The China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) has officially confirmed that a magnitude-4.6 earthquake occurred at 16:43 on Thursday in Jinfeng district of Yinchuan, the capital city of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in Northwest China (latitude 38.41°N, longitude 106.26°E).
After the earthquake in Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the Earthquake Disaster Relief Headquarters of the State Council and China's Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM) activated an emergency response, dispatching a working group to the affected area to assist with relief efforts, according to CCTV news. Local fire and rescue teams deployed 105 personnel and 20 vehicles to assess conditions near the epicenter. Additionally, 440 personnel, 86 vehicles, and 13 rescue dogs from heavy and light rescue teams are on standby. So far, no casualties have been reported.
This is the second earthquake reported in the same day in Ningxia, with the first one occurring at 10:01 in the morning, located at 38.4 degrees north latitude and 106.22 degrees east longitude, according to Xinhua News Agency.
The public security bureau of Dujiangyan, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, said on Friday that two netizens have been legally transferred for prosecution for widely spreading rumors about giant pandas for profit, inciting netizens to resist international cooperation in giant panda conservation, defaming organizations and slandering relevant experts and professionals, according to a release on its official WeChat account.
According to the release, in March 2024, the local authorities received public reports about netizens who had widely disseminated rumors regarding giant pandas through short videos and livestreaming.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that since June 2023, the two suspects - a 56-year-old woman surnamed Bai from Xianyang, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, and a 40-year-old man surnamed Xu from the same region - had repeatedly fabricated and disseminated false information online, alleging that the Giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, that returned to China from the US in November 2023, were being abused.
Bai and Xu had generated over 30,000 yuan ($4,110) in earnings from live broadcasts and raised more than 140,000 yuan from their followers, resulting in a total profit exceeding 170,000 yuan, said the release.
At the same time, they tarnished the reputations of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center, and other organizations, defaming relevant experts and professionals while inciting netizens to oppose international cooperation in giant panda conservation, according to the local authorities.
Under the instigation of Bai and Xu, some individuals engaged in illegal activities frequently harassed several experts in the relevant fields through phone calls, abusive text messages, and offline disturbances. This severely impacted the experts' normal work and lives and significantly disrupted the working order of the relevant organizations, the release said.
The release also said some individuals conducted illegal activities such as repeatedly calling the government service hotline and the emergency hotline to file false complaints and reports, maliciously occupying public resources and severely disrupting the normal operations of emergency assistance by the relevant organizations.
The actions of Bai and Xu are suspected of violating relevant provisions of China's criminal law and they have been legally transferred for prosecution. The case is currently under further investigation, the local police said.
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.
As dawn breaks over Hangji town in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, the first rays of sunlight spill onto the bustling streets, illuminating the rhythmic hum of toothbrush production lines. In a cozy Beijing hutong, a grandmother beams with delight as she unwraps her brand-new toothbrush, its bristles gleaming with promise. Thousands of miles away, guests at opulent hotels in Dubai indulge in lavish oral care routines, where even this simplest act becomes a luxurious ritual. While on the other side of the globe, in the icy expanse of Antarctica, scientists endure frigid winds, finding small comfort in their trusted toothbrushes amid the stark wilderness.
Lives that seem worlds apart are intricately connected by this small yet essential item produced in the small Chinese town of Hangji, known for its toothbrush manufacturing. Nearly one in every three toothbrushes in the world is produced here, Xinhua reported.
Hangji has become a global champion in toothbrush production, with local stories of hard work and prosperity passing down through generations. Residents here wield this small item as a tool that connects them to the world, mirroring the dedication of millions of workers over the last 75 years and embodying Chinese people's pursuit of a beautiful and healthy life.
The small town also serves as a testament to a dynamic and thriving China, where its people have marched forward in high spirits, embarking on a vibrant journey of pursuing a beautiful and flourishing life while connecting to the world. Returning to hometown
When the Global Times reporter entered, Tu Xinye, 37-year-old manager of Shuguang Toothbrush Factory, was instructing his workers to clean the factory's marble sign. The brand, with "Shuguang" meaning "dawn," is part of a cherished legacy from his grandfather and father, symbolizing the resilience and innovative spirit of his family.
Established in 1976, it was the first toothbrush factory in the town, witnessing the evolution from manual labor to mechanization, and later, the digital transformation brought about by the internet.
Tu has been gaining the attention of netizens in 2020 when he invited his grandfather and father - former factory managers - to join him for live selling, while sharing the trials and triumphs of the family business. Viewers were captivated by the heartfelt stories of dedication and the pursuit of prosperity that have defined the Tu family's journey in the toothbrush industry.
Returning home to inherit the family business was not Tu's initial choice. He pursued a degree in aircraft engine design in the UK, driven by dreams of aviation. However, the relentless efforts of his family to innovate and sustain the toothbrush factory ignited his sense of responsibility. Having observed his father tirelessly seeking market opportunities to provide jobs for local residents, he began to realize that the toothbrush industry was not just a business. It was a lifeline for his hometown.
In 2013, Tu decided to return to China and take over the family business. He dropped out of a PhD application, and started from the ground up, working as a factory worker to understand the intricacies of production. Over the last decade, he made efforts with all employees to double the factory's output and expanded its reach to over 40 countries worldwide.
Three generations face different challenges in different historical contexts. Tu's grandfather, the first factory manager, faced the challenges of the 1970s' planned economy in China when production was fine, but sales were not. In the early 1980s, as the planned economy began to dissolve and privatization took hold, Tu's father encountered a sudden drop in orders while navigating market complexities. During his childhood, Tu often found himself in the factory, waking up to his parents discussing machine upgrades and strategies to tap into overseas markets, despite a lack of English. However, their commitments to exploration opened doors to international markets and set the factory on a successful path.
In recent years, Tu has embraced e-commerce as a new frontier for growth. In October 2019, a leading Chinese e-commerce platform approached his factory to collaborate on a budget-friendly electric toothbrush. The factory invested in research and development, ultimately launching an electric toothbrush costing only 9.9 yuan ($1.4) that sold over 30,000 units in just one day. This success highlighted a growing demand for quality dental care products, even in rural areas, he told the Global Times.
"Was it worth investing hundreds of thousands into a workshop environment that consumers could not see? My parents questioned me. But I wanted foreign visitors to see that our production standards were on par with the best in the world," he explained. Tech drives greener future
In a small town covering just 40 square kilometers and home to fewer than 40,000 residents, an astonishing economic phenomenon is unfolding, marked by impressive figures.
What's behind it is an engine powered by technology and environmental sustainability.
In recent years, the toothbrush industry in Hangji has undergone a significant transformation, moving toward standardization and scalability. This shift has inspired a growing number of local youths to learn the craft.
Dong Tao, a recent university graduate from Yangzhou, exemplifies this trend. After leaving a large corporate job, he joined Sanfeng Brush Factory, where he started his day at 7:30 am, preparing materials and warming up machines on the production line. Dong finds fulfillment in his role, utilizing his engineering skills and applying his knowledge of WIFI modules and Bluetooth technology to develop new products. He noted that many young graduates are eager to return to their hometowns, leveraging national policies and local technological advancements to carve out new career paths.
The factory Dong works for has made attempts at innovation in a recent decade, supplying its toothbrushes to Xuelong 2, a Chinese icebreaking research vessel.
Li Yang, the factory's manager, introduced that they tried different ways to develop a toothbrush with bristles measuring just 0.1 millimeters in diameter, designed to prevent gum bleeding in extremely cold conditions. The brush handle is made from polylactic acid, which can biodegrade in as little as three months, minimizing the ecological impact of research activities in polar regions.
Driven by technological innovation, toothbrush manufacturers in Yangzhou are increasingly introducing smart toothbrush products. Tan Yuanshuai, the head of Fengyun Intelligent, a subsidiary of Sanfeng Brush Factory, showcased an AI-interactive toothbrush for children that utilizes a smart processor for real-time calculations and feedback, reminding kids to brush missed areas.
"The popularity of this toothbrush reflects the growing consciousness and emphasis of Chinese people on healthy and environmental friendly lifestyle," Tan said.
Similarly, Zhang Degang, the second-generation owner of Yangzhou Minsheng Brush Factory, highlights how the pursuit of quality and sustainability is reshaping their industry. Over the last decade, he has transformed production facilities to meet international standards, striving for a cleanroom environment akin to those used in chip manufacturing.
Zhang said that in the past, they primarily focused on contract manufacturing, but now Chinese brands are becoming increasingly innovative and popular in the world. Zhang's factory also incorporates Chinese cultural elements such as the Grand Canal and Wenchang Pavilion, into the design of the toothbrush handle, attracting overseas customers who have interest in Chinese culture.
The synergy of technology and sustainability is revitalizing local economies and inspiring a new generation of young people to pursue careers in their hometowns. Better life through hardworking
In 2011, the China Toothbrush Museum, the only special industrial culture museum in the world named after a toothbrush, was established in Hangji. This museum houses over a thousand toothbrush specimens that span more than a thousand years.
The story of Hangji reflects a typical narrative of how Chinese people have created a better life through hard work over the last 75 years. Countless small towns in China, which have achieved remarkable success through their advantageous industries, owe their progress to a group of pioneering individuals who are able to endure hardships.
In China, 70 percent of China's violins come from Huangqiao township in Jiangsu; 80 percent of freshwater pearls are sourced from Shanxiahu township in Zhejiang Province; and 70 percent of industrial brushes are produced in Yuantan, Anhui Province. These industries have become new engines for China's economy.
In a report on the achievements of economic and social development over the last 75 years, released by the National Bureau of Statistics on September 20, it was highlighted that under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, living standards and quality of life have seen historic improvements. As residents' incomes continue to grow, consumption levels have risen, with notable enhancements in quality and ongoing optimization of consumption structures.
Each artisan contributing to these progress writes their glory and dreams into the new journey of national rejuvenation. Today, the vibrant presence of hardworking individuals from various sectors is evident, showcasing a lively and colorful tapestry of life. These ordinary individuals, through their relentless efforts, are striving to increase their incomes and enhance their quality of life.
Tu has inherited the legacy of his family's toothbrush factory, "Dawn," along with a pursuit of excellence. His spirit of perseverance, adventurous drive, and practical determination resonate with countless young people striving to find their own "dawn" in the new global landscape.
For the global business community, including US companies, no one wants to "decouple" from China, as cooperation remains the mainstream, and mutual benefit is the goal, Wang Linjie, spokesperson from China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) told a press conference on Sunday.
Wang's remarks were in response to recent restrictive measures taken by the US against China, including raising the Section 301 tariffs on certain Chinese goods and strengthening export restrictions on technologies such as quantum computing and semiconductor manufacturing.
Wang said that the US has continuously outstretched the concept of national security, violating the principles of the market economy by politicizing and weaponizing economic, trade, and technological issues.
The WTO has already ruled that the US Section 301 tariffs violate WTO rules. The US tariff measures are typical examples of unilateralism and protectionism. These actions have disrupted the stability and smooth functioning of global supply chains, including those in the semiconductor and other technology manufacturing industries, and have seriously harmed the legitimate rights and interests of relevant countries and enterprises, Wang noted.
During the recent third meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council for 2024, representatives from the Chinese and the US business communities emphasized the importance of keeping supply chains open, cooperative, and non-discriminatory, while ensuring supply chain policies comply with WTO rules and avoid distorting trade and investment, according to Wang.
Recently, the US-China Business Council released a survey on China's 2024 business environment, with participation from 140 member companies. 77 percent of the surveyed companies have been operating in China for over 20 years, with 40 percent reporting revenues exceeding $1 billion in China in 2023.
The survey revealed that American companies in China have stabilized their revenues over the past year, with 80 percent of respondents achieving profitability. These companies plan to reinvest profits generated in China this year, indicating a continued commitment to the Chinese market. The general consensus among the surveyed US businesses is that the Chinese market is a crucial component of their global strategy, according to Wang.
"This reflects that for the global business community, including American companies, no one wants to 'decouple' from China, as cooperation remains the mainstream, and mutual benefit is the goal," Wang noted.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has encouraged industrial workers to further contribute wisdom and strength to building a country that is strong in manufacturing and promoting the full revitalization of northeast China.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in a reply letter to representatives of workers from China First Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., a leading equipment manufacturer headquartered in Qiqihar City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.
