Nigeria Times

By He Yin, People’s Daily

As the global economy wades through uncertainty and sluggish recovery, China is projecting a rare image: stability. With a combination of pro-business policies, a steadily improving business environment, and long-term social stability, the country continues to offer a fertile ground for foreign investorsseeking development in the long run.

In a world where access to large, integrated market has become an increasingly scarce commodity, China stands apart. The nation’s sheer demographic weight – over 1.4 billion people, including more than 400 million middle-income earners – offers multinationals an unmatched consumer base. With 180 million business entities and a unified national market, it remains the world’s most promising arenas for consumption upgrades, providing a “golden track” for foreign investors to gain a competitive edge.

That promise was on full display during this year’sSpring Festival holiday. Sales of key retail and catering enterprises climbed 4.1 percent year on year, while domestic tourism jumped 5.9 percent. From bustling cinemas to booming demand for ice and snow tourism, cultural travel, and trade-in programs, Chinese consumers are spending with renewed confidence.

To further stoke this momentum, China has released a new plan on special initiatives to boost consumption. The plan is composed of 30 policies across eight sections, aimed at encouraging consumption, upgrading economic structure, and driving high-quality development.

As Hamid R. Moghadam, chairman and CEO of Prologis, noted, the rising demand from Chinese consumers represents a tremendous growth opportunity that continues to drive his company’s expansion in the country.

But China’s appeal is not solely about its market size. At the heart of its high-quality development lies a commitment to innovation – a powerful engine for foreign enterprises looking to deepen their presence. With a commitment to high-quality development, China is accelerating green, digital and smart transformation, which, coupled with the country’s sophisticated industrial ecosystem, provides the best testing ground for the latest outcomes of technological revolution and industrial upgrading.

Recent high-profile events have put this innovation agenda in the spotlight. The Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 was held under carbon-neutral protocols, while the 2025 Zhongguancun Forum showcaseda range of cutting-edge technologies, including heavy-lift coaxial twin-rotor unmanned helicopters and optical quantum computers.

Global observers now routinely recognize the country as a hub for innovation, applauding its investments in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and new consumption models. Increasingly, multinationals are establishing R&D centers and innovation hubs across the country, drawn by a unique convergence of technology, talent, and market advantages – an ecosystem that facilitates mutual success.

That confidence is translating into concrete commitments. America’s Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) is building an intercontinental transfer hub in Shanghai. Siemens Heaththineers, a German health technology company, has broken ground on a new manufacturing and research facilityto produce high-end medical equipment in Shenzhen, south China’s Guangdong province. British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has announced a $2.5 billion investment to establish a global strategic R&D center in Beijing, its sixth worldwide.

These moves reflect a broader trend captured in recent business sentiment surveys. According to the 2025 China Business Climate Survey Report released by the American Chamber of Commerce in China, nearly 70 percent of surveyed U.S. consumer firms plan to increase their investments in China this year.

The Business Confidence Survey Report for 2024/25 released by the German Chamber of Commerce in China revealed that 92 percent of German firms intend to continue their operations in the country, while 51 percent plan to boost their investment in the next two years.

Statistics from China’s Ministry of Commerce show that in January alone, foreign investments from the United Kingdom, South Korea, and the Netherlands in China surged by 324 percent, 104 percent, and 76 percent, respectively.

Even as geopolitical tensions and economic headwinds cloud global forecasts, the prevailing consensus among investors is that China still matters – and increasingly so. Its vast market, resilient economy, and enduring vitality continue to attract foreign ca

pital and long-term commitment. In the eyes of many international executives, China is more than an investment destination; it is a strategic partner in future growth. As the country deepens its commitment to openness, innovation, and global cooperation, it is cultivating not only stability but the promise of shared prosperity – a fertile ground poised to yield even greater returns for global enterprises.

By He Yin, People’s Daily

A central conference on work related to neighboring countries was held in Beijing from April 8 to 9. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission,delivered an important speech at the conference.

In his speech, Xi systematically summarized the achievements and experience of China’s neighborhood work in the new era, scientifically analyzed the current situation, and outlined the goals, tasks, ideas and measures for the next phase of neighborhood work. He has called for building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries and striving to open new ground for China’s neighborhood work.

In today’s increasingly complex international landscape, China will be rooted in and contribute to its neighborhood, committed to building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries. China’s continued engagement has brought much-needed stability and positive energy into the changing and turbulent world.

China’s vast territory and long borders make its neighborhood a vital foundation for achieving national development and prosperity, a key front for safeguarding national security, a priority area in the country’soverall diplomacy, and a crucial link in building a community with a shared future forhumanity..

To date, China has reached common understandings on building a community with a shared future with 17 neighboring countries, signed Belt and Road cooperation agreements with 25 neighboring countries, worked to synergize the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)with the cooperation plans of ASEAN and the Eurasian Economic Union, and remained the largest trading partner of its 18 neighbors.

Political mutual trust and shared interests between China and its neighbors continue to deepen. China’s longstanding principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness in neighborhood diplomacy are gaining broader traction across the region. More and more, countries in the region are embracing the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness, and inclusiveness.

China has long aligned its own development with the aspirations of its neighbors, fostering shared prosperity and progress. The country’s high-quality development and a favorable neighborhood environment are mutually reinforcing, creating a virtuous cycle that strengthens both China and the surrounding region.

TheBRI, born in China’sneighborhood and benefitingits neighbors, continues to drive regional development. The China-Europe freight train network now connects over 100 cities in 11 Asian countries. Meanwhile, the China-Laos Railway and the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway havebrought high-speed rail dreams to life for regional countries. Major projects such as the China-Central Asia Gas Pipeline, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, and the “Two Countries, Twin Parks”model between China and Malaysia have significantly boosted local economies and improved livelihoods.

China’s embrace of open regionalism has further advanced its approach to shared growth, offering development opportunities rooted in mutual respect and win-win cooperation. As a major trading partner and a key source of investment in the region, China has concluded the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with relevant countries, and the upgraded Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area is expected to be signed within the year. Through high-quality development and high-level opening up, China continues to deliver long-term benefits to its neighbors and share the dividends of Chinese modernization.

At present, China’s relations with its neighbors are in their best period in modern times. Meanwhile, they are entering a stage of deep interconnection between the regional situation and the evolution of the global landscape.

The collective rise of the Global South is becoming a major force for advancing multipolarity. China’s neighborhood is home to many Global South countries. China’s efforts to make innovations in regional cooperation mechanisms will galvanize greater solidarity, opening up and shared progress across the region.

China has played an active role in promoting cooperation under the frameworks of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, East Asian Cooperation, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, and Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia. It has initiated platforms such as the China-Central Asia Cooperation and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation,while hosting the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations. Together, these efforts createa growing web of multi-layered, cross-sector cooperation – reflecting China’s commitment to working with its neighbors to uphold true multilateralism.

On global issues such as climate change, cybersecurity, and sustainable development, China maintains close communication and cooperation with its neighbors, contributing “Asian strength” to the reform of the global governance system. Together with its neighbors, China is committed to creating a better future for the region and bringing more stability and hope

By He Yin, People’s Daily

During a recent meeting with representatives of the international business community, Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China’s unwavering commitment to advancing reform and opening up. He emphasized that China’s door will only open wider, and the policy of welcoming foreign investment has not changed and will not change.

Amid increasing global uncertainties, China’s steadfast dedication to open development has been widely regarded as an “oasis of certainty.”​

The journey of reform and opening up has unfolded as a narrative of mutual progress between China and the international community,a reality powerfully manifested through the thriving operations of foreign enterprises in China.

Currently, foreign investments in China span 20 industries and 115 sub-sectors, with cumulative establishment of over 1.24 million foreign-fundedenterprises and total investmentapproaching $3 trillion.

Foreign investors have reaped substantial returns, with many expanding from single operations to diversified businesses, from localized ventures to nationwide presences, and from single factories to corporate conglomerates, experiencing exponential growth in both operational capacity and enterprise scale.

According to German media analyses, German businesses committed 5.7 billion euros ($6.23 billion) to Chinain 2024 alone, with the vast majority expressing their intent to maintain operations in the Chinese market.

Since the beginning of this year, a series of major foreign investment projects have been launched in China, with planned investments totaling 33 billionU.S. dollars.These developmentsdemonstrate that China has been and will remain an ideal, safe, and promising investment destination for foreign businesses

China is steadily expanding institutional opening up with regard to rules, regulations, management, and standards, actively broadening and deepening its openness.

From the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement coming into effect to the addition of 297 items to Hainan Free Trade Port’s zero-tariff list for raw and auxiliary materials; from the opening of the first wholly foreign-owned tertiary general hospital in Tianjin to the approval of the first batch of 13 foreign-invested enterprises to operate value-added telecommunications services—a series of open policies have been implemented, accelerating the flow of personnel, goods, and capital.

In the first two months of 2025, the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, a key logistics network connecting China’s western regions to global markets, saw a nearly 60 percent year-on-year increase in freight volume, while the China-Europe freight trains experienced a 15.4 percent growth in import and export cargo volume.

In the three months following the implementation of the 240-hour visa-free transit policy, the number of foreign entries at China’s ports surged by 34.9 percent year-on-year.​

Opening up is a distinctive feature of Chinese modernization and reflects China’s commitment to contributing to global modernization. By hosting events like the China International Import Expo, the China International Fair for Trade in Services, the China Import and Export Fair, and the China International Consumer Products Expo – and by partnering with over 150 countries and 30 international organizations under the Belt and Road Initiative, China continues to inject vitality into global economic development.

China’s new energy vehicles are at the forefront of global innovation, driving worldwide trends. The country’s green technologies are empowering international partners in their low-carbon transitions. Meanwhile, the “first-launch economy”within China’s domestic market is rapidly expanding,attracting foreign enterprises to increasingly conduct research and development (R&D) activities in the country..

The vast potential of China’s market,itsdynamic innovationecosystem,and its continuously optimized legal framework present enduring opportunities for global businesses to deepen their engagement in China.This collaborative momentum is fostering shared growth between China and the international community.

Masato Kanda,president of theAsian Development Bank, noted that amid increasing fragmentation in global trade, China’s commitment to deepening reforms and advancing high-level opening up not only sustains its own robust economic growth but also makes significant contributions to the development of Asia and the global economy..

Sean Stein, president of the US-China Business Council, remarked that China’s focus on “opening up” and “multilateralism” sends a strong signal of stability to all stakeholders.

True historical awareness and initiative lie not in predicting temporary tides but in becoming a force that shapes them. China firmly stands on the right side of history, resolutely promoting universally beneficial, inclusive economic globalization. It possesses the determination to move forward, the vitality for development, and the moral appeal.

Looking ahead, more stories of open cooperation will be written in China, and China’s confidence in open development will increasingly become the world’s confidence in economic growth.

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily

The United States’ recent unveiling of a so-called “reciprocal tariff” plan – a sweeping proposal to impose tariffs on all its trading partners – has drawn widespread backlash from the international community. Critics contend that beneath the veneer of “reciprocity,” the plan is little more than economic bullying – a stark retreat into power politics that seriously unravels the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core and places global economic stability in jeopardy.

This policy is built onshaky grounds, relying on subjective judgments and unilateral assessments that severely infringeupon the legitimate rights and interests of other nations. WhileAmerican officials justify the move as a correction to so-called long-standing trade imbalances, this narrative of American”victimhood” rings hollow. It not only disregards the balanced outcomes achieved through multilateral trade negotiations but also ignores the fact that the U.S. has long benefited substantially from international trade.

At its core, this tariff strategy is not about fairness – it is about force. It leverages the sheer size of the American economy to strong-arm weaker trading partners into compliance, sidelining the very principles of multilateralism. By targeting all trading partners without discrimination, the U.S.appears to be transforming “America first” into something even more insular:”America Only.”

As The Economistobserved, the U.S. takes its trade policies back to the 19th century, ignoring the fact that globalization has brought unprecedented prosperity to itself.

This blatant display of “mightmakesright”is a direct assault on the rules-based order that has underpinned global trade for decades.Chad Bown, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, noted that the U.S. push for “reciprocal tariffs” violates WTO rules by discriminating among trading partners and unilaterally hiking duties beyond agreed limits.

The multilateral trading system, centered around the WTO, has played a crucial role in reducing trade frictions and fostering global economic stability and prosperity. The U.S. tariff plan does not just disrupt this system – it puts it at risk of collapse.

Already, America’s closest partners are pushing back.European Commission (EU) President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the EU is now preparing for further countermeasures to protect its interests and businesses if negotiations fail. Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter pointed out, “The country’s long-term economic interests are paramount. Adherence to international law and free trade remains core values.” The Brazilian government said it was evaluating all possible actions to ensure reciprocity in bilateral trade, including resorting to the WTO, in defense of legitimate national interests.

China, for its part, remains committed to multilateralism. As the world’s second-largest economy and a firm supporter of the multilateral trading system, China continues toadvocate for resolving trade disputes through dialogue and consultation – not through unilateral threats or protectionist measures.

China’s position is grounded in the belief that the principles and rules of the WTO must be upheld, that trade and investment should flow more freely, and that shared prosperity can only come from open cooperation. China believes that multilateralism is the only choice foraddressing global challenges, and economic globalization is an unstoppable trend of history.

In response to America’s”reciprocal tariffs,” China will take firm and effective measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. At the same time, China will continue to work with other countries to uphold true multilateralism, defend the multilateral trading system, promote universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, actively participate in global economic governance, and strive to build an open world economy.

In today’s era of economic globalization, retreating into beggar-thy-neighbor policies is not just short-sighted – it isself-defeating. Preserving the multilateral trading system is a prerequisite for safeguarding shared interests and securing lasting prosperity for all.

The U.S. should abandon its zero-sum approach, immediately withdraw its unilateral tariff measures, return to the path of dialogue and cooperation, and work with its trading partners on equal footing to properly resolve differences and deliver tangible benefits to people around the world.

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

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 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.)