Speaking to high school students, Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te used deceitful rhetoric to manipulate young people into supporting "Taiwan independence" at great cost, aiming to exploit innocent youth as tools for "Taiwan independence," and such actions are shameful and reprehensible, Chen Binhua, spokesperson for the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a press conference on Wednesday. 

Chen's comments were in response to Lai's recent remarks to high school students, in which he made so-called "three peace options," rejected the signing of a cross-Straits peace agreement and the 1992 Consensus, while once again promoting "non-subordination" rhetoric across the Taiwan Straits.

Chen said on Wednesday that "Taiwan independence" cannot coexist with peace across the Taiwan Straits and the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and their provocations pose the greatest threat to regional peace and stability. 

Lai's so-called "path to peace" is, in fact, a path of destruction that ignores the safety and well-being of Taiwan's youth and the general public. It disguises preparations for war and conflict under the banner of "peace." pushing Taiwan step by step toward danger and disaster, said Chen.

We hope that the people of Taiwan, especially its youth, will recognize the true intentions behind Lai and the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' agenda to seek "Taiwan independence," and strongly reject their provocative actions in pursuit of "Taiwan independence" and work to turn crisis into safety to make Taiwan embark on a sustainable and lasting path to peace, said Chen. 

In response to an inquiry about Ma Ying-jeou's recent criticism of Lai for promoting the "two-state" fallacy, Chen said reunification represents an inevitable historical trend and the only viable path; the concept of "Taiwan independence" is a regressive and doomed pursuit. 

Lai persistently adheres to a "Taiwan independence" position, advancing the "two-state" rhetoric and seeking external support for his agenda. This stance contradicts the course of history and is bound to fail, said the spokesperson. 

Chen emphasized that the Chinese mainland is committed to strengthening communication and cooperation with political parties, organizations, and key figures in Taiwan, based on the common political foundation of upholding the 1992 Consensus and opposing "Taiwan independence." 

The mainland will continue to promote cross-Straits exchanges, advance the peaceful development of cross-Straits relations, and pursue the ultimate goal of reunifying the motherland, Chen said.

Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said on Thursday that a meeting between Chinese and US defense chiefs requires a suitable atmosphere, and communication must be guided by principles.

The spokesperson made the remarks at a regular press conference on Thursday when asked whether the absence of a meeting between the defense chiefs of the two countries at the 11th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) Plus will affect communication with the next US Secretary of Defense. He was also asked about China's position on military dialogue between the two countries, under the background that there are occasional voices from the US side urging for military dialogue between the two countries.

Wu said that China maintains clear principles for developing military relations between China and the US, which are that China's sovereignty, dignity, and core interests are inviolable. Meetings require a suitable atmosphere, and communication must be guided by principles. 

The US side should not present a posture of seeking dialogue while knowingly engaging in actions that harm China's core interests, Wu said. "Don't they have s any self-awareness in their hearts?" he asked.

The Commissioner's Office of China's Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the regional government have rebutted the groundless attacks and malicious slanders against various aspects of Hong Kong in a so-called resolution passed by the European Parliament on Thursday. The Commissioner's Office slammed the move as "a poorly staged political farce," while the SAR government said it will not be threatened by such barbaric and despicable acts.

The response followed the European Parliament's adoption of three resolutions on "human rights issues" in China's Hong Kong region, Iran and Cambodia on Thursday.

According to a press release from the European Parliament, the resolution said Hong Kong must "immediately and unconditionally" release all "pro-democracy" figures sentenced on national security charges, including Jimmy Lai and Chung Pui-Ken.

The Commissioner's Office of China's Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR on Friday slammed the "erroneous" resolution for openly interfering with the judicial proceedings of national security cases in the region, smearing the NSL and disparaging the rule of law and human rights situation in Hong Kong.

"The European Parliament's act is a blatant interference in China's internal affairs, which trampled on the spirit of the rule of law," a spokesperson for the Commissioner's Office said, calling it "a poorly staged political farce that is completely unacceptable."

A HKSAR spokesperson said on Thursday that many common law jurisdictions, including the US, UK and Canada, have enacted multiple pieces of legislation to safeguard national security, adding that the European Parliament has turned a blind eye to facts, demonstrating typical despicable political manipulation and hypocrisy.

The European Parliament resolution was passed after 45 people convicted of "conspiracy to subvert the state power" were sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 50 months to 10 years in Hong Kong earlier this month, including former legal professor and instigator of the Hong Kong unrest Benny Tai Yiu-ting. It was the first case of subversion of state power in Hong Kong.

Dominic Lee Tsz-king, legislative council member of the HKSAR, told the Global Times on Friday that the individuals were convicted for violating laws, and the sentences were determined through a fair legal process, which is a manifestation of the rule of law; in contrast, it is the "unconditional release" proposed by the European Parliament that harms it, Lee said.

Regarding the resolution's suggestion to impose sanctions on SAR officials, the SAR government said it despises the so-called sanctions and will not be intimidated by such barbaric and despicable acts.

As for calls to revoke Hong Kong's favorable customs treatment, Lee said this challenges the principles of international trade, which could harm global economic interests, including those of European businesses.

Hong Kong and the EU are important trading partners. The total value of bilateral merchandise trade reached HK$510 billion ($65.5 billion) in 2023. "Any malicious acts that undermine mutually beneficial relations would harm the interests of the EU and its companies," the SAR government said.

Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times that the latest move by the European Parliament reflected the institution's inherent arrogance, hypocrisy, and double standards in its understanding of China.

"It's another attempt to undermine Hong Kong's governance and rule of law, and weaken its significant position in the global trade and financial system, which will undoubtedly complicate China-Europe ties," Li told the Global Times.

China strongly condemns and firmly rejects the wanton and provocative action that Lithuania's Foreign Ministry, without any reason, declared relevant diplomatic personnel of the Office of the Chargé d'Affaires of China in Lithuania "persona non grata" and demanded that they leave the country within the time required, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday.

As many are aware, on issues concerning China's Taiwan region, Lithuania has been acting in serious violation of the one-China principle and breached the political commitment Lithuania made in the communiqué on the establishment of China-Lithuania diplomatic relations, according to the spokesperson of the ministry.

This has caused severe difficulty for bilateral ties. Three years on since the downgrade of bilateral ties with China, Lithuania has again taken detrimental action that further exacerbates the relations.

China calls on Lithuania to immediately stop undermining China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and stop creating difficulty for bilateral relations. China reserves the right to take countermeasures against Lithuania. 

We hope the upcoming new government of Lithuania will follow the prevailing international consensus, abide by the one-China principle, and foster conditions for the normalization of China-Lithuania relations, according to the spokesperson.

Relations between China and Lithuania soured after the Baltic state allowed the island of Taiwan to open its so-called representative office in Lithuania in 2021, which China called a blatant violation of the one-China principle and international rules. China later downgraded its diplomatic relations with Lithuania to the level of chargé d'affaires.

Lithuania's incoming prime minister said he's open to restoring diplomatic relations with China three years after a trade dispute led to Beijing downgrading its ties with the Baltic nation, according to a Bloomberg report.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday at a regular press briefing that China also noted that a new Lithuanian government is about to be formed and several political leaders have expressed their desire to improve relations with China.

The Chinese side hopes that the new Lithuanian government will take concrete actions to abide by the political commitments made in the communique on the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, adhere to the one-China principle, and promote the return of bilateral relations to the right track, said Lin. 

Forty-five people convicted of "conspiracy to subvert the state power" were sentenced to imprisonment ranging from 50 months to 10 years in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

The High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Tuesday held a hearing at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts to deliver sentences for the case of "conspiracy to subvert the state power" in Hong Kong.

The Central Government firmly supports the HKSAR in safeguarding national security and punishing all acts that undermine national security in accordance with the law, and firmly opposes the interference of certain Western countries in China's internal affairs and their attempt to smear and undermine Hong Kong's rule of law by using relevant case, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Tuesday in response to the sentencing of 45 separatist activists in the case of conspiracy to subvert state power.

The sentencing was announced on Tuesday, with former legal professor and instigator of the Hong Kong unrest Benny Tai Yiu-ting sentenced to 10 years in prison, and secessionist Joshua Wong Chi-fung to 56 months in prison. This is the first case of subversion of state power in Hong Kong. 

In total, 47 people were initially prosecuted in a case involving the so-called 35-plus political strategy aimed to "paralyze" the city's government. Two were acquitted due to insufficient evidence, while the other 45 were convicted under the charge.

Apart from Benny Tai and Joshua Wong, former lawmaker Au Nok-hin was sentenced to six years and nine months, Andrew Chiu Ka-yin was sentenced to seven years, and Ben Chung Kam-lun to six years and one month, China Central Television reported. The prison sentences ranged from 50 months to 10 years, according to the report. 

Following the sentencing, Western media including CNN and BBC spared no time in voicing their support for what they claim to be "pro-democracy figures," while calling the national security trial "controversial."

The sentences delivered by the Hong Kong court are in line with the expectations of the legal community, Chu Kar-kin, a veteran current affairs commentator and deputy secretary-general of the Hong Kong Association for Promotion of Peaceful Reunification of China, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

"This is a landmark case for Hong Kong's judicial development and progress. The case has established the right track and direction to maintain Hong Kong's law and order," Chu said. 

"The judges have withstood immense pressure from Western countries and made rulings in accordance with the law," Lau Siu-kai, a consultant from the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies who is also a senior policy advisor, told the Global Times, "It highlights the effectiveness of the National Security Law for Hong Kong in safeguarding national security and maintaining stability, as well as the courage and determination of the SAR government and its judicial department."

The court's rulings have gained wide recognition among local residents, Lau said, further enhancing the authority and effectiveness of Hong Kong's legal system. 

"The verdict also serves as a warning to external forces attempting to interfere in Jimmy Lai's trial, making it clear that their schemes will not succeed," Lau added. 

Willy Fu, a law professor who is also the director of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macao Studies, said the case is about the trial of "the source of social unrest and violence in Hong Kong, and the main culprit behind the disruption of Hong Kong's prosperity, stability, and democratic rule of law."

During the trial of this case, the US and some Western countries exerted pressure through arbitrary attacks and smear campaigns, and some politicians clamoring for sanctions against officials of the SAR government and court judges. 

"They attempted to interfere with the court's independent judgment and influence its rulings. Their hypocritical double standards and schemes to disrupt Hong Kong and contain China have been fully exposed and must be strongly condemned," Fu said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping extended congratulations via video to the 2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, which opened in Wuzhen, east China's Zhejiang Province, on Wednesday.

Noting that a new wave of technological revolution and industrial transformation is rapidly advancing, Xi urged efforts to embrace the digital, internet-based and smart development trends.

He called for accelerating innovative, safe and inclusive growth in cyberspace, and jointly striving for a brighter "digital future."

China is willing to work with countries around the world to take historical initiative in information revolution, and jointly build a community with a shared future in cyberspace, to make the internet better benefit the people and the world, Xi said.

International students experience traditional Chinese medicines' cupping therapy at a teaching and research base at Southwest University in Chongqing Municipality on Novemeber 21, 2024. Photo: VCG

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday presided over a State Council executive meeting to study and promote the healthy development of the platform economy.

The meeting also discussed a draft law on hazardous chemicals safety, and approved a draft decision to amend and abolish some administrative regulations.

The meeting noted that the development of the platform economy is of significance in expanding domestic demands, keeping employment stable, ensuring people's livelihood as well as developing new quality productive forces.

It called for efforts in strengthening the system of industrial internet platforms, supporting consumer internet platform companies to tap market potential and promoting the law-based and orderly cross-border flow of data.

Standardized operation and orderly competition of platform enterprises should be advanced, the meeting said, adding that their quality should also be improved to give full play to the platform economy's role in boosting employment.

The meeting discussed and approved a draft law on the safety of hazardous chemical substances and decided to submit the draft to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, for deliberation.

It was emphasized at the meeting that efforts should focus on establishing a prevention mechanism to manage safety risks at different levels and root out hidden hazards. It was essential to enhance safety management throughout the entire process of production, storage, utilization, operation, and transportation to resolutely curb the occurrence of major accidents, according to the meeting.

The meeting also underscored the importance of improving the professional skills of industry personnel, promoting the large-scale equipment upgrades, and expediting the phase-out, upgrades and renovation of outdated chemical facilities.

Additionally, it decided to revise certain provisions in 21 regulations, including one regulation regarding the supervision of medical equipment, and abolish four regulations.

The Philippine side, in collusion with external countries, carried out frequent military exercises in the South China Sea to sow discord and provoke confrontation. Such actions disrupt peace and stability in the South China Sea and undermine the interests and well-being of people in the region, Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, told a press conference on Friday.

Zhang made the remarks in response to a question about Philippine Navy spokesperson's remarks that the joint naval exercises frequently held by the Philippines, the US and other Western powers were helping reign in "aggressive" Chinese actions in the South China Sea, and that the Philippine government signed into law the so-called Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act to commit to "rule-based international order."

Zhang said the Philippine side attempted to solidify the illegal arbitral award on the South China Sea through domestic legislation, to include China's Huangyan Dao, most islands and reefs of China's Nansha Qundao and their adjacent waters into the Philippine's maritime zones.

Such acts severely violate China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea and harm other countries' right to navigation and shipping. The Chinese side firmly opposes this, said Zhang.

Zhang emphasized that the Asia-Pacific welcomes those who share the pursuit of peaceful development, not those who create troubles and conflicts. China urges the Philippine side to immediately stop spreading false narratives, refrain from any unilateral action that may expand and complicate disputes, and return to the right track of settling disputes through dialogue and negotiation, he said.

The Chinese military will take strong and resolute measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, counter infringements and provocations, and preserve peace and stability in the South China Sea, said Zhang.

The Philippine side, in collusion with external countries, carried out frequent military exercises in the South China Sea to sow discord and provoke confrontation. Such actions disrupt peace and stability in the South China Sea and undermine the interests and well-being of people in the region, Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, told a press conference on Friday.

Zhang made the remarks in response to a question about Philippine Navy spokesperson's remarks that the joint naval exercises frequently held by the Philippines, the US and other Western powers were helping reign in "aggressive" Chinese actions in the South China Sea, and that the Philippine government signed into law the so-called Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act to commit to "rule-based international order."

Zhang said the Philippine side attempted to solidify the illegal arbitral award on the South China Sea through domestic legislation, to include China's Huangyan Dao, most islands and reefs of China's Nansha Qundao and their adjacent waters into the Philippine's maritime zones.

Such acts severely violate China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea and harm other countries' right to navigation and shipping. The Chinese side firmly opposes this, said Zhang.

Zhang emphasized that the Asia-Pacific welcomes those who share the pursuit of peaceful development, not those who create troubles and conflicts. China urges the Philippine side to immediately stop spreading false narratives, refrain from any unilateral action that may expand and complicate disputes, and return to the right track of settling disputes through dialogue and negotiation, he said.

The Chinese military will take strong and resolute measures to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, counter infringements and provocations, and preserve peace and stability in the South China Sea, said Zhang.

Xi attends 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting