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  • The Most Shocking A/Court ‘Judgment’ in Nigerian History: An unfortunate precedent that should not be allowed to stand

    The Most Shocking A/Court ‘Judgment’ in Nigerian History: An unfortunate precedent that should not be allowed to stand

    The last is yet to be heard of wide ranging ex-parte orders as this time around, the charade has moved to the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division. In the case of FBN Quest & Another vs. Nestoil & Others, the Court of Appeal’s ex parte orders are not only egregious but a chilling sign of judicial capture, smacking of dirty practices at best and corruption at worst.

    On Thursday, 27th November 2025, at exactly 2:00pm, Justice Yargata Nimpar delivered a ‘ruling ’ that appeared like a thief in the night, a ghost and unscheduled, the said decision came upon a Motion Ex-parte which was not heard not argued in open court, yet it surfaced, fully written, signed, stamped, and delivered as though it had lived a full life on the Court of Appeal docket.

    For many Nigerians, the judiciary has again weathered the storms. Veterans of the legal system describe this episode as “a daylight heist… a judicial armed robbery without guns.”

    The controversies over wide ranging ex-parte applications, it would seem, has found its way to the Court of appeal, an intermediate court with limited original jurisdiction as donated to it by statute.

    In this instance, barely two weeks ago, we reported the ex-parte orders against NESTOIL and the other defendants listed in the suit before the Federal High Court which led to the transfer of the suit to another judge.

    The said interim orders were vacated by effluxion of time, being that ex-parte orders last for only 14 days.

    The court however ordered parties to maintain status quo and adjourned the Motion on Notice for hearing by the consent of the parties. That Motion is still pending before the Federal High Court.

    It would seem that in order to frustrate that pending Motion, the Plaintiffs somehow filed a similar application to the Court of Appeal which was granted an order ex-parte directing the Lower Court not to take any further steps, including determining the pending application filed by Plaintiffs (now Appellants).

    This magically resurrected, fast-tracked application seem to have been rubber-stamped at the fictional “Appeal Bench of Shadows,” as insiders have begun calling it.

    A CASE THAT NEVER EXISTED — YET RECEIVED A JUDGMENT

    Our Judiciary correspondent gathered that when the court’s official list for the day was released, nothing seemed amiss. No controversial cases. No unexpected hearings.

    But somewhere inside the dusty chambers of bureaucracy, a secret file was already being prepared and by 2pm, a judgment carrying the signatures of an entire appeal panel had surfaced — even though none of them had appeared in open court and when the case itself had never been argued before any High Court, making an appellate ruling legally impossible.

    By evening, whispers had turned into rumblings. Court workers who handled the mysterious document reported unusual instructions: No public sitting; No mention on the court list; No access to case filings; No digital record and No audio recording of proceedings. Yet an order was made retrospectively to undo a completed act! which is yet another impossibility in law, because the exparte order cannot restore what has been already executed.

    “It was like dealing with a ghost file,” one clerk said. “It appeared from nowhere and disappeared into official archives as though it had always existed.”

    This judgment, once delivered, spread like wildfire, with legal scholars calling it “a constitutional impossibility.” Veterans said they had never seen anything similar since the 1970s.

    Enquiries from our judiciary correspondents indicate that an application can only be hinged upon a valid Notice of Appeal against a decision of a lower court before any application can be entertained at the Court of Appeal.

    Further Investigations by our judiciary correspondent reveals that no such Notice of Appeal has been filed nor served on the respondents; no parties have been invited to Settle Records and no Records of Appeal have been transmitted.

    One wonders the platform or upon which grounds the ex-parte order was made, observed one senior lawyer, especially as a similar pending application filed by the Appellants has been adjourned for Hearing by the Federal High Court.

    Furthermore, the case at the trial court before Justice Osiagor has not been heard on its merits, which documents was placed before the appellate court and all applications before the judge has not been heard or is the court of appeal now a trial court.

    A JUDICIARY AT A CROSSROADS

    Public outrage rose quickly. Lawyers described the situation as “a hijacking of justice by shadowy interests.” Civil society groups demanded explanations.

    A Judiciary where justice can be manufactured behind closed doors…a legal system where influence not merit, decides outcomes…and an institution tested by the weight of powerful external forces, et cetera should not be allowed to thrive.

    AN ERA-DEFINING SCANDAL

    This judgement will stand as one of the most dramatic challenges ever faced by Nigeria’s justice system. The shockwaves has rippled far beyond the courtroom — touching politics, business, security agencies, and public trust.

    One thing is clear: This is the kind of judicial earthquake that rewrites history, shakes institutions, and forces a nation to confront the truths it fears the most. Our judicial correspondences were able to get an incline of the ex-parte orders made by the Court of Appeal as follows:

    1. AN ORDER of interim restorative injunction reversing all steps taken by the Respondents and/or persons purporting to act on the instructions of the Respondents and which steps or actions were taken pursuant to the order of the Federal High Court coram Osiagor, J made on the 20th day of November 2025 pending the hearing and determination of the Appellants’ Motion on Notice filed on the 26th day of November 2025.

    2. AN ORDER of interim injunction restraining the Respondents, their agents, servants, affiliates, and privies from interfering with and interrupting the Receiver/Manager in the performance of his duties pending the hearing and determination of the Appellants’ Motion on Notice filed on 26th November 2025.
    3. AN ORDER staying further proceedings at the lower court pending the hearing and determination of the Appellants’ Motion on Notice filed on the 26th November 2025.

    A SHOCKING DEPARTURE FROM JUDICIAL NORMS

    Therefore, the Lagos Court of Appeal’s decision to grant ex parte orders in FBN Quest & Another vs. Nestoil & Others stunned the legal community as ex-parte rulings are meant for rare emergencies and hardly exercised by appellate courts. By acting without hearing both sides, while the matter was already before the Federal High Court, the Court of Appeal has undermined the principle of natural justice and distorted its own role.

    NIGERIAN IMAGE AT RISK

    At a time when Nigeria is striving to reposition its global reputation, this case sends the wrong message. It portrays the country as one where courts can be hijacked by private interests, where fairness is discarded, and where corruption lurks behind judicial robes. For investors and international partners, it reinforces damaging stereotypes of weak institutions and compromised justice.

    AN URGENT CALL FOR INVESTIGATION

    These orders are not just irregular — they are evidence of judicial capture. They must be investigated urgently. The Chief Justice of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council, the President of the Court of Appeal and the Nigerian Bar Association cannot remain silent. If appellate courts become arenas for ex-parte adventures, Nigeria’s justice system risks collapse under the weight of manipulation.

    CLOSING NOTE

    The Court of Appeal’s conduct in FBN Quest & Another vs. Nestoil & Others is more than a misstep, it is a warning sign of judicial capture. If Nigeria is serious about restoring its image and strengthening democracy, this case must be investigated, accountability enforced, and reforms implemented. Anything less would be an abdication of the judiciary’s sacred duty to uphold justice. We must not allow that to happen.
    A very Senior lawyer emphasize that the exparte order of the court of appeal lagos division in Nestoil has the possibility of eroding administrative control of Heads of superior Court from assigning or re assigning matters within their respective courts. Furthermore both the President of the Court of Appeal and the Chief Justice of Nigeria may not have the authority to disband a panel and re- constitute another panel over any matter in their respective courts. This decision is a total anarchy to the judiciary and urgent steps must be taken to vacate the strange Court of appeal exparte order.

    The conduct of the court of appeal justices is not excusable anywhere in the world and it’s indeed has brought the court of Appeal justices who constituted the panel to ridicule

  • Court Bars Police, IGP From Harassing Owners of Nestoil Premises

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, from entering or interfering with the property housing the Nestoil Group at No. 41/42 Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, which belongs to Drawcok Estates Ltd.

    The order followed an application filed on November 7, 2025, by Drawcok Estates Ltd through its counsel: Mr. Kehinde Ogunwumiu (SAN), Ademola Abimbola (SAN), Esther Longe and Uchechi Chibueze. The applicant asked the court to protect its rights over properties located at No. 4 Nyasa Close, Plot 19, Off Ontario Crescent/Mississippi Road, Maitama, Abuja, and the Victoria Island property, as guaranteed under Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution.

    Delivering judgment in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2385/2025 on November 24, 2025, the presiding judge, Justice R.N. Ofili-Ajumogobia, held that the applicant has the constitutional right to own and possess its properties. She stated that these rights are protected by Sections 43 and 44 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

    The court declared that the sealing and occupation of the applicant’s properties by the respondents amounted to a violation of these rights. Justice Ajumogobia therefore ordered the Police and the IGP, including their agents and representatives, to immediately vacate the affected properties and hand over possession to the applicant.

    She further directed the respondents to provide adequate security to enable Drawcok Estates Ltd to take peaceful possession of the properties. The court also restrained the Police, the IGP, and their agents from harassing the applicant or denying access to the properties.

    It was also noted that Drawcok Estates Ltd has held a duly registered title to the Nestoil Tower premises at the Lagos State Land Registry since 2012.

  • Pius Akutah’s Alleged Fraud at Nigerian Shippers Council Uncovered

    Pius Akutah’s Alleged Fraud at Nigerian Shippers Council Uncovered

    Investigations by *Nigerian Concord Newspaper* reveal that the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Pius Akutah, has allegedly misappropriated public funds for a lavish lifestyle.

    According to our findings, within months of assuming office, Akutah allegedly purchased a bulletproof SUV valued at approximately N850 million. In addition, he is reported to have acquired over twenty exotic SUVs for use as a convoy.

    Akutah is also said to have acquired multiple high-value properties, including three in Abuja’s Maitama and Asokoro districts worth over N2 billion, and two in Lagos’ Banana Island valued at N1.8 billion. These acquisitions appear far beyond the scope of his official salary and allowances.

    Further investigation suggests that Akutah may be using public funds to support political ambitions, including allegedly grooming militants across 23 local government areas in Benue State for a potential 2027 gubernatorial bid.

    Staff of the Shippers Council reportedly claim that Akutah frequently accesses the council’s treasury without proper authorization. Some insiders have indicated that a petition will soon be filed with the EFCC, ICPC, and the Presidency to report his alleged misconduct.

    *

  • Political Analysts Describe Maikaya as Nasarawa’s Emerging Consensus Bridge Ahead of 2027

    Political Analysts Describe Maikaya as Nasarawa’s Emerging Consensus Bridge Ahead of 2027

    As the political temperature in Nasarawa State gradually rises ahead of the 2027 governorship contest, political analysts are increasingly pointing to Dr. Muhammed Musa Maikaya as an emerging “consensus bridge” whose steady consultations are reshaping the state’s pre-election landscape in unexpected ways.

    Though Maikaya has yet to make a formal declaration, the pattern of his engagements and the reactions trailing them have become subjects of analysis among scholars, journalists, political watchers, and even party elders within the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    One of the arguments analysts repeatedly highlight is Maikaya’s ability to attract goodwill from constituencies that rarely align behind a single aspirant this early in the political cycle.

    Public affairs analyst Ibrahim Dan-Musa describes him as “a unique political figure whose appeal cuts across demographics that typically move in different directions.”

    “Maikaya is resonating with two powerful blocs women and youths while earning the confidence of elders. This triangular balance is unusual, especially when no official declaration has been made,” he notes.

    For many analysts, it is this triangular base of support that hints at the making of a consensus figure.

    Political observers say women’s organisations across Awe, Karu, Lafia, Keffi, and Nasarawa LGAs have grown increasingly vocal about their admiration for Maikaya. Their reasons vary from his humanitarian interventions to his reputation for supporting widows, orphans, and cooperative groups even outside election seasons.

    A Keffi-based gender development researcher, Hauwa Isa, notes that women are becoming more politically assertive in Nasarawa, and they gravitate toward leaders who demonstrate accessibility and empathy.“Women see Maikaya as someone who listens. His visits are not transactional; he engages sincerely. Analysts would be wrong to underestimate the weight of this,” she says.

    Beyond women, analysts highlight a stronger force the youths. Whether in Toto, Obi, Lafia, or Karu, youth coalitions have begun forming volunteer structures in anticipation of his possible entry into the race.

    A political communication researcher at FULafia, Dr. Musa Akoshile, attributes the youth mobilisation to Maikaya’s “soft power.”“Young people are tired of aggressive politics. Maikaya’s calmness, modern thinking, and track record of community projects speak to them. That silent credibility is becoming loud,” he explains.

    Social media trends, community town halls, and spontaneous youth solidarity meetings are becoming regular occurrences around his movements a fact analysts say cannot be ignored.

    Political historians in the state point out that no governorship bid gains real traction without elders’ blessings. Interestingly, stakeholders in several local governments including traditional council members and senior party figures have privately and publicly encouraged Maikaya to “stay on the path.”

    A retired civil servant and elder statesman from Awe, who preferred anonymity, describes him as “the calmest aspirant in the race so far.” “He consults with respect. He is not divisive. Elders are watching closely, and many are quietly leaning toward him,” he says.

    Analysts note that elders’ openness toward a younger, less controversial aspirant is part of what strengthens the “consensus bridge” narrative.

    Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the analyst debates is the manner in which Maikaya’s consultations are unfolding. Instead of the typical political spectacle, his engagements have been modest but deeply effective meeting stakeholders, visiting community leaders, and listening quietly.

    Yet, after every visit, new volunteer groups emerge. New coordinators appear. Communities begin hosting solidarity meetings without prompting. Analysts say this organic structure-building is reminiscent of political movements that eventually shape primaries.

    Dr. Nanfa Auta, a political sociologist, describes the pattern as “pre-consensus momentum.”

    “He is becoming a comfortable middle ground — trusted by elders, embraced by youths, energised by women. This is how consensus candidates quietly form,” Auta explains.

    Inside the APC, the field remains broad, with many aspirants testing their strengths. But analysts argue that few have been able to generate the type of grassroots-led momentum surrounding Maikaya.

    His acceptability across the three senatorial zones pointing to a non-ethnic, non-sectional appeal is another factor scholars believe may influence internal party calculations as the primaries draw closer.

    While 2027 is still some distance away, analysts broadly agree on one thing: Maikaya has secured a strategic position in the unfolding political equation. His cross-generational acceptance, modest style, and growing structure have placed him at the centre of discussions about possible consensus-building within the party.

    For now, he remains on the consultation trail. But if the current pattern continues, analysts believe Nasarawa may soon witness the full emergence of a “consensus bridge” a candidate quietly connecting the old and new political order.

  • Femi Otedola, the Alleged serial business hijacker, using First Bank loans to steal other people’s businesses

    Femi Otedola, the Alleged serial business hijacker, using First Bank loans to steal other people’s businesses

    The Chairman of First Bank, Mr. Femi Otedola is presently facing huge criticism over his alleged usual ways to use bank loans to take over businesses of other people.

    This is coming just as perceived hidden interests of a prominent lawyer, Mr. Koku whose dual roles in the Nestoil and FBNQuest case, which now threatens the integrity of the Nigeria Oil sector, have been unmasked by this newspaper.

    During an exclusive investigation by Our correspondent over the alleged conflict of interest and potential
    Regulatory capture of the NUPRC, in Nestoil and Neconde’s Legal
    Battle with FBN Quest and First Trustees, it was gathered that in the corridors of Nigeria’s petroleum industry, a storm that could reshape perceptions of justice, transparency, and regulatory independence at the apex of the upstream sector is brewing.

    Through months of document review and interviews with industry insiders,
    told Our correspondent in its investigation uncovered troubling evidence that a top legal practitioner is at the heart of a clash between public interest and private gain, raising fresh questions about conflicts of interest and the spectre of regulatory capture.

    Findings showed that the wrangle between Neconde Energy Limited, Nestoil Limited, and a consortium of financial institutions represented by FBN Quest Merchant Bank Limited and
    First Trustees Limited, resembles a typical high-value debt dispute but, dig deeper and a more intricate web emerged.

    This investigation revealed that Babajide Koku SAN, a personal lawyer to Mr. Femi Otedola, the chairman of First Bank, has simultaneously served as legal counsel for both the FBN Parties and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) in lawsuits
    that could determine the fate of critical national oil assets.

    This dual representation, spanning Suit No: FHC/L/CS/2127/2025 in Lagos and Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/2369/2025 in Abuja, goes far beyond a mere procedural oversight as legal documents obtained by this newspaper confirmed that Koku’s name appears on court filings for
    multiple parties with directly competing interests, fuelling allegations that regulatory impartiality may be at risk.

    According to legal experts who spoke with Our correspondent, the implications echo far beyond the courtroom—potentially shaking the very foundations of the sector’s governance

    Meanwhile, our investigation reconstructed the timeline of this controversy, beginning on 20 October
    2025, when FBN Parties, represented by Koku, SAN, sued Nestoil and Neconde over an alleged $1billion debt. But even before the gavel fell, FBN Trustees had petitioned the NUPRC on 9 September 2025, seeking consent to register a second charge over Oil Mining Lease (OML) 42, an asset in which Neconde holds a substantial stake.

    It was also gathered that the NUPRC signalled its readiness
    to approve the charge, prompting Neconde, wary of a hostile takeover, to launch its own legal offensive on 6 November 2025.

    “When the NUPRC responded to Neconde’s lawsuit, challenging the validity of the very consent it had given, it too appeared in court represented by Koku” a document at the disposal of this newspaper stated..

    Meanwhile, multiple sources confirmed to Our correspondent that Koku, SAN was present for both the FBN Parties and the regulator, a move that has left industry players and legal watchdogs questioning whether the independence of
    Nigeria’s upstream regulator may have been fatally compromised.

    Experts that were interviewed by Our correspondent warned that such brazen dual representation is more than a
    technical breach of legal ethics, it is a flashing red light for regulatory capture, where public agencies risk being co-opted by the very entities they are meant to police.

    One concerned stakeholder who spoke under the condition of anonymity described this as “akin to letting the fox guard the henhouse”, noting that the
    same lawyer advancing private creditors’ interests is now shaping the regulator’s legal defence.

    “The stakes are monumental: should NUPRC’s consent to FBN Trustees be upheld, it could set a perilous precedent, enabling further encroachment by powerful financiers at the expense of due process and fair regulatory oversight” he added.

    Also, critics alleged that Koku’s close
    affiliations with major stakeholders in the FBN entities call into question the motives behind the legal manoeuvring, stoking speculation about a well-orchestrated asset grab under the
    veneer of judicial process.

    Another expert told this newspaper state that lawyers must not act for conflicting interests without full, informed consent. He queried: “Assuming that all necessary disclosures have been made, is it appropriate for the NUPRC to appoint legal representatives who are currently acting on behalf of an interested party in the dispute.

    “Furthermore, is it advisable for FBN Trustees to permit its retained counsel to also represent the NUPRC in litigation where FBN Trustees has a financial interest in the outcome”

    Senior Nigeria legal analysts who offered to grant interviews on this issue cautioned that Koku’s actions could trigger motions for disqualification and expose both NUPRC and the FBN Parties to damaging reputational
    fallout.

    Meanwhile, some of the legal experts have called for an urgent review of how regulators appoint external counsel,
    warning that public trust in Nigeria’s oil industry hangs in the balance.

    One of them added that: “For Koku, the risks are professional as well as reputational, with the possibility of regulatory scrutiny or even sanctions if formal complaints are lodged, particularly where formal disclosures were not made and subsequent consent of the NUPRC obtained.

    “For NUPRC, the crisis raises uncomfortable questions about its commitment to unbiased oversight and
    whether it can withstand the corrosive influence of well-connected private interests”

    Speaking on investor confidence which they said is already on the Line, legal experts noted that the fallout is already being felt beyond the courtroom.

    However, Oil Industry veterans who spoke with Our correspondent noted that
    uncertainty and perceptions of impropriety could scare off much-needed investment from
    an already fragile upstream sector.

    “Without transparency and clear ethical boundaries, you can’t have a credible investment climate,” one executive told Our correspondent, calling for sweeping reforms and tougher frameworks to safeguard regulatory processes from undue interference.

    Legal experts are urging the government to overhaul consent procedures and demand full transparency in all dealings between regulators and their outside advisers.

    Our correspondent gathered further that as the lawsuits wind their way through Nigeria’s federal courts, the spotlight remains fixed on Babajide Koku SAN, the NUPRC, and the banks pulling the strings behind the scenes.

    It was also gathered that the case has become a litmus test for transparency, legal ethics, and the resilience of Nigeria’s regulatory institutions, and the final outcome may not only decide who controls a lucrative oil
    lease but could also set a lasting benchmark for the country’s commitment to fairness and
    the rule of law.

    “In a sector too often shrouded in secrecy, only genuine accountability and unwavering ethical standards can restore faith in those entrusted with Nigeria’s most precious resources” another industry expert noted.

    In a related development, Chairman of First Bank Holding, Mr. Femi Otedola has been accused of taking over businesses of First bank customers under the guise of debt default with the help of some corrupt judges.

    According to finding, Otedola, as a result of his greed and love for other people’s business and properties would hide under the guise of giving loans to business owners to develop their businesses, inflate the loans, hide their loan documents and use the court to take over such businesses.

    Apart from Nestoil/Neconde which would have been his latest victim if not for the vigilance of the legal team of Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, the chairman of First Bank had used the FBNQuest Merchant Bank Limited to fraudulently hijack several firms from their original owners.

    However, officials of Neconde have lamented that for over three years, First bank has refused to release bank statements to the company.

    The company alleged in several reports that First Bank has refused to provide bank statements, reconciliation documents, or loan records Nestoil which they need to use to verify whether any debt actually exists.

    There are instances of Sahara Group and General Hydrocarbon which Otedola wickedly and cunningly used the loans which his bank gave to those two companies to hijack their lucrative businesses with the help of some corrupt judges.

    Our correspondent’s independent investigation showed that Mr. Femi Otedola had earlier this year approached Neconde requesting to buy some 16 percent stake in the juicy Oml42 oil block.

    For fears of what he has done to Sahara Group and General Hydrocarbon in the past, Otedola’s request was bluntly rejected by Neconde, and this led to First bank to drag Nestoil and Neconde in aggressive move to take over OML 42, citing an alleged $1billion dollar unverified debt.

    “How can we owe what we cannot see?”
    We cannot verify any debt because First Bank will not release the very documents that would confirm or disprove their claim.” one of the officials of Nestoil told this newspaper, insisting that without those statements, the bank’s attempts to enforce debt recovery actions amount to economic ambush and economic gangsterism.

    Meanwhile, an expert in the Nigerian Petroleum business told Our correspondent that: “At the centre of the conflict is OML 42—one of the most promising onshore blocks in the Niger Delta Basin. Industry analysts estimate that the licence could generate hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue over its lifespan. At present OML42 accounts for approximately 5% of Nigeria’s crude oil production.

    “There are claims that the subsidiaries of First Bank Holding under the Chairmanship of Mr Femi Otedola has shown “unusual, excessive interest” in taking over the OML42 through court orders, ex parte motions, and aggressive debt-recovery procedures that the company says lack documentary justification.

    “It has become clear that the bank’s objective is not repayment—it is acquisition,”

    Also, a legal expert who spoke with Our correspondent during our investigation said that the refusal of First bank to release bank statements, if true, raises serious questions about transparency and the integrity of the bank’s claims, saying that a creditor refusing to provide account statements is highly irregular.

    He added that any enforcement action without documentary clarity could be challenged as predatory or abusive.

  • Japan must face consequences for dangerous provocations on Taiwan question

    By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily
    Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi recently made public remarks suggesting the possibility of military intervention in the Taiwan Strait, grossly interfering in China’s internal affairs. Despite repeated representations from China, she has refused to repent for her blatant and provocative rhetoric, which represents a blatant violation of the one-China principle and the guiding principles set forth in the four China-Japan political documents. Her actions have gravely undermined the political foundation of China-Japan relations and severely offended the sentiments of the Chinese people.
    Assertions by a handful of Japanese politicians that China is “overreacting” to Takaichi’s erroneous comments are a misrepresentation of facts and a deliberate attempt to discredit China’s legitimate and reasonable position. The Taiwan question bears directly on the political foundation of mutual trust between China and Japan.
    In 1972, the two countries signed the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement and officially established diplomatic relations, which states that the Government of Japan fully understands and respects this stand of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, and it firmly maintains its stand under Article 8 of the Potsdam Proclamation. In 1978, the two countries signed the Treaty of Peace and Friendship Between China and Japan, which affirmed the principles and contents of the joint statement in legal terms and set out the legal parameters for China-Japan relations.
    In 1998, the two sides released the China-Japan Joint Declaration on Building a Partnership of Friendship and Cooperation for Peace and Development, in which Japan undertook to “continue to maintain its stand on the Taiwan question which was set forth in the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement” and “reiterated its understanding that there is one China.”
    In 2008, the China-Japan Joint Statement on All-round Promotion of Strategic Relationship of Mutual Benefit stipulated clearly in Article 5 that “The Japanese side reiterated that it will continue to abide by its position on the Taiwan question stated in the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement.”
    The above is what is laid out in the four political documents between China and Japan regarding the Taiwan question. It constitutes the solemn commitment made by the Japanese government and has a legal effect under international law. There is no room whatsoever for ambiguity or misinterpretation. Whichever political party or person is in power in Japan, they must always abide by the commitment of the Japanese government on the Taiwan question.
    Takaichi’s statements fundamentally contravene the guiding principles set forth in these political documents and strike at the foundation of the China-Japan bilateral relationship. As the leader of a country, she should have exercised basic political responsibility and worked with China to promote the sound development of bilateral relations. Instead, shortly after expressing a commitment to the position outlined in the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, she irresponsibly claimed that a “Taiwan contingency” could be a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan and implied that Japan may invoke the so-called right to collective self-defense to interfere militarily in the Taiwan Strait.
    Such rhetoric is deeply corrosive to the political foundation of China-Japan relations. It reflects provocative strategic intentions and poses a serious threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the region. No sovereign nation can tolerate such flagrant interference in its internal affairs or accept threats of military action from foreign leaders.
    Takaichi must take direct responsibility for the political damage her remarks have caused. The only responsible course for the Japanese side is to confront its historical and bilateral obligations with sincerity, cease inflammatory behavior, retract the erroneous statements, and take concrete steps to honor its commitments to China.
    A sound and stable China-Japan relationship serves the interests of the Japanese people. Undermining bilateral ties not only runs counter to the prevailing regional and global trends but also lacks public and political support.
    In recent days, the extreme and provocative moves of the Takaichi administration have triggered widespread criticism from insightful voices within Japan. Takakage Fujita, secretary-general of the Association for Inheriting and Propagating the Murayama Statement, stated that Takaichi’s remarks violate international law and inflict serious harm on bilateral relations. An editorial in The Tokyo Shimbun criticized her comments as “reckless and careless,” emphasizing that such statements are unacceptable from a sitting prime minister.
    Numerous Japanese netizens have bluntly questioned Takaichi’s diplomatic competence, urging her to retract her misguided remarks. Some Japanese people have even organized demonstrations to protest her irresponsible and provocative behavior. Japanese politicians should take these rational voices seriously and refrain from further escalating tensions along a dangerous trajectory.
    On matters of fundamental principle, the Chinese people remain unwavering. The Taiwan question lies at the very heart of China’s core interests. Any attempt to challenge this red line will be firmly opposed by the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people and the entire Chinese nation.
    This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of Taiwan’s restoration to China.
    As a former aggressor that inflicted innumerable atrocities in Taiwan, Japan bears a historical responsibility to reflect deeply on its past and exercise heightened caution in its approach to the Taiwan question. Aligning with forces that seek to divide China runs counter to the prevailing trend of peace and development. Should Japan persist in this course, it will inevitably bear the consequences of its actions.
    (Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

  • Bamboo innovation drives low-carbon development in E China’s Anhui

    Bamboo innovation drives low-carbon development in E China’s Anhui

    By Han Lei, People’s Daily
    In Chizhou, east China’s Anhui province, bamboo is emerging as a sustainable alternative in daily life. Products traditionally made from plastic, such as straws, ice cream sticks, disposable chopsticks, and cutlery, are increasingly being replaced by bamboo-based alternatives.
    At a manufacturing facility in the Chizhou High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, automated production lines produce five million bamboo straws daily. Each year, two billion bamboo straws are exported to more than 40 countries and regions, displacing approximately 6,000 tons of plastic and reducing carbon emissions by 36,000 tons.
    “Bamboo straws do not soften in water or break easily, and they are fully renewable and biodegradable,” said Yin Mingliang, the company’s general manager. However, he noted that producing even a simple item like a straw posed significant technical challenges, including issues with mold resistance, heat tolerance, and high production costs.
    Initial attempts to resolve these problems through partnerships with three PhD research teams were unsuccessful. A breakthrough came in 2017 when a fourth team, after three years of development, enhanced machinery efficiency to produce 2,000 straws per hour and reduced the unit cost to 0.04 yuan ($0.0056), roughly on par with plastic straws.
    The company has also developed an integrated pyrolysis system that converts bamboo wastes into high-value products such as activated carbon and hard-carbon anode materials for sodium-ion batteries. The process captures and reuses steam, enhancing energy efficiency.
    Chizhou, home to more than 600,000 mu (40,000 hectares) of bamboo forest, has historically underutilized this natural resource. Recently, the city launched a three-year action plan to promote bamboo as a plastic substitute, extend the industrial value chain, and raise incomes for local farmers.
    “Who would have thought that bamboo, once overlooked, could now fetch a good price?” said Shu Rengui, a villager from Languan in Hengdu township of Shitai county, Chizhou, as he harvested bamboo in the morning mist. Shu supplies bamboo to a nearby processing facility and earns around 40,000 yuan annually from the business.
    At a bamboo-processing base in Meijie township, Guichi district of Chizhou, two processing plants have been built, capable of handling 35,000 tons of bamboo annually. According to Zhang Yu, the site manager, more than 40 villagers are employed at the base, contributing to local income growth.
    Chizhou has developed an integrated industry model linking leading enterprises, circular industrial parks, bamboo-splitting plants, and village cooperatives, establishing a full production chain that spans primary, advanced, and deep processing.
    According to an official with the local forestry bureau, Chizhou now has 89 bamboo-processing enterprises with an annual capacity of 900,000 tons. In 2024, the city’s bamboo industry reached an output value of approximately 3 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 26 percent, and provided employment for nearly 40,000 rural households, boosting average household incomes by over 20,000 yuan.
    The city is also expanding its global footprint. Through platforms such as the Canton Fair, or the China Import and Export Fair, bamboo products from Chizhou, including skewers, chopsticks, and straws, have entered markets in the EU, India, Japan, South Korea, and other countries and regions.
    In December 2023, a Chizhou-based company was invited to speak at a side event organized by the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization during the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or COP28, sharing China’s experience in plastics substitution.
    Bamboo industry development in Chizhou is accelerating. At the first high-quality bamboo industry development conference for Anhui province in 2024, Chizhou High-Tech Industrial Development Zone signed a framework agreement with CRRC, China’s leading train maker, to establish a national bamboo circular-industry park headquarters in Chizhou. Plans are also underway to develop more than 50 such parks in bamboo-rich regions across the country.

  • China set to advance intelligent, integrated, multi-dimensional transport network by 2030

    China set to advance intelligent, integrated, multi-dimensional transport network by 2030

    By Han Xin, People’s Daily
    China is accelerating the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into its transportation sector, aiming to establish an intelligent, integrated, and multi-dimensional national transport network by 2030. A recently issued government guideline outlines 16 targeted tasks across four strategic areas, including technological innovation and scenario-based application, in a bid to enhance mobility, improve safety, and reduce environmental impact.
    The guideline emphasizes self-reliance in core technologies and sets out a roadmap to ensure China’s transport infrastructure ranks among the world’s most advanced by the end of the decade. The strategy centers on breakthroughs in applied AI technologies, innovation in intelligent transport products, and the development of large AI models tailored to comprehensive transport systems.
    “Strengthening the supply of key technologies is essential to build a full innovation chain from research and development to practical application,” said Wang Yunpeng, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of Beihang University. Wang added that developing large-scale AI models would enable the creation of a “transport brain,” equipped with high-quality datasets, algorithm libraries, and digital toolchains to support intelligent transformation across the sector.
    Progress in large transport models is already well underway. The Transport Foundation Model Innovation and Industrial Alliance — launched under the guidance of China’s Ministry of Transport — has brought together more than 50 leading enterprises, AI companies, and universities and research institutes, identifying 860 typical AI application scenarios.
    At the enterprise level, China Logistics Group introduced a large model serving over 40 specific scenarios including multimodal transport and warehouse scheduling. A “smart hub” built upon a transport large model developed by Chinese tech firm Baidu has been deployed in over 10 cities, serving over 1 million vehicles equipped with L2 driver-assistance driving systems.
    “Demonstration regions across the country are applying large-model-based solutions in areas such as road network monitoring and early warning, active management of high-traffic corridors, and integrated mobility services,” said an official from China’s Ministry of Transport. By enhancing capacity along major transport routes and implementing multi-tiered, refined traffic management models, these demonstration corridors have achieved approximately a 20 percent increase in traffic efficiency and a 30 percent improvement in emergency response efficiency during unforeseen events.
    Enabled by big data analytics and high-precision modeling, AI is establishing a robust digital foundation for China’s transport infrastructure. Statistics show that the 20 designated demonstration regions for digital transformation of highway and waterway infrastructure now encompass more than 60,000 kilometers of upgraded corridors, comprising approximately 54,000 kilometers of highways and 7,500 kilometers of waterways. These improved sections form a critical backbone of the national integrated, multi-dimensional transport network.
    Diverse application scenarios are essential for driving the deep integration of AI into the transportation sector. The newly issued guideline identifies intelligent application scenarios across seven major areas, including assisted driving, smart railways, and smart shipping, designed to accelerate innovation through real-world implementation. “These scenarios span almost all segments of the transport system, offering broader opportunities for testing and deploying new technologies and products,” Wang said.
    On the waterways front, China now has 52 automated terminals. Domestically developed intelligent operating systems for fully automated container terminals have been implemented at more than a dozen terminals both domestically and internationally. Electronic navigation charts for waterways have been successfully deployed along the Yangtze River’s main and branch routes. The accelerated adoption of intelligent technologies across ports, waterways, and vessels is significantly enhancing the efficiency of waterborne transport.
    Parallel advancements are also transforming China’s road networks. The Beijing-Xiong’an expressway, powered by Baidu AI Cloud, leverages the collaboration between vision and language-based large models to deliver second-level alerts for major traffic anomalies. Didi Autonomous Driving, in collaboration with Chinese automaker GAC Aion, has developed a new generation of factory-installed autonomous-driving vehicles. As autonomous driving converges with vehicle-road collaboration, a growing number of “smart vehicles” are taking to “smart roads,” accelerating the evolution of intelligent mobility.
    Deep integration of AI and transportation also depends on next-generation infrastructure. The guideline outlines targeted measures in terms of computing power, data, and networks to strengthen the supply of essential elements.
    For computing power, the guideline calls for better coordination of computing resources within the transport sector and strengthening computing capacity based on major transport infrastructure and local conditions.
    In terms of data, China will accelerate the development of comprehensive transport big-data centers, promote data sharing, and build high-quality dataset construction to fully leverage data as a production factor.
    In terms of network infrastructure, the guideline calls for the integrated application of multiple network technologies, the construction of intelligent sensing systems and the development of high-speed data transmission channels to enable low-latency, high-reliability, and wide-coverage connectivity for vehicle-road collaboration, remote operations, and real-time monitoring.

  • China’s display industry rises on global stage

    China’s display industry rises on global stage

    By Gu Yekai, People’s Daily
    Recent data from the China Center for Information Industry Development show that China now accounts for 55 percent of the global market for display panels and 43 percent for display materials, ranking first worldwide in both categories. The total output of China’s display industry represents nearly half of the global market.
    As a key pillar of advanced manufacturing, China’s display industry began to take shape in the late 20th century. Just over a decade ago, however, the country remained heavily reliant on imports of advanced chips and high-end display panels — the latter ranking as China’s fourth-largest import category at the time. Chinese domestic manufacturers faced significant challenges, lacking bargaining power in a sector dominated by a few multinational firms. High costs and supply constraints were common, with local companies often forced to queue for access to critical components.
    Through over two decades of sustained development, China has transitioned from a latecomer to a global leader in display technology. Accelerated breakthroughs in core technologies and the rise of globally competitive domestic firms have been instrumental in driving this transformation.
    Strategic policy support
    One major factor behind this rise has been strategic, forward-looking policymaking. In 2009, the Chinese government launched a restructuring and revitalization plan for the electronic information industry, specifically targeting bottlenecks in the emerging display sector. That same year, construction began on the Chinese mainland’s first independently designed and built 8.5-generation panel production line.
    Since then, a series of industrial policies, including the 12th five-year plan for the electronic information manufacturing industry, the 2014-2016 action plan for the new display innovation, and the 2019-2022 ultra-HD video industry development plan, have sustained the industry’s momentum and positioned it for high-speed growth.
    Technological foresight and innovation
    Another driving force is the industry’s strategic foresight and long-term commitment to independent innovation. The display sector’s evolution has seen multiple technological pathways, leading to industrial upgrading and the elimination of outdated technologies. Given the capital-intensive nature of the sector, even minor miscalculations can result in significant losses.
    Recognizing the inevitability of technological transformation early in the development of liquid-crystal technology, Chinese companies proactively accumulated critical know-how. As the industry pivoted toward organic light-emitting diode (OLED) and next-generation technologies, companies adopted a pragmatic “dual-track” approach, investing in parallel development paths with considerable success.
    Independent innovation remains central to the industry’s progress. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), research and development (R&D) investment in the sector has grown at an average annual rate of 18 percent, and Chinese companies accounted for 42 percent of global patent applications in this sector. They have also established competitive advantages in key areas such as quantum-dot materials and printed display technologies.
    Major players such as BOE Technology Group and TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology (TCL CSOT) maintain R&D investment ratios above 7 percent. BOE consistently ranks among the global top 10 in international patent filings (PCT), underscoring its innovation capacity. These innovation efforts have accelerated breakthroughs in frontier technologies, including micro-LED and quantum-dot displays.
    China’s innovation is not confined to end products but extends across upstream equipment and materials. The country has developed ultra-thin float-glass substrates for high-generation OLED production, and over 60 percent of critical materials, such as polarizers and photoresists, are now domestically sourced. Market shares for Chinese domestically produced evaporation machines and lithography equipment have risen from zero to 35 percent. These advances are enhancing the resilience and security of China’s industrial chain and supply chain.
    Domestic demand and application scenarios
    The huge Chinese market and diverse application scenarios have also fueled the sector’s expansion. The evolution of domestic smartphone designs, rapid growth in new energy vehicles, continuous innovation in wearable technology, and the development of AI, the Internet of Things, and cloud computing, are all driving demand for advanced display technologies.
    Industry estimates suggest that although display panels are not the highest-cost components in end-use devices, their contribution to downstream value creation can be four to five times their production value.
    By 2025, the output value of China’s new display industry is projected to approach 800 billion yuan ($112.55 billion). From relying on foreign technology to becoming a source of global innovation, the industry’s transformation illustrates China’s accelerating progress toward scientific and technological self-reliance and high-level innovation.

  • Accelerating the green transition through global consensus

    Accelerating the green transition through global consensus

    By Huan Yuping, People’s Daily
    As the host city of the 30th UN Climate Change Conference (COP30), Brazil’s Amazonian city of Belem carries global expectations for ushering in a “decade of acceleration and delivery” in the fight against climate change.
    As an important precursor to the conference, the Belem Climate Summit produced the Belem Declaration on Hunger, Poverty, and Human-Centered Climate Action, which calls for more equitable and inclusive climate action, demonstrating the collective determination of the international community to confront the climate crisis together.
    Global climate governance now stands at a critical juncture. The world must unite to send an unequivocal signal through concrete action that the transition to green and low-carbon development is irreversible.
    In December 2015, nearly 200 countries reached the Paris Agreement at the 21st UN Climate Change Conference, establishing the post-2020 international climate response mechanism centered on nationally determined contributions and reaffirming the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The agreement became a milestone in global climate governance.
    Over the past decade, global climate cooperation has moved forward despite setbacks, from concluding the implementation guidelines for the Paris Agreement, to setting up the “loss and damage” fund, to the agreement of 198 countries to transition away from fossil fuels and explicitly chart a course for energy transition for the first time.
    Yet gaps between ambition and reality remain stark. The increased frequency of extreme weather events, disruptions to global water cycles, and steadily rising greenhouse gas emissions all point to an escalating climate crisis. Scientific reports warn that the window for curbing global emissions is narrowing rapidly.
    Compounding this urgency are geopolitical tensions, uneven economic recovery, and the politicization of science, which have all undermined climate momentum. The retreat of climate policies in some developed countries has added more uncertainty to global climate governance.
    “It’s no longer time for negotiations. It’s time for implementation, implementation and implementation.” The urgent call of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Belem reminds the world that only stronger ambition and decisive action can move global climate governance forward.
    Addressing climate change requires upholding the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. Nearly 80 percent of the world’s poor live in areas highly vulnerable to climate disasters. Developed countries bear historical, legal, and moral responsibilities for climate issues. They should take the lead in emissions reduction and honor their financing commitments, while providing developing countries with greater support in funding and technologies.
    As the global demand for green development surges, deeper international cooperation in green technology and industry is more essential than ever. Countries should deepen international cooperation in green technology and industries, enhance the accessibility and affordability of clean energy technologies through collaborative innovation, and work to close the global gap in green capacity. Barriers to trade must be removed to ensure the free flow of high-quality green products worldwide so that the benefits of green development reach every corner of the globe.
    A new round of nationally determined contributions stands at the core of the Belem agenda. To date, more than 100 Parties to the Paris Agreement have submitted new national climate action plans and commitments. Confronting climate change ultimately depends on concrete actions. By building on their nationally determined contributions as a starting point, setting higher ambitions, and accelerating implementation, countries will not only enhance protection against escalating climate risks but also unlock substantial economic and social benefits through more effective climate strategies.
    From Paris to Belem, China has remained a steadfast actor and major contributor in promoting global green development.
    According to the white paper Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality: China’s Plans and Solutions, in the five years since the carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals were announced, China has established the most systematic and comprehensive carbon reduction policy framework in the world, and built the largest and the fastest-growing renewable energy system and the largest and most complete new energy industrial chain. It has contributed about one-fourth of the newly added green areas worldwide, and ranks among the countries with the fastest decline in energy consumption intensity.
    Guided by the vision that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,” China has embarked on a new path to modernization featuring harmony between humanity and nature, offering vivid examples for overcoming the global dilemma of balancing development and environmental protection.
    China also firmly upholds multilateralism and actively participates in global climate governance. Together with Belt and Road partner countries, China has built the Belt and Road into a road of green development. China has signed 55 memoranda of understanding on South-South cooperation to address climate change with 43 other developing countries, providing support within its capacity to countries across the Global South.
    Climate change concerns the shared future of all humanity. Achieving harmony between humanity and nature, and ensuring the sustainable protection of our planet, requires each country to fulfill its responsibilities and work collaboratively to pool resources and capabilities.