Liu Jinsong, Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, urgently summoned Chief Minister of the Embassy of Japan in China Yokochi Akira on Friday to lodge a stern representation and strong protest over the visit to Japan by Lin Chia-lung, head of the “foreign affairs department” of Taiwan's DPP authorities.
Liu stated that the Taiwan question is at the very core of China’s interests and is fundamental to the political foundation of China-Japan relations, as well as the basic trust between the two countries. By allowing Lin to visit under the pretext of a so-called “private capacity” and providing a platform for his anti-China separatist activities, the Japanese side has sent a seriously wrong signal, Liu said.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of Taiwan’s recovery. China urges Japan to abide by the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan and its solemn commitments on the Taiwan question, and to take immediate steps to eliminate the negative impact of this incident, Liu said.
The Chinese Embassy in Japan also lodged a stern demarche with the Japanese side on Saturday. In a statement, the embassy said that the Taiwan question lies at the heart of China's core interests, and the one-China principle is a red line that must not be crossed, leaving no room for political manipulation.
Despite repeated prior representations from China, the Japanese government allowed Lin Chia-lung to enter Japan and carry out blatant separatist and provocative activities, the embassy said. It emphasized that China will not tolerate this and demands that the Japanese government strictly uphold the spirit of the four China-Japan political documents and its solemn commitments on the Taiwan question. China will closely monitor Japan's actions and respond accordingly.
On July 27, 2024, "Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital" was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Now marking its first anniversary, experts involved in the bid highlight the significance of interpreting its status as a global cultural treasure. They pointed out that "sustainable tourism" has emerged as a key factor for the Beijing Central Axis' future when communicating with UNESCO officials and overseas scholars. After speaking with experts and the public from all walks of life, the Global Times found the answer that key strategies identified for sustainable development include technology-enhanced conservation, immersive heritage experiences, and community-driven stewardship. Those are also the approaches that have already reshaped the Beijing Central Axis over the past year, renewing the heritage site's glamour in the new era.
In the height of summer, Yongdingmen Park is bathed in lush greenery. Along both sides of the ancient imperial road of the south of the Beijing Central Axis, citizens and tourists alike gather in small groups, resting, strolling, and exercising amid the shade, savoring the respite from the sweltering heat.
Climbing the Yongdingmen Gate, the southern endpoint of Beijing's Central Axis, and facing north, one can take in the entire panoramic beauty of the Central Axis: Expansive, magnificent, and orderly.
On July 27, 2024, the Beijing Central Axis has been added to the United Nations' cultural heritage list.
Following the UNESCO inscription of the Beijing Central Axis and two natural heritages of China, Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged further efforts to preserve the country's cultural and natural treasures and renew their glamour in the new era. the Xinhua News Agency reported.
The inclusion of these heritage items has positive significance for the building of Chinese modernization that features material and cultural-ethical advancement and harmony between humanity and nature, Xi said, noting that it also adds new luster to world civilizations, Xinhua reported.
The Beijing Central Axis, the best-preserved example of traditional central axis architecture in China, extends 7.8 kilometers from the Yongdingmen Gate in the south to the Bell and Drum Towers in the north.
Dubbed the "spine of the city's culture," it can be traced to the 13th century in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), while its length was extended in the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911).
Lü Zhou, director of the national heritage center at Tsinghua University who was involved in the application for UNESCO World Heritage Site, told the Global Times that the Beijing Central Axis showcases the most spectacular urban form of oriental civilization, filling the gap in urban planning heritage in East Asia.
"The Beijing Central Axis tells the world how Chinese civilization constructs order, embodying the material expression of the concepts of 'centrality' and 'harmony' in Chinese civilization. It demonstrates to the world the 'consistency, originality, uniformity, inclusivity, and peaceful nature' of Chinese civilization, as well as its inheritability, explaining to the world the essence of the Chinese cultural spirit," Lü said.
Now marking its first anniversary, the Central Axis pulses with celebratory energy as communities host events along its 7.8-kilometer span.
As part of the commemorations, the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau unveiled two milestone publications: Action Plan for Conservation and Inheritance of Beijing Central Axis (2025-2027) and the book series Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital.
"We envision these publications as vital keys to interpreting the Beijing Central Axis' significance as a global cultural treasure," Zhang Bo, a research fellow from Beijing Union University, told the Global Times.
She stressed that after communicating with UNESCO officials and overseas scholars, "sustainable tourism" has emerged as a key factor for the Beijing Central Axis' future.
Many experts pointed out that the heart of the Central Axis' sustainability lies in cutting-edge technology.
"Technology empowers citizens to become both guardians and ambassadors of culture," Lü said.
Technology empowers protection Among Beijing's many city gates, Zhengyangmen is the largest and highest-ranked in terms of architectural specification, according to news portal The Paper. From the third and fourth floors of its arrow tower, visitors can overlook Qianmen Street, with a distant view reaching as far as the Yongdingmen Gate at the southernmost end of the Central Axis, which is a perfect spot for viewing and photography.
Renovation work on Zhengyangmen Archery Tower and the main tower began in 2021, and in December 2024, the archery tower reopened to the public for the first time in over 30 years.
"3D scanning revolutionized our approach," Chen Liang, director of the heritage conservation department at the Beijing Central Axis Heritage Protection Center, told the Global Times.
Teams created precise molds to recreate damaged window lintels originally patched with cement.
"The precision of 3D laser scanning reaches 0.1 millimeters, enabling even the historical traces in the brick joints to be completely preserved," Chen said.
For 150 balustrades and 48 brackets, restorers developed customized solutions using carbon-fiber composites blended with traditional materials, which has preserved authenticity while boosting resilience.
After the renovation, advanced cultural relic monitoring equipment was installed in Zhengyangmen Archery Tower. Zhou Ziyu, director of the heritage monitoring department at the Beijing Central Axis Heritage Conservation Center, introduces that post-restoration, wireless accelerometers, Beidou navigation sensors, and microclimate monitors now stand sentinel.
"Real-time data on vibrations, displacement, and humidity feeds into our conservation database. Algorithms alert us to anomalies, enabling proactive preservation," Zhou said.
"Establishing realistic 3D models and the heritage monitoring and protection platform allow us to simulate environmental impacts and plan urban development without compromising heritage sightlines," Tao Yingchun, deputy director of the Beijing Institute of Surveying and Mapping, told the Global Times, adding that China's digital technology has now reached world-leading levels, driven in part by the need to manage the vast volumes of data related to the Beijing Central Axis.
Immersive experiences
At the northernmost end of the Beijing Central Axis, a wonderful integration of technology and ancient architecture is unfolding within the Bell and Drum Towers.
On the first floor of the Drum Tower, next to the "The Story of Time" exhibition hall, a 35-square-meter VR installation transports visitors to the Yuan Dynasty's founding scenario.
Guided by the mythical dragon "Xiaolongzai," users equipped with VR headsets witness the cosmic vision for the Central Axis by urban planner Liu Bingzhong from Yuan Dynasty, the "chief designer" of the Beijing Central Axis, experiencing the beauty of "artistic conception" in Chinese philosophy through immersive storytelling.
"Since its UNESCO listing, educational tours have surged," Yu Hui, deputy director of the Bell and Drum Towers management office, told the Global Times.
Heritage "passports" allowing stamp collections at 15 Central Axis sites delight young explorers, while the "Chronical Tea" café themed around the 24 solar terms, with seasonal brews and drum-tower-shaped pastries, have become social media sensations.
Keeping lively for people
Xi called for efforts to take this UNESCO inclusion as an opportunity to further strengthen the comprehensive and systematic protection of cultural and natural heritage and make good use of them to better meet the people's needs, Xinhua reported.
He also urged enhanced international exchange and cooperation in this field, and efforts to make greater contribution to the practice of the Global Civilization Initiative and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, per Xinhua.
A year after the Beijing Central Axis was successfully inscribed as a World Heritage Site, both local residents and visitors from across the country have felt its transformative impact. These changes have seamlessly woven into every aspect of daily life - food, clothing, housing, and travel.
Zhao Yan, a Beijing resident, lives on Di'anmennei Dajie. Throughout the ongoing progress of the Central Axis preservation projects, both before and after its UNESCO inscription, she has witnessed the gradual restoration of her street to its former glory.
The once-bustling thoroughfare is now lined with thriving shops and merchants, while the nearby hutongs, teeming with visitors, have seen significant improvements in supporting facilities. Remarkably, many former neighbors who had moved away from the hutongs have returned to their old homes, bringing a lively yet orderly atmosphere back to the community, Zhao said.
"The extended north-south axis has already emerged as a new highlight of urban development. The cultural heritage is now becoming more deeply integrated into residents' daily lives," Liu Zheng, a member of the Chinese Society of Cultural Relics, told the Global Times.
Along the Central Axis, several revitalized time-honored shops have emerged, such as "Qianxiangyi," a historic store specializing in Chinese silk on Qianmen Street.
Liu Qi, an employee at the shop, said that with the coordination and financial support of relevant government departments, "Qianxiangyi" was included in the architectural restoration project along the Central Axis.
The store underwent an 18-month closure for meticulous renovations, during which traditional techniques were used to restore the building's structure, railings, and decorative patterns to the highest standards.
These efforts successfully revived the historical charm and architectural beauty of the store. The restored facade has drawn in more customers, offering the shop a fresh opportunity for growth as a time-honored brand.
The changes can also be seen in the increased number of foreign tourists.
Yang Ziruo, a 14-year-old student in Beijing, told the Global Times she and other students once jointly wrote to UNESCO to express their support for the Beijing Central Axis' heritage bid. "Now a World Heritage Site, the Beijing Central Axis breathes with a vibrant atmosphere," she said.
Dou Junjie, a seasoned tour guide specializing in the landmarks along the Central Axis, said that he has also welcomed numerous international visitors over the past year.
Dou told the Global Times many seasoned travelers expressed great interest in Beijing's cultural elements, such as the traditional quadrangle dwellings and Peking Opera.
One of visitors from the Netherlands was particularly impressed by the smooth traffic flow and the well-developed infrastructure along the Central Axis, describing the experience of walking and cycling along it as truly unforgettable.
As a professional who often communicates with foreign architects, Li Yinong, the chief architect of the Beijing Institute of Architectural Design Co, Ltd, has found that the "Chinese sense of order" of the Central Axis never fails to amaze international friends.
"Unlike the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in France with its geometric precision like trimmed hedges, ours balances rigor with organic vitality," she told the Global Times adding that "Neither is superior; they reflect distinct aesthetic sensibilities."
This cultural dialogue, Li argues, is the Beijing Central Axis' true power. "It also inspires foreign architects working in China to weave such Chinese wisdom into their designs. That is heritage breathing across borders," she said.
Responding to a question on threats by US Senator Lindsey Graham of imposing 500 percent tariffs on countries including China if they continue to trade with Russia, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said China's position on the Ukraine crisis has been consistent and clear.
"We always believe that dialogue and negotiation is the only viable way out of the crisis. China firmly opposes any illicit unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction. Tariff wars have no winners. Coercion and pressuring will lead nowhere," Lin said at a regular press briefing on Tuesday.
The bill backed by Graham and Senator Richard Blumenthal calls for a 500 percent tariff on goods imported from countries that continue to buy Russian oil, gas, uranium and other exports. It would target nations like China and India, which account for roughly 70 percent of Russia's energy trade and bankroll much of its war effort, the AP report said.
Graham and Blumenthal told AP that they hope to bring the legislation to a vote in the Senate before the August recess.
Meanwhile, the US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the US would punish Russia with tariffs if there is no deal to end the war in Ukraine within 50 days, the AP reported.
"We hope parties will help create the atmosphere and conditions for a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, and act in ways conducive to promoting talks for peace," Lin commented at the same press briefing.
"China believes dialogue and negotiation are the only viable solution to the Ukraine crisis. We categorically oppose all illegal unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction," said Chinese FM spokesperson Lin Jian on Wednesday, in response to a Reuters report that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that countries such as Brazil, China and India could be hit very hard by secondary sanctions if they continued to do business with Russia.
"There are no winners in tariff wars," Lin noted. "Coercion and pressure cannot resolve fundamental issues. We urge all parties to foster conditions conducive to a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis and to contribute more substantively to peace talks."
The US Navy will construct two military boat maintenance facilities in Palawan, a Philippine province facing the South China Sea, the Associated Press reported. Chinese experts said the move has clear military implications and could further provoke tension in the region.
The US Embassy in Manila announced on Wednesday that the US Navy plans to build a new boat maintenance facility to help repair Philippine military vessels at the Naval Detachment Oyster Base in Ulugan Bay, Palawan. "The US Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command has formally issued a public solicitation for the design and construction of the project on July 7," acting embassy spokesperson Glenda Wallace said in a statement, according to the Philippine News Agency.
USNI News, a media outlet affiliated with the US Naval Institute, reported that a solicitation for the other boat maintenance facility seeks to construct support infrastructure to host Philippine vessels in the municipality of Quezon, located only 257 kilometers east of China's Ren'ai Jiao. Project documents highlighted the site's strategic location in the South China Sea as one of the key objectives.
According to the USNI News report, the facility is expected to support at least five vessels, with documents specifying rigid-hulled inflatable boats and "assault boats." The report noted that several of these vessels were seen at a handover ceremony to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command, the force responsible for operations in the South China Sea.
USNI News also noted that the construction requirements are similar to those set forth under another construction initiative planned for Oyster Bay, which is also expected to accommodate unmanned surface vessels of the Philippine Navy.
The report further stated that despite sea states and distances, Philippine forces have frequently deployed small boats into disputed waters. Plans for the project seek to get the watercraft from the facility and into the water within 15 minutes to meet a "rapid deployment readiness" objective.
Although Wallace attempt to emphasize that "the boat maintenance facility is not a military base" and stated that "the project is approved by the government of the Philippines in accordance with all applicable US and Philippine local rules and regulations," experts remain skeptical.
Wallace claimed that the facility would provide repair and maintenance capabilities for several small Philippine military watercraft and will include two multi-purpose interior rooms suitable for equipment storage or conference use, as reported by the Philippine News Agency.
Chinese experts voiced concerns over the potential implications of the facility. "With Washington's support, the Philippines may adopt new tactics in its provocative actions in the South China Sea," Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Thursday.
Zhang warned that by highlighting the role of small boats, the US and the Philippines may attempt to employ "wolf pack strategy" involving multiple vessels to harass larger Chinese ships. He added that this approach could also serve as a psychological operation aimed at portraying the Philippines as the victim and falsely accusing China of "bullying the weak," thereby generating a new wave of unrest in the South China Sea.
While the tactical role of small vessels is limited due to China's superior naval countermeasures, the political symbol of this support from the US outweighs its military utility, Zhang said.
Chen Xiangmiao, a research fellow at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, echoed these concerns, telling the Global Times that building a boat maintenance facility near the South China Sea carries "obvious military implications" and may serve as a platform for expanding US military presence in the region. He noted that the project could embolden Philippine military adventurism and escalate confrontations with China in the South China Sea, as it provides a low-cost model of external support.
Amid the ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, on Tuesday morning, Philippine Coast Guard vessel 9701, operating in the waters near China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea, deliberately provoked China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels 21550 and 5009, which were conducting rights protection and law enforcement operations in the area.
The vessel repeatedly conducted high-speed transits through the stern areas of China Coast Guard law enforcement vessels while dangerously approaching them, with the closest distance being only some 100 meters. This act seriously threatened the navigation safety of the CCG vessels.
"Recent provocations by the Philippines are becoming increasingly reckless," Zhang said. He noted that recent US-Philippine coordination has emboldened Manila's attempts of provoking China over the South China Sea issue. "But China has a wide range of countermeasures and will not yield on territorial sovereignty. These new tactics by the Philippines will not succeed."
Eight individuals connected to the children's abnormal blood lead case at a kindergarten in Tianshui city, Northwest China's Gansu Province, have been placed under criminal detention after investigations revealed that the kindergarten illegally added inedible painted pigments to children's foods, Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday.
The joint investigation team in Tianshui city released on Tuesday a notice on the case, China Central Television (CCTV) reported.
According to a notice, as of 10 pm on Monday, all 251 children at Peixin Kindergarten have been tested. According to blood lead standards, 233 children were found to have abnormal blood lead levels, while 18 were within the normal range. The test results of the sampling from the kindergartens related to Peixin Kindergarten, including Weibei Kindergarten, Ciai Kindergarten, and Mengdiai Kindergarten, were all normal. At present, relevant departments have formed an expert team to fully carry out medical treatment efforts.
Of 223 food samples tested, 221 passed inspection, while two from Peixin Kindergarten failed. One sample was a leftover breakfast item, the tri-color red date steamed cake, and the other was a dinner dish, corn roll with sausage.
The lead content in the two samples was 1,052 milligrams per kilogram and 1,340 milligrams per kilogram respectively, both far exceeding the national food safety standard limit of 0.5 milligrams per kilogram for food contaminants.
The investigation also revealed that the kindergarten's head, surnamed Zhu, and its investor, surnamed Li, instructed kitchen staff to purchase decorative paint online, dilute it, and use it in preparing some food items.
In the early hours of July 3, the police seized the remaining hidden paint. Testing confirmed that the seized paint contained lead and the paint was clearly labeled as inedible on its packaging.
Currently, the public security authorities have placed Zhu and Li, and six others under criminal detention on suspicion of producing toxic and harmful food. Two additional individuals are under compulsory measures with bail pending trial.
After the incident happened, the National Health Commission and the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration on Friday dispatched experts to Tianshui to guide the on-site handling of the incident, according to Sun Chengye, chief expert of poison control from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Regarding the follow-up treatment of the affected children, Zhang Hao, director of the Health Commission of Gansu Province said that Gansu has mobilized 18 provincial-level experts in toxicology, critical care, and pediatrics to participate in the treatment. Three designated hospitals at provincial and municipal levels have been selected with sufficient bed capacity prepared and a green channel established.
Additionally, three expert outpatient clinics have been set up for lead poisoning, pediatrics and psychological counseling at Tianshui Second People's Hospital. Emergency coordination has been made to supply medicine for treating lead poisoning to ensure the sufficient treatment needs for the affected children.
Liu Lijiang, mayor of Tianshui, said in a CCTV interview that the authorities felt deep sorrow and great remorse for the physical and psychological harm caused to the families of the affected children by this incident.
This incident exposed shortcomings and loopholes in the city's public food safety supervision, Liu said, adding that the authorities will draw profound lessons from it, strictly implement the "four strictest" requirements, improve and reinforce all relevant measures, firmly enforce regulatory responsibilities, and build a solid defense line for food safety to prevent such incidents from recurring.
After the incident, some parents of the children with abnormal blood lead levels described the treatment process for their children, saying some children must undergo over six hours of IV infusion every day, Jimu News reported.
The testing reports of several hospitalized children show that their blood lead levels exceeded 250 micrograms per liter, with some exceeding 450 micrograms per liter, according to media reports.
According to Yan Chonghuai, an expert at Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, the blood lead level in kindergarten-age children should be around 20 micrograms per liter. For children undergoing rapid growth and development, lead's neurotoxicity is particularly pronounced and can affect their intelligence quotient (IQ), Sichuan Daily reported.
Yan pointed out that the neurodevelopmental toxicity caused by lead is irreversible, which means that even if treatment brings blood lead levels back to normal, it is very difficult to reverse the damage caused to a child's IQ, expected level.
As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary in 2025, the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Tuesday adopted by consensus a resolution titled "The contribution of development to the enjoyment of all human rights," co-sponsored by China and 40-plus other countries. This is the first time since the resolution in 2017 that it has been adopted by consensus without a vote, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday.
Chen Xu, permanent representative of China to the United Nations Office at Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland, said the resolution reaffirms the vital role of development in ensuring the enjoyment of all human rights, highlights the importance of people-centered, high-quality development in meeting the growing aspirations for a better life and in advancing the full realization of human rights.
Chen expressed hope that the resolution would foster greater consensus and encourage all countries to work with China in prioritizing the future of humanity and the well-being of all nations, revitalizing genuine multilateralism, pursuing high-quality development, and promoting and safeguarding all human rights.
The resolution reflects the shared aspirations of many developing countries. It was jointly sponsored by 40-plus nations, including Cameroon and Pakistan. Representatives from countries such as Cuba, Bolivia, Ethiopia, and Kenya voiced strong support, noting that the resolution will help raise global awareness of the role of development in promoting human rights and further the cause of human rights protection through sustainable development.
Following its adoption, many countries, including Russia, Brazil, Chile, and the European Union, extended congratulations to China. They recognized China's leadership in advancing the agenda of development-driven human rights at the UNHRC and commended its constructive engagement in crafting a more balanced and impactful resolution text, which has garnered wide recognition and broad international support.
When asked for comments on reports that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made three demands to China on Tuesday, including one regarding cooperation with Russia, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning responded on Wednesday that the normal cooperation between China and Russia does not target any third party and should not be interfered with by any third party.
According to TASS, von der Leyen asked China to limit cooperation with Russia, among other things, ahead of the upcoming China-EU summit.
Von der Leyen accused "China's unyielding support for Russia" of "creating heightened instability and insecurity in Europe." "We cannot accept this," she emphasized in a speech at an EP plenary joint debate on relations between the European Union and China, per TASS.
In response, Mao said that the normal cooperation between China and Russia does not target any third party, nor should it be interfered with by any third party.
The Japanese Self-Defense Force on Wednesday began deploying its fleet of V-22 Ospreys at a newly opened permanent base in southwestern Japan, which is part of Tokyo's accelerating military buildup under the excuse of so-called China's military amibitions, according to media reports. A Chinese military affairs expert criticized Japan for building up its military power, using the so-called "China threat" as a pretext to target China, which effectively breached the constraints imposed by its pacifist constitution as well as the post-war international order.
The Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) on Wednesday opened a new camp in southwestern Japan to host its fleet of Osprey transport aircraft, which according to Kyodo News, is part of efforts to strengthen defenses of remote islands amid so-called fears over "China's increasing military ambitions."
The first V-22 Osprey arrived at the new Camp Saga, in the prefecture of the same name on the main island of Kyushu, after transferring from Camp Kisarazu in Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo. The GSDF's tilt-rotor aircraft had been temporarily based there since July 2020, Kyodo News said.
This move marks yet another step by Japan to strengthen its military deployment in the southwest direction targeting China, and is part of a broader effort to enhance its offensive combat capabilities, Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Thursday.
"In recent years, Japan has continuously bolstered its offensive military power by producing and deploying advanced weaponry with strong strike capabilities, including submarines, aircraft carriers, fighter jets, and cruise missiles. This latest deployment of V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft under the pretext of the so-called China threat rhetoric is a clear extension of Japan's military expansion," Zhang said.
The use of the V-22 remains controversial in Japan, especially in the south, due to a series of accidents involving the aircraft, the Associated Press (AP) reported on Thursday.
In November 2023, a US Air Force Osprey crashed off Japan's southern coast, killing eight people, the media report said. In October 2024, a Japanese army V-22 Osprey tilted and hit the ground while attempting to take off during a joint exercise with the US military. An investigation found human error to be the cause, according to the AP.
Despite the V-22 Osprey has been involved in multiple accidents, causing casualties and property damage, which has sparked strong protests from the Japanese public, Japan continues to deploy such accident-prone equipment in order to demonstrate alignment to the US and align with the US' "Indo-Pacific Strategy," ignoring the safety and concerns of its own citizens, Zhang noted.
On Wednesday morning, protesters rallied in front of the new Camp Saga's main gate, carrying banners and signs to call for the "complete removal of Ospreys," according to Xinhua News Agency.
As a former aggressor, Japan bears a historical responsibility to deeply reflect upon and restrain itself from repeating past mistakes. However, current trends among right-wing forces in Japan, such as denying historical aggression and glorifying wartime atrocities, are growing, Zhang noted.
"These tendencies, combined with the trend of military expansion and the resurgence of militarist ideologies, point to a troubling drift back toward militarism, which warrants serious attention and vigilance," he said.
In yet another attempt to weaponize academic exchanges, US House Republicans, according to AP on Thursday, have made baseless accusations against the China Scholarship Council (CSC), urging seven American universities to sever ties with the long-standing educational program.
The move, framed under the pretext of "national security," exposes Washington's growing desperation to stifle China's development through "academic decoupling" - a strategy that a Chinese expert warns will backfire, eroding the US' own scientific competitiveness and global academic leadership.
According to AP report on Thursday, the House Select Committee on China, led by Republican Rep. John Moolenaar, recently sent letters to Dartmouth College, the University of Notre Dame, and five other institutions, labeling the CSC—a Chinese government-funded scholarship program for overseas studies—as a "nefarious mechanism" for technology transfer. The lawmakers demanded that universities provide records related to the program, AP reported.
Moolenaar claimed that the program is a "technology transfer effort that exploits US institutions and directly supports China's military and scientific growth."
These "pan-securitization" accusations reveal the US' true intention of suppressing China's development through "academic decoupling," Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Thursday. "It is evident that these Republican lawmakers aim to weaken or even sever educational exchanges between China and the US, thereby spreading distorted perceptions of China within American society," Li said.
The CSC, established in 1996, sponsors many Chinese students annually to study abroad, including in the US. Like many international scholarship programs, it requires recipients to return to China for at least two years after graduation—a standard clause also found in US government-funded initiatives such as the Fulbright Program.
The Republican-led committee's latest push aligns with a broader US trend of restricting Chinese students in so-called "critical fields."
According to AP, the US has stepped up scrutiny of Chinese students coming to the US. In May, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US would revoke visas from some Chinese students studying in "critical fields." During his first term, US President Donald Trump restricted visas for students affiliated with China's so-called "military-civil fusion strategy."
According to the report, Dartmouth and Notre Dame confirmed they were already phasing out CSC partnerships, but the University of California (UC) system emphasized its commitment to global collaboration. "International students and academic partnerships are critical to scientific progress, economic growth, and our educational mission," said the office of UC President Michael V. Drake, AP reported.
Li argues that Washington's move is self-defeating. "Such actions by the US reflect an unwillingness to tolerate China's progress, pushing America toward a more insular path," noted the expert. "This approach will not only worsen China-US relations but also is an attempt to sow seeds of hostility domestically."
According to the Institute of International Education last December, China is the second-largest source of international students in the US, despite a 4 percent decline to 277,398 students in the 2023-24 academic year. Reuters said in May that this drop was driven partly by growing tension between the world's two biggest economies and heightened US government scrutiny of some Chinese students. AP noted that the majority are self-funded - only a fraction receive CSC grants.
Li said many Chinese graduates contribute to American innovation, with a significant number staying to work in tech, engineering, and academia. "By alienating these scholars, the US risks losing a vital talent pipeline," the expert warns.
The accusations against the CSC are only part of a wider campaign led by some US politicians against China-US educational ties. In May, Rep. Moolenaar pressured Duke University to cut collaboration with a Chinese institution, while Eastern Michigan University terminated partnerships with two Chinese universities in June following committee scrutiny.
"By singling out the CSC, some so-called American elites lay bare their entrenched arrogance, prejudice, and sense of superiority," Li remarked. "Such anti-China rhetoric is not limited to Republicans—many Democratic lawmakers hold similar biases, indicating a broader decline in enthusiasm within the US government for genuine educational engagement."
"There is no doubt that the US is treating educational exchanges as a political weapon," the expert emphasized.
Li said that Washington should recognize the mutual benefits of cross-border education, otherwise its fear-driven policies may achieve the opposite of their intended effect, leaving America less innovative and increasingly isolated on the global stage.
