China’s Zheng Qinwen concluded this year’s Grand Slam journey with a US Open quarterfinal defeat to Aryna Sabalenka on Wednesday, as her runs to the final stages of major tournaments have attracted widespread attention and interest in tennis across China.
Having been thwarted by world No.2 Sabalenka at the same stage in the US Open in 2023, the 21-year-old Zheng was sent packing after a 1-6, 2-6 defeat. It was Zheng’s third consecutive loss to the Belarusian following her runner-up finish in January’s Australian Open.
Despite the loss, Zheng’s performance so far this season has been impressive, highlighted by her deep runs in major tournaments and her historic Olympic gold medal in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics. She became the first Asian-born player to claim gold in a tennis singles event at the Olympics in August.
She will return to China to gear up for the China Open in Beijing and Wuhan Open in Central China’s Hubei Province as she still aims to qualify for the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Finals, the prestigious year-end tournament featuring the top eight players of the season.
Should she qualify, she would become the first Chinese player to reach the WTA Finals since Li Na, marking another significant milestone in her career.
Liu Yu, a Beijing-based sports commentator, told the Global Times on Wednesday that Zheng has made steady progress this season and her Olympic triumph has had a tremendous impact on tennis in China.
“There’s no regret in losing to a stronger opponent. She still needs to build on her strength and consistency to catch up with the world’s top three players,” Liu said.
Zheng’s performances have captivated millions in China, demonstrating how her success is fostering a renewed wave of enthusiasm for the sport in the country. Her journey is seen as a continuation of the legacy left by Li, inspiring a new generation of tennis players and fans in China, Liu noted.
The WTA officially congratulated Zheng on its Sina Weibo account on Wednesday, celebrating her achievements in 2024, including being the Australian Open runner-up, winning the Olympic gold medal, and reaching the quarterfinals of the US Open.
“Although Zheng did not progress further at the US Open, she has recorded her best performance in Grand Slams within a single season. We hope she will rest and recover before continuing her pursuit of qualifying for the WTA Finals,” read the post.
The US Open posted a heartfelt message on Weibo after her quarterfinal loss, encouraging her to keep pursuing her dreams.
Chinese netizens also applauded her efforts on social media, saying that Zheng already did a good job overcoming the fatigue from consecutive competitions after the Olympics.
Zheng said after the game that she could have done better and her tight schedule since the Olympics had left her with limited preparation time.
Looking ahead, she expressed her enthusiasm for competing in her motherland.
In 2023, I arrived at the China Open exhausted after playing five games at the Hangzhou Asian Games. This year, I hope to have more time to prepare for the tournaments in China, she said.
Meanwhile, China’s Zhang Shuai and Kristina Mladenovic from France advanced to the women’s doubles semifinals of the US Open after defeating Ellen Perez and Nicole Melichar-Martinez in the quarterfinal. The duo will face the third seeds Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova on Thursday.
Lu Siqing, a world-class violinist dubbed as the "Paganini of the East," has captivated audiences globally with his interpretation of the Butterfly Lovers' Violin Concerto, hailed as one of the most distinguished versions of the classic. At a young age, he had already secured his place among the world's top violinists through his own talent and strength. Today, he remains an active figure in both domestic and international classical music scenes. His performances are not just concerts but experiences that transcend cultural boundaries, offering listeners a glimpse into the soul of music.
The Global Times talked with Lu, who shared stories of his ties with the violin, the "chemical" reaction he made by experimenting with Chinese and Western music and his new role as a music educator. In the majestic music hall of the prestigious Tsinghua University, over 20 young musicians from Beijing and Hong Kong graced the stage and unfolded an elegant melody, performing alongside the internationally acclaimed violinist, Lu Siqing. They wove a tapestry of melodies, both foreign and domestic, enchanting an audience of hundreds with a concert that was as innovative as it was memorable.
This marked the second time that Lu conducted a master class for the "Beijing Hong Kong Tsinghua Summer Music Camp." Speaking to the Global Times, Lu expressed his belief that using music as a bridge between the students of Beijing and Hong Kong is an excellent approach. "It fosters friendship, mutual progress, and most importantly, a deep understanding of Chinese culture and the nation itself," he said.
Life with music
Lu's emphasis on music education is mirrored in his own journey, which can be seen as a model of the transformative power of musical learning.
Born in Qingdao, East China's Shandong Province, in 1969, Lu's affinity for music was evident from a young age, and his innate talent was undeniable. His father, an amateur music enthusiast, played a pivotal role in nurturing his early interest. Under his father's guidance, Lu's musical education began at the tender age of 4 and a half. His prodigious talent led to his exceptional admission to the Central Conservatory of Music's affiliated elementary school at the age of 8. At the age of 11, he was handpicked by the celebrated US-born British violinist Yehudi Menuhin to study at his prestigious music school in the UK. By 17, Lu had made history as the first Asian musician to win the gold award at Italy's "Premio Paganini" International Violin Competition, a title that had been vacant for 12 years due to stringent selection criteria. His journey then took him to the Juilliard School in the US, where he further honed his skills and emerged as a leading figure in the world of classical music.
Reflecting on his educational experiences in the UK and the US, Lu noted the differences in his learning journey. His studies in the UK provided a foundational experience, shaping his early years, while his time in the US allowed him to mature and apply his knowledge in a more creative and sophisticated manner. The lessons from his time in the UK, in his words, underwent "a process of sublimation" during his studies in the US.
While many view Lu as a favored child of destiny, his journey in music has been anything but predictable. Many of his peers have fallen by the wayside. He expresses deep gratitude to his father for introducing him to the enchanting world of music.
Lu acknowledges that not everyone can persevere on this path. After he ventured to the Juilliard School in the US, he began his career as a professional soloist. The competitiion was fierce, with hundreds vying for a single opening in a prestigious orchestra. Many of his contemporaries, faced with the choice between survival and art, chose to change careers.
His US mentors advised him that to become a soloist, one must practice in the morning, make phone calls to agents and conductors in the afternoon, and socialize in the evening. Lu sent his recordings and resumes to numerous agencies, only to be met with silence, which was disheartening. It was his teacher's advocacy at the Aspen Music Festival and School that secured him a performance opportunity, leading to gradual recognition. Many give up in this process.
"Pursuing music has taught me that in anything, persistence pays off," he said. Musical chemist
Lu is often described as "romantic yet rational" on stage, a testament to his precise yet expansive playing style. He said that the highest form of music is logical and thoughtful, akin to geometry or architecture requiring precise calculations, with structure, symmetry, and balance infused with philosophical thought. The arrangement of dynamics, rhythm, and tempo is the result of the musician's ingenious conception, aligning with the audience's heartbeat, feelings, and thoughts. It is this kind of music that resonates with listeners worldwide.
Such meticulous calculation requires rigorous training. Despite 40 years of experience, Lu still practices three to five hours a day.
As a performer, he views his role as a process of secondary creation. Once the composer has written the notes, it is the performer's task to bring them to life, infusing them with personality and individuality. This is the charm that attracts music enthusiasts to compare different interpretations of the same piece. Notes are static, but music is dynamic, and it is this vitality that keeps audiences engaged.
Lu's understanding of performance is also evolving. "When I played Butterfly Lovers 20 years ago, it was with the simplicity and restlessness of youth. Now, my approach is more composed. I used to aim to impress with brilliant technique and speed, but now I focus on conveying details and narratives, telling a story to the audience," he said.
Every piece Lu performs is not about imposing his interpretation but about guiding the audience into the music, allowing them to reflect on or imagine their own stories. Thus, when 1,000 people listen to music, there are a thousand different interpretations of the Butterfly Lovers, each unique to the listener.
"People often say that musicians are engineers of the soul. What I most want to do is this: If a person comes into the concert hall after a busy day, exhausted in body and mind, two hours later, they can walk out with a joyful mood and rejuvenated spirit," he said.
As a Chinese violinist, Lu has taken on the responsibility of introducing Chinese culture and music to the world.
He said that Chinese music, deeply influenced by Chinese culture, is characterized by its monophonic and horizontal development, expressing a talent for emotional and artistic expression.
Chinese music, he says, is like the blank spaces in a Chinese painting, offering a space for imagination and introspection. This is why experts often describe Chinese music as "having a Zen quality."
On the other hand, Western music is more philosophical, emphasizing rules and standards, with a stronger emphasis on personal expression.
After numerous international performances, Lu has observed that foreigners' appreciation of Chinese music mirrors the Chinese experience with Western music, both offering an exotic charm. As more Chinese musicians gain prominence on the global stage, performing Chinese works, foreign musicians are increasingly curious about the emotional depth and differences between Chinese and Western music. This curiosity leads to a deeper understanding and appreciation of Chinese music.
Collaborating with foreign orchestras to perform Chinese compositions has been an intriguing experience for Lu. The interaction between different musical sensibilities is fascinating. Foreign musicians approach all music with a professional and standardized understanding, while Chinese music often involves spiritual expression. This exploration is part of the creative process, much like conducting scientific experiments, where different approaches to the same musical phrase yield varied effects. Reaching the next generation
To fulfill his vocational objective, the violinist has accepted his social role and contributed much time as well as energy to musical education while still carrying out performances on stage.
Currently, Lu serves as the headmaster of a branch of the Yehudi Menuhin School, a world's renowned music school in the UK. The branch is located in his hometown of Shandong Province. Alongside his leadership role, Lu has also been named a professor of violin at the school, instructing playing techniques and guiding the musical aesthetics of the younger generation.
Since his career as an educator started, Lu has gotten busier but considers it is worthy as he can garner a new sense of achievement from his new role - witnessing his students embracing a bright future and growing as splendid musicians.
"When I perform on stage as a soloist, my satisfaction comes from the enthusiastic reaction from my audiences and the experience of sharing beloved music with them. But now, I have felt a new kind of satisfaction," Lu said, sharing his fresh feeling with the Global Times. This is also another source of motivation for him to devote himself to a career as an educator.
Lu said his ultimate goal is to bring classical music into more people's lives and hearts. This goal is broad, and the challenge is to make classical music accessible and appreciated within China. There are many ways to do this, including cross-genre collaborations and collaboration with different musicians, such as cooperating with a French erhu player to perform the Butterfly Lovers. Beyond that, Lu also participates in Chinese and foreign music exchanges and music festivals.
What he desires most now is not the applause of the audience, but for everyone to forget their worries during the concert, to calm their hearts and discover the purest and most beautiful emotions within. "I hope to bring the beauty of music to more people through different channels, which is very fulfilling for me," he said.
In the grand halls of music, where notes soar and hearts resonate, Lu continues his journey, not just as a musician, but as a cultural ambassador, bridging the worlds of the East and West through the universal language of music.
China's top legislature on Friday adopted a decision on gradually raising the statutory retirement age in the country. The retirement age for men will be raised from 60 to 63 in the course of 15 years starting 2025, while for women cadres it will be raised from 55 to 58 and from 50 to 55 for women blue-collar workers, the Xinhua News Agency reported. The decision adopted at the 11th session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress marks the first adjustment in the arrangement since 1950s. The plan was formulated on the basis of a comprehensive assessment of the average life expectancy, health conditions, the population structure, the level of education and workforce supply in China, according to Xinhua.
Experts noted that the adjustment aligns with domestic changes in demography and the country's overall development as well as international practices, which will also actively help tackle the demographic change in an aging population.
Starting 2030, the minimum year of basic pension contributions required to receive monthly benefits will be gradually raised from 15 years to 20 years at the pace of an increase of six months annually.
People will be allowed to voluntarily retire by no more than three years in advance after reaching the minimum year of pension contributions. But it is not allowed to retire earlier than the previous statutory age.
The new plan will also allow individuals to postpone retirement to an even later date if they reach an agreement with employers, but such a delay should be no more than three years.
The move will help enhance the efficiency of labor supply amid the population aging and a continuous decrease proportion of the working-age population, Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Wang Xiaoping said at a press conference on Friday. Wang noted that the reform will also be conducive to promoting the development and utilization of human resources.
This approach is necessary for coping with China's current national conditions and future economic and social development, and will help actively address population aging, Yuan Xin, vice president of the China Population Association and a professor at Nankai University, told the Global Times.
The reform is of profound significance in improving the country's labor force structure and extending the demographic dividend, according to Li Chang'an, a professor at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies of the University of International Business and Economics.
Li Chang'an noted that gradually raising the statutory retirement age will help achieve a solid foundation and sustainable development for the country's pension system.
Supporting policies
The decision adopted on Friday specifies measures to refine the old-age insurance incentive mechanism, implement the employment-first strategy, ensure the basic rights and interests of workers who have passed their statutory retirement age, and improve elderly care and childcare services, according to Xinhua.
The document includes specific provisions on welfare for unemployed old-age workers and on earlier retirement for those in special professions.
Addressing the concerns regarding the reform's impact on youth employment, Li Zhong, vice minister of Human Resources and Social Security said on Friday that the overall impact remains flat, as the implementation of the measures will be a gradual process carried out on a small scale, while there are structural differences between the jobs vacated by retirees and those needed for the young population.
Li Zhong noted that the ministry will further strengthen the employment-first strategy, continuously expanding the channels for youth employment and advancing employment in both qualitative and quantitative development.
When it comes to stabilizing and safeguarding the job market, the new document sets out more diversified and personalized ways of continuing employment for gradually raising the statutory retirement age, Yuan said.
The US and UK's pledge of nearly $1.5 billion in additional aid to Ukraine is their latest efforts to fuel the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, despite the mounting battlefield challenges Kiev is facing. At the same time, Europe continues to struggle with the broader geopolitical and security crises brought on by the conflict, analysts said.
On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy made a rare joint visit to Kiev, where they met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Blinken reiterated the US' "enduring" support for Ukraine, and the three also discussed Ukraine's "continued progress toward NATO and EU membership," according to a release from the US Department of State.
During the visit, Blinken announced over $700 million in humanitarian aid, while Lammy pledged an additional $782 million in assistance and loan guarantees, the Associated Press reported.
The US and the UK aim to showcase their strategic support for Ukraine, encouraging it to hold firm in its fight with Russia, Zhang Hong, a research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday.
Ukraine currently faces significant challenges on the battlefield: The frontline in Donbas remains highly tense, and the situation in Kursk has reached a stalemate, with mobile warfare giving way to trench warfare and leading to increased attrition, Zhang said.
Ukrainian forces are also grappling with a shortage of ammunition, strained by the demands of fighting on multiple fronts, noted Zhang.
Zelensky has been lobbying Western allies for permission to use long-range weapons from the US and other allies to strike targets deeper inside Russia. Blinken and Lammy said that the issue would be discussed when US President Joe Biden holds talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Washington on Friday, the Financial Times reported.
Some observers also believed that Blinken and Lammy's visit is aimed at planning future military strategies more efficiently. They are seeking to encourage Ukraine to use Western weapons more effectively to exert greater military pressure on Russia, thereby convincing the US and the West to continue providing substantial military aid to Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned on Wednesday that Moscow would deliver an "appropriate" response if Ukraine's Western allies eased restrictions on using long-range weapons with a view to attacking deep into Russian territory, the Moscow Times reported.
From the perspective of great power competition, supporting Ukraine aligns with the US' strategic interests, while Ukraine endures significant material and human sacrifices, some experts said.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has left Europe in a passive position, largely due to the strategic competition between Russia and the US. Meanwhile, Europe has had to bear the economic and security costs of these geopolitical and security crises, Zhang noted.
A total of 61 professional soccer players have been given disciplinary sanctions, including 43 of them being banned from soccer for life, as China's sports and public security authorities jointly issued sanctions on Tuesday in the aftermath of a series of corruption cases in the sport since November 2022.
Among the names in the 43-player lifetime ban list, the most high-profile ones are former Shandong Luneng player and ex-China international Jin Jingdao and Shandong's South Korean player Son Jun-ho. The two "engaged in improper transactions, manipulated soccer matches, and obtained illegal gains in pursuit of unjust benefits," the Chinese Football Association (CFA) said.
It remains unclear if Son will serve his ban in South Korea as he has been playing for Suwon FC in the South Korean top-tier league in 2024. The CFA said the cases will be submitted to international soccer governing bodies AFC and FIFA.
Among the 17 individuals who received a five-year suspension, the emergence of 40-year-old Wang Song, a veteran soccer player, has stunned many fans and commentators. Wang was previously hailed as an "evergreen soccer player" in China as he has scored in 23 consecutive seasons.
Song Kai, head of the CFA, indicated that soccer clubs involved in corruption also face penalties.
"Whether it's players or clubs involved in such activities, we will handle the cases strictly according to the laws and regulations and impose industry sanctions without leniency," Song told a press conference on Tuesday.
Zhang Xiaopeng, a senior official from China's Ministry of Public Security, said the goal of the investigation is to act as a high-pressure deterrent and genuinely purify the soccer industry.
"Ongoing investigations focus on illegal gambling and bribery as entry points to uncover and thoroughly investigate illegal activities such as match manipulation by players, coaches, referees, and club officials," Zhang said.
Zhang Xin, chief of the Sports Competition under the General Administration of Sport of China, said that issues such as match-fixing, gambling, and organized crime in soccer are a "cancer" eroding the healthy development of soccer and a major obstacle to the sport's revitalization.
"Building a positive soccer culture is essential," said Zhang Xin. "By promoting integrity and transparency, we aim to foster an environment conducive to the healthy development of soccer in China."
According to figures released at the press conference, criminal charges have been brought against a total of 83 individuals since 2022, meaning there is a second list of people in the soccer industry who will face sanctions.
Zhang Bin, a Beijing-based sports commentator, said the first round of sanctions is just a starter and the "main courses" will be served at a later time.
"The banned players are just a starter for the long-awaiting punishment of those who ruined a decade of China's soccer progress," Zhang Bin told the Global Times.
"We do not see the names like [former national team coach] Li Tie and [former Shandong coach] Hao Wei as well as several senior CFA officials who had been prosecuted. That means there has to be a second and even a third batch of people who will be banned from the soccer industry."
India is reportedly scheduled to launch its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine on Thursday. Chinese experts said that India should wield this power responsibly and contribute to peace and stability, rather than use it to flex muscles.
Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is set to commission India’s second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, the INS Arighat or S-3, in the presence of top naval officials at a quiet event in Visakhapatnam on Thursday, the Hindustan Times quoted people aware of the matter as saying on Thursday.
The Hindustan Times said that the 6,000-ton INS Arighat is set to embark on a long-range patrol of the Indo-Pacific armed with 750-km range nuclear ballistic missiles K-15.
The Indian report said that two nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines can offer huge strategic leverage and act as a deterrent to any navy trying to flex its muscles in the region given India’s location at the center of the “Indo-Pacific.”
With more nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, India’s nuclear deterrence force has increased, but along comes its responsibility in wielding such power, a Beijing-based military expert who requested anonymity told the Global Times on Thursday.
As long as they exist, nuclear weapons should be used in safeguarding peace and stability, not muscle flexing or nuclear blackmailing, the expert said.
On Friday, in a televised statement before Independence Day celebrations, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasized that "no country is truly independent if it tolerates threats to its sovereignty," referring to the country's decision to impose a ban on social media platform X, previously known as Twitter.
This recent action by the Brazilian government has sparked widespread discussion in the international community. On the surface, this appears to be a controversy about freedom of speech, but in reality, it involves a struggle between national sovereignty and multinational corporations.
According to relevant reports, the Brazilian Supreme Court made this decision mainly because X failed to comply with the court's previous orders, including not appointing its legal representative in Brazil within the specified time limit. Furthermore, the platform did not take adequate measures against the spread of fake news, hate speech and anti-democratic rhetoric.
This decision reflects the Brazilian government's determination to maintain national stability, prevent political polarization and protect democratic institutions. It was made based on the requirements of Brazilian domestic law. However, Western countries, especially the US, have hyped this as a freedom of speech issue. This reaction, while seemingly concerning norms of free speech, is about protecting the interests of US multinational corporations. Beneath the guise of freedom of speech lies the greed of capital.
This brings to mind economist Thomas L. Friedman's view that "No two countries that both have a McDonald's have ever fought a war against each other." The error in this view lies in treating the institutional norms of Western countries, including free speech norms and rules, as universal standards. Promoting these so-called universal norms globally would benefit the expansion of Western multinational corporations and the colonization of ideas.
Respect for a country's sovereignty first involves respect for its laws. Brazil's decision pertains to regulating social media platforms, which encompasses both the boundaries of free speech and the management of these platforms. Brazil has punished X in accordance with its laws, rather than based on a "potential security threat," an excuse often adopted by Washington. The country wants to ensure that multinational companies like X can operate legally in Brazil without undermining its stability and economic order.
It's worth noting that while X is a social media platform, this doesn't mean it should enjoy privileges that other businesses do not. Any enterprise wishing to operate in another country must comply with local laws and regulations. This principle applies to all industries, and social media platforms are no exception.
In the current context of dramatic changes in global geopolitics, the importance of national sovereignty is becoming increasingly prominent. This trend is evident in Brazil, as well as globally and in Western countries. Global geopolitics is resisting the international flow of capital and the transnational expansion of enterprises.
The Brazilian government's decision reflects the attitude of an emerging power when facing multinational tech giants. It demonstrates that even in the internet age, nations still have the power and responsibility to regulate businesses operating within their borders to protect national interests and citizens' rights. This approach is not a suppression of free speech but a preservation of national sovereignty.
At the same time, this incident highlights the challenges facing global internet governance. As social media platforms' influence continues to grow worldwide, balancing the protection of freedom of speech with the maintenance of national security has become a common challenge for governments. Countries may adopt different strategies based on their political, cultural and legal traditions. The critical point is that the laws of each country must be followed.
When discussing global issues, it's essential to think beyond Western centrism and ensure that every country's laws, legal system, sovereignty and cultural norms are fully respected.
Chinese President Xi Jinping held a welcome ceremony here on Friday for President of the Republic of Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso, who is on a state visit to China.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and foreign leaders gathered for group photos at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing prior to the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) on Thursday.
Workers are busy filling photovoltaic module orders on a production line in Suqian, East China's Jiangsu Province on August 28, 2024. From January to July, new solar installations in China totaled 123.53 gigawatts, a year-on-year increase of 27 percent, maintaining steady growth. Photo: VCG
