Thirty-two people have been confirmed dead and 38 injured during the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that jolted Dingri County in the city of Xigaze in Xizang Autonomous Region at 9:05 a.m. Tuesday (Beijing Time), according to regional disaster relief headquarters.
The epicenter was monitored at 28.5 degrees north latitude and 87.45 degrees east longitude. The quake struck at a depth of 10 km, according to a report issued by the China Earthquake Networks Center.
The US continues to overstretch the concept of national security, disregard WTO rules and market principles, abuse state power, and unjustly accuse China of pursuing a "military-civil fusion" strategy, a move that China firmly opposes, a spokesperson of China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Wednesday.
The remarks were made in response to the decision by the US Department of Defense to add several Chinese tech companies to a list of firms allegedly working with China's military. The blacklisted Chinese companies disputed on Tuesday their inclusion on the list, with companies such as Tencent, CATL and Quectel Wireless Solutions stating that the move is "a mistake."
The MOFCOM spokesperson said that the US unjustifiably suppresses Chinese enterprises, and such actions severely disrupt international trade and economic order, and endanger the stability of global industry and supply chains.
China urges the US to respect facts and rules, immediately cease its wrongful actions, and provide Chinese companies with fair, just and non-discriminatory treatment, the spokesperson said.
China will closely monitor relevant developments and take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, the spokesperson noted.
According to a document published by the US Department of Defense on Monday, it added several Chinese tech giants, such as Tencent Holdings, leading battery maker CATL, artificial intelligence software company SenseTime, as well as China COSCO Shipping Corp, among a number of other Chinese companies, to its Section 1260H list of firms allegedly linked to China's military.
On Tuesday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry urged the US to immediately correct its wrong practices and lift illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction on Chinese companies.
The sanctions imposed by the Pentagon on Chinese companies are politically motivated and lack solid basis and transparency, Huo Jianguo, a vice chairman of the China Society for World Trade Organization Studies in Beijing, told the Global Times on Wednesday, noting that "These restrictions are a misuse of the concept of national security. Such actions disrupt normal trade, create greater uncertainty for global economic growth, and impact industrial and supply chains, including the US itself."
In a statement sent to the Global Times on Tuesday evening, China COSCO Shipping Corp said that the company and its subsidiaries have consistently adhered to local laws and regulations, maintaining strict compliance in all international operations.
"We emphasize that none of the aforementioned companies are 'Chinese military companies.' We will engage with US authorities to clarify this matter," the statement said, noting that this designation does not impose sanctions or export controls, and its global operations will continue uninterrupted.
CATL told the Global Times that the company has never engaged in any military-related business or activities, so this designation by the Department of Defense is a mistake.
SenseTime also refuted the claims. "This decision by the US Department of Defense has no factual basis, and we firmly disagree with it," a SenseTime spokesperson told the Global Times on Tuesday.
Huo told the Global Times that the US restrictions and bans on Chinese companies have not ceased; instead, they are escalating. "Biden, before leaving office, is continuing to impose sanctions on Chinese companies, partly to avoid admitting the failure of these restrictive measures made by his administration over the years," Huo said.
On New Year's eve, Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered his 2025 New Year message through China Media Group and the Internet. The following is the full text of the message:
Greetings to everybody! Time flies fast, and the new year will be with us shortly. I extend my best wishes to you all from Beijing.
In 2024, we have together journeyed through the four seasons. Together, we have experienced winds and rains and seen rainbows. Those touching and unforgettable moments have been like still frames showing how extraordinary a year we have had.
We have proactively responded to the impacts of the changing environment at home and abroad. We have adopted a full range of policies to make solid gains in pursuing high-quality development. China's economy has rebounded and is on an upward trajectory, with its GDP for the year expected to pass the 130 trillion yuan mark. Grain output has surpassed 700 million tons, and China's bowls are now filled with more Chinese grain. Coordinated development across regions has gained stronger momentum, and mutually reinforcing advances have been made in both new urbanization and rural revitalization. Green and low-carbon development has been further enhanced. Indeed, a more beautiful China is unfolding before us.
We have fostered new quality productive forces in light of actual conditions. New business sectors, forms and models have kept emerging. For the first time, China has produced more than 10 million new energy vehicles in a year. Breakthroughs have been made in integrated circuit, artificial intelligence, quantum communications and many other fields. Also for the first time, the Chang'e-6 lunar probe collected samples from the far side of the moon. The Mengxiang drilling vessel explored the mystery of the deep ocean. The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link now connects the two cities across the sea. The Antarctic Qinling Station is now in operation on the frozen continent. All this epitomizes the lofty spirit and dreams of the Chinese people to explore stars and oceans.
This year, I have visited many places across the country and seen how our people enjoy their enriching lives. I saw the big, red Huaniu apples in Tianshui, Gansu and the fishing boats in Aojiao Village, Fujian loaded with their catches. I watched the millenium-old "Eastern Smile" in the Maiji Mountain Grottoes, and I learned more about good-neighborliness passed from generation to generation in Liuchixiang Alley. I enjoyed the hustle and bustle in Tianjin's Ancient Culture Street, and I saw how the people in Yinchuan's mixed-ethnic residential communities live together as one family. The concerns of the people about jobs and incomes, elderly and child care, education and medical services are always on my mind. This year, basic pension has been raised, and mortgage rates have dropped. Cross-province direct settlement of medical bills has been expanded, making it easier for people to seek medical treatment across the country. And consumer goods trade-in programs have improved people's lives... All these are real benefits to our people.
In the Paris Olympics, Chinese athletes raced to the top and achieved their best performance in Olympic Games held overseas, fully demonstrating the vigor and confidence of young Chinese. The PLA Navy and Air Force celebrated their 75th birthdays, and our servicemen and women are full of drive. When floods, typhoons and other natural disasters struck, members of the Communist Party of China and officials stepped forward to lead disaster relief efforts, and our people were of one mind and reached out to each other. People in all fields -- workers, builders and entrepreneurs, among others -- are working hard to fulfill their dreams. I presented awards to recipients of national medals and honorary titles. The honor belongs to them; it also belongs to every hard-working person who has lived up to their responsibilities.
In a world of both transformation and turbulence, China, as a responsible major country, is actively promoting global governance reform and deepening solidarity and cooperation among the Global South. We are making deeper and more substantive advances in high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. The Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was a full success. We put forward China's vision at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, APEC, G20 and other bilateral and multilateral forums. We have contributed greatly to the maintenance of world peace and stability.
We celebrated the 75th anniversary of the founding of New China. With deep affection, we looked back at the sea change that has taken place across China since the birth of the People's Republic. Nurtured by our 5,000-plus years of continuous civilization, our country, China, is engraved not only on the bottom of the ancient bronze ritual wine vessel of He Zun, but also in the heart of every Chinese. At its Third Plenary Session, the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China sounded a clarion call for further deepening all-round reform. We will march forward in great strides to advance reform and opening up as the trend of our times. We will surely embrace even broader prospects in pursuing Chinese modernization in the course of reform and opening up.
In 2025, we will fully complete the 14th Five-Year Plan. We will implement more proactive and effective policies, pursue high-quality development as a top priority, promote greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and maintain sound momentum in economic and social development. The Chinese economy now faces some new conditions, including challenges of uncertainties in the external environment and pressure of transformation from old growth drivers into new ones. But we can prevail with our hard work. As always, we grow in the wind and rain, and we get stronger through hard times. We must be confident.
Of all the jobs in front of us, the most important is to ensure a happy life for our people. Every family hopes that their children can have a good education, their seniors can enjoy good elderly services, and their youngsters can have more and better opportunities. These simple wishes are our people's aspirations for a better life. We should work together to steadily improve social undertakings and governance, build a harmonious and inclusive atmosphere, and settle real issues, big or small, for our people. We must bring more smiles to our people and greater warmth to their hearts.
On the eve of the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, I visited the city again, and I was gratified to see the new progress and changes there. We will unswervingly implement the policy of One Country, Two Systems to maintain long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao. We Chinese on both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one and the same family. No one can ever sever the bond of kinship between us, and no one can ever stop China's reunification, a trend of the times.
As changes unseen in a century accelerate across the world, it is important to rise above estrangement and conflict with a broad vision, and care for the future of humanity with great passion. China will work with all countries to promote friendship and cooperation, enhance mutual learning among different cultures, and build a community with a shared future for mankind. We must jointly create a better future for the world.
Dreams and wishes may be far, but they can be fulfilled with dedicated pursuit. On the new journey of Chinese modernization, everyone is a key actor, every effort counts, and every ray of light shines.
Splendor adorns our motherland, and starlight graces every home. Let us greet the new year with hope. May our great country enjoy harmony and prosperity! May all your dreams come true! May you all have a new year of happiness and peace!
Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the government and Sberbank, the country's largest bank and a tech innovator, to team up with China to develop AI, RT reported on Wednesday. The directive tasks Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Sberbank CEO Herman Gref with spearheading the initiative. A progress report is expected by April 2025, the RT report said.
From December 11 to 13, 2024, the AI Journey, an international conference on artificial intelligence technology, was held in Moscow, where Putin emphasized the necessity of developing AI technology during his participation in the conference activities.
Based on the outcomes of this conference, Putin signed a list of orders for relevant implementation measures. In addition to strengthening cooperation with China in the field of AI, Putin also made requests and suggestions regarding the integration of AI technology into government systems, the development of AI education and training, the organization of international AI technology conferences, the publication of international journals on AI technology, and the establishment of a platform in Moscow to showcase achievements in AI technology.
Liu Wei, director of the human-machine interaction and cognitive engineering laboratory with the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, believes the potential for cooperation between China and Russia in the field of AI is immense. Both sides can fully leverage their respective strengths, especially in areas such as finance, manufacturing, transportation, and quantum computing. Through collaboration, the two countries will promote further innovation and application of AI technology on a global scale.
Liu noted that the complementary advantages of China and Russia in the field of AI cooperation are specifically reflected in the complementarity of technological research and innovation, as well as in the complementarity of industrial applications and markets.
On one hand, China's application capabilities, data resources, and technological foundation can provide practical application scenarios for Russia's theoretical research, while Russia's advantages in AI algorithms and fundamental theories can help China achieve deeper breakthroughs in AI research. The cooperation between the two countries in data utilization, algorithm optimization, and application innovation holds great potential, Liu told the Global Times.
On the other hand, China's strong market and industrial applications can drive the commercialization of Russian AI technologies, while Russia's experience in high-tech industries can offer China advanced application scenarios for AI technologies, particularly in fields such as energy, aerospace, and military industry, the expert noted.
China's first comprehensive scientific research ship designed for global deep-sea exploration, Tan Suo San Hao, or Exploration No. 3, was commissioned on Sunday in Sanya, South China's Hainan Province, signaling an expansion of China's manned deep-diving capabilities to the entire ocean, with currently a total of 1,433 dives conducted by China's manned submersibles to date.
The ship, measuring about 104 meters in length with a discharge volume of 10,000 tons, was delivered and launched from Nansha in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province, on Thursday. It features dual-directional icebreaking capabilities at its bow and stern, with a range of 15,000 nautical miles and a capacity to accommodate 80 personnel, according to the Xinhua News Agency.
During its research and construction process, various research institutions, enterprises and universities collaborated to address critical technological problems, overcoming monopolistic challenges in designing, precise dynamic positioning under icy conditions and intelligent ship control technologies.
The Exploration No.3 has been equipped with a comprehensive suite of polar operation scientific research control equipment, China's largest domestically developed water-tight scientific research moon pool system, deep-sea acoustic detection equipment for ice areas, communication and positioning equipment, and the ship's dynamic positioning system, all leveraging domestically developed technologies.
To date, China's manned submersibles have made 1,433 dives, according to Xinhua. In 2024, the Shenhai Yongshi, or Deep Sea Warrior, recorded 132 dives, according to the data released by National Deep Sea Center and Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering.
This marks a new chapter in China's manned deep-sea exploration history, highlighting China's internationally leading capabilities in this field, reported Xinhua.
In the past three years, China has accounted for more than half of global manned deep dives, according to Xinhua. In 2012, Jiaolong, China's manned deep-sea submersible, successfully exceeded its predetermined depth, marking China's entry into advanced deep-sea diving technology. By 2017, Deep Sea Warrior passed the acceptance, achieving autonomy in core technology and localization of key equipment.
Also, in 2020, nearly 1,000 researchers from around 100 research institutes, universities, and enterprises collaborated on the construction of the deep-sea manned submersible Fendouzhe, or Striver, which successfully dived to a depth of 10,909 meters in the Mariana Trench.
This year, Chinese scientists have completed manned deep-dive expeditions in eight major hadal trenches across the globe, achieving multiple world records related to manned deep-sea missions and discoveries, according to Xinhua.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday that "one country, two systems" is a good policy that must be adhered to for a long time.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while addressing a gathering held in the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) to mark the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland.
The great achievements of Macao since its return have proven to the world that "one country, two systems" has prominent institutional strengths and tremendous vitality.
It is a good policy that helps maintain long-term prosperity and stability in Hong Kong and Macao, a good policy that serves the noble cause of building a stronger country and achieving national rejuvenation, and a good policy that helps realize peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation between different social systems, he said.
The values of peace, inclusiveness, openness and sharing embodied in the policy are shared by China and the rest of the world, and deserve to be jointly safeguarded, Xi noted.
Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson of China's Ministry of National Defense, on Saturday criticized the US Department of Defense report titled "Military and Security development involving the PRC," saying the US has repeatedly published such highly deceptive and hypocritical reports for over 20 years, merely seeking excuses for its own military development and to mislead public opinion.
Zhang urged the US to stop fabricating false narratives, revise its misperceptions of China, and promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations and military ties.
In a report released on Wednesday local time, the Pentagon emphasized "the need to address the pacing challenge" presented by China's increasingly capable military.
It also exaggerated China's nuclear weapons development, saying the Pentagon estimates that China has surpassed 600 operational nuclear warheads as of mid-2024 and projects it will exceed 1,000 by 2030.
It claimed that Beijing "may also be exploring development of conventionally-armed intercontinental range missile systems" and "if developed and fielded, such capabilities would enable the PRC to threaten conventional strikes against targets in the continental US, Hawaii, and Alaska."
In a statement published by China's Ministry of National Defense on Saturday, Zhang expressed strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to the US report, said it distorted China's defense policy, speculated on China's military development, and blatantly interfered in China's internal affairs, and propagated baseless rumors and slander against the Chinese military, as well as exaggerated and sensationalized rhetoric regarding the so-called "Chinese military threat."
China is committed to a path of peaceful development, adhering to a defensive national defense policy. It actively fulfills the international responsibilities shouldered by a major power's military, taking concrete actions to implement the Global Security Initiative and the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, offering greater public security contributions to the international community, said Zhang.
In contrast, the US utilizes its military advantages to maintain unilateral hegemony, forcibly promotes "regime changes," incites "color revolutions," and frequently resorts to extreme pressure. In recent years, it has illegally waged wars and military actions against countries such as Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan, resulting in severe civilian casualties and property losses, leading to immense humanitarian disasters, with hundreds of thousands dead, millions injured, and tens of millions displaced. The facts demonstrate that the US military strategy has increasingly become confrontational, aggressive, and reckless. The war-hungry US has become the greatest disruptor of the international order and the biggest threat to global security, Zhang noted.
Zhang said China's nuclear policy reflects unparalleled stability, continuity, and predictability among all nuclear-armed states. "We adhere to a nuclear strategy of self-defense and a no-first-use policy, ensuring that our nuclear capabilities remain at the minimum level required for national security. Our development of nuclear weapons is not intended to threaten other countries, but rather for defense and self-protection, to safeguard our strategic security."
In contrast, the US possesses the world's largest and most advanced nuclear arsenal, yet stubbornly insists on a policy of first use of nuclear weapons. It invests heavily in upgrading its nuclear triad forces and has conducted numerous subcritical nuclear tests in recent years, accelerating the development of new nuclear warheads.
The AUKUS nuclear submarine cooperation severely undermines the international nuclear non-proliferation system and significantly disrupts international and regional peace and stability. The US should engage in serious self-reflection, reduce the role of nuclear weapons in its national and collective security policies, and provide the international community with a responsible account, said Zhang.
The Taiwan question is China's domestic affairs, and it is the core of China's core interests. It is the first red line in China-US relations that cannot be crossed. The Chinese people are determined to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, Zhang said.
No matter when or who attempts to separate island of Taiwan from China, the Chinese people and the Chinese military will never agree to it. The Chinese military conducts exercises in the air and sea around Taiwan island specifically to address external interference and provocations from "Taiwan secessionist" forces. This is a necessary and just action to defend sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Zhang.
The US is intensifying military ties with Taiwan, accelerating the arming of island of Taiwan through arms sales and military aid, which seriously violates the one-China principle. This will only fuel the arrogance of "Taiwan secessionism" and escalate tensions in the Taiwan Straits, potentially leading to conflict and war, Zhang said.
China urges the US to adhere to the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiques, to recognize the extreme danger of "Taiwan independence" separatism, to understand the serious consequences of playing with fire, to stop official exchanges and military contacts with island of Taiwan, and to cease condoning and supporting "Taiwan independence" separatist forces. The US should not continue down the wrong path, Zhang noted.
Zhang said military relations form a crucial part of the broader China-US relationship. We attach great importance to the military relationship and ensure open and effective communication with the US via military diplomatic channels.
We hope that the US will engage constructively with China, embrace a constructive and balanced perspective on China's growth and military modernization, and adhere to the principles of peace, stability, and mutual trust, said Zhang, noting that China aims to build a military relationship based on equality and respect, characterized by no conflict or confrontation, open and pragmatic cooperation, and gradually accumulating mutual trust, thereby serving as a stable foundation for the development of bilateral relations.
For over 20 years, the US has pieced together and repeatedly published such highly deceptive and hypocritical reports, merely seeking excuses for its own military development and misleading public opinion.
Zhang urged the US to stop fabricating false narratives, correct its erroneous perceptions of China, and promote the healthy and stable development of the relationship between two countries and militaries.
In response to US Senator Rick Scott's claims that Chinese garlic poses a "major threat" to US food security, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Friday dismissed the remarks as absurd, noting that such statements have become a source of ridicule among Chinese netizens.
"It is believed that Garlic probably has never imagined it could pose a major threat to the US," Mao said at the press conference on Friday.
She pointed out the growing trend of the US labeling Chinese products—from drones and cranes to refrigerators and garlic—as "national security risks," while emphasizing that none of the so-called evidence and reasons cited by the US could withstand scrutiny.
Mao pointed out that it was clear to all that such actions were merely a pretext for the US to pursue protectionism, abuse state power to suppress and contain China's development, and push for decoupling and disruption of industrial and supply chains.
She emphasized that overgeneralizing the concept of national security and politicizing or weaponizing economic, trade, and technological issues would only exacerbate global supply chain risks, ultimately harming others and themselves.
Mao also advised certain US politicians to exercise more common sense and rationality to avoid becoming a laughingstock.
The Global Times Annual Conference 2025, themed, "Moving forward in Partnership: Resonance of Values between China and the World," is held in Beijing on Saturday. In the first session, experts and scholars engaged in discussions on the topic, "Exploring the path of great power relations: differences and consensus." In a video speech at the conference, Erik Solheim, former under-secretary-general of the United Nations and former executive director of the UN Environment Programme, said that "we should have a rules-based global order, but with the same rules for everyone."
Solheim said that the 21st century will be multipolar, but it can be a fundamentally unstable century, because there are so many problems which need to be taken into account. In terms of how we can make stability in the 21st century, he noted, "We need a rules-based global order. The concept of a rules-based global order has sometimes been understood, like in the West, as one set of rules for the West and another set of rules for the rest … I hear they say that the sovereignty of Ukraine is sacrosanct, but you cannot care less for the sovereignty of Palestine."
The answer to this Western hypocrisy is not to say we should not have a rules-based global order; it is to say we should have a rules-based global order, but with the same rules for everyone, Solheim stressed.
When discussing how to establish a rule-based global order, Solheim stated, "As the underpinning on[of] this new global order, I will suggest two principles. The first is respect." He then mentioned the "Hehe" culture of China. In today's world, it means that we should have harmony between nations even if they are not the same, but we should work together, Solheim added.
The second principle is dialogue, he said, adding that when there are different views in solving conflicts, bringing economic growth, or creating an ecological civilization, we should have dialogue as to how we achieve that.
"If you base the 21st century on these two principles of respect and dialogue, and if you look to establish a set of global rules which work the same way for all nations and all individuals of this world, then we are on the path to make the 21st century a much better and much more successful time for humanity," Solheim said.
