao stopped the clock at 4.54 seconds to claim the new benchmark. “I wasn’t focused on winning,” Zhao recalled. “Just climbing.”

Shortly after his record-breaking run, Zhao maintained his momentum in the final, clocking 4.61 seconds to claim his first World Cup gold medal. Teammate Long Jianguo took silver while Watson earned bronze.

Watson, who previously held the record at 4.64 seconds, praised Zhao as “one of the most gifted speed climbers I’ve ever seen.” The American’s dominance had seemed unassailable until Zhao first broke the record with a 4.58-second run at April’s Asian Beach Games in Sanya, Hainan.

Twelve days later, he pushed the record down even further to 4.54 seconds. So how did a 17-year-old Chinese athlete rise so quickly to the top of the sport?

The Suzhou native’s rapid ascent stems from early dedication. Beginning at age five, Zhao won multiple youth national titles by age nine. “That competition gave him a huge confidence boost,” his mother Cheng Cheng noted. Faced with choosing between academic studies and professional athletics at 14, Zhao joined Shanghai’s climbing team to specialize in speed discipline.

“Climbing demands both physical and mental engagement,” Zhao emphasized. “Without deep, active thinking, reaching the top in any sport becomes impossible.” His philosophy appears validated as he now stands atop the climbing world.

He often visualizes races repeatedly in his mind and studies videos of other climbers late into the night, carefully analyzing every movement and technique.

“He truly loves climbing, and we’ve always supported him,” his mother said. “To reach this level, strong inner drive and the desire to push himself are incredibly important.”

She still vividly remembers an emotional moment after his victory. “After winning, he placed the gold medal on my neck and said, ‘You’re the champion.’ That made me incredibly happy,” she said.

Since speed climbing became a standalone Olympic event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, competition in the sport has intensified dramatically. At the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, speed climbing, lead climbing and bouldering will all be contested as separate medal events, prompting more athletes to specialize in their strongest discipline.

As for Zhao’s own ambitions, his goal is clear: Olympic gold.

“As long as you carry the brightest light in your heart,” the young climber said, “it will always illuminate the road ahead.”

Coastal city in East China transforms shoreline with ecological bay restoration

By Wang Pei, People’s Daily

Nestled along the Yellow Sea coastline, Rizhao, a vibrant coastal city in east China’s Shandong province, boasts a 226-kilometer shoreline dotted with a string of bays, glistening like a strand of natural pearls.

In 2024, Rizhao earned one of China’s national-level pilot cities for comprehensive beautiful bay development, marking a pivotal turning point in the ecological and economic renewal of this beloved blue coastal homeland.

At Sunshine Coast in Zhangbei Bay, tourists can be seen everywhere strolling, cycling and taking photos. Nearby, drones patrol the coastline from the air. Once environmental issues are detected along the shore, volunteers quickly move in to address them.

“This stretch used to be desolate tidal flats,” recalled a local fisherman surnamed Zhang. “Now a 28-kilometer greenway winds through here, turning it into a hugely popular tourist hotspot. The transformation is simply remarkable.”

When coastal greenway plans were first announced, Zhang expressed concerns: “Would the black pine forest be affected?”

His worries were justified. Since the 1950s, black pines have formed the first ecological barrier along the coast, their evergreen canopy defining the regional landscape. During restoration, Rizhao implemented a “four-no” principle: no felling of black pines, no disturbance to reefs, no alteration of beaches, and no deployment of heavy machinery — minimizing ecosystem disruption.

The coastal renewal extends beyond Zhangbei Bay. At Hailong Bay, shoreline restoration has reclaimed industrial port areas for nature. After renovating 1,882 meters of coastline and creating 460,000 square meters of new beaches, former coal yards now feature crystal-clear waters and golden sands.

In recent years, Rizhao has adhered to the principle of prioritizing ecology and pursuing green development. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), the city carried out 5,903 bay patrols covering more than 10,500 kilometer, and steadily advanced marine environmental improvement drives.

“We divided the entire coastline into 55 sections and implemented targeted management solutions tailored to each,” said Song Jun, director of Rizhao’s ecology and environment bureau. “We have strengthened tracing and remediation efforts for sewage outlets entering the sea and established a smart marine supervision platform that enables online inspection and handling of marine waste issues, significantly improving efficiency.”

Over the same period, Rizhao established 27 monitoring sites to conduct on-site monitoring and laboratory analysis of coastal seawater quality, plankton and other marine indicators. In Zhangbei Bay, the proportion of coastal waters rated as excellent has remained at 100 percent for consecutive years, with water quality consistently meeting excellent standards for five straight years.

Further north along the Sunshine Coast sits Qiaojiadunzi village. Jin Fei runs a homestay there, for whom replying messages to customers on the phone has become a daily routine.

“Our homestays are fully booked nonstop,” Jin said. “On weekends and holidays, cars line up endlessly as visitors pour into the village.”

Twenty years ago, Qiaojiadunzi village launched some of Rizhao’s earliest family-run seaside guesthouses. Later, the village was incorporated into an upgrading plan for the Shanhaitian Tourism Resort area, which renovated homestays and newly developed commercial streets. In recent years, the completion of a Sunshine Greenway has brought even more visitors to the village.

“With blue seas and clear skies right outside our door, tourism has become our livelihood,” Jin said. “Visitors can enjoy the sea, explore tidal flats, cycle, visit night markets, watch performances and attend sporting events — there is always something fun to experience.”

Sea breezes swept across the shoreline as waves rolled into Lanshan Bay, where families strolled through a coastal recreation park themed around traditional seaside activities. A local resident surnamed Zhang was walking along the shore with his child.

“In recent years, the sea in Rizhao has become bluer and the water clearer,” he said. “We often bring our children here to enjoy the coastline and experience nature. It feels wonderful.”

Further along the coast in Zhangbei Bay, scattered tents dotted a camping park, and cheerful children’s voices rang out from a marine-themed complex. An eco-friendly study tour was in full swing here.

Once an abandoned seedling nursery, the site was revitalized during coastal renovation. It now houses homestays, bookstores and cafes, emerging as a popular tourist spot. Regular science education activities are also held here for young visitors.

As the bays have grown more beautiful, cultural tourism has flourished as well.

In 2025, tourist numbers and tourism-related spending during the high season rose by 31 percent and 39 percent year on year, respectively. Throughout the year, Rizhao recorded 43.91 billion yuan ($6.45 billion) in domestic tourism revenue and welcomed more than 68 million domestic tourist visits, up 11.8 percent and 10.3 percent year on year.

Over the years, Rizhao’s primary, secondary and tertiary industries have all embraced greener development.

Along Lanshan Bay, “green steel” has become a new driver of industrial upgrading. The steel industry has comprehensively implemented ultra-low-emission transformation projects, and both Shandong Iron and Steel Group Rizhao Co., Ltd. and Rizhao Steel Holding Group Co., Ltd. have been rated Class A enterprises for environmental performance.

Meanwhile, the city’s “blue granary” is expanding further into deep-sea aquaculture, with salmon fry breeding helping stimulate related marine industries.

“Building beautiful bays means generating benefits through green development and gathering momentum via ecological protection,” Song said. “We are turning marine ecological conservation and restoration into valuable opportunities for cultivating new quality productive forces and expanding new development space. We strive to forge a new path where ecology and economy complement one another, and protection and development advance hand in hand.”

German Sinologist: Chinese wisdom fuels development

By Liu Zhonghua, People’s Daily

Helwig Schmidt-Glintzer, a renowned German sinologist and vice president of the International Confucian Association, recently shared his insights with People’s Daily on the unique spiritual strengths and internal drivers of Chinese culture. He discussed how traditional Chinese culture heritage can contribute wisdom and solutions to global governance.

Schmidt-Glintzer, with nearly six decades to China studies, noted that the outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan(2026-2030) for national economic and social development explicitly calls for stimulating the cultural innovation and creativity of the entire nation and promoting the prosperity and development of socialist culture.

He views this as deeply consistent with enduring Chinese cultural traits: rootedness in tradition, openness and inclusivity, and a drive for continuous innovation. This approach, he argues, demonstrates China’s strategic commitment to advancing cultural inheritance and development at the national level.

The scholar emphasized that understanding contemporary China requires an appreciation of its historical and cultural traditions, characterized by “unity in diversity,” and the internal logic behind Chinese civilization’s millennia-long continuity.

“The defining feature of Chinese culture is ‘unity in diversity,’ where unity and diversity complement each other. This is not only a unique cultural gene of China, but also one of the country’s major strengths today,” he said. In his view, China’s contemporary development reflects both the organizational capacity to pool resources to accomplish major tasks and the wisdom embodied in the principle of “seeking harmony without uniformity.”

Schmidt-Glintzer emphasized that Chinese culture has always maintained openness. China, he said, has never believed it possesses the “ultimate answer.” Instead, it upholds a pragmatic and open-minded approach, adjusting its development path through real-world practice, embracing diverse possibilities and adapting them rationally. This, he noted, stands in sharp contrast to Western traditions that often emphasize a singular “absolute truth.”

“Chinese culture has long been highly inclusive, valuing diversity and integration, which has enabled Chinese civilization to endure uninterrupted through the ages,” he said. “The Chinese classics have accumulated into a profound and lasting reservoir of intellectual resources. They not only help forge social consensus, but also provide intellectual support for national development and friendly exchanges with other countries.”

Having closely observed China’s modernization for years, Schmidt-Glintzer once harbored concerns that China might lose its cultural identity by imitating Western models. However, he affirmed this did not occur. “China has not abandoned its historical roots. Instead, grounded in its traditional culture and social structures, it has forged a path of socialism with Chinese characteristics suited to its conditions,” he said.

“While drawing on Western experience, China consistently emphasizes pragmatism, inclusiveness, adaption to local conditions, and the unity of knowledge and action. It neither isolates itself nor engages in blind imitation,” he added.

He pointed to localized solutions in areas like ecological governance and rural revitalization as contemporary applications of traditional Chinese concepts such as prioritizing the people and adapting to local realities.

“There is no universal model for modernization,” Schmidt-Glintzer asserted. “The core value of China’s development path lies in achieving modernization through civilizational inheritance, building a balanced and open development pattern amidst diversity.”

The sinologist also sees deep historical roots in China’s emphasis on narrowing wealth gaps and ensuring development benefits all. Traditional Chinese society, he noted, stressed the organic connection among individuals, communities and the broader collective, and this holistic outlook has provided intellectual support for balanced development.

“The cultural and ethical progress constitutes a core part of modernization. All countries should build consensus and mutual recognition, and drive development through shared responsibilities,” he said.

According to Schmidt-Glintzer, China’s traditions and achievements in cultural and ethical progress provide its modernization with profound intellectual resources and solid value foundations. Through inheritance and renewal, they sustain social harmony and cohesion, offering enduring momentum for long-term development.

Globally, he added, China’s philosophy of harmony between humanity and nature offers vital intellectual guidance for ecological governance and sustainable development. China’s key roles in areas like climate governance and water-resource protection, providing viable pathways for global modernization through its ecological wisdom and practical experience.

Schmidt-Glintzer views China as Europe’s natural partner for cooperation. Historically, Europe and Asia have maintained deep connections for centuries. Geographically, both share the Eurasian landmass, connected by land rather than separated by oceans.

“Europe needs more stable ties with China and robust trans-Eurasian networks for transportation and people-to-people exchange,” he said. “The Belt and Road Initiative proposed by China provides an important platform for cross-regional cooperation. Europe should not remain a bystander, but should actively align itself with the initiative.”

He also noted the scholarly view of China not merely as a traditional “nation-state,” but as a “civilizational state.” For such a vast and ancient country. achieving balance between unity and diversity has always been paramount. The institutional flexibility and adaptability China demonstrates in governance, he suggested, may offer valuable insights for Europe.

“Intellectually, Europe has a long tradition of learning from China,” he said, citing thinkers such as Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and Bertrand Russell, both of whom argued that Europe could draw wisdom and valuable experience from Chinese civilization.

“Mutual learning between European and Chinese civilizations has a historical foundation and should be strengthened through deeper communication and cooperation,” he said.

Addressing global challenges like climate change, aging populations, and environmental pressures, Schmidt-Glintzer pointed out that nations share common interests. He called for cooperation to tackle these issues, resolving differences through dialogue and preventing conflict through greater mutual understanding among nations and civilizations.

“Europe, once exerted broad global influence, now needs to build a new framework on that historical foundation,” he said, adding that it should actively look eastward, strengthen exchanges and cooperation with East Asia, especially China, and work together to explore pathways that promote world peace and development.

Tourism and culture drive expansion of China’s service consumption

By Wang Donghui, People’s Daily

Recent consumer spending data highlights a significant trend in China: the rapidly growing tourism, cultural, and sports sectors are emerging as crucial drivers of service consumption growth.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China’s retail sales of services rose 5.6 percent year on year in the first four months of this year, 0.1 percentage points faster than in the first quarter and significantly outpacing the growth of goods retail sales.

Leading this expansion were tourism consulting and rental services, transportation-related services, and cultural, sports and leisure services — all registering double-digit growth. These sectors not only grew faster than the overall service retail sales but also demonstrated increased momentum relative to the first quarter.

The growing popularity of tourism, cultural activities and sporting events has become a new highlight and a key growth engine for China’s service consumption. The trend underscores both the vitality and resilience of China’s consumer market while bolstering efforts to boost consumption, expand domestic demand and promote high-quality economic development.

Since the beginning of the year, cultural tourism and sports events have developed in a more normalized, high-quality and integrated manner. Expanding consumption scenarios and deeper integration of diverse business models have significantly boosted market vitality.

This robust growth is underpinned by effective policy implementation. It also signals an inevitable shift toward a more optimized economic structure and upgraded consumption patterns in China, aligning with the core principles of high-quality economic and social development.

Local governments nationwide have introduced targeted measures to stimulate cultural and tourism spending. Policies such as spring breaks for primary and secondary school students, tourism consumption vouchers, paired with the Qingming Festival and May Day holidays, have effectively energized the tourism market and boosted related spending on travel and accommodation.

Official holiday data underscores this momentum: domestic tourism spending surpassed 61.36 billion yuan ($9.02 billion) during the Qingming Festival, up 6.6 percent year on year. During the May Day holiday, total domestic tourism spending climbed to 185.49 billion yuan($27.29 billion), an increase of 2.9 percent.

Chinese residents are accelerating the shift from subsistence and basic consumption towards developmental and quality-oriented consumption. Spending priorities are evolving from goods-dominated consumption towards a more balanced mix of goods and services.

Public demand has moved beyond mere sightseeing towards immersive experiences, and from purchasing physical goods towards seeking premium services and unique experiences. Driven by experiential and emotional economy trends, cultural tourism, sports events and similar consumption activities are evolving into new forms featuring in-depth participation and emotional resonance.

Looking ahead for the full year, the tourism and cultural sectors are demonstrating even stronger momentum in driving domestic demand and supporting economic growth.

In 2025, domestic tourist trips surpassed 6.5 billion, an increase exceeding 16 percent year-on-year, while tourism spending reached a record 6.3 trillion yuan($926.47 billion), rising 9.5 percent from the previous year.

Crowded tourist attractions, bustling commercial streets and packed sports stadiums together paint a vivid picture of a vibrant consumer market. These scenes reflect the continued release of the advantages of China’s enormous domestic market, the ongoing upgrading of industrial and consumption structures, and the country’s steady economic recovery and growth.

From a long-term industrial perspective, the cultural and tourism sector is steadily evolving into an industry that supports livelihoods, enhances well-being and serves as a pillar of the Chinese economy.

This year marks the beginning of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), which for the first time includes the goal of building China into a leading global tourism destination.

Drawing on dual opportunities of consumption and industrial upgrading, China will continue to advance high-quality growth in tourism, culture and related industries. This fosters robust economic momentum through dynamic population movement and the smooth flow of essential factors.

Chinese umbrella industry ascends the global value chain

By Dou Hanyang, People’s Daily

China’s umbrella sector is undergoing a significant transformation, shifting from producing basic, affordable rain protection to creating premium, customized products that blend innovative materials, smart manufacturing, and culturally-inspired designs. This evolution signifies the industry’s steady climb up the global value chain.

This shift is particularly evident in Yiwu, east China’s Zhejiang province, home to one of the world’s largest wholesale markets for small commodities. Local umbrella manufacturers are moving away from competing solely on low prices and instead focusing on brand building, innovation, and expanding their global reach.

Zhang Jiying, owner of a shop in the China Yiwu International Trade City, thas witnessed this transformation firsthand since starting her business over two decades ago. Initially, her stall was barely one meter wide, selling generic, unbranded umbrellas with minimal profit margins.

“Back then, competition was purely about price,” Zhang recalled. “If you priced an umbrella at 10 yuan ($1.47), someone else would undercut you at 9 yuan. Ultimately, no one truly profited.”

As consumer demand evolved, buyers began prioritizing not just function, but also factors like fabric quality, materials, color, and design. Zhang recognized that relying exclusively on Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) wholesale production was no longer viable. “It was time for a change,” she stated. “We needed to establish our own brand.”

In 2003, Zhang founded Zhejiang Xingbao Umbrella Co., Ltd. (RST Umbrella) and began developing proprietary products. By 2010, she had registered the “Real Star” trademark globally in more than 100 countries and regions. “Today, design, quality, and service are paramount,” she emphasized.

Her showroom reflects this new approach. One newly launched umbrella designed for Middle Eastern markets features a built-in misting fan system that sprays a cooling water vapor at the touch of a button. An initial shipment of 3,000 units quickly led to repeat orders.

Another product, an ultra-light carbon-fiber folding umbrella, weighs less than a typical smartphone and featuring a UV-blocking black-coated canopy.

The company now exports around 5 million umbrellas annually, while some high-end customized umbrellas sell for as much as 2,000 yuan ($294) in European markets.

Zhang’s journey mirrors the broader upgrade occurring across Yiwu’s umbrella industry. Today, more than half of umbrella merchants in China Yiwu International Trade City launch new products monthly. Traditional wholesale booths are increasingly being upgraded into branded experience stores and creative cultural display spaces. The outdated model of competing through low-quality, low-margi price wars is fading, replaced by a healthier environment focused on innovation and differentiation.

In Shangyu district of Shaoxing, north to Yiwu, another major hub for umbrella manufacturing, technological upgrading is reshaping production lines.

Inside the workshop of Zhejiang Youyi Fino Umbrella Industry Co., Ltd., automated production equipment runs at high speed as umbrella frames are molded, canopies sewn and final assembly completed in a seamless process.

“These automated systems were independently developed by our company, and each machine costs nearly 10 million yuan ($1.47 million) on average,” said company chairman Lyu Miaofen.

The heavy investment has paid off. Since introducing automation equipment in 2021, the company’s efficiency increased by more than 60 percent in the very first year. Today, the company reinvests around 20 percent of its profits annually into technological upgrading.

In 2025, its sales exceeded 400 million yuan ($5.88 billion) , while its product portfolio expanded beyond umbrellas into outdoor camping equipment.

In Shangyu district, many companies are pursuing similar paths of intelligent manufacturing and industrial upgrading. In 2025, the district’s umbrella industry surpassed 15 billion yuan ($2.21 billion) in total industrial output, up nearly 8 percent year on year.

Chinese umbrella manufacturers are also refining their strategies for international expansion. “China is opening up to the world, and the world is eager to learn more about China,” Zhang said. “An umbrella is not just a daily necessity; it can also serve as a medium for cultural exchange.”

In recent years, she has incorporated more Chinese cultural elements into her designs, drawing inspiration from Jiangnan (the region located in the coastal area south of the Yangtze River) aesthetics, Dunhuang art and other traditional motifs. The products have been well received overseas.

In September 2023, an initiative was launched in Yiwu to encourage local small commodity brands to expand overseas. Through overseas wholesale markets, overseas warehouses, showrooms, online platforms and international exhibitions, it aims to build a global branding system for Yiwu products.

In 2025, “Yiwu Selection,” a collection-store model showcasing Yiwu brands overseas, began opening stores across five continents, with locations already established in 12 countries.

The results materialized swiftly. Following a trip to South Korea as part of the initiative in 2025, Zhang hosted South Korean buyers at her company shortly after returning. They placed an order worth 1 million yuan($0.15 million) for sun-and-rain umbrellas. Shangyu-based manufacturers also reported strong results after participating in the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair).

“This year, we focused on stabilizing our traditional European and American markets while expanding into emerging markets,” a business representative from the district said. “We targeted Africa and South America in particular, adjusting products according to regional demand.”

In South America, long coastlines and strong demand for vacation products have created new growth opportunities for umbrella companies. This year alone, Shangyu-based Zhejiang Hengyang Umbrella Co., Ltd. achieved sales of 30 million yuan($4.42 million).

Iger Enjoy in Shaoxing launched a cost-effective outdoor umbrella series tailored to local demand in African markets, securing on-site orders worth 2 million yuan($0.29 million) at the Canton Fair while also attracting several potential clients.

Looking ahead, Chinese umbrella makers will continue strengthening research and development, infuse more cultural elements in their products, and optimize their global market strategies, thus helping more Chinese-designed umbrellas reach consumers around the world.

Governance Report Reveals Clear Leaders in State Performance

Top 10 Performers:

Kaduna State 73%
Delta State 70%
Anambra State 65.5%
Niger state 65.1%
Ekiti State 64.5%
Akwa Ibom State 64%
Lagos State 64%
Oyo State 61%
Enugu State 56.5%
Borno state 54%

Middle 10 Performers:

Kwara State 53.5%
Abia State 52%
Ondo State 51%
Nasarawa State 50.5%
Osun State 49.5%
Ogun State 48.5%
Kano 48.5%
Kogi State 48%
Edo State 47%
Jigawa State 46.8%

Worst 10 Performers:

Bauchi State 44%
Ebonyi State 42%
Katsina State 41.5%
Gombe State 40%
Kebbi State 34%
Plateau 33.5%
Rivers State 30%
Benue State 25%
Yobe State 22%
Taraba State 20%

These rankings are based on the CIAPS Governance Performance Index (CGPI) report, which evaluates states’ performance in areas like e-governance, transparency, and accountability.

The CIAPS Governance Performance Index (CGPI) is an initiative of the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies, CIAPS. CGPI was conceived as a catalyst for benchmarking, documenting, measuring and encouraging good governance in Nigeria.