A prototype of the CR450 bullet train that will run at 400 kilometers per hour debuted in Beijing on Sunday, said the country's railway operator.

The train is capable of running at 450 kilometers per hour in test.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday said Macao will surely open up new horizons for development and keep creating new glories, as long as the policy of "one country, two systems" is comprehensively, accurately and unwaveringly implemented.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a gathering celebrating the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland.

The US House of Representatives failed on Thursday to pass a new Republican spending bill after President-elect Donald Trump sank a bipartisan stopgap bill. A Chinese expert said the latest development again highlighted the confusion in US political parties, and the rising US debt, which is at the center of the bill, is the result of irresponsibility on the part of successive governments, which has also cast a shadow of uncertainty over the world economy.

The package failed by a vote of 174-235, leaving lawmakers just one day to approve new funding to avert a government shutdown. A prior bipartisan deal was scuttled after Trump and Elon Musk came out against it on Wednesday, according to a report by Reuters.

Thursday's unsuccessful bill largely resembled the earlier version that Musk and Trump had blasted. It would have extended government funding into March and provided $100 billion in disaster relief and suspended the debt. At Trump's urging, the new version would have suspended limits on the national debt for two years - a maneuver that would make it easier to pass the dramatic tax cuts he has promised, according to the report.

"The bill's failure again highlighted the confusion in US political parties. If the US government shuts down, Americans' daily lives and work may be affected, which is an irresponsible move," Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Friday.

Government funding is due to expire at midnight on Friday. If lawmakers fail to extend that deadline, the US government will begin a partial shutdown that would interrupt funding for everything from border enforcement to national parks and cut off paychecks for more than 2 million federal workers. The US Transportation Security Administration warned that travelers during the busy holiday season could face long lines at airports, according to Reuters.

After the bill failed, Trump said in a post on Truth Social that "Congress must get rid of, or extend out to, perhaps, 2029, the ridiculous Debt Ceiling. Without this, we should never make a deal."

The debt limit - commonly called the debt ceiling - is the maximum amount of debt that the US Department of the Treasury can issue to the public or to other federal agencies. On December 16, 2021, lawmakers raised the debt limit by $2.5 trillion to a total of $31.4 trillion. On January 19, 2023, that limit was reached, and the US debt currently amounts to $36.17 trillion.

"Suspending US debt limits is at the center of the revised bill, and the debt issue has been politicized by factors such as the conflict between the Democratic and Republican parties," Zhou said. 

The continually rising US debt has become a persistent problem for the US government, Zhou said, attributing it to successive US governments' irresponsibility, including a chronic inability to make ends meet.

The high cost of goods in the US due to tariffs has also affected people's purchasing willingness, resulting in more obvious constraints on the country's economy, he noted.

"The political incapacity of the US government in resolving huge debts is seriously eroding the country's credibility, which not only undermines the market's confidence in the US government and the dollar, but also drags down the development of the global economy," Zhou noted.

"In addition to affecting US debt holders, the exchange rate and financial market shocks for other countries are also of concern," the expert said.

The Philippine side, with US support and solicitation, has been stirring up troubles on many spots in the SouthChina Sea. From Ren'ai Jiao to Xianbin Jiao and from Houteng Jiao to Huangyan Dao, such repeated provocations have allowed the international community to see clearly who is undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea, and who is fabricating and spreading lies,Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said on Friday.

Wu made the remarks in response to a question on the Philippine Coast Guard claiming that the Chinese side recently took "aggressive actions" toward Philippine fishing boats heading toward Houteng Jiao. It is also reported that several Philippine government vessels were stopped while trying to intrude into Huangyan Dao. The commander of the Philippine Navy said that they had formulated "Gray Zone" tactics to cope with the activities of Chinese boats operating in the South China Sea.

Wu said that wherever they go, whether transiting or re-supplying, the Philippine ships always have a full deck of reporters. The real issue, however, is never about who has more reporters, but who has more legitimacy.

The territories of the Philippines are defined by a series of international treaties, which do not include the Nansha Islands and Huangyan Dao. The Philippine side knows this fact very well. China's position is clear and consistent: more provocations lead to stronger countermeasures; should the Philippine side stubbornly follow the wrong path, China will never back down, Wu said.

The just-concluded Central Economic Work Conference has drawn warm responses from officials, entrepreneurs, as well as Chinese and foreign observers, boosting their confidence in China's economic operation. Global media outlets also attached great attention to the world's second-largest economy's latest policy stance, which has significant global implications.

The annual Central Economic Work Conference was held in Beijing from Wednesday to Thursday as Chinese leaders decided on priorities for the economic work in 2025, according to the Xinhua News Agency. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech at the conference.

The meeting acknowledged the deepened adverse impact brought about by changes in the external environment and the many difficulties and challenges still facing the domestic economic operation, and pointed out that the supporting conditions and fundamental trend for the Chinese economy's long-term sound development remain unchanged.

"We must face up to the difficulties, strengthen our confidence, and strive to transform all positive factors into actual achievements in development," the meeting said.

The important speech delivered by Xi has instilled fresh confidence into the conference participants, as officials expressed resolve to fulfill the goals and tasks in the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) with high quality and lay a solid foundation for a good start to the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), according to Xinhua News Agency.

Warm response

Representatives from Chinese companies paid close attention to the key meeting, as it outlined a number of key tasks for 2025, including efforts to vigorously boost consumption, improve investment efficiency, and expand domestic demand on all fronts.

Zhou Hongyi, founder and chairman of 360 Security Technology, told the Global Times on Friday that the top meeting's emphasis on innovation-driven growth portends more supportive policies and efforts to improve the business environment in the tech sector, and his company will seek to seize the opportunities in the new era to contribute more to the high-quality development of the Chinese economy by achieving constant innovation and industrial application and promoting the fusion of tech and industries.

Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, noted that China will in the next phase spend more effort on improving its investment environment based on the meeting's guidelines.

"The meeting called for efforts to be made to expand the pilot programs in opening up such fields as telecom, healthcare and education, and stabilize foreign investment… it means there will be more stability when it comes to attracting foreign investment, as it is also a common aspiration for global companies doing business in China," Zhou told the Global Times on Friday, noting that the priority given to further boosting consumption also reflected policymakers' considerations on both the domestic and external fronts.

Tao Wang, chief China economist with UBS Investment Bank, told the Global Times on Friday that the Central Economic Work Conference prioritized "stabilizing growth" and emphasized boosting domestic demand with more proactive macro policies, with "reviving household consumption" listed as a key task.

"The meeting set a much more supportive macro policy tone to stabilize growth, while more details are still set to be revealed later," Wang said, noting that the government explicitly called for cutting reserve requirement ratio and policy rates.

Zou Lan, an official with the People's Bank of China, said that the moderately loose monetary policy tone-setting sends a very strong signal, intensifying the continuity and effectiveness of policies, and is set to boost investor confidence, shore up consumption willingness and further invigorate the activeness of market entities, promoting the real economy to develop in a virtuous cycle, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

The Ministry of Commerce announced on Friday that the policy-backed trade-in programs for consumer goods has lifted sales revenues of related products by 1 trillion yuan ($137.45 billion) as of Friday, including the sale of 5.2 million cars, over 49 million home appliance products and 900,000 electric bikes.

Boon for global growth

The meeting with vital implications for world economy was closely watched by world media.

Bloomberg, in a report, said Chinese policymakers made "lifting consumption vigorously" and stimulating overall domestic demand their top priority, which happens "only the second time in at least a decade."

The New York Times highlighted China's emphasis on borrowing more and cutting interest rates in a bid to bolster growth and analyzed that the statements suggest a "willingness by Beijing to take more aggressive steps to increase spending."

The South China Morning Post noted that the meeting calls for making space for the private sector and increasing fiscal deficit and pledging more spending to keep demand high.

Maya Majueran, director of Belt and Road Initiative Sri Lanka (BRISL), a Sri Lanka-based organization that specializes in BRI cooperation, told the Global Times on Friday that despite facing numerous domestic and international challenges, supportive policies including a more proactive fiscal policy and a moderately loose monetary stance are expected to support stable and sustained economic growth and this creates a favorable opportunity for developing countries to boost their exports to the world's second-largest economy, with continued growth and influence.

Incremental policies, rolled out in September, have raised expectations of China's economic outlook and boosted market confidence, with a number of foreign financial institutions making positive remarks.

The economy is likely to maintain the momentum, Bloomberg reported on Friday, citing a forecast by a group of economists.

During a meeting on Tuesday in Beijing with heads of major international economic organizations, who came to attend the "1+10" dialogue, Xi said that China has full confidence in achieving this year's economic growth target and will continue to play its role as the biggest engine of world economic growth.

The rise of the Global South represents a shift toward a more balanced and inclusive international system, Evandro Menezes de Carvalho, a law professor at Fluminense Federal University in Brazil, said in a video address during the Global Times Annual Conference 2025, themed "Moving forward in Partnership: Resonance of Values between China and the World," which took place in Beijing on Saturday.

In his address,Carvalho pointed out that the Global South's growing influence helps balance the traditional dominance of Western powers in institutions like the UN, the IMF, and the World Bank.

Many Global South countries are experiencing rapid economic growth, which diversifies global economic leadership beyond Western economies. Initiatives like the BRICS Plus and the establishment of alternative financial mechanisms like the New Development Bank, reduce reliance on Western-dominated systems and promote development tailored to regional needs, Carvalho said.

The professor noted that a multipolar world dilutes hegemonic tendencies and promotes a system where multiple voices and perspectives shape international policies.

"By championing non-alignment and cooperation among diverse nations, the Global South fosters a more inclusive global order that reflects the interests of a broader range of states," he said.

The successful launch of Macao Science-1 satellites, the first space science satellite program jointly developed by the Chinese mainland and Macao, owes much to the strong support of scientists and engineers from the mainland, Zhang Keke, chief scientist of the program and vice president of Macao University of Science and Technology, told the Global Times in an exclusive interview. 

"It is a successful example of leveraging the advantages of the 'one country, two systems' policy to jointly achieve technological breakthroughs," Zhang said, while revealing that on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland, the Macao Science-2 satellite project has also been approved by the Macao Special Administration Regional (SAR) government.

As the establishment of a "global high-precision geomagnetic constellation" has been included in the recently released national-level development program for medium- to long-term space science from 2024 to 2050, it can be expected that Macao's influence in the international space science and technology field will continue to grow in the future, said Zhang, who is also the director of the Macao Institute of Space Technology and Applications.

The People's Daily reported on December 9 that the Macao Science-1 satellite science team recently released China's first WM³ 4D Earth magnetic field model, which fully leverages the high-precision geomagnetic data collected by the satellite, expected to significantly improve Earth science and geomagnetic navigation. It can be applied to scientific research in Earth's deep interior, oceans, and Earth space, as well as in aerospace, maritime navigation, resource exploration, and intelligent devices.  

Zhang told the Global Times that the current version of the real-time Earth magnetic field model is built on the high-precision magnetic field data from the Macao Science-1 satellites and other effective geomagnetic data. As China's first self-controlled real-time Earth magnetic field model, it holds significant scientific and practical value and represents a major advancement in the scientific research and applications of the satellite project.  

Zhang added that the data collected by the Macao Science-1 satellites will grow, with algorithms undergoing continuous refinement. The team plans to release updated versions of the real-time Earth magnetic field model in the future.  

The study of Earth's magnetic field is key to human survival, Zhang said. The sun constantly emits high-energy particles that hurtle toward Earth at high speeds. Earth's magnetic field serves as a protective shield, shielding the planet from these particles. Without it, life as we know it would be impossible, he said.

China launched the Macao Science-1 satellites on May 21, 2023, with a Long March-2C carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

According to the China National Space Administration (CNSA), Macao Science-1 project is the first jointly developed space science satellite program by the Chinese mainland and Macao. It is also the first scientific exploration satellite designed to study the geomagnetic field and South Atlantic Anomaly, Xinhua said.

"After more than a year in orbit, the 'Macao Science-1' satellite has completed 8,000 Earth orbits, operating smoothly, collecting extensive high-precision data," Zhang said. "Scientists and engineers from countries including the US, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain are using this data for research and applications in fields such as Earth's deep interior, ocean science, and Earth space science."

According to the CNSA, the Macao Science-1 satellite program has signed cooperative research agreements with 18 countries including the US, the UK and France, positioning it as a "golden calling card" showcasing Macau's cutting-edge high-tech capabilities. 

"Due to the great success of the Macao Science-1 satellite, our team is now working on the planning of Macao Science-2," Zhang Keke shared. "If all goes well, the 'Macao Science-2' satellite is scheduled to be launched in late 2026 or early 2027."

When asked why it is necessary to launch the Macao Science-2, Zhang explained, "Macao Science-1 can only conduct observations, analyses, and data measurements in low-latitude regions, but it excludes polar regions. To achieve full global coverage and to enhance measurements of Earth's magnetic field and spatial data, it is essential to launch the Macao Science-2 satellite."

The Macao Science-2 program will also consist of two satellites. If successfully launched, they will form a satellite constellation with Macao Science-1 satellites. This four-satellite constellation will facilitate networked observations to deliver precise global data on Earth's magnetic field and space weather. It will be the world's first ideal constellation combining polar orbit and low-inclination satellites, offering detailed 3D observations of Earth's magnetic field and space weather.

China deplored and has lodged strong protests to the US over arranging for Taiwan regional leader Lai Ching-te's "stopovers" in Hawaii and Guam and having official interactions with the Taiwan region, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a press conference on Friday, urging the US to adhere to one-China principle and stop sending seriously wrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces.

By arranging for Lai's "stopovers" in Hawaii and Guam, having official interactions with the Taiwan region, helping Taiwan expand so-called "international space," and providing platforms for "Taiwan independence" separatist activities, the US gravely violated the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués. The actions it took undermine China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and send a severely wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, Lin said at a press conference on Friday.

Taiwan regional Leader Lai Ching-te has reportedly concluded his "stopovers" in Hawaii and Guam of the US and is scheduled to return to the island on Friday, according to Taiwan media. 

Lin said the Taiwan question is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations. "Taiwan independence" separatist activities are as incompatible with peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits as fire with water. China urges the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, act on the US leaders' commitment, including not supporting "Taiwan independence," stop its official interactions with Taiwan, stop obscuring and hollowing out the one-China principle, stop abetting and aiding the separatist forces and their activities in any form, and take concrete actions to stabilize China-US relations and contribute to peace in the Taiwan Straits, said Lin.

"Let me stress that attempts to solicit US support for 'Taiwan independence' or use the Taiwan question to contain China will lead nowhere. No one should underestimate the firm resolve, will and ability of the Chinese government and people to safeguard sovereignty and territorial integrity," said Lin.

Also on the same day, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said Lai's actions once again prove that the so-called "stopover" is merely an excuse, and in reality, it is a political maneuver by the DPP authorities to "rely on the US to seek 'independence'" and by the US side to "use Taiwan island to contain China."

Zhu warned the DPP authorities that relying on the US for "Taiwan independence" and pursuing military means for "Taiwan independence" agenda is a dead end, and is doomed to failure.

The real purpose of Lai's "stopover" in Hawaii and Guam, which are not essential to the travel route for countries in the South Pacific, is to advance the "Taiwan independence" agenda by seeking more US support, Zheng Jian, a professor at the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Friday. 

Before and during the trip, Lai repeatedly exaggerated "threats" from the mainland to gain US backing and deceive the international community. His tactics resemble those used in his inauguration on May 20 and "Double Ten" speeches: provoking first, then inflating potential mainland countermeasures. Once the mainland responds firmly, Lai is portrayed as the victim, said Zheng. 

The US government will not abandon its use of Taiwan as a bargaining chip, but the extent to which the incoming US administration will leverage Taiwan remains uncertain. Lai is compelled to pledge loyalty to the US during his brief "stopover," said Zheng.

Also on Friday, Lai reportedly claimed that he is confident of deeper cooperation with the next administration of Donald Trump and the day before, he had a phone call with US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson.

In response, Lin said that China has repeatedly stated its firm position on this matter. 

We urge the US to fully see the separatist nature of Lai Ching-te and the DPP authorities, fully understand the grave damage that "Taiwan independence" separatist activities due to peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, fully abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués, stop meddling in affairs related to Taiwan, which are China's internal affairs, and stop aiding and abetting "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, Lin said.  

Unwavering determination

Lai and other "Taiwan independence" separatist forces should know that their provocative remarks promoting "Taiwan independence" cannot be made lightly, and they will have to pay the price. Taiwan is a part of China, and this fact cannot be changed, Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times. 

China will not make any concessions on the Taiwan question even when faced with external interference and the People's Liberation Army is fully prepared for any circumstance, said Song. 

On Friday, in response to a query on whether the mainland is planning to conduct more military exercises surrounding Taiwan island, Lin said the Taiwan question is at the core of China's core interests and the first red line that cannot be crossed in China-US relations. China remains unwavering in its resolve to defend our nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

Previously some Taiwan local media claimed that the mainland military is poised to "encircle Taiwan proper in military exercise 'Joint Sword-2024C'," as Lai is returning from his visit to "diplomatic allies" in the Pacific via "transit" through the US.

On May 23, the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army conducted the "Joint Sword-2024A" military exercise around the Taiwan Straits. Also on October 14, the PLA Eastern Theater Command dispatched troops from its army, navy, air force and rocket force to conduct joint military drills code-named Joint Sword-2024B in the Taiwan Straits. The drill served as a stern warning to the separatist acts of "Taiwan Independence" forces, Senior Captain Li Xi, spokesperson of the PLA Eastern Theater Command, said in a statement.

Conducting military exercises shows PLA's determination to safeguard sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national unity while curbing separatism, Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times.

As the situation in Syria escalates, Chinese Embassy in Syria issued an urgent reminder, advising Chinese citizens to return to China or leave the country as soon as possible. 

Currently, the battle field situation in northwestern Syria is becoming tense, and the security situation in the country is further deteriorating. The Chinese Embassy in Syria has advised Chinese citizens to return to China or leave the country as soon as possible while commercial flights are still available. Those who are able to do so may also consider leaving through relevant land border checkpoints. 

Given these exceptional circumstances, Chinese citizens who insist on traveling to or staying in the affected areas may face extremely high security risks, which could also impact the effectiveness for them to receive assistance.

The Syrian army announced Thursday that it has redeployed its forces outside the western-central Syrian city of Hama after fierce battles with rebel groups, confirming that rebels have entered the city following intense attacks from multiple fronts, according to Xinhua News Agency.

"Over the past few days, our armed forces have fought fierce battles to repel and thwart the violent and successive attacks launched by terrorist organizations on the city of Hama from various directions and in large numbers, using all types of military equipment and assisted by infiltration groups," said a statement issued by the Syrian General Command of the Army and Armed Forces.

In another development, Syria's air defense systems intercepted two hostile drones over the capital city of Damascus on Thursday, the Syrian Defense Ministry said.

"Our air defense units recently repelled hostile unmanned aircraft in the skies over Damascus and shot down two drones, without any human casualties or material losses," the ministry said in a statement.

The statement did not specify who was operating the drones or what their intended targets were. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Xinhua correspondents in Damascus heard sounds of gunfire and explosions, but the situation returned to normalcy shortly afterward.

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Senior Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong in Beijing on Tuesday, calling for further synergy of development strategies and enhanced cooperation.

Commending the remarkable achievements Singapore made during Lee's tenure as prime minister, Xi spoke highly of Lee's long-term support for China-Singapore cooperation. The two sides established an all-round high-quality future-oriented partnership last year, setting a strategic course for the development of bilateral ties, Xi said.

Noting that next year will mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore, Xi called on the two countries to strengthen high-level exchanges and deepen cooperation in various fields, so as to deliver more benefits to the two peoples and make greater contributions to regional peace and prosperity.

At the invitation of the Chinese side, Lee is visiting China from November 24 to 29. According to Singapore-based CNA, this is Lee's first visit to China since stepping down as Singaporean prime minister in May.

While delivering the keynote address at the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park High-Quality Development Forum in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province on Monday, Lee said that it would be both "short-sighted" and "unwise" to write off China, the world's second-largest economy, despite challenges at home and abroad, CNA reported.

"China's development is an enterprise that will take 100 years. It has shown that it can take a strategic perspective to maintain consistent policies and direction over the long term, riding through transient ups and downs in its development journey," Lee said.

After Beijing, Lee will make his third and final stop in Shanghai, where he will meet overseas Singaporeans, the Singaporean Prime Minister's Office said in a press release.

Lee is accompanied by other ministers and senior officials in foreign affairs, education, national development, trade and industry, culture, community and youth, among others, the Prime Minister's Office announced.

"Lee's visit is anticipated to promote the development of bilateral relations and lay the foundation for further growth," Gu Xiaosong, dean of the ASEAN Research Institute at Hainan Tropical Ocean University, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

Chen Hong, executive director of the Asia-Pacific Studies Center at East China Normal University, noted that the spirit of pragmatism is the cornerstone of China-Singapore relations, as both countries engage in cooperation based on their common interests.

Lee, now a Senior Minister, is one of China's most frequently visiting foreign leaders - having made more than 10 trips as prime minister in the two decades from 2004, South China Morning Post reported. During his China visit in March 2023, the two sides elevated bilateral ties to an all-round high-quality future-oriented partnership, charting the course for the future development of bilateral relations.

The Senior Minister can have positive and proactive influence on the current Singaporean government's policy toward China, which makes Lee's China visit hold important significance, Chen told the Global Times on Tuesday.

China and Singapore are both important countries in the Asia-Pacific and have made important contributions to maintaining stability and prosperity in the region. "Especially against the backdrop of the changing international situation, further consolidating bilateral relations will not only benefit the two countries but also the region," Chen said.

Gu noted that the China-Singapore relationship not only focuses on developing bilateral ties but also extends to a broader scope, such as how to promote the friendly development of relations between China and ASEAN.

According to the Xinhua News Agency, 26 investment cooperation projects between China and Singapore were signed on Monday in Suzhou Industrial Park.

The projects, spanning sectors like biopharmaceuticals, collaborative innovation and the digital economy, were reached during the China-Singapore Investment Forum held in Suzhou Industrial Park, the first intergovernmental cooperation project between China and Singapore.

The senior minister's trip to China comes less than two weeks after a visit to the US, which concluded on November 14, according to the Singaporean Foreign Ministry.

"Although Lee stepped down as prime minister, he still wields significant political influence. This is not only due to his family background - his father, Lee Kuan Yew- but also because of the extensive network of relationships he has built with leaders from countries like China and the US over the years," Gu said.

The Asia-Pacific is a key engine driving global economy. Its peace and prosperity have far-reaching implications for global stability and development, Chen said, adding that Singapore has a special importance given its strategic location at the crossroads of two oceans.