Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reportedly didn't get meeting he sought with US president-elect Donald Trump, who though met with Argentina's President Javier Milei last week. Observers said that the cold shoulder Ishiba received may be a sign that Japan may not be marked as a priority on the diplomatic agenda of the next US administration.
Ishiba, who is on an eight-day trip for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Peru and G20 summit in Brazil, had explored the possibility of stopping in the US afterward for a meeting with Trump, Japan Today reported on Sunday.
Speaking to reporters in Lima, Peru, Ishiba said Trump's team explained that the president-elect, who has received numerous requests for meetings from world leaders, cannot hold talks with them before taking office due to legal constraints.
Japanese media quoted Ishiba as saying, "I hope to hold talks with him at the most convenient, earliest possible time for both," showing his eagerness to arrange a meeting following Trump's inauguration in January.
At a gala at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort on Thursday, Trump however met with Milei ahead of a conservative investment summit. The Argentinean president is the first foreign leader to meet Trump since his US presidential election victory on 5 November, according to BBC.
Japanese media took note of the incident. The Asahi Shimbun described that Ishiba "suffered an embarrassing diplomatic setback" when he failed to secure an early meeting with Trump.
Ishiba's was re-elected as Japan's prime minister on November 11. However, the vote in parliament went to a runoff for the first time in 30 years when no candidate was able to muster majority support in the first round.
Observers said this shows Ishiba is a "weak leader," which Trump could see as a stark contrast to the late Shinzo Abe, reported Singapore-based media CNA.
On November 17, 2016, then Japanese Prime Minister Abe held a meeting with Trump, before the latter took office, in Trump Tower for approximately one hour and 30 minutes, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. Following the meeting, Abe presented Trump a golf club and Trump presented Abe golf goods including a golf shirt.
"Trump remembers very well how sturdy, strong and trustworthy his pal Shinzo Abe was," said Tomohiko Taniguchi, a specially appointed professor at the University of Tsukuba, CNA news reported.
"Ishiba must counter the shadow of Shinzo Abe. For the moment, Donald Trump is not going to pay much attention, I'm afraid, to Ishiba," added Taniguchi, who is also a special advisor at think tank Fujitsu Future Studies Centre.
The cold shoulder Ishiba received from Trump may indicate that for the next US administration, Japan may not be marked as a priority on the diplomatic agenda, and Washington may be asking Tokyo to be more compliant and proactive in sharing the defense expenses, Lü Chao, an expert on Northeast Asia issues at the Liaoning Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times.
Lü said that Ishiba's recent remarks regarding the security alliance between the US and Japan, such as putting the US-Japan alliance on a more equal footing, indicate certain mood, which may have sparked discontent in Washington, suggesting an emerging rift in the longstanding alliance.
"The current Japan-US security treaty is structured so that the US is obligated to 'defend' Japan, and Japan is obligated to 'provide bases' to the US," Ishiba was quoted as saying in a statement provided to the Hudson Institute, according to the Pacific Island Times report. "The time is ripe to change this 'asymmetrical bilateral treaty'," media reported.
Chinese President Xi Jinping's remarks at the 19th G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he called for building a fair and equitable global governance system and outlined China's eight actions for global development, drew widespread attention and positive response among participants.
Meanwhile, in line with Xi's remarks calling for practicing true multilateralism, G20 leaders reaffirmed their strong commitment to multilateralism and pledged to reform the global governance system, according to the G20 Rio de Janeiro Leaders' Declaration released on Tuesday.
Xi on Monday called for building a fair and equitable global governance system, while warning against politicizing economic issues, fragmenting the global market and taking protectionist moves, in remarks delivered at the Session II of the 19th G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
"We should keep in mind that mankind lives in a community with a shared future, see each other's development as opportunities rather than challenges, and view each other as partners rather than rivals," Xi said in the speech.
"In light of the G20's mandate, we could build greater international consensus in the economic, financial, trade, digital and eco-environmental fields, among others, to improve global governance and promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization," Xi said.
In the remarks, Xi stressed the need to improve global economic governance and build a world economy characterized by cooperation, the need to improve global financial governance and build a world economy characterized by stability, and the need to improve global trade governance and build a world economy characterized by openness.
"We should press ahead with reforming the World Trade Organization (WTO), oppose unilateralism and protectionism, restore the normal functioning of the dispute settlement mechanism as soon as possible, include the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement into the WTO legal framework, and reach early consensus on the e-commerce agreement," Xi said.
"It is important to avoid politicizing economic issues, avoid fragmenting the global market, and avoid taking protectionist moves in the name of green and low-carbon development," he said.
The Chinese president also emphasized the need to improve global digital governance and build a world economy characterized by innovation, saying that "we should step up international governance and cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI), to make sure that AI is for good and for all, not a game of the rich countries and the wealthy."
Xi also stressed the need to improve global ecological governance and build a world economy characterized by eco-friendliness. "China stands ready to continue to deepen international cooperation with all sides on green infrastructure, green energy, green mining and green transport, and will provide support to developing countries to the best of its ability," he said.
Leading multilateralism, supporting Global South
In Rio de Janeiro, the Chinese president's attendance and remarks at the G20 summit drew widespread attention, with journalists from around the world closely following Xi's meetings and commending his remarks for promoting multilateral cooperation on addressing global challenges.
"I think that Xi has set out a really significant international agenda, so he had outlined his eight concrete actions," Matthew Bishop, a senior lecturer in international politics at the University of Sheffield in the UK, told the Global Times on Monday on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. "It seems to me that China is increasingly trying to take a lead when it comes to global multilateralism."
Also in his remarks on Fight Against Hunger and Poverty at Session I of the 19th G20 Summit on Monday, Xi said that China is ready to work with all parties to build a just world of common development and outlined China's eight actions for global development, including pursuing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, implementing the Global Development Initiative, and supporting development in Africa.
Xi stressed China's support for the Global South. China will always be a member of the Global South, a reliable long-term partner of fellow developing countries, and a doer and go-getter working for the cause of global development, he said at Session I of the 19th G20 Summit on Monday.
Among the eight actions outlined by Xi, three specifically mentioned the Global South. For example, China will make sure the Global South research center that is being built is fit for purpose, and the 20 billion US dollars of development funds will continue to be put to good use to support developing countries and deepen practical cooperation in areas such as poverty reduction, food security and the digital economy.
He said China, alongside Brazil, South Africa and the African Union, is proposing an Initiative on International Cooperation in Open Science to help the Global South gain better access to global advances in science, technology and innovation.
He also stressed supporting the G20 in carrying out practical cooperation for the benefit of the Global South and using such outcomes as the Roadmap to Increase Investment in Clean Energy in Developing Countries and the High-Level Principles on Bioeconomy to good effect.
Fighting hunger and poverty has become a priority issue at this year's G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, with the first session of the G20 Summit focusing on the issue and a Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty launched, with China having decided to join as a key participant.
China has made historical achievements in alleviating poverty and can make significant contributions to global poverty alleviation through partnerships with countries like Brazil, according to foreign experts.
Theo Schunck, executive secretary of the Rio Metropolis Institute, said that the most urgent global challenges today include environmental crises such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, social and economic inequalities, including hunger and poverty, geopolitical tensions and regional conflicts.
"China and Brazil can work together in various ways to address these challenges," Schunck told the Global Times.
China's increasingly critical role in addressing global challenges and promoting common development is also evident on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, where local residents, foreign visitors and summit staff showed significant interest in China, its economic progress, and cultural contributions.
At the G20 media center on Monday, a Portuguese student volunteer at the G20 Summit demonstrated his Chinese language skills to the Global Times.
"I am fascinated by China and I think China is such a big and important country. The West has a lot of misconceptions toward China, so I want to learn Chinese so I can better understand China," the volunteer named Rafael told the Global Times, when asked why he is interested in studying Chinese.
Xi's speech attracted attention from world media. Reuters and the VOA have highlighted a series of steps announced by the Chinese president to support the Global South, such as the "China would support global development with eight actions, including building 'high quality' Belt and Road Initiative", and the "Open Science International Cooperation Initiative" that aims at boost sci-tech innovation for the Global South has also attracted high attention.
G20 declaration
According to the G20 Rio de Janeiro Leaders' Declaration released on Tuesday,the leaders pledged to work for a reinvigorated and strengthened multilateral system, rooted in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law, with renewed institutions and a reformed governance that is more representative and effective.
G20 leaders also called for urgent action to address major geopolitical, socioeconomic, and climate and environmental challenges and crises, according to the Declaration.
The leaders reaffirmed the role of the G20 which is well suited to address those challenges through much-needed international cooperation and political drive and also their strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Bishop also noted that the G20 Summit has a good agenda on substantial global issues, including Global South unity and fighting poverty. "The thing that I'm really liking about this particular G20 is this kind of sense of Global South unity," the UK scholar said.
In an era marked by unprecedented global transformations, the world stands at a critical crossroads, grappling with deepening deficits in peace, development, security, and governance. As humanity faces unparalleled challenges during this tumultuous period, Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, has put forth a solemn call to action through the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI).
The three pivotal initiatives address the pressing issues of our time, offering viable pathways and robust support for the building of a global community of shared future. Rooted in the rich historical experiences of the CPC's century-long struggle and infused with the wisdom of China's traditional culture, these initiatives are expected to unite the world in the pursuit of common progress and stability.
To offer a deep understanding of the GDI, the GSI, and the GCI, and elaborate on their significance on a global scale, the Global Times is launching a series of articles featuring engaging stories and in-depth interviews to provide our readers with a comprehensive insight into the three initiatives. In this installment, we converse with artists and scholars from Latin America, exploring how the enhanced exchanges and mutual learning in the fields of literature, music, and art under the GCI proposed by President Xi are deepening the friendship between China and Latin America. Chinese writer Ge Fei holds deep sentiments for Jorge Luis Borges. The Argentine writer had always been "a writer, poet, and scholar that I have full respect for. He is also renowned in novels, poetry, and literary theory, and no one in the world can deny this."
Borges was an admirer of traditional Chinese culture. Chinese philosophy greatly influenced his works, such as "Kafka and His Precursors" and "The Garden of Forking Paths." He is the Latin American writer with the largest number of works translated into Chinese, and his work has significantly influenced Chinese authors including Yu Hua, Ma Yuan, and Sun Ganlu.
His writing reflects his extensive knowledge of Chinese culture. In 1937, he published a review of the novel "Dream of the Red Chamber" by Cao Xueqin, one of the four classics of Chinese literature. Three years later, he published "The Book of Fantasy," featuring two translated episodes from "Red Chamber."
In his essay "Kafka and his Precursors," he mentioned Tang dynasty poet Han Yu, and in the story "The Garden of Forking Paths," he again alluded to the "Red Chamber."
While Borges never visited China, he made an invaluable contribution to the West's understanding and appreciation of China.
In 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping cited Borges in a signed article in an Argentine newspaper, writing that "the literary legend Jorge Luis Borges used Chinese allusions such as the butterfly dream of the philosopher Chuang Tzu and the Great Wall in his works, including The Paint Cane. And he indeed had a cherished Chinese paint cane in his possession."
Numerous stories of exchanges between Chinese and Latin American writers including Borges are painting a vivid picture of mutual learning, a vivid practice of GCI proposed by President Xi, who stresses that promoting people-to-people exchanges and mutual learning is of great value in summoning the enormous wisdom and energy needed to advance the progress and development of human civilizations.
The GCI can be a powerful engine for strengthening ties between China and Latin American countries by fostering cultural exchanges and direct cooperation between their people. Through projects that promote the exchange of cultural, educational, and artistic experiences, the GCI can serve as a bridge to build mutual understanding and bring the two regions closer, Ronnie Lins, director of the China-Brazil Center for Research and Business, told the Global Times. Tales of two peoples
As an ancient Chinese poem reads, "If you have a friend afar who knows your heart, distance cannot keep you two apart."
Although China and Latin America are far away from each other, the two peoples enjoy a long history of interactions and profound friendship.
Recently, Enrique Teixeira, former Deputy Mayor of Campinas, Sao Paulo State, and more than 100 friendly personages from the Brazil-China Friendship Association, Sao Paulo University, Sao Paulo State University, and the Copacabana Fort Orchestra in Rio de Janeiro wrote to Xi, respectively, thanking the Chinese government, enterprises, and universities for their contributions to China-Brazil friendly exchanges and the improvement of local people's livelihoods.
Founded in 2011, the Copacabana Fort Orchestra, made its first tour to China in September. The orchestra recruits young music enthusiasts aged 10 to 21 from various low-income communities in Rio de Janeiro. Thanks to the support of Chinese enterprises in Brazil, these young musicians regularly receive musical training. The orchestra has gained valuable development and has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of Rio de Janeiro State.
"I believe that music is a universal language and a perfect medium for cultural exchange. By sharing Brazilian music and learning about Chinese music and culture, we aim to deepen mutual understanding between our countries. We hope that these exchanges will broaden the perspectives of our musicians and audiences, fostering a deeper appreciation for the shared qualities and values between cultures. For us, it is about building friendships and inspiring young musicians through a real connection with China," Marcia Melchior, founder and director of the Orchestra, told the Global Times.
In Chile, Pablo Neruda, a Nobel Prize laureate in literature and a major poet in Chile, referred to China affectionately as a "great brother."
Neruda made multiple visits to China and wrote poems such as Cancion de la Tierra China and El Viento de la Asia, in which he expressed his love and best wishes for China. His works have been widely read in China and have influenced many Chinese poets.
Jose Venturelli (1924-88), a famous Chilean artist, lived in China for many years. He learned Chinese ink painting and created works such as the Yangtze River, which demonstrated his strong attachment to China.
"These poems and paintings reflect the profound friendship between the two peoples," wrote President Xi in his signed article in a Chilean newspaper in 2016.
In 2023, Chilean President Gabriel Boric kicked off an exhibition at the National Art Museum of China in Beijing, paying tribute to the Chilean artist Jose Venturelli for his contributions to the Chile-China friendship.
"We have highlighted the pride we feel in having been the first country in South America to establish relations with China and, from there, a path was opened that we continue to broaden today and this path would surely not have been possible to open without Jose Venturelli," said Boric, adding that Venturelli was a man "who carries a message of peace to the world."
Venturelli, a Chilean artist, was the first Latin American painter to visit China in 1952. He participated in the founding of the Chilean-Chinese Institute of Culture and contributed to the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as well as the fostering of friendship between China and Latin America.
While in China, he participated in a collective workshop at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing and befriended famous Chinese artists such as Qi Baishi, Wu Zuoren, and Li Keran.
All these stories demonstrated that the GCI connects people with various cultural means, from paintings to literary works, as mutual understanding leads to further cooperation.
Vibrant cultural ties
This year, many people in China were charmed by the ancient Inca civilization at an exhibition held in the Southern Chinese metropolis of Shenzhen.
The artifacts, ranging from leopard-print pottery and stone slabs adorned with mythical creatures to intricately crafted figurines, were shipped to China from 14 museums across Peru. Initially set to run from April to August, the exhibition was extended to October because of its popularity.
The success of the exhibition underscored the vibrant cultural ties between China and Latin America, which are both home to some of the world's oldest and most influential civilizations.
"Upon his arrival in Peru to participate in the APEC 2024 Summit, President Xi penned a message to the Peruvian people, in which he highlighted the close relationship that exists between the people of China and Peru, indicating that this is not a reflection of an economic or political interest of either party, but rather a desire for rapprochement and association based on ancient historical and cultural ties," Juan Carlos Capuñay, former Peruvian Ambassador to China, told the Global Times.
Back in 2016, when Xi was in Peru on a state visit, Peru's National Museum of Archaeology, Anthropology, and History played host to the closing ceremony of the China-Latin America and Caribbean 2016 Year of Culture Exchange. Ivan Ghezzi Solis, then director of the museum, said he was taken aback by the Chinese president's insight into the nation's over 5,000 years of history.
"People from countries that have seen the rise of great civilizations, such as Peru and China, understand better than anyone the importance of culture and history to give us a deep perspective on the world. Respect for the diversity of civilizations, while acknowledging and taking advantage of common values, is a path to cooperation and mutual progress," Solis told the Global Times.
Linked dreams
"Condition of good friends, condition of old wine." Xi cited a Brazilian proverb to describe the long-running friendship between the Chinese and Latin American people when addressing the Brazilian National Congress during a visit to the South American country in 2014. It was Xi's first visit to Brazil after assuming the Chinese presidency.
Noting that he has visited Brazil four times and witnessed the development and changes in the country over the past 30 years, Xi said he feels very close to Brazil as he again stepped onto this passionate land. Xi made the remarks in a written statement upon his arrival in Brazil for the 19th G20 Leaders' Summit and a state visit to the country.
The president published a signed article in Brazilian media outlet Folha de S. Paulo on November 17 titled "A Friendship Spanning Vast Oceans A Voyage Toward a Brighter Shared Future." In the article, Xi cited Brazil's renowned poets and writers Cecilia Meireles and Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis who translated poems from China's Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), though not directly from Chinese.
Their commendable endeavors reflect the resonance between our two cultures that defy time and space. In recent years, music, dance, and other forms of art, along with cuisine and sport, have become a new bridge connecting the people of our two countries, helping to enhance amity and mutual understanding, wrote Xi.
Brazil's cute capybaras, bossa nova music, Samba dance, and Capoeira are immensely popular in China. China's traditional festivals like the Spring Festival and its cultural heritages such as traditional Chinese medicine are increasingly well-known among Brazilians, according to the article.
"The 'Chinese Dream' and the 'Latin American Dream' are closely linked. Both sides should take the courage to pursue the dream and jointly make the dream come true," Xi said during the China-Latin America and the Caribbean Summit in Brasília in Brazil in July 2014.
Today, in Tijuca National Park in Rio de Janeiro, there stands a "Chinese Pavilion." With its uniquely styled eaves, pillars, and pointed roof, it sits gracefully among lush greenery, attracting countless visitors.
Since its building in 1903 to remember the Chinese tea farmers, who generously shared their expertise and taught the art of tea cultivation in Brazil 200 years ago, the pavilion will always tell the world about the bond "forged by tea" between the two nations and the fruitful results of the seeds of friendship between the two great civilizations.
On the issue of Palestine, China has always stood on the side of fairness and justice, as well as on the side of international law. China opposes all actions that violate international law, including international humanitarian law, and condemns any practices that harm civilians or attack civilian facilities, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday in response to the International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant.
Spokesperson Lin Jian said the ongoing conflict in Gaza has led to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. China supports any efforts by the international community that contribute to achieving fairness and justice and upholding the authority of international law regarding the Palestine issue.
We hope the ICC will maintain an objective and fair stance, exercise its power in accordance with the law, and interpret and apply the Rome Statute and general international law comprehensively and in good faith according to uniform standards, Lian said.
The ICC judges said there were reasonable grounds to believe Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant were criminally responsible for acts including murder, persecution and starvation as a weapon of war as part of a "widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza," Reuters reported.
China's Supreme People's Procuratorate on Thursday stressed that procuratorate organs must fulfill their duties, cooperate with relevant departments to clarify facts, punish offenders in accordance with laws, manage the aftermath and maintain stability, so as to ensure public safety and social order, after a car ramming incident in Zhuhai, South China's Guangdong Province, that killed 35 and injured 43 on Monday.
The car ramming incident occurred at the Sports Center in Zhuhai, resulting in significant casualties and severe consequences. Similar vicious criminal offenses should be rigorously reviewed for arrest and prosecution, with strict measures to deter crime, Ying Yong, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and the Prosecutor General of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, made the remarks while he led an investigation team of the Supreme People's Procuratorate in Shanghai on Thursday.
"President Xi Jinping recently made an important instruction regarding the car ramming incident, which is striking and enlightening, serving as a wake-up call. It holds significant guiding importance for us in lawfully punishing and preventing extreme violent crimes, as well as fully ensuring the safety of people's lives and social stability," Ying said.
Ying said the procuratorial organs must learn from the incident, thoroughly investigate risks and hidden dangers, and ensure fair and lawful handling of cases. They must promote the rule of law in petition work, and resolve conflicts involving prosecution cases to prevent the spread of risks, Ying said, noting that more efforts should be made to strengthen comprehensive governance of public security and to enhance risk prevention capabilities.
The procuratorial organs also need to intensify supervision, strictly investigate irregularities in judicial processes, prevent wrongful convictions, and combat judicial corruption to ensure justice, effectively fulfilling their duty, he said.
Ying also highlighted the importance of protecting the interests of key groups such as women, the elderly, the disabled, and children, while also addressing issues like wage claims by migrant workers and employment for college graduates.
He further called for clarifying doubts and resolving issues through public hearings, helping parties alleviate confrontational and dissatisfied emotions, smoothing the channels for the public to express their demands, improving the judicial relief protection system, and enhancing the mechanisms for safeguarding litigation rights in the prosecutorial phase, so as to ensure that the people feel fairness and justice in every judicial case and at every stage of the case.
China and Peru are located on opposite sides of the world, separated by the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. In the past, this distance seemed unimaginable.
However, a new port project is making such a distant journey less difficult.
The Chancay Port project is a collaborative project between China and Peru under the Belt and Road Initiative. Located in the Chancay district of the province of Huaral, Peru, the port is approximately 80 kilometers from the capital, Lima.
Chancay Port is positioned as Peru’s gateway port and regional hub, connected by a tunnel to the Pan-American Highway, directly linking it to the capital Lima. This enables goods to conveniently reach Peru and other Latin American countries, significantly enhancing trade efficiency, according to the People’s Daily.
On Thursday, this significant project, symbolizing the friendship between China and Peru, finally opened for operations.
The first phase of the Chancay Port project began in 2021 and includes four dock berths. The port’s maximum depth is 17.8 meters, allowing it to accommodate ultra-large container ships with a capacity of up to 18,000 TEUs.
The design throughput capacity is 1 million TEUs annually in the short term, and 1.5 million TEUs in the long term. With over 80 percent of the project completed, the main structures of the docks were finished earlier this year, according to the People’s Daily.
He Bo, deputy general manager at COSCO SHIPPING Ports Chancay Peru, has witnessed the significant progress of the port over the past three years. “Hills have been leveled, beaches turned into storage yards, breakwaters and docks stand tall in the water, port cranes are on land, and buildings for production and office purposes have sprung up,” He told the People’s Daily.
“From Chancay to Shanghai” is a phrase well-known among locals. He Bo explained that the Spanish pronunciations of these two important port cities, Chancay and Shanghai, are very similar. Initially, locals would confuse them, but now they are familiar with both names. Before Chancay, most of Peru’s cargo shipments to Asia and Oceania had to be transshipped through Central or North America, and port capacity could not meet the demands of growing foreign trade.
Today, the phrase “From Chancay to Shanghai” will become a reality. With the opening of the new land-sea corridor between China and Latin America, the shipping time between Peru and China will be shortened by about 10 days.
As the construction of Chancay Port progresses, jobs related to the project have become highly sought after locally. Sun Yan, the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at Ricardo Palma University, told the Xinhua News Agency that many Peruvian students from the institute are eager to use their language skills to apply at the port for positions such as translators, technical staff, and operators.
Moreover, thanks to China’s advanced technology and the environmental awareness of Chinese companies, Chancay Port is being developed as a green, low-carbon, and modern smart port. Dock workers demonstrated electric container trucks with autonomous driving technology, which travel quietly and precisely, Xinhua reported.
Near the entrance to the project site, there is a wetland. In the evening, birds come and go, bringing life to the area.
He Bo mentioned that Chinese companies constructing the port have paid attention to controlling noise, lighting, and dust during construction, minimizing the impact on the wetland “residents,” and have actively participated in rescuing seals, penguins, pelicans, and other animals to help improve local biodiversity.
With Chancay Port, the distance between China and Peru is no longer as far as it once seemed.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden reviewed the journey of China-US relations over the past four years, and drew experiences and inspirations from it. Their conversation was candid, in-depth and constructive, according to a handout published by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
On the afternoon of November 16 local time, Xi met with Biden upon request on the margins of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, Peru.
The conversation focused on advancing dialogue and cooperation and properly managing differences during the transition period of the US government and on regional and international issues of mutual interest, and charted the course for bilateral relations, said the ministry.
Over the past four years, China-US relations have gone through ups and downs, but under the stewardship of the two Presidents, the two sides have also been engaged in dialogue and cooperation, and bilateral ties have remained stable on the whole.
In his interactions with President Biden, President Xi fully shared his views on how the two sides should approach bilateral relations, which provide strategic guidance and are important for the direction of this relationship. President Xi vividly compared the relationship between China and the US to a mansion.
He proposed in 2021 during the virtual meeting with President Biden that the two countries need to follow the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation—that is the dome of the mansion.
During the 2022 Bali meeting, he underscored China's four red lines on the Taiwan question, path and system, democracy and human rights, and right to development—that is the foundation of the mansion.
During the meeting in San Francisco in 2023, he stated that China and the US should jointly develop a right perception, manage disagreements effectively, advance mutually beneficial cooperation, shoulder responsibilities as major countries and promote people-to-people exchanges—those are the five pillars of the mansion.
In Lima, President Xi insightfully listed seven experiences and inspirations that the two countries should draw from the course of their relations, namely, to have a correct strategic perception, match words with actions, treat each other as equals, not to challenge red lines and paramount principles, conduct more dialogue and cooperation, respond to the expectations of the people, and step forward to shoulder the responsibilities of major countries.
President Xi Jinping stressed that the two sides should continue to add building blocks to the mansion, and expressed readiness to make joint effort with President Biden and his successor towards this end.
History tells us that China and the US stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. President Xi pointed out from his deep observation that the Thucydides's Trap is not a historical inevitability, a new Cold War should not be fought and cannot be won, and containing China is unwise, unacceptable and bound to fail. China and the US, as two major countries in the world, need to bear in mind the benefit of the whole world and inject more certainty and positive energy to today's turbulent world.
The common understandings achieved at the Lima meeting are as follows. The two Presidents reiterated the seven-point common understandings on the guiding principles for China-US relations, namely treating each other with respect, finding a way to live alongside each other peacefully, maintaining open lines of communication, preventing conflict, upholding the United Nations Charter, cooperating in areas of shared interest, and responsibly managing competitive aspects of the relationship.
The two sides are ready to uphold these principles, continue to stabilize China-US relations, and ensure a smooth transition of the relationship. The two Presidents spoke positively about the important role of China-US strategic communication, regular contact between the diplomatic and security teams, and dialogue mechanisms on mil-to-mil relations, economic and trade ties, and financial issues.
They agreed to maintain the momentum in communication and strengthen macroeconomic policy coordination. The two Presidents reviewed the important progress in dialogue and cooperation on counternarcotics, climate change, AI, and people-to-people exchanges since their San Francisco meeting.
The two Presidents believed that the two sides have had candid and constructive dialogue on AI. The two sides co-sponsored each other's resolutions at the UN General Assembly on AI. On this basis, they affirmed the need to deal with risks of AI systems, make AI safer, enhance international cooperation, and promote AI for good and for all.
The two Presidents affirmed the need to maintain human control over the decision to use nuclear weapons, and they stressed the need to seriously consider potential risks and adopt a prudent and responsible attitude when developing AI for the military domain.
At the meeting, the two sides did not shy away from differences. President Xi made China's principled position absolutely clear on several major issues.
On the Taiwan question, President Xi Jinping stressed that the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiqués are the political foundation of China-US relations. They must be observed. Cross-Strait peace and stability and "Taiwan independence" separatist activities are irreconcilable as water and fire. If the US side cares about maintaining peace across the Taiwan Straits, it is crucial that it sees clearly the true nature of Lai Ching-te and the DPP authorities in seeking "Taiwan independence," handles the Taiwan question with extra prudence, unequivocally opposes "Taiwan independence," and supports China's peaceful reunification.
On the South China Sea issue, President Xi stressed that China firmly upholds its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. Dialogue and consultation between states concerned is always the best way to manage differences in the South China Sea. The United States should not get involved in bilateral disputes over relevant islands and reefs of Nansha Qundao, nor should it aid or abet the impulsion to make provocations.
On US suppression against China's trade and technology development, President Xi noted that the Chinese people's right to development is not to be deprived of or ignored. All countries need to safeguard their national security. In the face of challenges, neither decoupling nor supply-chain disruption is the solution, and "small yard, high fences" is not what a major country should do. The US should not overstretch the national security concept, still less use it as a pretext for malicious moves to constrain and contain other countries.
On alleged "cyberattacks from China," President Xi noted that there is no evidence that supports the irrational claim and China itself is a target of international cyberattacks, and consistently opposes and combats all forms of cyberattacks.
On the US's smear and blame-shifting against China on international and regional issues, President Xi noted that China's position and actions on the Ukraine issue have always been fair and square. China conducts shuttle diplomacy and mediation to promote peace talks, makes every effort for peace, and strives for deescalation. China does not allow conflict and turmoil to happen on the Korean Peninsula, and will not sit idly by when China's strategic security and core interests are under threat.
President Xi in particular stressed that China's goal of a stable, healthy and sustainable China-US relationship remains unchanged. Its commitment to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation as principles for handling China-US relations remains unchanged. Its position of resolutely safeguarding China's sovereignty, security and development interests remains unchanged. And its desire to carry forward the traditional friendship between the Chinese and American peoples remains unchanged. This shows that China is ready to engage in dialogue, expand cooperation, and manage differences with the incoming US government so as to maintain stability in China-US relations to the benefits of the two countries and the world at large.
China continues to advocate for setting aside disputes and pursuing joint development to achieve mutual benefits, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated on Monday, addressing a question about joint maritime development between China and Indonesia in “waters with overlapping claims.”
During a press briefing on Monday, Lin was asked to comment on the joint statement signed between China and Indonesia on advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership and the China-Indonesia community with a shared future, in which the two sides reached important common understanding on joint development in areas of overlapping claims and agreed to establish an Inter-Governmental Joint Steering Committee to explore and advance relevant cooperation.
In response, Lin said that China has consistently advocated for setting aside disputes and pursuing joint development, aiming to work with neighboring maritime countries to manage disputes, promote cooperation, ensure stability, and achieve win-win.
China is willing to work together with Indonesia to implement the leaders' consensus, aiming for cooperative benefits to reach both nations and their people swiftly, Lin said.
Meanwhile, China is willing to actively explore maritime cooperation, including joint development, with other neighboring maritime countries, Lin added.
Regarding the specific contents of the joint statement, Lin said that the joint statement clarifies the political consensus and direction for joint development in regard to conducting joint development and cooperation in waters of overlapping claims by the two countries. The two countries will further explore specific issues like cooperation content and methods, Lin added.
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro remarked on Tuesday that the Philippines is a "victim of Chinese aggression," to which Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded that every escalation of maritime disputes between China and the Philippines was triggered by the infringement activities and provocations of the Philippines. Observer said that the latest remarks of Teodoro are a manifestation of the Philippines' scheme of "a thief crying 'stop thief,'" adding that Philippine defense chief playing victim is staging a political show, which will not result in any effective interaction.
According to Reuters on Tuesday, Teodoro said that "What we see is an increasing demand by Beijing for us to concede our sovereign rights in the area," after meeting Australian counterpart Richard Marles, adding that the Philippines is a "victim of Chinese aggression."
In response to Teodoro's remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a regular press briefing on Tuesday that it was the Philippines who took infringement activities first and China had to take necessary measures in accordance with law to safeguard our lawful rights and interests. If the Philippines stops infringement activities and provocations, there will be no trouble at sea, Lin said.
Teodoro's remarks are a typical example of "a thief crying 'stop thief,'" Yang Xiao, deputy director of Institute of Maritime Strategy Studies at China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times on Tuesday.
It also shows that the Philippines has no other better way to pursue its illegal claim as it does not possess enough military capacity to carry out provocations, which is why it can only resort to hyping up the issue in the international community, attempting to make the South China Sea issue an international issue, Yang added.
Teodoro's remarks followed a recent series of provocative actions of Manila. The Philippine enacted the Philippine Maritime Zones (PMZ) Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes (PASL) Act on Friday, attempting to solidify the illegal ruling of the 2016 arbitration case through domestic legislation, illegally including China's Huangyan Dao (also known as Huangyan Island) and most of the islands and reefs in the Nansha Islands and their related waters in its maritime zones.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Friday summoned the Philippine Ambassador to China to make solemn representations, and China released the baselines of the territorial sea adjacent to Huangyan Dao. The China Coast Guard (CCG) also announced it will continuously strengthen patrols and law enforcement in the territorial waters of Huangyan Dao and related maritime areas on Sunday.
Yang said that there is no doubt that the latest situation has been inflicted by the Philippines itself due to the introduction of two laws which infringe on China's territorial integrity.
Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Beijing on Saturday, expressing the readiness to work with the new Indonesian government to continue promoting self-improvement, solidarity and win-win cooperation among major developing countries.
Prabowo is in China for a state visit at the invitation of Xi.
Xi noted that Prabowo visited China in his first overseas trip right after he was elected in March and chose China as the first country to visit after taking office, which speaks volumes about the great importance he attaches to developing relations with China and demonstrates the high level and strategic nature of China-Indonesia relations, Xinhua News Agency reported.
Xi went on to point out that the adherence to strategic autonomy, mutual trust, mutual assistance, win-win cooperation, fairness and justice represents not only a summary of the experience in developing bilateral ties over the past decades, but also an important principle that should be followed for ensuring the sustained and stable development of bilateral relations in the future.
The two sides also issued a joint statement on Advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the China-Indonesia Community with a Shared Future.
Both sides agreed to hold the first meeting of the 2+2 Dialogue Mechanism for Foreign Ministers and Defense Ministers in 2025, which serves as the primary platform to expand high-level strategic communication and political, security and defense cooperation between the two countries, according to the joint statement.
Experts said the partnership between China and Indonesia not only strengthens bilateral ties but also sets a model at regional and global level, highlighting mutual efforts in the drive toward modernization and joint rise of the Global South, with cooperation on security and economic affairs the most notable highlights for this meeting, they added.
"China is willing to work with the new Indonesian government to build on past achievements, promote building a community with a shared future with regional and global influence, and continue to write a new chapter of seeking self-improvement via solidarity, and boosting coordination and mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation among major developing countries," said Xi.
“The partnership between China and Indonesia holds significance not only for bilateral ties but also sets a model on regional and global levels,” Xu Liping, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times. “The partnership highlights both countries' efforts to advance modernization and strengthen the resilience and rise of major developing nations through South-South cooperation.”
“The message is clear: regardless of shifting international dynamics, the fundamental of friendly cooperation between China and Indonesia remains unshakable,” Xu said.
In addition to reflecting his willingness to strengthen ties with major powers such as China, Prabowo’s choice also underscores that the Southeast Asian nation aspires to play a bigger role on the global stage, said Ma Bo, an associate professor at the School of International Studies at Nanjing University.
Ma believes that the relations between the two countries have entered a period of accelerated development, as Prabowo’s administration, building on the friendly approaches of his predecessor, is likely to strengthen strategic mutual trust with Beijing, especially when both sides share a commitment to regional peace amid recent instability.
Additionally, Indonesia holds high expectations for China’s support in its economic development and is eager to pursue complementary cooperation in areas such as infrastructure and industrial relocation, Ma told the Global Times.
The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway (HSR), the first HSR in Indonesia and Southeast Asia and a landmark project under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), celebrated its first year of operation on October 17, having carried over 5.79 million passengers, according to the China State Railway Group Co.
Prabowo served as the minister of defense from October 2019 to October 2024, when he assumed office as the president of the Republic of Indonesia. He was elected for president in March 2024, according to Xinhua News Agency.
Xu said that China and Indonesia have considerable potential for security cooperation in both traditional and non-traditional areas.
In terms of traditional security, the two countries have consistently worked together to maintain regional peace and stability. Take the South China Sea issues, both countries have collaborated to advance the consultations on a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea.
In the realm of non-traditional security, their cooperation is also extensive, covering areas such as climate change, financial stability, and joint efforts to combat transnational crime, particularly in targeting telecom fraud, Xu told Global Times, adding both sides have conducted effective cooperation in apprehending telecom fraud criminals.
Ma added that in light of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and ongoing war in the Middle East, Indonesia recognizes that regional peace is crucial for its economic development. Prabowo has laid out an ambitious goal of 8 percent annual economic growth during his first term, and reaching this target hinges on securing a stable and peaceful environment in the region, said the expert.
Cooperation on fisheries is a key area of collaboration between the two countries. With Indonesia's rich fisheries resources and China's vast consumer market, their cooperation in this sector is highly complementary and holds significant potential, Xu said.
Home to abundant aquatic resources, Indonesia is aiming to boost its fisheries production capacity via cooperation with China. Xu added that the China-Indonesia Joint Laboratory for Marine Sciences, established last year, and the "Two Countries, Two Parks" project between the two sides, which includes jointly building the fisheries industry supply chain, are proof of the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries' marine sectors.
