To further enhance the continuous power supply capacity of the large power grid and improve the power supply reliability from 220 kV Huanggong Substation in Jinghe county, Bortala Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture to Jilintai Hydropower Station in Yili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, on August 16, staff members of State Grid Bortala Power Supply Company went to 220 kV Huanglin Line I and Line II to carry out inspection of the operation status of mountainous area lines and maintenance of pole number plates.

220 kV Huanglin Line I and Line II were put into operation in 2003 and 2005 respectively. They are important connecting lines between the power grid of Bortala Prefecture and the main power grid of Xinjiang region. Due to the complex terrain and high altitude, inspection is difficult. The inspectors adopted the traditional foot patrol inspection method and conducted a one-by-one inspection of foundation burial, tower material deformation, foundation scouring, geological cracks, ground clearance, and the integrity of pole number plates.

As an important sign of transmission lines, the pole number plate is the "identity card" of power lines. It not only shows the name and direction of the line but also undertakes the role of safety warning. Due to long-term sunlight and long-term rain washing, the color marks and fonts on most tower identification signs are blurred. Some are not firmly installed and get lost, bringing a lot of inconvenience to inspection work. For the pole number plates found to be faded, damaged, or missing, operation and maintenance personnel immediately carry out maintenance and replacement. 

"After replacing the pole number plates, we will continue to investigate potential line hazards and defects to ensure zero hazards and zero defects in power supply. In the later stage, the 'manual + drone' method will be used to increase the intensity of line inspection." said Liang Wei, the person in charge of the transmission maintenance class of State Grid Bortala Power Supply Company.

It is understood that the company has strengthened the inspection of the operation status of mountainous area lines of 220 kV Huanglin Line and the maintenance of pole number plates. A total of 168 mountainous area towers have been inspected and 295 pole number plates have been maintained.

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Tuesday announced decisive countermeasures against Canada, including plans to initiate dispute settlement proceedings at WTO and launch anti-discriminatory probes, in response to Canada’s decision to impose hefty additional tariffs on Chinese products, including electric vehicles (EVs), steel and aluminum.

Chinese officials and experts stressed that the countermeasures are in line with Chinese laws and regulations as well as WTO rules, and slammed that Canada’s move in lockstep with the US and the EU is egregious in nature and violates WTO rules. 

Among the countermeasures is a decision to initiate dispute settlement proceedings against Canada’s additional tariff against Chinese EVs and other products at the WTO to safeguard the interests of its industries.

In addition, China will launch an anti-discriminatory investigation into Canada’s decision of imposing additional tariffs on Chinese EVs, steel and aluminum, based on the Article 7 and Article 36 of China’s Foreign Trade Law.

The Article 7 of China’s Foreign Trade Law clearly stipulates that in the event that any country or region applies prohibitive, restrictive or other like measures on a discriminatory basis against China in respect of trade, China may, as the case may be, take countermeasures against the country or region in question.

The Article 36 of China’s Foreign Trade Law states that the authority responsible for foreign trade under the State Council may give a notice to the public the activities in violation of this Law for impairing foreign trade order.

The MOFCOM said that it will take subsequent measures based on the actual situation. Industry insiders said that the anti-discriminatory probe is the first of its kind, and is in line with both Chinese laws and WTO rules.

Also on Tuesday, the MOFCOM announced that at the request of domestic industry, China will launch an anti-dumping investigation into canola seeds imported from Canada, in better responding to industry concerns and in order to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the domestic enterprises.

In 2023, Canada’s exports of canola seeds to China reached $3.47 billion, increasing 170 percent year-on-year, even as prices continuously dropped, according to the MOFCOM. Affected by Canada’s unfair competition, Chinese domestic industries continue to suffer losses, the ministry said.    

In addition, China also plans to launch an anti-dumping probe into relevant chemical products from Canada based on application filed by Chinese domestic industries, the MOFCOM announced.

“China’s attitude is very clear and it will take all necessary measures to defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies,” the MOFCOM said, while announcing the measures. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Felix Tshisekedi, president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), here on Monday.

The Chinese Gymnastics Association and the Chinese Table Tennis Association issued statements on Saturday in support of law enforcement agencies cracking down on illegal activities related to toxic fandom culture in sports.

On Thursday, the Ministry of Public Security released details about four typical cases of illegal activities associated with toxic fandom culture in sports.

In one case, the police investigated an incident where an individual named Yang was found to have publicly insulted a gymnast on social media, causing significant public outrage and administrative actions were taken.

The Chinese Gymnastics Association condemned the spread of baseless rumors, the incitation of public outrage, and all slanderous attacks against gymnasts, coaches, and staff.

"These actions not only have a profoundly negative impact on the work, lives, and families of those involved but also undermine the long-standing tradition of unity and patriotism that has defined the Chinese gymnastics team," the association stated.

"The development of gymnastics in China relies on the support and care of the entire society, and we are deeply grateful to the many gymnastics fans who have stood by the team through thick and thin."

On Saturday, the Chinese Table Tennis Association also expressed its support for the crackdown, condemning all forms of illegal activity.

The association noted that toxic fan culture has severely disrupted the normal training and competition schedules of the Chinese table tennis team, affecting the work, lives and families of athletes, coaches, and staff, as well as causing harmful social consequences.

Chen Meng, 30, who won the women's singles gold medal in table tennis at the Paris Olympics, was asked about the recent actions taken by law enforcement against toxic fan behavior in sports.

"Fans always want to see their favorite athletes win, but there will always be winners and losers in sports. I hope fans will be able to face that reality," Chen said. "If someone follows sports, they must be mentally prepared to accept victory and defeat. That's the essence of competitive sports."

"I also hope fans focus more on the athletes' fighting spirit on the field and their courage in the face of challenges," Chen added.