Innholdsfortegnelse for Vol.68/No.9 i Beijing Review

Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) startup DeepSeek has recently been making waves around the world, drawing attention to China’s advancements in AI technology, as well as the country’s growing capabilities in scientific and technological development at large. According to the 2024 Global Innovation Index, released by the World Intellectual Property Organization, China ranks 11th among the world’s most innovative economies, up from 29th place in 2015. Its major strategy for cultivating and strengthening its strategic emerging industries is the deep integration of technological and industrial innovation. China excels among global economies due to its diverse industries’ enthusiasm for technological advancement. This innovation environment fosters long-term sustainable economic growth, providing a solid foundation for economic transformation and contributing to high-quality growth. Achievements in science and technology innovation stem from a robust environment…

The world is no longer what it was a decade ago. The once-unquestioned dominance of the West has given way to a more fragmented and unpredictable global order. At the 2025 Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Germany—an event that organizes high-level discussions and fosters agreements and transnational cooperation on global security—it was clear that China, a country used to being portrayed as a “disruptor” by the West, is increasingly being recognized as a stabilizing force in this evolving landscape. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s remarks at the conference underscored a recurring theme in China’s foreign policy. On February 14, in his keynote speech on the first day of the three-day gathering, Wang reaffirmed that a multipolar world is not only a historical inevitability; it is also becoming a reality. And…

On February 11, representatives of 61 countries and international organizations, including France, China, India and the European Union, gathered in Paris to sign the Paris Declaration on Artificial Intelligence (AI) during the AI Action Summit. Titled Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet, the declaration emphasizes core principles such as openness, inclusiveness and ethics. Notably, the U.S. and the UK, both leaders in AI development, were absent from the list of signatories. The speech delivered by JD Vance, in his debut as America’s Vice President at an international summit, sparked widespread controversy. In it, he adopted a tough stance, boldly declaring that America’s goal in the field of AI is to pursue an “America First” policy: The Donald Trump administration will ensure that the most…

At the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in July 2024, opening up was identified as a defining feature of Chinese modernization. “We must remain committed to the basic state policy of opening to the outside world and continue to promote reform through opening up. Leveraging the strengths of China’s enormous market, we will enhance our capacity for opening up while expanding cooperation with other countries and develop new institutions for a higher-standard open economy,” the Resolution of the CPC Central Committee on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese Modernization, adopted at the session, states. China’s evolution over the past decades shows that the more the country has developed, the more open it has become. This process is set to…

For many who have devoted years of hard work to their careers and families, retirement presents a much-anticipated new chapter in life, one that often involves considerable planning and investment. Xu Hui, a Beijing resident in her early 50s, has already begun making plans for her retirement, which is three years away. Her retirement journey will kick off aboard the Silk Road Tourist Train, along a scenic route that follows the ancient Silk Road and showcases renowned attractions such as the Ta’er Monastery, a Tibetan Buddhist site in Qinghai Province, and the Mogao Caves, a world-famous collection of Buddhist cave grottoes and mural art dating from the fourth to the 14th centuries in Gansu Province. “When I was younger, I always dreamed of exploring the ancient Silk Road routes on…

Recent reports highlighted a unique “assignment” for college students returning home during winter break—which roughly runs from mid-January until late February: helping seniors manage their smartphone dependency. While smartphones have greatly improved the lives of many elderly, providing tools for communication, information access and entertainment, they have also led to some concerning habits. Some seniors find themselves spending hours watching short videos and micro-dramas, while others become engrossed in livestreamed shopping events or compulsively engage with apps that promote “reward” and “cashback” offers. These behaviors underscore a growing challenge: finding a balance between the digital conveniences that smartphones provide and maintaining healthy usage habits among older adults. Yuan Guangkuo (Jinan Times): The enticing features of certain mobile applications play a major role in smartphone addiction among the elderly. Many seniors…

SCIENTIST AWARDED FOR RESEARCH ON STROKES Chinese clinical scientist Wang Yongjun was granted the William M. Feinberg Award for Excellence in Clinical Stroke at the 2025 International Stroke Conference in Los Angeles, the U.S., in early February. Wang, President of the Beijing Tiantan Hospital of the Capital Medical University, and President of the Chinese Stroke Association, is the first Asian scientist to receive this honor, in recognition of his contributions to the investigation and management of clinical research into strokes. Over the past 30 years, Wang’s team of clinical scientists has produced 12 key pieces of evidence that have changed clinical guidelines and clinical practice. Established by the American Stroke Association, the award is named after the late William M. Feinberg, a prominent stroke clinician and researcher who contributed to…

First, it is important to advocate equal treatment. Rivalry between big powers had brought disaster to humanity, as evidenced by the lessons of the two world wars in the not-so-distant past. Whether it is the colonial system or the core-periphery structure, unequal orders are bound to meet their demise. Independence and autonomy is sought across the world, and greater democracy in international relations is unstoppable. Equal rights, equal opportunities and equal rules should become the basic principles of a multipolar world. It is in this principle that China advocates equality among all countries regardless of size, and calls for increasing the representation and say of developing countries in the international system. This will not lead to “Westlessness,” but will deliver more positive-sum results to the world. The Munich Security Conference…

A pilot project aimed at opening up and interconnecting logistics data will be implemented in 16 Chinese cities. This initiative was announced on February 15 by the National Development and Reform Commission, the National Data Administration and other government departments. The primary objective of the project is to address challenges within the logistics industry by dismantling “information silos.” Said “silos” refer to situations where data and information are isolated within a specific department, organization or system, preventing them from being accessible or shared with other departments, organizations or systems. This will involve integrating data from government departments, related enterprises, and operators of ports, highways, railways and aviation. The initiative will also establish standards for classifying and exchanging logistics data, ultimately creating a comprehensive and accessible logistics data-sharing platform that can…

Constructed from 300,000 cubic meters of ice and snow, the 26th Harbin Ice and Snow World was an icy wonderland, receiving over 2 million visitors during its 37-day run, from its opening on December 21, 2024, until January 26. A big part of its allure lay in its wide array of intricate sculptures. Highlights included a stunning 43-meter-tall ice tower made from 13,000 cubic meters of ice, delicately carved animals, recreations of iconic figures from Chinese history, and mythical gods and beasts from foreign fairy tales. The sculptures also drew inspiration from the 2025 Asian Winter Games, held in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang Province in northeast China, from February 7 to 14. The ice and snow sculptures reflect the countless hours of dedication and skill of their talented sculptors. Zhang…

This year is the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the European Union (EU) and China. It is a milestone, not just for these two global actors but for the entire world. Half a century of engagement has brought both challenges and opportunities, but the enduring nature of the relationship speaks to its importance. This anniversary presents a valuable occasion to reflect on the past five decades, assess the present dynamics and strategize for a more prosperous and sustainable future. In 1975, when the European Economic Community and the People’s Republic of China initiated formal diplomatic relations, the world was a vastly different place. Europe was in the midst of deepening its integration, laying the foundation for the formation of the EU in 1993, while China was…

The 2025 Munich Security Conference (MSC) was held from February 14 to 16 in Munich, Germany, amid profound shifts in global power dynamics. Since its inception in 1963, the MSC has served as a vital forum for addressing the pressing security issues of the time. This year, the conference drew the participation of over 60 heads of state, as well as 150 ministers, underscoring the growing importance nations attach to participation in shaping the future of international relations. The discussions at MSC 2025, along with the accompanying MSC Report 2025, highlighted the profound transformations underway in world order, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, evolving U.S. policy and the growing influence of the Global South. The report’s title, Multipolarization, reflects the undeniable reality of a world increasingly defined by a shift…

With a black-and-white plush snake taller than himself in hand, 7-year-old Chen Kaiming—his face painted white and eyebrows sharply slanted with makeup—had already become a social media star thanks to his captivating Yingge dance performances before stepping into the spotlight at the 2025 China Central Television Spring Festival Gala, the highly anticipated annual event that airs on the eve of the Chinese New Year. The Yingge dance, or “dance to the hero’s song,” is a folk art form that originated in Guangdong Province in south China, combining elements of opera, dance and martial arts. Over the past two years, Yingge dance has gained popularity on social media, with videos of its energetic performances amassing millions of views. In his hometown of Puning, Guangdong, Chen, despite his young age, has consistently…