Nigeria Times

By Huan Yuping, People’s Daily

This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union (EU).

China and the EU are two major forces promoting multi-polarization,two major markets supporting globalization, and two major civilizations advocating diversity.

As transformation of the world unseen in a century isunfolding at a faster pace, the China-EU relationship bears heavily on the global landscape and the shared future of humanity.

In January this year, Chinese new-energy vehicle maker XPeng and Germany automobile giant Volkswagen signed a Memorandum of Understanding for strategic collaboration on a superfast charging network in China, an eye-catching move in the global auto industry.

Back in the 1980s, the first Santana car co-produced by China-Germany joint venture Shanghai Volkswagenmarked the start of Volkswagen’s deep engagement in the Chinese market.

Over four decades later, China’s reform and opening up has propelled the country forward by leaps and bounds. From importing European technologies and management expertise to jointly exploring the industry’s frontier, this upgraded cooperation trajectory speaks volumes: China’s development and progress continue to create more opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.

As Volkswagen’s journey in China shows, while the modes and fields of China-EU cooperation may have evolved over the past half a century, the underlying principle of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation remains unchanged. Historically and today, there is no clash of fundamental interests between China and the EU, making them partners that can contribute to each other’ssuccess.

A healthy and stable China-EU relationship serves as a strong driver for mutual achievements.

China and the EU remain each other’s most important trading partners, with highly complementary economies and closely intertwined interests. In the past five decades, China-EU trade has expanded from $2.4 billion to $785.8 billion in 2024, covering everything from traditional industries like garments and toys to high-end manufacturing such as machinery and photovoltaic products.

Investment has increased from almost zero to close to $260 billion, moving into a fast lane with ample potential ahead. China-Europe freight trains have made over 100,000 trips, linking more than 200 cities and establishing a direct overland trade corridor between China and Europe.In the first quarter of this year, trade between the two sides reached 1.3 trillion yuan ($180.45 billion), equivalent to over 10 million yuan every minute.

A healthy and stable China-EU relationship also brings positive energy that illuminates the world.

Amid major turbulence and transformation in the international situation, a steady stream of high-level European visits to China in recent months has sent a clear signal of deepening strategic communication and enhancing mutual understanding and trust.

Both sides have reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing world multipolarity and economic globalization, while continuing to collaborate on addressing climate change and safeguarding multilateralism, injecting positive momentum of openness, inclusiveness, and cooperation into a turbulent world.

Though different in history and culture, social systems, and development stage, China and the EU have demonstrated that countries can bridge differences through dialogue and replace competition with cooperation for the common good of humanity.

“What ultimately binds China and the EU is a shared vision for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world,” said Zamir Ahmed Awan, a professor and founding chair of the Global Silk Road Research Alliance. In his view, the China-EU partnership serves as a pillar of global stability.

The 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties marks not an endpoint, but a new beginning. The China-EU relationship now carries greater global expectations than ever. Both sides should draw on historical wisdom, deepen strategic communication, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and strengthen partnership, fulfilling their responsibility to the people, the world, and history.

To that end, China and the EU should recalibrate mutual perceptions with strategic foresight, ensuring their relationship continues to move in a direction that contributes to peace and development worldwide.

China has always regarded Europe as an important pole in a multipolar world. The China-EU relationshipdoes not target any third party, nor should it be dependent on or dictated by any third party. China’s deepening cooperation with the EU is not a matter of expediency, but a strategic choice grounded in shared interests and a commitment to forward-looking development.

Europe, for its part, should uphold strategic autonomy, develop a more independent and objective perception of China’s development, and focus on cooperation over confrontation, so as to ensure a healthy and stable China-EU relationship.

China and the EU should approach their development blueprint with openness, forging greater consensus and pooling strength in building an open world economy.

As two major economic players, China and the EU jointly make up overone-third of the world economy and more than a quarter of the global trade. At a time when protectionism threatens global recovery and undermines the foundations of development, the two sides should work together to uphold the multilateral trading system, ensure stable industrial and supply chains, and expandtheir mutually beneficial cooperation, thereby contributing to the long-term stability of the world economy.

China and the EU should work together in upholding fairness and justice, playing a greater role in improving global governance.

The world today stands at a crossroads between justice and hegemony, between the rule of law and the logic of power. In these uncertain times, China and the EU should remain on the right side of history, jointly oppose unilateral bullying and uphold international rules and order.

This year, at the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit held in France, China joined Europe and other countries in advocating stronger global AI governance. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, China and France issued a joint statement, reaffirming their commitment to international cooperation on climate change. These concerted efforts underscore the significance of China-EU cooperation in injectingpositive momentum into global governance and addressing the common challenges of humanity.

China and the EU should deepen mutual understanding through inclusive exchanges, injectingnew vitality into exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations.

Over 300 years ago, in his preface to his Novissima Sinica (Latest News from China), German philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz saw China superior in ethics and the legal system while Europe was ahead in mathematics and warfare. He saw the opportunity of China and Europe embracing each other culturally and bringing benefit to the whole world.

Today, as the world stands at another historical crossroads, China and the EU are well-positioned to lead the way in promoting inclusiveness among civilizations. Former Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schussel noted that both Europe and China, as heirs to ancient traditions that shapehuman wisdom and morality, share a common vision for a more peaceful, prosperous, and just world.

Thanks to more convenient visa policies and other facilitative measures, two-way travel and cultural exchanges between China and the EU are flourishing. The handshake between China and Europe across the vast Eurasian continentcontinues to write a vivid story of mutual learning and harmonious coexistence among civilizations.

In a turbulent world, responsibility matters more than ever. As China and the EU join hands to tackle global challenges and promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, they will surely make even greater contributions to world peace, stability, development, and prosperity.

By Zhu Peixian, Zhang Wenhao, People’s Daily

South of Luoyang, central China’s Henan province, a winding path ascends the West Hills of the Longmen Mountains. Carved into the cliffs are thousands of niches and statues of varying sizes – the Longmen Grottoes come into view.

The grottoes were first carved during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534), when Emperor Xiaowen relocated the capital to Luoyang. Their construction flourished during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), spanning more than 400 years.

The site features 2,345 caves and niches, nearly 110,000 Buddhist statues, over 2,800 inscriptions, and nearly 80 pagodas. Standing for more than 1,500 years, Longmen Grottoes remains the world’s largest and most richly decorated repository of stone carvings. UNESCO has hailed it as the pinnacle of Chinese stone carving art. In November 2000, this magnificent cultural relic was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

In the 1960s, the Longmen Grottoes faced serious threats: rock collapses, weathering, and water seepage. In 1971, the site underwent its first major restoration. Steel anchor rods were used to reinforcethe cliffs, and resin grout was injected to seal cracks. The restoration of the colossal Losana Buddha alone took 15 years.

A new round of restoration began in 2021, marked by significant advances in monitoring, surveying, grouting materials, and construction techniques compared to five decades ago.

According to Ma Zhaolong, a senior researcher at the Longmen Grottoes Academy, the latest restoration included a comprehensive “health check” to monitor moisture levels and weathering conditions. The academy, in collaboration with relevant universities,developed digital profiles to serve as “health manuals” for the stone sculptures.

The more than 200 days of restoration work not only stabilized the cliff faces but also represented a shift toward preventive conservation. “Fifty years ago, we were performing a major surgery,” Ma said. “Now, we focus on regular maintenance, underpinned by an improved monitoring system.”

Among the grottoes on the West Hills, the Binyang Middle, North, and South Caves sit side by side. In the Binyang Middle Cave, beneath a lotus-shaped ceiling, a bare wall remains where the “Empress Worshipping the Buddha” relief was once carved. In the 1930s, the relief was chiseled into fragments and smuggled overseas – leaving a painful void for cultural heritage professionals.

So how can these lost treasures be reconnected with their origins?

The Longmen Grottoes Academy has launched a digital project in partnership with Xi’an Jiaotong University, the University of Chicago, and other institutions to trace and digitally reunite the missing pieces. By scanning scattered fragments from around the world and comparing them with historical photographs, researchers reconstructed the original flow of drapery lines and digitally recreated the facial features and expressions of the statues using references from the same historical period.

In 2023, the “Empress Wen Zhao’s Ceremony to the Buddha” relief became the first to be digitally revived. Through augmented reality (AR) technology, visitors can now vividly experience the grace and elegance of this historic artwork.

Gao Junping, head of the information and documentation center at the academy, said that since 2005, the institution has been building digital archives of the grottoes. Using laser scanning and high-definition photography, the team has compiled an extensive database to preserve these invaluable cultural relics.

In the academy’s digital exhibition hall, rows of ancient-looking statues are on display. Upon closer inspection, the intricate folds in the garments are remarkably clear. These are not stone carvings but life-sized digital replicas created using 3D printing technology.

“Traditional replication methods like casting and rubbing often risked damaging the originals. Now, with 3D printing, we can replicate artifacts without causing any harm, which greatly enhances our capacity for protective research,” Gao explained.

As daytime crowds recede and night falls, the Longmen Grottoes reveal another different kind of beauty. “We’ve extended opening hours and introduced nighttime tours to create new cultural tourism experiences,” said Wang Qingru, a staff member at the academy.

“In April, we relaunched our night tours, attracting many visitors. The Longmen Museum is also scheduled to open next year, showcasing even more exquisite artifacts from our collection,”said Wang.

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Longmen Grottoes is also a key destination for educational trips. In recent years, the academy has translated its academic research into engaging learning programs. It now offers 10 hands-on courses and themed summer camps, covering clay sculpture, mural painting, ink rubbing, and more, inviting young peopleto appreciate the beauty of grotto art.

The numbers speak for themselves.In 2024, the Longmen Grottoes welcomed over 7.7 million visitors, up 31 percent year on year, setting records in both total visitor count and ticket revenue. In the first four months of this year alone, nearly 3.17 million visitors arrived, up 12 percent from the same period last year. Meanwhile, International tourist numbers rose by a striking 4.6 times.

“We’ve always put preservation first,” said Yu Jie, Party head of the Longmen Grottoes Academy. “By leveraging advanced technology, deepening academic research, and uncovering the cultural value of the grottoes, we’ve promoted the integration of culture and tourism. More people can now experience China’s profound history and magnificent civilization right here at Longmen,” Yu added.

By Ouyang Jie, People’s Daily

In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both sides, China-Africa economic and trade cooperation has made steady and substantial progress.

Trade between the two sides has grown steadily. In 2024, trade between China and African countries reached $295.6 billion, a year-on-year increase of 4.8 percent, setting a new record for the fourth consecutive year. China has been Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 straight years; while imports from Africa reached $116.8 billion, up 6.9 percent year over year. Meanwhile, China’sexports to Africa went up by 3.5 percent to reach $178.8 billion.

Investment ties have also strengthened.Chinese enterprises have ramped up the development of and investment across various economic and trade zones in Africa, promoting industrial chain cooperation. These efforts have significantly boosted local tax revenues, job creation, and export growth in the African continent.

Cooperation in emerging sectors also continues to expand. In the digital economy, Chinese companies have built major data centers in Africa, applying 5G technology in urban management. In green development, the installed capacity of photovoltaic power stations jointly built by China and Africa has exceeded 1.5 GW, enough to power millions of African households. In finance, Egypt and the African Export-Import Bank successfully issued “Panda bonds” in China in 2023 and 2025.

Over the past five years, annual Chinese direct investment into Africa stood at over $3 billion on average, covering a wide range of sectors. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has signed bilateral investment promotion and protection agreements with 34 African countries and established joint investment and economic cooperation working groups with 14.

Starting from December 1, 2024, China has given all the least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, including 33 African nations. By March 2025, China’s imports from these African countries had reached $21.42 billion, up 15.2 percent year on year. In the first quarter of 2025, Chinese imports of African coffee surged by 70.4 percent, while cocoa bean imports rose by 56.8 percent.

Since its launch in 2019, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo has been successfully held three times, with 83 percent of signed projects having been implemented.

The fourth edition of the Expo, themed “China and Africa: Together Toward Modernization,”is scheduled to take place from June 12 to 15 in Changsha, central China’s Hunan province.

This year, the Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, and Nigeria will serve as guest countries of honor. To date, 44 African countries, six international organizations, 23 Chinese provincial-level regions, and more than 2,800 enterprises, business associations, and financial institutions from both sides have registered – totaling over 12,000 participants.

Tailored to industrial needs on both sides, this year’s expo will prioritize supply-demand matchmaking and offer distinctive exhibition experiences. The main venue – the Changsha International Convention and Exhibition Center – will cover 100,000 square meters. For the first time, the biennial expo will include specially curated sections showcasingsignature China-Africa cooperation brands, popular African consumer goods, and highlights from the China-Africa fashion industry.

As a key platform for implementing the economic and trade initiatives of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the expo will host more than 20 activities, covering infrastructure, textiles and garments, green minerals, youth innovation and entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurdialogues. A total of 128 cooperation projects with a total value exceeding $7 billion have been proposed for signing or matchmaking during the expo.

In January 2024, China’s State Council approved a general plan to establish a pilot zone for in-depth China-Africa economic and trade cooperation in Hunan, making the province a new frontier for China-Africa trade. In just two years, the zone has achieved significant progress.

In coordination with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and other departments, Hunan has established a consultation mechanism and released an implementation plan for the pilot zone. Fourteen cities and prefectures across the province have formed cooperative partnerships with 28 African countries, laying the foundation for a robust engagement network.

A dedicated cooperation service fund has been established. Hunan has pioneered China’s first pre-assessment system for African food exports to China and launched a pilot program to explore new forms of barter trade with Africa.

To date, the province has launched more than 40 industrial projects across 16 African countries. Demonstration projects have been developed to integrate production with trade, investment with trade, and logistics with trade. Many of these are”small yet smart” livelihood programs.

An “African Product Brand Bank” initiative has also been launched, bringing over 120 African products to the Chinese market. In addition, a promotional campaign is underway to bring African products onto Chinese e-commerce platforms.

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

The China National Space Administration (CNSA) recently announced that seven institutions from six countries, including two in the United States,have been authorized to borrow lunar samples collected by the Chang’e-5 mission for scientific research. Brown University and the State University of New York at Stony Brook are among the recipients, serving as another vivid example of China-U.S. cooperation in science and technology.

International observers widely acknowledge that China-U.S. cooperation is fundamental to global scientific progress. Many believe that China and the U.S. are among the leading developers in artificial intelligence (AI), and the development of embodied intelligence in the U.S. will depend on continued collaboration with China. This interdependence exactly underscores the immense value and far-reaching significance of scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries.

The history of China-U.S. scientific and technological cooperation has been marked by both breakthroughs and setbacks. Over the decades, the relationship has experienced moments of warming and periods of strain. Yetthrough it all, dialogue and collaboration have remained central, benefitingnot only the two countries but the world at large.

The extension of the Agreement Between the U.S. and China on Cooperation in Science and Technology last December is in line with the interests of the people of both countries and meets the expectations of the international community.

Over the past four decades, this agreement has provided strong support for scientific and technological exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, enabling collaboration in areas such as promoting the “folic acid revolution,”strengthening environmental monitoring and protection, tracking influenza, and accelerating vaccine development.

As the British scientific journal Nature noted, research cooperation has the potential to help meet the many challenges faced by China, the U.S., and the world.

Regrettably, in recent years, the Cold War mentality has resurfaced in the U.S., turning science and technology into a battleground for those pursuing a zero-sum game – or even negative-sum – against China.

Under the cloak of “national security” and “America First,” the U.S. has not only imposed targeted sanctions on Chinese high-tech companies, but also adopted a combination of measures such as technology restrictions, barriers to research exchanges, and supply chain controls. Its increasingly aggressive suppression of China’s scientific and technological development runs counter to the principles of scientific progress. These actions hinder the global flow of innovation, disrupt the stability of industrial and supply chains, and ultimately undermine America’s own interests.

As Stanford physicist Steven Kivelson bluntly stated, terminating cooperation with China in quantum materials would be a self-defeating act.

Facts have shown that “high fences and small yards” and “decoupling and supply chains disruption” cannot suppress China’s scientific and technological progress. The launch of DeepSeek has created a buzz in global tech circles, while the Zuchongzhi 3.0 superconducting quantum computer once again set a new record in quantum computational advantage within superconducting systems. China’s innovation drive continues to gain momentum, demonstrating the immense potential of the country’s scientific and technological creativity.

A report published by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a Washington-based non-profit think tank, found that despite extensive U.S. efforts to restrict China’s access to advanced technology through export controls, these measures have had limited success. In fact, these measures have helped spur China to advance its homegrown ecosystem, according to the report.

American risk consultancy Eurasia Group also observed that “decoupling” would not cripple China’s tech sector, but merely slow down China at the cost of hurting U.S. companies at the same time.

Scientific development is driven not only by competition but also by the wisdom of cooperation, where mutual success fosters shared progress. In the unfolding new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, and when humanity faces global challenges such as climate change and epidemic prevention, international cooperation and open exchanges are more essential than ever.

As two major scientific powerhouse, China and the U.S. each possess distinct strengths. While enhancing their own competitiveness, both countries should uphold “Tech for Good” and continuously expand exchanges and cooperation. Working together, they can achieve outcomes that exceed the capabilities of either alone, thereby contributing more effective solutions to pressing global issues.

As the Chang’e lunar exploration program demonstrates, China has always promoted scientific and technological innovation with a strong sense of responsibility in building a community with a shared future for mankind. It is committed to advancing international cooperation in science and technology.

It is hoped that the U.S. will work with China in the same direction, create a sound environment for China-U.S. scientific and technological exchanges, and jointly uphold an open and inclusive international scientific and technological cooperation system, so as to ensure that innovation benefits all humanity.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

By Wang Zhe, People’s Daily

In a production workshop of Qingdao Fit Garment Co., Ltd., located in the Xiajin Economic Development Zone in east China’s Shandong province, workers move swiftly and with purpose.

A skilled cutter guides a machine with practiced ease, as fabric pieces drop precisely into place. Nearby, sewing machine operators turn cloth into polished garments, their stitches nimble andexact.

After clearing quality inspections, these garments were folded, packed, and labeled-bound for countries including Canada, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.

“Since the release of the Joint Statement on China-U.S. Economic and Trade Meeting in Geneva, we were reached by American clients,” said Tian Chunli, head of the company.

“Right now, we’re exporting to more than 10 countries, and our order book is full through September. With firm orders in hand, we’re calm and confident. We’ll keep moving forward at our own pace, focusing on doing our work well,” she added.

Compared with several years ago, Fit Garment is better equipped to navigate the uncertainty of U.S. tariff policies. Tian attributed this confidence to two key factors.

Expanding beyond the U.S. market

Specializing in knitted apparel, primarily baby and children’s clothing, Fit Garment once relied heavily on the U.S. market. “For a long time, more than 95 percent of our exports went to the U.S.,” Tian said. “We partnered with a number of American brands, many of which maintained offices here in China.”

That changed in 2018 as China-U.S. trade tensions escalated. American clients began scaling back orders from China, with some shutting down their China-based offices altogether. Export volumes dropped abruptly. Faced with this disruption, Fit Garment took action rather than wait for conditions to improve.

“We couldn’t afford to put all our eggs in one basket,” Tian explained. “We shifted resources to other markets, aiming to diversify and stabilize our trade channels.”

Starting in 2019, the company participated in textile expos in Germany, France, Japan, and other countries. “Sometimes language was a hurdle. We had to use translation apps. But good products and sinceritystill helped us land new orders,” Tian recalled.

Their efforts paid off. By 2023, more than half of Fit Garment’s exports were heading to markets outside the United States. In the first two months of this year, U.S.-bound shipments accounted for less than 10 percent of the company’s total export value– just 340,000 yuan ($47,350).

Driving innovation and efficiency

A second pillar of the company’s success is innovation and operational efficiency.

Only high quality can ensure a product’s success in a new market. In recent years, the company has ramped up itsresearch and development efforts and developed new manufacturing techniques. On notable achievement is the creation of a babywear fabric made from traditional polyester, which offers antibacterial, odor-resistant, and stain-repellent properties. These improvements significantly increased the product’s added value and market competitiveness.

The company also underwent a smart manufacturing upgrade. Through digital transformation, it established an agile, flexible production system. Orders are now automatically divided and scheduled across different stages, with real-time monitoring of equipment status, capacity loads, and process parameters, resulting in a production efficiency gain of over 20 percent.

Looking ahead, Tian has set her sights on two major goals.

“First, I hope to expand further into the domestic market,” she said. Not long ago, local authorities in the Xiajin Economic Development Zone organized a group of textile companies to attend the Yarn Expo Spring in Shanghai, where Tian met prospective domestic partners and began planning follow-up cooperation.

“Second, I want to explore Belt and Road markets,” she added. “We’re targeting a breakthrough in countries like Pakistan and Malaysia. In the second half of this year, I plan to travel more, visit more markets, and close more deals.”

As one of China’s key provinces for textile and apparel exports, Shandong is home to many companies like Fit Garment that are retooling to meet a changing global trade landscape.

Zhang Linchen, associate professor at the School of Economics, Shandong University of Technology, noted that companies must deepen their presence in global markets, diversify their export portfolios, embrace new business models like cross-border e-commerce, and build robust international marketing systems.

“They also need to foster new quality productive forces and move up the global value chain,” Zhang said.

By Wang Zheng, People’s Daily

In Jingzhou, central China’s Hubei province, humanoid robots developed by Chinese home appliance manufacturer Midea Group have joined the workforce at the company’s washing machine factory, performing inspection, equipment operation, and maintenance.

At the Hannover Messe, Germany’s leading industrial trade fair,collaborative robots developed by Shanghai-based JAKA Robotics were exhibited, demonstrating their ultra-precise control capability so delicate that they can gently grasp a potato chip.

Today, Chinese industrial robots are being applied across a wide range of industries with rapidly advancing capability. Driven by technological innovation, scenario-based applications, and artificial intelligence (AI), these machines are evolving from traditional mechanical arms into “all-rounders” capable of coordination, intelligent decision-making, full-process autonomy, and cross-industry adaptability.

At Midea’s Lyceem Lab – a Chinese national key lab for high-end heavy-duty robots – rows of orange KUKA six-axis industrial robots swing weights of various sizes as part of rigorous durability and lifespan testing.

“This is a comprehensive test ofrobotic endurance and reliability,” said Tuo Liheng, assistant director of the lab.

Since acquiring Germany’s robot manufacturerKUKA in 2017, Midea has ramped up research and development (R&D) investment in core technologies and critical components for heavy-duty robots, achieving many breakthroughs.

“Robot technology is now moving beyond traditional industrial applications and expanding into broader markets,” said Chen Feng, general manager of KUKA China’s enterprise business division. “In strategic industries such as high-end manufacturing, aerospace, energy, and healthcare, heavy-duty robots with high rigidity, precision, and reliability are becoming increasingly vital.”

Chinese companies are making significant strides in the heavy-duty robot sector. Estun Automation, an intelligent equipment manufacturer, has launched a 700-kilogram-payload industrial robot for use in heavy machinery, automotive, and construction materials sectors. The latest heavy-duty model launched by Chinese echelon industrial robot company EFORT Intelligent Robot Co., Ltd., another leading robotics firm, sold over 100 units in 2024. Meanwhile, Inovance, a Chinese provider of industrial automation components and solutions, has developed a six-axis robot capable of handling up to 220 kilograms of weight.

In a welding workshop of a heavy truck manufacturing base of Chinese automaker Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd (GAC Group), six yellow Estun spot-welding robots operate in perfect coordination. Thanks to an optimized design and automated tool-switching system, each robot can seamlessly alternate between welding and handling, dramatically boosting efficiency while maintaining a 100 percent pass rate.

As one of the few Chinese companies with fully self-developed core components, Estun also provides customized solutions tailored to specific application scenarios. “Estun even granted us access to parts of its core control software,” said Du Shibin, head of the GAC facility. “We jointly developed optimization programs for the cabin welding line and shared intellectual property rights.”

In recent years, the application of industrial robots in China has continued to expand. Statistics show that China produced 556,400 industrial robots in 2024, up 14.2 percent year on year. According to the International Federation of Robotics, China installed over 276,000 new industrial robots in 2023, accounting for 51 percent of the global installations.

Following their widespread use in the automotive and electronics sectors, industrial robots are now gaining traction in emerging sectors such as new energy, sanitary ceramics, metal processing, and furniture and home appliance manufacturing, becoming key growth drivers for general-purpose industries.

Moreover, the deep integration of industrial robots with AI is further accelerating this transformation. Modern robots are increasingly capable of perceiving their environment, learning from real-time data, and making autonomous decisions. This has paved the way for flexible manufacturing and intelligent collaboration, significantly enhancing production efficiency and adaptability.

In a large overseas warehouse covering 20,000 square meters, 700 autonomous mobile robots developed by Geekplus, a Beijing-based global leader in mobile robotics technologies, zip across at speeds of two meters per second. Working in sync with 40 multifunctional workstations, they have completely disrupted the traditional “man-to-goods” logistics model. Shelves now move autonomously to workstations, where robotic arms accurately pick goods, and autonomous mobile robots(AMRs) deliver them along dynamically optimized routes. The warehouse processes over 350,000 items per day, with each workstation capable of handling up to 500 items per hour.

Geekplushas achieved significant breakthroughs in swarm intelligence control and dynamic path planning, enabling the simultaneous deployment of over 5,000 robots through a single system. It has also established more than 10 smart warehouse demonstration projects worldwide, each deployed with over 1,000 robots. The company is also collaborating with global manufacturing leaders like Siemens and CATL to advance intelligent logistics.

Looking ahead to the integration of AI and industrial robots, Chen Feng observed that China’s current industrial robot market sees annual sales of around 300,000 units. “Today’s commercial model still relies on customized development, professional installation, commissioning, and even on-site support,” he said. “But in the future, industrial robots will come equipped with built-in AI, ready to use straight out of the box. One-click installation and predictive maintenance will no longer just be market expectations – they will become standard features,” Chen explained

By Ouyang Jie, Ke Zhongjia, Liu Junguo, People’s Daily

Following tangible progress made in the China-U.S. high-level meeting on economic and trade affairs, merchants at the Yiwu International Trade Market in Yiwu, east China’s Zhejiang province, dubbed “world’s supermarket,” are busy reconnecting with U.S. buyers, while freight forwarders and logistics firms are seeing a surge in activity.

And Wang Nan, general manager of Kenan Hardware Tools Store, is among the many merchants preparing shipments for the United States.

“We used to send one container each month to our American client, but shipments were put on hold in April,” Wang explained. “The day the joint statement from the China-U.S. talks was released, our client immediately reestablished contact. They not only resumed previous orders but also placed an additional order.”

According to Wang, the client had planned to open a franchise store in New York in July, but the plan was suspended in April. “Now they’ve confirmed the store will open as scheduled,”he added.

While U.S. orders are bouncing back, businesses in Yiwu are simultaneously diversifying their global portfolios.

Liu Jianhao, head of sales at Zhejiang Rifeshow Cosmetics Co., Ltd., has been visiting several African countries in recent days to broaden the company’s market presence.

“After the joint statement was issued, our American clients promptly reached out. We’re now fulfilling previously postponed orders,” Liu said. “And we’re working hard to recoup the performance losses from April.”

In recent years, Rifeshow has steadily diversified its overseas footprint. “This trip focuses on expanding into Tanzania, Senegal, Nigeria, and Ghana,” Liu said.

“Chinese-made perfumes are very popular in Africa, and we’re developing products tailored specifically to local preferences. When you have a strong and stable supply chain, good quality and a large market mean solid sales,” Liu added.

Similar dynamics are playing out at Linhai Sirou Clothing Manufacturing Co., Ltd., based in Linhai, Zhejiang. The company has recently ramped up production to meet surging U.S. orders. “Our American clients have quickly increased their order volumes, often with tight delivery deadlines. Our workers are working overtime to meet the demand,” said Shao Jingfeng, general manager of the company. “They’ve come back to us multiple times over the past month, which shows our products are still highly competitive.”

Shao has also been thinking seriously about the company’s transformation, with a strategic focus on reducing dependence on a single client or market. This year, Sirou plans to expand into South America, Southeast Asia, and Europe, while also deepening their presence in the Chinese domestic market.

The ripple effects of increased trade activity are also being felt among logistics service providers. Yinghe Express, the largest cross-border e-commerce logistics company in Yiwu serving U.S. exports, has reported a sharp uptick in business.

“Since the joint statement was released, shipments to the U.S. have jumped by nearly 30 percent,” said Cheng Hongrui, head of sales at the company.

Freight rates have risen in tandem with demand.”Shipping a 40-foot-high cube container has gone up from about $2,500 to over $3,000 last week. In the secondary market, buyers are even paying premiums just to secure containers,”said Cheng.

Cheng believes the recent spike reflects a release of backlogged demand. “What we’re witnessing is a wave of delayed orders being cleared. Things are expected to stabilize in a little while,” Cheng added. “For businesses, growth comes through navigating both challenges and opportunities.”

By He Yin, People’s Daily

In today’s world, the international landscape is undergoing profound changes, and the resurgence of unilateralism, protectionism, and bullying practices is posing formidable challenges to global development.

Amid such uncertainty, one question looms large: how can countries chart a course toward greater stability? The answer, now as ever,lies in embracing openness as the key to solution and reaffirming cooperation as the only viable path forward.

This conviction was underscored at the Global Trade and Investment Promotion Summit 2025, held in Beijing on May 22. Focusing on the themes of embracing the era of digital intelligence and working together for common development, the summit convened nearly 400 guests from 48 countries and regions for dialogue and exchanges on development and cooperation.

The event reaffirmed China’s firm commitment to high-level opening up and highlighted the international community’sstrong expectations for the opportunities that China continues to offer.

Believing in China is believing in a better tomorrow, and investing in China is investing in the future. This year’s summit saw a record in participation, with executives from 70 foreign-invested enterprises operating in China – 29 of which are among the Fortune Global 500 – attending the event. All 16 foreign chambers of commerce in China were represented, with seven sending their presidents to lead the delegations.

As participants remarked,”Embracing China means embracing opportunities” and “Continuing to invest in China means participating in its growth and innovation.” The vibrancy of these discussions demonstrated not only the Chinese market’s enduring appeal, but also the growing role China plays in shaping international cooperation as it continues to open up and develop.

First held in 2022, the Global Trade and Investment Promotion Summit has come to reflect the prevailing trends in the global economy. This year’s emphasis on digital intelligence corresponds with the ongoing wave of technological advancement – ranging from artificial intelligence and quantum computing to big data and blockchain.

As a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is gaining momentum, technological innovation has become essential to the development agendas of nations around the world. To this end, a Beijing Initiative was launched during the event, calling on further cooperation in the digital era to drive global growth and shared prosperity.

China’s pursuit of high-quality development is creating fresh opportunities for international cooperation. As countries strive to embrace the digital and intelligent era, China’s development philosophy and practices are gaining increasing global recognition. The country’s digital economy is booming, giving rise to new technologies, models, and business forms, some of which are globally competitive.

This commitment to innovation is already yielding results. From joint efforts between Chinese and Thai companies to build a 5G factory, to China and Peru working together to construct South America’s first smart port of Chancay, China is joining hands with a growing number of global partners in collaborative digital innovation, exploring the frontier of emerging industries.

Both history and practice have proven time and again that the more the world economy is confronted with uncertainty and risks, the greater the need for openness to break through bottlenecks and for cooperation to pool strength.

This year, trade volatility has persisted, and the global economic recovery remains difficult, exacerbated by the unilateral and protectionist policies of certain countries. At such a critical juncture, wisdom and responsibility are urgently needed. As the world’s second-largest economy, China has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding high-standard opening up, and is widely regarded as a vital force for promoting global openness and cooperation.

As Rebeca Grynspan, secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, remarked, China’s belief in open trade and in the contributions of trade and investment to development makes it “a very important example of development in the 20th and 21st century.”

The steady progress in building the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) offers a compelling example. The recent announcement of the full completion of negotiations on the Version 3.0 CAFTA marks a crucial step toward formally signing an upgraded protocol by the end of this year. As major developing economies with global influence, China and ASEAN are taking resolute steps toward greater trade liberalization. This bolsters their own development while also reinforcing global confidence in building a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

China stands ready to work with all countries inupholding true multilateralism, safeguarding the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, firmly opposing unilateralism, protectionism, and economic coercion, and building an open world economy. Through these efforts, China will continue to serve as a stabilizing force and a source of predictability in an increasingly uncertain global environment.

By Wu Qiuyu, People’s Daily

On May 19, China released its economic data for April, surpassing market expectations and prompting significant attention both domestically and internationally. Some foreign media outlets remarked that, despite trade tensions, China has successfully avoided an economic slowdown.

What underpins the sustained resilience of the Chinese economy in the face of mounting external uncertainties? Two recent developments offer insight into the underlying drivers.

On the same day the economic figures were made public, Chinese tech giant Huawei unveiled two laptops powered by HarmonyOS, marking the debut of its self-developed operating system on personal computers. Shortly thereafter, Chinese tech firm Xiaomi officially released its first self-developed 3-nanometer mobile chip, Xring O1.

These developments underscore a fundamental truth: no form of external containment or suppression has impeded — and none can impede — China’s pursuit of independent innovation and sustained development.It was this confidence and self-reliance that underpinned China’s stronger-than-expected performance in April.

In early April, in Yiwu, east China’s Zhejiang province, the world’s largest small commodity market, merchants were actively engaged in brand-building and quality enhancement efforts.

Moving beyondtraditional contract manufacturing, businesses there are increasingly shifted their focus toward developing their own brands. Since the beginning of this year, the Yiwu Selection project, which literally means “Yiwu quality goods,” has been establishing franchisestores overseas.

Its first global store,launched in January,generated 120 million yuan (about $16.66 million) in orders on its opening day. The brand’s first European store followed in February, opening in Venice, Italy. In just a few months, over 190 Yiwu-based brands have collectively increased sales by over 100 million yuan across 11 countries, underscoring the advantages of a diversified global presence amid rising unilateralism.

Many foreign trade companies in Yiwu are also moving up the value chain through innovation. As one merchant succinctly put it,”With good products and strong demand, we don’t fear change.” This internal drive is emblematic of the broader vitality that fuels China’s economic resilience.

In April, China’s total goods imports and exports in yuan-denominated terms expanded 5.6 percent year on year, with exports up 9.3 percent.

On the product side, exports of high-tech and high-value-added goods continue to rise. In the first four months of 2025, exports of mechanical and electrical products increased by 9.5 percent from a year ago.

On the business side, private enterprises have effectively mitigated external risks through market diversification strategies. In the first four months, private enterprises saw a year-on-year increase of 6.8 percent in imports and exports.

Yet, trade performance alone does not capture the full picture. The rapid export growth in April reflects the deeper structural strengths underpinning China’s high-quality development.

China’s manufacturing industry maintained the top global position in terms of overall scale for a 15th consecutive year in 2024, and the country remains one of the world’s largest consumer markets. These fundamentals continue to bolster its strong resilience amid external shocks.

Moreover, China is vigorously advancing economic restructuring, cultivating new drivers of growth, developing new quality productive forces tailored to local conditions, and accelerating the development of a modern industrial system. Byforging a new development paradigm that strengthens domestic demand while opening up further to the outside world, China is laying the groundwork for a more resilient and sustainable development trajectory.

Supportive macroeconomic policies are also playing a critical role. From cutting interest rates and reserve requirement ratios to integrating domestic and foreign trade and expanding pilot programs to accelerate the opening up the service sector, a new round of pro-growth policies is gradually taking effect. These measures provide China with the resources, capacity, and confidence to address emerging challenges with composure.

It is often in times of adversity that a country’s true economic strength becomes most evident. Such moments not only test resilience but also reinforce long-term confidence in development prospects.

Since the second quarter, several international organizations and institutions have revised their forecasts for China’s economic growth this year upwards. Executives from multinational companies increasingly describe China as a “beacon of certainty” in an uncertain world.

China’s economy has always grown stronger through storms and setbacks. Amid global instability and uncertainty, China continues to demonstrate that its recovery is grounded in robust fundamentals, guided by prudent policymaking, propelled by domestic consumption, and sustained by a relentless commitment to innovation.