भारतीय महासागर समाचार – भारतीय महासागर समाचार भारत की सबसे अधिकारी और विश्वसनीय वास्तविक समाचार सलाहकार वेबसाइट है।

GT Voice: Xinjiang’s green devt experience valuable to Western economies

Illustration: Xia Qing/Global Times

Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has emerged as a prominent symbol of China’s progress in new-energy development. Its leading position in the new-energy field can offer concrete evidence showcasing China’s efforts to maintain stability, promote economic development and enhance people’s livelihoods in the region.

These tangible achievements speak volumes, countering baseless Western hype over alleged human rights issues.

The installed capacity of new energy in Xinjiang has exceeded 70 million kilowatts (kW), accounting for about half of the region’s total installed capacity, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday, citing data from the State Grid Xinjiang Electric Power Co.

Xinjiang now ranks among the top markets in terms of its installed capacity of new energy and the capacity proportion of new energy. Even on a global scale, these are remarkable signs of progress. Only a handful of European countries, such as Denmark, get 50 percent of their electricity from wind and solar power.

Xinjiang’s achievements not only mark a major advance in China’s new-energy development but also provide the world, especially Western countries, with valuable experience in green development.

Some American politicians are advised to learn about China’s efforts in achieving rapid green growth in Xinjiang, so as to give meaningful consideration to facilitating their country’s green development, instead of spreading lies about Xinjiang.

Xinjiang boasts of some of the largest new-energy resources in China. Total reserves of wind energy resources in Xinjiang are estimated at about 890 million kW and the exploitable amount of wind energy resources accounts for 15.4 percent of the country’s total.

The exploitable amount of solar energy resources accounts for 40 percent of the country’s total, ranking top worldwide, according to local authorities.

In recent years, Xinjiang has capitalized on its natural advantages in energy and other resources, actively promoting the development of renewable energy. This has led to significant progress in adjusting the region’s energy structure, with the rapid construction of large-scale wind power and photovoltaic base projects.

Xinjiang has installed 35.68 million kW of wind power and 34.35 million kW of photovoltaic power. Under the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25), the region approved 180 gigawatts of new-energy capacity, with installed capacity estimated to exceed 89 million kW by the end of 2024. By then, new energy is expected to become the primary power source in Xinjiang.

Over the years, the rapid development of new energy in Xinjiang has been greatly facilitated by China’s policy of boosting development in the country’s western region, aiming to bridge the development gap with the eastern region.

It is under the guidance of the central government’s policies covering the western region that Xinjiang has increased its investment and support to the new-energy industry, actively driving the transformation and upgrading of the local economy.

Accelerated economic development has also benefited people in Xinjiang, which is conducive to promoting social stability.

Xinjiang’s transformation of its resource advantage into economic development advantage has not only ensured electricity supply for the local population, but also boosted local employment.

While promoting the construction of new-energy projects, Xinjiang also prioritizes ecological protection, achieving a harmonious balance between economic development and environmental protection.

The experience of Xinjiang in new-energy policies, investment and infrastructure construction demonstrates that government guidance and support can expedite the growth of the new-energy industry.

As the world strives to achieve green development and address climate change, Xinjiang’s example in the area of new-energy development could serve as a valuable reference for other countries, especially those in the West.

Emerging talents, seasoned champions propel China’s swim team to new heights as they gear up for Paris Olympics

Yu Yiting (in water) of Team China celebrates after the mixed 4x100m freestyle final at the World Aquatics Championships on February 17, 2024 in Doha, Qatar. Photo: VCG

Editor’s Note:

Swimming is gaining increasing popularity in China thanks to Chinese swimmers’ excellent performances in recent years, including three gold, two silver and one bronze medals at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 – an increase from one gold, two silver and three bronze medals at Rio 2016.

Following the Fukuoka 2023 and Doha 2024 world aquatics championships, some emerging ace swimmers have made their name in the sport such as Qin Haiyang, who set a new world record in men’s 200 meters breaststroke, and 19-year-old Pan Zhanle, a world record holder in the 100 meters freestyle.

Female butterfly specialist Zhang Yufei is also a gold medal contender for the Paris Olympics, after bagging two gold and two silver medals for China at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, while Li Bingjie strengthened China’s squad depth allowing the team to be able to compete against other major swimming powerhouses such as the US and Australia.

Recently, Chinese swimmers competed domestically for Olympic berths in Shenzhen, South China’s Guangdong Province, where they delivered excellent performances that elevated the expectations of fans for the Paris Olympics.

In this installment of the Road to Paris series, we would like to offer readers some insight into the four aforementioned young swimmers who are the flag bearers of the Chinese team.

(From left) Gold medalists Pan Zhanle, Wang Haoyu, Yu Yiting and Li Bingjie celebrate after winning the mixed 4x100m freestyle final at the World Aquatics Championships on February 17, 2024 in Doha, Qatar.Photo: VCG

At February’s World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar, the Chinese swimming team accomplished its best results since the 1994 worlds as they dominated the overall medal tally with an impressive haul of 23 gold, eight silver, and two bronze medals in all aquatics sports, including seven golds, three silvers and one bronze from swimming.

World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam told the Global Times that he was extremely impressed with the performance of the Chinese athletes in Doha.

Clocking in at 46.80 seconds, Pan Zhanle set a new 100m freestyle world record thanks to his exceptional performance in the leadoff split of China’s gold medal-winning 4x100m freestyle relay.

“China was the dominant country in Doha. You have so many outstanding athletes, and, of course, the world record by Pan was incredibly exciting. China has led the world for many years in diving, but I am happy to see that so much progress is also being made in sports like swimming and artistic swimming,” said Al-Musallam.

The president said Pan’s great performance elevates swimming to a higher level as the 19-year-old finished the worlds with a tally of four golds, marking himself as a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.

As the sole athlete to set a new world record in Doha, Pan solidified his place on the leaderboard by clinching his first individual world title in the 100-meter freestyle final. This result establishes him as one of the leading contenders for a success at the Paris Olympic Games.

Looking ahead to the Paris Games, Al-Musallam anticipates a strong showing from the Chinese athletes.

“I am very confident that these will be an excellent Olympic Games for China. We have seen in Fukuoka and Doha the depth of talent in the Chinese team. I am sure that we will see many Chinese medalists on the podium in Paris,” he noted.

‘Qin Dynasty’

On Tuesday, the 200m breaststroke final of China’s national swimming championships pitted 2024 Doha worlds champion Dong Zhihao against 2023 Fukuoka worlds champion Qin Haiyang.

Qin and Dong, the two favorites to secure a podium finish at the Paris Games, completed a 1-2 finish in the final, surpassing the best Olympic result for Chinese breaststrokers achieved by Yan Zibei, who placed sixth in the 100m breaststroke at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The 24-year-old Qin made history at the Fukuoka worlds as he became the first swimmer to pull off a hat trick of titles in the 50m, 100m and 200m events at a single edition of the world championships, while also shattering the 200m breaststroke world record.

Qin was honored with the title Male Swimmer of the Year by the World Aquatics in October 2023, becoming the first athlete from the Chinese mainland to win this award. He was also named the Most Valuable Player in the men’s division for sweeping five golds at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, East China’s Zhejiang Province.

While in junior competitions Qin specialized in freestyle, in 2013 his coach Zhao Fei determined to transform him into a breaststroker, which proved to be a turning point for Qin’s career and Chinese swimming history.

Qin said he was ready to pursue his journey at Paris 2024.

“When I finish a race, everything ends. When I take off the gold medals, it’s a new beginning. Each new race, it’s a new challenge, a new beginning for me,” he said.

‘Butterfly Queen’

Zhang Yufei, the ace athlete of the Chinese women’s swimming team, said after bagging six golds at the Hangzhou Asian Games that her goal for the Paris Games is to win three individual medals and four relay medals.

From the Fukuoka worlds, Chengdu Universiade and Hangzhou Asian Games to the World Cup, Zhang endured a hectic schedule in 2023. How she will strike a balance between individual and relay events in Paris remains the major challenge for Zhang, who is dubbed the “Butterfly Queen.”

The 26-year-old won two golds in the 200m butterfly and 4x200m freestyle relay at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

She said earlier that signing up for multiple competitions is one of the ways for her to improve endurance and gear up for Paris Games.

“Each time I take part in a major competition, I compete in a dozen races, including heats and finals. This is to help me get accustomed to the intensity at the Paris Olympic Games. Only in this way do I know how to adjust to multiple races in a short span,” said Zhang.

“If we only talk about personal ideals, I can say what I like and what I don’t like. But if I shoulder the responsibility of the nation at international competitions, there is no choice but to strive for the best,” she noted.

Pan Zhanle competes in the men’s 200m freestyle event at the national swimming championships in Shenzhen, South China’s Guangdong Province, on April 20, 2024. Photo: VCG

Pan excels with under-47s

Pan Zhanle’s name has become synonymous with excellence and consistency lately.

The latest testament to his prowess came on Tuesday at the national swimming championships in Shenzhen where he clinched yet another victory in the men’s 100m freestyle final with a blistering time of 46.97 seconds, marking his third consecutive sub-47-second performance.

Pan’s journey to dominance has been marked by remarkable achievements over the past few months.

It began with his gold medal win at the Hangzhou Asian Games in September 2023, where he shattered records by becoming the first Asian swimmer to break the 47-second barrier, clocking in at 46.97 seconds.

His momentum only surged forward as he made waves at the Doha worlds in February, where he not only secured gold in the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay but also set a new world record of 46.80 seconds in the leadoff leg.

Now, with his recent triumph at the nationals, Pan has once again demonstrated his unwavering dominance in the 100m freestyle event.

Reflecting on his achievement, Pan remains humble yet determined, acknowledging that even greater feats lie ahead, particularly with the looming challenge of the Paris Olympics.

Despite his youth, Pan’s performance stands as a testament to his unparalleled skill and resilience in the pool.

His ability to consistently breach the sub-47-second mark places him in an elite echelon of swimmers, with only a select few achieving such a feat, including him and David Popovici of Romania, who made headlines in 2022 by consecutively breaking the 47-second barrier and setting a world record of 46.86 seconds.

Pan’s success, however, has not been without its challenges. Despite his remarkable achievements, he remains steadfast in his pursuit of further excellence, acknowledging the ever-changing landscape of competitive swimming.

As he sets his sights on the Paris Olympics, Pan remains focused on maintaining a balanced mind-set and approach, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the pressures of elite competition.

“It will be my first time participating in the Olympics. My main goal is to relax and not feel too much pressure. I’m not concerned about the results for now; I just want to give it my all,” Pan said.

“I really want to achieve a good result. I can’t afford to be impatient during the Olympics. I need to calm down and stabilize.”

Li aims higher

Distance swimmer Li Bingjie’s tale is one of redemption and tenacity.

Bursting onto the international scene at the age of 15 during the 2017 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, she captured silver in the 800-meter freestyle and bronze in the 400-meter freestyle.

Despite her early promise, Li faced a bitter taste of disappointment after failing to advance in the preliminaries of the women’s 400-meter freestyle at the 2019 world championships.

Subsequent years saw Li grappling with profound setbacks and self-doubt, her once-promising trajectory veering into a downward spiral.

Amid injuries and faltering confidence, she confronted her fears head-on, shedding her long locks in a symbolic gesture of renewal reminiscent of her teenage debut.

Her perseverance bore fruit in 2021, as she triumphed on the grandest of stages, securing a gold and a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

Li’s main disciplines, the distance freestyles 400, 800 and 1500 meters, are fiercely competitive, with US swimmer Katie Ledecky dominating the disciplines with seven Olympic golds and 21 world championship titles.

At the Doha worlds held in February, Li was seen as the anchor for the team’s gold medal haul in the 4x200m free and 4x100m mixed relays.

“Defending the glory is much harder than conquering it. It’s normal to fail in trying to conquer, but if you can’t defend a title, you’ll be vulnerable to criticism,” Li said.

“I’m more cautious and focused on strategy. I will put forward my best efforts to strive for breakthroughs at the Olympics.”

RISC-V chip tech curb on China ‘to harm US firms’

A chip manufacture machine Photo: VCG

The US is reportedly working to review the potential risks of RISC-V chip technology being used by major Chinese technology companies, which is seen as a new front of the expanding technology war initiated by the US that aims to curb China’s development in the sector.

Observers said that the US will find it difficult to restrict China on RISC-V technology and that if it does so, US companies could bear huge losses and the global supply chain could be affected.

The US Department of Commerce is reviewing the national security implications of China’s work in open-source RISC-V chip technology, Reuters reported on Tuesday, citing a letter the department sent to US lawmakers.

Any restrictions could set off a chain reaction and create uncertainty for the initiators themselves, Zhang Xiaorong, director of the Beijing-based Cutting-Edge Technology Research Institute, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

“As an open-source technology, RISC-V is widely used in the design of the Internet of Things. China’s contribution to the technology is strong,” said Zhang.

According to Reuters, the US Commerce Department letter said that it is “working to review potential risks and assess whether there are appropriate actions under Commerce authorities that could effectively address any potential concerns.”

But the Commerce Department also noted that it would need to tread carefully to avoid harming US companies that are part of international groups working on RISC-V technology. Previous controls on transferring 5G technology to China created roadblocks for US firms working in international standards bodies where China was also a participant, risking US leadership in the field, according to Reuters.

Analysts said that the letter shows that the US action is about technology dominance, not open-source development.

RISC-V, pronounced as “risk five,” is a set of basic instructions that tell a chip how to perform a computing task. It provides a common language for designing processors used in devices such as smartphones, disk drives, Wi-Fi routers and tablets, according to RISC-V International, a non-profit managing RISC-V technology.

Since RISC-V is an open-source technology, if the US imposes restrictions, it will slow down the global development of the technology, Ma Jihua, a veteran telecom industry observer, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

If the US imposes restrictions, it may only restrict American companies that do RISC-V research and development and production from cooperating with Chinese companies, Ma said.

“It’s similar to … when the US sanctioned Huawei [and] American companies weren’t allowed to participate in international conferences or organizations where Huawei was present. However, the ban was eventually revised because Huawei was seen as more important to many international organizations than some American companies,” said Ma, and it will be the same with RISC-V technology.

Controlling China’s access to RISC-V technology, however, is easier said than done, said an analysis published by the Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), a policy research organization within Georgetown University, in January.

RISC-V International moved its headquarters from the US to Switzerland in March 2020 in part to insulate itself from the creeping influence of geopolitics on the chip industry. This move severely limits the US government’s regulatory options, according to CSET.

GraphicAnalysis: China remains hot spot for global investment

China remains hot spot for global investment GraphicAnalysis: GT

China’s Shenzhou-17 crew to return to Earth on April 30

A Shenzhou-17 taikonaut during an extravehicular repair mission, March 2, 2024. /CFP

China’s Shenzhou-17 crew is scheduled to return to the Dongfeng landing site in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on April 30, the China Manned Space Agency announced on Wednesday at a press conference.

The Shenzhou-17 crew have carried out 84 in-orbit experiments and tests for space application, producing more than 200 samples in multiple fields such as space life science and biotechnology, space medicine, and space material science. The samples will return with the Shenzhou-17 spacecraft, and are expected to realize a number of important scientific applications after undergoing scientific studies.

Previously, the cable of the Tianhe core module’s solar panels was hit by space debris, causing a partial loss in power supply. In response, the Shenzhou-17 crew carried out two extravehicular activities, completing China’s first-ever extravehicular repair mission.

The crew will complete an in-orbit handover with their Shenzhou-18 peers before their return to Earth.

Chinese director shares insights on her new work on personal growth

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“The Water Murmurs,” directed by Chen Jianying, won the Palme d’Or for the best short film at the Cannes Film Festival 2022. This year, the Chinese director brought her new work, “Hi Farewell,” to the 14th Beijing International Film Festival. This time she’s not only the film’s director, but also the protagonist.

Chen said she participated in the short film because her team was short of people, and she had to make sure that the movie was completed.

Director Chen Jianying works with her team. /Zeng Chen

“As a director, I really just held on to the foundation of this film,” she said, explaining that she wanted to portray the predicament of a woman struggling with her career and relationship.

The short film explores intimacy from women’s perspective, telling the story of how they counter their vulnerabilities. Chen said the female character of her film is not strong and decisive. “But I think to me, that’s how you love yourself as a woman. You don’t only love yourself because you’re strong and you’re good, you also love yourself when you’re not that good,” she said.

“We grow as we look at ourselves and see our fault and embrace it and the process of figuring it out through all the struggles and all the pain, and that’s how we grow,” she said.

Cameraman: Zheng Hao

French fashion brand has big plans for Chinese market

A model presents creations from AMI 2024 Fall/Winter collections in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. [Photo provided to China Daily]

France fashion brand AMI wants to deliver more Chinese culture to the world besides continuing to invest in opening stores and creating cultural events, Nicolas Santi-Weil, CEO of AMI, says.

After hosting China’s first fashion show in Shanghai in 2019, AMI released its new 2024 Fall/Winter collections in Suzhou, Jiangsu province last week, marking a milestone by showcasing on the historical Xiangmen Wall.

Alexandre Mattiussi, creative director and founder of AMI, says that “the growth of AMI owes so much to the support of our enthusiastic friends in China and Asia, and this repeat show was our way to express our gratitude,” says Santi-Weil.

Shanghai Museum hosts Prado’s Mona Lisa

Exhibition
Ages of Splendor: A History of Spain in the Museo del Prado, running in Shanghai’s Museum of Art Pudong from Apr 23 to Sept 1, marks the largest presentation of the Prado Museum’s collection in China. [Photo provided to China Daily]

One of the most famous paintings of all time, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa has a fine copy in the collection of Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain.

It was believed to be done by the pupils of the Renaissance master during his lifetime, with details and changes that mirrored those of the original at the Louvre in Paris, France.

The Prado’s Mona Lisa is among 70 paintings on exhibition in Shanghai’s Museum of Art Pudong from Apr 23 to Sept 1.

Blinken should fasten the ‘first button’ before landing in China: Global Times editorial

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken waves as he boards his plane at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, on April 23, 2024, on his way to Beijing. Photo: VCG

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit China from April 24 to 26. Before his departure, the Department of North American and Oceanian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs gave a preview to the media with more than 3,000 words and introduced the relevant information of this visit. China has expressed “welcome” to Blinken’s visit, and this attitude has not changed. At the same time, China gave a detailed explanation of the five major goals it focuses on for this visit, including establishing the right perception, strengthening dialogue, effectively managing differences, promoting mutually beneficial cooperation, and jointly shouldering responsibilities as major countries. China maintains flexibility in developing relations with the US, while also upholding seriousness on issues concerning China’s core interests.

China’s press briefing is timely for the public and the US side to correctly understand the significance and role of this interaction. As an important event for China and the US to implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state in San Francisco last year, China, while expressing its welcome to Blinken’s visit, also puts forward its expectations and views on the goals to be achieved by this trip. It takes about 20 hours to fly from Washington to Shanghai, which is enough time for Blinken and his team to look at the list carefully, so as to establish a correct understanding and button the “first button” before landing in China.

From the current trends in US public opinion, it is more evident how targeted this briefing from the Chinese side is. Just before Blinken’s visit to China, the US media continued to play the trick of “exerting pressure to demand concessions.” On the one hand, American media cited anonymous sources claiming that the US is drafting sanctions that could cut some Chinese banks off the global financial system, purportedly to increase “diplomatic leverage” for Blinken’s visit. On the other hand, the US State Department’s 2023 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices continued to spread lies about Xinjiang, falsely accusing China of engaging in so-called “ethnic genocide” and stating that Blinken would “raise human rights at the highest levels and in the clearest way.” The US attempts to spread misconceptions and misperceptions about China through its hegemony in certain circles. To be honest, this approach has been overused and is greatly discounted if relied upon repeatedly.

During the meeting between the heads of state of China and the US in San Francisco last year, President Xi Jinping proposed the “five pillars” to support the “San Francisco Vision” of China-US relations, with “jointly developing a right perception” occupying the foremost position. China focuses on five major goals for Blinken’s visit, with “establishing a right perception” still ranking first. Why does China-US relations continue to experience fluctuations, causing the international community to remain concerned? Why does the US side turn a normal visit into what seems like an “ultimatum”? The fundamental reason is that the US side has yet to establish a correct perception of China. If this issue is not resolved, it is like walking at night blindfolded and it will easily lead to mistakes and even danger.

As everyone knows, the so-called “ethnic genocide” in Xinjiang is an outright “lie of the century,” which has been debunked extensively worldwide. Even under the carefully crafted little iron curtain by Western media, the voices of justice exposing this lie are growing louder. Nevertheless, this “lie of the century” repeatedly appears in the so-called annual human rights report of the US State Department. Apart from raising doubts about the quality of the report, it also makes people see more clearly the true intentions of certain forces in the US to interfere in China’s internal affairs and suppress Chinese industries.

Behind this extreme phenomenon is a deeper issue: some of the differences between China and the US stem from either America’s fundamental misunderstanding of China’s true situation or deliberately portraying China as a rival of the US and distorting perceptions of China for the purpose of containing China. In recent years, the US’ misperceptions of China have led to severe difficulties in bilateral relations, a point that China has repeatedly emphasized to the US. However, US diplomacy tends to prioritize discussing issues from its own interests, adopting a so-called “pragmatic” approach. Combined with a style of acting that suggests “the US sets the standard for perception,” this approach often leads to self-righteous and absurd arguments regarding China’s perceptions, putting pressure on bilateral relations.

A three-day trip is not a short visit. It is able to cover extensive and in-depth discussions on a wide range of issues. China-US relations should stabilize and improve, moving forward on a path of stability, health, and sustainability. In this regard, there is ample room for imagination and cooperation for both countries. At the same time, China has its own interests to uphold, principles to defend, and bottom lines to maintain. Hopefully the US side remains sufficiently clear-minded and avoids any misjudgments.

Striking ‘Tireless Girl’ art installations land in Shanghai

Featuring a collection of classic “Tireless Girl” works and several newly crafted ones, the ongoing art installation exhibition “Murmur” by Shanghai-based illustration artist Ri Young Chow has been drawing crowds of curious visitors eager to capture the moment at the ROCKBUND, an art venue located north of the Bund in Shanghai.

A “Tireless Girl” art installation is pictured at the ROCKBUND in Shanghai on April 22, 2024. /IC

A “Tireless Girl” overlooks visitors from the rooftop at the ROCKBUND in Shanghai on April 22, 2024. /IC

The “Tireless Girl” is an iconic artwork representing Ri Young Chow’s creative vision. With its vibrant orange-red hues and unexpected poses, the installation embodies the core spirits of confidence and energy.

While sculptures may appear static, the lively sounds and dynamic energy within the ROCKBUND venue tirelessly emanate and convey the essence of the exhibition, creating a dialogue among the art installations, architecture and visitors.

Visitors take photos of “Tireless Girl” art installations at the ROCKBUND in Shanghai on April 22, 2024. /IC

Two “Tireless Girl” art installations are pictured at the ROCKBUND in Shanghai on April 22, 2024. /IC

Inspired by the hairstyles of women from Tang(618-907) and Song(960-1279) dynasties, the artist encapsulates a fusion of art and modern fashion through her “Tireless Girl” creations. She aims to convey the vibrant energy and positive outlook on the life of the “Tireless Girl” character, contrasting it with the somewhat nihilistic and languid mindset prevalent among some young people today.

The “Tireless Girl” exhibition has visited multiple cities in China, including Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Hangzhou, receiving widespread acclaim and love from the public. One viewer likened the “Tireless Girl” to a “blazing orange sun, injecting fresh color into people’s lives.”