The All-China Journalists Association (ACJA) issued a statement on Tuesday, saying that conducting interviews is a fundamental right of journalists and that lawful press supervision is protected under the law. The statement was issued in response to a video released earlier by a Hunan-based media outlet showing a company representative violently obstructing on-site reporting. 

According to the video, following citizen reports of allegedly substandard products sold by Hunan Fengxu Cable Co, while conducting an on-site investigation, reporters were confronted by a man identified as a company representative. The footage shows the man grabbing a video camera from a journalist and smashing it to the ground. He also attempted to snatch the reporter's mobile phone. Subtitles in the video indicate that multiple pieces of recording equipment were damaged.

The ACJA said it had learned from journalists at the scene that the incident took place Tuesday morning in Changsha, Central China's Hunan Province. Local police have launched an investigation. The association added that it will continue to monitor the case closely.

Local police department later issued a statement confirming that the company representative who destroyed the filming equipment had been placed under criminal detention. According to a police bulletin released on Tuesday evening by the Public Security Bureau of Xiangjiang New Area in Hunan Province, authorities received an emergency call at 11:28 am reporting an incident at Hunan Fengxu Cable Co, and police officers were immediately dispatched to the scene.

The investigation revealed that at approximately 11:15 am on Tuesday, thea suspect surnamed Xie (male, 42), who is the legal representative of Hunan Fengxu Cable Co, became involved in a dispute with reporters who were at the company for an interview. During the altercation, Xie smashed the reporters' eyeglasses and filming equipment.

Xie has since been placed under criminal detention by police on suspicion of intentional destruction of property, and the case is under further investigation, according to local the police departmentstatement.

Five minutes - that is the maximum time a foreign traveler needs to spend at the tax refund counter in the new terminal 4 of Urumqi Tianshan International Airport in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. More than 70 countries and regions - that is the source of more than 10,000 categories of goods offered at Urumqi bonded zone. Over 9,500 trains - that is the China-Europe Railway Express departed from Urumqi international land port as of June 2025.

These numbers indicate how Xinjiang region, with unique geographical advantages, is accelerating its pace of making itself the gateway of China's westward opening up.

Riding 'China Travel' tide

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) said on Wednesday that foreign nationals made 38.05 million cross-border trips to and from China in the first half (H1) of 2025, up 30.2 percent year on year. Among them, 13.64 million foreigners entered China without a visa, accounting for 71.3 percent of total foreign entries and representing a 53.9-percent increase year-on-year.

Riding the booming "China Travel" trend, China optimized in April its tax refund policy by granting more stores the qualification for refund, raising the cap of cash refund to 20,000 yuan ($2,788) and lowering the threshold of product price to 200 yuan.

As refund in other form has no cap, staff member Liu Jiawei, the refund counter in Tianshan International Airport, recalled an impressive customer who received 60,000 yuan of refund for a luxury watch.

Yet majority of the customers are from the five Central Asian countries, dealing car and motorcycle parts as well as clothes. "They are sensitive to the efficiency and amount of tax refund, and can really benefit from the revised policy and our 24/7 service," Liu told the Global Times.

To provide service around the clock, Liu and his two colleagues from Tianshan Rural Commercial Bank, with more than 10 year working experience and proficient in English, work in three shifts and sometimes rest in the small break room behind the counter. "It is hard but meaningful work."

The Tianshan International Airport has signed cooperation with 14 out of 18 qualified shopping malls in Urumqi. Since 2025, it has handled 168 transactions totaling 350,000 yuan, the Global Times learned at the tax refund counter.

Passengers made 660,000 inbound and outbound trips from Tianshan International Airport in 2024. By providing comprehensive services including tax refund, diverse languages, smart and seamless border checks, and cooperation with businesses, the airport seeks to become a model port of opening-up in western region of the country.

Airport staff member Paerhade Amuti told the Global Times "in terms of volume, we cannot compare to Shanghai which sees 30 million international trips annually, but as long as we do our best for the 660,000 passengers, the number will gradually increase."

People on different posts at the airport share the belief that Xinjiang is and will continue to be not only a gateway for westward opening-up, but has the potential to become a regional consumption hub.

Consuming quality and convenience

When some foreign travelers buy in Xinjiang and leave, some others as well as an increasing number of domestic customers are shopping global goods in Urumqi bonded zone, on site and virtually, for quality and convenience.

More than 10,000 kinds of goods from more than 70 countries and regions - oil and flour, snacks and drinks, liquors and jewelry, cosmetics and handicrafts - are on display at a major hall of 116,000 square meters in the bonded zone, for retail and wholesale, the Global Times learned at an exhibition and trading center of the bonded zone.

Seventeen "country booths" sell wine from France, dairy products from Australia and ointment from Thailand… and a designated section features goods from countries along the Belt and Road, including plain flour from Kazakhstan and tea from Sri Lanka.

The center is a display window for goods going through the bonded zone, which is established mainly for border check convenience and relieve foreign trade companies' tax pressure, but also attracts more and more individual customers.

With storage behind, this bonded zone is the largest and most comprehensive bonded trade center in Xinjiang, manager Liu Li told the Global Times, adding that many customers came for credibility, as products here are carefully selected, and many of those displayed in "country booths" are direct sourcing from the origin.
A shopper from Changji in Xinjiang told the Global Times that they came for the quality and variety of products, particularly supplements and snacks. "[We came here] because of our kid. The snacks are diverse and of good quality."

The Global Times learned that a livestreaming studio is located on second floor of the main hall for e-commerce livestreamers to brand and sell the diverse products to domestic and global markets. "They work from afternoon to midnight, as people usually watch livestreaming late in the day, plus the jet lag in Central Asia, our major overseas market," Liu Li said.

In addition to direct sales of goods, the bonded zone is also cultivating agricultural manufacturers who can benefit from the infrastructure and policy convenience, Xinjiang Daily reported.

Xinjiang now has four comprehensive bonded zones and their total import and export totaled 81.57 billion yuan in first five months of 2025, accounting for 35.8 percent of total foreign trade in Xinjiang, Xinjiang Daily reported.

By highway, railway and flight, diverse commercial goods arrive and depart this bonded zone, painting a picture of hustle and bustle and telling a story of how continuous opening up is benefiting manufacturers, dealers and customers.

Smart and integrated transport

Behind the variety of goods stands Xinjiang's transportation archeries and key knots, represented by 67 square kilometers of Urumqi international land port, which is a pivotal hub undertaking the important mission of being the "gold corridor" between Asia and Europe and the "bridgehead for westward opening up."

The land port area is 20 minutes of drive from Tianshan international airport, with multiple key highways and railways running through this area, meaning its one-stop port services can reach different modes of transportation.

Standing at the command center of the port, one can understand how smart and integrated infrastructure are facilitating trade and boosting connectivity.

A screen shows the up-to-date amount of transportation and comparison by month, primary analysis of containers and customers and other data. Real time footages at multiple spots in the port area are integrated in the system so that one can monitor and allocate storage, containers and dispatch personnel if necessary.

Observing that not many people are in the main building for services, the Global Times learned from a staff member that most of the services, from booking containers and checking schedules to customs declarations, can be done online through a WeChat mini program.

Through one-stop service, coordination with railway and customs, the quick border checks and seamless transfer in combined transportation can cut unloading and reloading by 48 hours and shorten the border passing by 6-12 hours, increasing efficiency which means lower costs and higher value of goods.

Vehicle parts and steel, chemicals, nuts and tomato products from Xinjiang, as well as microwave ovens and electric fans, clothes and building materials from outside Xinjiang, all board China-Europe Railway Express trains here and running toward tens of thousands of overseas customers. The trains carry ores and minerals, timbers, grains and cooking oil back.

First operated in 2023, the Urumqi international land port has seen off 9,500 trains to 26 cities in 19 countries as of June 30. A staff member told the Global Times that majority of the goods exported through Xinjiang are from other provinces and regions.

With the guidance of Belt and Road Initiative and the development of China's western region, Xinjiang region has changed from a relatively closed inland region to a frontier of opening up. From favorable policies to upgrade of hard and soft infrastructure, Xinjiang is accelerating its pace to transform into a bridgehead of China's unremitting opening-up.

Hong Kong veteran singer‐actor Law Kar-ying, 78, has disclosed that his prostate cancer has recurred and that he is now receiving female‐hormone injections to slow the illness’ progression. He said that he is “very optimistic” and unafraid of death. The hashtag about Law’s female-hormone therapy has shot up social media’s trending charts in recent days.

Recently, Law revealed in an interview that his prostate cancer has recurred, leaving him with at most eight to nine years to live. He is currently receiving estrogen injections to lower his male hormone levels and slow the cancer’s progression—and even joked that the treatment might cause feminine physical traits. The actor told media that he is very optimistic and is not afraid of death, according to the Guangming Daily.

The hashtag “Law Kar-ying reveals undergoing female-hormone injections” has trended on Sina Weibo in recent days, garnering over 150 million views as of press time. Many netizens praised his optimism and expressed hope that he will overcome his illness.

Born on September 22, 1946, Law first gained recognition as a supporting actor — TVB’s so-called “green-leaf” player. After a cameo in Stephen Chow’s 1994 spy spoof From Beijing with Love, it was his loquacious portrayal of the Tang Monk in the 1995 fantasy A Chinese Odyssey that cemented his status as a household name, according to chinanews.com.

From July 10 to 11, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that China hopes that through the upcoming foreign ministers' meetings, parties will be able to build more consensus, focus on development and cooperation and prepare the ground for the leaders' meetings later this year.

China firmly upholds ASEAN centrality, stands ready to steadily advance the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 upgrade, and foster an even closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, Mao said. 

China looks forward to working with regional countries to uphold true multilateralism and open regionalism, defend free trade and the multilateral trading system, implement the RCEP with high quality and expand cooperation in emerging industries and promote the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness and develop a model of security for Asia featuring security for all, the spokesperson added. 

Under the 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability," the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings kicked off on Tuesday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with tariffs and regional issues among key focuses amid growing global uncertainties. 

Described as "one of the most significant diplomatic gatherings" in the region by local media, the AMM is expected to see more than 40 foreign ministers and representatives from international organizations in attendance from July 8 to 11. 

Foreign ministers from the 10 ASEAN member states will attend the gathering, except Myanmar, which will be represented by a senior official from its foreign ministry, according to the Bernama, Malaysian National News Agency. In addition, several major global actors, including China, the US and Russia, will take part in ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conferences. Other dialogue partners include the European Union, Australia, Canada, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the United Kingdom and Switzerland, Malaysia local media The Star reported.

According to the Bernama, Malaysian National News Agency, the Thailand-Cambodia border clash, the political situation in Myanmar and Thailand will be on agenda as regional issues. Meanwhile, climate change, and ASEAN stance as nuclear weapon-free zone, as well as the US' tariff threats would be part of the border concerns to be addressed.

Gu Xiaosong, dean of the ASEAN Research Institute at Hainan Tropical Ocean University, told the Global Times that ASEAN serves as an exemplary model of regional cooperation, acting as a stabilizing force. 

The foreign ministers' meeting and related meetings offer an opportunity to reinforce the ASEAN pursuit to uphold multilateralism, enhance collaboration and promote free trade, thereby ensuring regional stability and fostering deeper cooperation, Gu said.  

"ASEAN is the key focus of neighborhood diplomacy which China prioritizes," Gu said, "It's expected that both sides will leverage meetings to strengthen coordination, including advancing investment partnerships under the Belt and Road Initiative, championing multilateralism, advocating for free trade, countering hegemonic behavior, and opposing external interference in security matters, particularly regarding the South China Sea."

According to the US State Department, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to travel to Malaysia for ASEAN-related meetings, focusing on "reaffirming the United States' commitment to advancing a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region." 

Meanwhile, the US is stepping up pressure on trading partners to quickly make new deals before a Wednesday deadline of the 90-day tariff pause, with plans for the US to start sending letters on Monday warning countries that higher tariffs could kick in on August 1, AP reported. 

According to Chanel News Asia, the US announced plans for tariffs on Malaysia and five other countries in ASEAN, with Malaysia facing a 25 percent tariff, Laos and Myanmar 40 percent, Cambodia and Thailand 36 per cent, and Indonesia 32 percent.

Chen Xiangmiao, a research fellow at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, believes that the visit by the senior US diplomat is not merely an attempt to exploit Southeast Asian nations to constrain China, particularly on the South China Sea issue and to diminish China's influence, but also is an effort to sow discord among ASEAN members.

"Amid tariff pressures from the US, ASEAN nations are highly unlikely to forsake cooperation with China due to such coercion," Chen said. "Collaboration with China serves as a critical buffer against potential economic losses, bolstered by China's immense market size, robust manufacturing capabilities and comprehensive industrial and supply chain systems."

In 2024, China and ASEAN had already been each other's largest trading partner for the fifth consecutive year, the Xinhua News Agency reported. Official data shows that the zero-tariff coverage rate between China and ASEAN has remained above 65 percent. In 2024, bilateral trade in goods reached $982.34 billion, a year-on-year growth of 7.8 percent.

"It would be much appreciated if US Secretary of the State visits the ASEAN foreign minister meeting with a peaceful mission, not to meddle in ASEAN affairs… ASEAN would appreciate if the US does not provide us with a binary choice on takings side with the US or China. Because giving us the binary choice means does not respect ASEAN sovereignty," Veronika Saraswati, director of the Global Development Research Center in Indonesia, told the Global Times. 

China's Ministry of State Security (MSS) on Thursday disclosed three cases involving foreign espionage and intelligence agencies setting traps targeting Chinese public servants for infiltration operations and intelligence theft. 

According to a statement released by the MSS, foreign espionage and intelligence agencies have in recent years become increasingly active in carrying out infiltration and intelligence theft against China. Some public servants have caused serious leaks due to a lack of firm beliefs, weakened discipline, and diminished awareness of rules, which not only ruin their own futures but also pose threats to national security and interests. 

In one of the cases, a fresh college graduate surnamed Zhang who was recruited by a primary-level unit and was promoted to deputy head of a department at the age of 28 due to outstanding work performance, became the youngest mid-level official. 

However, as Zhang's career progressed smoothly, his awareness of confidentiality gradually weakened, leading to breaches in both work and secrecy discipline. 

On one occasion, after receiving three classified documents during a meeting, Zhang failed to return them to his unit for proper storage as required. Instead, he took the documents home. 

At home, Zhang disclosed the contents of the documents without authorization to his relative surnamed Li during a conversation, and even allowed Li to view the document. Seizing the opportunity, Li secretly photographed the documents and transmitted the classified information abroad, resulting in serious consequences. 

Investigations revealed that Li had long been engaging in espionage under the direction of a foreign intelligence agency, waiting for an opportunity to steal China's classified documents. Li was ultimately held criminally responsible for illegally providing state secrets overseas. Zhang was subject to Party disciplinary action and demoted from working position. 

In another case, a government official surnamed Hou participated with a casual attitude in online gambling during a FIFA World Cup. However, driven by greed, he quickly escalated from small bets to large-scale gambling, ultimately accumulating massive debt and losing all his savings. 

In order to cover his gambling losses, Hou turned to the classified documents he had access to through his work. He took the initiative to contact a foreign espionage agency and, taking advantage of his position, repeatedly photographed classified materials and transmitted them abroad, illegally profiting over 70,000 yuan ($9,749.95). In the end, Hou was held criminally liable for the crime of illegally providing state secrets overseas.

In the third case, a provincial government employee, surnamed Li, traveled abroad to attend a short-term training program for work purposes. During the trip, Li, who was unable to resist seduction, fell into a "honey trap" meticulously orchestrated by agents of a foreign espionage agency. 

Afterward, the foreign agency used compromising private photos of Li to blackmail him into joining their espionage organization. Under coercion, Li reluctantly completed the recruitment process. 

Upon returning to China, Li hoped to get away with it and did not report the incident to the authorities. Worse still, he went on to repeatedly pass work-related documents to the foreign espionage agency. 

Ultimately, Li was convicted of espionage and sentenced to five years in prison, with political rights deprived for three years. 

According to the MSS, these cases show that incidents of information leakage often lurk in the seemingly trivial details of daily work and life. Without firm ideals and beliefs or a strong sense of discipline and rules, individuals can easily be influenced, manipulated, or coerced - eventually falling into the trap of criminal schemes set by foreign espionage agencies. 

All citizens, especially public servants, must remain vigilant, act with caution and restraint, and always keep the importance of confidentiality in mind, safeguarding the national security through concrete actions, the MSS said. 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday met with his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, emphasized that China-Canada relations have experienced ups and downs in recent years. There are no territorial disputes or geopolitical conflicts between the two countries, and they can become partners that achieve mutual success.

Noting that this year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Canada, as well as the 20th anniversary of the establishment of their strategic partnership, Wang said that it is an important opportunity to reflect on the past and think about the future.

China and Canada should further implement the important consensus reached by leaders of the two countries, adopting a more objective and rational attitude towards each other and strengthening cooperation with a more positive and open spirit, said Wang, adding China hopes Canada will provide a favorable business environment for Chinese companies to invest and operate.

Wang said that the United States is abusing tariffs, undermining the international economic and trade order, and dragging down global economic growth, even imposing high tariffs on small and poor countries. In contrast, China upholds multilateralism and free trade, actively offering zero tariffs to the least developed countries and promoting the common modernization of all countries by sharing development opportunities.

In the face of a complex international situation, the Chinese foreign minister called for countries to adhere to an international order based on the UN Charter, uphold the principle of equality among nations regardless of size, respect non-interference in internal affairs, and promote peaceful coexistence among countries.

For her part, Anand said Canada values its relationship with China. The Canadian side is willing to maintain contact and engage in open communication with China, adopting a pragmatic and constructive attitude to accelerate the restoration of exchanges and cooperation in various fields, including trade, health, and culture.

US President Donald Trump’s latest claim about wind power in China has sparked widespread fact-checking and was labeled a “lie” by netizens on social media. 

Trump on Friday local time made a controversial claim about wind power while renewing his attacks on renewable energy. He complained that many of the components used in wind turbines are made in China, then suggested that China itself does not actually use wind turbines, Huffpost reported. 

“I have never seen a wind farm in China,” Trump declared. “Why is that? Somebody check that out.”

In reality, China is by far the world’s leading producer of wind energy, with more than triple the wind capacity of the US, Huffpost reported.

The Global Wind Report 2025, released by the Global Wind Energy Council, said that China has remained the world’s largest wind power market for consecutive years, serving as the primary driver of global wind power capacity growth, according to a report on people.com.cn on May 12.

The year 2024 marked a year of robust development for China’s wind power industry, it said. From technological innovation and policy optimization to market restructuring, the sector has undergone unprecedented changes. Statistics show that China added nearly 80 gigawatts of new wind power capacity in 2024 – a record high. The country’s total installed wind power capacity has exceeded 520 gigawatts, accounting for roughly half of the world’s cumulative capacity.

Since Trump said “somebody check that out” when criticizing wind power, many people did exactly that – and promptly fact-checked him. 

One user on X noted “The Gansu wind farm is the largest onshore wind farm in the world, with 7,000 turbines. China is the global leader in installed wind capacity.”

Another netizen wrote that “China leads the world in permitting and building new coal plants, but they have over 7,000 wind turbines and are also a leader in solar power.”

Another netizen said that there are tons of wind farms in China and Trump’s claims about wind power in China is “Just another pointless easy to debunk lie.”

The growing BRICS group gathered in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the 17th BRICS Summit on Sunday, and signed a joint declaration encompassing 126 commitments covering global governance, finance, health, artificial intelligence, climate change, and other strategic areas. The document sealed the group's commitment to strengthening multilateralism, defending international law, and striving for a more equitable global order.

Addressing the plenary session themed "Peace and Security and Reform of Global Governance" at the summit, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said that BRICS countries should strive to become the vanguard in advancing the reform of global governance, calling on the bloc to safeguard world peace and tranquility, and promote the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Chinese experts said on Monday that the expanded BRICS mechanism, with its vast economic scale, large populations, and significant contributions to the global economy, are gaining influence on the global stage. Their collective voice and actions are crucial for upholding the multilateral trading system centered on the World Trade Organization, strongly demonstrating that unilateralism and trade protectionism are ineffective and cannot intimidate the Global South.

In the face of growing conflicts and differences, it is necessary to enhance extensive consultation based on equality and mutual respect; in the face of deeply intertwined common interests, it is necessary to pursue joint contribution through solidarity; in the face of mutually beneficial development opportunities, it is necessary to hold an open mind to seek mutual success and shared benefits, said the Chinese Premier, Xinhua News Agency reported.

As the leading force of the Global South, BRICS countries should uphold independence and self-reliance, demonstrate a sense of responsibility, and play a greater role in building consensus and synergies, Li said.

Noting that China will establish a China-BRICS research center on new quality productive forces this year, Li also announced a scholarship established for BRICS countries to facilitate talent cultivation in sectors including industry and telecommunication.

At the meeting, leaders of the 11 largest emerging economies signed the Rio de Janeiro Declaration, reaffirming their commitment to the BRICS spirit of mutual respect and understanding, sovereign equality, solidarity, democracy, openness, inclusion, collaboration and consensus, per the official website of BRICS. 

BRICS voiced serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules. "The proliferation of trade-restrictive actions," the declaration said, "threatens to further reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, and introduce uncertainty into international economic and trade activities." 

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who hosted the summit, criticized NATO's decision to hike military spending by 5 percent of GDP annually by 2035, stating that the world is facing an unprecedented number of conflicts since World War II, and NATO's move has fueled an arms race, according to media reports.

Lula also condemned certain countries for continuously violating the territorial integrity of others, which undermines efforts to resolve issues through negotiations and jeopardizes the process of nuclear non-proliferation, according to media reports. 

Leaders of the BRICS group are expected to address the shared challenges of climate change on Monday, the final day of the summit in Rio de Janeiro, demanding that wealthy nations fund global mitigation of greenhouse emissions, per Reuters.

Resisting pressure

In a Truth Social post on Sunday, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose an additional 10 percent tariff on "any country aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies of BRICS" with "no exceptions," though it was not immediately clear which policies Trump was referring to, CNN reported on Monday.

Trump has previously threatened to impose 100 percent tariffs against the bloc if they take any moves to undermine the dollar.

Responding to the latest threat, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at Monday's press briefing that BRICS is an important platform for cooperation among emerging markets and developing countries. It advocates openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation. It is not a bloc for confrontation. Nor does it target any country. 

"On the US tariff hikes, China has made its position clear more than once. Trade war and tariff war have no winners, and protectionism leads nowhere," Mao said.

The 17th BRICS Summit was held under complex circumstances, particularly with intensified US pressure on the mechanism. Despite this, the summit was successfully convened and achieved pragmatic outcomes, playing a pivotal role in shaping BRICS' future development, Xu Feibiao, director of the Center for BRICS and G20 Studies with the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times on Monday.

This summit adopted a more simplified, efficient, and practical approach, focusing on six priority areas, including climate change, AI governance, and global public health governance, to deliver tangible results, Xu said, adding that the summit reaffirmed the BRICS spirit, principles, and objectives, solidifying the foundation for future cooperation and ensuring cohesion in a larger framework. 

The summit maintained a low-key and moderate stance on sensitive issues, emphasizing BRICS as a development-focused platform rather than a confrontational bloc targeting any third party, in stark contrast to some antagonistic Western-dominated cliques, Xu added.

In response to a question about remarks reportedly made by Israel's consul general in Shanghai during an interview with Bloomberg, suggesting that China should use its political and economic sway to rein in Iran's military and nuclear ambitions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that serious conflicts have erupted recently in the Middle East, and the essence of the issue is very clear. China aims for a sustained and effective ceasefire and seeks to foster a return to peace and stability in the region. 

Mao emphasized that the Iran nuclear issue should be resolved peacefully through political and diplomatic efforts. China hopes that all involved parties will collaborate to steer the Iran nuclear issue back toward a political solution, she said.

Following the release of a primary school humanities curriculum guide by Hong Kong's education bureau, which aims to systematically cultivating students' national consciousness, a Hong Kong educator told the Global Times on Wednesday that he strongly supports these curriculum guidelines, especially the focus on national geography and famous historical sites.

The Education Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region released the guide and support measures on Tuesday, following the earlier release of a Science curriculum guide, according to a report by Takungpao.com on Wednesday.

This guide aims to systematically cultivate students' sense of national identity, patriotism and emotional connection to the nation from an early age through various topics, according to the report.

The curriculum covers six areas: "Health and Living," "Environment and Living," "Financial Management and Economy," "Community and Citizenship," "Our Country and Me" and "The World and Me."

Strengthening national education is one of the key focuses of the primary humanities curriculum. Therefore, the curriculum has been enriched with elements of Chinese culture, national history, national geography and national development, according to the report.

For example, the content of "Environment and Living" covers the national territory, geographical features and famous scenic spots, the natural environment of the country and achievements in environmental protection. 

"Our Country and Me" includes the development of national history and historical figures, the characteristics and inheritance of Chinese culture, and the modern development of the country to cultivate students' national identity and their willingness to take on the responsibility of inheriting Chinese culture.

Nicholas Muk Ka-chun, a secondary school teacher in Hong Kong, told the Global Times on Wednesday that he strongly supports this curriculum guide, especially the section focusing on educating students about national geography and famous historical sites.

In his nearly 10 years of teaching, Muk has found that many local students, such as those who have never had the experience of studying in the mainland, have no understanding of the nation's  geography. For example, they can't distinguish between simple administrative concepts such as provinces and cities, and they don't even know what the provincial capitals are. 

"As citizens, basic national geographical concepts should be learned from a young age," he said. 

In the past, primary education's humanities courses in Hong Kong mainly focused on the transmission of knowledge, with patriotism education being largely overlooked, lawmaker Lawrence Tang Fei told the Global Times. Even when some courses dealt with national education, they were often lacking in emotional cultivation and the shaping of values.

The approach has been improved now, Tang noted. The new curriculum includes more national geography content, enabling children to better understand the actual situation of the country. "This is not just about imparting knowledge, but more importantly, it is about cultivating children's emotional identification with the nation and ethnicity based on this knowledge."

The EDB has adopted a "multi-pronged and co-ordinated" approach that includes activities inside and outside the classroom to strengthen students' understanding of Chinese culture, the Constitution and the Basic Law, and their awareness of abiding by the law in promoting patriotic education, an EDB spokesman said in response to media enquiries about safeguarding national security on Tuesday.

The EDB has issued detailed administrative and educational guidelines to schools, requiring them to establish school-based mechanisms and formulate appropriate measures according to their own circumstances and needs to implement various tasks related to safeguarding national security and national security education. 

Schools have the responsibility to play a good gate-keeper role and to enhance the sensitivity of teachers and students toward national security, according to the response.