The Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) concluded its 16th session on Friday in Beijing.

At the closing meeting, lawmakers voted to adopt a revised Law on Penalties for Administration of Public Security and a revised Law against Unfair Competition.

President Xi Jinping signed two presidential orders to promulgate the laws.

Zhao Leji, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the closing meeting.

The meeting adopted the decision of the NPC Standing Committee on ratifying the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation.

In addition, it approved the central government's final accounts for 2024.

The session voted to remove Miao Hua from his position as a member of the Central Military Commission, while lawmakers also passed a deputy qualification report and other personnel-related bills.

Addressing the closing meeting, Zhao stressed the need to earnestly carry out the education campaign on implementing the Party central leadership's "eight-point decision" on improving work conduct, in a bid to promote high-quality development of the work of people's congresses.

He also urged efforts to practice whole-process people's democracy, consciously accept public oversight, and maintain close ties with the people.

Lawmakers should foster strong awareness of the rule of law, remain loyal to the Constitution, strictly follow legal procedures, and faithfully perform their statutory duties, Zhao said.

Zhao chaired a meeting of the Council of Chairpersons before the closing meeting and presided over a lecture for lawmakers after the closing meeting.

Q: US President Donald Trump announced that the US carried out strikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran—Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan. What's China's comment on this?

A: China strongly condemns the US attacks on Iran and bombing of nuclear facilities under the safeguards of the IAEA. The actions of the US seriously violate the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, and have exacerbated tensions in the Middle East. China calls on the parties to the conflict, Israel in particular, to reach a ceasefire as soon as possible, ensure the safety of civilians, and start dialogue and negotiation. China stands ready to work with the international community to pool efforts together and uphold justice, and work for restoring peace and stability in the Middle East.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who is on an official visit to China, in Beijing on Monday.

Noting that China and Singapore are friendly neighbors and important partners, Li said that under the strategic guidance of their leaders, the traditional friendship between China and Singapore has been continuously deepened since the establishment of diplomatic relations 35 years ago, with bilateral relations enhanced and practical cooperation achieving fruitful results.

He said that China is willing to work with Singapore to uphold the traditions of mutual respect and trust, equality and mutual benefits, while maintaining close high-level exchange, enhancing strategic communication, and consolidating political mutual trust.

Li said that China stands ready to make full use of its bilateral cooperation mechanism with Singapore, implement their cooperation plan for the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative, and expand and strengthen flagship cooperation projects. China is also ready to increase the scale of two-way trade and investment, actively expand cooperation in third-party markets, and foster new cooperative initiatives in areas such as the digital economy, the green economy, artificial intelligence, smart cities and ocean energy.

He called on the two countries to strengthen exchange in education, culture, tourism and media, and to adhere to open regionalism and true multilateralism, actively promote the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, and maintain the stability and smooth operations of global industrial and supply chains.

China is willing to work with ASEAN member states, including Singapore, to promote the timely signature and implementation of the upgraded Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area pact, implement the high-quality Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, and accelerate the process of regional economic integration, Li said.

Wong said that Singapore looks forward to maintaining close high-level exchange and cooperation in various fields with China, deepening friendship and mutual trust, and promoting flagship cooperation projects such as the Suzhou Industrial Park. It is also willing to explore cooperation potential in emerging fields such as the digital economy, the green economy, artificial intelligence and biomedicine, and to expand third-party cooperation and enhance people-to-people and cultural exchange.

Wong noted that Singapore is full of confidence in the Chinese economy, and is willing to enhance communication and collaboration with China on regional and multilateral platforms to safeguard free trade and the multilateral trading system.

The Guangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau's Tianhe District Branch on Tuesday released a police report stating that a tech company in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province, was targeted by overseas hackers in a cyberattack, prompting the police to initiate an investigation. The police revealed that the attack has a clear political background and shows distinct signs of cyber warfare. The Global Times will continue to follow the progress of the investigation on the case.

According to the police report, the backend system of the self-service devices of the tech company was subjected to a cyberattack, resulting in the illegal upload of multiple attack programs that maliciously disrupted the normal operation of the system. Upon receiving the report, the public security authorities promptly launched an investigation, extracting relevant samples and legally securing electronic evidence. Through technical analysis of the attack methods and related malicious code samples, it has been preliminarily determined that the incident was a cyberattack initiated by an overseas hacker organization.

According to a relevant person in charge from the Guangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau's Tianhe District Branch, the attackers used technical means to bypass the company's network protection devices, illegally accessing the backend system of the self-service devices. They conducted lateral movement to infiltrate and control multiple network devices, illegally uploading several attack programs, which affected the company's official website and some business systems, leading to several hours of network service interruption and causing significant losses, with some user privacy information potentially leaked.

Following the incident, the company immediately activated its emergency response plan, attempting to restore the system at the earliest opportunity and reporting the case to the local public security authorities. The authorities took the matter seriously, extracting relevant attack program samples, comprehensively securing related evidence, and organizing a professional technical team to conduct technical tracing.

The relevant person in charge disclosed that this cyberattack represents a large-scale organized and premeditated operation by an overseas hacker organization, exhibiting clear signs of cyber warfare. It is not something that an ordinary individual hacker could accomplish. "Preliminary tracing has revealed that this hacker organization has been using open-source tools to conduct network asset scanning and probing against our important departments, sensitive industries, and tech companies, broadly searching for attack targets. They exploit weak points in the network defenses of targeted units and seek opportunities to invade and control target systems, stealing and damaging important data, and disrupting the normal operations of relevant institutions."

Additionally, the technical team's analysis indicates that the attacker's methods and related technical proficiency were relatively low-level, exposing a significant number of digital traces during the attack. Public security authorities are currently conducting technical analysis and investigative work based on these leads.

The Guangzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau's Tianhe District Branch stated that this cyberattack not only violated the legitimate rights and interests of the enterprise, but also posed a serious threat to China's cyberspace order and public interest.

A cybersecurity expert told the Global Times that the attack had a clear political background, was highly targeted, and constituted an Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) operation. He further analyzed that judging from the official announcement, the overall level of the attack was not particularly sophisticated, falling within the second or third tier of APT groups' capabilities. Currently, when it comes to cyberattacks at this level, China-from regulatory authorities to major cybersecurity firms-has already developed effective response capabilities in threat detection, tracing, and countermeasures. "We can conduct in-depth analysis of the attack process and samples, and in some cases, can pinpoint the source of the threat," the expert said.

The police have reminded the public that any individual or organization encountering activities that endanger cybersecurity has the right to report them to the local cybersecurity department of the public security authorities in accordance with Article 14 of the Cybersecurity Law of the People's Republic of China. The authorities will resolutely crack down on such illegal activities in accordance with the law.

In recent years, following reports of cyberattacks launched by overseas hacker groups against China, public security authorities have promptly launched investigations and ultimately identified the foreign perpetrators. The most notable cases include the cyberattack against Northwestern Polytechnical University in Northwest China's Shaanxi Province and the cyberattack on the Wuhan Earthquake Monitoring Center.

In this regard, the expert stated that China's technical capabilities, industrial strength, and operational mechanisms in building APT attack response capabilities have been continuously evolving. The expert outlined a timeline tracking the progress of domestic cybersecurity firms in analysis and attribution capabilities from passively responding to attacks like Stuxnet around 2010, to proactively detecting certain attack activities after 2013, and to achieving breakthroughs in tracing attacks back to individual hacker after 2016.

US President Donald Trump said after his call on Monday with Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations for a ceasefire. However, the Kremlin said the process would take time and US president indicated he is not ready to join Europe with fresh sanctions to pressure Moscow, Reuters reported. 

The Russian leader said the telephone conversation with his American counterpart lasted more than two hours and was both substantive and candid, Russian state media outlet Tass reported. Putin said the Russian side will "continue to work with the Ukrainian side on a memorandum on a potential future peace treaty outlining a number of positions," without reaching an agreement on unconditional ceasefire.

Putin thanked Trump for supporting the resumption of direct talks between Moscow and Kiev and announced his readiness to work with Ukraine on a memorandum on a future peace treaty, according to Tass. 

When asked about the phone call between US President Donald Trump and the Russian President Vladimir Putin on Ukraine crisis on Monday, after which Trump said Russia and Ukraine will immediately start negotiations for a ceasefire, while Putin said that Russia would "continue to work with the Ukrainian side on a possible peace agreement, without reaching an agreement on unconditional ceasefire, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that on the Ukraine crisis, China supports all efforts conducive to peace, and supports direct dialogue and negotiation between Russia and Ukraine and a political settlement of the crisis. "We hope parties will reach through dialogue and negotiation a fair and durable peace deal that is binding and accepted by all the parties concerned," Mao said.

In response to another question on whether China would support or consider participating in Russia-Ukraine negotiations, as several locations, including the Vatican, are being considered as possible venues for negotiations, the ministry's spokesperson said on Tuesday that on the issue of Ukraine crisis, China supports all efforts conducive to peace. 

"China will, in light of the will of the parties concerned, work with the international community to continue to play a constructive role in ultimately solving the crisis and achieving lasting peace," the spokesperson said.

The New York Times (NYT) reported that the US president on Monday had backed off his demand that Russia declare an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, instead endorsing Putin's call for negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. The US media outlet said it was a shift from the US president's recent threats of more pressure on Russia.

While the US president appeared to be prepared to step back and urge Russia and Ukraine to make a deal directly with each other, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concern about that, saying on Monday after he held two calls with the US president that "the negotiation process must involve both American and European representatives at the appropriate level," according to the NYT. 

In the latest remarks made by relevant parties, the call between Trump and Putin signaled willingness of both sides to engage in direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, despite significant differences in their expectations for the outcome, some Chinese experts said.

Russia has not set a specific timeline for a ceasefire agreement, indicating that it is willing to negotiate at its own pace and is in no rush to reach a ceasefire. Ukraine, on the other hand, hopes to influence US perceptions of the conflict by expressing disappointment, Cui Hongjian, professor of the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Tuesday. 

"However, it remains unclear whether the conditions for a genuine ceasefire through negotiations are currently in place," Cui noted. 

European leaders have agreed to increase pressure on Russia through further sanctions following the Putin-Trump call, the Guardian reported, citing the German chancellor, Friedrich Merz. 

Russia's position is, unsurprisingly, a continuation of its long-held stance. Moscow believes that the Ukraine crisis cannot be separated from NATO's continued eastward expansion since the end of the Cold War and the resulting pressure on Russia's strategic space, Cui Heng, a scholar from the Shanghai-based China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation, told the Global Times on Tuesday. 

"Therefore, Russia has consistently insisted that resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict must go hand in hand with a restructuring of the broader European security architecture, an appeal that aligns with its national security logic," Cui Heng said. 

Throughout the negotiation process, Europe's role has appeared particularly awkward. Europe is eager to avoid being sidelined by the US and Russia, hoping to secure its place at the negotiating table. However, at least based on the phone calls from yesterday, it seems that Europe has not truly "sat at the table" and remains marginalized, Cui Heng noted.

After the successful conclusion of the Chinese leader's state visit to Vietnam earlier this month, the Vietnamese Embassy in China held the 2025 Vietnam-China media briefing in Beijing on Monday to introduce the main outcomes of the visit and the development of bilateral relations. Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Thanh Binh said on Monday that this visit has established a new and important milestone in the construction of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and the strategically significant Vietnam-China community with a shared future.

Ambassador Pham particularly mentioned that the visit resulted in the signing of 45 cooperation documents, the largest number and the broadest scope to date, reflecting the new positioning, new content, and new level of bilateral relations.

At the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Luong Cuong, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Vietnam from April 14 to 15.

Pham delivered his remarks in Chinese, noting that this visit took place on the occasion of several significant anniversaries: the 75th anniversary of China-Vietnam diplomatic relations, the 95th anniversary of the CPV's founding, the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's independence, and the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification. The visit achieved substantial results, he said. 

Pham said that through this visit, China and Vietnam continued to maintain high-level strategic communication, emphasizing the importance the two parties and the two countries attach to their relations, as well as the special position of these relations in each country's diplomatic strategy. 

The two sides agreed to further enhance coordination and cooperation in diplomacy, defense, and public security. A specific achievement was the decision to elevate the "3+3" strategic dialogue mechanism between the two countries in these areas to the ministerial level. "This mechanism is relatively rare on a global scale, highlighting the uniqueness of the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and China," Pham said.

He also mentioned that during the visit, China and Vietnam reached a consensus on promoting the next phase of practical cooperation, identifying key areas and major initiatives, including urban rail, agricultural product trade, science and technology, AI education and training, digital economy, green economy, and smart ports.

2025 will also be the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges. China has announced that over the next three years, it will invite young Vietnamese people to China for "red study tours," strengthening the friendly ties between the younger generations of both countries through their shared revolutionary heritage. Pham told Global Times on Monday that this initiative will allow young people in Vietnam to better understand the history of mutual assistance between China and Vietnam during their revolutionary years, laying a solid foundation for the future development of bilateral relations.

During the press briefing, Pham presented some data at the meeting: In 2024, Vietnam received 3.74 million Chinese tourists, a 114 percent increase from the previous year. 

In the first quarter of 2025, Vietnam welcomed 1.58 million Chinese tourists, a 178 percent of year-on-year increase. Currently, there are nearly 400 round-trip flights per week between the two countries, and about 23,000 Vietnamese students are studying in China.

As socialist neighbors connected by shared borders, China and Vietnam's economic and trade cooperation has developed rapidly. Pham mentioned that Vietnam is currently China's fourth-largest trading partner, and China has remained Vietnam's largest trade partner for 20 consecutive years. According to Chinese statistics, bilateral trade exceeded $260 billion in 2024.

Pham told Global Times that as Vietnam's economy becomes more open, its sensitivity to external influences is increasing. Vietnam hopes that countries will strengthen cooperation to protect and develop the long-standing international trade order and maintain stability in global production and supply chains.

When discussing the current global trade situation and tariff impacts, Pham said that China and the US are two major countries and also important economic partners of Vietnam. He hopes all parties can strengthen cooperation and reduce friction. This not only aligns with the interests of all countries but will also bring tangible benefits to people around the world.

Pham quoted a signed article by General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee To Lam, published in People's Daily on April 14, stating, "The success of our two parties and two countries' friendship will not only bring benefits to our people and best serve their interests but also make increasingly practical and responsible contributions to the peace, stability, social progress, and prosperity of all nations in the region and the world."

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday visited an AI incubator in Shanghai, calling on the city to take the lead in AI development and governance. The inspection trip came four days after China's leadership convened a dedicated AI study session, where Xi called for gaining a head start in this strategic sector, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

"AI technology is evolving rapidly and entering a phase of explosive growth," said Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, as he visited the Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center, a large-model incubator home to over 100 enterprises.

During the group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee last Friday, Xi pointed out that AI, as a strategic technology leading the new round of sci-tech revolution and industrial transformation, has profoundly changed the ways people work and live.

The Party Central Committee attaches great importance to the development of AI, and has improved top-level design and strengthened implementation efforts in recent years, Xi said at the session. 

"The great importance the Communist Party of China Central Committee attaches to the development of AI fully reflects the strategic positioning of AI in the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation," Zhang Xiaorong, director of the Beijing-based Cutting-Edge Technology Research Institute, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

President Xi's remarks are encouraging for the AI development in China, especially calling on Shanghai to undertake the historical mission of building into a globally influential tech innovation center so as to develop innovation advantage across the country at an early date and develop new quality productive forces according to local conditions, Chu Jianxun, a research expert on the national innovation ecosystem and professor at the University of Science and Technology of China, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

In the incubator in Shanghai, Xi joined a salon themed on the autonomous evolution of next-generation intelligent agents, engaging in discussions with young innovators on the spot, Xinhua reported.

"AI is a nascent industry, and it's also an industry that belongs to young people," said Xi.

He then walked into an AI product experience store, where he inquired in detail about the functions and market trends of the products, and tried on a pair of smart glasses for a firsthand experience.

President Xi's remarks chart a clear path forward for us to carry out AI innovations and practices, which also strengthens our confidence and resolve to improve social wellbeing and boost industrial upgrade through technologies, Xu Li, chairman and CEO of Shanghai-based AI software company SenseTime, who attended the salon, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

"As a large language model (LLM) startup, we feel greater confidence. We also deeply understand the great importance of AI technological innovations for economic and social development," Yan Junjie, founder of Shanghai-based AI unicorn MiniMax who also attended the salon, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Currently, AI innovation is accelerating on a global scale and is expected to drive societal transformation with an unprecedented depth and breadth, significantly enhance the efficiency of various industries, boost the development of new quality productive forces and elevate global collaboration to a new height, Yan said, noting that "I firmly believe that Chinese LLM firms have ushered in opportunities."

Accelerating tech innovations

China has made strides in boosting sci-tech innovation and industrial upgrading in recent years, with its global ranking in innovation increasing markedly and strategic emerging industries taking up a larger share of the national economic output, according to Xinhua.

Since the beginning of 2025, from DeepSeek, the rising star in AI, to Unitree Robotics, a pioneer in humanoid robot development, and the creative force behind the animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2, there have been significant structural advancements in China's technology innovations.

"China has institutional advantages and abundant talent for the development of new quality productive forces," Li Changan, a professor at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies at the University of International Business and Economics, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

In this regard, China should continue to strengthen basic research in the AI industry, with concentrated efforts to be made in making breakthroughs in core technologies including advanced chips and basic software, while efforts are also needed in integrating tech innovations with industry innovations, and strengthening basic education, Zhang said.

To unleash new quality productive forces, China has stepped up support for the growth of the private economy and private enterprises, deepened reforms in the scientific and technological system, as well as the education and talent systems, and removed barriers obstructing the development of new quality productive forces in recent years.

According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics recently, the high-tech industry saw robust fixed-asset investment growth in the first quarter this year, with investment in aerospace vehicle and equipment manufacturing soaring by 30.3 percent, while investment in computer and office device manufacturing surged by 28.5 percent.

"The data underscores that the development of new quality productive forces has become an important force supporting the development of the national economy, which is also transforming and upgrading China's economic structure toward innovation economy," Li said, noting that China's development of new quality productive forces will also inject driving force into the transformation and upgrade of the world economy.

"Moving ahead, we will accelerate the innovation and application of multimodal LLMs. We will continue to improve the utilization efficiency of computing resources, boost the integration of LLM technologies with various industries and daily life faster and more efficiently, and accelerate scaled service and vertical ecosystem of AI industry so as to serve the daily needs of the public and contribute to Shanghai's development into a globally influential hub for tech innovations," Xu said.

China has abundant data resources, a complete industrial system, vast application scenarios and huge market potential, Chu said, expressing full confidence in China's economic prospects.

In response to a reporter question on White House statement claiming that China now faces tariffs of up to 245 percent on imports to the US, China's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday that "We have noticed relevant report. As for how the figure comes out, you can ask the US side for the specific tax rate figures."

China has stated that the excessively high tariffs on China has degenerated into a "numbers game," which no longer has any practical economic significance, the FM said. It only further exposes the US tricks of using tariffs as a tool and weapon for bullying and coercion.

Tariff and trade wars have no winner. China does not want to fight these wars but is not afraid of them. If the US continues its tariff "numbers game", China will ignore it, the statement said.

If the US insists on continuing to substantively infringe upon China's rights and interests, China's response will continue to the end, it said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday held talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. The two leaders agreed to build an all-weather community with shared future in a new era and designated 2025 China-Cambodia Year of Tourism, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The leaders of China, Cambodia also witnessed the exchange of more than 30 bilateral cooperation documents.

Xi said China will open its mega-market to Cambodia, import more high-quality Cambodian agricultural products. He also said China, Cambodia will take stronger, more effective measures to resolutely crack down on online gambling, telecom fraud, Xinhua reported.

President Xi also met with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni and Cambodian People's Party President and Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen on Thursday.

Xi said China and Cambodia set a model for equality, mutual trust and win-win cooperation between countries of different sizes during his meeting with the Cambodian King, adding that he believes Chinese modernization will bring more opportunities to neighboring countries including Cambodia.

During his meeting with Hun Sen, Xi said that unilateralism and hegemonism receive no support of the people, and trade wars undermine the multilateral trading system and disrupt global economic order.

Xi also urged all countries to unite and firmly keep the reins of national security and development in their own hands, adding that China will maintain the continuity and stability of its neighborhood diplomacy.

Xi arrived in Phnom Penh earlier on Thursday for a state visit to Cambodia, his second visit to the country in nine years. Cambodia is the third leg of Xi's three-nation Southeast Asia tour after concluding successful state visits in Vietnam and Malaysia.

Xi said China takes Cambodia as a priority in neighborhood diplomacy, and firmly supports Cambodia upholding strategic independence and following a development path suited to its national conditions.

Xi was warmly welcomed by King Sihamoni, Hun Sen and other senior officials at the airport during a grand welcome ceremony held by the king.

Large enthusiastic crowds lined up neatly at the airport to warmly welcome President Xi.

"We love China!" said Cambodian girls dressed in traditional white and red attire, standing among the welcoming crowds. They held golden cups filled with jasmine petals - a unique Cambodian tradition for receiving the country's most distinguished guests, the Global Times learned.

Cambodian media also expressed a positive and welcoming attitude toward the leader's visit. The Khmer Times said Xi's "landmark visit" is expected to "further cement the historical bonds of friendship and cooperation nurtured by successive leaders of both countries."

Jian Hua Daily said Xi's visit is an important manifestation of the traditional friendly relations between the two countries, and it will further promote bilateral cooperation in various fields to a new level.

Enriched dimensions

Lu Guangsheng, a professor at Yunnan University's Institute of International Relations, told the Global Times that President Xi's visit has continued and strengthened the traditional friendly and cooperative relationship between China and Cambodia, further enriching the already close strategic partnership between China and Cambodia.

The further deepening of practical cooperation between the two countries holds landmark significance in promoting the substantive and thorough implementation of Belt and Road Initiative projects in Southeast Asia, Lu said.

In a recent interview with Xinhua News Agency, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin said China has been Cambodia's largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years. And in 2024, two-way trade reached $17.83 billion, up by 20.7 percent year-on-year.

China has remained Cambodia's largest source of foreign investment for 13 consecutive years, with investments spanning a wide range of sectors, including transportation, power, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, special economic zones, as well as information and communications technology, characterized by extensive coverage, large scale and strong results, said Wang.

Kin Phea, director general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, told the Global Times that Xi's visit will further strengthen political trust and reinforce China-Cambodia shared vision for common development.

He said that the "ironclad friendship" between China and Cambodia has consistently delivered results, even amid global uncertainties.

"It [The visit] is a powerful driver to elevate our already strong ties, ensuring long-term peace, stability, prosperity, and friendship for both nations and the broader region," he said.

Ties withstand the test

Noting that bilateral ties were forged and nurtured by the elder generations of leaders of the two countries, Xi said in a written statement upon his arrival in Phnom Penh that China-Cambodia relations have withstood the test of global transformations, and always remained rock-solid.

China and Cambodia have supported each other in maintaining stability and promoting development and prosperity, and worked together in upholding international fairness and justice, setting an example for a new type of international relations while contributing to building a community with a shared future for mankind, he added.

Together we must stand against hegemonism, power politics and camp-based confrontation, and defend the shared interests of our two countries and other developing countries, Xi said in a signed article titled "Together We Strive, Together We Thrive: Toward a Stable and Sustainable China-Cambodia Community with a Shared Future in the New Era" published Thursday in Cambodian media outlets Khmer Times, Jian Hua Daily and Fresh News ahead of his arrival in Cambodia, according to Xinhua.

We should advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, endeavor to safeguard world peace and stability and international fairness and justice, jointly oppose protectionism, and defend an international environment of openness and cooperation, Xi noted.

"Cambodia-China's special and unbreakable ties are a 'unique role model' of interstate relations … Joint efforts in diplomacy, trade, and security enhance peace and prosperity, while close coordination on global platforms strengthens multilateralism," Kin Phea said.

Cambodia greatly values this partnership, which contributes not only to our national development but also to regional harmony. The enduring strength of our ties demonstrates the power of genuine friendship based on equality, respect, and mutual support, the Cambodian expert added.

At a time when the world is facing rising uncertainty, there is no doubt that the deepening cooperation between China and Cambodia represents a kind of certainty amid turbulence, Lu Guangsheng said. "It also serves as a role model for the development of relations among regional countries."

Moreover, against the backdrop of the US using tariffs and economic pressure as tools of strategic coercion, President Xi's state visits demonstrate confidence in countering coercion and hegemony through cooperation - both bilaterally and within the region - with Southeast Asian countries, Lu said.

The anti-China rhetoric of some individual British politicians is extremely absurd, reflecting their arrogance, ignorance, and twisted mindset, a spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy in the UK said on Wednesday, in response to various comments in the UK regarding the government’s takeover of British Steel, during which several politicians took the opportunity to attack all Chinese companies and the Chinese government.

The spokesperson shared a few basic facts. The Jingye Group is a private Chinese enterprise that makes business investments in the UK on the basis of market principles and conducts operation on its own, said the spokesperson, according to a release posted on the website of the Chinese Embassy in the UK.

It is well-known that British Steel had been losing money for many years before its acquisition by Jingye in 2020 and actually went into compulsory liquidation in 2019. After taking over, Jingye put in substantial funding to keep the company afloat to this day. Had it not been for the involvement of this Chinese company, British Steel workers might have already faced the risk of unemployment, the spokesperson noted.

It is understood that under the UK government’s net zero strategy, steel companies that use iron ore to make steel must achieve net zero emissions by 2035. To that end, British steel companies including British Steel have all negotiated with the government to find a path to decarbonisation transition. Among them, the Port Talbot Steelworks in Wales closed its blast furnace in July 2024. British Steel’s plan to close its blast furnaces and build electric arc furnaces is a normal decision, and it is understandable that the company conducted negotiations with the government on investment for the transition, the spokesperson said.

Generally speaking, Chinese companies in the UK have operated in compliance with law and achieved steady progress. They have made positive contributions to the local economy. According to statistics available, Chinese companies in the UK have contributed over 115 billion pounds ($152.6 billion) to the UK economy and created nearly 60,000 jobs, the spokesperson said.

At a time when the US is wielding the tariff stick against all countries, the UK included, and engaging in unilateral and protectionist trade bullying, those British politicians just keep slandering the Chinese government and Chinese enterprises instead of criticizing the United States. What on earth are they up to, the spokesperson said.

Any words or deeds that politicise or maliciously hype up business issues will undermine the confidence of Chinese business investors in the UK and damage China-UK economic and trade cooperation. We urge the British government to follow the principles of fairness, impartiality and non-discrimination and to make sure that the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies in the UK are protected. At the same time, it is hoped that the British government will continue to engage in consultations and negotiations with Jingye to actively seek a solution acceptable to all parties. We will continue to follow the development of this situation, the spokesperson said.

On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that “As for the current difficulties arising in the operation of British Steel, the two sides should resolve them through consultations in the principle of mutual benefit.”

“We hope that the British government will treat Chinese companies investing and operating in the UK in a fair and just manner, protect their legitimate rights and interests, and refrain from turning economic and trade cooperation into political and security issues lest it should undermine the confidence of Chinese companies in their normal investment and operation in the UK,” said Lin.