The phone conversation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and European Council President Antonio Costa has charted the course forward and identified priorities for bilateral relations in the years to come, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. 

China looks forward to working with the EU to implement the important common understandings between the two leaders, enhance strategic mutual trust, uphold partnership, seek mutual benefits, expand opening up and cooperation, defend multilateralism, uphold mutual respect, seek common ground while shelving differences, step up communication and cooperation at various levels and in various fields, properly handle frictions and differences, achieve greater progress in bilateral ties, and make greater contributions to world peace, stability and prosperity,Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson from the ministry said at a routine press conference

The phone call points the way for the development of China-Europe relations, coinciding with the beginning of 2025, Costa's taking office, and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Europe, Zhao Junjie, senior research fellow at the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. 

In the phone conversation with Costa on Tuesday, Xi said that the more severe and complex the international situation becomes, the more China and Europe should adhere to the original aspirations of their diplomatic ties. Calling on both sides to strengthen strategic communication, enhance strategic mutual trust, and uphold their partnership, Xi said that China remains confident in the EU and hopes the EU will also prove to be a trustworthy cooperation partner for China, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Xi said that China has always regarded Europe as an important pole in a multipolar world, firmly supported European integration, and backed the EU's pursuit of strategic autonomy.

Costa said his first call with President Xi had been "constructive," according to an AFP report. "Marking the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations in 2025, I look forward to the next EU-China summit in Brussels later this year," Costa posted on social media platform BlueSky.

Seeking to develop ties with China provides a stable foundation for Europe in this increasingly uncertain world, Cui Hongjian, a professor at the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times on Wednesday. China-Europe relations have the potential to improve and become more resilient this year, he said.

The connotation of China-Europe relations is very rich. Although there are frictions in the economic and trade fields, both sides still share a basic consensus that communication and dialogue are effective ways to resolve differences. With joint efforts, it is believed that China and Europe can find reasonable solutions that enhance the common interests of both sides, Cui said.

Media has closely followed the intensifying high-level contacts between China and the bloc. Politico reported that hinting at such a EU-China summit "just days before Trump is inaugurated signals to Washington that the bloc wants to keep its options open toward Beijing." 

This year, the bloc will face a highly intense situation characterized by intertwined internal and external conflicts. Therefore, for Europe, establishing the China-Europe relationship as a stabilizing anchor is crucial. With this stabilizing anchor, the EU can more confidently address both internal and external challenges, Cui noted. 

The Chinese Foreign Minister's first overseas visit each year is always to Africa, which is a fine tradition and a distinctive feature of China's diplomacy. This practice has remained consistent for 35 years, never changing or wavering, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said during his visit to Namibia on Monday.

During his visit to Namibia, Wang respectively met with Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba and President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Monday.

During his meeting with Nandi-Ndaitwah, Wang said that the primary reason for making Africa the first stop is because China cherishes the enduring friendship between China and Africa. Whether in the glorious years of striving for national independence and liberation, or in the common journey of seeking mutual benefit and cooperation, 
China and Africa have always understood, trusted, supported, and helped each other, Wang added.

By adhering to the tradition of making Africa the first overseas visit of the new year, China hopes to show the world that no matter what changes occur in the international and regional situation. China will always be the most trustworthy friend of our African brothers and sisters, always be the most reliable partner in the pursuit of development and revitalization for African countries, and always be the strongest support for Africa on the international stage, said Wang.

We will continue to uphold this tradition, as the world increasingly needs enhanced cooperation between China and Africa, Wang said during his meeting with Mbumba, adding that the development of China and Africa symbolizes the ascent of the Global South and the fortification of the forces of justice.

Strengthening unity and cooperation between China and Africa, and jointly safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries, is in line with historical justice, the trend of the times, and also meets the common aspirations of the 2.8 billion people of China and Africa.

Wang also said that China will continue to support Namibia in pursuing a development and revitalization path that suits its national conditions and appreciates Namibia's long-standing firm adherence to the one-China principle. China is willing to deepen political mutual trust with Namibia, enhance exchanges between parties and governance experience, increase ideological and conceptual alignment, and provide guidance and security for the development of bilateral relations, he added.

China is willing to offer as much support as possible for Namibia's economic development, help Namibia transform its resource advantages into development advantages and benefits for its people, and work together to advance their respective modernization processes.
Mbumba said that although the countries differ in size, Namibia and China have always maintained friendship, solidarity, and cooperation, as well as mutual respect and support. Namibia firmly upholds the One-China policy, supports China's efforts to safeguard its territorial integrity, and admires Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the development achievements made under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. Namibia is willing to strengthen inter-party cooperation with China and engage in exchanges on governance and administration experience, according to the Chinese foreign ministry website. 

Nandi-Ndaitwah said the Namibian and Chinese people have enjoyed a long-standing friendship. Namibia will, as always, work to consolidate and develop Namibia-China cooperation and remain steadfast in adhering to the One-China principle. Namibia is willing to actively implement the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Summit, strengthen cooperation with China in areas such as trade, education, agriculture, infrastructure, and energy resources, bring opportunities for Namibia's economic and social development, and deliver benefits to the people of both countries.

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu expressed his deep condolences on Facebook Tuesday evening for the compatriots who lost their lives in the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck China's Xizang Autonomous Region. 

Lee extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and wished for a swift recovery for the injured. 

He also stated that the HKSAR government would maintain close contact with disaster relief organizations and is prepared to provide appropriate assistance through the disaster relief fund at any time.

China is greatly concerned about the reports that said the Syrian army has recently granted senior military ranks to a number of foreign terrorist fighters, including the head of a Council-listed terrorist organization, the Turkistan Islamic Party, also known as the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, calling on Syria to fulfill its counter-terrorism obligations and to prevent any terrorist forces from using the Syrian territory to threaten the security of other countries, said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, at the UN Security Council Briefing on Syria, on Wednesday.

Fu said the situation in Syria is at a critical stage with daunting challenges. The international community should strengthen solidarity and coordinate its actions to support and help Syria achieve stability and development, according to a statement published on the website of the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations.

China supports a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process in accordance with the spirit and principles of Council Resolution 2254. The international community must effectively respect Syria’s right to pursue a development path in line with its national conditions, and allow the Syrian people to decide their country’s future based on their will, Fu noted.

The national dialogue conference scheduled for January 5 has been postponed. China expects all parties in Syria to proceed from the long-term interests of the country and people and start an open and inclusive political settlement process. China supports a greater role by the UN and Special Envoy Geir Pedersen in this process. 

No matter how the domestic situation in Syria develops, the bottom line of zero tolerance for terrorism cannot be changed. The Council recently issued a press statement on Syria, making it clear that states should combat all terrorist organizations listed by the Council and deny safe haven for terrorists, said Fu. 

Syria has one of the worst humanitarian situations, with more than 16 million people in dire humanitarian straits, and the prolonged illegal unilateral sanctions have further aggravated the suffering of the Syrian people, Fu said.

The UN should play a coordinating role, speeding up the implementation of humanitarian projects and prioritizing the needs of the population to survive the winter. All parties in Syria should abide by international humanitarian law, cooperate actively with humanitarian operations, and ensure humanitarian access and the safety of humanitarian personnel, said the envoy. 

China reiterates that the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Syria should be respected, that the Council resolutions on the Golan Heights must be implemented, and that the 1974 agreement on disengagement of forces should be complied with, Fu noted.

China has long pursued a policy of friendship and cooperation with Syria, and has never interfered in its internal affairs. China stands ready to continue working with the international community for Syria to have a smooth transition and gradually embark on a path of peaceful development, said the envoy. 

The average temperature in China in 2024 was 10.9 C, which is 1.01 C higher than the long-term average of 9.89 C, according to latest statistics from National Climate Center. It surpasses the previous record of 10.71 C set in 2023, marking a new historical high. 

The national average number of high-temperature days (daily maximum temperatures ≥ 35.0 C) reached 15.6 days, which is 6.6 days more than the long-term average, making it the second-highest since 1961, surpassed only by 2022.

The Shanghai Meteorological Service released top 10 weather and climate events in Shanghai for 2024 on Wednesday, revealing that the annual average temperature of 18.8 C in the urban area of Shanghai has set a new record. It marks 2024 as the hottest year since meteorological records began in Shanghai in 1873.

Under current climate policies, the world faces warming of as much as 3.1 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by 2100, according to a United Nations report released in October, the Reuters reported.

During the current peak season for respiratory infections in children, the primary pathogens remain viruses and mycoplasma pneumoniae, with the influenza virus being the most prevalent, doctors said at a press conference held by the National Health Commission (NHC) on Sunday, reminding parents to allow their child to remain at home should they contract influenza.

Children with influenza primarily present with fever, and may be accompanied by headaches, muscle aches and general malaise. Additionally, respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, and runny nose may also manifest, according to Wang Quan, a chief physician from Beijing Children's Hospital, during a press conference, according to the CCTV News. In some children, gastrointestinal symptoms may be more pronounced than in adults, manifesting as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and decreased appetite, Wang added.

The vast majority of children who contract the influenza virus experience an acute, self-limiting course of illness, typically with fever lasting two to three days and making a full recovery within a week, according to Wang.

But Wang noted that some children may experience a cough that persists for an extended period, and others may suffer from fatigue and weakness that last longer than usual.

Parents are advised that if a child contracts the influenza virus, a primary approach should be antiviral and symptomatic treatment. There are specific antiviral medications available for children, which should be used as soon as possible under the guidance of a physician, especially within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, said CCTV News.

Experts also emphasize that antibiotics are ineffective against the influenza virus.

According to the report released by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday, from December 23 to December 29, 2024, 99.6 percent of the positive influenza virus samples detected in southern and northern provinces of China were identified as H1N1 influenza, said the Health Times affiliated to the People's Daily. 

Experts noted that while the proportion of severe pneumonia caused by influenza is slightly higher than in previous years, the overall incidence remains relatively low. They advise that patients begin treatment as early as possible to ensure a timely recovery.

China's top economic planner has established a department to support the development of the burgeoning low-altitude economy, as the country strives to foster new growth drivers.

The new department, under the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), is responsible for formulating and organizing the implementation of strategic as well as mid-term and long-term development plans, providing policy recommendations, and coordinating major issues related to the low-altitude economy, according to the NDRC.

The department has recently held symposiums on advancing the construction of low-altitude infrastructure and low-altitude intelligent network systems, according to the latest updates on the NDRC website.

The move came amid intensified government efforts to tap the low-altitude economy, which refers to the economic activities and industries centered around manned and unmanned aerial vehicles operating in the airspace usually within 1,000 meters above the ground.

This industry is growing rapidly in China, with over 50,000 enterprises engaged in related businesses as of September, according to data from CCID Consulting. It estimates the scale of the country's low-altitude economy at more than 670 billion yuan (about 93 billion U.S. dollars) this year, with projections to exceed 1 trillion yuan by 2026.

This year, for the first time, the term "low-altitude economy" was included in the Chinese government's work report. China will develop general aviation and low-altitude economy, according to a key resolution adopted during the reform-themed third plenum of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee in July.

Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Suzhou and dozens of other cities have announced supportive policies to develop the low-altitude economy.

The infrastructure and flight service systems for the sector will gradually improve steadily over the next few years, driven by advancements in intelligent network technologies and strengthened management practices, according to CCID Consulting.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday that "one country, two systems" is a good policy that must be adhered to for a long time.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks while addressing a gathering held in the Macao Special Administrative Region to mark the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to the motherland.

As Macao celebrated the 25th anniversary of its return to the motherland on Friday, the city highlighted the vigorous development and achievements of its deepening integration into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). 

With a population of approximately 87 million and a GDP exceeding 14 trillion yuan ($1.9 trillion), the Greater Bay Area is offering boundless opportunities for Macao, the Xinhua News Agency has reported. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the unveiling of the GBA Development Plan.

Today, Macao thrives as a vibrant hub of economic diversity, scientific innovation, youth dynamism, and cultural exchange. 

Macao's rapid development is characterized by a diverse and vibrant industrial landscape, attracting high-end talent. It has emerged as a global hub for innovation and one of the most sought-after destinations for investment and tourism, steadily enhancing its international influence.

The Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) government has actively pursued moderate economic diversification. In 2024, Macao unveiled its first comprehensive plan for this diversification, targeting rapid growth in key sectors such as health, modern finance, high-tech industries, trade exhibitions, and cultural sports. The Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin is dismantling institutional barriers, facilitating Macao's economic diversification and enhancing its integration into the national development strategy.

Today, Hengqin is home to a plethora of innovation platforms. These platforms are attracting high-end manufacturing enterprises and research institutions that are breaking through critical technological barriers, while providing youth with a vibrant stage to pursue their dreams in Macao. 

Technological innovation has also become a new engine for economic growth, with four state key laboratories producing high-level research results in fields such as traditional Chinese medicine, space science, and health sciences.

"Hengqin serves as a robust support platform for Macao's moderate diversification, featuring six youth entrepreneurship bases that provide opportunities for young people to enter the mainland market. Cultural exchanges are also flourishing, with activities showcasing the intangible cultural heritage of South China's Chaozhou in local schools, allowing students to experience the richness of Chinese culture," Lao Chi Long, vice president of the Macao Youth Federation, told the Global Times.

In 2024, local authorities organized educational exchanges that facilitated visits for high school students from Macao to Hengqin, enabling them to explore the latest developments and broaden their horizons. Over 2,000 students have participated in this initiative, according to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao GBA official website. 

Lao said that many young students in Macao have opportunities to study at renowned institutions on the mainland. They later return to share their experiences and foster a sense of national identity among their peers.

More, Macao's unique blend of Eastern and Western cultures, diverse culinary offerings, and distinctive architecture make its tourism sector a vital aspect of its moderate economic diversification. 

The SAR government is dedicated to showcasing Macao's charm to the world, attracting visitors to experience the city's rich heritage. In 1999, only 7 million tourists visited Macao; by December 7 of 2024, that number had soared to around 32.55 million, according to official data. 

Today, Macao boasts one of the highest concentrations of UNESCO World Heritage sites, striving to become a global tourism and leisure center. 

According to a survey by the China Tourism Academy, Macao was rated as the most satisfying destination for mainland outbound tourists in the first quarter of 2024. 

Events like the 2024 Macao International Parade, the Macao Arts Festival, and the Arts and Cultural Festival between China and Portuguese-speaking countries draw visitors from all over, while thrilling competitions like the Grand Prix showcase the city's vibrant sports culture. 

The second installment in Yang Xiaoyan's Nanjing Massacre book series is set in 1937 and follows Wu An, a 12-year-old boy who is sold to a Chinese soldier hoping to disguise himself as a father and a civilian to evade the Japanese troops and rejoin the fight.

"'An' literally means 'safe' in Mandarin, as I wanted him to be safe. Wu is my grandma's surname," Yang said in an interview with Xinhua.

In November 1937, Yang's grandparents fled from Nanjing, then the Chinese capital, shortly before it was captured by invading Japanese troops on Dec. 13. Over six weeks, the invaders killed approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in one of the most barbaric episodes of World War II.

"I felt obliged to teach our next generation, in the form of children's literature, about the bitter past of our nation," she said, noting that she had read all available survivors' accounts of the massacre to write the series.

As the remaining survivors of these atrocities more than 80 years ago are now passing away, many like Yang are taking over the baton to disseminate the truth of this dark time in history.
AFTER THEY LEAVE

Nanjing, located in east China's Jiangsu Province, was a prosperous city in 1937.

"There were people doing acrobatics in the streets, and people telling stories and selling snacks," massacre survivor Chang Zhiqiang recalled in an earlier interview. He was a happy 9-year-old boy when his life changed on Dec. 13, 1937, along with the lives of tens of thousands of others.

Chang witnessed the torture and killing of six of his family members in the Nanjing Massacre, including his infant brother, who was tossed into the air by Japanese soldiers using a bayonet.

His daughter, Chang Xiaomei, is now 65 but didn't learn the details of the tragedy her father had lived through until about 10 years ago, when a Japanese scholar visited the family.

"Childhood trauma had tormented him all his life, and I knew I had to do something for him," Chang Xiaomei said. After the visit, she began accompanying her father when he went to rallies, gave testament and took interviews, and she gradually grew to understand her family's past.

She found that many people didn't know about the Nanjing Massacre. Once when she was on a train, a young man asked her if 300,000 people had really been killed in Nanjing, she said.

"We must help generations of people to remember that period of history, remember our suffering and inspire us to move forward on the road ahead."

She began documenting her father's life in 2017 to share the impact the events had had on him with other people. Three years later, she published a book that was later translated into Japanese and English.

Chang Zhiqiang passed away in December 2022. Today, there are just 32 registered Nanjing Massacre survivors -- who have an average age of over 94 -- down from the 1,756 figure recorded when Nanjing counted survivor numbers for the first time in 1987.

"There are fewer and fewer survivors who can tell the story," said Chang Xiaomei, who was granted the official status of inheritor of historical memories of the Nanjing Massacre in 2022.

According to the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, there are currently 32 people who have been given this status, the youngest of whom is just 9 years old. These inheritors record the lives of the survivors, open social media accounts to spread the truth of this history, and pass that truth on over generations.

Chang Xiaomei often gives lectures in primary schools. She is now considering documenting her father's experiences in a picture book to help more children learn about this period in history.
AFTER THEY GROW UP

Like Chang Xiaomei, author Yang Xiaoyan learned the specifics of her family's bitter past quite late -- shortly before her grandfather died in 1991. She learned that although her two uncles had managed to leave Nanjing before the massacre, they did not survive the war.

It was not until 17 years later, when she came across historical materials on the Nanjing Massacre in a library, that she had the idea to teach children about these events.

With great support from the press, the author and primary school English teacher has completed the first two books in her "Smile in the Thorn Bush" trilogy. And her first book, "Xiaocong," is set to be translated into Arabic.

Yang said that while doing her research, the history she was learning would sometimes plunge her into darkness. During meetings, she had to sit near the door so she could escape easily should she need to.

"I do wonder if children would be able to accept these stories," she said. "So I avoid direct depictions of bloody scenes. But I cannot completely avoid the violence that took place, otherwise the work would not be powerful enough."

Yang once met a young girl at a lecture she was giving who told her that her mother wouldn't allow her to read the books because she thought they were too scary. Yang remembers telling her to read them when she had grown up.

More often than not, Yang's feedback from readers is positive. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was surprised to see a great number of people at a lecture she was giving during a book fair in Shanghai. Some parents even told her that they hadn't known much about the massacre before they had read her books, and that they would buy more books for their children to read.

In 2014, China's top legislature designated Dec. 13 as a national memorial day for the victims of the Nanjing Massacre. On that day each year, a siren sounds through the city and Yang teaches her students its simple lesson: If they had been in the same classroom more than 80 years in the past, the sound would signal that they couldn't stay in the school and learn. This lesson, she tells the children, teaches everyone to cherish the lives they can lead today.

"A nation without a past has no future," she told Xinhua. "Young people are in a period when their perceptions of the world and of life are being formed. I hope that they will read more history books."

The Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, located at a burial site for massacre victims, opened to the public in 1985. Yang said that she had been impressed by the design of a contraption in the hall that releases a drop of water every 12 seconds, with each drop representing someone who was killed in the massacre and the number of seconds between drops reflecting the frequency of deaths during the tragic episode in Nanjing's history.

Since it became the main venue for the national memorial ceremony in 2014, the hall has attracted approximately 5 million visitors every year. It has received 125,278 comments from visitors so far this year, with a daily average of more than 400. Words such as "history," "peace," "remember" and "prosperity" appear frequently in these comments.

According to memorial hall statistics, about 70 percent of all users of its 11 online platforms are below 35 years of age. From 2014 to 2023, content including key words such as "national memorial" and "national memorial day" on its Sina Weibo account saw views increase from 2.03 billion to 32.2 billion.

MAY PEACE PREVAIL

The Nanjing No.12 Middle School was founded by U.S. missionary John Magee, who covertly recorded 105 minutes of footage documenting the barbarity of Japanese invaders in 1937. This footage is thought to be the only film record of the massacre.

Shi Xiaobing, vice president of the school, told Xinhua that the massacre is something that many adults in Nanjing know all about. When the siren wails on the national memorial day each year, his family stands on their balcony to mourn, he said.

"The future is to be carried by generations of children, who should shoulder their own responsibilities," said Shi, 43. "By learning the history we hope to teach them to love their motherland, and to understand the hardship through which the happiness they know today was achieved."

The school puts on a host of activities every December, including speeches, debates and singing competitions. One recent debate marked China's new visa-free policy for Japanese tourists.

Shi used to volunteer in the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, and he found that in recent years, knowledge of the Nanjing Massacre has increased among children and young people. "Children are confident enough amid the fast development of our country, and they can look our devastating history square in the eye."

Chen Baoyi, 16, will be the host of the school's mourning gathering on this year's national memorial day. She has known about the Nanjing Massacre since she was very young. Through education both at school and in the memorial hall, she has developed a rational view of the tragedy. "When it occurred, China was underdeveloped," she said. "So we now have the obligation to build a stronger country to avoid a repeat of such a tragedy."

Her classmate, 17-year-old Gao Jing, sees the study of the Nanjing Massacre as a way to commemorate its victims. Learning the truth about this history has not made her hostile to present-day Japan. Like many of her peers, she likes to watch animated Japanese movies like "Detective Conan," and she often buys cultural products associated with these films.

And that is what Shi Xiaobing likes to see. "Remembering history is not remembering hatred," he said.

Shi's views are shared by Yang Xiaoyan. "The message we would like to send is not that we should hate any particular country, but that we should hate war itself. In Japan, many people also lost their lives in the war," she said. Remembering history is not in conflict with traveling to Japan, she noted, and she herself is a fan of Japanese movie stars such as Yamaguchi Momoe.

"We hope that in the process of learning history, we can cultivate the critical thinking abilities of young people, so that they can gain a proper view of history. We would also like to see China and all countries in the world enjoy peace in the future."

To bring the history of the Nanjing Massacre to a broader international audience, Yang plans to translate her works into English. In addition to her "Smile in the Thorn Bush" trilogy, she has also authored "Ningsheng Ningsheng," which was inspired by a commemorative poster bearing the images of two children -- one from 1937 and the other from 2017 -- looking at each other across time.

At the end of the book, eponymous protagonist Ningsheng has become a college student and reads a comment in the memorial hall guestbook: "History is not horrible. What is horrible is the disregard for and oblivion of history. May peace prevail."