The 19th East Asia Summit (EAS), one of a series of major ASEAN Summit-related meetings, was held in the Lao capital Vientiane on Friday, with the focus on strengthening cooperation under the EAS framework to foster mutual understanding and mutual trust.

While China and most regional countries are calling for tranquility, common prosperity, openness and interconnectivity, US politicians have not stopped their threadbare tactic of sowing discord between China and the regional countries by hyping up the South China Sea issue, with an outdated confrontational mentality against China. 

Chinese experts said the signal of unity and cooperation sent by China and ASEAN countries at a time of sluggish global economic growth and challenges to peace and security could inject more momentum and certainty into the regional and even global economy. 

Common aspiration 

Addressing the EAS on Friday, Chinese Premier Li Qiang called on all parties to uphold peace and tranquility, pursue mutual benefit and win-win results, and firmly promote opening up and cooperation. 

China is willing to work with all parties to further promote the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and focus on building a community with a shared future for mankind, Li said. 

He also called for the speeding up of the building of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, advancing regional economic integration, and avoiding turning economic and trade issues into political and security issues.

The 19th EAS was attended by leaders and representatives from ASEAN countries, and China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and the US. 

Addressing the summit, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone said the EAS is inseparable from the ASEAN-centered regional architecture, adding that EAS cooperation has made considerable progress and broadened significantly over the past 19 years. 

Representing the host country, the Lao Prime Minister stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation under the EAS framework to foster mutual understanding, mutual trust and mutual confidence, which are key elements to the shared objectives of peace, stability and sustainable development.

He said that the ASEAN Summit and related summits have adopted and noted more than 90 outcome documents, emphasizing the importance of ASEAN collective efforts to ensure the continuity of ASEAN Community building process.

According to Zhu Feng, director of the Institute of International Studies at Nanjing University, the EAS and other ASEAN-related summits convened at a time when many parts of the world are in turmoil, with the US' future Asia policy being filled with uncertainty, which gives the series of meetings great significance.

The overall tone of the ASEAN meetings is positive, with both China and the vast majority of Southeast Asian countries stressing the need to strengthen cooperation and connectivity, said Zhu, noting that an open region has always been an important foundation for China and ASEAN countries to maintain regional peace and stability.

Song Qingrun, a senior research fellow from the School of Asian Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times that relevant remarks made during the summit fully reflect the basic consensus of the majority of Asia-Pacific countries in hoping to expand cooperation and jointly promote peace and development.

"The Asia-Pacific region is an important engine for global economic growth. If regional countries can further develop good relations and expand cooperation, it will inject more momentum and certainty into the regional and global economy," said Song. 

At a time of sluggish global economic growth and peace and security being challenged, there is a great need for signals of unity and cooperation, which will boost confidence and drive more sustained and substantive cooperation, Song noted. 

In his opening remarks addressing the 27th China-ASEAN Summit on Thursday, Premier Li announced that negotiations on the Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA) have achieved a substantial conclusion. 

In remarks addressing the 27th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit on the same day, Premier Li said China is ready to work with ASEAN, Japan, South Korea and other Asian countries to uphold the Asian consciousness, carry forward the Oriental wisdom, and steadily move forward toward building an Asia of peace and tranquility, common prosperity, openness and interconnectivity. 

Unpopular outsider

Despite the calls and efforts for making enduring peace and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, in sharp contrast, US officials continuously made jarring remarks targeting China, which appeared at odds with the general atmosphere of the ASEAN events.

During his meeting with leaders of ASEAN member countries on Friday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hyped up hotspot issues, saying that the US is concerned about "China's increasingly dangerous and unlawful actions" in South China Sea, per an AP report. 

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Thursday that China and parties to the South China Sea have every capability and wisdom to properly address disputes through dialogue and consultation, and jointly get the situation at sea under control.

"The US and individual countries outside the region are upgrading deployment of weapons and military activities in the South China Sea to incite confrontation and create tensions. They are the biggest source of instability in the South China Sea," Mao said.

Blinken also noted on Friday that the US "will continue to support freedom of navigation and freedom of overflight in the Indo-Pacific," and hopes to work with ASEAN leaders to "protect stability across the Taiwan Straits."

Blinken's remarks suggest that the Biden administration is looking to leave a legacy in terms of Asia-Pacific policy through further containment and suppression of China, but the ASEAN Summits and its related meetings reflect the stark fact that the narrow-minded US hegemony is unpopular in the Asia Pacific and its related policy will not receive substantial support in the region, experts said.

The vast majority of regional countries are fully aware that the bloc confrontation that the US is inciting in the region poses a great threat to Asia-Pacific integration and prosperity, and thus they are unwilling to become victims of the great power competition, Zhu said. 

The US was also advertising its promises during the slew of ASEAN occasions. In a White House statement released after the US-ASEAN Summit, the US government listed so-called major accomplishments under the comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN, saying that Washington has made "significant progress" in fulfilling its promises. 

Despite US efforts to woo ASEAN, the bloc's members are quite rational about their proper position in the China-US competition, which is in line with their own interests, Zhu said, "More importantly, a peaceful rising China is an inseparable cooperative partner of ASEAN's development."

China has been ASEAN's top trading partner for 15 consecutive years, and ASEAN has been China's largest trading partner for four years in a row. Two-way trade increased by 10.5 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2024, official data shows. 

The spillover of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and the ongoing Ukraine crisis have brought great harm to world economic growth and people's livelihoods, which Asian countries are keenly wary of, Song said. 

The close economic and trade cooperation between ASEAN and China has become an important driving force for regional economic growth, Song said, noting that amid the world's turmoil, maintaining cooperation and peaceful development serves the greatest common interests and aspirations of all parties. 

A Chinese national flag flies at half-mast to mourn the death of Comrade Wu Bangguo at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua)

A merchant in Yiwu, East China's Zhejiang Province, showcases popular styles of Christmas hats in his booth on October 10, 2024. Festival goods are selling well in the Yiwu International Trade Market, which has more than 800 vendors offering Christmas merchandise. These vendors export Christmas items to more than 100 countries and regions each year. Photo: VCG

China's foreign exchange reserves totaled $3.316 trillion at the end of September, up 0.86 percent from the previous month, according to data from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. Notably, this figure exceeded the estimate of $3.304 trillion, as projected by a Wall Street Journal poll of economists.

The September rise was the third consecutive month of month-on-month growth, with reserves remaining stable above $3.2 trillion for 10 straight months, according to media reports. Additionally, China's foreign exchange reserves have remained the largest in the world for 19 consecutive years.

The growth in China's foreign exchange reserves can be partially attributed to short-term factors such as fluctuations in exchange rates and asset prices. However, the sustained high levels and growth rates that exceeded market expectations strongly indicate the stable development of the Chinese economy. 

This sustained high level of foreign exchange reserves, a key indicator of a country's economic strength and resilience, not only reflects China's robust economic capabilities and its effectiveness in adapting policies to changing conditions, but also suggests that the Chinese economy is well-positioned for continued stable growth.

In the complex and ever-evolving international economic landscape, along with volatile financial markets, China's strong position in its foreign exchange reserves is bolstered by its strong manufacturing capabilities, an increasingly optimized foreign trade structure and attractive conditions for foreign investment. These elements work together to enhance the overall balance of international payments, providing a solid foundation for the country's foreign exchange reserves. 

In turn, China's continued high level of foreign reserves is particularly beneficial for the stability of the yuan's exchange rate and helps China tackle impacts from financial crises in international markets. It facilitates the further optimization of China's foreign trade structure while maintaining sustained growth. It supports the stable development of the Chinese economy on a relatively solid exchange rate foundation, which could attract more foreign investment into the Chinese market.

First, sufficient foreign exchange reserves provide China with a crucial buffer against the uncertainties and fluctuations of the international financial market. In times of external economic downturns, these reserves can be utilized to stabilize the yuan's exchange rate, thereby ensuring the overall stability of the financial market. 

The interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve in September has affected international financial markets, yet significant uncertainty remains regarding the Fed's future policies and the US economic outlook. In this context, China's foreign exchange reserves play a vital role in maintaining exchange rate stability, helping the country withstand external financial risks and avert potential financial crises.

Second, foreign exchange reserves are essential for covering import costs in international trade, supporting the smooth operation of China's foreign trade. Global trade is experiencing significant changes influenced by the trends of the green and digital transitions. Additionally, geopolitical factors and increasing protectionism are contributing to uncertainties in the global trade landscape.

As China's foreign trade structure is steadily improving, innovative forms of foreign trade, including cross-border e-commerce, are continually gaining pace. A substantial level of foreign exchange reserves enhances China's ability to improve the structure of its foreign trade and mitigate the effects of rising protectionism, "decoupling" and geopolitical disruptions.

Third, adequate foreign exchange reserves can enhance foreign investors' confidence in the Chinese market and economy, leading to increased foreign capital inflows. 

A stable exchange rate environment is an important consideration for foreign-invested enterprises, as it reduces exchange rate risk. Having a higher level of foreign exchange reserves provides China with greater flexibility in its economic policy and exchange rate adjustments, enabling it to better respond to economic fluctuations and attract foreign investment.

The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) of the Communist Party of China announced on Monday the punishments for four officials involved in disciplinary violations or misconduct, as China's war against corruption has continued, with deepened efforts in some key sectors and expanded coverage to safeguard the country's high-quality economic and social development.

One of those officials is Tang Yijun, former chairman of the Jiangxi Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), who was expelled from the Party and dismissed from public office. Tang's violations include accepting banquets and out-of-line travel arrangements, improperly accepting gifts, cash, and gift cards, and allowing expenses that should have been paid by him to be covered by others. He failed to truthfully explain issues during organizational inquiries and discussions.

Another official is Dou Wangui, a member of the leading Party members group of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regional Committee of the CPPCC and vice chairman of the committee. He was found to have leveraged his positions to seek gain for his relatives and friends in business operations and assisting others in gaining advantages in mine exploitation, project contracts and the selection and promotion of officials. In return, he accepted money and gifts. Dou has been expelled from the Party and dismissed from public office.

Zhang Ping, who was deputy head of Guizhou's discipline inspection commission and provincial commission of supervision, has been expelled from the Party and dismissed from public office for violations such as failing to truthfully explain issues during discussions within the organization, and seeking benefits for others in the selection and appointment of officials.

Du Zi, former deputy head of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, has been expelled from the Party over serious violations of Party discipline and laws. Du had allegedly taken advantage of his power to seek benefits for others in matters such as project contracting, coal resource allocation and job adjustment, illegally accepting money and valuables in return.

Authorities in a county in Central China’s Henan Province responded on Monday to a dispute over a betrothal gift after a video that showed the bride’s relatives allegedly demanding an additional 188,000 yuan ($26,791) bride price in cash before allowing the wedding car to leave went viral and sparked heated discussion online.

Local authorities clarified in a statement that investigation showed that because the groom transferred 188,000 yuan of betrothal gift to the bride’s personal bank account, the bride’s family thought that they did not directly receive the bride price, thus they prevented the wedding car from leaving.

A video clip showing a man climbing onto the hood of a wedding car to prevent the bridegroom taking the bride away went viral over the National Day holidays. The publisher of the video alleged that the bride’s elder brother and his wife stopped the car to demand an additional 188,000 yuan of bride price in cash, according to Xiaoxiang Morning Post report. The report added that the original video could not be found on the short video platform on Sunday.

Authorities in Huaibin county, Xinyang, Henan Province, formed a joint team, finding out the incident happened on October 1. According to the statement, police were later called to the scene to handle the situation, and the wedding proceeded smoothly. The local authorities issued a warning to the bride’s brother for his actions and organized mediation between the two parties, leading to a settlement where the groom agreed to pay 30,000 yuan to the bride’s family for the dowry.

Local authorities held a special meeting addressing the matter on Sunday afternoon, stressing the efforts to further update outmoded and undesirable habits and customs, and prevent such incidents from reoccurring.

Fossils of pterosaurs, stegosaurs, plesiosaurs, and more - this dinosaur fossil site in Southwest China's Sichuan Province showcases numerous prehistoric creatures that surpass the diversity seen in the Jurassic World movies.

It is the Dashanpu Middle Jurassic Dinosaur Fossils Site, located in Zigong, a city in southern Sichuan Province. As one of the world's most renowned dinosaur fossil sites, it has an excavated area of nearly 3,000 square meters, uncovering tens of thousands of fossilized bones from over 200 individual dinosaurs and other vertebrates from 160 million years ago.

At the recent 37th International Geological Congress held in Busan, South Korea, the Dashanpu Middle Jurassic Dinosaur Fossils Site was listed as a Geological Heritage Site by the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS).

"The richness in number, diversity of species, concentration of burial, and the preservation quality of dinosaur and other vertebrate fossils at the site is unmatched globally," Jiang Shan, director of the research department at the Zigong Dinosaur Museum, told the Global Times.

Scientific value

The Dashanpu site was once a lake-delta environment during the ­mid-Jurassic period. This lush and water-rich landscape combined with warm and humid climatic conditions provided a perfect environment for dinosaurs and other vertebrates to thrive.

When dinosaurs died on a large scale for various reasons, periodic large floods swept their bodies into the area. As water flow slowed at the lake's entrance, many dinosaur carcasses settled and were quickly buried, undergoing petrification over millions of years. Over time, the accumulation of fossils created a vast and spectacular dinosaur graveyard.

The fossil site boasts the most concentrated dinosaur fossil deposits, many of which are well preserved. Among the notable finds are the best-preserved eusauropoda known to date and the most complete primitive stegosaur globally.

"This site not only fills a significant gap in the sparse mid-Jurassic dinosaur fossil record, but also provides extremely valuable materials for the study of early dinosaur systematics," said Zeng Xiaoyun, director of the Zigong Dinosaur Museum.

The site also features the richest assemblage of mid-Jurassic terrestrial vertebrate fossils. Prior to this discovery, mid-Jurassic dinosaur fossils were sporadically found in North Africa, East Asia, Western Europe, and Australia, leaving a limited understanding of dinosaurs from this period.

The discovery at Dashanpu opens a window into the mid-Jurassic terrestrial fauna. During this time, the Dashanpu area was home to a variety of carnivorous and herbivorous dinosaurs, as well as fish, amphibians, crocodiles, and flying pterosaurs, forming a highly concentrated and diverse mid-Jurassic dinosaur fossil community.

The application process for the second batch of 100 geological heritage sites recognized by the IUGS began at the beginning of 2023. A total of 10 geological heritage sites from China were submitted, of which three were selected. After more than a year of evaluation by experts, the final list was announced by competing against 174 candidate sites from 64 countries.

"The inclusion of the Dashanpu Middle Jurassic Dinosaur Fossils Site highlights the scientific value and research standards of the site, as well as the international recognition of the protection measures implemented by the Zigong Dinosaur Museum," Jiang said.
Digitalized preservation

In 1987, the Zigong Dinosaur Museum was established on the fossils site, which is currently the most comprehensive museum in the world for showcasing mid-Jurassic dinosaur fossils. It has served as the core of the Zigong Global Geopark, recognized by UNESCO as a key site for geological and paleontological research.

The museum's collection primarily features Mesozoic dinosaur specimens, covering paleontology, petrology, and mineralogy, including many of the finest specimens from the Dashanpu site, ranging from large and complete dinosaur skeletons to the smaller fossilized remains of other vertebrates.

Among its treasures are a preserved dinosaur fossil area of 1,350 square meters, world-class specimens of significant scientific value, such as the most complete and primitive stegosaur, and China's first stegosaur skin impression fossil.

"These invaluable fossils provide crucial material for research on dinosaur classification, physiological traits, and evolutionary history," Huang Xinyue, deputy director of the office at the museum, said.

The museum has used digital technology to enhance its preservation and research efforts. According to He Xu, a senior engineer at the museum, it has digitized its collections, creating 3D models of its key fossils to ensure that they are accessible to researchers around the world.

"We will continue to strengthen the preservation and utilization of cultural and natural heritage, using modern technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and virtual reality to establish a digital dinosaur museum," said Zeng, the museum director.

Since the Zigong dinosaur fossils first traveled to Hiroshima, Japan in 1989, they have been exhibited in more than 30 cities across nine countries and regions, including Japan, Thailand, Denmark, the US, South Africa, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, China's Hong Kong SAR, and the island of Taiwan.

The museum also hosts international academic conferences and collaborates with foreign universities and research institutions to promote the study of dinosaur evolution and mid-Jurassic ecosystems.

According to Jiang, the museum has been strengthening collaboration with domestic and international universities and research institutions, such as Stony Brook University in the US, the University of Bonn in Germany, the University of Hong Kong, the China University of Geosciences (Beijing), and the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

"Through synergistic innovations involving museums, universities, and research institutes, the museum aims to support the advancement of dinosaur fossil research and preservation," Jiang noted.

The "Future World" International Youth Art Festival was held on Saturday in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, with over 500 participants, including government officials, cultural figures, artists, and youth representatives from both China and Uzbekistan.

The festival was co-hosted by China's State Council Information Office, the Youth Affairs Agency of Uzbekistan, and the Samarkand regional government.

The festival kicked off with the "Future World" International Youth Art Exhibition and the "Future Vision" Digital Cultural Exhibition. The art show featured over 300 pieces of works created by young artists from China, Uzbekistan, and other nations, covering various categories, including painting, calligraphy, and crafts. The works explored diverse themes, including technological innovations, cultural heritage preservation, civilizational exchange, and global challenges. Through vibrant colors and unique perspectives, the young artists conveyed their imagination and deep reflections on the future world.

The "Future Vision" Digital Cultural Exhibition emphasized the importance of knowledge and innovation. It features cutting-edge achievements from nearly 30 institutions in the fields of digital technology, cultural creativity, and science education. More than 600 books aimed at youth, covering a wide range of topics, provided a cultural feast for attendees. Additionally, live performances such as tea ceremonies and robot dances by youngsters from the China Soong Ching Ling Science & Culture Center for Young People captivated the audience and encouraged audience participation and interaction.

At the opening ceremony, the organizers expressed their hope that the art festival would help deepen the connections, interactions, and mutual understanding between the youth of China and Uzbekistan. By fostering artistic exchanges, they aim to strengthen the ties between the two peoples, building bridges of friendship and contributing to the growth of the all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Uzbekistan in the new era, as well as advancing the shared future of the two nations.

Samarkand's Deputy Governor, Khaitov Orif Bolikulovich, said that China and Uzbekistan are geographically close, culturally connected, and share a deep mutual affinity. For over 2,000 years, these two civilizations have shared a long history of cultural exchange along the Silk Road. He hopes that the youth of both nations will forge strong friendships and walk side by side, becoming the next generation of ambassadors, builders, and promoters of China-Uzbekistan relations.

In a video message, Chinese Ambassador to Uzbekistan Yu Jun noted that the young generations are living in a golden age of China-Uzbekistan relations. He expressed his sincere hope that this event will allow the youth of both nations to deepen their understanding of one another, becoming the future ambassadors, builders, and champions of China-Uzbekistan friendship, offering their talents and efforts to national revitalization and the development of bilateral ties.

Chinese airports have maintained the travel fever since the week-long National Day holidays kicked off, and the visa-free policy, along with frequent flights, continues to boost inbound and outbound travel.

Civil aviation passenger volumes have exceeded 2.2 million trips per day for three consecutive days since the holidays began on October 1, according to data from the Ministry of Transport.

Beijing Daxing International Airport is expected to handle 146,900 inbound and outbound passenger trips on Friday, with over 1 million trips anticipated throughout the holidays, according to airport data. 

The two airports in Shanghai are expected to transport nearly 370,000 passenger trips per day on average, an increase of 14.4 percent compared to the same period last year. 

The travel boom is not limited to first-tier cities. During the National Day holidays, the number of inbound and outbound passengers at Harbin Taiping International Airport is expected to reach 14,000, with the number of inbound and outbound passenger flights totaling 100, an increase of 41.9 percent and 1.1 percent year-on-year respectively.

Outbound air tickets and hotel bookings for the National Day holidays have spanned 1,597 cities in 144 countries and regions, data from the travel platform qunar.com showed. When examining the cities with the highest number of outbound air ticket orders, it's notable that all of them are within a 5-hour flight radius. The top five cities are Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, and Osaka.

Hong Kong and Macao remain highly appealing. The Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region estimates that about 10.03 million people will pass through Hong Kong's sea, land and air control points from September 28 to October 7.

Thanks to the 144-hour visa-free policy, inbound tourism has grown rapidly. Traditional domestic tourist cities such as Guangzhou, Xi'an, and Zhangjiajie have continuously added new international routes, attracting a large number of foreign tourists to China. 

The source of inbound tourists to Zhangjiajie, which bears a striking resemblance to the landscapes depicted in James Cameron's film Avatar, located in Central China's Hunan Province, has increased from 133 countries and regions in 2019 to 171 now.

Meanwhile, cruise travel is also playing a significant role in outbound travel. 

Da Wang, a Beijing-based tourist, chose a seven-day cruise tour to the cities of Japan. She told the Global Times on Friday that she was surprised to see at least 40 buses leaving the Fukuoka port in Japan when she disembarked at her first stop on Thursday. Each bus was full of 50 Chinese travelers, and there were many tour guides holding signs waiting for the Chinese tourists, Da said, noting that "it is quite spectacular." 

Experts believe that the booming inbound and outbound tourism reflects the strong pulse of the holiday economy. They assert that this trend will further drive economic development, and as people's demand for travel experiences continues to grow, the future holiday economy is likely to become more diversified and enriched.

Yan Xi (center), the author of Zaoshen Niandai, or The Age of God Creation, receives his award for Best Novel at the 35th Galaxy Awards in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, on September 28, 2024. The awards are China's most prestigious science-fiction literature awards. Photo: Courtesy of the 35th Galaxy Award