Innehållsförteckning för Vol.68/No.17 från Beijing Review

Service Opening up China will expand its comprehensive pilot programs to more cities to accelerate the opening up of the service sector, according to the State Council, the country’s highest state administrative organ, on April 11. Nine additional cities—Dalian, Ningbo, Xiamen, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Hefei, Fuzhou, Xi’an and Suzhou—will be able to carry out comprehensive pilot programs, the State Council said in its approval of a work plan that aims to expand the programs. Efforts should be made to expand voluntary opening up in an orderly manner, tap into the potential of China’s supersized market, promote high-quality development of the service sector and contribute to building new institutions for a higher-standard open economy. The pilot programs will cover key sectors such as finance and healthcare and include measures like improving social…

This world is always changing, but it is also true that some things remain constant, with the continuity and stability of China’s policies toward its neighbors being a fine example. These consistent policies have been reaffirmed during the five-day, three-nation tour of Southeast Asia by Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese President, from April 14 to 18. The visit was also Xi’s first overseas trip this year. “We will stay committed to the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness. We will continue to pursue the policy of forging friendship and partnership with our neighbors. And we will steadily deepen friendly cooperation with them to advance Asia’s modernization,” Xi said in a signed article published in Viet Nam’s Nhân Dân newspaper.…

It was no surprise that shortly after taking office, U.S. President Donald Trump once again wielded his tariff stick, continuing the unfinished business of his first term: using “extreme pressure” tactics and the “America First” principle to “make America great again.” The global market and political arena have once again been shaken. However, unexpectedly, unlike last time, this confrontation has left some spectators disappointed. Within just a few days of Trump unveiling his “reciprocal tariff plan” on April 2, the situation already started to turn against Trump, with fluctuations in the U.S. stock market far exceeding his expectations. His rhetoric quickly began to soften, announcing a 90-day pause in the tariffs for countries negotiating with the U.S. on April 9. Doing so was a clear acknowledgement that the reciprocal tariff…

Throughout humanity’s advancement, space has evolved from an unattainable frontier into a vital pillar sustaining modern society. As a new domain of human endeavor, it now underpins critical global infrastructure—powering communications, enabling precision navigation and facilitating climate monitoring, making its security indispensable to both national interests and societal progress. With the exponential growth of space activities, the imperative of space security has come to the forefront, carrying profound implications for humanity’s shared future. This issue transcends national boundaries, impacting not only the strategic interests of individual nations but also global peace and stability. Peaceful use or arms race? The militarization of space has become a major challenge in the current international security arena. The concept can be traced back as far as the Cold War period, when the U.S. and…

As global economic expectations soften under the weight of growing protectionism, China’s early-year economic indicators have drawn wide attention. On April 16, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released China’s first-quarter (Q1) economic report. The country’s gross domestic product (GDP) reached 31.88 trillion yuan ($4.4 trillion), a 5.4-percent year-on-year increase and a 1.2-percent rise compared to the previous quarter. China’s economy got off to a solid start in Q1, with high-quality development gaining traction and showing encouraging signs, underscoring the country’s strong resilience and potential, NBS’s Deputy Commissioner Sheng Laiyun said at a press conference on April 16. He emphasized the country’s ongoing efforts to integrate technological innovation with industrial transformation, pointing out that a steady stream of new scientific achievements is being rapidly applied across sectors, steadily strengthening new…

A new vision for global education has emerged—one shaped by shifting student priorities, geopolitical challenges and the rise of non-traditional destinations. The United States, once the most popular study-abroad destination for Chinese students, has failed to secure a spot among the top three in the latest evaluation of study-abroad destinations. It ranks fourth behind the United Kingdom, Singapore and Canada, according to the 2025 Blue Book on China’s Study Abroad, released at the China Study Abroad Forum (CSAF) in Beijing on April 11. Themed Quality, Trust and Safety: For the Sustainable Development of International Education, the forum highlighted shifting trends in global education and student mobility. The CSAF was held in conjunction with the 30th China International Education Exhibition Tour (CIEET), which took place across Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan and Guangzhou…

Under the newly revised marriage registration regulations, set to take effect on May 10, couples in the Chinese mainland will only need to present their identification cards (IDs) and sign a declaration confirming that they are not currently married and share no blood relation within three generations before obtaining their marriage certificate. While this streamlined process removes bureaucratic hurdles for couples in love, one question remains: When saying “I do” becomes this easy, will “I don’t” follow just as quickly? Ren Sining (Zhengguannews.cn): In the past, to better protect the rights and interests of both parties involved in marriage, people were required to present their hukou (household registration) booklets and ID cards, as well as sign declarations with the related information when registering their marriage. Nowadays, thanks to the rapid…

Tourists and locals celebrate the water-splashing festival in a square in Jinghong, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, on April 15. Several ethnic groups in China, including the Dai, Achang and Blang, ring in the New Year on the Dai calendar with the water-splashing festival. During the festival, water is considered an auspicious symbol and people splash water on one another as a blessing, symbolizing wishes for happiness and good fortune.…

FRANCE Visitors attend the Paris Book Festival 2025 at the Grand Palais in Paris on April 11. The event ran from April 11 to 13 GABON Citizens queue to vote in the presidential election at a polling station in Libreville on April 12. Transitional leader Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema was declared the winner the following day CAMBODIA Contestants take part in an ox-cart race in Kampong Speu Province on April 7 SERBIA Djuro Macut (front) and new cabinet members take the oath of office at the parliament building in Belgrade on April 16 ITALY Former Italian cross-country skier Stefania Belmondo (left) and Paralympic fencing champion Beatrice Vio pose with the torches for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games during the unveiling ceremony in Milan on April 14…

As Chinese President Xi Jinping undertook a tour of Southeast Asia, visiting Malaysia, Viet Nam and Cambodia from April 14 to 18, the spotlight fell on the deepening China-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) partnership. At the heart of this partnership lies the Zhejiang Model—a dynamic framework of socioeconomic development, technological innovation and inclusive governance pioneered in the eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang. Shaped by Xi during his tenure as secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China from 2002 to 2007, this model offers a blueprint for China-ASEAN synergy. As Malaysia, the 2025 ASEAN chair under the theme Inclusivity and Sustainability, steers ASEAN toward greater regional integration, the Zhejiang Model illuminates a path to shared prosperity, digital advancement and equitable global governance. A valuable reference…

In the second week of April, the Beijing Meteorological Observatory issued its first orange wind warning in nearly a decade, alerting residents that gale-force winds exceeding Force 12 would sweep through the city over the weekend, on April 12 and 13. Citizens were urged to take necessary precautions. On the Beaufort Wind Scale, Force 12 is defined as a hurricane, and in Beijing, situated hundreds of kilometers from the coast and encircled by mountains in three directions, many had scarcely experienced winds of such intensity before. By Friday afternoon, most companies had closed early. Responding to the government’s appeal to avoid nonessential outings over the weekend, residents rushed to stock up on vegetables and fruit at supermarkets. As night fell, everyone could feel the force of the storm, with winds…

Following the U.S. announcement of a new round of tariff hikes on Chinese goods on April 2 local time, Ella Wang, a seller of festive decorations in Yiwu, a hub of small commodities in Zhejiang Province, east China, has noticed fewer orders from the United States, but exports to Europe, Africa and the Middle East continue without price rises. “The U.S. tariffs have some impact, but we will adapt by improving our products,” she said. Wang and other local sellers are innovating, for example by adding remote controls to Christmas lights or using 3D printing for Halloween masks, to enhance competitiveness. According to Wang, Yiwu sellers mostly rely on offline trade and bulk commodity supply, and have diversified their markets in recent years to mitigate risks. This shift aligns with…

The 2025 World Expo, themed Designing Future Society for Our Lives, kicked off on April 13 in Osaka, Japan, where it will run until October 13. With 158 countries and regions participating in this year’s edition, alongside seven international organizations, the event, held every five years, showcases global visions for tomorrow. The China Pavilion, themed Building a Community of Life for Man and Nature—Future Society of Green Development, opened on the same day as the expo. At its opening ceremony, Ren Hongbin, Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, which oversees China’s expo participation, explained the pavilion’s immersive journey. He said the pavilion allows visitors to experience the ancient Chinese philosophical wisdom of harmony between humanity and nature, learn about modern China’s commitment to environmental protection,…

Inbound Tourism Beijing experienced a surge in inbound tourism in the first quarter of 2025, welcoming 891,000 visitors—a 61.3-percent year-on-year increase. This growth is attributed to the Chinese capital’s intensified efforts to improve travel and payment convenience, diversified tourism experiences and China’s relaxed visa-free tourism and transit policy. Data released by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism on April 15 revealed that visitors from Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and Taiwan Province totaled 147,000, a 32-percent year-on-year increase. Foreign tourists accounted for the majority of inbound visitors, with 744,000 arrivals, representing a 68.7 percent jump and 83.5 percent of all inbound visitors to the city. To boost inbound tourism, Beijing has launched one-stop comprehensive service centers for arriving tourists at its two airports. It is also…

This year is the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Viet Nam, a milestone that presents a pivotal opportunity for both countries and their ruling parties to reflect on the past and chart a course for the future. At this juncture, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese President Xi Jinping undertook a state visit to Viet Nam on April 14-15. This was Xi’s fourth visit to this Southeast Asian neighbor in his dual capacity and his first international trip following the Central Conference on Work Related to Neighboring Countries, which was held in Beijing on April 8-9. At the conference, Xi called for building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries. The key strategic exchange between…

In an interview with Beijing Review reporters Tao Xing and Peng Jiawei in March, Vuk Jeremić, President of the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly and President of the Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD), a global public policy think tank based in Belgrade, Serbia, shared his views on the development of the UN over the past 80 years, the current global situation, as well as future prospects. Edited excerpts from their conversation follow: Beijing Review: This year is the 80th anniversary of the UN. How do you evaluate the role the UN has played in the world over these decades?  Vuk Jeremić: The UN is arguably one of the greatest and the most successful peace projects in human history. Created in the aftermath of the…

The world is facing mounting uncertainties and challenges, especially due to geopolitical tensions and rising unilateralism and protectionism. Particularly, many countries have been increasingly concerned about erratic U.S. policies causing global instability. Against this backdrop, the 2025 Annual Meeting of Think Asia Forum kicked off in Singapore on April 15, providing insights on impacts of the recent U.S. tariff hikes on trading partners and how Asian countries can jointly cope with common challenges. The event was co-hosted by China International Communications Group (CICG), Tsinghua University and Nanyang Technological University (NTU). The forum has developed into a key platform for exchange between think tanks and media in the region, providing insights for promoting cooperation and development since its first edition in 2022, Cao Zhongming, Chinese Ambassador to Singapore, said at the…

What defines an ideal home? Perhaps it is gentle morning light streaming through big floor-to-ceiling windows, the comfort of a spacious and well-designed living room filled with laughter or a quiet bedroom that offers sanctuary from the outside world. Among the many architectural elements that shape our living experiences, ceiling height plays a crucial role, affecting everything from air circulation to spatial perception. The 2011 Residential Design Code issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) set the standard ceiling height for many types of residential buildings in China at 2.8 meters. While technically adequate, this height can foster a feeling of confinement, diminishing the overall sense of comfort and spaciousness, especially in larger residential units. For an average adult male standing approximately 1.7 meters tall, raising a…

In March, the Qilihai National Wetland Park in Tianjin Municipality introduced 58 healthy young milu deer from Dafeng District, Yancheng in Jiangsu Province. This addition to the existing herd of 34 deer has established the largest wild milu population in north China. The Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve, spanning 3,000 hectares, is a primary site for milu reintroduction efforts. The Qilihai National Wetland Park—China’s only national nature reserve where an ancient coastline and wetland coexist—has unearthed milu fossils and traces of their historical presence, confirming that the species thrived there thousands of years ago before environmental changes and human activity drove them to local extinction. In 2011, Qilihai began its milu restoration by introducing 10 milu from the Beijing Milu Garden, followed by a breeding pair from Dafeng. Over the…