Nigeria Times

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

In the vast farmlands of Iowa, United States, farmer Grant Kimberley cultivates thousands of acres of soybeans. Following autumn harvests, the soybeans undergo cleaning, sorting, and packaging before being transported toMississippi Riverports for international shipping..

After traversing the Pacific Oceanfor several weeks, these cargo vessels reach Chinese ports. The soybeans are then delivered to processing plants, where they are refined into soybean oil and soybean meal.

The soybean oil enters China’s retail and food service sectors, becoming essential cooking oil for millions of householdsnationwide. Meanwhile, the soybean meal serves ashigh-quality feed for China’s livestock and poultry industries.

This transcontinental journey of Iowa soybeans exemplifies the dynamic agricultural cooperation between China and the United States.Agricultural collaboration has consistently remained one of the earliest-established, most substantive, and strategically significant areas in bilateral relations since diplomatic normalization.

As the world’s largest agricultural importer, China naturally complements the United States’ position as the top global agricultural exporter. This symbiotic relationship creates mutually beneficial outcomes, establishing both nations as inherently complementary partners in agricultural trade and development.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), American agricultural exports to China totaled 24.5 billion, with China purchasing $12.8 billion worth of soybeans—over half of the total.

These imports not only fulfill critical demands in China’s domestic market but also stimulate growth across U.S. agricultural supply chains, elevating farm incomes and generating measurable mutual benefits.

Sino-U.S. agricultural collaboration has enriched consumer choices in both nations while bolstering rural livelihoods. In 2023, the average U.S. farmer exported approximately $9,000 in agricultural goods to China. A significant milestone occurred in January 2023, when the two nations reinstated their bilateral agricultural cooperation framework, paving the way for joint advancements in climate-resilient farming practices and sustainable food production. This partnership continues to diversify in scope and ambition.

As China transitions from a major agricultural producer to a global agricultural powerhouse, its modernization drive—engaging nearly 500 million farmers—is amplifying demand for premium agricultural products. This evolution promises expanded opportunities for Sino-U.S. agricultural trade within open, rules-based markets.

Deepening agricultural ties between China and the U.S. extend far beyond bilateral gains, serving as a cornerstone for global food security and agricultural innovation. The inherent complementarity between the world’s largest agricultural importer and exporter fosters a stable, mutually reinforcing relationship that benefits producers, consumers, and global supply chains alike.

The two nations have collaborated extensively in agricultural technology and sustainable development, spanning innovations such as precision agriculture, biotechnology,water-efficientirrigation systems, and smart farming practices.These joint efforts have injected substantial momentum into global agricultural modernization, driving the transformation of food production systems worldwide and bolstering initiatives to combat hunger and poverty..

In recent years, however,China-U.S. agricultural cooperation has encountered mounting challenges. The U.S. government’s tariff imposition of tariffs has cast uncertainty over bilateral agricultural trade.As the Washington Post recently highlighted, Washington’s protectionist trade policies have once again positioned American farmers at the epicenter of global trade tensions.

Analyses by U.S. media estimate that tariff measures enactedbetween 2018 and 2019 resulted in nearly $26 billion in lost agricultural exports, with American farmers’ incomes in 2019 plummeting by approximately 8% compared to 2017 levels.

The USDA’s 2025 Agricultural Outlook projects that U.S. agricultural exports to China at $22 billion for 2025. Jim Sutter, CEO of the US Soybean Export Council, underscored that farmers bear the brunt of trade war repercussions—a sentiment echoing across American agricultural communities.

Trade wars produce no victors. Unilateralism and protectionism not only contravene market principles but also erode the bedrock of China-U.S agricultural cooperation. Agriculture, as a cornerstone of societal well-being, must remain insulated from politicization or unwarranted securitization.

China remains committed to openness and inclusiveness, steadfastly advancing high-level openingup. It is imperative for the United Statescollaborate with China in resolving differences through constructive dialogue, fostering a stable environment for agricultural cooperation, and  safeguarding the shared interests of farmers and consumers in both nations.By aligning efforts, the two countries can spearhead sustainable agricultural development on a global scale.

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

By Shen Xiaoxiao, Song Yiran, People’s Daily

At the Egyptian Space City, a gleaming white sphere rises above the complex – a futuristic beacon in the desert. Inside, the antenna ofthe satelliteMISRSAT-2 quietlygoes about its work: receiving, recording, storing, and transmitting data from orbit.

Launched in December 2023 from China’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, MISRSAT-2 marks a significant milestone in international space cooperation. The satellite is the fruit of a joint effort between Chinese and Egyptian governments, with simultaneous design work in both countries and assembly, testing and environment qualification taking place at the Egyptian Space City – built with Chinese assistance.

This achievement makes Egypt the first African country to have complete satellite assembly and testing capabilities, symbolizing China’s ongoing commitment to expanding space cooperation.

As of December 2024, China had signed nearly 200 intergovernmental space cooperation agreements with more than 50 countries and international organizations, covering a wide range of fields such as Earth observation, deep space exploration, satellite development, lunar exploration, and crewed spaceflight. Through these partnerships, China’stechnological advancements are increasingly leveraged for the benefit of humanity.

“The high-resolution images provided by MISRSAT-2have been applied in Egypt’surban planning, land resource surveys, crop monitoring, water resource management, and infrastructure development, all of which are integral to realizing Egypt’s Vision 2030,” said Sherif Sedky, CEO of the Egyptian Space Agency.

Egypt is home to the headquarters of the African Space Agency. “Our cooperation with China not only accelerates the growth of Egypt’s space sector but also propels space technology forward across Africa,” noted Tamer Talal, the Egyptian chief systemdesigner of MISRSAT-2.

The effects of this cooperation extend well beyond North Africa. In Brazil’s northern state of Para, real-time deforestation alerts – powered by data from the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite (CBERS) project – are enabling rapid responses against illegal mining and logging.

Since the project was launched in 1988, China and Brazil have jointly developed six earth-resource satellites, providing crucial data for natural resource management, agriculture, forestry, geology, water resources, urban planning, and environmental protection. The satellites have also helped monitor global disasters such as forest fires, floods, earthquakes and tsunamis.

During the severe rainstorms and floods in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul last April, data from CBERS-04 and CBERS-04Awere instrumental in monitoring flood movements, mapping the damage, and helping officials assess the condition of urban infrastructure. The imagery proved invaluable in the Brazilian government’s reconstruction planning.

“China-Brazil space cooperation is not only advancing science and technology in both countries – it is delivering benefits on a global scale,” said Luciana Santos, minister of science, technology and innovation in Brazil.

Since 2003, with the launch of CBERS-02, China and Brazil have jointly provided 20-meter resolution satellite data free of charge to countries worldwide. Both the Brazilian Space Agency and the China National Space Administration have pledged to expand the distribution of this data to more regions, making space-based information a public good for global development.

Over in South Asia, Pakistan has witnessed a similar transformation. On May 11, 2024, a striking satellite image captured both the Sun and the Moon in a single frame – with lunar craters rendered in stark detail – captivating the Pakistani public and dominated national headlines.

The image was taken by ICUBE-Q, Pakistan’s first lunar satellite, jointly developed by the Institute of Space Technology of Pakistan and China’s Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Hitching a ride on China’s Chang’e-6 lunar probe, and launched aboard a Long March 5 rocket, ICUBE-Q has since entered lunar orbit and begun transmitting telemetry data back to Earth.

This achievement is merely one highlight in an expanding chapter of China-Pakistan space collaboration. In recent years, satellites co-developed by both countries have begun reshaping multiple sectors within Pakistan, delivering measurable improvements in everyday life.

The Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite (PRSS-1), another cooperation project between the two countries,now provides high-resolution Earth observation data for land surveys, environmental protection, disaster monitoring and management, crop yield estimation, and urban development.

Adding to this momentum, China launched a multi-mission communication satellite for Pakistan at its Xichang Satellite Launch Center in May 2024. Equipped with next-generation technology, the new satellite has significantly enhanced Pakistan’s capabilities in satellite communication and navigation.

Qamarul Islam, a professorat the Institute of Space Technology of Pakistan, remarked that the long-standing, wide-ranging space cooperation between China and Pakistan has fostered deep mutual understanding and seamless collaboration among scientists from both nations, laying a solid foundation for future achievements.

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

U.S. carmaker Tesla’s new Megafactory in Shanghai, a sprawling 200,000-square-meter facility, launched production this February, marking a significant milestone in China-U.S. investment cooperation.

Built in just over eight months, the factory is set to produce 10,000 energy storage battery units annually, adding roughly 40 gigawatt-hours of storage capacity. The project, expected to boost Tesla’s global energy storage output by over 50 percent from last year, highlights what some see as a model of the synergistic “Shanghai speed”meeting “Tesla speed.”

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1979, two-way investment between China and the U.S. has grown exponentially – from near zero to $260 billion, while bilateral trade has ballooned from under $2.5 billion to over $680 billion. More than 70,000 U.S. companies have invested and operated in China, with exports to the Chinese market supporting 930,000 American jobs. At the same time, more than 7,000 Chinese enterprises have invested over $140 billion in the U.S., creating over 1 million American jobs.

A notable testament to this interdependency is China’s Fuyao Group. In 2014, the company inaugurated the world’s largest automotive glass production facility in Ohio. The facility has since become an essential part of the U.S. auto supply chain – a crucial engine for local employment and economic growth.

China offers vast investment and development opportunities for global businesses, including American firms. Despite rising concerns overunilateralism, protectionism, and geopolitical tensions, many U.S.businesses continue to view China as a vital market and key node in global innovation and supply chains.

A report by the American Chamber of Commerce in China (AmCham China) released in January revealed that 48 percent of surveyed U.S. firms ranked China among their top three global investment destinations, and 53 percent planned to increase their investment in the country this year.

Alvin Liu, chair of AmCam China, underscored the enduring importance of China as both a crucial consumer market for American companies and a critical contributor to global innovation and supply chains.This sentiment is echoed by many U.S. businesses, who maintain that disengagement from China is not a viable commercial strategy. They argue that the country offers an unparalleled industrial ecosystem, an improving business environment, stable foreign investment policies, and a highly skilled workforce.

Sean Stein, president of the U.S.-China Business Council, noted that China has grown into the world’s second-largest consumer market, offeringsignificant opportunities for global companies.

Even efforts to shift production away from China have often proven impractical. When Apple sought to manufacture high-end computers in the U.S., it quickly encountered inefficiencies in domestic production compared with its longstanding Chinese partnerships. Apple CEO Tim Cook openly acknowledged that Apple’s global success is inextricably linked to its Chinese suppliers.

For both countries, the economic logic of continued investment cooperation remains compelling: while competition is inevitable, economic complementarity is the dominant force at play. By leveraging theirrespective strengths, the two countries stand to create growth opportunities that neither could achieve alone – a dynamic often summarized as “1+1>2.”

With China’s economy continuing to recover and global investors reaffirming their confidence, many view investment in China as an investment in the future. At the same time, Chinese investment in the U.S. has helped drive innovation, job creation and industrial growth.

Politicizing investment and imposing arbitrary restrictions would not bolster American competitiveness – still less curb China’s development – but would instead erode the mutual benefits that businesses and people in both countries have long enjoyed.

As China moves forward with reform and modernization, and as the U.S. seeks to revitalize its economy, opportunities for collaboration remain abundant. By prioritizing mutual benefit over political rivalry, the two nations can foster a more stable and prosperous investment environment – one that sustains long-term growth for both their economies and their people.

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

By Lyu Xiaoxun, People’s Daily

“Chinese manufacturerscan barely keep up with theflood of orders from African buyers,”remarked an executive from a high-tech agricultural machinerycompanyduring the recent”Zhejiang Agricultural Machinery Going to Africa”virtual expo.

The executive emphasized that establishing additional overseas warehouses in Africa is now the top priority for Chinese agricultural equipment producers, as they grapple with skyrocketing global demand.

The appeal of Chinese agricultural machinery in Africa markets stems from its tailored  adaptability. African farmers prioritize equipment that is user-friendly, multifunctional, and highly adaptable to local conditions. Take China’s walk-behind tractors as an example: By simply switching attachments, these machines can perform tasks ranging from rotary tillage, trenching, and sowing to serving as power sources for water pumping, irrigation, and processing grains or animal feed. Such multi-functionality reduces costs and streamlines operations, naturally winning market preference.

Statistics show that from 2018 to 2023, agricultural machinery exports from Zhejiang province in east China to Africa grew at an average annual rate of 20 percent.

Beyond agricultural machinery, a diverse array of Chinese products – from electric blankets, heaters, and smartphones to UV-resistant fabrics and e-bikes – have gained immense traction in global markets in recent years. This phenomenon is driven not only by product reliability but also by manufacturers’ deliberate efforts to align with localized consumer preferences.

For example, in equatorial regions with intense sunlight, Chinese smart phone manufacturer OPPO optimized its LCD screens for high-brightness outdoor visibility, addressing a key pain point for users struggling to view their phones under direct sunlight.

For Thai households using mixed flooring materials in apartments, Chinese intelligent home appliance manufacturer Dreame Technologydesigned four specialized vacuum cleaner attachments – including a soft roller brush with LED lighting and a dual-purpose bristle brush – to enhance cleaning efficiency.

The shift from “selling what we produce” to “producing what you need” has made Chinese products more scenario-specific and appealing to international buyers.

Satisfying global market requirements demands continuous technological breakthroughs. When an Irish construction firm sought two heavy-duty automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in 2023 requiring synchronized lifting to 3 meters – a request declined by European manufacturers – Tianjin Lonyu Robot Co., Ltd. delivered a functional prototype promptly. The product’s performance later secured repeat orders.

Similarly, Chinese consumer electronic company Anker Innovations captured Middle Eastern markets by introducing smartphone cables boasting 30-fold durability enhancements over conventional models, tailored to withstand extreme regional environmental conditions..

In global competition, Chinese brands are forging distinctive advantages through independent R&D to strengthen their international presence.

The phenomenon of “production struggling to match order volumes”reflects both manufacturing vitality and saleseffectiveness.

A female entrepreneur in Yiwu, east China’s Zhejiang province, recently leveraged DeepSeek to create multilingual promotional videos for socks, effortlessly expanding her cross-border business.

At the “Zhejiang Agricultural Machinery Going to Africa” expo, an Egyptian fruit grower was impressed by an automated fruit sorter produced by Zhejiang-based DekfellerIntelligent Machinery Manufacturing Co., Ltd.: “It’s like apples riding a mini train through CT scanning – I can’t wait to see this product in Egyptian market.”

Platforms like the China International Fair for Trade in Services and the China Import and Export Fair facilitate transactions, while cross-border e-commerce erases geographical barriers. Emerging digital tools continuously boost the global visibility of Chinese products.

Today’s global competition revolves around entire supply chains rather than standalone products. True globalization means integrating with local industries and communities.

For instance, Chinese home appliance manufacturer Hisense’s industrial park in South Africa, established 12 years ago, has created over 6,000 local jobs and incorporated more than 10 local suppliers into its industrial chain.

Chinese renewable energy company Universal Energy has built renewable power plants in Kazakhstan, reducing electricity costs and cutting carbon dioxide emissions while meeting local power demand.

From trade to investment, manufacturing to lifestyle services, Chinese brands are co-developing sustainable growth paths worldwide, seizing opportunities through mutual prosperity.

By He Yin, People’s Daily

In a striking display of technological prowess, the 2025 Zhongguancun(ZGC) Forum Annual Conference recently concluded in Beijing with a range of innovations, offering a glimpse into a future where innovation is not just anticipated, but realized.

The event, highlighted by an AI agent,an entirely seamless experience, and over 100 intelligent robotic “volunteers,”became a vivid showcase of China’scutting-edge innovations, capturing the essence of “the future is now.”

The steadily growing technological sophistication of the conferencereflects China’s ongoing breakthroughs in scientific and technological innovation. Since its inception in 2007, the ZGC forum has grown into a pivotal platform for global technological exchanges and cooperation. This year’s theme, “New Quality Productive Forces and Global Technology Cooperation,”centered on discussions of emerging technologies such as AI large models, embodied intelligence, quantum technology, biomedicine, 6G, and brain-computer interfaces.

Among the conference’s key takeaways were the unveiling of China’s National Innovation Index Report 2024 and its top 10 scientific advances of 2024. These reports not only affirmed the country’s rapid technological evolution but also reinforced the forum’s status as a key bellwether for frontier technologies and future industries – underscoring its crucial role in bridging innovation with industrial ecosystems.

Technological innovation stands as a central pillar of developing new quality productive forces, spurring the growth of new industries, business models, and economic momentum. As this year’s conference illustrated, China’s ongoing innovation boom is cultivating a new wave of productive forces.

Among the highlights were the introduction of 100 new technologies and products, 100 international tech trade innovation projects, the launch of a smart service platform for tech commercialization, and the signing of 11 major cooperation agreements. These developments reflect China’s robust culture of innovation and its immense potential todrive the development of new quality productive forces.

China has been rapidly advancing its innovation-driven development strategy, with technological progress now contributing over 60 percent to its economic growth. Over the past decade, the country has emerged as one of the world’sfastest-growinginnovativeeconomies, becoming the first to secure 4 million valid invention patents.

It also leads the world with 26 science and technology clusters in the top 100, holding the top global ranking for two consecutive years. Furthermore, China remains the world’s largest patent filer, with international applications under the Patent Cooperation Treaty growing 0.9 percent year on year.

As foreign media have noted, a thriving ecosystem nurtures towering achievements, and China has long been nurturing such an environment. By linking technological breakthroughs with industrial application, China is driving new industrialization and sustaining the momentum of new quality productive forces, which in turn serves as a key engine for high-quality economic growth.

Amid a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, China is exploring models of win-win cooperation that encourage global technology sharing and universally beneficial progress. Notable examples include the open-source approach taken by Chinese AI pioneer DeepSeek and the commitment by Chinese new energy vehicle giant BYD to make its core technologies available to the entire industry. Such cases reflect China’s dedication to promoting both technological advancements and collaborative innovation on a global scale.

Beyond its borders, China is building a network of international partnerships. The country is developing the China-Japan-ROKInnovation Cooperation Center, workingwith Laos to jointly establish the China-Laos Artificial Intelligence Innovation Cooperation Center, and has signed a cooperation agreement on spaceflight of a Pakistani astronaut on Chinese space station. These efforts underscore China’s commitment to fostering shared technological progress that benefits the world at large.

At the 2025 ZGCForum Annual Conference, open-source projects like the “Chang’an Chain” blockchain platform and Li Auto’s open-sourced Halo OS garnered global attention, reinforcing China’s role in cultivating an open, innovative ecosystem.

Daren Tang, director general of the World Intellectual Property Organization, expressed hope for closer and stronger collaboration with Zhongguancun, a major technology hub in China, emphasizing the need to inject continuous momentum into global development and prosperity.

The world can only unlock broader opportunities through openness and cooperation. As China accelerates its pursuit of greater technological self-reliance and strength, it remains committed to working alongside other nations to advance new quality productive forces, tackle global challenges, and promote mutually beneficial progress. By emphasizing openness and collaboration, China aims to ensure that the benefits of technological innovation reach all corners of the globe.

By He Yin, People’s Daily

On March 28, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with representatives of the international business community at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. More than 40 global chairmen and chief executive officers of foreign businesses as well as representatives of business councils attended the meeting.

Xi said that foreign businesses are important participants in the Chinese modernization drive, in the country’s reform and opening up and innovation, and in its interconnectivity with the world and integration into economic globalization.

He stressed that China has been and will remain an ideal, secure, and promising destination for foreign investors. Embracing China is embracing opportunities, believing in China is believing in a better tomorrow, and investing in China is investing in the future.

In a signal of China’senduring role in the global economy, top executives from multinational corporations (MNCs) recently convened in the country for a series of high-profile international conferences, including the China Development Forum 2025, the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference2025, and the 2025 Zhongguancun (ZGC)Forum Annual Conference. Their presence underscores China’s continued appeal as a hub for innovation and economic engagement.

As a major contributor to global economic growth, China is bringing much-needed stability to the world as it advances its modernization drive. In the first two months of this year, China’s economic recovery gained momentum, marked by rising potential in its vast consumer market, steady progress in institutional opening up, and rapid development of new quality productive forces – drawing a continuous influx of international capital.

Amid rising geopolitical tensions, protectionism, and mounting global economic uncertainties, China’s commitment to high-quality economic growth has provided a rare sense of warmth and confidence for global businesses.

With its huge market, clear policy direction, and well-developed business environment, China remains a critical destination for foreign investment. Since the beginning of this year, China has rolled out a range of measures, including an action plan to stabilize foreign investment and policies outlined in the government work report to stabilize foreign trade. These measures seek to further ease market access, align with high-levelglobal standards, facilitate investment, and create a more favorable business environment – underscoring China’scommitment to sharing growth opportunities with the rest of the world.

MNC executives have expressed their optimism, describing China’s market as both dynamic and indispensable. “The opportunities and growth potential in China are truly exciting,”one executive noted, while another affirmed, “China is not just an option but a must.” This shared confidence is steadily translating into concrete investment commitments, reflecting sustained interest in the country’s economic trajectory.

ForMNCs, China has evolved beyond a manufacturing hub into a critical center for research and development. Its dynamic innovation ecosystem provides a crucial platform for global companies seeking to enhance their competitiveness.

Germany’s leading luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz, for instance, will invest an additional 14 billion yuan ($1.92 billion) into the Chinese market, increasing its product portfolio in the country. American medicine giant Eli Lilly and Company has opened its innovation accelerator Lilly Gateway Laboratory in Beijing, the company’s fourth facility of its kind and the first to open outside the U.S. – drawn by the vast opportunities brought about by China’s technological advancements.

A recent PwC survey of over 100 executives from MNCs found that50 percent of surveyed MNCs believe the importance of China’s innovation ecosystem to their global strategies will continue to grow.

Antoine de Saint-Affrique, CEO of French food group Danone, views China as not just a crucial market but also as one of the world’s most advanced innovation ecosystems.

Multilateralism is the only choicefor addressing global challenges. Foreign businesses, especially MNCs, play an important role and bear significant responsibility for maintaining the global economic order. Amid growing calls for “decoupling” and “severing supply chains,”China has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding true multilateralism, promoting universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, actively participating in global economic governance, and building an open world economy.

ForMNC executives, amid growing protectionism, China has continuously expanded opening up, injecting stability into the global economy, and has become an oasis of certainty and a hot spot for investment and entrepreneurship.

China firmly safeguards the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, proactively aligns with high-standard international economic and trade rules, and maximizesRCEP’s benefits, with trade partnerships covering more than 230 countries and regions.

The country is ready to work with the global business community to safeguard the multilateral trading system, maintain the stability of global industrial and supply chains, protect the international environment for openness and cooperation, and advance economic globalization in the right direction.

By Kong Dechen

Yiwu International Trade Market – the globe’s premier hub for small commodities trade in east China’s Zhejiang province – hummed with energy as buyers and sellers converged.

Zhang Shidan, founder of Yiwu Jinshang Daily Commodities Trading Company, was processing ascaled-uporder for children’s straw cups from her Middle Eastern client—a follow-up order triggered by the client’s exceptional sell-through rates in their regional markets.

“To maintain our edge in this fast-paced industry, we roll out 1-2 proprietary designs monthly and release 1,000+ new SKUs annually,” Zhang emphasized.”We also prioritize hyper-localized customization to align with distinct regional preferences.”

Chris, a London-based procurement specialist with a decade of sourcing expertise in Yiwu,expressed enthusiasm for the city’s ever-evolving product landscape.”I purchase over 100 shippingcontainers annually – spanningjewelry, tools, and beyond,” he noted. “Each visit unveils fresh innovations. This time, I’m gearing up for a substantial procurement campaign.”

Dubbed the “world’s supermarket,” Yiwu boasts 2.1 million product categoriesthat sustain the operations of 2.1+ million SMEs and micro-enterprises,.while maintaining trade partnerships across 230+ countries and regions.

Annually,600,000+ global buyers flock to Yiwu, supported by 28,000 permanently stationed international traders.The city’s 650,000+ digital-first e-commerce enterprises amplify its cross-border influence through online channels.

In late 2024, China’s State Council greenlit a comprehensive reform blueprint to propel Yiwu’s international trade modernization. The plan outlines 97 targeted initiatives across five pillars: streamlined procurement frameworks for agile cross-border trade; deeper integration of domestic and global supply chains; next-generation logistics infrastructure; enhanced regulatory ecosystems; a world-class business climate.

To advance innovative importdevelopment, the plan proposed a positive-list management mechanism for select imported consumer goods, simplifying customs procedures while maintaining security protocols.

“Yiwu holds inherent advantage in broadening import channelsby capitalizing on its robust logistics and digital infrastructure cultivated through decades of export expertise,”remarked Zhang Yongjun, secretary-general and researcher at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges.

“With tens of thousands of global buyers visiting annually,these professionals can act as bridges to introduce premium and niche products from their home markets into China,” Zhang added.

To enhance market procurement mechanisms, the plan established a trade consolidator system, integrated into formal trade frameworks. It strengthened real-time market oversight, cargo consolidation protocols, and streamlined customs documentation.

Leveraging Yiwu’s digital trade service platform, the entire supply chain – covering transactions, logistics, payments, and financing—has undergone end-to-end digitalization.

For secure global service networks, the initiative incentivizes businesses to develop proprietary international digital platforms incorporating functions likecross-border marketing,last-mile delivery, and post-sales services.

For secure global service networks, the initiative incentivizes businesses to develop proprietary international digital platforms incorporating functions like cross-border marketing, last-mile delivery, and post-sale services. Concurrently, it prioritizes optimizing logistics through expanded direct shipping routes, centralized cargo resources, and upgraded”door-to-door” and “warehouse-to-warehouse” freight solutions.

In today’s global economy, supply chain security and stability have emerged as pivotal challenges. Lu Jing, head of the Department of International Trade and Economics at Zhejiang University’s School of Economics, highlights that Yiwu’s reforms present innovative strategies for optimizing global supply chain.

Lu emphasized that China is advancing a more efficient logistics network for small commodities, utilizingChina-Europe freight trains and multimodal transport solutions integrating air, sea, and rail to lower trade costs and bolster the supply chainresilience.

Since the approval of its comprehensive reform plan, Yiwu has pioneered transformative initiatives with measurable outcomes.Toy import certification now requires only five days, down from twenty, while the inaugural “Yiwu Selection” store – a platform for Chinese brands to enter global markets – generating 120 million yuan ($16.56 million) in orders within five hours of opening. Additionally, Yiwu launched an e-commerce industrial park processing over 10 million parcels daily, and its airport was upgraded to a visa-free transit hub.

Zhang Jianping, deputy director of the academic committee of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, described Yiwu as a microcosm of China’s international trade, reflecting both the prowess of its manufacturing sector and the dynamism of its domestic market.

From Yiwu, countless small commoditiesreach global markets, while high-quality international goods enter China and circulate nationwide,”Zhang noted.He added that the city’s innovative trade model not only fuels local economic growth but also provides a blueprint for trade development across China.

Zhou Shanshan, People’s Daily

Arecent viral video of a foreign vlogger extolling the beauty of Chinese bridges has sparked widespread intrigue. “Bridges in China are like this,”sheobserved, awed by the grandeur, exquisite craftsmanship, and refined elegance of these structures – a visual testament to the nation’s modern development.

Today, China boasts over one million bridges- spanning rivers, crossing lakes and seas, stretching over deepvalleys, and linking rugged mountains. From centuries-old masterpieces to cutting-edge engineering feats, theyoffer an unparalleled window into a civilization that blends reverence for its past with an unyielding drive for modernization.

Take, for example, the Luoyang Bridge in Quanzhou, southeast China’s Fujian province. Built in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), this ancient cross-sea bridge exemplifies the ingenuity of ancient Chinese engineers. It was one of the earliest Chinese bridges to utilize floating construction techniques, easingthe burden of manual labor. Its oyster-based foundation was designed to withstand crashing waves – a critical innovation that helped connect Chinese inland regions with bustling maritime trade and transform regional commerce.

Contrast this with the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge in southwest China’s Guizhou province. Once completed, it is set to become the world’stallest and longest-span bridgein a mountainous region, constructed with high-strength steel cables that couldencircle the equator twice. With theBeiDou Navigation Satellite System guiding its construction, this engineering marvel will cut travel time across the canyon from two hours to just two minutes,promising a transformative impact on regional connectivity and industrial vitalization.

China’s bridges tell the story of relentless innovation and resolve, as generations of engineers have surmounted challenges to carve roads through mountains and build bridges over water.

The intricately carved stone lions on Beijing’s Lugou Bridge, once hailed by Italian traveler Marco Polo in the 13th century as “one of a kind in the world,”speak to the legacy of time-honored craftsmanship. Likewise, the ancient Zhaozhou Bridge in Shijiazhuang, north China’s Hebei province, with its graceful open-spandrel arch, remains a masterclass in balancing form and function.

These bridges are more than feats of engineering; they are cultural artifacts – poetic bridges of the past and striking modern masterpieces that capture the human spirit. Bridge engineering in China combines mechanics with aesthetics, creating enduring structures that reflect the country’scultural values and artistic sensibilities.

Moreover, China’s bridges extend far beyond its borders. The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge, for instance, has ended the Maldives’ history without bridges, while the Chinese-built Peljesac Bridge in Croatia and the Maputo Bay Bridge in Mozambique have enhanced connectivity and driven economic growth. These projects underscore China’s role in global infrastructure, where bridges serve not just as engineering triumphs, but as enduring symbols of connection, cooperation, and cultural exchanges.

Beyond their structural role, bridges in China have taken on a deeper cultural significance. Whether it is through the mythic narratives of animated films like”NeZha 2″ and immersive experiences in video games such as “Black Myth: Wukong,” or in the steady hum of innovation in new energy vehicles and home appliances, these modern “bridges” offer global audiences a glimpse into China’s creative and technological vitality.

From ancient stone bridges arching over quiet streams to modern steel spans that pierce the sky, from tangible roadways connectingcities to cultural bridges fosteringdeeper human connections,China’s bridges are more than architectural marvels – they are expressions of a civilization in motion. Rooted in history yet reaching toward the future, they stand as invitations for the world to cross, to connect, and to journey forward together.