Upholding the Pacifist Constitution: the foundation of Japan’s standing in the world

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

Amid mounting domestic and international criticism of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent remarks on China’s Taiwan region, Japan has once again taken a series of provocative steps that raise serious concerns.

These include its first export of lethal weapons since relaxing restrictions on arms exports in 2023, the Liberal Democratic Party’s move to initiate discussions on revising its three key national security documents, and the plan to deploy offensive weapons near China’s Taiwan region. These actions further reveal Japan’s political attempt to deviate from the post-war international order. 

As a defeated country in World War II, Japan bears explicit legal responsibilities under international law. Its recent moves constitute a flagrant violation of its obligations, pose a grave challenge to the post-war order recognized by the international community, and create serious risks to peace and stability in Asia and the wider world.

Eighty years ago, the Potsdam Proclamation declared unequivocally that the forces responsible for Japan’s wartime aggression must be dismantled without compromise: “There must be eliminated for all time the authority and influence of those who have deceived and misled the people of Japan into embarking on world conquest, for we insist that a new order of peace, security and justice will be impossible until irresponsible militarism is driven from the world.”

The establishment of such a new order rooted in peace, security, and justice required the imposition of political constraints on Japan’s capacity to wage war and the thorough removal of the ideological foundations of its militarism.

A series of international instruments, including the UN Charter, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Instrument of Surrender, clearly stipulate Japan’s obligations as a defeated country. 

The concept of “collective self-defense” in the UN Charter was created to safeguard collective security and prevent the resurgence of fascism; Japan is restricted from exercising this right. The Potsdam Proclamation mandated Japan’s complete disarmament and forbade the development of industries that could support rearmament. The Instrument of Surrender, which declared the final defeat of Japanese militarism, commits Japan to “faithfully carry out the provisions of the Potsdam Proclamation.” 

These legally binding documents form an important cornerstone of the post-war international order and represent the political and legal foundation for Japan’s return to the international community.

The four China-Japan political documents and Article 9 of Japan’s Pacifist Constitution further underscore its commitment to peaceful development. In the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, Japan explicitly expresses deep remorse for its wartime aggression and pledges to resolve disputes by peaceful means. The “exclusively defense-oriented policy,” enshrined in Japan’s constitution, has served as a fundamental assurance of Japan’s pursuit of peaceful development since the war. These are Japan’s solemn commitments to its own people, to the Chinese people, and to people around the world. They are serious and binding, and brook no ambiguity or backsliding.

National credibility is the cornerstone of a country’s standing in the international community. It is deeply concerning that in recent years, right-wing forces in Japan have increasingly challenged the core principles of its post-war pacifist trajectory. Proposals for armed intervention in the Taiwan Strait, discussions around abandoning the “Three Non-Nuclear Principles,” efforts to revise Article 9 of the Pacifist Constitution, and calls for acquiring “counterstrike capability” all signal a troubling departure from Japan’s long-standing commitment to peaceful development.

These actions contravene international law, run counter to Japan’s own constitutional provisions and political commitments, and signal Japan’s attempt to escape the constraints imposed by the Potsdam Proclamation and the Instrument of Surrender. The reemergence of militaristic tendencies is increasingly evident in Japan, and the pacifist foundation that has underpinned Japan’s post-war international standing is showing signs of erosion.

The international community has already voiced serious concerns. A Malaysian expert criticized Japanese leaders for their distorted interpretation of World War II history. Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry posted a video clip of Japan’s surrender on social media, urging Japan to draw lessons from history and comply with the enduring pacifist provisions of its Constitution. 

Within Japan, public opposition has also been evident. Protesters gathered in front of the Prime Minister’s Office, demanding that Takaichi retract her erroneous remarks. In an editorial, Japanese newspaper Tokyo Shimbun condemned any attempt by a short-sighted administration to revise the “Three Non-Nuclear Principles” for its own political agenda as unacceptable. These rational voices represent clear warnings against the resurgence of right-wing militarism and reinforce the call to uphold international law and the post-war international order.

History proves that a nation unwilling to confront its past cannot shape a responsible future. The tragedies of history must never be repeated. Only by learning from history, abiding by international law, and upholding the principles of its Pacifist Constitution can Japan regain and sustain the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community. This is a responsibility Japan owes both to itself and to the world. 

All countries committed to justice have the right and the responsibility to safeguard the international order based on international law and ensure that the hard-won peace of the post-war era is preserved. Should Japan continue on its erroneous course, all nations and peoples upholding justice have the right to re-examine Japan’s historical wrongdoing and the responsibility to take firm action against any resurgence of Japanese militarism.

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

New snow season gains momentum, fueling China’s ice-and-snow economy 

By Ye Zi

For skiing enthusiasts across China, the start of the skiing season marks a celebratory embrace of winter. As temperatures drop nationwide, ski resorts from the country’s snowy north to the subtropical south are opening for the 2025-2026 season, showcasing a diverse and increasingly dynamic landscape for ice-and-snow tourism.

In Chongli, once a host of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in north China’s Hebei province, this year’s snow season kicked off earlier than usual, with the Wanlong Ski Resort officially opening on October 21. Wang Yue, a skiing enthusiast from Beijing, was among the first to hit the slopes. “From Qinghe Station in Beijing, it takes just over an hour to reach Taizicheng Station in Chongli,” he said. 

He observed that the station had enhanced its platform guidance services to ensure the safe and efficient handling of ski equipment without disrupting train operations or passenger flow. Convenient shuttle buses were also stationed nearby to transport visitors directly to the ski resort.

Chongli is home to nine ski resorts offering 219 ski runs with a total length of 178 kilometers, 16 of which are certified by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation. During the last snow season, Chongli welcomed 5.235 million visitors.

According to data from Chinese on-demand delivery company Meituan, searches for “Chongli skiing” surged by 169 percent year on year beginning in the second week of November 2025. This surge in interest also contributed to a 25 percent year-on-year increase in cultural and tourism bookings for late November in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province.

As November began, multiple ski resorts across Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region in northwest China commenced operations. On Nov. 15, the Silk Road International Ski Resort in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang, officially opened for the season, attracting more than 8,000 visitors on its first day. Located on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains, the resort reaches a peak elevation of 2,500 meters with a vertical drop exceeding 700 meters. The high-altitude terrain provides ideal conditions for skiing, drawing substantial tourist interest.

According to a report released by Chinese online travel services provider Tongcheng Travel, flight bookings from major cities to popular ice-and-snow destinations such as Harbin, Changbai Mountain, Urumqi, Altay, and Hulunbuir have risen significantly since early November.

The new snow season brings new highlights. Measures such as expanding ski run capacity, enhancing the quality of ski instruction, and introducing family-oriented vacation models are supporting the high-quality development of winter sports while further invigorating the ice-and-snow economy.

Recently, Arxan in north China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region kicked off its annual ice-and-snow tourism season. This year’s offerings feature a wide range of immersive experiences. Amid snow-covered forests and grasslands, visitors can enjoy melodious morin khuur performances, magnificent equestrian shows, and participate in interactive activities such as snowmobile rides and snow dragon boat competitions, enriching the region’s winter tourism appeal.

From the winter of 2025 through March 2026, Inner Mongolia autonomous region will host a winter-long ice-and-snow carnival, anchored by major ski resorts, winter tourism hubs, dedicated venues, and top-tier scenic attractions. The region plans to launch 159 cultural and tourism activities, 45 curated travel routes, and 48 sporting events, creating a rich and immersive seasonal experience.

Jilin province in northeast China is adopting measures to diversify product offerings, expand public access and benefits, streamline transportation, and leverage high-profile sporting events. These efforts aim to offer visitors the excitement of winter sports and the distinctive appreciation of the province’s unique integration of culture and tourism.

For instance, new landmarks in Jilin province are set to elevate the winter tourism experience. These include the indoor ski resort at Changchun Wanda Mall, home to Asia’s steepest indoor slope, and the Siji Nanhe Fairy Tale Snow World. Innovative offerings such as frost-and-snow rafting and snowfield trekking are further enriching the visitor experience. To stimulate participation, the province has introduced 100 million yuan ($14.07 million) in ice-and-snow consumption vouchers, combined with local incentives such as dining discounts, free public transportation, and waived admission fees at major tourist sites.

Meanwhile, in Qianhai, Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong province, where the sea breeze remains mild in November, a striking silver-blue structure shaped like a blue whale houses the Shenzhen Qianhai Ice and Snow World. Recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s largest indoor ski resort, it opened on Sept. 29 this year and welcomes an average of more than 5,000 skiers per day. 

Across many parts of southern China, the development of dry-slope facilities and indoor ski resorts has transformed ice-and-snow sports from a seasonal pastime into a year-round activity. This shift is broadening participation and creating new opportunities for winter sport engagement beyond traditional geographic and climatic boundaries.

As the infrastructure for ice-and-snow sports continues to expand nationwide, participation rates have risen steadily, propelling the rapid growth of the country’s ice-and-snow industry. According to a 2025 industry development report, the sector is projected to surpass the one-trillion-yuan threshold this year, reaching 1.0053 trillion yuan. 

In addition to this robust industrial expansion, ice-and-snow consumption is also accelerating. During the 2024-2025 winter season, resident participation in winter activities generated over 187.5 billion yuan in consumption, marking a year-on-year increase of over 25 percent. Of this, spending at ski resorts nationwide reached 78.613 billion yuan, while consumption within two kilometers of ski resorts grew by 27.97 percent, giving a significant boost to adjacent sectors such as retail, transportation, and hospitality.

Zhoushan in E China harnesses ocean power for a sustainable future

By Dou Hao, People’s Daily

In the waters off Xiushan Island, Daishan county, Zhoushan, east China’s Zhejiang province, a striking “violin”-shaped platform rises above the waves. Beneath it, powerful tidal currents flow through turbines, converting the ocean’s kinetic energy into clean electricity.

This is the LHD Zhoushan tidal current power station, China’s first independently developed megawatt-level tidal current power generator. It has operated stably for years and ranks among the world’s longest-running tidal energy systems with continuous grid connection.

Just minutes by speedboat from Xiushan Island’s southeastern pier, the platform measures approximately 200 meters in length, 35 meters in width, and 30 meters in height. Secured above the churning sea, the platform houses turbines that harness tidal currents and transmit the electricity directly to the national grid.

Tidal energy utilizes the movement of seawater caused by tidal shifts to generate power. With over 400 islands and expansive coastal waters, Daishan county, located in the Zhoushan Islands, is naturally suited for this technology. Its waterways, straits, and bays produce fast, concentrated currents, an ideal environment for harnessing marine energy.

“This is an ideal site for tidal power generation,” said Lin Dong, director of Zhejiang LHD Ocean Tidal Current Energy Engineering Research Center. He likened tidal energy to wind power, as both convert fluid movement into electricity. However, seawater’s higher density means tidal power can generate significantly more energy than wind at the same speed.

“In simple terms, it’s like placing a giant windmill under the sea,” Lin explained. The platform’s foundation is anchored securely to the seabed with rock-socketed piles, enabling the turbines to spin reliably as tides pass, powering the generators above.

Despite the promising energy output, the harsh marine environment presents maintenance challenges. Corrosive saltwater and powerful currents make traditional seabed-mounted systems difficult and costly to manage.

To overcome these obstacles, Lin and his team adopted a platform-based and modular design approach. Key system components are divided into independent modules that can function separately, and the above-water platform enables easier upgrades and maintenance without halting operations.

“Traditional large generators sit directly on the seabed and are fully submerged,” Lin noted. “Our design places critical components above the waterline. If one module needs repair or expansion, we can isolate and service it with minimal disruption.”

Inside the LHD united kinetic marine energy laboratory, a large monitoring screen displays real-time footage of the station’s power generation. The turbine blades, designed for durability and efficiency, are supported by a proprietary pitch-control system that adjusts their angle based on water flow. Notably, the blades automatically reverse with the tides, allowing for bidirectional energy capture.

By the end of October this year, the LHD tidal energy project had generated over 8.34 million kilowatt-hours of electricity. Its single-unit capacity and duration of continuous operation rank among the highest in the world, equivalent to saving 2,359 tons of standard coal and contributing effectively to China’s dual carbon goals. Lin estimated that the cost of tidal energy generation is expected to drop below 0.3 yuan ($0.042) per kilowatt-hour upon completion of the seventh-generation LHD unit.

In September, a 100-megawatt tidal energy project jointly invested by the Zhejiang company of State Power Investment Corporation and Hangzhou LHD New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. officially broke ground in Zhoushan.

Supporting projects are also advancing steadily. According to plans from the Zhoushan Development and Reform Commission, an 800-mu (53.3 hectares) marine tidal energy industrial park is set to rise in the western area of Xiushan Island. The park will feature equipment manufacturing facilities, an industrial technology innovation institute, a testing and certification center, and an international exhibition center for tidal energy. With ocean tidal energy at its core, a comprehensive industrial ecosystem is already taking shape.

Ex-AGF Aondoakaa Calls for Stronger Local Government Administration to Unite Nigerians

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN), has called for a more effective and empowered local government administration as a key pathway to achieving genuine national unity.

Speaking at the official launch of the One Nigeria Project organised by the National Association of Former Elected Local Government Chairmen in Nigeria (NALGON Emeritus) at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, Aondoakaa said unity must begin at the grassroots. He noted that national policies will have limited impact unless local communities are fully involved.

According to him, “Whatever the government does at the top to promote unity will not yield meaningful results if the people at the grassroots are not carried along. Real unity starts with the villages, the communities, and the local councils.”

Aondoakaa urged the Federal and State Governments to assign local governments a stronger role in tackling insecurity, stressing that they are closest to the people and best positioned to provide early intelligence and community-driven solutions. He added that granting local councils full operational independence would not only enhance security but also stimulate development across rural areas.

He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting governance models that strengthen local structures, bridge divides, and bring government closer to the people.

Digital innovation breathes new life into cultural heritage

By Li Hongxing, People’s Daily

More than 400 years ago, the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) scholar-official Li Zhizao collaborated with the Italian missionary Matteo Ricci to produce the Kunyu Wanguo Quantu (Complete Geographical Map of all the Kingdoms of the World), the earliest known Chinese world map rendered in color.

Today, this “treasured masterpiece” of the Nanjing Museum has taken on an entirely new form powered by technology. The recently launched immersive virtual reality (VR) exhibition, Mapping the World: The Kunyu Wanguo Quantu of Ming China, held at the Nanjing Museum, east China’s Jiangsu province, has drawn considerable public attention.

The transformation of the Kunyu Wanguo Quantu from a static map to a dynamic, immersive exhibition offers more dimensions and more engaging modes of interaction. In recent years, enthusiasm for cultural-heritage tourism has remained high across China. Technology continues to unlock new possibilities, creating important opportunities to revitalize and reinterpret cultural resources. How, then, can digital cultural heritage continue to innovate and thrive?

A key shift lies in moving from a relic-centered mindset to a product-centered one, enabling responsible and meaningful development on the basis of careful preservation. Bringing cultural relics “to life” extends beyond mere display; it involves leveraging digital tools, technology, and artistic approaches to reveal their cultural significance in new ways. Designing products related to cultural relics and heritage has emerged as a key pathway to revitalization.

For example, the Henan Museum has explored the food culture of central China by combining cultural IP with intangible cultural heritage techniques to create products such as coin-shaped chocolates and relic-inspired desserts, items that have resonated strongly with young consumers. 

Developing creative products based on artifacts’ forms and cultural meaning helps the public better appreciate their aesthetic and historical value. The success of creative products from the Palace Museum likewise shows that blending artistic appeal with practical utility can meet both material and cultural needs.

Balancing “trendy appeal” with “knowledge value” ensures audiences are not only entertained but also educated. In practice, many museums and cultural sites have introduced new technologies and  experiential scenarios. The VR exhibition at the Nanjing Museum, for instance, has captivated visitors — some returning multiple times — by skillfully combining immersive experiences with historical accuracy.

In the VR journey, visitors wearing VR headsets can board a virtual reconstruction of the ship of Chinese Ming Dynasty navigator Zheng He and encounter a guide speaking with a Minnan (Southern Fujian) accent. 

This detail is not arbitrary: according to historical records, Zheng’s voyages employed many Minnan sailors, navigators, and captains because of their maritime expertise. It is this meticulous attention to evidence-based details — from architectural styles and ship design to clothing and even dialect — that resonates with knowledgeable visitors while offering newcomers an accessible gateway to history. 

Cultural innovation must avoid becoming mere entertainment; its true value lies in preserving academic rigor through research-backed approaches while leveraging new technologies to present cultural heritage in ways that resonate with contemporary audiences.

A further shift is from “individualized” experiences to “co-creative” engagement, turning museums into cultural communities built together with the public. In the past, visitor interaction in museums was often limited, resulting in fleeting impressions. Today, technological advancements, particularly in AI, enable visitors to actively participate as integral components of exhibitions.

The Yunnan Provincial Museum recently launched a new VR exhibition exploring the ancient Dian culture. By recreating scenes such as waterways, traditional dwellings, and forest landscapes, the exhibition brings to life the daily activities and cultural world of the Dian people. Visitors can embark on an interactive journey across time and space within the virtual environment. 

One participant described the experience as truly immersive. As visitors transition from observing narratives to becoming part of it, they gain a stronger sense of connection and presence, and this experience turns exhibition spaces into more inviting and cultural environments. Such co-creation in museums fosters cultural sharing; when artifacts are activated and audiences engaged, a deeper, more personal cultural experience naturally emerges.

China trusted force in global climate governance

By Gao Xiang

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, a milestone as global climate governance enters a decisive phase. 

Convening in Belem, Brazil, the 30th United Nations climate change conference focuses on major climate issues, calling on the international community to work together to find shared solutions to the climate crisis, accelerate emissions reduction, strengthen climate resilience, and advance an inclusive and just transition. 

At present, policy backtracking and inconsistency in some countries have created new obstacles for global climate governance. As a responsible major country, China has remained firmly committed to multilateralism, honored its own pledges, deepened international cooperation, and worked to build broad consensus. Through concrete and pragmatic actions, China has injected confidence into the global climate response.

A decade ago, amid diverging interests among nations, Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the opening ceremony of the Climate Change Conference in Paris. 

He stressed that the Paris Agreement should help meet the goals of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and chart the course for green development, help galvanize global efforts and encourage broad participation, help increase input of resources to ensure actions on climate change, and accommodate the national conditions of various countries and lay emphasis on practical results.

China has made unremitting efforts to advance global cooperation on climate change, driving all parties to reach the Paris Agreement through arduous negotiations, demonstrating true multilateralism.

In 2009, China voluntarily announced its 2020 carbon intensity reduction target. Following years of extraordinary effort, the country fulfilled that commitment ahead of schedule. In June 2015, to help build momentum toward the Paris Agreement, China announced its nationally determined contribution (NDC) target for 2030, demonstrating strong resolve to drive forward multilateral climate governance. 

In 2020, at a time when global climate action was losing momentum, China announced its dual carbon goals, giving fresh impetus to global climate governance. In September this year, China unveiled its 2035 NDC, making a historic shift from carbon-intensity control to absolute emissions reduction and expanding targets for the first time to the entire economy. This marks not only China’s concrete implementation of the Paris Agreement, but also sets the direction for its green and low-carbon transformation over the next decade.

China has earnestly fulfilled its NDC commitments and advanced its dual carbon goals in a well-coordinated and steady manner. The country has established a “1+N” policy framework, in which “1” refers to an overall framework of the dual carbon policy, while “N” represents the specific policies and implementation plans formulated by various government departments and local authorities, covering multiple fields and industries, and pursued institutional innovation and technological breakthroughs to enable green transition, offering a “Chinese approach” to global emissions reduction. 

By 2024, non-fossil energy accounted for 19.8 percent of China’s primary energy consumption. The country achieved ahead of schedule its 2030 targets for total installed capacity of wind and solar power, as well as forest stock volume. It has remained the world’s largest producer, installer, and exporter of renewable energy equipment for many consecutive years, and its production, sales, and export of electric vehicles have overtaken those of traditional auto producers. 

China’s national emissions trading system covers over 60 percent of the country’s carbon emissions. Furthermore, the country is a pioneer in climate adaptation, including early warning systems for climate disasters, the construction of climate-resilient cities, and the conservation and restoration of mangrove forests. These efforts reflect China’s role as a nation of solid action and concrete contributions in tackling climate change.

Since China proposed to set up 10 pilot low-carbon industrial parks, launch 100 mitigation and adaptation programs and provide 1,000 training opportunities on climate change cooperation in developing countries in 2015, the country has provided or mobilized more than 177 billion yuan ($24.9 billion) in project funding, offering strong support to other developing countries. 

By the end of 2024, China had hosted more than 300 capacity-building workshops on climate change through South-South cooperation, training over 10,000 experts from more than 120 developing countries. Through the establishment of low-carbon demonstration zones, and the provision of photovoltaic systems, early warning equipment, clean stoves, and other supplies, China has helped partner countries enhance their capacity to address climate challenges.

Electricity is fundamental to modernization, and clean energy is essential for green transformation. In September 2023, to implement the Declaration on China-Africa Cooperation on Combating Climate Change, China announced the launch of the Africa Solar Belt program at the first Africa Climate Summit. 

This June, the Sao Tome and Principe project under the Africa Solar Belt program was delivered. As a small island developing state, Sao Tome and Principe has long suffered from electricity shortage, an acute bottleneck that undermines both residents’ quality of life and the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors. 

The project provided the country with 3,100 sets of household photovoltaic systems, benefiting about 1/10 of all households. “It used to be completely dark here at night. After 6 p.m., we could only stay indoors. Now the solar system has changed our lives. We are very grateful to China for providing this assistance,” said Margarida, a local resident.

Over the past decade since the adoption of the Paris Agreement, China has honored its commitments through concrete actions, advancing low-carbon transformation, strengthening climate adaptation, and actively promoting South-South cooperation. 

In doing so, China has honored its commitments and demonstrated the sense of responsibility befitting a major developing country, emerging as a trusted leader in global climate governance. Through concrete actions, China has helped steer global efforts and contributed to building a fair and rational global climate governance system directed towards cooperation and mutual benefit.

(Gao Xiang is a research fellow at China’s National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation.)

Low-altitude logistics takes off in China

By Han Xin, People’s Daily

In recent years, low-altitude logistics has been applied more and more widely across China.

During the busy lunch hour at a Shanghai business park, delivery drones hovered over designated pickup points. “I ordered milk tea from more than four kilometers away, and it arrived in less than 10 minutes. It’s incredibly convenient,” said a woman surnamed Wang who works in the park.

To enhance efficiency in specific zones, Shanghai has partnered with the technology-driven retail company Meituan to build a low-altitude logistics model featuring instant response and precision airdrop. Three drone routes now cover nearby universities and industrial parks, enabling deliveries in about 15 minutes.

In Suzhou Industrial Park, east China’s Jiangsu province, a maiden flight was recently completed along a dedicated drone route for semiconductor testing samples. In less than an hour, samples were delivered directly to an enterprise’s laboratory by drone, meeting the demanding time  requirements of research and development process.

In Guiya village of Jiuwanxi township in Zigui, central China’s Hubei province, drones efficiently  transport navel oranges from mountain orchards. Moving 1,000 kilograms of oranges now takes just 10 minutes, a significant reduction from the previous three-hour journey.

Connecting Shenzhen and Zhongshan in south China’s Guangdong province, a commercial low-altitude logistics corridor establishes an aerial link. Once users place an order via a mini-program, small and urgent parcels can be delivered across cities in an average of three hours.

Over the past year, cross-city routes like Shenzhen-Zhongshan, Shenzhen-Zhuhai, Shenzhen-Dongguan have continued to emerge, weaving a fast-growing low-altitude logistics network across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). At present, Phoenix-Wings, a cargo drone company owned by Chinese logistics giant SF Express handles an average of over 1,000 flights per day in the Greater Bay Area, transporting more than 20,000 parcels.

China’s low-altitude logistics sector is evolving rapidly, transitioning from isolated pilot routes into interconnected networks and moving beyond niche applications into everyday use. This technology is increasingly integrated into various aspects of work and life, serving purposes from parcel delivery and agricultural transport to medical supply distribution. In 2024 alone, China launched more than 140 new low-altitude logistics routes, with approximately 90 percent operating within city limits.

According to Dong Zhiyi, chief expert on low-altitude economy at the Chinese Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China’s low-altitude logistics industry is mainly concentrated in the  GBA, the Yangtze River Delta, the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and the Chengdu-Chongqing area, while other regions focus primarily on specific scenarios. The GBA and Yangtze River Delta are economically advanced and rich in application scenarios; the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has strong innovation capacity and clear spillover effects; and the Chengdu-Chongqing area leverages strengths in manufacturing and airspace resources to promote synergy and resource sharing. 

“The growth of e-commerce and instant logistics has fueled consumer demand for faster and more personalized services, driving the release of market potential for low-altitude logistics,” said Yan Yan, head of public affairs of drone service of Meituan. Drone delivery significantly reduces the impact of road traffic on delivery times. For items such as pan-fried buns or hot coffee that require high timeliness, drones can double delivery efficiency compared with traditional ground transport, Yan added.

Beyond speed, drones offer compelling cost advantages compared to conventional logistics. For instance, ZTO, a leading express delivery company in China, developed an electric hexacopter drone with a full lifecycle cost of 85,800 yuan ($12,071) and a capacity to deliver 75,000 parcels. The drone’s per-parcel cost is 1.14 yuan. Based on the industry’s average single-parcel cost of 1.85 yuan, this represents a reduction of about 40 percent. 

With large-scale operations and the rollout of dedicated product services, logistics costs are expected to fall further, said Wang Qi, head of ZTO’s drone project.

From Phoenix-Wings drones capable of handling diverse terrain to JD Logistics’ multi-rotor smart drones, new technologies and products are steadily enhancing the reliability and efficiency of low-altitude logistics, revealing vast potential for industrial development.

Chen Xiaohui, director of public affairs at Phoenix-Wings, said that by leveraging drones’ efficiency and flexibility, low-altitude logistics can solve delivery challenges that traditional transport struggles with, not only ensuring successful delivery but also helping enterprises shift from price-driven competition to value-driven competition.

“With the coordination between drones and ground vehicles, we can build a smart delivery network covering both urban and rural areas, further addressing the ‘last mile’ challenge,” said an official from the State Post Bureau.

According to the China low-altitude logistics development report for 2024, the low-altitude logistics market is experiencing rapid growth. The market is expected to reach 120 to 150 billion yuan this year and climb to 450 to 605 billion yuan by 2035.

Rationale behind China’s commitment to keeping appropriate share of manufacturing in national economy

By Liu Zhiqiang, People’s Daily

When proposing to build a modernized industrial system and reinforce the foundations of the real economy, the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan stresses that the share of manufacturing in the national economy should be kept at an appropriate level.

But what exactly is an “appropriate level”?

It should be neither excessively high nor unduly low. The share of manufacturing in GDP is shaped not only by the sector itself but also by the performance and expansion of services and other industries. In recent years, as China’s economic size has continued to grow and its structure has steadily upgraded, the share of services has generally risen, while that of manufacturing has declined relative to earlier periods. 

Between 2010 and 2024, China’s industrial structure shifted from 10.2:46.8:43.0 to 6.8:36.5:56.7. Although the absolute size of manufacturing continued to expand, its share in GDP moderately declined, an evolution consistent with the broader development trajectories of many other economies.

But the share must not fall too low. A look at world economic history shows that many major economic powerhouses rose to prominence through manufacturing. Yet some economies, after entering a post-industrial stage, moved too quickly toward financialization and offshoring, resulting in “industrial hollowing-out,” which ultimately affected economic growth and employment stability. For a major country like China, such risks must be avoided.

For China during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, manufacturing is central to enhancing economic strength, scientific and technological capabilities, and overall national power, as well as to improving people’s well-being. The sector remains the material basis of daily life, the backbone supporting countless industries, and a key absorber of employment. 

At the same time, growing global competition requires China’s manufacturing to aim higher and move faster. Although China has ranked as the world’s largest manufacturing nation for many years, there is no room for complacency. 

A new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is unfolding, with new technologies, new business forms, and new industries emerging at a rapid pace, ringing both opportunities and challenges. Seizing opportunities can help consolidate advantages; missing them risks falling behind. In this context, China must keep the focus of economic development squarely on the real economy. By accelerating the building of a manufacturing powerhouse, the country can navigate profound global changes with greater initiative and confidence.

The recommendations for the 15th Five-Year Plan outline a wide range of concrete tasks related to developing a modernized industrial system with advanced manufacturing as the backbone, upgrading traditional industries, and fostering emerging industries and industries of the future. These efforts collectively drive the transition from manufacturing “scale” to “strength.”

In 2024, China’s manufacturing value added accounted for nearly 30 percent of the global total. Among 500 major industrial products worldwide, China ranks first in output for more than 220 of them. The country now produces over 70 percent of the world’s lithium batteries and photovoltaic modules, and more than 60 percent of the world’s new-energy vehicles and wind power equipment. Over the past five years, China’s manufacturing sector continued to grow in volume and improve in quality, achieving hard-earned progress.

At the same time, notable weak links and bottlenecks remain. China’s capacity for original innovation still needs strengthening. Some key industries face technological gaps. Many traditional sectors remain positioned at the lower end of global value chains. These challenges must be addressed for China to advance from being a large manufacturing country to a strong one. 

Looking toward the 15th Five-Year Plan period, or the next five years, whether in “promoting upgrading in key industries,” “accelerating transition toward digitalization and intelligent transformation,” “creating new pillar industries,” or “making forward-looking arrangements for future industries” the priority will be to pursue higher standards and drive improvement across sectors, fields, and value-chain segments.

Ultimately, China’s commitment to keeping the share of manufacturing in the national economy at an appropriate level reflects the country’s assessment of development trends and practical needs, and sends a clear policy signal on the importance of the real economy. 

By continuing to deepen its industrial foundations and advance the high-quality development of manufacturing, China will further strengthen its industrial capabilities and economic resilience, and maintaining a balanced manufacturing share will naturally follow.

Coalition of Civil Society Organizations Raises Alarm Over Alleged Manipulations Surrounding the NSSTF Bill 2025, Threatens Peaceful Protest if Critical Issues Are Ignored

A broad Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) who participated in the recent public hearing on the National Social Security Trust Fund (NSSTF) Bill organised by Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity, has expressed deep concern over disturbing developments surrounding the legislative process. The coalition said it has become aware of credible reports that the management of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) allegedly hired and sponsored certain CSOs to speak in support of their position at the hearing.

According to the coalition, this alleged sponsorship was a deliberate attempt to weaken and strangulate the statutory role of the Governing Board, while simultaneously empowering the management to operate without adequate oversight. The group lamented that such actions, clearly point to an agenda aimed at giving management the unchecked freedom to mismanage and possibly divert the resources of the Fund, a pattern that has been associated with past leadership of the NSITF.

The coalition further warned against the proposed removal of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from the Governing Board of the NSSTF. They described the move as a dangerous red flag that only reinforces suspicions of an orchestrated plan to compromise transparency and accountability in the management of the Fund.

According to the coalition:

“Taking SEC out of the Governing Board is not only illogical but amounts to an open confirmation of the organization’s plan to mismanage the Fund. SEC plays a critical regulatory role, and removing them at a time when Nigeria is struggling with limited financial resources raises serious concerns about the intentions behind the bill.”

The coalition aligned its concerns with the positions already taken by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), both of whom have publicly demanded that the bill be stepped down due to the sensitive issues surrounding it.

The coalition warned that if these critical red flags are not properly addressed by the National Assembly, they will be left with no other option but to embark on a massive, peaceful protest to drive home their concerns and protect the integrity of Nigeria’s social security system.

The group emphasized that the future of the Fund, the confidence of Nigerian workers, and the credibility of social protection institutions must not be jeopardized by actions that appear to prioritize personal or organizational interests over national interest.

Nestoil: Lagos CP Dragged to Court for Alleged Contempt, Risks Imprisonment

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olohundare Jimoh Moshood, has been named in fresh contempt proceedings filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged disobedience of a subsisting court order relating to the disputed premises occupied by Nestoil Group in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The suit was initiated by Drawcok Estates Ltd, which claims ownership of the property. The company alleges that the police commissioner directed the deployment of more than fifty armed officers to seal the premises on Monday, despite an order by Justice R.N. Ofili Ajumogobia restraining security operatives from interfering with the site.

Drawcok Estates Ltd further contends that police officers were assigned to provide security for Mr. Sulu Gambari, who has presented himself as a receiver-manager appointed during earlier proceedings before Justice Isaac Dipeolu. Justice Daniel Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi had previously vacated all orders made by Justice Dipeolu in that matter, including the receiver-manager appointment.

According to court documents, the applicant is asking the court to hold CP Moshood in contempt and commit him to prison unless he complies with the directives contained in Justice Ofili Ajumogobia’s ruling of November 24, 2025.

Background to the Court Order

In Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2385/2025, Justice Ofili Ajumogobia affirmed the right of Drawcok Estates Ltd to possess the properties located in Maitama, Abuja and at 41/42 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. She ruled that prior sealing or occupation of the properties by security operatives constituted an infringement on the applicant’s constitutionally protected property rights.

The orders issued on November 24 directed the Nigerian Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police to:

vacate the properties immediately;

deliver possession to the applicant;

provide security for the applicant to regain access;

and refrain from any acts that may amount to harassment or obstruction.

The court also stated that no police officer should act on the instructions of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police in relation to the disputed premises.

Situation at the Premises

Reporters from Nigerian Concord Newspaper who visited the Nestoil Tower yesterday observed police officers restricting entry into the building. Several workers told the newspaper they were denied access to their offices despite presenting the November 24 court order that directed they be allowed into the premises.

As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command had not issued an official response to the contempt suit or the allegations concerning deployment of police officers to the property.