Foreign
China firmly upholds seriousness of Declaration on theConduct of Parties in theSouth China Sea

By Zhong Sheng, People’s Daily
For some time, the Philippines has repeatedly sent coast guard vessels and official vessels to intrude into the adjacent waters of Xianbin Jiao in an attempt to send supplies to the Philippine coast guard (PCG) vessel, which has been anchoring in the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao for a long time, and seek long-term presence there.
The Philippines’ move has seriously infringed on China’s sovereignty, violated the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and threatened peace and stability in the South China Sea. It should stop the infringement and provocation activities at once, and withdraw all the vessels immediately.
China will continue to take resolute measures in accordance with law to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and uphold the sanctity of the DOC.
Some in the Philippines have ignored the fact that the Philippines initiated the infringement and provocation and China responded in accordance with law to defend its rights. They tried to play the “victim” and distort the facts, turning the truth on its head. This clumsy performance cannot change the merits of the facts.
Xianbin Jiao is part of China’s Nansha Qundao and has always been China’s territory, not within the Philippines’exclusive economic zone. China maintains indisputable sovereignty over Nansha Qundao and the adjacent waters, including Xianbin Jiao. To patrol and carry out law enforcement operations by the Chinese side in the waters near Xianbin Jiao is within China’s domestic law and international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS).
In fact, the PCG vessel that has been anchored in the lagoon of Xianbin Jiao is not stranded but has deliberately dropped its anchor. The personnel on board can leave at any time, and the so-called “humanitarian” issue is purely a result of the Philippines’ own actions. It is the Philippine government that places its personnel in an inhumane situation of danger, hunger, and insecurity.
The Philippines’ provocative actions in Xianbin Jiao seriously violate the DOC and run counter to the shared aspiration of regional countries to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.
Xianbin Jiao is an uninhabited shoal, and the parties should keep it uninhabited and facility-free. It is clearly stipulated in Article 5 of the DOC, which was signed by China and ASEAN member states, that the Parties to the declaration agree to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability by, among other undertakings, refraining from action of inhabiting the presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays and other features, and to handle their differences in a constructive manner.
A joint communique of the recently concluded 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting reaffirmed the need to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability of the South China Sea, avoiding actions that may further complicate the situation.
The Philippines has repeatedly broken its promises, proving itself to be a genuine troublemaker disrupting peace and stability in the South China Sea. China’s firm defense of its rights in accordance with law is to uphold the seriousness of the DOC and to safeguard peace and stability in the region.
The Philippines has committed multiple infringements, attempting to unlawfully occupy uninhabited islands and reefs, leading to repeated escalations of tensions in the South China Sea and seriously jeopardizing regional peace and stability.
It is evident to any observer whose interests the current Philippine government’s foreign policy and maritime actions serve. A few non-regional countries, driven by selfish geopolitical interests, are eager to see turmoil in the South China Sea. They have incited, supported, and cooperated with the Philippines’ infringements, using the South China Sea dispute to sow discord among regional countries, playing a deeply dishonorable role.
Anna Malindog-Uy, vice president of the Manila-based think tank Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute, said that for some time, the Philippine government has aligned with external powers in adopting confrontational policies toward China over the South China Sea. This has led other ASEAN nations to view the Philippines as a proxy for extra-regional powers seeking strategic interests in the region.
China-Philippines relations are now at a crossroads, facing a crucial choice on the path forward. There is no way out of conflict and confrontation, except for dialogue and consultation. The Philippines should seriously think about the future of China-Philippines relations and work with China to push bilateral relations back on the right track at an early date.
Maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea is a shared responsibility of regional countries. The Philippines must fulfill its commitments and refrain from changing its position.
(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)
Foreign
Trump begins mass layoffs at Voice of America

The Trump administration has initiated sweeping layoffs at Voice of America (VOA) and other U.S.-funded international broadcasters, effectively dismantling institutions long seen as critical for American influence abroad.
On Sunday, contractors working for VOA received an email notification that their employment would be terminated by the end of March. “You must cease all work immediately and are not permitted to access any agency buildings or systems,” the email read, according to multiple staff members who confirmed the development.
The move, which comes just a day after all employees were placed on administrative leave, disproportionately affects non-English-language services, where contractors make up a significant portion of the workforce. Many of these contractors are not U.S. citizens and may now face visa issues, further complicating their status in the country.
While most full-time staff remain employed for now, they have been told not to work, leaving VOA and its sister organizations in a state of uncertainty. Some services, unable to produce new programming, have resorted to playing music.
VOA, founded during World War II, has been a critical tool for U.S. public diplomacy, broadcasting in 49 languages to audiences in countries where press freedom is restricted. However, President Trump signed an executive order on Friday targeting its parent organization, the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), as part of broader federal budget cuts.
The cuts extend beyond VOA, affecting other U.S.-funded media entities such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, Radio Farda (which broadcasts in Persian to Iran), and Alhurra, an Arabic-language network launched after the 2003 Iraq invasion. The administration argues that taxpayers should not fund what it calls “radical propaganda,” despite VOA’s longstanding editorial independence.
Liam Scott, a VOA journalist covering press freedom and disinformation, expressed concern over the decision. “I’ve covered press freedom for a long time, and I’ve never seen something like what’s happened in the U.S. over the past couple of months,” he wrote on social media.
The move has drawn international attention, particularly from China and Russia, which have been expanding their own state-funded media efforts. The Chinese state-run *Global Times* reacted with an editorial declaring that “the monopoly of information held by traditional Western media is being shattered.”
Trump’s administration has pursued aggressive cuts across federal agencies, including eliminating most foreign aid and significantly reducing the Department of Education. With input from tech billionaire Elon Musk, Trump has focused on reducing government size to facilitate tax cuts.
As the global media landscape shifts, the dismantling of U.S.-funded broadcasters leaves a vacuum that could be filled by rival state-controlled networks. Whether Congress or legal challenges will intervene remains to be seen, but for now, the future of America’s international broadcasting efforts hangs in the balance.
Foreign
Judge blocks Trump from deporting non-citizens using wartime law

A federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s attempt to deport migrants allegedly linked to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua under a wartime law.
US District Judge James Boasberg issued a restraining order preventing the administration from using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expel undocumented migrants accused of gang ties. The order initially protected five individuals challenging the deportation but was later expanded to all affected noncitizens in US custody.
Boasberg also directed that any planes carrying these migrants be returned to the United States. “Any plane containing these folks that is going to take off or is in the air needs to be returned,” he ruled. The restraining order will remain in effect for 14 days or until further court action.
The Trump administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act, citing Tren de Aragua as a terrorist organization that has “unlawfully infiltrated the United States” and is engaging in hostile actions. However, civil rights groups, including the ACLU, argue that the gang’s activities do not meet the legal definition of an invasion.
The Justice Department has appealed the ruling, while the case continues in court.
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.
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