With the highly watched trial of secessionist media tycoon Jimmy Lai taking place on Monday at West Kowloon Court, some Western politicians and media have exploited this occasion to smear the National Security Law (NSL) for Hong Kong and badmouth the rule of law in the city. Officials from both the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong have called these criticisms blatant interference in China's internal affairs, adding that any attempts to slander, disrupt and sabotage the NSL for Hong Kong will never succeed.

Lai, wearing a light gray suit jacket, was escorted into the courtroom on Monday morning. Presided over by three national security law designated judges, the prosecution's first charge was "conspiracy to print, publish, sell, offer for sale, distribute, display, or reproduce seditious publications."

The three judges overseeing Lai's trial are Madam Justices Esther Toh Lye-ping and Susana D'Almada Remedios, and Mr Justice Alex Lee Wan-tang, according to Hong Kong media.

Lai, along with three companies related to Apple Daily and six former senior executives of Apple Daily, are charged with conspiring to collude with foreign or external forces to endanger national security and conspiracy to publish seditious publications. In addition, Lai faces two charges of violating national security laws, including conspiring with individuals such as wanted fugitive Andy Li Yu-hin and others to collude with foreign countries or overseas forces. The trial is expected to last 80 days.

Representatives from the consulates of more than 10 countries, including the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, and the EU, were also seen lining up to wait for tickets to enter the court to observe the trial, some local media said.

At a press conference on Monday, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said Lai is a major mastermind and participant of the anti-China riots in Hong Kong. "He is an agent and pawn of the anti-China forces, and the person behind the riots in Hong Kong. What he did was detrimental to Hong Kong's prosperity and stability and the wellbeing of the people in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong law enforcement and judicial authorities have handled and tried the case in accordance with the law."

As for the US' and UK's statements, making such irresponsible comments on an ongoing judicial process is against the principle of the rule of law, the international law and the basic norms governing international relations, Wang said. "This is politically motivated and one hundred percent double standard. China firmly rejects this."

Some legal experts in Hong Kong say that despite of international political and public opinion pressure, the trial will become a classic case in upholding national security in Hong Kong, fully reflecting the independence of the city's judiciary, the spirit of the rule of law, and the professional integrity of its judges.

Evidence is demonstrated in the courtroom, witnesses are subpoenaed and cross-examined by both the prosecutor and the defendants' counsels and the court hearing is open to the public, and thereby a fair and just trial is secured, Chu Kar-kin, a veteran commentator based in the HKSAR and member of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, told the Global Times on Monday.

The verdict is determined by law and by facts. An appeal mechanism is available in Hong Kong, and defendants can appeal against convictions and sentencing, Chu said.

"The legal system in Hong Kong is based on the rule of law and so-called 'political prosecution' never exists in this jurisdiction."

"I think the US and the West have double standards, because Hong Kong relies on the rule of law. Since someone has violated the law, they must be punished," former member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Tam Yiu-chung told the Global Times on Monday.

"No matter what his background is, he must be prosecuted according to legal procedures. Other countries should not interfere in this matter and should not affect the work of the law," Tam said.

Lai's case also has a milestone significance, some experts said, as it shows that challenging national security and violating national security laws are absolutely not allowed, and all those who violate the law will be punished.

While the US and the West talk about the rule of law, they are using Lai's case to wreak havoc on Hong Kong's rule of law and judicial independence, a spokesperson from the Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong said on Monday.

Their "clever excuses" for criminals have no other use than adding more evidence to Lai's charges of colluding with external forces, the spokesperson said.

Experts and government officials from China and the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) shared their research and commitments via a recent forum, bolstering cooperation in the pursuit of climate justice and equitable solutions to the pressing challenges of climate change in the wake of the recently concluded COP28 in Dubai, UAE, where the first global stocktake took place and the Loss and Damage Fund was established.

The "2023 Pacific Island Countries Climate Action Dialogue" was held in Liaocheng, East China's Shandong Province on December 15. Hosted by the China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Action Cooperation Center, the dialogue focused on challenges of and actions to address climate change in the Pacific island countries, shared progress of China's South-South cooperation in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative and explored future pathways to jointly promote regional climate cooperation by China and the Pacific island countries.

More than 120 participates, including scholars from the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, National Climate Centre, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ocean University of China, Fudan University, Sun Yat-sen University, National University of Samoa, Liaocheng University, and guests from Fiji, Kiribati, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Sri Lanka attended the dialogue.

This dialogue effectively promoted exchanges between China and the island countries in the field of climate change, with a deep understanding on impacts of climate change on Pacific island countries. The dialogue also explored the potential of climate cooperation between China and Pacific island countries, according to a statement sent to the Global Times by China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Action Cooperation Center on Wednesday.

Li Yan, Deputy Director of Department of International Cooperation, the National Center for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation, shared China's policies and achievements in addressing climate change, pointing out that compared to 2005, China had reduced its carbon emission per unit of GDP by 50 percent, reduced its proportion of coal consumption on energy consumption from 72.4 percent to 56.2 percent, and realized 1.2 billion kilowatt-hours installed capacity of renewable energy power generation from wind, solar, water and biomass, a remarkable achievement in low-carbon development.

Eric Salut, Special Representative of the Director General of the Bureau of Climate Change and Development of Papua New Guinea and Chairman of the organizing committee of the National Climate Summit, pointed out that China's technological, financial and capacity-building support essential collective efforts in building a resilient future for the Pacific. China's dedication to sustainable development and climate action has been evident through various initiatives, partnerships with island countries. The Belt and Road Initiative, in particular, expresses China's vision for fostering global cooperation and resilience, he said.

Li Jianping, Director of the Research Center for Marine Carbon Neutralization at Ocean University of China, voiced that climate change has had a profoundly significant impact on agriculture, fisheries and food systems in the PICs. He emphasized the necessity to intensify climate actions to aid these nations in combating climate change and achieving sustainable development.

During the dialogue, Chinese experts mentioned that China could leverage its technological and human resource strengths to assist the PICs. For instance, adapting to local conditions, China could develop a series of intelligent small-scale photovoltaic systems for seawater/brackish water desalination to meet the water and electricity needs of the island countries.

Shen Lei, a research fellow from the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, proposed that there should also be collaborative research on the relationship between cultural heritage resources and climate change with the PICs, utilizing the roles of the National Museum of China and international organizations.

This aerial photo shows the site after a fire at a slum area in Manila, the Philippines on Dec. 12, 2023. The pre-dawn fire that erupted Tuesday left 240 families homeless, the Philippine Bureau of Fire Protection said.(Photo: Xinhua)

China's basketball governing body, the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), will make qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games its top priority for 2023, according to the association's general assembly held on Tuesday in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province.

"China's men's and women's basketball teams will fight for their berths at the Paris Olympic Games this year. China's men's and women's 3x3 teams will also try to qualify for the Paris Olympics via their world rankings in November. As to the Hangzhou Asian Games, China will endeavor to win all four of the basketball titles up for grabs," Yao Ming, president of the CBA, said at the meeting.

Yao placed emphasis on China's men's team, which is set to participate in the Basketball World Cup in August. The Asian team that finishes first in the World Cup rankings will have its tickets punched for the Paris Olympic Games. The other Asian teams at the World Cup include Japan, Jordan, Iran, Lebanon and the Philippines. China is joined by South Sudan, Serbia and Puerto Rico in Group B of the World Cup. The top two teams from each group will advance to the second round. The bottom two teams will then play two classification games to determine the rankings.

Su Qun, one of the best-known basketball commentators in China, told the Global Times that setting the goal of qualifying for Paris Olympic Games is well within expectations.

"China's men's team should aim at advancing to the second round in the World Cup. That will make our qualification for the Olympics more convincing," said Su.

Meanwhile, the association has resolved to crack down on passive competition, match-fixing, gambling, on-court violence and anti-doping violations in an effort to restore a healthy basketball environment and promote the development of Chinese basketball.

In April, CBA league teams the Shanghai Sharks and Jiangsu Dragons were disqualified from the 2022-23 season for "being passive in competition" during a CBA playoff game. 

In March, the Xinjiang Flying Tigers made a U-turn on whether to participate in the league following a contract dispute with player Zhou Qi.

"The CBA's reputation has been dented due to recent controversies. These moves are set to put the CBA back on track. It is also in line with the strategy initiated by the General Administration of Sport to revitalize China's soccer, basketball and volleyball," Su noted.

Yao also revealed that the CBA is planning a regional competition with the East Asia Basketball Association, hoping to bring clubs from China, Japan, South Korea and Mongolia on board.

Star hurdler Wu Yanni finished her FISU Games campaign with a sensational 12.76 seconds in the women's 100 meters hurdles, winning a silver medal for China. 

At the Shuangliu Sports Centre Stadium in Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan Province, Wu, a Sichuan-born athlete who is now studying at Beijing Sports University, became the top star of the night. 

"I have broken my personal best twice today. I think the main reason lies not in me but the overwhelming support I have received," Wu told the Global Times. 

"Competing at home makes me more relaxed and gives me more impetus rather than pressure."

Wu was born in Zigong, a southern Sichuan city, and started her hurdling career in neighboring city Neijiang.

Wu had renewed a short-lived personal best of 12.86 seconds in the semifinals, 0.01 seconds better than her previous set in 2021, before shaving off another 0.1 seconds in the final.

The result is enough for her to qualify for the Paris Olympics, as the result surpassed the 12.77-second entry requirement. 

"It is my love of the hurdles that allows me to go through all the difficulties," Wu said. 

"I also hope my enthusiasm for the sport can inspire more young people to feel the glamour of Chinese athletics and get out of their own comfort zone."

Wu's teammate Lin Yuwei of East China Normal University finished in fifth place in the final with 13.03 seconds. 

Wu's result of 12.76 seconds in the final has also surpassed the qualifying benchmark for the world athletics championships which will be held from August 19 to 27 in Budapest, Hungary, but the result came too late for the worlds. 

"I always believe that we Chinese female hurdlers are the best," Wu said after the race. 

"I don't mean to say I will win a medal for China at the Asian Games, but I will do my best and progress little by little."

The Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province from September 23 to October 8. 

Taking after China's athletics great Liu Xiang, who won an Olympics 110 meters hurdles gold medal in 2004 in Athens, Wu has set her sights on becoming a female hurdling star.

"I want to become the woman that makes people know about women's 100 meters hurdles," Wu told reporters. "I want Chinese female hurdlers to appear on the international stage more often. It doesn't matter whether it's me or any other female athletes to do so."

Wu points to the sky every time she hits the track, prompting many netizens online to copy her gesture.

"The gesture is cool and fits me well I think. It means I have set my goals for the Paris Olympics," Wu told reporters. 

Wu also spoke about the recent evacuation and rescue efforts in northern China, which has been hit by torrential rains and floods.

"My achievement belongs to every Chinese," Wu told reporters. "I hope people impacted by the floods will come back safe as well as everyone who made efforts to alleviate the disaster."

Viktoria Forster of Slovakia won the gold medal with a personal best of 12.72 seconds. The bronze medal went to Jyothi Yarraji of India who finished in 12.78 seconds. 

Yarraji thanked China for allowing her to qualify for the Paris Olympics. 

"Thank you so much, China. It was a wonderful competition that makes me able to qualify for the Olympics," Yarraji told reporters, before noting she will come back to China for the Asian Games in September. 

Other achievements of the night came from Sarah Keskitalo, representing Finland but was born in China, setting a personal best of 13.17 seconds in the semifinal.