Foreign
China’s high-quality economic development good news to world

By He Yin, People’s Daily
Following the release of China’s 2023 economic data by the National Bureau of Statistics, it is
acknowledged globally that China's economy has successfully withstood challenges and
experienced a strong rebound, serving as a driving force and an anchor for the global economy.
China's commitment to high-quality development has further infused the world economy with
renewed vigor and heightened confidence.
The international community believes that the latest data reveals the remarkable resilience and
potential of the Chinese economy, and China's robust economic performance is poised to continue
propelling global economic recovery.
China's economy serves as a crucial driving force for the global economy. As the world has
entered a new period of turbulence and change, and the momentum of world economic growth is
sluggish, the Chinese economy made stable and sound progress in 2023, with total economic
output exceeding 126 trillion yuan ($17.64 trillion), up 5.2 percent year on year.
Whether compared horizontally with major global economies or vertically with China's previous
year, this performance is impressive and hard-earned. In 2023, China's economic growth generates
over 6 trillion yuan, equivalent to the annual GDP of a medium-sized country. The report of
International Financial Forum demonstrates that China contributes 32 percent to the global
economic growth in 2023 and is the largest engine of world economy.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that a 1-percentage-point increase in China's GDP
growth leads to a 0.3-percentage-point increase in growth in other economies on average.
Managing director of the IMF Kristalina Georgieva believes that the Chinese economy achieving
its major expected targets is great news for China, Asia, and the world.
China's economy brings rare stability to the global economy. As the world's second largest
economy, China has developed positive economic fundamentals and long-term trajectory. It is the
only country with industries across all categories in the United Nations industrial classification.
The added value of its manufacturing industry accounts for around 30 percent of the global total,
leading the world for 14 years in a row. China is also home to over 200 mature industry clusters.
As China's "demographic dividend" is transitioning into a "talent dividend," the country now leads
the world in the numbers of talents, scientific and technological professionals, as well as research
and development personnel. China's overall investment in research and development and high-
tech industries has maintained double-digit growth for several years. The application of emerging
technologies is accelerating, leading to the emergence of new products and business models. All
of these will accelerate the formation and strengthening of new driving forces for China's
development.
An article published on the Pakistan Observer highlighted that "as the international community
places growing confidence in China's economic prowess, it emerges as a stabilizing force in an
otherwise unpredictable global economic landscape, affirming its significance in the ongoing
narrative of worldwide economic growth".
Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd pointed out that so long as the Chinese consumer
has confidence in China's future, the economy will continue to grow reasonably well.
The total export of electric passenger cars, lithium-ion batteries, and solar batteries reached 1.06
trillion yuan, hitting the trillion-yuan mark for the first time and increasing 29.9 percent year on
year.
Some foreign media outlets noted that for those with a long-term perspective, China's increasing
investment in product and technological innovation should be a source of confidence in the
country's long-term economic prospects.
China will continue to share new opportunities with all countries in the world. Despite growing
risks in the world economy and surging undercurrents of protectionism, China has been committed
to opening-up and has opened its door even wider to the world, fostering a world-class business
environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized.
In October last year, China vowed to remove all restrictions on foreign investment in the
manufacturing sector, opening up opportunities for global investors to participate in the
development of China's manufacturing industry. Over the past five years, the return on foreign
direct investment in China stands at around 9 percent, which is quite competitive globally.
Joe Ngai, chairman of McKinsey & Company in Greater China noted that in terms of market
scale, consumer influence, and innovation capacity, the Chinese market stands unrivaled, with no
other region worldwide capable of surpassing its prominence.
He believes that for companies, the Chinese market is not only a hub for innovation, but also can
provide inspiration in the consumer field. "Multinational companies should continue to invest in
China," Ngai said.
China, with greater efforts and more practical measures, will effectively improve the quality of its
economy and promote its growth within a reasonable range, consolidate and promote the
momentum of economic recovery, so as to bring more benefits to the world and contribute more
driving forces for global growth.
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.
-
News8 hours ago
SDGs must be integrated into development plans – FG
-
News9 hours ago
2027: Stakeholders allege Akpabio, others have sold APC to PDP in Akwa Ibom
-
News8 hours ago
Nnamdi Kanu’s trial under ‘repealed’ law, mere charade – Lawyer
-
Foreign8 hours ago
Trump begins mass layoffs at Voice of America