Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with Ma Ying-jeou in Beijing on Wednesday.

Compatriots from both sides of the Taiwan Straits belong to the same Chinese nation, Xi said. The over-5,000-year history of the Chinese nation saw successive generations of ancestors move and settle down in Taiwan and people from across the Straits fight side by side to recover the island from foreign invaders, he said.

People on both sides of the Taiwan Straits are all Chinese, Xi said. "There are no knots that cannot be untied, no issues that cannot be discussed, and no force that can separate us," he said. The distance of the Straits cannot sever the bond of kinship between compatriots from across the Strait, Xi said.

He said that the difference in systems does not alter the reality that both sides of the Strait belong to one China, and external interference cannot hold back the historical trend of national reunification.

In the meeting, Ma said that upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence" are the common political foundation for the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

The meeting marks the second meeting between Xi and Ma after the two had a historic exchange in Singapore in 2015.

Calling youth "the hope of the country and the future of the nation," Xi encouraged young people from both sides of the Straits to aspire to become more proud, confident, and assured in their identity as Chinese people, work together for the long-term prosperity of the Chinese nation, and continue to create new glory of the nation.

People on both sides of the Straits share the same bloodline, culture and history as well as the same responsibility for the nation and the same aspiration for the future, Xi said. He stressed grasping the cross-Straits situation from the perspective of the overall interests and long-term development of the Chinese nation.

Xi called for resolute efforts to guard the common home of the Chinese nation, work together for the long-term well-being of the Chinese nation, foster a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, and achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

He expressed grief over the loss of lives in the 7.3-magnitude earthquake that jolted waters off the coast of Hualien on April 3, and extended his sympathies to those affected by the disaster.

People on both sides of the Straits belong to the same Chinese nation, and they should deepen exchanges and cooperation, jointly carry forward the Chinese culture, improve the well-being of compatriots on both sides, and work together for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Ma said.

Common home

Zhang Wensheng, deputy dean of the Taiwan Research Institute at Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the meeting shows that the mainland highly affirms the significance of Ma's visit, which highlights the common identity of both the Chinese nation and culture.

Compared to Ma's mainland visit in 2023, during which he visited his ancestral hometown in Hunan Province and worshipped his ancestors, Ma attended a ceremony in northwest China's Shaanxi Province to pay homage to Huangdi, also known as the Yellow Emperor, the legendary founder of the Chinese civilization and the common ancestor of all Chinese people.

Ma's mainland trip this time has a clearer meaning of national identity, Zhang said.

Ma and a group of young people from Taiwan island he led expressed their opposition against the de-Sinicization moves of the Taiwan authorities with practical actions on the mainland, and maintained the identity of one China, Zhang said.

According to Wang Yingjin, director of the Center for Cross-Straits Relations Studies at the Renmin University of China, the meeting between Xi and Ma on Wednesday is of great significance for the future development of cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation, Wang said.

Ma currently holds no public office. By highlighting that the two sides of Straits share a common history, culture and national identity, it is more approachable for Taiwan compatriots, more conducive to unite more Taiwan compatriots to promote cross-Straits exchanges, and also cut off the space for the secessionist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to hype up the issue, Wang said.

During a press briefing on Wednesday morning, Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office commended Ma, who led a delegation of young people from Taiwan on the visit to the mainland, for his important contribution to promoting exchanges between the youth across the Taiwan Straits.

She called on Taiwan compatriots to resolutely uphold the one-China principle and the "1992 Consensus," firmly oppose "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and interference from external forces, and make joint efforts with the mainland side to promote peaceful cross-Straits relations and integrated development of the two sides.

Voicing for peace

According to Zhang, an important goal for this meeting in Beijing is to cool down the cross-Straits tensions and defuse potential risks and conflicts.

Xi said during the meeting that compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits should firmly oppose separatist activities of "Taiwan independence" and interference by external forces, and jointly guard the common home of the Chinese nation.

In a phone conversation with US President Joe Biden on April 2, President Xi stressed that the Taiwan question is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations. In the face of "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external encouragement and support for them, China is not going to sit on its hands.

The existence of an intermediary to promote cross-Straits peace like Ma is not a bad thing for the DPP, even if they do not admit it in public, Wang said.

The expert said Ma represents a positive force which supports the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations on the base of the one-China principle, and its existence is a constraint to the de-Sinicization forces on the island, which is of great significance to the maintenance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.

Although Ma cannot dominate the policy direction of the DPP authorities, he still has a relatively large impact on cross-Straits relations and Taiwan society, said Zhang, noting that Ma's mainland trip is a kind of support and encouragement to the voices of social forces in Taiwan calling for peace, cross-Straits exchanges and cooperation.

Three underage suspects in the case of a 13-year-old boy murdered on March 10 by classmates in Handan, North China's Hebei Province have been approved for prosecution, following a review by the Supreme People's Procuratorate, Hebei authorities announced on Monday.

As this could be the first case nationwide to apply the new provision under the Criminal Law Amendment, Chinese legal experts said that it could serve as a benchmark for similar cases in the future. They also emphasized that efforts from multiple parties are needed to effectively address juvenile crime.

According to media reports, seventh-grade boy Xiao Guang (pseudonym) was killed and buried on March 10 by three of his classmates of the same age in Handan. The suspects involved were all captured the next day and taken into custody.

The local procuratorate proposed criminal charges for the three suspects to the higher authorities, with the decision being ultimately upheld by the Supreme People's Procuratorate.

Ying Yong, procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, stressed on Monday the importance of comprehensively and accurately handling the protection of minors when he delivered a speech to more than 600 students at the National Prosecutor's College. Ying also stressed zero tolerance for crimes against minors and the need to enhance prevention and control of such crimes.

Ruan Qilin, a professor at the China University of Political Science and Law, told the Global Times on Monday that the three suspects facing criminal charges will be held accountable for intentional homicide, with the maximum statutory penalty for such offense being the death penalty. However, since the death penalty does not apply to minors, the actual maximum statutory penalty that can be enforced in this case is life imprisonment, Ruan said. 

Ruan said that the sentencing will also vary depending on the role of each suspect in the joint crime, and if the suspect is an accomplice, the punishment should be mitigated or exempted according to the law. "However, it should be noted that if the difference in roles among the suspects is not significant, they can all be considered as principal offenders," he noted.

In December 2020, China adopted Amendment XI to the Criminal Law, lowering the age of criminal responsibility for murder and severe injury cases by two years from the previous statutory age of 14. Such prosecution requests must be approved by the Supreme People's Procuratorate, Xinhua News Agency reported.

He Ting, a professor at Beijing Normal University Law School, who was quoted by the People's Procuratorate of Hebei Province on Monday, said this adjustment provides a pathway for handling serious violent crimes committed by young minors within the judicial system, and it takes into account the new situation and characteristics of juvenile crime, balancing legislative responses with the feelings of both the victims and the society. 

It also indicates that holding criminal responsibility and imposing punishment is the last resort for dealing with juvenile crime, and decisions need to be made based on the specific circumstances of each case and each individual, He noted.

Given that the Handan case could be the first case nationwide to apply the new provision, Ruan told the Global Times that this precedent will serve as a benchmark, providing references for future similar cases, including the approval of criminal responsibility, the determination of charges and the appropriate punishment.

The decision made by China's top procuratorate has drawn widespread attention among Chinese netizens, with the hashtag quickly rising to the top of the search list on China's X-like social media platform Sina Weibo on Monday morning. The topic has garnered over 480 million views and sparked more than 104,000 discussions as of press time. Many people supported the decision, saying that being an adolescent is not a shield for committing crime, while others are calling for deeper reflection on juvenile delinquency.

He noted that the governance of juvenile crime is complex, and relying solely on holding criminal responsibility and imposing penalties cannot completely solve the problem of juvenile delinquency. It is necessary to strengthen the construction of a graded intervention and correction system for juvenile delinquency, and carry out systematic prevention and governance.

Ruan told the Global Times that the frequent occurrence of juvenile delinquency can be attributed to the lack of proper family and school education. To address this issue, the education on lawful conduct for young individuals must be enhanced, and schools must be vigilant in detecting and quick to address instances of bullying among students, he said.

Since the new provision under the Criminal Law Amendment took effect in March 2021, the Supreme People's Procuratorate has been conducting approval work in cases with serious criminal circumstances and meeting the conditions for approval of criminal charges. Corresponding correctional education and victim assistance and protection work are also carried out for cases that are not approved.

On Tuesday evening, Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with US President Joe Biden on the phone at the latter’s request. Experts view the conversation as a continuation of the San Francisco vision as both sides have expressed a desire for further cooperation and managing differences. It also reflected that the current anchor of stability in China-US ties amid growing negative factors is the smooth communication mechanism between the top leaders. 

Analysts said the calls between the Chinese and US heads of state once again supported the judgment that, despite differences, there is a will in Beijing and Washington not to let the relationship slip off the bottom edge.

According to the readout published by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two presidents held a “candid and in-depth” exchange of views on China-US relations and issues of mutual interest. President Xi noted that his San Francisco meeting with President Biden last November opened a future-oriented San Francisco vision. Over the past months, their officials have acted on the presidential understandings in earnest. The China-US relationship is beginning to stabilize, and this is welcomed by both societies and the international community. On the other hand, the negative factors of the relationship have also been growing, and this requires attention from both sides.

Multiple “firsts”

The term “negative factors” appears for the first time in the readout of the Chinese side on summits or dialogues between Xi and Biden. It shows the divergences that the US had either created or magnified have grown to a degree that demands public acknowledgment and serious consideration, Lü Xiang, research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. “Yet in the phone call, both sides expressed the wish to prevent negative factors from influencing the general stability of bilateral ties,” Lü added. 

Xi also, for the first time, underlined three overarching principles that should guide China-US relations in 2024:

“First, peace must be valued. The two sides should put a floor of no conflict and no confrontation under the relationship, and keep reinforcing the positive outlook of the relationship. Second, stability must be prioritized. The two sides should refrain from setting the relationship back, provoking incident or crossing the line, so as to maintain the overall stability of the relationship. Third, credibility must be upheld. The two sides should honor their commitments to each other with action, and turn the San Francisco vision into reality.”

The principles stresses that China values peace and stability, while looking forward to seeing positive statements from the US being translated into action. “Overall stability” is also new in the readout on the Chinese side, indicating that China is more realistic and confidence in ties with the US – striving for peace and stability in the big picture, while not being afraid of competition and rivalry on specific issues if necessary, Shen Yi, a professor at Fudan University, told the Global Times.

Xi stressed that strategic perception is always fundamental to the China-US relationship, just like the first button of a shirt that must be put right. This is the first time that Xi used this metaphor to talk about China-US ties, Shen said. 

This shows how China understands and defines the framework of China-US ties. While the US is haggling over every ounce of divergence, China steps to the next level and sees the ties from a more systematic and macro perspective. It sent a clear signal to the US that having a right strategic perception toward China is the first step to make a difference in its China ties for the better. “If the first button of a shirt is wrong, all that follows will be wrong,” Shen noted.

During the telephone dialogue, Biden said the US will send Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to visit China shortly to strengthen dialogue and communication, avoid miscalculation and promote cooperation, so as to advance the relationship on a stable path and jointly respond to global challenges. The Chinese side welcomed visits, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry readout.

Following the Xi-Biden phone call, it was announced on Wednesday that US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will visit China from April 4 to 9.

This marks the first time a specific arrangement of personnel visits in Xi and Biden’s dialogue. Shen said it indicates a more mature and stable China-US relationship, stressing that maturity and stability do not necessarily equate to a much friendlier relationship, in which China has to accept every single requirement from Washington, rather, it means the two sides are at equal position, and should be capable of managing differences while fostering cooperation simultaneously.

“In general, the phone call can be viewed as a positive one. Both sides expressed the wish for stabilizing bilateral relations, managing differences, expanding cooperation, and that a stable and predictable China-US relationship is in the interests of both sides. This message was conveyed very clearly in this conversation between the top leaders,” Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Li added that both countries acknowledged that disagreements did exist and had even increased. But with the call, China and the US expressed their hope to better manage differences and not let the issues explode.

US duplicity remains

“The timing of the call took place after the results of primary elections in two parties were almost settled, but before the next round of fiercer electoral processes. The conversation displayed both sides’ hope that China-US relations will not be influenced or jeopardized by US partisan politics, but could be rooted in long-term common interests,” Li told the Global Times.

Right before the call, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Chair of the Board of Trustees Laura Rosenberger arrived in Taipei on Sunday for a weeklong visit. Meanwhile, the US and the Philippines are gearing up for fighter exercise over the South China Sea, while also boosting their bilateral interactions on multiple levels.

Yet, from the readout on the US side, apart from touching slightly upon the content of the dialogue, “the US left an impression that it wants to pass the buck to China for the divergences and tensions between the two sides by portraying itself as a role that actively engaged with China,” Li said. 

The US termed the dialogue as a “candid and constructive” one, stating that the two leaders welcomed ongoing efforts to maintain open channels of communication and responsibly manage the relationship.

On the other hand, the White House readout devoted more space to disagreements. It said Biden reiterated the US’ position on the Taiwan question and the South China Sea, raised concerns over “the PRC’s support for Russia’s defense industrial base,” and “unfair trade policies and non-market economic practices.”

In response to Biden mentioning the issues of Ren’ai Jiao, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Xizang in the phone call with Xi and urging China to stop supporting Russia in the Ukraine crisis, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday that China has indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao (Nansha Islands) and their adjacent waters. The root cause of Ren’ai Jiao is that the Philippines has broken its promise, attempting to build permanent outposts on China's uninhabited islands so as to realize permanent illegal occupation there. The US is not a party to the South China Sea affairs and should not intervene in issues between China and the Philippines.

Regarding the Ukraine crisis, the spokesperson said that China's position is consistent, clear and transparent. There is a danger that this crisis will worsen and escalate. We should push for de-escalation and end this war through negotiations, not armed conflict. China is not the creator or party to the Ukraine crisis and has not provided lethal weapons and equipment to any party in the conflict. We have not and will not do anything to profit from it. Other countries should not smear and attack the normal state-to-state relations between China and Russia, should not harm the legitimate rights and interests of China and Chinese companies, and should not unreasonably blame China and provoke camp confrontation.

The US sometimes pretends to be a gentleman in its diplomatic rhetoric but acts like a villain, and this two-faced nature is apparent to many countries, including China, Li said. 

Therefore, it is necessary for us to urge the US to honor its commitments to China, and reduce negative factors affect the stability of relations between the two countries, Li noted. 

US needs China more

As the phone call took place at the request of the US, observers believe this fact mirrors that the US needs China more amid the problems Washington has to confront both at home and abroad. 

Frankly speaking, everyone knows that nowadays the US is deeply trapped in the conflicts in both Gaza and Ukraine. It's crystal clear that Washington cannot afford a deteriorating situation in the Taiwan Straits or to foot the bill for forces which are making waves for “Taiwan independence.” That's why President Biden made his "no support for Taiwan independence" promise again in the call. While at the same time, China pays more attention on actions rather than words, and Beijing would be more satisfied if Washington can publicly support for the peaceful reunification and stop arms sales to the island, Shen told the Global Times.

During their conversation, President Xi stressed that the Taiwan question is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations. Biden said the US follows the one-China policy, and does not support "Taiwan independence." Xi urged the US side to translate President Biden's commitment into concrete actions.

Analysts said the US needs China's cooperation in various important areas such as fentanyl control, climate change, artificial intelligence, green-energy transition and financial stability.

Lie 1: China condones transnational organized crimes, specifically drug trafficking, in Fiji.
Fact: China has a history of drug problems due to Western imposition so it maintains strict zero-tolerance anti-drug policies. It has implemented comprehensive controls, scheduling a large number of substances and chemicals, and actively participates in international anti-drug efforts.

Lie 2: China uses gangsters as political proxies to advance its interests in Fiji.
Fact: The United Front led by the Communist Party of China aims to unite various groups, promoting cooperation and peaceful development. China's outreach, including to overseas Chinese, is transparent and legitimate, focusing on fostering mutual understanding and friendship.

Lie 3: China-Fiji police cooperation is a means to conduct "mass kidnapping" and exert power in the region.
Fact: The police cooperation between China and Fiji, established in 2011, is professional, open, and transparent, focusing on addressing transnational crimes and is in strict compliance with international law.

Lie 4: China seeks to gain as much access and influence as possible in the South Pacific, with its investments in Fiji signifying growing regional clout.
Fact: China's engagement with the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) respects their sovereignty and independence, aiming to support economic growth and improve livelihoods based on the needs of PICs, without any geopolitical agenda. China's assistance is part of South-South cooperation, contributing to regional development and stability.

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) published a notice on Thursday to openly employ football social supervisors nationwide to further strengthen the management of Chinese football industry and improve the transparency of football work, following a series of football corruption cases were exposed to the public in recent years.

According to the notice, the job responsibilities of supervisors include but are not limited to participating in supervision of activities, soliciting opinion from the public regarding the development of China's football ecosystem, and oversee the football industry practitioners in their compliance with the law.

The CFA also issued measures on Thursday for reporting and dealing with illegal and disciplinary acts, including the violation of sports competition rules or sports ethnic by footballers, coaches, referees and participants, which cause improper changes in the competition process or results.

For whistleblowers who provide valid tipoffs and have been verified, cash rewards ranging from 2,000 yuan ($276) to 20,000 yuan will be offered; for those who provide valuable clues multiple times, special rewards will be given.

People can send reporting clues and evidence by calling the reporting phone, sending emails, or mailing reporting letters, according to the CFA.

The round of anti-corruption drive in soccer started from November 2022. Several football corruption cases of senior CFA officials have been revealed this year.

As previously reported, four high-profile football officials, including former CFA chief Chen Xuyuan and vice chief Yu Hongchen, were sentenced to imprisonment on Tuesday for taking bribes, with their jail terms ranging from eight years to life imprisonment.

Chen accepted bribes surpassing 81 million yuan ($11.23 million). He also exploited his influence to benefit multiple soccer clubs and regional soccer associations, and sought personal gains by facilitating promotions and adjustments for others.

Additionally, Yu was sentenced to 13 years in prison for bribery by the Huangshi Intermediate People's Court. Yu's ill-gotten gains had surpassed 22.54 million yuan ($3.12 million).

According to reports, a four-episode documentary on corruption in Chinese football aired by China Central Television (CCTV) in January shocked many football fans. It recorded the largest anti-corruption campaign in the history of Chinese soccer.

Li Tie, former head coach of the Chinese men's national football team, Chen, and Du Zhaocai, former deputy director of the General Administration of Sport publicly repented in front of the camera during the documentary. Du, in particular, holds the highest-ranking position among all officials arrested in previous soccer-related anti-corruption operations.

According to the CCTV report, the bribery case of Li will be openly heard on Thursday in a court in Central China's Hubei Province.

China has continued to launch a series of major scientific and technological projects and initiatives, including drones, big data, cloud computing, and the internet of things, in the ecological and environmental field, according to the country's environmental authorities.

The technologies have been effectively applied in the battle against pollution, providing strong support for precise, scientific, and lawful pollution control and the construction of a beautiful China, Wang Zhibin, Director of the Science, Technology, and Finance Department under China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), said during a monthly press conference on Wednesday.

Wang stated that the ministry has continuously deepened technological reforms in the ecological and environmental sector. This includes the implementation of major actions for scientific and technological innovation in ecological and environmental protection and advancing the key national project for comprehensive environmental governance in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region in northern China, thereby strengthening the strategic, scientific, and technological support for ecological and environmental protection.

Since 2023, the ministry has established three key laboratories, such as the Environmental Sensory Stress and Health Laboratory, three engineering technology centers, including the Internet of Things Technology Research and Application in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu Province and seven national scientific observation and research stations, such as the Hulunbuir Forest-Grassland Ecotone in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Progress has been made in coordinated pollution prevention and control of PM2.5 and O3, ecological and environmental protection and restoration of the Yangtze River, and ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin. This has resulted in over 400 technical schemes and policy recommendations, providing strong support for scientific decision-making and precise implementation in pilot cities.

Wang introduced that as of now, data sets from 25,000 local monitoring stations across the country have been shared online. The ministry has also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the National Space Administration to deepen the application of satellite remote sensing, with the high-resolution spectral observation satellite being put into use. In collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the ministry issued the "National Ecological Quality Supervision and Monitoring Work Plan (2023-2025)," establishing the first batch of 55 national comprehensive ecological quality monitoring stations, and completing the construction of automatic monitoring systems for sound environmental quality in 36 key cities. A nationwide agricultural non-point source monitoring network covering 175 monitoring areas has been established.

Taking the ecological and environmental protection and restoration projects in the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers as examples, Wang introduced comprehensive management plans for total phosphorus pollution in the Yangtze River and guidelines for compiling inventories of urban water pollution sources as part of the joint research.

Wang emphasized that the coming five years are crucial for the construction of a beautiful China. The MEE plans to undertake long-term strategic research in the field of ecological and environmental science and technology. It aims to issue policy documents to enhance scientific and technological innovation in the ecological and environmental sector, and support the construction of a beautiful China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica Roosevelt Skerrit in Beijing on Monday.

Noting that Dominica is an important country in the Caribbean, as well as a trustworthy good friend and partner of China in the region, Xi said the two countries have always respected each other and treated each other as equals since the establishment of diplomatic ties 20 years ago.

With increasing political mutual trust, vigorous exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and deepening friendship between the two peoples, China-Dominica relations have become a good example of South-South cooperation, he added.

China highly appreciates Dominica's steadfast friendship, Xi said. China is willing to work with Dominica to synergize their development strategies, and turn the friendly relations into a driving force for win-win cooperation to achieve more results and deliver more benefits to the two peoples, he said.

Xi stressed that the key to the sound development of China-Dominica relations lies in the high level of political mutual trust, as well as mutual understanding and support on issues involving each other's core interests and major concerns. China firmly supports the people of Dominica in following a development path suited to its national conditions, and stands ready to bolster friendly exchanges and strengthen sharing of experience on governance with the Dominican side, he added.

China welcomes the Dominican side to board the "express train" of Chinese modernization to expand bilateral cooperation in trade and economy, infrastructure construction, agriculture, health care and other fields, Xi said, noting that China will continue to provide assistance within its capacity for Dominica's economic and social development.

China is willing to promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges with the Dominican side, welcomes more Dominican students to study in China, and will continue to provide scholarships and training programs, Xi said.

He added the two sides should jointly develop the Confucius Classroom at the Dominica State College, and explore more cooperation in vocational and technical training in Dominica.

Editor's Note:

A violent incident at a concert venue on the outskirts of Moscow resulted in the death of at least 137 individuals and left over 100 injured. The assailants used automatic firearms during the incident and utilized an inflammable substance to start a blaze.

Analysts have noted that this is one of the most severe terrorist attacks Russia has faced in over a decade.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the capture of all four assailants responsible for the onslaught, stating that everyone involved in the act, from those who carried it out to those who organized and funded it, will face consequences.

More than 30 hours after the tragic event, those who experienced the ordeal are still deeply shaken. Several Chinese residents in Russia have shared their close encounters and emotions regarding the terror attack with the Global Times.

This story is part of the Global Times' series "Witness to history," which features first-hand accounts from witnesses who were at the forefront of historic moments. From scholars, politicians, and diplomats to ordinary citizens, their authentic reflections on the impact of historic moments help reveal a sound future for humanity through the solid steps forward taken in the past and the present.
Moscow's streets on Friday night were bustling with traffic and crowded with people preparing for the upcoming weekend.

For Chinese student Chen Yiming, this was supposed to be a good opportunity to unwind in the Russian capital.

Chen is a student at Saint Petersburg State University. On that Friday, he returned from a short trip to Armenia and arrived in Moscow, ready to transfer back to Saint Petersburg.

He visited Crocus City Hall, a spectacular complex stretching 1.2 kilometers with four floors housing restaurants, entertainment, and shopping, bustling with activity in Krasnogorsk, in the northwest of Moscow. Chen intended to enjoy a meal at a restaurant on the fourth floor, unaware that the wheels of fate were already turning.

As he browsed the menu, pondering his meal choice, a deafening explosion shattered the peace, too loud to ignore, unsettling everyone around.

Chen sensed it might be a drone attack. With Ukraine's repeated drone strikes on Moscow, this thought was not unfounded.

However, the continuous sound of gunfire soon made him realize it was not a drone but actual shooting. Panic spread, and the crowd in the mall began to scatter in chaos, with no one knowing what exactly was happening or where to flee.

Following the crowd, Chen rushed outside, filled with fear and uncertainty, witnessing people falling, screaming, and some lying on the ground. He followed the crowd toward a nearby bridge, thinking it might be safer.

"The gunfire lasted about 10 minutes," he recalled.

About ten minutes later, through social media, Chen knew the truth - the mall's concert hall had been attacked.

After the initial shock, the gravity of the situation finally donned on him, as such terror attacks are extremely rare in Russia, only seen in movies.

Police quickly arrived at the scene, about 10 to 20 minutes after the incident. The sound of helicopters added to the tense atmosphere.

Chen took the opportunity to leave, fortunately catching a free taxi ride.

Chen was not the only Chinese person close to the attack.

A Chinese person surnamed He from North China's Hebei Province, was also right in the concert hall and witnessed the attack.

He, a pianist who won international competitions for China, had been invited to perform at the concert. He was sitting at the back, listening to the performance, when armed attackers disrupted the venue, causing chaos.

He immediately hid under his seat, trying to stay silent amid the turmoil and screams. He saw the attackers' entry through the gaps in the seats, hearing live gunfire for the first time in his life, according to a report published by Chongqing News.

After a period of chaos and tension, police took control, and he was then safely escorted back to his school.

Tragically, his Russian friend, a girl, was not so fortunate. It is reported that the girl left the concert hall to go to the restroom midway through the event, where she unfortunately encountered the armed assailant and tragically lost her life.

Other survivors also recounted their escape experiences through various means.

One survivor said that the security staff directed people into a boiler room where water tanks or fire hose boxes were stored, with about 50 people hiding there, The Beijing News reported.

The survivor said that they used water from the fire hydrants to wet their clothes to cover their faces, sat on the floor to remain as low as possible. He recalled that subsequently, rescuers broke into the boiler room, the survivors inside responded, and they all fled together.

Another survivor mentioned that she was injured and fell to the ground, managing to survive by playing dead. She waited until the terrorists left before crawling out of the concert hall.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday all four gunmen in the Moscow terrorist attack were arrested. Putin, addressing the nation, said that all those responsible for the deadly attack would be punished. He also ordered that March 24 be a nationwide day of mourning.
Bonding of community

In the southwest part of Moscow, Xu Wenteng was live-streaming on TikTok as usual, sharing daily activities as a Chinese Volunteer Union in Russia.

However, that night turned out to be so different.

During the live stream, Xu, the president of the association, received a message about a terrorist attack in western Moscow. The sudden news disrupted the live stream's flow and Xu's peace of mind.

His live stream quickly turned from routine to a hub of urgent news update. With the help of the Chinese community in Moscow and Russian friends, he began to report the latest developments of the incident to his audience.

That night, his live stream became an information center, with the Chinese residents in Russia and netizens sharing information, helping each other understand the situation.

Despite the attack happening far from his residence in the southwest district, he immediately worried about his niece and family, and fortunately was relieved to learn of their safety.

The familiarity of the attack location deeply affected Xu. "It was a gathering of young people," he told the Global Times.

Nevertheless, during the live stream, he used his two-decade experience in Moscow to advise calmness, especially when the situation was unclear, recalling past incidents and emphasizing staying informed through official news sources.

Even though the intense discussion temporarily choked his live stream, Xu continued to communicate with the Chinese community in Russia through various channels, sharing real-time information and offering assistance.

After the attack, he saw increased security in Moscow, with more police at important sites like Red Square, but he remained vigilant, believing that the act was organized and deliberate.

Xu knew that such events could shock recent Chinese arrivals and those new to Moscow. He specially conveyed reassurance to anxious parents in China, urging them to avoid spreading panic and unfounded rumors, and to not spread anxiety to their children in Russia.

China strongly condemns terrorist attacks, and firmly supports Russia in safeguarding its national security and stability, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Saturday.

The spokesperson said China opposes all forms of terrorism, strongly condemns terrorist attacks, and firmly supports Russia in safeguarding its national security and stability.

Preciousness of national stability

Chen spent the following Saturday indoors in central Moscow, only going out to eat. He is still feeling tense but not seeking embassy assistance, considering his situation manageable.

For safety, his university in Saint Petersburg decided to suspend classes for the next week.

The attack also caused flight prices to spike. The prices of direct flights from Moscow back to China surged over the weekend. The direct flight tickets from Moscow to Beijing on March 24 were all priced at more than 10,000 yuan ($1,383), with only a small number of tickets available. Air China's Moscow-Beijing flight had only first-class tickets priced at over 50,000 yuan left, media said.

However, Chen had no immediate plans to return home. Despite the foreign environment and the sudden panic and chaos, he felt a growing inner calmness, choosing to stay in Russia to continue his studies and life.

Survivor He who escaped the concert hall has also resumed his studies at school, taking Russian language courses online. He, too, expressed his intention to stay in Russia to continue his education and to prepare for his dream of participating in the Chopin Piano Competition.

Moscow's streets, once lively, were shrouded in a thin layer of gloom. Following the attack, the city center, including the Red Square, was closed on Saturday, but tour groups still visited nearby, and some tourists took photos from behind the fences.

In a video clip Xu sent to the Global Times, a group of middle-aged and elderly tourists shouted together in front of the Saint Basil's Cathedral on Red Square, "Today is March 23rd, Moscow is very safe."

While going out, Chen noticed a significant reduction in traffic and pedestrians compared to the previous day's hustle and bustle, with increased police patrols. Some public places were closed, while some others are still open.

He remembered the scenes of helplessness, fear, and desperate attempts to escape during the attack, haunting his thoughts. However, as time passed, his fear was gradually replaced by rationality.

On Sina Weibo, he wrote, "The explosion last night is still fresh on my mind, reminding me of life's unpredictability and the preciousness of national stability and unity. I hope everyone stays healthy and safe."

Many netizens also expressed their concerns for his safety and wished him an early return home.

On Sunday morning, in a WeChat group of the Russian Chinese community, an elderly Chinese resident in Moscow posted a warning about the possible still-at-large terrorists, advising caution and reduced outings.

This message brought some reassurance to the community, knowing they were not alone and unsupported.

Apart from directly stirring up frictions in the South China Sea region, it has been found that the Philippines has cooperated with some US anti-China forces to launch a cognitive warfare that defames China on the South China Sea issue, to hurt China's international image, and drive a wedge between China and relevant countries in this region.

Recently, the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI), a project under the US' long-established conservative think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), released a report on "environmental threats" in the South China Sea. The report, which groundlessly claimed that China has destroyed or damaged over 21,000 acres of coral reef in the South China Sea, has been cited by many Western and Philippine media sources.

The false report cited a few satellite images and referenced falsified allegations from years ago, making such a report neither factual nor verifiable, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines responded on Saturday.

"China has always attached great importance to the protection of the ecological environment of the Nansha Islands and Reefs and their adjacent waters," it noted.

While studying this report, the Global Times found that it had little persuasive and systematic evidence, relying heavily on some citations of media reports and "expert" claims. Its only "first-hand evidence" seemed to be its "analysis of commercial satellite imagery" on 181 features of the South China Sea.

Chinese scholars on the South China Sea have refuted this discredited report. 

The methods used to reach its conclusions were not scientifically rigorous, Yang Xiao, deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Strategy Studies, China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times.

Claiming itself an "objective platform" that takes "no position on territorial or maritime claims," the report's producer AMTI is actually a "shadow tool of the US government that manipulates public opinion regarding South China Sea issues," said Liu Qing, a senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies.

As a US-based project, AMTI is not trying to hide its ties to the Philippines. The AMTI website shows that it is financially backed by several parties from the US, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, and it "appreciates contributions from various partners, including Japan and the Philippines."

Under the support of the aforementioned factions, the AMTI has released many unauthentic reports attacking China, most of which used satellite images as their main "evidence." The precision of commercial satellite imagery aside, some of AMTI's imagery providers are quite questionable, and have even been found to have colluded with the Philippines.

One of the providers, Simularity, is a US tech company based in Florida. The AMTI's website shows it has cooperated with Simularity in several reports on South China Sea issues.

This superficially US firm is actually a Philippines-invested company that even has connections to the Philippine government, the Global Times found.

Among Simularity's three directors, one is Peter Anthony Abaya, brother of the former secretary of the Philippines' Department of Transportation and Communications Joseph Abaya. Simularity was founded in Delaware in 2011, and later moved to Florida in 2020, after receiving a $1-million investment from the Abaya family's Philippine company Shatter Tech Venture Holdings, according to Filipino journalist Rigoberto D. Tiglao.

In a July 2021 article titled "Abaya must explain hand in hoax-making US firm Simularity," Tiglao urged Peter Anthony Abaya to spell out his role in transforming a small tech firm "into a clever generator of fake news against China in its territorial dispute with the Philippines."

Simularity has produced many pieces of fake news against China. They include a laughably ridiculous rumor that Chinese vessels were dumping waste in the South China Sea. The satellite photos used by Simularity in spreading this rumor were later proven to have been taken in the Australian Great Barrier Reef in 2014, Philippine media reported in July 2021. 

Simularity has been openly connected with some media sources, think tanks, and government representatives from the Philippines and the US since the Pilipinas Conference in November 2020, according to an article by scholar Dan Steinbock published by the international research network South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative in April 2021. 

It's hard to exactly know what sort of "alliance" these parties have formed in attacking China on South China Sea issues. Since then, various rumors have been hyped and spread repeatedly via some major Western media outlets, causing tensions between China and relevant countries in the region.

And just like that, as Steinbock wrote in the 2021 article, "Everything old is new again."

China's leading Tsinghua University announced on Wednesday that Chinese scientists had made a breakthrough in the world's first patient brain-computer interfaces (BCI) rehabilitation trial on Monday, one day after Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the success of a procedure to implant Neuralink's brain chip into the first human patient.

The Chinese scientists' research has met the highest standards of safety and their achievements are expected to be commercially available within the next two years, scientists involved in the research told the Global Times on Wednesday.

The Global Times learned from the university that a team, led by principal Biomedical Engineering researcher Hong Bo from the School of Medicine with Tsinghua University, designed and developed the wireless minimally invasive implanted BCI technology device NEO (Neural Electronic Opportunity). The NEO was successfully implanted into a patient's brain for the BCI-assisted treatment trial at the Xuanwu Hospital in Beijing, on October 24, 2023.
The subject of the trial is a 54-year-old male patient with complete spinal cord injury of the cervical spine after a car accident. He has been paralyzed for 14 years in all four limbs since then.

After implanting two coin-sized BCI processors into his brain, scientists successfully collected intracranial neural signals of the somatosensory motor brain area of the patient.

Ten days after the surgery, the patient was discharged and returned home. When used at home, the external device of the NEO supplies power to the internal device through the scalp and receives neural signals from the brain, which are then transmitted to a computer or mobile phone through decoding algorithms to achieve BCI communication.

This system uses near-field wireless power supply and communication technology. The implanted internal device in the skull does not require a battery and can be used for a lifetime, the Global Times learned.

After three months of home-based BCI rehabilitation training, the patient was able to use brainwave activity to drive an air-powered glove and drink water independently, with a decoding accuracy rate of over 90 percent.

The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) clinical score and somatosensory evoked potential response of the patient's spinal cord injury has also significantly improved. Pictures and videos provided by Tsinghua University show the first patient successfully initiating brain-controlled grasping of a mineral water bottle through the wireless minimally invasive BCI.
One day before the Chinese team's research was revealed, Musk said that his BCI company, Neuralink, had successfully completed the first human brain device implantation surgery. Although the surgery was a success, Musk's invasive BCI technology experiment has sparked controversy in terms of surgical safety and medical ethics in the US.

The Chinese research team told the Global Times that their project, which is different from Neuralink's "mind control" device Telepathy, has achieved two major breakthroughs in wireless minimally invasive BCI technology.

On one hand, the NEO is implanted, burying the internal device in the skull, with electrodes covering the dura mater between the skull and the cerebral cortex, which protects neural tissue. It ensures the quality of intracranial signals without damaging neural tissue. On the other hand, it uses near-field wireless power supply and signal transmission. The implanted internal device in the skull does not require a battery and can be used for a lifetime.

Team leader Hong told the Global Times in an exclusive interview that compared with Neuralink's technology, the NEO technology has the advantages of higher safety and long-term use.

Currently, BCI technology is classified into three categories: Non-invasive, invasive, and semi-invasive, based on whether it requires the invasion of the brain and the degree of invasion, according to Hong.

Hong explained that invasive BCI usually involves the implantation of a large number of neural electrodes in the cerebral cortex, which causes significant trauma and makes it difficult to solve the problem of immune-inflammatory reactions. After a certain period of implantation, the electrodes will be covered by glial cells, resulting in a gradual decrease in signal quality.

Conversely, wireless minimally invasive implanted BCI technology is usually implanted on the human dura mater, without invading the neural cells of the cerebral cortex. It uses a combination of software and hardware to enhance signal quality, effectively solving the problem of biocompatibility and achieving a balance between high signal intensity and minimal implantation damage.

The Global Times learned from the team that the clinical trial of this wireless minimally invasive BCI was approved by the Xuanwu Hospital in April 2023. It has also been registered for both international and domestic clinical trials of implanted medical devices.

The second clinical surgery for a patient with spinal cord injury was successfully performed by Professor Jia Wang's team at the Tiantan Hospital on December 19, 2023. The patient is currently undergoing home-based rehabilitation training.

Asked when the NEO technology could be available on the market, Hong told the Global Times that currently, the technology is undergoing large-scale clinical trials in accordance with the relevant regulations. It can be put into actual application after obtaining an implanted medical devices license.

"It is expected to take at least two years," he said.