Foreign
Genuinely secure world should be one featuring deep integration, interdependence

By Huan Yuping, People’s Daily
Security is a common need for countries around the world, but there are always some individuals who, under the guise of safeguarding security, deliberately create risks.
They view the interdependence formed among nations due to economic globalization as a threat and use the pretext of security to create scientific and technological barriers and sever industrial and supply chains, which causes impacts on global economic development and stability. This has raised widespread concerns in the international community.
The mindset of zero-sum game characterized by binary opposition has long been a thing of the past, and a genuinely secure world should be one featuring deep integration and interdependence. Creating division and confrontation with the zero-sum mentality goes against the goal of maintaining security and only leads to collective insecurity.
In 1996, American columnist Thomas Friedman proposed the theory of “Golden Arches Theory of Conflict Prevention,” suggesting that two countries that were sufficiently developed to support a McDonald’s would not fight each other because the benefits brought by economic globalization would outweigh the desire for war.
At that time, economic globalization was widely seen as a positive force beneficial to global development and security. However, today, with the trend of economic globalization, some individuals have developed an unfounded “cooperation phobia,” constantly seeing imaginary threats.
Some politicians from a few countries even openly claimed that modern cars are like “iPhones on wheels” capable of collecting vast amounts of information. “Imagine a world with 3 million Chinese vehicles on the roads of America, and Beijing can turn them off at the same time,” they said, absurdly.
This illogical reasoning has sparked widespread criticism and is seen as trade sanctions and protectionism disguised as national security concerns.
In this world shaped by economic globalization, goods, capital, people, and information flow around the world ceaselessly, and interdependence among nations has become the norm. Viewing the world through the mindset of zero-sum game and baselessly hyping so-called security threats are severely disconnected from realities and deviate from the historical trend of development.
Every country has security needs, but abusing the concept of security will only harm a country’s own security in the long run.
Currently, more and more scholars are warning that the United States is showing signs of falling into a trap of abusing the concept of security. Once obsessed with the so-called absolute security, and arbitrarily expanding the scope of security, the country would incline to closed-door policies and exclusion, resulting in misallocation and waste of development resources. Externally, it is prone to creating “imaginary enemies” and getting caught in zero-sum games, undermining normal international cooperation.
In recent years, a few countries have been aggressively seeking “friendshoring” and pursuing a “small yard, high fence” strategy, continuously abusing the concept of security. They have turned their mindset from “running faster than others” to “running faster by tripping others.”
This approach seriously damages global prosperity and stability.
Past and current experiences show that countries engaging in mutually beneficial cooperation based on market principles not only contribute to each other’s development but also help foster healthy and stable relationships.
Over the past few decades, the international system has maintained overall stability and order, which is to a large extent attributed to the continuously improving mutually beneficial cooperation amidst the tide of economic globalization.
Distorting and undermining mutually beneficial cooperation between countries in the name of so-called security will only exacerbate misunderstandings, erode mutual trust, disrupt international relations, and create security risks. From a long-term perspective, a world influenced by unilateralism and protectionism will be even more insecure.
In today’s world, the interests, prosperity and security of countries are closely intertwined. The world will never return to isolation. When considering security issues in the context of economic globalization, one must maintain an objective and dialectical perspective.
Firstly, it is important to abandon the misconception of absolute security and adhere to the concept of common security. Adopting a double standard of demanding other countries to open up while closing one’s own doors in the name of “de-risking” will only hinder both development and security, and ultimately lead to backfiring.
Secondly, all parties should recognize that seeking security and promoting cooperation are not contradictory, and that absence of cooperation is the biggest risk and lack of development the biggest insecurity. Risks should be reasonably defined and prevented, without equating interdependence with insecurity. Major economies that have a significant impact on the world economy, in particular, should balance security and open development with a rational attitude.
Thirdly, in the face of problems that arise in economic and trade cooperation, it is important to stop turning business relations into political, security or ideological issues. Instead, countries should strengthen dialogue, manage and resolve the issues in accordance with relevant international rules.
For emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, all parties should enhance communication and coordination on reasonable security concerns, effectively safeguarding security and promoting development through global governance based on extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits.
In today’s world, what countries truly need is mutual achievement, rather than zero-sum games. The international community should jointly promote a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization, resolutely oppose the attempt to roll back globalization and abuse the concept of security, and oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism. This way, people of all countries will be able to share in the benefits of economic globalization and global growth.
Foreign
China’s new chapter in global innovation

By Gu Yekai, Liu Yiqing, People’s Daily
At a smart construction project site managed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation, a quiet technological revolution is underway. Amid cranes and concrete, engineers are deploying advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems that could fundamentally reshape the construction industry.
Li Fengjian, an AI specialistwith Xianyuan Technology, detailed how the company’s latest intelligent system – built on a large model – adapts to complex construction environments.”Engineering machinery equipped with intelligent agents can adjust its operations automatically in response to weather conditions,” Li explained, adding that a spatiotemporal sensing network further enhances the system, providing real-time tracking of both personnel and materials throughout the construction site.
In February this year, Xianyuan Technology rapidly integrated its self-developed model with DeepSeek-R1, effectively blending a general-purpose framework with industry-specific models. This integration, Li noted, has produced a solution capable of delivering expert-level performance in challenging, dynamic environments. The firm is based in the Shanghai Foundation Model Innovation Center, aburgeoning AI incubator that now hosts over 200 innovative enterprises.
China’s technological transformation extends well beyond the construction sector. Overthe past three decades, the country has evolved from its initial forays into internet connectivity to becoming a key player in global digital innovation.
Here, a steady stream of technological innovations are emerging, from the early days of emails and web browsing to the cutting-edge technologies represented by DeepSeek and the dynamic evolution of social media.
Wu Jianping, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Engineering and headof the Zhongguancun Laboratory, pointed out that while China had introduced only one internet standard before 2005, it now contributes to over 200 worldwide. Such strides illustrate the country’s concerted push toward high-level technological self-reliance – a journey marked by both persistence and determination.
Beyond the digital realm, China is makingsignificant inroads in aerospace, new energy, and other high-tech sectors. It has transitioned from being a follower to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with global leaders, and in some areas, even taking the lead. Wu attributed these achievements to a dynamic ecosystem of policy reforms and talent cultivation that encourages creativity and technical expertise at every level.
Amid intensifying international competition, collaborative research and the integration of new technologies with traditional industries are central to China’s high-quality economic development.
Mei Linhai, a researcher at China’s State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Intelligence, remarked that the age of AI calls for continuous exploration. “In this era, everyone is an innovator. Only by persistently pushing the boundaries can we remain at the forefront of both technological and industrial development,” Mei observed.
In the field of general-purpose AI, Mei emphasized that independent innovation is paramount. He advocates for a self-driven industrial ecosystem that leveragesbreakthrough technologies to boost productivity and unlock new possibilities, Mei said.
Foreign
Chinese democracy in action:a village bench meeting shapes national law

By Wei Zhezhe, Liu Botong, People’s Daily
In a modest corner of Jiangmen, south China’s Guangdong province, residents of Weidong village are experiencing firsthand a form of democracy that starts at the grassroots level and reverberates all the way to Beijing.
Wu Tengxin, a local villager who relies on a scooter for daily mobility after contracting polio, recalls a time when the village’s public spaces were ill-equipped for people with disabilities. Now, thanks to a simple suggestion made during a meeting, his everyday life has changed.
In November 2022, a team from a local legislative outreach office – a branch of China’sNational People’s Congress (NPC) – visited Weidong village and set up a “bench-style meeting.” Residents, including the elderly and those with disabilities, gathered to voice their concerns about inadequate accessibility.
Amid the conversation, Wu offered a straightforward proposal: “I hope rural accessible facilities can be improved to make mobility easier for people with disabilities and the elderly.” His words were relayed verbatim to lawmakers.
The response was swift. On June 28, 2023, at the third session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee, legislators passed a law on building a barrier-free living environment. The law stipulates that improvements”shall align with social and economic development levels, coordinate urban and rural progress, and gradually narrow the gap in infrastructure between urban and rural areas.”
Today, Wu observes that the village’s main roads and public squares have been upgraded with accessibility features that make getting around considerably easier.
This episode illustrates what Chinese officials call “whole-process people’s democracy” – a system where citizen input is woven into every stage of policy development.
Jilie Ziri, head of Abuluoha village in Butuo county, southwest China’s Sichuan province, remarked that for young generations in China, democracy has become a lived experience. “Villagers are the masters of village affairs,” he said, emphasizing how active villager participation has injected new vitality into local governance.
Experts point to consultative democracy as a cornerstone of this process. Tao Kaiyuan, vice chairman of the Central Committee of the China Association for Promoting Democracy and vice president of the Supreme People’s Court, underscores the important role of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, whose members hail from every stratum of society and bring a wealth of expertise and connections.
Their regular forums, field research, and public consultations have created robust channels for citizens to contribute ideas and forge consensus.”This approach gathers collective wisdom and transforms public voices into policy,” Tao said.
Another crucial manifestation is the effectiveness of China’s political party system. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, Chinese democratic parties actively fulfill their duties, offering recommendations that often translate into concrete policy decisions. This integrated approach demonstrates the unique strengths of China’s political system and the advantages of whole-process people’s democracy.
Tao emphasized that whole-process people’s democracyhas evolved into an efficient and dynamic democratic practice – one that not only reflects the essence of socialist democracy but also presents a pioneering model of political civilization, contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to global governance and democratic development.
Foreign
Chinese modernization: blueprint for global progress

By He Yin, People’s Daily
At China’s recent annual “two sessions,” Chinese modernization once again captured global attention. International observers are closely following a range of new measures designed not only to accelerate Chinese domestic transformation but also to unlock fresh opportunities for global development.
They believe that Chinese modernization, built on a foundation of openness and cooperation, will continue to yield global benefits with each new milestone.
Today, China stands as a formidable force in the global economy – accounting for around 18 percent of the global economy and nearly 30 percent of world manufacturing output. Year after year, the nation has contributed about 30 percent to global economic growth. With import and export records with almost all countries and regions designated in the United Nations Statistics Division, the country is a major trading partner for more than 150 countries and regions. In 2024, its exports to over 160 countries and regions saw growth.
Often hailed as the “world’s largest developing country,”the “second-largest economy,””world’s factory,””global market,” and “innovation powerhouse,” China is increasingly viewed as a beacon of stability and progress.
In recent years, high-profile events such as the seventh China International Import Expo – where intended deals exceeded $80 billion – and the establishment of over 1.239 million foreign-invested enterprises have reinforced the nation’s reputation as a vast, dynamic market.
Meanwhile, policies encouraging Chinese companies to “go global” have seen a steady stream of new technologies, goods, and services permeate international markets, knitting the country ever tighter into global value chains and bolstering its commitment to win-win cooperation.
The influence of Chinese modernization is evident far beyond its borders. In the Central African Republic, President Faustin-Archange Touadera has repeatedly screened China’s political documentary Carry the Reform Through to the End for cabinet discussions, while officialsin Uzbekistan are adapting China’s poverty-reduction experience to suit their national context. These moves challenge the assumption that modernization must follow Western models, suggesting that China’s alternative pathway offers a viable route to development.
Beyond economic growth, Chinese modernization is increasingly celebrated for its potential to foster win-win cooperation and shared prosperity.
Under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), for example, Kazakhstan secured its first maritime access and Laos launched its first modern railway. Support from the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund has propelled over 160 projects, benefiting more than 30 million people. Moreover, China has given all the least developed countries with which it has diplomatic relations zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines, signaling its commitment to an open and inclusive global economy.
China’s modernization agenda also tackles global challenges head on. In response to global environmental risks, China advocates for building a community of all life on the Earth. To bridge the digital and AI divide, it has launched the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All to ensure that technological advancements benefit every corner of the globe.
On the security front, China continues to promote dialogue and reconciliation in conflict zones while engaging in multilateral security collaborations, reinforcing its reputation as a nation committed to peace and stability.
By proposing initiatives such as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilizations Initiative, China is not just charting its own course toward modernization but championing an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization – one that seeks to ensure that no nation is left behind on the path to prosperity.
The global appeal of Chinese modernization is far from accidental. Decades of reform and opening up have accelerated its development while enabling the country to contribute to global governance. On the international stage, it has taken on a leadership role – actively shaping global norms, building a community with a shared future for mankind, and advancing world peace and development. By sharing its successful experiences and technological advancements, the country seeks to help other developing countries chart their own courses toward progress.
With over 1.4 billion people engaged in this modernization journey – a number that surpasses the total population of all developed countries combined – China’s approach is redefining the global modernization landscape. For China, modernization is not solely a national endeavor but a blueprint for global progress – a vision that promises a more inclusive future for all.
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