On Thursday, at 11:23, an Air China C919 aircraft with the registration number B-919X, landed smoothly at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing. It taxied slowly through a water cannon salute, as it was welcomed at the airport. Air China's first C919 aircraft has now officially joined the fleet.

The C919 aircraft is an important milestone in the development of China's large aircraft industry. As the country's national carrier, the introduction and operation of the C919 is part of Air China's continued mission in the new era, and is a vivid example of transforming the company into a world-class enterprise.

Air China has consistently prioritized safety while introducing the C919. It has established four professional groups with the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) in terms of aircraft maintenance, personnel training, ground support, and operation control. It also selected business linchpins to participate in aircraft selection, production supervision, personnel training, and operation preparation.

In addition, Air China established a pilot team. The team completed the first round of high-quality pilot conversion training, completing the systematic training of dispatchers, flight attendants, safety officers, and ground support personnel, solidly promoting the creation of maintenance support capabilities, and comprehensively creating service quality risk management and operation service standards. This process directly contributed to the smooth introduction of C919, as well as safe and efficient operations.

Air China had a considerable selection of the C919 aircraft. The aircraft is an extended-range aircraft with a loose two-class layout of 158 seats, including eight business class seats and 150 economy class seats.

It has adopted domestically produced seats with full functionality, created exclusive cabin entertainment programs and safety instructions videos, and provided customized in-flight supplies and other exclusive configurations to provide passengers with a better travel experience.

Air China will work intensively, efficiently, and in an orderly fashion to complete various tasks including the testing of ground support, route verification flights, on-site training, emergency evacuation procedure demonstrations, and new model operation certification to ensure the first C919 is successfully brought into commercial operation.

Air China has long been committed to supporting the development of domestically produced large aircrafts. In July 2020, Air China's first ARJ21-700 passenger aircraft was brought into operation. So far, Air China has introduced a total of 29 ARJ21 passenger aircrafts, with more than 70,000 safe flight hours.

In April 2024, Air China signed a purchase agreement with COMAC for 100 C919 aircrafts, which are scheduled to be delivered to Air China in batches from 2024 to 2031.

In the future, Air China will actively work with partners such as COMAC to consolidate the aircraft operation guarantee system, give full play to its route network advantages, strengthen market promotion, and select high-quality routes, in a bid to lay a solid foundation for the large-scale operation of the C919.

The purchasing managers' index (PMI) for China's manufacturing sector, which gauges activity in the sector, came in at 49.1 in August, but multiple indicators suggest that the momentum of industrial upgrading remain strong.

The PMI in August was slightly down 0.3 from the reading in the previous month, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed on Saturday.

Zhao Qinghe, an NBS statistician, attributed the slight drop to factors such as extreme weather, off-season production in some industries, insufficient demand and fluctuations in commodity prices.

The PMI for high-tech manufacturing increased to 51.7 in August, up 2.3 from July. The equipment manufacturing PMI rose to 51.2, up 1.7 from the previous month, according to data from the NBS.

The fact that the two sub-indexes have returned to expansion territory indicates that China's manufacturing industry remains stable, with continuing momentum in industrial upgrading, despite external economic pressure and industrial structural adjustments, Tian Yun, a Beijing-based veteran economist, told the Global Times on Saturday.

The recovery in high-tech and equipment manufacturing, as highlighted by the August PMI, aligns with another indicator released by the NBS on Saturday.

The New Kinetic Energy Index of China's Economic Development increased by 19.5 percent in 2023 compared with 2022. All sub-indexes showed improvement over the previous year, with the innovation-driven index rising by 22.3 percent year-on-year, contributing 34.4 percent to the total index growth, according to the NBS.

The New Kinetic Energy Index is a representative indicator for observing the upgrading of China's industries and the development of new quality productive forces. The double-digit growth reflects the sustained momentum of China's industrial upgrading, countering unwarranted pessimism about the country's economic prospects, according to Tian.

The non-manufacturing PMI came in at 50.3 in August, according to the NBS data, indicating a faster expansion in non-manufacturing business activity.

The grand dams, whistling trains, bustling stadiums, magnificent parliament buildings, and various factories - these impressive projects of China-Africa cooperation have not only become landmarks across the African continent but also stand as symbols of the enduring friendship between the China and African countries.

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) 2024 is scheduled to be held in Beijing from September 4 to 6.

Since the 2021 FOCAC, China-Africa economic and trade cooperation has continued to reach new heights, delivering tangible benefits to the people of both China and Africa, an official from the Ministry of Commerce said on August 20, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

A series of cooperative projects, such as the Lekki port in Nigeria and the Nairobi expressway in Kenya, have been completed over the past three years. Over the past 10 years, Chinese companies have signed more than $700 billion worth of contracts for projects in Africa, the official mentioned.

"To get rich, build roads first." Launched in 2017, the 472-kilometer Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) has drastically reduced travel time and emerged as the preferred choice for commuters in Kenya, playing a pivotal role in stimulating commerce and empowering smaller towns along its corridor.

In Sudan, the China International Water and Electric Corporation (CWE) undertook the construction of the Merowe Dam, Roseires Dam Heightening Project, and Dam Complex of Upper Atbara Project, which have become "China-Arab friendly landmarks." The Merowe Dam, standing 67 meters high and stretching about 9.7 kilometers long, is the world's longest dam.

In 2019, these three projects collectively appeared as the background for Sudan's newly issued 100 Sudanese pound banknotes.

According to the white paper, China and Africa in the New Era: A Partnership of Equals, Chinese companies over the last quarter century have helped African countries build or upgrade more than 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 100,000 kilometers of highways, roughly 1,000 bridges, almost 100 ports and 66,000 kilometers of power transmission and distribution lines.

After making history by becoming the first Asia-born player to claim gold in a tennis singles event at the Olympics on Saturday, China's Zheng Qinwen said that "national honor always tops individual achievements" and that she hoped the victory will inspire the younger generation of tennis players.

The 21-year-old overpowered Croatian Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3 at the Olympics' women singles final and held high the golden trophy on Saturday.

It marked China's first gold medal ever in the Olympic tennis singles, and the country's second in tennis after Li Ting and Sun Tiantian won the women's doubles title at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

Zheng opened the year of 2024 with a runner-up finish at the Australian Open in January, but she thought the Olympic title to be "more important" than the Grand Slams.

"The honor of our country always surpasses individual achievements. I believe that every Chinese person agrees to this. So, when I was able to make history and become the first player to win an Olympic singles gold medal, I felt that all the sweat, effort, tears, and hardships were worth it at that moment," she said at the post-match press conference.

"I have always believed in passing on the torch. If today's victory can inspire more children to dream of tennis, then all of the efforts are worthwhile. I also hope that in 10 or 20 years, you will stand on this stage. Because this is the dream, the top stage, and experiencing what I am feeling at this moment will make you realize that life is worth living."

The World No 7 said that two-time Grand Slam champion Li Na has served as an inspiration for her when she started learning the sport as a kid. Li, who was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame member in 2019, is the only player from the Chinese mainland to win a Grand Slam singles title — at the 2011 French Open and 2014 Australian Open.

"I think Li Na will always be the first in Asia because she was the first Chinese female player to win a Grand Slam. And I am the first Asian player to win an Olympic gold medal, which is also a historical achievement," Zheng noted.

"I still have a long way to go. Every era has its heroes, and every generation has its successful individuals. I believe Li was the leader of her era, and I hope to become a better player and a better version of myself, and to lead the younger generation," she said.

Another Chinese athlete that inspired her is Liu Xiang, whose victory in the 110-meter hurdles at the 2004 Athens Games was the country's first gold in the men's track and field.

"I watched his race multiple times before my game, trying to draw strength from him. he won the title of Olympic champion at the age of 21, which was the peak of his life. Now, I am also 21 years old, and today, 20 years later, I stand on this stage, and I feel that I have achieved the same result," she said.

Zheng, who was dubbed "Queen Wen", ground out to victory through bruising and battling performances. In the quarterfinals, she outlasted the three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber in a three-set thriller that lasted over three hours. Later, in the semifinals, she ended the World No 1 Iga Swiatek's 25-match winning streak at Roland Garros.

"I have been in pain ever since I finished the third round, so I had to play with bandages since then," Zheng said.

"I feel like I broke through a limit because I knew that on the Olympic stage, no matter how my body felt, I had to fight until the very last moment. Perhaps it was this belief that left me with no way out, that allowed me to attain so many trophies," said she.

The four Grand Slam Tournament Australian Open, Wimbledon Championships, French Open and US Open all posted congratulatory messages on their Sina Weibo accounts to Zheng.

Major foreign news agencies also published articles to praise Zheng's historic accomplishment.

The Associated Press praised her resilience and determination, noting her remarkable performance, despite battling physical pain throughout the tournament, while Reuters emphasized the significance of her triumph for China and the tennis world.

In the vibrant atmosphere of the Paris Olympics, while the spotlight shines on the athletes, a group of unsung heroes works tirelessly behind the scenes--the Olympic volunteers. 

This year, out of 300,000 applicants, around 45,000 were chosen as volunteers, with 20 percent hailing from approximately 150 countries.

Donning bright green uniforms, these volunteers are easy to spot amid the purple venues. They offer assistance to spectators and media alike, making them a vital part of the Olympic experience.

On my first day at the press center, I encountered a technical glitch with my media system account. Thankfully, Chinese volunteer Guo Xiaofan came to my aid. 

"I hope to improve my language, communication skills, and problem-solving methods through this event," said 24-year-old Guo from Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, who is studying wireless communication at the Paris Institute of Digital Technology. 

As a former national-level swimmer, Guo saw this as her chance to participate in the Olympics, albeit in a different role.

Another Chinese volunteer, surnamed Yang, faced challenges in balancing her work with volunteer duties. Despite sacrificing her holidays, she felt immense pride in contributing to the event, especially with her parents in attendance.

Volunteers are visible everywhere—from bus stops to competition venues—offering directions and assistance with a smile. When large crowds leave the venues after the events, causing congestion, some volunteers sit on high chairs with loudspeakers, providing directions to the exits in both English and French with a smile.

One of my most memorable encounters was with a French volunteer at the International Broadcasting Center. When I needed help finding the visitor center, a young man on a scooter appeared, like a sort of "Monkey King riding a cloud," and offered to take me there. His enthusiasm for the Olympics was contagious, and after helping me, he eagerly asked for a Beijing Winter Olympics badge, expressing his admiration for the event and his desire to visit China.

These dedicated volunteers, with their energy and commitment, truly embody the spirit of the Olympics, making both the event and the city of Paris shine brighter. 

As China-Africa cooperation continues to expand, the digital economy is emerging as a key area of collaboration between the two sides. China is assisting Africa's digital transition through the construction of digital infrastructure, provision of services and talent training, aiming to ensure that Africa does not miss out on valuable development opportunities in the digital age.

However, this has triggered a new round of attacks from the West. On one hand, there is stigmatization of China-Africa digital cooperation from the West, while on the other hand, there are demands for Africa to take sides in geopolitical games from the West. By using both soft and hard tactics, the West is attempting to obstruct China-Africa digital cooperation and reverse Africa's digital development process.

The West's demonization of cooperation between China and Africa continues to intensify. For a long time, the West has viewed cooperation between China and Africa through the lens of Cold War thinking, advocating negative narratives about China's development in Africa.

From smearing China's development financing to Africa as a "debt trap" during the COVID-19 pandemic, to stigmatizing digital cooperation between China and Africa as "digital infiltration," the West continues to find new attack lines, stemming from their envy and fear of China's rise.

Using data centers in Africa as an example, China is engaged in fierce competition in this field with companies from North America, with China offering more partnership opportunities and alternatives. African countries choose Chinese suppliers because China can provide the cost-effective technology and more attractive financing solutions. This is something that the currently protectionist and populist Western countries cannot provide, leading them to slander Chinese companies under the guise of digital security.

It has been shown over time that the Western model of development does not help Africa. From forced acceptance of African independence to the imposition of Western models on Africa, what the West has brought to Africa is not peace and prosperity, but turmoil and poverty. This is why Africa is fundamentally opposed to the conditions attached to Western aid.

Current digital technology is empowering the global economy's recovery and development, but there are technological and financial bottlenecks for Africa to achieve digital transformation. In the global information and communication technology infrastructure market, Chinese companies have a clear competitive advantage. While the West is concerned about investment risks, China provides more favorable support programs to help African countries build digital infrastructure, provide talent training, promote Africa to seize the opportunities of digital economic development.

The Digital Silk Road Initiative has injected momentum into Africa's development. Recently, China reached agreements with 26 African countries to strengthen digital partnerships in talent training, innovation, and infrastructure over the next three years. Over recent years, under the Digital Silk Road Initiative, African countries have made significant progress in digital development, with China's assistance often being cited as a crucial element.

As the digital competition among major countries intensifies, the West has increasingly viewed digital technology as a tool of strategic and "security" importance. Against this backdrop, the pressure exerted by the West on China undoubtedly adds uncertainty to the flourishing digital industry in Africa. For Africa, which is awakening to the importance of empowering its own development, missing the boat of the digital economy again would undoubtedly be disastrous.

Currently, the US' arbitrary "small yard high fence" approach and technology containment on China have extended to press China's digital cooperation with developing countries in Africa and other regions. Maintaining strategic autonomy is a frequent topic in African policy discussions, with a key diplomatic focus on leveraging China's support to advance the digital economy while mitigating potential US criticism.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced on Wednesday that he will not run in the upcoming Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leadership race in September, paving the way for Japan to have a new prime minister. 

The sudden announcement came as Kishida's Cabinet stepped up disaster preparedness after the weather agency last week issued its first-ever advisory warning of an increased risk of a megaquake along the Nankai Trough, running between central and southwestern Japan in the Pacific, according to Japan's Kyodo News. 

"As a first step to impress on the public that the LDP has changed, I have decided not to run in the presidential race," Kishida said during a press conference at the prime minister's office, adding he had made the choice at a time when he is free of immediate diplomatic commitments.

Lin Jian, a spokesperson of  Chinese Foreign Ministry, responded to the question about Kishida's announcement at Wednesday's routine press conference that "We have noted the announcement. This is Japan's domestic affair. We have no comment on it." 

China and Japan are important neighbors. China hopes to work with Japan in the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan to comprehensively advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit and work to build a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship fit for the new era, Lin added.

Last month, the approval rating of Kishida's Cabinet edged up by only four percentage points to 21 percent in a weekend Mainichi Shimbun opinion poll, yet remained below the 30 percent mark for the 13th month in a row, Japanese media reported.

Liu Jiangyong, the vice dean of the Institute of Modern International Relations at Tsinghua University, told the Global Times on Wednesday that it will be difficult for a leader with a low approval rating to lead the LDP to victory in elections in 2025. 

Liu emphasized that the decision by Kishida was likely driven by the potential political crisis that a failure in the general election could pose for the party.

Speculation on potential candidates has landed on a number of senior LDP lawmakers, including party Secretary-General Toshimitsu Motegi, Digital Minister Taro Kono, Economic Security Minister Sanae Takaichi and Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, according to the Associated Press.

Future policy

No matter who becomes next LDP leader and new Japanese prime minister, he or she will likely continue with Kishida's China policy, Xiang Haoyu, a research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Traditionally, the faction Kishida leads has been known as the "dove faction," however, during three years when he was Prime Minister, Japan has adopted aggressive and hawkish policies in both security and diplomatic arenas, said Xiang. 

Xiang added that Kishida administration has failed to form an objective and rational understanding of China and adopt a positive China policy. Instead, the exaggeration of the "China threat" has increased during his tenure, and Japan has increasingly flirted with the Taiwan question to interfere in China's domestic affairs. These actions have severely damaged ties with China, which is of great significance to Japan.

Xiang said the general political orientation toward China within the Japanese political circle and the LDP is basically the same, as there is a dominant negative attitude toward China and a consensus on balancing China and strengthening the US-Japan alliance. 

Former Japanese Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday reaffirmed his intention to run in the presidential election of LDP in September following Kishida's decision not to join the race. Ishiba, who is now on a three-day visit to Taiwan through Wednesday as the co-head of a six-member Japanese lawmakers' delegation, reportedly met with regional leader of Taiwan island Lai Ching-te.

The Taiwan question is at the very core of China's core interests. It bears on the political foundation of China-Japan relations and is a red line that must not be crossed, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Wednesday, calling on certain Japanese politicians to stop sending wrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" separatists. 

Chinese experts on Tuesday slammed a recent report by the Chinese language version of the Voice of America (VOA) on India's newly debuted light tank, saying that the US media is seeking to sow discord between China and India amid a recent recovery in relations by hyping the threat of military confrontation which has been subsiding for years.

VOA reported on Monday that India's Zorawar light tank, designed for high altitude operations, will be deployed along the China-India borders "amid continued tensions." 

Calling it a game changer, the report hyped India's new tank and its capabilities, and how it can rival its Chinese counterpart, the Type 15.

The first reports on the debut of the Zorawar light tank were published by Indian media in early July, which, although mentioning China as well, noted that the new Indian tank will not be ready before 2027, a key detail that was ignored by VOA.

Recently, relations between China and India have been recovering, with the two sides having held the 30th Meeting of Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on China-India Border Affairs in late July.

It has been more than four years since the Galwan Valley clash of 2020, and since then the two countries have held multiple rounds of border talks on different levels in both military and diplomatic channels, having seen de-escalation and disengagement in multiple points of contact, a Beijing-based military expert who requested not to be named told the Global Times on Tuesday.

The US media's hype on military confrontation along the China-India border is unprofessional, and it exposes the US' mentality of wanting to sow discord amid improving China-India ties, the expert added.

From a military point of view, China has commissioned and actually deployed the Type 15 light tank since 2019, while India's new tank will have to wait until at least 2027, the expert said, noting that India's defense industry has a history of issues such as delays, cost rises and technical problems.

The likelihood of conflicts spilling over in the Middle East continues to rise as Hezbollah said on Sunday it had launched dozens of Katyusha rockets at Israel with Iran reportedly expected to attack Israel as early as Monday. A potential direct confrontation between Iran and Israel has emerged as the most significant manifestation of the spillover effects of the Palestine-Israel conflict, yet given Iran's domestic and international situation, an all-out war with Israel seems unlikely, said experts. 

Three US and Israeli officials told US media Axios that they expect Iran to attack Israel as early as Monday. Iranian and Hezbollah officials have vowed to retaliate for the assassinations of Hezbollah's top military commander Fuad Shukr and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.

Experts expect any Iranian retaliation could potentially be larger in scope than the one in April as it could also involve Hezbollah.

Hezbollah said Sunday it had launched dozens of Katyusha rockets at northern Israel in response to Israel's attacks on southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon's Al Manar TV. 

A potential direct confrontation between Iran and Israel has emerged as a pivotal manifestation of the spillover effects of the longstanding Palestine-Israel conflict in the region, Liu Zhongmin, a professor at the Middle East Studies Institute of Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times.

 Liu said that there is a risk of the conflict spreading beyond the borders of Israel and Palestine, potentially leading to a larger war in the Middle East.

Several countries, including the US and UK, urged their citizens to leave Lebanon while commercial transportation options are still available, amid fears that conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah could escalate, media reported.

Although the assassination of Haniyeh on Iran's soil is a blatant provocation to Tehran and will trigger Iran's fierce fightback, given Iran's current domestic and international situation, it's unlikely that an all-out war will break out between Iran and Israel, Liu said. 

The US is boosting its forces in the Middle East in preparation for a possible Iranian attack against Israel and sending more warships and fighter jets to the region, the Pentagon said on Friday, according to Axios.

Wang Jin, an associate professor at the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies of Northwest University, told the Global Times that the US military deployment is adding fuel to the fire.

 "What should be done now is mediation and coordination, especially persuading Israel not to take such extreme actions. The US should do more than just send troops, it should engage deeply and fulfill its obligations in the Middle East," Wang told Global Times.

China’s Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Finance on Wednesday issued detailed rules for the subsidies targeting the renewal of new-energy city buses and batteries. On average a subsidy of 80,000 yuan ($11,065) will be paid to a city new-energy bus. 

According to the new framework, city bus companies are encouraged to reasonably choose different types of buses for replacement in accordance with passenger demand and existing public transport infrastructure.

For renewing new-energy city buses, the average subsidy per vehicle is 80,000 yuan; for replacing the power batteries, the subsidy reaches 42,000 yuan. Localities should enact subsidy standards based on the funds arranged by the two central government ministries, the rules said.

It is the latest move of the ministries’ efforts to promote the country’s high-quality development and bolstering domestic consumption. 

The Ministry of Transport on Wednesday outlined 11 highlights of its key work for the second half of the year, noting that it will promote large-scale equipment upgrading for transportation.

On the same day, the Ministry of Finance vowed to enhance local capacity to promote consumption, including subsidized funds for scrapping and renewal of automobiles, older heavy vehicles, as well as new-energy buses and power batteries, and trade-in of household appliances for new green ones.

The ministry noted that it will arrange some funding to localities to carry out trade-in of other categories of consumer goods. Specific support varieties and standards will be determined by local authorities in order to spur consumer spending. 

On July 24, the National Development and Reform Commission and Ministry of Finance issued a number of measures on strengthening support for large-scale equipment replacement and consumer goods trade-in program, by leveraging 300 billion yuan from the ultra-long-term special treasury bonds proceeds. 

Regarding the transport sector, the focus is on supporting the scrapping and renewal of old operating vessels and trucks, and raising the subsidy standards for the renewal of new-energy buses and batteries.