Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol.67/No.43 i Beijing Review

Over 3,000 years ago, the first known written form of the word zhongguo, meaning China, appeared on a bronze vessel. Characters, along with taijiquan shadow boxing and food, have long been symbols of Chinese culture. In recent years, however, new cultural icons have emerged as this time-honored culture continues to evolve in the digital era. From novels to interactive games, traditional culture is being fused with contemporary developments. Take the video game Black Myth: Wukong for instance. Drawing inspiration from Journey to the West, the beloved classical Chinese novel that follows the adventures of a monk and his three disciples, centering on Sun Wukong, or the Monkey King, the video game went viral at home and abroad after its launch in August. Moreover, other forms of online content, such as…

Argentine President Javier Milei, known for his past critical remarks about China, appears to be planning a visit to the country. According to newspaper La Nación and other Argentine media, Milei revealed in an interview that he intends to visit China in January next year, calling it a “very interesting trading partner.” A senior government official was quoted as saying that preparations are underway to ensure the trip goes smoothly. This is an interesting U-turn given Milei previously stated he would “never trade with China,” resulting in diplomatic tensions in his first months in office. After assuming office last December, he further announced that Argentina would not join the BRICS bloc, reversing the previous government’s efforts toward membership. Originally consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, BRICS is…

Zhao Hong, a 56-year-old resident in Beijing, recalls the neighborhood of the Beijing Zoo in the capital’s western district of Xicheng being a buzzing place with shops and vendors everywhere. A decade ago, when Zhao went there to buy clothes during holidays, the crowds would thicken as soon as she exited the subway. Visitors could also see a stone tablet there inscribed with “China’s Clothing Brand Incubation Base.” The neighborhood, known as Dongpi, was once the largest clothing wholesale market cluster in north China, where 11 clothing wholesale markets were located. After clothing wholesale markets being relocated, Dongpi has now become an incubation base for financial technology (fintech). A new market Formed in the 1980s, Dongpi attracted merchants from all over the country to rent shops and engage in clothing…

In the West, skepticism often arises when China describes its political system as a democracy, specifically a “whole-process people’s democracy.” However, this skepticism is frequently rooted in a lack of understanding about what China means by the term, how it differs from liberal democracy, and why the Chinese Government considers it an effective system for the country. A recent article in Qiushi, the official theoretical journal of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), written by Lin Shangli, President of Renmin University of China in Beijing, sheds light on this concept. His analysis aims to explain the Chinese perspective on “whole-process people’s democracy” to a Western audience. Reframing the role of the CPC To understand the Chinese system, it is necessary to move beyond the Western tendency…

Recently, the term “stimulus package” has frequently popped up in discussions about China. This refers to a series of financial and fiscal policies introduced by the Chinese Government in late September and early October, to address the country’s current economic challenges. To explore the rationale behind these initiatives, Beijing Review reporter Zhang Shasha interviewed Xu Hongcai, Deputy Director of the Economic Policy Commission at the China Association of Policy Science. Edited excerpts of their conversation follow: Beijing Review: What challenges is the Chinese economy currently facing?  Xu Hongcai: The most pressing issue remains weak domestic demand, which is reflected in both weak investment and consumption. In the short term, sectors like the capital markets and the real estate sector, which are undergoing structural adjustments, have considerably impacted the real economy,…

Leaders of China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) announced the substantial conclusion of the Version 3.0 China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA) upgrade negotiations on October 10. The milestone paves the way for one of the world’s most populous and dynamic FTAs to further boost regional development amid rising global protectionism. The announcement was made during the 27th China-ASEAN Summit, part of a series of leaders’ meetings on East Asia cooperation that began on October 9. These meetings took place alongside the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in Vientiane, Laos, from October 6 to 11. The series also included the 27th ASEAN Plus Three (APT) Summit, attended by the 10 ASEAN member states, along with China, the Republic of Korea and Japan. The 19th East Asia Summit was…

CELESTIAL TRIBUTE TO PUBLIC HEALTH PIONEER A minor planet has been named after Chinese medical scientist Zhong Nanshan, in recognition of his contributions to science. The naming was announced on October 11. Born in October 1936, Zhong is a prominent respiratory disease expert and a key figure in public health. He is best known for his pivotal role during the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in 2003, and more recently for his role in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. A member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, he currently heads the National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province. The minor planet, designated 325136, was first discovered in 2008 by the Purple Mountain Observatory under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It is located an average of 373 million…

The debate over market forces versus government regulation is a question in economic management that all countries face. Beijing Review recently spoke to Li Hongjun, an associate professor at the Institute of Economics at Beijing-based Tsinghua University, and Margit Molnar, head of the China-Morocco-Bulgaria Desk at the Economics Department of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, France, to share their observations of the relationship between government and market. Edited excerpts of their conversation follow: Beijing Review: When China says, “We will see that the market plays the decisive role in resource allocation,” what does that mean? Li Hongjun: When China says this, it is referring to a hybrid system where market forces (the “invisible hand”) have a key influence on the economy, but the government (the…

Desertification poses a serious environmental challenge and the need for effective solutions is becoming increasingly pressing. China-Mongolia cooperation in combating desertification has emerged as an example of how neighboring countries can work together to address common environmental threats. This partnership, marked by innovative strategies and mutual commitment, offers great lessons for other regions facing similar problems. Desertification control in Inner Mongolia Since 2021, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in north China has made remarkable strides in combating desertification. With over 2 million hectares of land restored, and an average of 1,330 hectares being treated daily, Inner Mongolia’s efforts are ambitious and impactful. By 2030, the region aims to have treated 6 million hectares, a testament to its commitment to ecological restoration. Inner Mongolia is home to four major deserts—Badain Jaran, Tengger,…

On the sidelines of the General Debate of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), held in New York City from September 24 to 30, an important diplomatic exchange occurred between the U.S. and China. On September 27, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, at the latter’s request. This marked their fourth meeting of the year, following their previous encounter in Laos two months earlier and a visit to China by U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in August. Unlike their prior meetings, this latest exchange took place on the sidelines of UNGA activities rather than being a specially arranged summit, lending it a…

The evolution of China’s permanent residence policy—the main public policy enabling long-term residence of foreigners—can be traced back to 1985, when the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Administration of the Entry and Exit of Foreigners was passed. The policy outlined the framework for short-term visas (including for tourists, visiting family, or business travel), long-term residence visas (for students pursuing one to five years of study, workers, or investors), and permanent residence (PR). In August 2004, the Measures for the Administration of Examination and Approval of Foreigners’ Permanent Residence in China were introduced, and the Chinese PR card system was implemented. This marked the end of the requirement for foreigners to renew their residence permits annually. In December 2012, the Measures for Foreigners to Enjoy Relevant Treatment…

The 26th Pet Fair Asia was in full swing at the Shanghai New International Expo Center from August 21 to 25. A major global event in the pet industry, this year’s exhibition broke records with a whopping 300,000 square meters of exhibition space, over 2,500 exhibitors from around the world and more than 100,000 participating industry professionals and 350,000 pet enthusiasts. This year’s edition gathered participants from 91 countries, with a 41.8-percent increase in international visitors and a notable growth in global brand participation. The fair offers a platform for international businesses to access China’s growing pet market. A thriving market The success of the fair, launched in 1997, reflects the rise of China’s pet economy as a new growth driver. According to the 2023-24 China’s Pet Industry white paper,…

As part of the celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China this year, the Selected Works Exhibition of the 14th National Exhibition of Fine Arts was held in Beijing from September 27 to October 24. The National Exhibition of Fine Arts was first initiated in 1949 and has been held every five years since 1979. This year’s exhibition was divided into two stages. In the first stage, 4,814 works were displayed across 13 sub-exhibition areas in China. The second stage featured 686 selected works on display at the National Art Museum of China and the National Museum of China in Beijing. Through their art, the participating artists narrated the story of China’s progress. The themes of the works encompass major events, environmental protection…

As the world grapples with rapid globalization and shifting political landscapes, international youth perspectives on the Communist Party of China (CPC) offer helpful insights. Recently, a diverse group of young individuals from different countries visited Xi’an and Yan’an in Shaanxi Province, northwest China, engaging with local culture, historical heritage and contemporary policies. Yan’an is a former revolutionary base that hosted the headquarters of the CPC Central Committee from 1935 to 1948. During their exploration, the students and professionals highlighted the CPC’s role in China’s modernization and development. The youth delegation’s visit to a terminal of the China-Europe freight train service in Xi’an provided a firsthand look at the Belt and Road Initiative, proposed by China to boost connectivity along and beyond the ancient Silk Road routes. Pedro Steenhagen, a Brazilian…