Foreign
Commodities from Yiwu reach big markets as Paris Olympics nears

By Ji Fang, Wang Liang, Tao Xiang’an, People’s Daily
As the Paris Olympics approaches, Yiwu city, known as the “world’s supermarket” in east China’s Zhejiang province, has received a large number of orders related to the Games.
The Yiwu International Trade Market in Yiwu city is surrounded by a strong Olympic vibe, with a wide range of sporting goods and Olympic merchandise available for purchase.
Yiwu Customs records show that the export value of sporting equipment and goods in Yiwu reached 4.1 billion yuan ($563.7 million) in the first five months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 44.4 percent. The export value of sporting goods to France grew significantly.
The city has seized on business opportunities brought by major international sports events, from the FIFA World Cup to the UEFA European Championship, and the Olympics. It has earned a solid reputation, opened up a vast market, and showcased the vitality of China’s development.
Stepping into the Yiwu International Trade Market, silicone wristbands with the Paris Olympics logo were displayed in front of a shop. “This wristband is produced by the factory with official authorization,” said a merchant named Lin Daolai.
Last October, his company won the bid and received an order to produce 1 million Olympic wristbands. After several months of production, the first batch of wristbands has arrived in Paris, and the second batch has already been shipped. “These 1 million Olympic wristbands have increased our annual sales by 30 percent,” said Lin.
Since last year, major merchants in the Yiwu International Trade Market have received a large number of Olympics-related orders. Wang Qiang, president of the Yiwu Sports and Fitness Supplies Industry Association, said that the association quickly prepared for the Paris Olympics by gathering companies and merchants to discuss marketing strategies and improve the supply chain system.
“In the first quarter, the overall sales of the industry increased by 30 to 35 percent compared to the same period last year. Yiwu is capable of providing abundant supplies for the Paris Olympics, as orders continue to pour in,” said Wang.
The booming sports economy has injected new impetus into Yiwu’s development. In addition to the Paris Olympics, merchants also see opportunities in the UEFA European Championship and the Copa America this summer.
Wen Congjian, a local jersey supplier, began preparations early for the two events. “This year, our turnover has increased by around 30 percent thanks to these sports events,” Wen said.
After supplying multiple major international sports events, Yiwu has gained the favor of international buyers. The Yiwu International Trade Market, with its 75,000 business booths and over 2.1 million types of products in 26 categories, is now exporting to more than 230 countries and regions worldwide.
The Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup sparked a sales frenzy among merchants in Yiwu. “We sold nearly 2 million jerseys in 2022, doubling our revenue from the previous year,” said Wen.
The production and sales of merchandise like vuvuzela horns and keychains also saw significant growth. To ensure smooth delivery, Yiwu opened a dedicated shipping route for FIFA, allowing products to reach Qatar’s Hamad Port in just over 20 days. Products made in Yiwu were estimated to account for about 70 percent of merchandise sales during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Through the experience gained from multiple sports events, many merchants in Yiwu are now adept at keeping up with the trends and responding to market demands.
Merchant Hui Ping’s shop specializes in sports event merchandise. Recently, there have been many customers coming to her shop to buy products, and a glow stick used for cheering has been particularly popular. The glow stick is designed to provide continuous illumination for up to 10 hours, ensuring that it fully meets the spectators’ needs for watching the game.
To stay ahead in the market, merchants in Yiwu are placing greater emphasis on product innovation, offering novel designs and exceptional quality. The booming development of manufacturing in China has provided strong support for Yiwu and consolidated the city’s position in the global supply chain.
Nowadays, Yiwu is undergoing a rapid market transformation, aiming to enhance the technological content and added value of its products through innovation. With the rise of cross-border e-commerce, local businesses are shifting their focus from a production-centric approach to actively seeking market opportunities, leading to a gradual transition to on-demand production and improved efficiency.
These innovations represent the transformation and upgrading of Yiwu’s manufacturing and trade model in the new era.
“In recent years, the number of shops selling sporting goods in the Yiwu International Trade Market has been steadily increasing, and the share of Yiwu sporting goods is continuously growing in the global market,” said Wang. “We are confident that through continuous innovation, we will sell more high-quality products to the world.”
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.
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.
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