Dogara Demands DSS Clampdown on False Facebook Publication Designed to Tarnish His Reputation and Incite Public Disorder

Rt. Honourable Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has issued a powerful petition to the Department of State Services against Dr. Tsiga, accusing him of fabricating and spreading a malicious statement on Facebook that is capable of igniting hatred, public unrest, and reputational destruction. The petition, prepared by his legal counsel J.J. Usman, SAN & Co., describes the publication as a reckless and dangerous act calculated to mislead Nigerians and drag Dogara’s name into ridicule and odium.

Dogara’s legal team revealed that Dr. Tsiga falsely attributed to him a statement in Hausa which, when translated, reads: “Nigerians must vote for Tinubu, even if it means the country will collapse.” Dogara categorically denied ever making such remarks, branding the publication as a wicked distortion of democratic principles and a deliberate attempt to portray him as an advocate of coercion. He stressed that the falsehood was not an innocent mistake but a malicious fabrication designed to provoke hostility, resentment, and rancor against him in Nigeria’s already volatile political climate.

The petition insists that imputing such undemocratic views to Dogara is a direct assault on his integrity and credibility, exposing him to public antagonism and bitterness. It describes the act as a calculated smear campaign intended to destroy his reputation and mislead the public into believing he supports anti-democratic positions. Dogara’s counsel emphasized that the publication is not only defamatory but also a dangerous weapon of misinformation capable of destabilizing the democratic process and inflaming public sentiment.

Citing the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, Dogara’s legal team declared that Dr. Tsiga’s actions fall squarely within the ambit of criminal offenses. Section 24(1)(b) criminalizes the intentional transmission of false or offensive messages intended to cause annoyance, insult, or hatred, while Section 24(2)(a) and (c) prohibit knowingly false messages that cause reputational damage or fear. By disseminating the fabricated statement via Facebook, the petition argues, Dr. Tsiga engaged in cyberstalking and the deliberate spread of false information, with clear intent or reckless disregard for the devastating consequences.

Dogara’s petition calls on the DSS to act swiftly and decisively by inviting and interrogating Dr. Tsiga, conducting a thorough investigation into the origin and spread of the false statement, and prosecuting him or taking other appropriate legal measures to serve as a deterrent to others who may attempt similar acts. The petition underscores that this matter transcends personal injury, as such false publications have the potential to destabilize Nigeria’s democratic process by spreading misinformation and inflaming divisions among citizens.

Dogara emphasized that his reputation has been painstakingly built over years of public service, anchored on integrity, responsibility, and respect for democratic values. He described the publication as a vicious and calculated attempt to drag him into disrepute and mislead the public. He urged the DSS to rise to the occasion by safeguarding national security and curbing the spread of false and inflammatory information online, warning that failure to act decisively would embolden others to weaponize social media against respected public figures and institutions.

In conclusion, Dogara expressed confidence in the DSS’s commitment to protecting Nigeria from the dangers of misinformation and cybercrime. He insisted that individuals who deliberately spread falsehoods must face the full weight of the law, not only to protect his personal reputation but also to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process. The petition serves as a stark reminder of the growing menace of malicious online propaganda and the urgent need for strong institutional action to ensure that such reckless acts do not go unchecked.

Large flying population reflects high-quality development of civil aviation in China

By Li Xiaojin

The total number of passenger trips across China during the 40-day 2026 Spring Festival travel rush reached 94.39 million, up 4.6 percent year on year, setting a new record high for the same period in history, statistics from the Civil Aviation Administration of China show.

One figure stands out in the growth of passenger travel: by 2025, China’s total flying population had exceeded 500 million, making it the largest in the world.

Flying population is the number of people who have taken at least one flight during the statistical period. It serves as a key barometer of national and regional economic vitality, reflecting a country’s economic activity and the disposable income of its residents.

From a micro perspective, it also benchmarks the quality of civil aviation services, measuring the sector’s ability to meet consumer demands in safety, capacity, and service quality

China’s position at the top of the global flying population rankings is attributed not just to its large population but also to its robust economic growth and the advanced development of its civil aviation sector. 

Thanks to the growing role of consumption as a key driver of economic growth in China, cross-regional business connections, cultural tourism, and other economic activities have thrived, fueling robust demand in the civil aviation market.

Particularly, many third- and fourth-tier cities, along with remote regions, are seeing an influx of tourists facilitated by the civil aviation sector.

During this year’s Spring Festival travel rush, flight bookings for destinations like Altay in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Beihai in south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and Mangshi in southwest China’s Yunnan province increased by 44 percent, 24 percent, and 22 percent, respectively, according to data from online travel platforms.

Meanwhile, the civil aviation sector has proactively handled passenger traffic by continuously improving flight safety and punctuality, expanding its air route network, and introducing a range of differentiated offerings, such as culture-and-tourism integrated products, air shuttle services, and air-rail intermodal options, better catering to consumers’ personalized and diverse travel demands.

A large flying population positively impacts China’s economic and social development in many ways and helps foster new competitive advantages.

For the aviation industry, steady growth directly benefits aeronautical equipment manufacturing. By the end of 2025, China’s civil aviation fleet included 220 domestically built aircraft in operation, an increase of about 30 from the previous year.

This milestone is driving upgrades across related industrial chains, including aircraft engines, aviation materials, and onboard equipment, accelerating the development of China’s aviation manufacturing sector.

From the perspective of expanding domestic demand, safe, convenient, and cost-effective civil aviation services continue to support business and cultural tourism, foreign trade, and logistics.

For example, during the 2025 Jiangsu Football City League in east China’s Jiangsu province, Nanjing Lukou International Airport in Nanjing, the provincial capital, saw passenger traffic rise by about 29 percent year on year, while Yangzhou Taizhou International Airport in Yangzhou recorded an increase of roughly 21 percent year on year. These figures reflect the civil aviation sector’s notable role in driving consumption.

From the perspective of spillover effects, areas surrounding airports experience relatively rapid economic growth. According to statistics from Civil Aviation University of China, in the first three quarters of 2025, the average GDP growth of cities hosting airports nationwide reached 7.5 percent. This growth is closely linked to airports driving and high-value-added industries in surrounding areas.

Looking ahead, China’s flying population still has considerable room for growth. Young travelers are emerging as a key user group for civil aviation services, with the proportion of teenagers aged 13-18 taking their first flight rising significantly. At the same time, senior travelers is traveling more frequently and covering longer distances. During this year’s Spring Festival holiday (Feb.15-23), first-time flight passengers aged over 60 increased by 20 percent on some major travel platforms.

Despite having one of the world’s largest flying populations, China’s civil aviation sector still has room to improve operational efficiency and profitability compared to global leaders. There is increasing demand for more personalized, diverse, and high-quality services delivered through smart solutions centered on passengers and cargo. Leveraging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to empower airlines, airports, and air traffic management, while strengthening airspace resource safeguarding capabilities, will be crucial.

From a long-term perspective, China’s flying population of over 500 million is just the beginning. In the first two months of this year, China’s civil aviation sector welcomed 8.38 million new first-time air passengers, according to statistics from TravelSky, an information technology service provider for China’s civil aviation and travel industry.

With domestic demand expanding rapidly, a more comprehensive industrial system, and a higher level of openness, China is well-equipped to maintain its status as the world’s largest flying population for years to come.

(Li Xiaojin is director of Aviation Economics and Improvement Research Institute at Civil Aviation University of China. This article is based on an interview Li had with People’s Daily reporter Qiu Chaoyi)

China’s database industry powers massive systems and gains global share

By Gu Yekai, Yu Sinan, People’s Daily

China’s technological capabilities are increasingly evident in the critical field of database software. During the peak of the 2026 Spring Festival travel season, China’s railway ticketing platform 12306 handled over 1 million queries per second, sold over 1,000 tickets per second at peak times, and recorded more than 80 billion daily visits, making it the world’s largest real-time ticketing system.

Amid such massive traffic surges — with hundreds of millions of users vying for tickets within seconds — China’s homegrown databases have played a pivotal role. They not only provided essential support but also served as the foundation engine ensuring the system’s stable, efficient, and secure operation. 

In recent years, China has ramped up investment in core database technologies. A growing number of Chinese database solutions have broken the long-standing dominance of international players, empowering digital transformation across a wide range of industries.

Databases are critical to national economy and people’s livelihoods, and represent a core technology in the software sector. 

Data from the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology show that China’s database market is now valued at nearly 60 billion yuan ($8.71 billion), with 164 database products available. Globally, one in every four database companies is based in China. 

Demonstrating strong capabilities in stability, storage, and computing power, these domestic databases highlight China’s advancements in foundational software and contribute to higher-quality development.

The drive for self-reliance has deep roots. In the late 1970s, Feng Yucai, founder and chairman of Wuhan Dameng Database Co., Ltd. (Dameng), visited Wuhan Iron and Steel Corporation for technical training. At the time, the plant had imported a costly automated management system from abroad. After installation, foreign engineers destroyed three truckloads of technical documentation on-site.

Deeply affected by the incident, Feng resolved to develop China’s own database system. After eight years of research, he created China’s first domestically designed database management system prototype using the Pascal programming language.

As a fully self-developed native distributed database, OceanBase maintains full control over its source code. Since its launch, it has avoided reliance on external technologies and instead focused on achieving independent control over core technologies by writing its kernel code from scratch. In October 2019, OceanBase ranked first in a leading international database benchmark, ending nine years of leadership by foreign companies.

Beyond native distributed databases, China has also outperformed global peers in cloud-native database. In January 2025, Alibaba Cloud’s PolarDB claimed the top position in the TPC-C benchmark, widely regarded as the “Olympics” of the database performance. The test simulates 1.6 billion current users conducting transactions. During the evaluation, PolarDB completed 2.2 trillion data operations with a fluctuation rate of just 0.16 percent, ensuring 100 percent data accuracy. It also set new world records for performance, processing 2.055 billion transactions per minute, and cost efficiency, at 0.8 yuan per unit.

According to Wang Yuan, head of database product technology architecture at Alibaba Cloud, it is precisely the real-world stress tests of massive events like China’s Double 11 shopping festival that have enabled domestic databases to achieve world-class capabilities, driving continuous improvements toward extreme performance and greater simplicity and usability.

Moving from the lab to the market, domestic databases must overcome not only technical challenges but also barriers of market trust. Years ago, foreign database products accounted for over 80 percent of the Chinese market, nearly monopolizing core systems in key sectors such as finance, telecommunications, and energy. For these industries, foreign databases were almost the default choice.

“Even a one-second delay can lead to serious consequences,” said Yang Chuanhui, CTO of OceanBase. “This is especially true in the financial sector, where requirements are extremely stringent. 

To prove their reliability, OceanBase tackled challenges head-on. Its teams often worked on-site, earning trust through technical excellence. Over more than a decade, OceanBase has not only supported all core accounting systems of Chinese payment services platform Alipay, but also achieved stable operation across more than 300 financial institutions, serving over 4,000 clients.

Dameng spent more than a decade developing shared-storage cluster technology for databases, enabling it to move from peripheral systems into the core of high-end markets. Previously, only one foreign company possessed this technology. Driven by market demand, Dameng achieved a breakthrough.

“Good software is shaped through use. Databases, in particular, require continuous refinement in real-world applications to evolve and meet market needs,” Feng said.

Today, domestic databases have become standard infrastructure in key sectors. As their capabilities continue to grow, they are also gaining global traction. From ride-hailing platforms in Southeast Asia and smart city projects in the Middle East to emerging e-commerce in Africa and digital banks in Latin America, Chinese database solutions are offering new options for global digital applications. 

“At present, Alibaba Cloud’s database services cover 29 regions and 92 availability zones worldwide,” said Li Feifei, senior vice president of Alibaba Cloud.

‘Defense bubble’ cannot rescue Japan’s economy

By Zhong Sheng (People’s Daily)

Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited the United States. This diplomatic show, marked by eager alignment with Washington, has drawn widespread criticism from Japanese public opinion.

Insightful voices in Japan pointed out that the Takaichi administration has disregarded economic and public well-being concerns, persistently pushing for constitutional revision, increased defense spending, and expanded arms exports, while currying favor with the United States in the name of so-called “strengthened deterrence.” This, they argue, is “a completely misguided path.”

Hyping up external geopolitical risks to mask domestic economic difficulties is nothing more than a political smokescreen, further exposing the government’s lack of effective macroeconomic governance.

Since taking office, Takaichi has pursued an aggressive policy line under the banner of “Sanaenomics,” advocating what is termed a “responsible proactive fiscal policy,” while placing undue faith in large-scale fiscal spending and ultra-loose monetary policy. The administration seeks to reverse economic decline through the so-called “trickle-down effect” of large corporations.

However, this short-term approach faces structural headwinds: a shrinking and aging population leading to persistent labor shortages and a continuously eroding tax base. The resulting surge in government borrowing has pushed Japan’s public debt-to-GDP ratio beyond 260%, widely considered a high-risk threshold.

Mainstream Japanese media have voiced strong concern, criticizing Takaichi as “highly irresponsible.” Haruhiko Kuroda, former governor of the Bank of Japan, has warned that continuing loose fiscal and monetary policies amidst current inflation and yen depreciation would worsen inflationary pressures.

Compounding these issues, geopolitical tensions and developments in the Middle East are exerting a “double squeeze” on Japan through an “oil premium” and a weakening yen. The economic impact is rapidly spreading from the energy sector to broader aspects of daily life.

Japan’s fragile economic recovery faces additional strain as Takaichi pursues militarization policies, increasing public burdens. Constitutional revision, military expansion, and relaxed defense export restrictions represent both geopolitical gambles and economically hazardous attempts to revive growth through military demand — an outdated model.

The right-wing forces represented by Takaichi are creating a climate of confrontation to justify substantial increases in defense spending, using security anxieties to legitimize shifts in industrial policy, and attempting to channel resources into key sectors under the pretext of “defense.”

Long-standing ties of interest between Japan’s military-industrial enterprises and government institutions have facilitated the directed allocation of massive defense orders to major domestic conglomerates. In 2023 alone, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries secured contracts worth as much as 1.68 trillion yen from the Japanese government. Retired senior officials from Japan’s Ministry of Defense frequently take up positions as special advisors or directors at companies such as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, leveraging their knowledge of internal procurement rules to help firms win lucrative projects.

Since assuming office, Takaichi has advanced the target of raising defense spending to 2 percent of GDP to fiscal year 2025. In the budget for fiscal year 2026 approved at the end of 2025, Japan’s defense spending exceeded 9 trillion yen, marking the 14th consecutive annual increase. Continuous expansion of the defense budget has further entrenched the alignment of interests between the bureaucratic system and the defense industry.

The Takaichi administration also plans to relax restrictions on arms exports in an attempt to profit from overseas sales. For a long time, constrained by Japan’s pacifist constitution, large enterprises could rely only on domestic defense orders. To this end, the administration is actively seeking to lift restrictions on the export of lethal weapons and to fully liberalize defense equipment exports, aiming to turn the military-industrial sector into a “cash cow” for the Japanese economy and break through postwar institutional constraints.

Once such exports are fully opened, Japan’s defense industry would become more expansionary, creating conditions for further right-wing pushes toward constitutional revision and potential involvement in international conflicts.

Japan’s economic recovery requires structural reform. However, to avoid the political costs associated with such reforms, the Takaichi administration has shifted its policy focus toward defense and economic security, simplifying structural reform into “crisis management investment” in sectors such as defense, in an attempt to generate short-term public support and economic stimulus.

During the U.S. visit, the administration expedited domestic budget approval. Despite record spending levels, parliamentary deliberation time was this century’s shortest, prompting criticism of Takaichi’s rushed tactics.

While these measures may create a “defense bubble” in the short term, they essentially bind Japan’s economy ever more tightly to the chariot of “neo-militarism,” with the ultimate costs borne by the Japanese people.

In response to Japan’s procurement of US military equipment totaling 3.55 trillion yen in recent years, the Tokyo Shimbun questioned: “Why does Japan continue to spend large amounts of taxpayers’ hard-earned money on purchasing US weapons? Should this ‘bulk buying’ continue?”

To finance the ever-expanding defense budget, the Japanese government plans to introduce defense-related tax increases involving tobacco taxes, corporate taxes, and individual income taxes, directly adding to the burden on businesses and households.

The militaristic adventurism pursued by the Takaichi administration is by no means a remedy for Japan’s economic challenges, but rather a toxic prescription that risks accelerating systemic decline. This political gamble — seeking to mask governance failures through military procurement and fervent fiscal expansion — is destined to fail in addressing deeply rooted structural problems.

Repeating the mistakes of militarism and attempting to drive growth through the incitement of confrontation will ultimately lead Japan down a dangerous path.

Harnessing Xizang’s high-plateau environment to build greener, more efficient data centers

By Xu Yuyao, People’s Daily

On the outskirts of Lhasa, capital of southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, a giant Tibetan-style complex stands nestled among the mountains. It is a data center operated by local computing company Ningsuan, with a total capacity of 140,000 server racks.

Inside the server halls, a notable feature is the absence of noisy air-conditioning systems..  Despite this, the environment remains cool. What enables this efficient cooling?

“Data centers are major heat generators, and at many facilities a large portion of energy is consumed by cooling systems,” explained Tao Changjun, vice president of Ningsuan. “Here on the Tibetan Plateau, we harness the region’s exceptionally dry air to naturally reduce temperatures and minimize energy consumption.”

Compared to other high-altitude regions such as Yunnan and Guizhou, the air here is even drier; compared to other arid regions, the average temperature is lower. This combination creates ideal conditions for natural cooling.

A key indicator is the wet-bulb temperature, the lowest temperature possible using evaporative cooling. In Lhasa, summer wet-bulb temperatures are significantly lower than in most parts of the world.

“In simple terms, making use of ‘dry air energy’ means maximizing cooling through evaporation, using temperature differences to create pressure differences, and ultimately achieving natural ventilation,” Tao said. Based on this principle, the company designed a system that allows fresh air to circulate through the data center to quickly carry heat away.

Overall, this approach expands how widely natural cooling can be applied in data centers and delivers significant energy savings. It not only ensures stable operations but also reduces total energy consumption by around 30 percent.

While the concept is straightforward, implementation was complex. Data centers require highly stable temperatures, necessitating precise control over evaporation rates, internal temperature gradients, and airflow to mitigate instability from weather fluctuations.

To address this, Ningsuan worked with Xi’an Polytechnic University in northwest China’s Shaanxi province to develop a heat-matching algorithm. By fine-tuning airflow patterns and water evaporation cycles, the system maximizes thermal efficiency and keeps temperatures stable year-round.

Building the cooling equipment also brought challenges. Tao recalled that the first-generation units were designed and manufactured in other provinces before being transported to Lhasa. Initially, they operated normally, but soon began to report frequent errors.

Analysis revealed the issue: while the equipment was adapted for high-altitude conditions like low air pressure and specific thermal properties, certain unique environmental factors, such as intense ultraviolet radiation accelerating material aging, had been overlooked — posing a significant challenge for systems requiring precise control.

Engineers then launched a new round of technical upgrades. By improving operating modes and using advanced composite materials including synthetic fiber-based high-molecular fillers, they significantly enhanced the stability and safety of the equipment in plateau conditions.

Beyond economic efficiency, developing data centers in high-altitude regions demands careful ecological consideration.

To answer these concerns, the center uses heat recovery. Next to the data center sits a large greenhouse that remains warm throughout the year, heated entirely by recycled waste heat. Inside, warm-water fish can be farmed, and crops can be grown.

“Driven by technological innovation, Xizang’s resource advantages can be effectively transformed into economic strengths,” said Jiang Ning, president of Ningsuan. “In the future, data centers here may even generate revenue through carbon credit trading and heat recovery sales.”

China remains predictable partner in turbulent world

By He Yin, People’s Daily

A recent article by a German media outlet observed that, in a world marked by turbulence and frequent conflicts, China is shaping the image of a “predictable partner” by committing to stability and advocating cooperation. 

At a time when “uncertainty” has become a defining word of the era, the international community’s view of China as a “predictable partner” reflects strong recognition of China’s stability and growth potential, and highlights the global significance of China’s governance and development.

“Predictability” stems from policy continuity and efficient governance. The fourth session of the 14th National People’s Congress recently adopted the National Development Planning Law, providing a solid legal framework for science-based formulation and effective implementation of national development plans. 

This move has drawn widespread international attention. Overseas observers believe that China has “institutionalized in legal form a system proven to be effective,” ensuring the stability and predictability of its development while boosting confidence among global businesses to increase investment in China. 

From the first Five-Year Plan to the 14th Five-Year Plan, China has consistently pursued long-term development with clear strategic planning and firm implementation. This “delivering on its promises” approach provides partners with stable expectations for cooperation.

“Predictability” also arises from the consistency and sense of responsibility in China’s foreign policy. China has long embraced the ideal of pursuing the common good of humanity. Against the backdrop of intensifying global conflicts and competition, China remains committed to building a community with a shared future for humanity and to following a path of peaceful development. 

China will never take the beaten path of seeking hegemony as its strength grows, nor does it subscribe to the logic that the world can be run by major countries. Instead, it advocates an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. It upholds a global governance philosophy based on extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, and steers global governance reform following the principles of fairness, justice, openness and inclusiveness.

No matter how the international landscape evolves, China continues to act with the responsibility and commitment of a major country, contributing reliable strength to a turbulent world and remaining firmly a predictable partner committed to upholding international order and opposing destabilizing policies.

“Predictability” is further rooted in the certainty China brings to the world through its own development. Over the past five years, China’s economy has grown at an average annual rate of 5.4 percent, contributing around 30 percent to global economic growth. Through steady development and pragmatic cooperation, China continues to generate positive momentum. 

The outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan charts an ambitious vision for high-quality development — from fostering new quality productive forces, to enhancing digital and intelligent development, and to expanding high-standard opening up. China will continue to work with all parties to complement each other’s strengths, share opportunities, and achieve mutual development through deeper integration of interests. 

As Luz Maria de la Mora, Director of the Division on International Trade and Commodities of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, noted: “As the world’s largest exporter and second-largest importer, China is committed to high-level opening up and creates more predictable and diversified opportunities for global businesses.” Her remarks exactly mirror a broad international consensus.

At its core, China’s “predictability” is grounded in a consistent value orientation: improving the lives of its people. China seeks a stable external environment for development and aims to make the world a better place through its own progress. The belief that “China will do well only when the world does well, and vice versa” underscores China’s enduring commitment to the well-being of humanity. With a broad vision and a strong sense of responsibility, China remains steadfast as a force for peace, stability, and justice in the world.

“Predictability” means reliability and reassurance, especially at critical moments. China will continue to stand firmly on the right side of history, contributing steady momentum to global development through its own progress and offering stability in a time of profound global change. It will remain a consistently stable, reliable, and constructive force in an increasingly uncertain world.

Vision of building community with shared future for humanity lights way forward

By He Yin, People’s Daily

On March 23, 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping first proposed the vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity when he addressed the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. With a broad and forward-looking perspective, this vision has helped guide global development and progress. 

Over the past 13 years, this vision has evolved from a compelling idea into concrete, wide-ranging practice. People around the world increasingly recognize its contemporary relevance and the strength of its principles. Like a beacon, it continues to light the way forward for humanity.

In a world marked by overlapping disruptions and uncertainty, the long-term vision and global implications of this vision have become ever more evident. 

Humanity faces mounting challenges: hegemonism and power politics are on the rise; unilateralism and protectionism are resurging; multilateralism and free trade are under growing strain. 

Seen through the lens of zero-sum and “my country first,” the world appears narrow, crowded, and conflict-ridden. However, from the perspective of shared interests and win-win cooperation, it looks markedly different: more open, more interconnected, and full of opportunity.

The vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity follows the laws of social development and aligns with the trend toward peace and development. It sends a clear message: in the face of common challenges, no country can succeed in isolation. Cooperation and coexistence remain the most viable path forward. 

As John Milligan-Whyte, chairman of the America-China Partnership Foundation noted, Western thinking has often assumed that “for one to win, another must lose.” When this vision was proposed in 2013, it challenged such assumptions, and today it is increasingly shaping how the world operates.

A just cause commands broad support and unites people across nations. The vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity has taken deep root in people’s hearts. 

It has been written into resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly for nine consecutive years and has received support from more than 100 countries and international organizations. Dozens of countries and regions have reached consensus with China on building communities with shared futures in various forms. 

Progress has been made across fields such as cyberspace, nuclear security, public health, human-nature relations, and maritime cooperation. Its appeal and influence continue to grow. 

According to a 2025 Global Survey on Impression and Understanding of China, nearly 80 percent of overseas respondents recognized this vision. Favorable perceptions of China continued to rise, with increasing expectations for China to play a greater global role.

China’s actions, guided by a commitment to the common good, are gathering forces for cooperation and global solidarity. 

In addressing development challenges, China has advanced high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, granted zero-tariff treatment on 100 percent of tariff lines to all least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations, and promoted similar measures for 53 African countries it has diplomatic relations with. 

It has also built platforms for exchange and cooperation, such as the China International Import Expo, the China International Fair for Trade in Services, and the China International Consumer Products Expo, continuously sharing development opportunities through higher-level opening up. 

A slogan displayed on the cranes at Chancay Port in Peru — “A port of all, a port for all” — reflects China’s commitment to ensuring that no country is left behind on the path to modernization.

In the face of global uncertainties, China has actively played its role as a responsible major country, contributing Chinese solutions to global challenges, working tirelessly to foster peace, and building consensus. 

It has put forward the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative. These four global initiatives respond to the urgent needs of today’s world, have been widely welcomed as international public goods, and provide strategic guidance for building a community with a shared future for humanity.

As China enters the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), the country is advancing steadily, growing robustly, and moving in the right direction. It will strive to serve as an anchor of certainty and a source of stability for the world. 

With firm conviction and pragmatic action, China will work with all parties to turn the vision of a community with a shared future for humanity into reality, seeking to contribute to global development and human progress.

Court Sacks Sado, Reinstates Akemokue as Okuokpellagbe of Okpella

An Edo State High Court, Agenebode Division sitting in Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area, has nullified the removal of Engr. Lukman Akemokue, as the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella and ordered Michael Eshiorenoya Sado to vacate the throne immediately.

In a judgment delivered on Thursday, March 26, 2026, by Justice O.A. Otamere in Suit No. HAG/12/2025, the court declared Akemokue’s dethronement by the Edo State Government on April 30, 2025, unlawful and a violation of his constitutional right to a fair hearing under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.

Engr. Lukman Akemokue was officially appointed and gazetted as Okuokpellagbe in September 2024. About seven months later, the government removed him following petitions from some community members who alleged that his selection did not follow due process. Michael Sado was subsequently installed in his place.

The court held that Akemokue was not given any opportunity to defend himself against any allegations of wrongdoing leveled against him. It further ruled that no proper investigation or formal inquiry was conducted before the removal, which was based solely on complaints, thereby breaching the principles of natural justice. Justice Otamere emphasized that once a traditional ruler is duly appointed and gazetted, he acquires a legal right to the stool that can not be arbitrarily withdrawn.

The court therefore ordered that the removal of Engr. Lukman Akemokue is null and void, that he remains the authentic Okuokpellagbe of Okpella with no vacancy on the throne, and that Michael Sado should vacate the throne forthwith. Engr Lukman Akemokue is entitled to continue performing all duties and enjoying all benefits attached to the office.

The ruling has sparked reactions, with wild celebrations across Okpella, and the Edo State Government is reportedly considering an appeal. Stakeholders have been urged to maintain peace and avoid any form of self help that could escalate tensions in the kingdom.

Digital infrastructure powers Xiong’an, China’s ‘city of future’

By Xia Kangjian, People’s Daily

As night falls, a deep-blue “eye” gazes into the distance. Located in the western part of the Rongdong district of Xiong’an New Area, north China’s Hebei province, the Xiong’an Urban Computing Center rests quietly. Resembling a human eye in its architectural design, it is locally known as the “Eye of Xiong’an.” 

Inside this “city brain,” servers glow with streams of blue light, supporting multidimensional computing for government services, urban planning, and ecological management. Large screens display a continuously evolving virtual city model on a digital operations platform.

“The Xiong’an Urban Computing Center adopts an integrated computing system that includes edge computing, cloud computing, supercomputing, and intelligent computing, providing computing, storage, and network services for big data, blockchain, and the Internet of Things across the city,” said Zhao Song, an engineer at the center.

When asked what practical benefits the center brings, Zhao replied, “There are quite a lot,” citing the Xiong’an Pass project as an example. Its systems are deployed at the Xiong’an Urban Computing Center, allowing residents to use a third-generation social security card — known as the Xiong’an Pass — to access services in government affairs, social security, healthcare, transportation, and daily consumption. To date, more than 810,000 such cards have been issued, with over 6 million uses recorded. 

“The computing center provides strong support for our operations,” said Zhang Xu, project manager of the Xiong’an Pass at China Xiong’an Group Digital City Company. 

During a government-led consumption promotion campaign, the mini-program of Xiong’an Pass experienced up to 40,000 concurrent connections at the moment vouchers were released, placing high demands on bandwidth and cloud resource responsiveness, Zhang noted.

With 50 petabytes of current storage capacity and a planned expansion to 1,000 petabytes, the facility prioritizes sustainability. Its design includes over 10,000 square meters of ultra-low energy consumption building space, setting national benchmarks for green infrastructure. Critically, all technologies — from chips and servers to cloud platforms and applications — are domestically developed.

All government service systems in Xiong’an New Area are hosted at the computing center. Enterprises such as China Satellite Network Group Co., Ltd., China Space-Time Information Co., Ltd., and China Xiong’an Group, along with research institutions including the Institute of Computing Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Xiong’an Institute of Meteorological Artificial Intelligence, have also deployed their operations here. To date, the center has aggregated over 38 billion data entries and handled more than 400 million shared interface calls

As a “city of the future” entrusted with a mission of lasting national significance, Xiong’an integrates intelligence and innovation into its development, with the digital city and the physical city evolving in tandem.

In Xiong’an, even traffic lights can “think.” During morning rush hour in the Rongdong district, traffic signals adjust in real time based on traffic flow — an example of the city’s artificial intelligence-powered system and a vivid illustration of its digital twin model.

Underground utility tunnels also reflect this digital intelligence. “Through digital twin technology, sensor devices, and building information modeling, we monitor and provide early warnings for potential issues in water, electricity, gas, heating, and communication systems,” Zhao explained. In Xiong’an, every building, road, and pipeline has its own “digital ID.” “The digital city enables more precise and efficient urban governance,” Zhao added.

Xiong’an New Area has established a smart city standards system based on building information modeling and city information modeling platforms. It has built an independently innovative urban computing system featuring coordinated edge-cloud supercomputing integration, while achieving full coverage of IPv6, the HarmonyOS ecosystem, and sensing systems. Smart applications from government services and environmental protection to transportation and energy, are being rapidly implemented across the city.

Xiong’an: building a city around green space

By Sun Longfei, Li Anqi, People’s Daily

From above, the Central Green Valley in the start-up zone of Xiong’an New Area stretches across 500 hectares like a green artery, linking clusters of buildings into a cohesive whole.

“Five years ago, this was largely undeveloped land. Today, it is lush and green as far as the eye can see,” said Wu Fangfang, deputy general manager of Ecological Construction Company under China Xiong’an Group.

Stretching roughly 7 kilometers from north to south — connecting the northern forest belt to Baiyangdian Lake — and spanning roughly 3.2 kilometers east to west, the Central Green Valley forms the core ecological framework of the start-up zone. 

Its design features one corridor connecting functional zones, two valleys creating a harmonious blend of dense and open spaces that integrate the city with its waterways, three scenic lakes, and 18 distinctively designed parks catering to diverse recreational needs. 

Green development is the defining ecological feature of Xiong’an New Area. Since its establishment, the area has adhered to the principle of prioritizing ecological conservation and pursuing green development. Initiatives such as the “millennium forest project” and the environmental restoration of Baiyangdian Lake have laid the groundwork for an ecological foundation in which blue-green spaces will account for 70 percent of the total area.

The Daqing River forest area marked the starting point of the “millennium forest project”. Nearly nine years after the first sapling was planted, green space has steadily spread across the region, forming a dense ecological barrier — like an unfolding emerald necklace. 

Using a near-natural afforestation model that conbines mixed species, multi-layered structures, and trees of different ages, Xiong’an has completed afforestation on 32,200 hectares. The total forest area has reached 49,533 hectares, with forest coverage rising from 11 percent before the area’s establishment to 35.1 percent today.

Biodiversity metrics confirm ecological success: bird species have increased by 90 to 296 since 2025, including first-recorded Eastern Crowned Warblers and stable populations of globally endangered Baer’s Pochards. As environmental indicators, these species validate ecosystem recovery.

Balancing production, living, and ecological spaces to enhance urban livability is a key objective of China’s urban development. Livability means more than just adequate housing; it requires accessible, high-quality natural environments.

In Xiong’an New Area, residents enjoy green views from their windows and can reach a park within minutes of their homes. Covering 160 hectares, Yuerong Park embodies traditional Chinese aesthetics, unfolding along the south-north central axis of Xiong’an like a long, unfolding landscape painting.

“A well-designed park should feel integrated into the city and easily accessible,” said Zhang Liwei, chief engineer of Xiong’an Planning Institute, adding that “greening first, then building the city” is a guiding principle. From the outset, the ecological blueprint prioritized blue-green spaces. The locations of parks were determined first, with roads and land-use planned around them. At Central Green Valley Park, the boundaries blur seamlessly with urban roads, allowing free movement between spaces.

More than 20 urban parks have been planned and built across the start-up area and other key zones like the fifth cluster of the initial development area, Rongdong, Rongxi, Zangang, and Xiongdong, covering approximately 4,400 hectares in total. Xiong’an is demonstrating a new paradigm for urban development, placing nature at its core.

According to Zhang, residents can reach a woodland within three kilometers, a forest belt within one kilometer, and a community park within 300 meters — with recreational green spaces woven throughout the city.

Meanwhile, parks are being upgraded with increasingly versatile facilities, enriched cultural offerings, and people-centered design in every detail.

By continuously expanding and connecting blue and green spaces, nurturing harmony between people and nature, and integrating the new city closely with Baiyangdian Lake, the planners and builders of Xiong’an New Area are laying a vivid, green foundation for a modern city with ecological vision.