By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

It is reported that Washington is currently preparing for the second “Summit for Democracy.”

The United States refuses to acknowledge the many problems and institutional crises confronting its democracy at home, but monopolizes the definition and interpretation of democracy globally, concocts and plays up the false narrative of “democracy versus authoritarianism,” and points fingers at and makes irresponsible remarks on other countries.

Such practice undermined democracy in the name of defending it, which cannot hide the real designs of the U.S. — to maintain its hegemony by playing bloc politics and using democracy as a tool for political ends.

The so-called myth of democracy built by the U.S. has long been shattered. With the intensification of political polarization, the country’s political ecology keeps deteriorating.

The farce of failing to elect the 118th House speaker lasted four days and a decision was only reached after 15 rounds of voting.

Even the U.S. Supreme Court, an institution undergirding the country’s Constitution, failed to escape partisan warfare. Its decision on the removal of constitutional protections for women’s abortion rights mirrored the huge chasm between “two Americas” — the conservatives and liberals.

A serious “inflation” is observed in U.S. political donations. The latest illustration is the 2022 midterm elections. The whole exercise has a price tag of more than $16.7 billion, a historical high dwarfing the 2021 GDPs of more than 70 countries.

“Freedom of speech” in the U.S. is in name only. Any speech that is detrimental to the interests of the U.S. government or capital is subject to strict restrictions.

The American-style democracy is becoming more expensive to run and less efficient to govern. There has been a steady fall in the number of laws successive U.S. Congresses could enact – from 4,247 by the 93rd to 98th Congresses down to 2,081 by the 111th to 116th.

The above indicates that the U.S. has been deeply trapped in a vicious cycle of democratic pretensions, dysfunctional politics and a divided society.

The maladies afflicting American democracy deeply infected the cells of U.S. politics and society. However, U.S. politicians have neither the courage nor the solution to pursue changes. They keep acting arrogantly, stubbornly claiming their country to be the template and beacon of democracy for the world. Such imperiousness only perpetuates the ills of American democracy.

According to a Quinnipiac University poll, 67 percent of respondents believe that American democracy is in danger of collapse. The Brookings Institution concludes in a 2022 report that the once proud American democracy is facing a systemic crisis and is accelerating its decline.

The hegemonic, domineering and bullying acts of the U.S., which are in the name of so-called democracy, are in fact the very opposite of democracy.

Clinging to the Cold War mentality and inciting ideological confrontation, the U.S. cobbled together values-based alliances such as AUKUS, the Quad and the Five Eyes and concocted the false narrative of “democracy versus authoritarianism” for its geopolitical goals.

In 2021, the U.S. held the first ”Summit for Democracy,” attempting to divide the international community into so-called “democratic and undemocratic camps” by openly drawing an ideological line. The move drew wide criticism from the international community and ended with little support.

However, Washington turned a deaf ear to the criticism and insists on holding the second “Summit for Democracy,” which is a natural reaction to the U.S. foreign policy dominated by confrontations and the Cold War mentality.

Doha-based Al Jazeera observed that the U.S. insistence on holding a democracy summit and acting as a global democratic leader even when trust in its own democratic system is declining has raised widespread suspicion.

Its hysteria to export U.S.-style democracy and values continues unabated, which brings only turbulence and chaos to the world.

The country has long revealed its true face of maintaining its hegemony under the guise of democracy. Former U.S. Congressman Dennis Kucinich said during a recent anti-war rally in Washington, D.C. that the U.S. government does not have the capacity to heal the division in the nation, nor the willingness to end conflicts peacefully.

Its greatest talent is to craft misinformation and disinformation and misuse it as an instrument to incite fear and hatred among U.S. citizens, exciting partisan divisions at home and stirring hatred abroad through lies, deceit, false flag operations and provocations which profane the very essence of democracy, Kucinich noted.

Democracy is a common value of humanity and must not be used as a tool to advance geopolitical agenda. The world today needs to advocate genuine democracy and reject pseudo-democracy, support countries in developing democracy that suits their respective national conditions and jointly promote greater democracy in international relations.

The U.S. should understand that those who have many flaws themselves have little credibility to lecture others. Attempts to undermine others for one’s own profit and destabilize the world must be unanimously opposed.

By He Yin, People’s Daily

At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on March 20 for a three-day state visit to Russia.

The visit will help China and Russia extend their friendship, keep high-level exchanges and deepen strategic coordination. It is conducive to safeguarding the common interests of the two countries, maintaining global strategic stability and promoting the common development of the world.

Head-of-state interaction is the compass and anchor of China-Russia relations. Under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state of the two countries, the China-Russia bilateral relationship has grown more mature and resilient, and the internal driving force for bilateral cooperation has become stronger.

At the end of 2022, Xi and Putin had a meeting via video link, which charted the course for the development of China-Russia bilateral relations this year.

In a changing and turbulent international environment, China and Russia, as each other’s largest neighboring country, should remain true to the original aspiration of cooperation, maintain strategic focus, and enhance strategic coordination to bring more benefits to the two peoples. They should also do so to fulfill their responsibilities in promoting multi-polarization of the world as permanent members of the UN Security Council. China-Russia relations enjoy a solid political, economic and cultural foundation and are calm and sober after summing up the historical experience.

To develop a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era is a long-term strategic choice made by the two sides. The China-Russia relationship is based on no-alliance and no-confrontation, and it is not targeted at any third party. It is not a threat to any country, nor is it subject to any interference or discord sown by any third party.

China and Russia have found a path of major-country relations featuring strategic trust and good neighborliness, setting a good example for a new type of international relations. The two countries never build exclusive blocs. They are fostering friendship that is open and sincere.

Facing the rapidly evolving international situation, China-Russia relations have always maintained a healthy development momentum.

The two countries have witnessed steady progress in their economic and trade cooperation, as well as new achievements in cooperation in such fields as energy, investment and connectivity. They have also maintained strong momentum for cooperation in cross-border e-commerce, digital economy, biomedicine and low-carbon, and other emerging sectors.

Bilateral trade between China and Russia in 2022 rose 29.3 percent year-on-year to $190.27 billion. China has remained Russia’s largest trading partner for 13 years in a row.

The two countries will keep working for more positive results in trade, energy, financial and agricultural cooperation. They will give play to their traditional advantages, step up people-to-people and cultural exchanges and ensure the success of China-Russia Years of Sports Exchange for a more solid foundation of public will for China-Russia friendship.

Today the world has come to another historical crossroads. To revert to a Cold War mentality, provoke division and antagonism, and stoke confrontation between blocs, or to act out of the common good of humanity to promote equality, mutual respect and win-win cooperation – the tug of war between these two trends is testing the wisdom of statesmen in major countries as well as the reason of the entire humanity.

The multi-polar world and greater democracy in international relations, which China and Russia jointly support, are in line with the trend of the times and the aspirations of most countries. With China and Russia working together, the world will have a driving force toward multi-polarity and greater democracy in international relations, and global strategic balance and stability will be better ensured.

China is ready to work with Russia to push forward China-Russia relations in the new era and make global governance more just and equitable. The two sides will maintain close coordination in international affairs, safeguard the authority of the UN and the standing of international law, and protect true multilateralism.

They will enhance coordination and cooperation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia, the BRICS and other multilateral mechanisms, to enhance solidarity and mutual trust, expand practical cooperation, safeguard the security and interests of the region, and protect the common interests of developing countries and emerging markets.

The more unstable the world becomes, the more imperative it is for China and Russia to steadily advance their relations. China is ready to work with Russia to fulfill their responsibilities as major countries, play a leading role, create more benefits for the two peoples and make greater contributions to the development of the world.

By Yang Junfeng

Swiping the phone for some fun videos has become a common practice for people when they are riding the metro, waiting for buses, taking a short break or preparing to sleep.

According to a report on China’s internet development released by the China Internet Network Information Center, China had nearly 1.07 billion internet users by December 2022, and the number of short video platform users hit 1.01 billion.

Experts believe that as short videos seep into livestream, e-commerce, education, tourism and other industries, relevant applications and platforms are becoming part of life for all.

Ajun is a content creator on Chinese short video platform Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. A video in which the young man with tanned skin cooks a few pieces of tofu received over 2 million likes on Douyin and was selected as an official highlight moment of the platform for 2022. Many viewers left comments to express their appreciation of it.

Ajun is just one of the many content creators on Chinese short video platforms, where farmers record their rural life, doctors popularize health tips, and tourists share the beautiful moments on their trips. On these platforms, all users have the opportunity to show themselves.

Experts said the increasingly enriched content on short video platforms has expanded user base and user loyalty, thus becomes a major source of growth in traffic and the time spent by users on short videos.

The creation of short videos is easily accessible, flexible and fun. That’s why short videos are favored by internet users and there are more and more people joining this industry.

Uyinga is a Gen-Z girl who shares the lifestyle of the herdsmen in her hometown Xilingol league, north China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region on short video platforms. Since her graduation from university, she has gained over 2 million followers and her videos have been viewed more than 400 million times. Besides, she has helped herdsmen in Xilingol league sell more than 10 million yuan ($1.45 million) of local agricultural products.

Another young woman from central China’s Hubei province is leveraging short video platforms to expand the market for lotus root products of her hometown; 58-year-old inheritor of intangible cultural heritage He Qing has gained many young followers on short video platforms who are interested in the ancient Chinese filigree inlay art; a woman graduated from Tsinghua University, one of the top higher institutions in China, shares books via livestreaming and recommends to followers tabletop games and toys that help build better family relations.

As short video platforms gradually get into the e-commerce sector, a new model that combines videos and e-commerce has placed profound impacts on people’s consumption behavior.

Experts believe that the massive user base of short video platforms is nurturing a gigantic market. Short videos are an important marketing channel and commercial carrier. They are an effective way for e-commerce operation.

In addition, a batch of short video creators focusing on knowledge sharing are sprouting nowadays. More and more high-above technologies are being introduced to and understood by the general public.

It is learned that Douyin has launched a popular science short video series, which invited scholars, scientific institutions, cultural celebrities and influencers to offer authoritative knowledge for adolescents through experiments, animation and live-action scenarios.

Short video platforms are becoming an arena for more and more experts and scholars where they can share their views. Sun Wu, an influencer in the field of science popularization, told People’s Daily that short videos have achieved the transition from one-way explanation to two-way interaction, which lead to higher user loyalty and greater vitality of the content.

… INEC complied with Electoral Act, guidelines

… Enjoins winners, losers to be civil in approach

A coalition of over 100 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have passed its verdict on the just concluded 18th March, 2023 elections describing it as fair, transparent and credible.

It focus was with particular reference to Cross River state in which the elections were conducted to elect Governors and states Houses of Assembly members just as it happened in several states across the federation.

Dr. Gabriel Nwambu who heads the coalition that operates under the aegis of Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA) while addressing journalists in Calabar, the Cross River state capital said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), complied with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and the extant laws during the election.

The coalition which comprises of INEC Accredited Observer Groups (AOGs) unanimously concluded that the Governorship and State Assembly elections of 18th March 2023 actually held across the 18 Local Government Areas of Cross River State

The Centre further pointed out that it observed the distribution of the sensitive and non-sensitive election materials from the State Headquarters of INEC to the Local Government Areas and then to the RAC Centres for onward movement to various polling units of the state.

Dr. Nwambu further said the elections commenced between 8.30 am and 9.45am across the State with Ad hoc officials observed at about 7am setting up voting cubicles and election materials and that there was an increased voter-apathy when compared to the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

Part of the text of the address reads:

That the BVAS performed optimally at 97% accuracy. A significant improvement when compared to the 25th February, 2023 Presidential and National Assembly Elections. However, we observed 2 instances where the BVAS malfunctioned but supervising officers were quick to replace them as voting continued in good time;

We observed that during collation in Obanliku LGA, some desperate politicians attempted to induce collation officers to alter already collated results;

We observed that an ad-hoc staff, one Mrs Glory Effiom Essien who served in Bakassi LGA was shot by a suspected militant on the 19th of March, 2023. However, she is alive and responding to treatment;

Hoodlums armed with guns and other dangerous material attacked Ogoja LGA INEC collation Centre with an intent of disrupting the collation. Some ad-hoc staffs sustained injuries before the police brought the situation under control;

Security operatives performed creditably well. The police which is the lead agency in charge of internal security and elections complied significantly with the rule of engagement and fundamental principles of election policing globally;

We also observed that the Governorship candidate of the APC, Senator Prince Bassey Otu was declared winner of the election having scored the highest number of lawful votes and was declared winner and returned elected;

Consequently, having analysed INECs logistics in the distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials, the performance of the BVAS, the IRev Viewing Portal, the uploading of the results from the Polling Unit level (that is the FORM EC8A Series), we can therefore say that this election in Cross River State was conducted consistent to the electoral guidelines”.

The coalition unequivocally maintained that the Governorship and State Assembly Elections of 18th March 2023 in Cross River State is transparent, free, fair and credible.

While appreciating the INEC for remaining unbiased in the conduct of this election it equally commended The Police and other law enforcement agencies for their quick response to resolving emergencies and adhering to the rules of engagement.

”Finally, for the Governorship and State Assembly elections, we wish to encourage those who lost in the election to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship by congratulating the winners of the said election”, it concluded.

INEC as an electoral body saddled with the constitutional responsibility of conducting transparent , free, fair and credible elections in Nigeria accredited civil society and Non-Governmental Organizations to serve as domestic and foreign observer groups for the 2023 General Elections.

The essence of this is for the Independent bodies to access the degree of compliance of the electoral management body (INEC), the political stakeholders , the law enforcement agencies, etc to the Electoral Act 2022 and the extant laws as provided by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended). These observer groups are to give unbiased reports on the conduct of the 2023 General Elections.

Cross River state is made up of 18 Local Government Areas, 193 Wards otherwise referred to as Registration Areas and 3,281 Polling Units. The state also has a total of 54,536 registered voters. 21,209 electorates were accredited and voted on the 18 of March, 2023 Governorship and state Assembly Elections.

By Qiu Chaoyi, People’s Daily

Concrete batching plants always give the impression of thick dust, sewage and noise. However, this is not the case for the one owned by Chinese construction engineering company China MCC22 Group Corporation Ltd. in Xiong’an New Area, north China’s Hebei province.

Right beside the plant is a beautiful forest. The workshops there are as quiet as office buildings and the cleanliness of the ground reminds everyone of basketball floors.

According to An Huajie, director of the digital center of the Xiong’an branch of China MCC22 Group Corporation Ltd., the plant has shattered the record in daily production among all concrete batching plants across China.

Xiong’an New Area, which is established to undertake the noncapital functions of Beijing, is currently under construction in full swing. Intelligent construction technologies have been employed in a number of engineering projects there.

Concrete production at the plant is fully automatic and needs no manual operation. In an smart  operating center, there is a big screen that shows real-time information about the seven production lines of the plant. The center is unattended and the production is totally emission-free. The takt time of the plant can be controlled in a millisecond time scale..

Production efficiency has been increased by 3 times while the amount of labor used is cut by 90 percent, An said. The plant has also developed a mobile application that makes concrete ordering as easy as ordering food online.

“We supply over 10 percent of the concrete used in Xiong’an New Area, and our products are seen at over 100 construction sites here,” he told People’s Daily.

Apart from modern buildings, what’s beneath the ground in Xiong’an New Area is surprising, too. To bid farewell to overhead cable networks and frequent road patching that were once a headache in urban management, facilities of water and power supply, gas pipes, heat network and communication cables are all buried in underground pipe galleries in Xiong’an nowadays.

“The galleries are two-storied. Cars can even run on the upper logistics story,” said Huang Ji, technical head of the Rongdong section of the underground pipe gallery project from China MCC20 Group Corporation Ltd.

However, this advanced design was also a challenge for construction. The depth of foundation pits reached over 20 meters at some points, which meant an excavation of over 1.3 million cubic meters, more than enough to fill up 17,000 twenty-foot equivalent units.

To ensure reliable and rapid construction, China MCC20 Group Corporation Ltd. employed photogrammetry and building information modeling, which obtained elevations through drone cameras, built data models and calculated the earth volume. With the help of these frontier technologies, an optimal excavation plan was selected, which cut construction period by a month.

Smart construction is also making construction sites safer. “There are 39 buildings, eight supporting facilities for public services, and two schools. They are expected to be finished within 15 months,” said Chen Zhiguo, site manager of a resettlement project in Xiong’an New Area contracted by Shanghai Baoye Group Corp., Ltd.

The project is assisted by a number of smart devices. For example, the spray system on tower cranes are automatically started or shut down based on air quality detected by particle sensors. There’s also an intelligent gate machine that identifies staff members and construction materials. A weather monitoring system would suggest avoiding working at height to constructors if it sees strong winds.

Chen told People’s Daily that more technological innovations will be employed to contribute to the high-standard construction of Xiong’an New Area.